Market volatility, often viewed as a portfolio risk, can be repurposed into a tax-advantage opportunity through direct indexing, according to Northern Trust Asset Management. The firm will host a live educational webinar on July 30 at 12 p.m. CST, led by Ken Lassner, Direct Indexing Lead Product Strategist, to show advisors how to convert market swings into recurring tax-loss harvesting and gain deferral events.
Lassner, who joined Northern Trust in 2024 after 13 years at Aperio as a Senior Client Relationship Manager, brings over three decades of investment management experience, including 20 years focused on direct indexing. His background includes roles at Deutsche Asset Management and JP Morgan Investment Management, and he holds a BS in Finance from Babson College and an MBA from Columbia.
The session will cover how direct ownership of individual securities enables more precise tax management than traditional index mutual funds or ETFs, particularly during periods of market dispersion and drawdowns. Advisors will learn to identify tax-loss harvesting opportunities that arise from market swings, and how to defer gains to improve after-tax outcomes for clients.
Beyond tax mechanics, the webinar will offer practical guidance on integrating direct indexing into existing client portfolios, including tax-efficient transitions from appreciated or concentrated holdings. Real-world case studies will illustrate how advisors can weave market volatility, tax strategy, and personalized portfolio construction into a single, clear client conversation.
Key topics include the after-tax value proposition of direct indexing, how customization features such as exclusions, factor tilts, values-based screens, and tax-management settings align with individual client goals, and why these strategies are increasingly relevant in today's environment. The program is designed for financial advisors seeking to deepen their understanding of direct indexing as a tool for tax-aware, personalized portfolio strategies.
Registration is free, and attendees will receive practical, planning-focused insights they can apply directly in client meetings. The webinar underscores a growing trend among advisors to use direct indexing not just for customization, but as a systematic tax-management engine. As currency swings and rising living costs challenge high-net-worth clients, tax efficiency becomes even more critical.
Northern Trust Asset Management comprises multiple entities including Northern Trust Investments, Inc., Northern Trust Global Investments Limited, and others. The firm emphasizes that permission to distribute this content does not imply endorsement of any third-party product or service.
