Direct indexing. It’s a term that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? And how does it work?
In this short video you’ll learn what makes direct indexing different from traditional passive investment vehicles as well as its advantages for many investors when it comes to tax, ESG, and other customizations.
The “lockup” narrative around direct indexing suggests tax benefits vanish after initial loss harvesting. Jerry Michael, President of Smartleaf, dismantles the myth by showing how direct indexes can deliver tax efficiency across every client milestone—from onboarding legacy positions to withdrawals, charitable giving, and rebalancing. The issue isn’t whether direct indexes work long term; it’s whether advisors understand tax management beyond loss harvesting alone.
The US economy added 119,000 positions in September, data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Thursday.