Regulation Best Interest (Reg BI), the new rules passed by the SEC in September, may have raised the standard of care required of brokers making investment recommendations to their clients, but it didn't clear up the confusion about the differences between registered investment advisors and brokers.

Today's advisory firms face numerous cybersecurity risks, from phishing to ransomware to email viruses, to name a few. And the one way that firms can tell if they're ready to face these risks, as well as regulators' requirements, is to put them to the test.

The custody arena for registered investment advisors is about to get a lot smaller if Charles Schwab acquires TD Ameritrade. Here's what that might mean for services for financial advisors and their clients.

Insurance is an essential part of a comprehensive financial plan, but fee-only advisors have blanched at using commission-based products to solve a problem. Here's how to curtail those conflicts of interest.

Investors aren't the only ones watching Charles Schwab's acquisition of TD Ameritrade. Registered investment advisors also want to know what this smaller field of custodians means for their firms and the clients they serve.

Turning 65 is a big milestone in retirement due to Medicare eligibility. But if clients don't get their enrollment decision right, they could face costly penalties or higher medical expenses. Here's what advisors need to keep in mind — and what they need to think about if they want to loop in third-party expertise.

Just because you're approaching retirement doesn't mean you have to shy away from stocks. Financial advisors discuss why it may make sense for investors to step up their equity allocation — particularly if they can count on pension income.

With the average couple shelling out an estimated $285,000 for medical expenses after age 65, some advisors are looking closely at how their clients should best spend their health-care dollars.

As 40% of advisors plan to retire within the next 10 years, young financial advisors can help fill the gap. Here's how established advisory practices are integrating younger generations into their teams.

Financial advisors who made CNBC's FA 100 list of leading firms for 2019 share what their outlook is on factors influencing markets and investors in the new year, from domestic politics to global trade and corporate earnings.

While certain investors might share some commonalities, they also bring a variety of circumstances and financial individuality to the table that some advisors sort through before handing over investment advice.

Developing a niche, like working with millennial clients or widows, will become more imperative if financial advisors are to compete successfully.

When it comes to protecting consumers' money, many in the financial industry are in one of two camps: those in favor of a 'fiduciary rule' or those who back a 'best interest' regulation. Now, some states are poised to wade into the fight by adopting a best interest standard for annuities sales.

The CFP Board, which oversees standards for 86,000 certified financial planners in the U.S., removed the ability for consumers to search for an advisor based on how they're paid.

The best financial advisors will choose to stay connected with their clients throughout the coronavirus crisis and be creative in evolving their services on a human level. Keep adding to your market volatility playbook — this isn't the first time we've encountered turbulence in the markets, and it won't be the last.

Eighty-one percent of financial advisors say markets haven't hit bottom yet amid the coronavirus pandemic, according to a survey by Ned Davis Research. Two members of CNBC's Financial Advisor Council say whatever the future holds, they're telling clients to stay the course.

There are some key things that retirement savers should steer clear of doing with their 401(k), despite uncertainty over exactly when the stock market will recoup its losses and head higher.

As markets careeen amid coronavirus-fueled economic volatility, financial advisors are at the eye of the storm. We asked five members of the CNBC Financial Advisor Council what they're telling clients, whether they're helping them reallocate and how the downturn is impacting their own fortunes.

While financial advisors must continue being proactive in helping clients maintain financial well-being during the coronavirus pandemic and downturn, the most effective advisors are managing their clients' emotional well-being, as well.

Three financial advisors share how they have helped clients apply for emergency funding through the Paycheck Protection Program, and sought aid for their practices.

The race is on for improved testing, treatment and a vaccine for Covid-19. One company is partnering with Microsoft to decode how the human immune system responds to the virus. Chad Robins, Adaptive Biotechnologies CEO and co-founder, joins "Squawk Box" to discuss ways to make testing more reliable.

Everbridge CEO David Meredith discussed business systems to help combat the spread of coronavirus in the workplace.

Mattel CEO Ynon Kreiz told "Mad Money" host Jim Cramer he expects a "good holiday season" if the retail environement returns to normal.

Etsy CEO Josh Silverman discussed the e-retailer's sales swings from March to April and how the company has responded to the coronavirus pandemic.

Moderna CEO Stephan Bancel tells "Squawk Box" that he anticipates the supply of Covid-19 vaccines will be 'constrained' at first and that the company will work closely with the U.S. government to distribute the first batches of the vaccine to areas that have the most need.

Women and children bear brunt as drought and extreme weather leave tens of millions short of food

Southern Africa is in the throes of a climate emergency, with hunger levels in the region on a previously unseen scale, the UN has warned.

Years of drought, widespread flooding and economic disarray have left 45 million people facing severe food shortages, with women and children bearing the brunt of the crisis, said the World Food Programme (WFP).

Related: Zimbabwe on verge of 'manmade starvation', warns UN envoy

Emmerson Mnangagwa makes passionate plea for support as he targets upper middle-income status by 2030

The president of Zimbabwe has appealed for help in pulling his debt-ridden country out of “financial isolation”.

Emmerson Mnangagwa made his passionate call for international funding after he failed to secure new loans from the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, African Development Bank and the Paris Club due to outstanding foreign debts of $8bn (£6.2bn).

Related: Zimbabwe urged to prioritise children as record poverty causes food shortages

An SEC rule is requiring many brokers, often referred to as financial or wealth advisors, to stop marketing themselves as "advisors" next month.

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CNBC's Dominic Chu reports that San Francisco is targeting May 18 to reopen some businesses.

Charles Stewart, Sotheby's CEO, on how the company has shifted business during the pandemic. With CNBC's Melissa Lee and the Fast Money traders, Guy Adami, Tim Seymour, Karen Finerman and Dan Nathan.

The Australian government has arranged four additional Qantas flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai in the coming fortnight. This blog has now closed

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10.10am BST

To recap, this afternoon there were 6,929 Covid-19 cases in Australia, with the death toll at 97.

There had been 16 new cases in the last 24 hours, four of which were related to the Cedar Meats cluster in Victoria.

Related: Coronavirus Australia latest: at a glance

8.21am BST

There are just two people in South Australia considered to be active cases of Covid-19.

No further cases were recorded when the state health department released updated statistics on Saturday, with South Australia’s total tally remaining at 439.

We want people to get out and explore our fabulous regions. It is safe for regional travel in South Australia.

Ex-president backs new app for victims as WHO reports 60% rise in domestic abuse calls

The former French president François Hollande has spoken of his concern for women suffering domestic abuse during the lockdown.

In an interview with the Guardian, Hollande called for schoolchildren to be taught that violence at home was unacceptable but that it affected every social group.

Related: Protecting domestic violence victims in lockdown

USB-C, faster processors and new design options continue to keep Microsoft’s Windows 10 laptop near the top of the pile

Microsoft’s top-quality laptop is now in its third generation, with new ports, new processors and a slight redesign, with the option to ditch the unique Alcantara for plain old aluminium.

The £999 and up Surface Laptop 3 is Microsoft’s vision of what a traditional laptop should be. For the most part that’s the same as everyone else, with traditional aluminium body, glass-covered screen and hinge that does not rotate all the way round to the back.

Screen: 13.5in LCD 2256 x 1504 (201 PPI)

Processor: quad-core Intel Core i5 or i7 (10th generation)

RAM: 8 or 16GB

Storage: 128, 256, 512GB or 1TB

Graphics: Intel Iris Plus

Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Camera: 720P front-facing, Windows Hello

Connectivity: wifi 6 (ax), Bluetooth 5, USB-A, USB-C, headphones, Surface Connect TPM

Dimensions: 308.1 x 223.3 x 14.5mm

Weight: 1,265 or 1,288g

Due to the angle of the side of the machine it can be difficult to plug the magnetic power cable in without lifting the side up for more leverage.

The black paint can be scratched revealing the silver aluminium underneath.

The screen supports 10-point touch and Microsoft’s Surface Pen stylus.

Pros: great keyboard, good trackpad, Alcantara or aluminium, sleek design, USB-A and USB-C port, great screen, good battery life, Windows Hello, powerful processor.

Cons: no SD card reader, limited configuration options, no Thunderbolt 3, only one USB-C port.

Surface Laptop 2 review: Microsoft’s sleeker answer to the MacBook Air

Microsoft Surface Pro 6 review: a fantastic tablet PC you shouldn’t buy

Microsoft Surface Go review: tablet that’s better for work than play

Microsoft Surface Studio 2 review: in a class of its own

16in MacBook Pro review: bigger battery, new keyboard, new Apple

Apple MacBook Air review: the new default Mac

The UK’s fund management industry is losing the war against index tracking

What’s gone wrong with Britain’s fund management industry? Over the past year share prices have soared globally, which usually translates into boom times for asset managers, whose income is based on a percentage cut from the total amount of money under management. Yet the UK’s industry is beset with scandals and sliding fortunes among some of the once most-revered names.

Jupiter is attempting to arrest its decline with a £370m takeover of Merian (once Old Mutual’s investment arm), creating a £65bn group that boss and serial deal maker Andrew Formica promises investors will be “highly earnings accretive”.

Microsoft confirms key specs of games console plus new ‘Smart Delivery’ feature allowing one-size-fits-all game purchases

Microsoft has confirmed that its next games console, the Xbox Series X, will feature a 12 teraflops graphics processor, eight times more powerful than the Xbox One graphics chipset.

The announcement, made by the Xbox chief, Phil Spencer, via Microsoft’s Wire news site, confirmed recent rumours about the machine, which is launching this winter.

Related: Follow your Dreams: how the future of playing video games is making them

Related: Xbox chief: 'We discussed whether we should even do another console'

Announcements made following coronavirus guidance from Washington state officials instructing workplaces to allow employees to work remotely

As the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread across Washington state, Amazon, Microsoft and Facebook have advised their Seattle-area employees to work from home for the next few weeks.

Related: Coronavirus: Google leads tech charge to work from home

Long battery life, 4G and beautiful design can’t stop it being held back by a lack of apps for its ARM chip

The Surface Pro X is a glimpse of an ARM-powered Windows future, combining the best bits of phones and computers, but while that future is closer than ever, it isn’t quite ready yet.

The new £999 Surface Pro X might look like the rest of Microsoft’s Surface tablets on the outside, but it is fundamentally a different beast on the inside.

Screen: 13in LCD 2880x1920 (267 PPI)

Processor: Microsoft SQ1 (ARM)

RAM: 8 or 16GB

Storage: 128, 256 and 512GB

Graphics: Adreno 685

Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Camera: 10MP rear, 5MP front-facing, Windows Hello

Connectivity: Wifi ac, Bluetooth 5, 2x USB-C, Surface Connect, LTE, nano sim, esim

Dimensions: 287 x 208 x 7.3mm

Weight: 774g

The screen is far too dim on resuming from sleep until you hit the brightness button, at which point it returns to normal

The machine ran cool throughout, barely getting warmer than room temperature even when pushed hard

There’s no real mis-touch rejection at the edges of the screen, which means you have to be careful where you put your fingers when holding the tablet

Pros: slim, great 13in screen, 4G, kickstand, nine-hour battery, 2x USB-C, quick charging, Windows Hello, brilliant keyboard (essential additional purchase), smart stylus holder, Windows 10

Cons: not much ARM-native software, no good photo editors, no SD card reader, no headphone socket, no Thunderbolt 3, keyboard not included

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 review: still sleek, just no longer unique

Microsoft Surface Pro 6 review: a fantastic tablet PC you shouldn’t buy

Microsoft Surface Go review: tablet that’s better for work than play

Microsoft Surface Studio 2 review: in a class of its own

16in MacBook Pro review: bigger battery, new keyboard, new Apple

Apple MacBook Air review: the new default Mac

USB-C completes top Windows 10 tablet with great screen, design and kickstand, plus latest Intel chips

The Surface Pro 7 is an update of the excellent Surface Pro 6 with new processors and, finally, a USB-C port.

That means the design of the new Surface Pro 7 hasn’t changed since the 2017 Surface Pro 5, with Microsoft taking an “if it ain’t broke” approach. It’s competitively priced at £699 and up – but you have to pay at least £125 for the keyboard if you want one – which annoyingly is not included in the standard price.

Screen: 12.3in LCD 2736 x 1824 (267 PPI)

Processor: Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 (10th generation)

RAM: 4, 8 or 16GB

Storage: 128, 256, 512GB or 1TB

Graphics: Intel UHD (i3) or Intel Iris Plus (i5/i7)

Operating system: Windows 10 Home

Camera: 8MP rear, 5MP front-facing, Windows Hello

Connectivity: Wifi 6, Bluetooth 5, USB 3.0, USB-C, headphones, TPM, microSD

Dimensions: 292 x 201 x 8.5 mm

Weight: 775 or 790g (i7 version)

The Surface Pro 7 ships with a standard version of Windows 10 Home with device encryption

The tablet no longer supports on-screen interaction with Microsoft’s Surface Dial accessory

Pros: great screen, good battery life, brilliant keyboard (essential additional purchase), microSD card reader, excellent kickstand, Windows Hello, solid build, easy to carry, USB-A and USB-C

Cons: no Thunderbolt 3, fairly expensive, keyboard should be included, Core i7 version fans are more audible

Microsoft Surface Pro X review: not yet ready for prime time

Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 review: still sleek, just no longer unique

Microsoft Surface Go review: tablet that’s better for work than play

Microsoft Surface Studio 2 review: in a class of its own

16in MacBook Pro review: bigger battery, new keyboard, new Apple

Apple MacBook Air review: the new default Mac

The tech giant’s pledge to go carbon negative by 2030 leans heavily on nascent technology such as machines that suck carbon out of the air

Microsoft drew widespread praise in January this year after Brad Smith, the company’s president, announced their climate “moonshot”.

While other corporate giants, such as Amazon and Walmart, were pledging to go carbon neutral, Microsoft vowed to go carbon negative by 2030, meaning they would be removing more carbon from the atmosphere than they produced.

It will cost them money, but it will allow the technologies to come online and for the next company to follow their footsteps

It’s extremely hard to lead if there’s no one there to follow

Windows-maker updates top and cheapest PCs, and launches new headphones

Microsoft is launching a revamped line of its most powerful and cheapest Windows 10 PCs, the Surface Book 3 and Surface Go 2, as it adjusts to continue operations during the pandemic.

The new products, announced by blogpost rather than an event, are Microsoft’s premium computers competing directly with the likes of Apple and Dell, but with more novel designs.

The Department of Justice has decided to drop the criminal case against President Trump's former national security advisor Michael Flynn. CNBC's Kayla Tausche reports.

David Katz, Matrix Asset Advisors CIO and Ron Insana, Schroders NA senior advisor, join 'Power Lunch' to discuss the state of the markets amid the coronavirus pandemic and the stocks they're watching.

Todd Gordon, Ascent Wealth Partners and John Petrides, Toqueville Asset Management, discuss the stay-at-home stocks they're watching with Seema Mody.

Conor Flynn, Kimco Realty CEO and president, join 'Power Lunch' to discuss the reopening of his shopping centers and the changes in the retail industry as the coronavirus pandemic continues.

Charity match for victims of Covid-19 promises to be a wonderful wallow in nostalgia for Boro fans

Anthems are invariably repetitive but the paean celebrating Middlesbrough’s journey to the 2006 Uefa Cup final took things to extremes. “Small town in Europe, we’re just a small town in Europe,” Teessiders chorused on the road to Eindhoven and defeat against Sevilla.

The limited lyrics failed to prevent those seven words becoming an evocative, now rather poignant, soundtrack to the season when Gareth Southgate, Stewart Downing and the rest of Steve McClaren’s team annotated the town’s place on football’s European map.

The objections to restart plans are understandable and the game should pay attention, but ultimately clubs need to play games to survive

With each week the plans become a little more refined and with each week any final decision is pushed back. Football may return, and this is how it may look if it does, but nobody is sure, and any proposed date can only be provisional. Which is as it should be. In an age that often favours decisiveness over the decision itself, there is something vaguely comforting about a process that accepts the wisdom of waiting.

But in the background there is a crucial, nagging voice, and what it is saying is this: if football isn’t prepared to return, at least initially, in a form very different to the one it took before the virus, it may not return for a very long time – and for many clubs that means never.