Avantax Emerges as a Pure-Play Tax-Focused Wealth Manager

The corporate transformation of the former Blucora, Inc. is now complete. Having divested its tax software division, the company operates solely under the Avantax name and is pursuing a single, well-defined mission: tax-focused wealth management. This sharpened strategic vision is being actively reinforced through selective acquisitions.

Investors tracking these developments should note the change in trading symbols. The company's equity is now exclusively listed under the ticker AVTA. The previous stock certificate for Blucora, with the symbol BCOR, is currently in a state of limbo, listed as potentially delisted and is likely no longer actively tradable.

The shift from Blucora to Avantax represents a broader industry move toward specialization. The business has evolved from a diversified conglomerate into a provider concentrated on tax-informed financial planning. Consequently, its performance is now directly tied to the cycles of the wealth management industry, rather than the seasonal business of tax preparation software. Its future trajectory will depend on its ability to successfully convert its distinct market positioning into sustained growth.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Blucora?

Strategic Execution and Recent Moves

Avantax is methodically advancing its niche strategy, which rests on two core pillars: Avantax Wealth Management, an independent broker-dealer, and Avantax Planning Partners, a registered investment advisor (RIA) for employed financial professionals.

A concrete step to bolster this network was the acquisition of SEP Financial Services in September 2024. This move underscores the company's commitment to capturing market share within the specialized, tax-centric advisory space through targeted expansion. The purchase is a clear signal of intent to grow its advisor network and enhance its service offerings.