INSIGHTS

Certainty has a way of sometimes working against investors in both directions. When markets are falling, it shows up as conviction that losses will continue. When markets are rising, it can reappear as confidence that gains have gone too far, that a correction is overdue, or that strength itself is a warning sign. June 2026 offered a useful illustration. Equity markets softened during the month, but the broader second quarter remained exceptionally strong.

Together with the Madison Capital Group we are co-hosting an event on July 15th for professional advisors and CPAs. The day will feature various speakers on topics such as Opportunity Zone investments, Tax-efficient Investment Strategies, Delaware Statutory Trusts, Oil and Gas Tax Advantages and more. Attendees earn 1-2 hours of CPE credit, while networking with fellow CPAs and advisors.

For the 4th year in a row, we are excited to share Founder and Advisor Blair Thompson, AAMS™, CRPC®, CWS® was named in the top 400 Advisors to Watch for 2026. This year, he came in at #8 in the USA and the only advisor with a perfect 100% growth score, reflecting both great new clients and performance for existing clients throughout 2025! The full team has still been the fastest growing RIA (Registered Investment Advisor) in the Carolinas for the past 2 years as well. Ranking

Most investors today do not suffer from a lack of information. They suffer from too much of it. Headlines arrive instantly. Opinions multiply by the minute. Every economic release, policy debate, and geopolitical development gets dissected in real time across an expanding number of channels. The question is no longer where to find market commentary but which commentary or opinion, if any, deserves a response.

The market environment over the past several weeks has been defined by speed. A sharp equity drawdown was followed by an equally rapid recovery, creating a difficult backdrop for many investors and particularly for systematic investing strategies. In periods like this, price tends to move faster than fundamentals can be interpreted or acted upon. By the time a narrative takes shape, markets have often already moved in the opposite direction.

This month’s Note examines what volatility reveals about risk, popularity, and positioning — and why we think risk management and investing process matter most when sentiment reaches extremes.

This month’s Note examines what volatility reveals about risk, popularity, and positioning — and why we think risk management and investing process matter most when sentiment reaches extremes.

Markets tend to test discipline in different ways over time. Periods of rapid change make investors crave adaptability, while periods of persistence make them want patience. Neither suggests something is wrong, but both can challenge the instinct to assign meaning to every market move.

This month’s Note reviews the defining market themes of 2025 and how our portfolios responded as conditions evolved. Think of it as our version of “Spotify Wrapped,” but for the markets.

The past few years have shown how quickly market regimes can shift — from a long stretch of falling rates, to the rapid tightening cycle, and the adjustments we’re seeing today. These transitions don’t reward prediction; they reward process. When conditions change this quickly, discipline becomes the differentiator.

Markets have stayed calm as we enter the final stretch of the year. Stocks are steady, volatility is low, and bonds have regained momentum — a combination that can make it easy to relax. But calm is not the same as certain.

September has historically been a market weak spot, yet it has defied expectations. Instead of stumbling, stocks are pushing to new highs, volatility remains muted, and the seasonal trapdoor that investors often brace for has yet to appear. That ongoing divergence from history highlights why we rely on process over prediction. Markets will often tempt investors with patterns, narratives, and gut instincts, but those don’t provide a consistent edge. A systematic investing appr

Quiet markets can feel uneventful, but they’re often when the real work of investing takes place. Compounding isn’t flashy. It requires time, stability, and patience. When volatility is subdued and trends are intact, progress builds quietly in the background, setting the stage for meaningful long-term results.

“Don’t just do something - sit there.” – Sylvia Boorstein One of the hardest things in investing is doing nothing — not out of neglect,...

" Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.” – Voltaire Every June, we find ourselves doing the same thing: reviewing...

For 2025, Advisor Hub has ranked the top 250 teams with sophisticated practices, great growth and a commitment to professionalism. ...

"The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.” – Michael Porter One of the biggest misconceptions in investing is that the best...

"“The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings.” – Kakuzō Okakura In investing, uncertainty isn’t a bug — it’s a...

"Never laugh at live dragons” – J.R.R. Tolkien Two Situations might look similar on the surface but... Not all threats are created equal....

Great investors don’t just accumulate experience - they learn from it. They share a common trait: they don’t chase what’s flashy or react...