In this episode of AWM Insights, the focus is on the unexpected impacts and implications of the newly imposed tariffs in global trade. Hosted by AWM's Chief Investment Officer and Partner, Justin Dyer, and Portfolio Manager, Mena Hanna, we dissect the nature of tariffs and their immediate reaction in the financial markets. The conversation pivots a…

Tax has a crucial role in wealth generation and preservation. Professional athletes have very complex tax situations which make tax planning a year-round endeavor, not just a one-time stop during tax filing season. The importance of integrating tax strategies with investment planning can't be stressed enough as we have seen the countless pitfalls o…

Crypto has reemerged in the financial landscape with the recent rally in Bitcoin and the significant role of the SEC's approval of Bitcoin Spot ETFs. With all the hype, a cautious approach to the crypto space is prudent. This does not mean that the trend should be ignored. It’s essential to know and understand the ever-evolving investment universe.…

The economy and the stock market are not the same. Usually, the market has a head start and prices in future economic events. The market’s recent rally preceded the positive news that came out in terms of inflation, GDP, and employment rates. Making alternative bets has been shown to be counterproductive. Investing with a long-term mindset and avoi…

Real Estate is one of the most talked about asset classes. The allure of real estate comes from fact, fiction, and fallacy. Tax benefits, inflationary hedges, and income streams come with potential risks that are sometimes neglected, such as leverage, volatility, liquidity, and concentration. Incorporating real estate's unique advantages while cons…

What does it take to build a Winning Portfolio? The answer has a significant amount of overlap with how a GM would build a winning team. It starts with expertise and knowledge. You need to assemble a group that understands what winning is, what it takes to win, and how to get there. Compiling a cohesive team and continuously coaching and improving …

The complexity of predicting market reactions due to events or scenarios playing out can be perfectly proved by looking at elections. There has been no statistically significant data that has shown elections swaying markets in any direction. Making investment decisions based on election results is a dangerous game to play. Long-term financial plann…

There are many perceived effects of presidential elections on investment strategies and markets, but the data clearly shows that there is a misconception here. Over the past 100 years, there have only been 4 election years that have had negative returns, all of which were not influenced by presidential elections. Those 4 negative years were 1932 (G…

Presidential elections and financial markets have a nuanced relationship. All the media coverage and speculation around elections creates a significant panic and worry that can sway investor emotions. However, the historical data does not support making investment decisions based on the election outcome. Election years have shown no signs of differ…

2023 was a year filled with surprises. It showed us how different predictions are from reality. As we kick off a year that is already starting with a lot of uncertainty and ending with a presidential election, it's critical to keep the lessons we have already learned top of mind. The key to successful outcomes is to block out the noise and focus on…

In 2023, financial markets displayed remarkable resilience despite countless global challenges. Contrary to the predictions of a majority of economists, a recession was averted. This year highlighted the unpredictable nature of inflation, interest rates, and ultimately, financial markets. The year’s developments and the strong performance of market…

Creating a personalized financial structure is an intricate process that isn’t a “set it and forget it” task. As our clients move through their lives, they evolve and so should their financial structure. Accommodating these updates and protecting new, important priorities is the only way to keep a portfolio relevant to a client's needs. It takes co…

Evaluating custom portfolios can be tricky. Unlike off-the-shelf investments, each custom portfolio is unique and tailored to an investor's family, making it hard to compare using the standard benchmarks you see every day. Private investments further complicate the process as they are valued in different ways and at different time intervals. The ke…

Figuring out your purpose and intention is the first step to maximizing the impact of your wealth. After your intention is established, time needs to be set aside to execute on that intention and take actions that turn the concept into reality. Figuring out what needs to be done and how it needs to happen is crucial. We work with our clients to bui…

Investing should be centered around you and the plan should evolve as your life develops and changes. This general concept may sound straightforward and logical, but the ideology of setting an intention for the funds in your portfolio and constantly reevaluating and adjusting them is not a common one. The simple reason for the lack of adoption is t…

Brian Cain works with dozens of professional athletes to push them to Mental Performance Mastery. His 4-step formula transcends sports performance and actually has a direct application to managing wealth holistically. Establishing your goals and envisioning your priorities is Step 1. Creating Intention is followed by Scheduling time to do the work …

Looking back at this past year, there is more to be thankful for than just strong market performance. There have been many improvements and advancements in our industry that will impact all for the better. Our Industry continues to move away from the transactional business model. Advice and Expertise are dominating, and more businesses are putting …

Markets this week have reacted very positively to easing inflation figures and dropping producer prices. The positive news has changed the sentiment of markets and rewarded investors who took on risk in their portfolios. It was a great reminder of how Equities reward investors who take on risk in their portfolios. Obviously, risks must be measured …

Interest rates across the board are at or near their highest levels in the last 15 years. While it's more expensive to get a mortgage nowadays, investors are benefiting from these higher rates with their investable assets. Short-term Treasuries are generating more than 5%, which is significantly higher than the rates we have seen for the last decad…

Stocks and their returns are built on the uncertainty of financial markets. No one knows what tomorrow holds. Bearing that risk is compensated when things go well, and punished when they don’t. Many try to play the guessing game in hopes of only getting positive results. The data has shown that this is not possible. Trying to outsmart the market co…

A strong and thoughtful financial framework should be built around your life and enable you to accomplish your goals. Creating a strong connection between you and your portfolio ensures that your money is working for you specifically, and is allocated to improve your odds of success. A tailored financial framework not only reduces waste and enhance…

World developments frequently impact financial markets and test the resolve of investors. The fear, panic, and uncertainty these events cause are exactly what creates the concept of a “risk premium.” The evidence is also very clear. Those who weather the storm have been rewarded over the long run. Consider the COVID outbreak, the Great Recession, a…

Over the past 150 years, data on markets has been collected, analyzed, and an optimal investment process has been discovered. This process has been shown to reward investors over long periods. It includes taking advantage of diversification, flexibility, the efficiency of markets, and technological advancements that help markets function. Even with…

Financial services and investment expertise have traditionally been scattered across many different roles with no one “Quarterbacking” the process. In the past, investors worked with brokers, accountants, private investment specialists, and other professionals individually with differing levels of knowledge and involvement. There was little to no c…

The news is usually saturated with events that are out of everyone’s control. This frequently triggers anxiety and panic. From Government shutdowns to predictions of financial turmoil, we are pulled into being invested in and accepting certain negative situations without looking at the bigger picture and realizing that there are actions we can take…

An advisor who is independent, integrated, and can work through your individuality will increase the odds of your family’s success and help you establish multigenerational wealth. Independence, and the lack of a corporate structure that places shareholder interests above those of clients, is imperative. An advisor who is there to work for you and v…

The concept of “making it” or crossing the finish line in your Wealth journey is like the tooth fairy. It would be awesome if it existed, but it doesn’t. Preserving your wealth is a full-time job, and if done well, it’s a job that will be carried out past your lifetime. Working with a financial “Quarterback” helps your wealth grow and protects you …

The saying “defense wins championships” applies in a few ways to portfolio management. Playing good defense (keeping your opponent off the board) and taking the risk out of the important areas of your life is the foundation of the game and gives you peace of mind as an investor. A leaky or inadequate defense leads investors to fall behind, and it’s…

We frequently bring up the three uses of money (Spending, Saving, and Gifting) and how we help our clients expand their wealth and impact through each use. We implement a thoughtful and proactive approach to tax planning and management that helps our clients keep more dollars in their pockets. This is a year-round job and not one that can be done e…

Being a diligent, long-term investor is a very rewarding proposition, but most investors ignore the impact that taxes can have on their investments and what they get to “take home.” Our industry is almost solely focused on total returns and fixates on specific return figures, but those numbers don’t tell you what you get to keep, which is what real…

We continue our series on the Multi-generational Wealth Formula. This week, we focus on income - the most common types and sources, active versus passive income, and how they are treated differently for tax purposes. The most common source is typically called Employment Income or W2 Wages. This income comes from work you do as a formal employee of …

Understanding the different types of Human Capital is critical to building multi-generational wealth. The three main types are Physical, Intellectual, and Social Capital. Each plays a role in building wealth and leading a more flourishing life. Your Physical Capital is your strength, your natural talents, and your ability to stay healthy. All of wh…

Capitalizing on your Human Capital is essential. Capturing the three main branches of Human Capital (Physical, Intellectual, and Social Capital) in a comprehensive and tax-efficient manner is the starting point for building wealth. From there, this acquired needs to be strategically used to work for you. Warren Buffett famously said, “If you don't …

Last October when Equity Markets bottomed out, there were calls to sell and warnings that market conditions would only get worse with rampant inflation and a weakening economy. With the recent positive performance of most Public Equity Markets, you may be noticing that the trend to invest and take risks is now “in” again. Markets fluctuate, and alt…

With short-term interest rates currently hovering above 5% and inflation remaining elevated, the proposition of holding too much cash can be a costly one. Cash gives investors security, immediate accessibility, and certainty as there are FDIC assurances that prevent total losses, but the cost of those elements is missing out on having that money wo…

Taking the time to review your portfolio’s performance is a great exercise, but it’s important to use the right tools and methodology to carry out an accurate evaluation. It’s also critical to remember that everyone is playing a different game with different starting and ending points. This fact makes the standard returns you see online or on TV re…

Understanding, processing, and regulating emotional responses toward your investments is one of the most important skills to have in order to be a successful and diligent investor. Markets give us various inputs that lead to an array of feelings, but it is critical to process and regulate your emotional responses at all times and keep your eye on t…

The S&P 500 is up more than 20% since it hit its low last year. Market conditions have improved since then with CPI inflation coming in at 4%, and the Federal Reserve pausing rate hikes this week. There is a huge lesson to learn from the market’s short-term performance. Patience and persistence are key to any investor’s long-term well-being, and th…

As we wrap up our series on Private Markets and Venture Capital specifically, it’s important to highlight why Venture has been so impactful in building multigenerational wealth. Historically, Venture Capital as an asset class has had remarkable returns due to its positioning on the cutting edge of innovation. Returns always come from and with risk,…

Constructing a well-diversified portfolio is very similar to building a well-rounded baseball team. Assets must be distributed between current players and prospects to field a strong lineup while also investing in the future to fill any foreseeable gaps and improve key positions. Venture Capital aligns closely with the logic of investing in prospec…

Tens of thousands of Private Equity and Venture Investments are made every year. How can you sort through these opportunities in thoughtful ways to isolate and get in front of the best of the best? Private Markets are not as transparent as their public counterparts, which adds to the complexity of making investment decisions, but also creates oppor…

Private Markets, and specifically, Venture Capital, appeal to investors as they offer outsized returns for those that can accept illiquidity and risk. After we work through those factors for a client and build a dependable financial structure, how do we invest to maximize your opportunity for success? We are always present in the Private Markets, m…

Private Markets are not open to all investors. There are minimum thresholds that need to be met to qualify individuals to invest in this space. These rules are set to protect smaller, less sophisticated investors from the challenges and complexity of the Private Markets. On top of the regulatory requirements are implicit hurdles. In Venture specifi…

Private Markets represent a broad range of asset classes and opportunities for investors. Historically, the best-performing segment of Private Markets has been Venture Capital, which has also significantly outperformed public markets. Investing in highly innovative companies early in their life cycles is a risky proposition, but if this strategy is…

Athletes and Founders are playing a different game that has its own unique rules and boundaries, from your unorthodox career path and service time to the magnitude of impact your earnings can have. With the distinct nature of your lives, it is vital to take these rules into account and use them in your favor to maximize your impact. In many cases, …

The Dollar became the International Reserve Currency in 1944 to establish a common medium of trade in a war-torn world. Since then, the Dollar has been trusted by non-US countries to settle transactions for goods, commodities, and services due to its stability, predictability, and broad usage. In recent years, larger countries around the world have…

AI is today’s buzzword, and for good reason. OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT to the public has started a wave of creativity in applications for the broad tool. It has started disrupting major fields and industries from education to programming, and we are still in the infancy stage. As promising as any new technology can be, it is important to be dilig…

Private Markets come with a very different set of challenges and rewards when compared to Public Markets. Unlike the Public Markets, there are requirements that need to be met for investors to be able to access Private vehicles as they are illiquid. Private Markets are also much less transparent than their public counterparts and, for that reason, …

Markets rarely move sideways without fluctuations. Although we may want a smoother path to success, fluctuations and volatility are signs of health in the financial markets and give investors the returns they seek over extended periods of time by weeding out short-term investors and “nervous capital”. Our role as caretakers of your financial well-b…

It has been a news-filled last few weeks, to say the least! On a positive note, the silver lining that is evident through the turmoil is that many of these issues can and should have been prevented through the use of proper financial logic and principles. Whether it was diversification, fixed income management, or market timing, it is clear that go…