The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth - World Cup with Alec Walker 6-27-26

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth - World Cup with Alec Walker 6-27-26

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth — World Cup & Global Diversification Host: Alec Walker, EVP of Financial Planning | ~13:36 Summary: Alec uses the World Cup — being hosted in Houston — as a jumping-off point to discuss global investment diversification. He covers how US markets represent only 62% of global equities and 41% of global bonds, explains the firm's "home country bias" approach, and reviews the "periodic table of returns" showing no country consistently tops the charts. He highlights recent outperformance by international and emerging markets (up 42% and 67% respectively since Jan 2025), and revisits the "lost decade" of 2000–2009 when the S&P 500 returned -0.78% while diversified portfolios thrived. He closes with a behavioral coaching message about avoiding FOMO and protecting downside risk. 0:00 — Intro & SpaceX IPO follow-up 0:44 — World Cup fever in Houston; transition to investment topic 2:31 — Diversification intro: US stocks, RSUs, concentrated positions 3:21 — Core portfolio approach: global diversification reduces top-10 concentration from 40% → 23% 3:56 — Global equity breakdown: US (62%, ~3,400 companies), Developed ex-US, Emerging Markets 5:32 — Global bond markets: US is only 41% of global bond cap 6:13 — Periodic table of returns (2005–2024): top countries, Denmark's 11.2% annualized return 7:30 — Key holdings: Novo Nordisk (Denmark), Samsung & SK Hynix (Korea) 8:43 — Recent 18-month data: S&P +27%, Russell 2000 +36%, Intl Dev +42%, EM +67% 10:07 — Recent rebalance rationale: trimming US exposure 10:30 — The Lost Decade (2000–2009): S&P -0.78% annualized; bonds +82%, EM +194% 11:53 — Behavioral coaching: avoid FOMO, protect downside, long-term planning 13:06 — Outro & crestmontpw.com Original Air Date: June 27, 2026 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM Contact:  www.crestmontpw.com [https://www.crestmontpw.com]  Alec Walker in Houston:  831-280-5288  Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898 See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth - Investment Philosophy 6-20-26

In this episode of The Ascent, Sam Magee of Crestmont Private Wealth (Houston & Boerne, TX) breaks down the investment philosophy that guides every client relationship at the firm. From long-term investing and avoiding market timing, to asset liability matching and fiduciary responsibility, Sam explains the framework Crestmont uses to help clients build wealth through compounding returns — no sales pitch, just honest insight. Topics covered: What "long-term investing" actually means Why Crestmont doesn't try to time the market Asset liability matching — matching investments to future obligations Investing in quality businesses that weather market storms The fiduciary standard and why it matters How to evaluate and interview a financial advisor 📧 Contact: info@crestmontpw.com Timeline: 0:00 – Introduction & About Crestmont Private Wealth 0:46 – Overview of today's topic: Investment Philosophy 1:27 – Tenet #1: Long-Term Investors (what "long-term" really means) 2:55 – Asset Liability Matching explained 3:43 – Not market timers — process over prediction 5:37 – Investing in quality businesses (Ukraine-Russia analogy) 7:15 – Compounding returns & why patience matters 8:36 – Building cohesive financial plans & portfolio construction 9:17 – The Fiduciary Standard explained 10:15 – Taxation & implementation considerations 10:35 – How to reach Crestmont & evaluating advisors 12:13 – Closing thoughts: time in the market, not timing the market Original Air Date: June 20, 2026 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM Contact:  www.crestmontpw.com [https://www.crestmontpw.com]  Alec Walker in Houston:  831-280-5288  Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898   See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Ascent with Crestmont Private Wealth - Alec Walker 6-13-26

Alec Walker covers three main topics:   Portfolio Rebalance — Crestmont recently completed a rebalance of their 7 core globally diversified portfolios (conservative to ultra-aggressive, primarily low-cost ETFs). He explains their policy → strategy → tactics framework:   Policy: Threshold-based rebalancing (not calendar-based) when allocations drift outside target ranges Strategy: Tax-aware approach — IRA accounts taken back to target with no tax impact; taxable accounts handled more conservatively Tactics: Equity exposure trimmed 2–6% depending on drift; one passive fund replaced with an active ETF in the same asset class Context: Vanguard research shows rebalanced portfolios have ~20% lower volatility historically Market Concentration & Diversification — Over 40% of the S&P 500 is concentrated in the top 10 companies. Post-rebalance, client portfolios are ~25% in those top 10. Diversification has paid off in 2025: S&P 493 up 11% YTD vs. Mag Seven up 3%; small cap outperforming by 7–8%; international developed markets up 3%+ above S&P 500.   SpaceX IPO — Clients have been asking about it. Crestmont will not be facilitating participation due to fiduciary/compliance considerations. Key points: S&P 500 has announced it won't fast-track SpaceX into the index; due to low float, SpaceX would likely represent only ~0.2% of the index even if added; high valuation relative to current financials, but short-term pop is expected.   Timeline Time     Topic 0:00     Intro — Who Alec is, overview of Crestmont's holistic wealth management services 0:49     Investment committee overview; quarterly rebalance of 7 core portfolios 1:22     What a rebalance means; threshold-based approach explained 1:50     Policy → Strategy → Tactics framework introduced 3:06     Rebalance strategy details: threshold-based, not calendar-based 3:48     Tax-aware strategy: separating taxable vs. IRA accounts 4:36     Vanguard research: rebalanced portfolios have ~20% lower volatility 4:58     Tactics: equity trimmed 2–6%; fund swap (passive → active ETF) 5:52     Tax implications perspective for all investors; low turnover philosophy 7:01     Example: $1M account, $25K gains → $5,950 tax = 0.6% of portfolio 7:54     S&P 500 up 8% YTD, 24% over 12 months — contextualizing the 0.6% tax cost 8:41     Rebalance wrap-up; transition to market concentration topic 9:03     S&P 500 concentration: 40%+ in top 10; portfolios now at ~25% in top 10 9:21     Diversification performance: S&P 493, small cap, international markets all outperforming Mag Seven 10:09  SpaceX IPO — client questions; Crestmont not facilitating participation 10:35  FOMO vs. risks; S&P 500 rule changes; "holding the bag" concern 11:11  S&P won't allow quick entry; SpaceX projected at 2–5% weight (market cap), but only ~0.2% adjusted for float 12:45  IPO valuation high vs. fundamentals; short-term pop expected; subject to quarterly earnings going forward 13:30  Closing remarks + Spurs shoutout Original Air Date: June 13, 2026 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM Contact:  www.crestmontpw.com [https://www.crestmontpw.com]  Alec Walker in Houston:  831-280-5288  Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898 See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Ascent - Rebecca Pitre 6-6-26

Sam McGee sits down with Crestmont team member Rebecca Petre to celebrate her one-year anniversary with the firm. They discuss what it's really like to transition from Texas A&M into the financial planning workforce, lessons learned on client communication, the new Charles Schwab–funded RIA program at A&M, the Survivor's Guide project, and navigating wedding season on a budget. A great listen for new grads entering the financial world. 0:00 — Intro: Sam introduces the show and the new office landscaping in Boerne, TX. 0:17 — Introducing Rebecca: One-year anniversary at Crestmont; her first day was the Boerne ribbon-cutting. 1:23 — Biggest lessons from year one: Learning to simplify complex financial concepts when talking with clients; understanding that clarity beats jargon. 3:21 — Going back to Texas A&M: Attending career day, RIA Day (a new on-campus RIA office partnership funded by Charles Schwab Foundation), and alumni events. 5:46 — Internship vs. full-time: The shift from internship to real-world work — adjusting to full days, time management, and work-life balance. 8:05 — The Survivor's Guide project: A document Crestmont is creating to help clients organize critical info (wills, contacts, accounts) for loved ones in the event of a death. 9:18 — Upcoming intern Agnes: A Texas A&M senior joining for a July internship; Rebecca will help mentor her. 9:58 — Personal life: Outdoors, pickleball, family/friends — and a summer packed with three weddings. 10:42 — Wedding season finances: Budgeting for being in multiple weddings; advice to set funds aside, especially for destination weddings. 11:32 — Grandmother shout-out & close: Rebecca shouts out her "Nanny" who listens to every episode. Sam closes by thanking Rebecca and celebrating her growth. 📍 Crestmont Private Wealth | Houston & Boerne, TX Original Air Date: June 6, 2026 at 8:30am as heard on Boerne Radio 103.9FM Contact:  www.crestmontpw.com [https://www.crestmontpw.com]  Alec Walker in Houston:  831-280-5288  Sam McGee in Boerne: 830-368-2898 See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.

The Ascent - Alec Walker Summer 2026 5-30-26

Host Alec Walker, EVP of Financial Planning at Crestmont Private Wealth, opens with some personal notes about summer plans before covering two main topics: a brief market update and a deep dive into performance reporting. Market Update: Long-term US Treasury rates have risen to 5%, pushing inflation expectations higher. Notably, the yield curve has returned to a normal upward slope after being inverted through end of 2025 — historically a positive sign for economic growth. US bonds are down ~0.5% YTD but up 5.6% over the last 12 months, still outperforming money market rates of 3.5–4%. Performance Reporting: Alec walks through where clients should go for account performance — the client portal (Orion-powered quarterly reports) vs. Charles Schwab (best for statements and tax docs). He explains three key advantages of the client portal's time-weighted performance reports over custodial statements: (1) total return including dividends and interest, (2) historical performance including removed holdings, and (3) time-weighted vs. dollar-weighted returns. He closes with a recommendation not to check accounts too frequently, citing data that the S&P 500 is only positive ~53% of trading days but ~75% of years. 0:00 – Intro & summer check-in 0:19 – Market update: rising interest rates & 30-year Treasury at 5% 2:03 – Yield curve back to normal (no longer inverted) 3:22 – Bond performance update 4:06 – Performance reporting overview: Schwab vs. client portal 5:33 – When to use Schwab vs. the client portal 6:15 – Why the client portal's Orion reports are more comprehensive 7:17 – Limitation #1: Custodial statements miss total return (dividends/interest) 8:28 – Limitation #2: Removed holdings aren't tracked in custodial statements 9:37 – Limitation #3: Time-weighted vs. dollar-weighted returns explained 10:36 – How often should you check your accounts? 13:10 – Invitation to reach out & services overview 14:47 – Outro See omnystudio.com/listener [https://omnystudio.com/listener] for privacy information.