With the unfortunate temporary government shutdown starting on October 1, those of us who are dependent on traditional government provided financial and economic data outlets must now rely on alternative sources to assist us in formulating our overall recommendations and thesis. I'd like to share just a few of the following positive indicators regarding the overall performance of the economy:

First off, let's discuss the health of the consumer: spending continues to grow 4.6% year on year through September [1], the year on year same store sales growth (tracked weekly) are also near 5% [2], and auto sales came in at $16MM Seasonally Adjusted Annualized Rate, which is relatively strong compared to the last few years [3]. Why is that important? The consumer is the "holy grail" of the economy and historically accounts for approximately 70% of total economic output. [4]

Second, let's check out manufacturing in the US. We have two regional manufacturing indices, Philly and NY, which just released their data in mid-October. Their latest orders were the highest since February and a big improvement since September. [5] Here's my point: A robust manufacturing sector is often correlated with a strong, innovative, and resilient economy, even if it’s not the largest sector.

One of the most dangerous phrases in the investment community is “It’s different this time”. Looking back on my career in the wealth management industry, a few examples come to mind which validate this statement:

1. The dot.com era of the late 90’s in which institutional and individual investors were purchasing start-up companies at significant price multiples even though most dot.com companies had no earnings and were reporting significant losses. Some argued that actual reported earnings were no longer important. Eventually the bottom fell out, and we now think of that period as the “dot.bom” era.

2. Or how about no-documentation mortgages in the run-up before the Great Financial Crisis of 2008? Multiple large institutional lenders, as well as smaller community banks, were willing to forgo documentation when underwriting and approving mortgages for consumers. The rationale was the real estate market was hot, there was a competitive lending environment, and standards needed to be relaxed. Eventually the economy turned, a recession began, job losses incurred, mortgage payments were missed, foreclosures happened resulting in empty houses and lawsuits, and lenders taking possession of homes– it was a mess!

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Our very own Elias Crist, Associate Wealth Advisor recently shared with current.com stacker blog various practical steps for building a clear path toward homeownership.

“Once or twice a year, sit down and revisit your net worth, debts and payments, credit score and down payment fund,” Elias suggests. “Your circumstances may change, and that’s okay. The key is to stay committed to your timeline, even if you need to make adjustments.”

As Elias reminds future buyers: “A five-year plan doesn’t require perfection — it just requires direction.”

Read the article HERE

Starting this month, I plan to publish a monthly video, which we’re calling “Regent Peak Pulse: Craig’s Call to Action,” about a topic or theme that has caught my attention. The topics or themes will vary, yet mostly will center around some variation of financial, economic, tax, or legislative story which I feel impacts investors. Included in each video I will provide my thoughts on how to address or counter the issue at hand. In closing, I will then mention one topic I am interested in learning about in the next month, although acknowledging I may not speak to this topic during my next video. So, let’s get started!

Imagine you are an investor, and you purchase shares in a stock that you have been impressed with due to the company’s quarterly earnings results. Each quarter you read up on the quarterly results issued by the company, which in turn provides you with confidence to invest more. Fast forward to 2 years later and this same company announces that they are lowering their previous earnings results which causes the stock price to decline precipitously. How would that make you feel? If this was an honest mistake, at a minimum, it begs of incompetency in the company and leadership team. If done intentionally, lawsuits and potential criminal charges would be levied against that same leadership team. How is the hypothetical any different from the Bureau of Labor & Statistics’ most recent monthly jobs report revisions for May and June that shaved 254,000 jobs from previous announcements [1]? Let’s put politics aside, as it happens in many administrations under different political party leadership. For example, in the 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics annual report last August, they reduced estimates of predicted jobs by 818,000 jobs, which had been previously announced – really! [2, 3]

Volatility is part of investing – but in recent years, markets have been rebounding faster than ever. In his recent piece for Kiplinger, our CIO Nathan Hoyt breaks down why rebounds are moving at “warp speed” and what that means for long-term investors.

From the COVID crash’s record-setting comeback to April’s tariff-driven volatility, markets are bouncing back in weeks instead of years. Nathan points to four key drivers:

• Instant information: News spreads (and reactions happen) in seconds.
• Cash on the sidelines: $7 trillion ready to re-enter the market when valuations drop.
• Fed intervention: A history of stepping in fuels investor confidence.
• Experience: Investors have seen recoveries happen again and again.

For those with the right risk tolerance, these dynamics can make systematic investing during downturns even more compelling — turning short-lived pullbacks into opportunity.

As Nathan notes, “Patience and a clear plan can be powerful tools — especially for investors who are willing to stay calm, stay invested and, when the moment is right, buy the dip.”

Our Founding Principal and Managing Director, Craig Robson, recently spoke with Steve Garmhausen, weighing in on the administration’s push to include private equity, private credit and digital assets in 401(k) plans.

While “the more options and the more choices we all have as investors, the better”, Craig notes that most retirement-plan participants aren’t doing appropriate due diligence on private assets — they’re influenced by headlines, past returns and conversations in the break room. That’s where the real risk lies.

Craig emphasizes the need for “guardrails” — ensuring alternative investments are diligenced by an experienced investment committee and introduced thoughtfully to retirement plans, perhaps as part of managed strategies like total return funds or target-date funds with set allocations.

Read the article HERE

Ahead of the 4th of July holiday, we’re taking a moment to reflect on Regent Peak's own journey to independence.

In the latest installment of Gregg Greenberg’s InvestmentNews’ ‘Independence Series’, our Founding Principal and Managing Director Craig-Robson shares how we navigated launching our own firm in 2019—and what’s fueled our growth since:

• Building out a diversified investment platform—including private equity, credit, real estate and digital assets
• Leading with culture by creating a workplace where team members are supported as people first
• Hiring ahead of demand to ensure sustainable growth without sacrificing service
• Using technology intentionally to stay nimble and meet the needs of an increasingly complex client base

Craig also explores how independence has allowed us to deepen relationships by leading with meaningful conversations—centered not on products, but on client priorities and long-term goals.

Read the article HERE

In May I attended a few high school graduation events here in metro Atlanta. Gazing across the crowds, I've witnessed young adults with much promise, excitement, and uncertainty behind their innocent smiles. I wanted to reach out and say, "Follow your instincts! Be bold! Have fun! Take some chances!" In my mind, those opportunities include things like living in a different country for a few years, asking a boss for a raise, starting your own business, accepting an invitation to speak in front of a large audience, investing when the markets are volatile or uncertain, or so many other brave actions. I’d like to ask, “What do you have to lose?” I would like them to understand that the experiences gained through these efforts are typically priceless.

For example, consider investing when the markets are volatile. April this year ended up being just the seventh time that the S&P 500 has rallied back 10%+ to end a month after trading down 10%+ at its intra-month low. [1] In the year following all six of those occurrences, it was higher every time for an average gain of 22%.[1] The advice I share with our relationships: don't focus on the average return of 22%, focus on the trend (i.e., positive returns the following year). Yet guess what - there were still some individuals who were hesitant to invest in April, only to be ready to invest in mid-May when the markets had fully recovered.

With endowments like Yale and Harvard considering selling some or all of their private equity holdings to the secondaries market for enhanced liquidity, our Founding Principal and Managing Director Craig Robson weighed in on how advisors should be approaching PE secondaries.

Increased turnover in private equity has expanded the opportunity set, and Regent Peak continues to have strong conviction in the role that secondaries can play in an overall portfolio construct.

However, investors should fully understand what they own and why they own it. Craig notes that secondaries generally have different fee structures than public investments and typically may not be used as collateral sources for lending facilities. Advisors also need dedicated resources to diligence and monitor them—and must be prepared to educate clients on both the pros and the tradeoffs as part of a broader allocation strategy.

Read the article HERE

Each spring, the old investing adage “Sell in May and go away” starts making its rounds. But does seasonal market timing actually hold up, and is it worth the risk of stepping out of the market? Our CIO Nathan Hoyt doesn’t think so.

“If you sell in May, what do you buy that outpaces the historical 3 percent annualized returns until October? When October arrives, risk doesn’t magically disappear, even if you are disciplined enough to re-invest,” Hoyt said. “Seasonality trends are easy to spot and thus a tempting trap that investors fall into thinking they can time the market, unlike the rest of us. I wouldn’t ask my clock or my calendar to predict the future.”

Read the article HERE

Estate planning isn’t a “set it and forget it” process – especially in times of political change. With recent tariff news signaling significant policy shifts from the new administration, potential reforms to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act could be next in line.

In this piece our Founding Principal and Managing Director, Craig Robson, explains why advisors and clients should brace for potential changes to estate tax policy. By spotlighting tools like multigenerational education, scenario planning and tax-smart gifting, Craig encourages advisors to reassess financial plans now and take steps to help safeguard client wealth and legacy.

Read the article HERE

“While there is nothing safe about the stock market, those with long term investment horizons that buy into these types of volatile markets have historically grown their wealth, and despite the reasons for the sell-off feeling quite scary each time, the best investors consistently buy more risk assets in ugly environments.” He adds that “if tariffs truly are more seeds of inflation, 4.4% is unlikely to keep up with rising costs, even if interest rates remain the same. Using more esoteric strategies like structured notes or private investments can provide a portfolio with less volatility if not higher returns, yet the longer time frame and illiquidity of these types of investments should be considered before selection.” -Nathan Hoyt, CIO

Read the article HERE

In terms of the best ways to invest in real estate, our Founding Principal and Managing Director Craig Robson recommends a diversified allocation to both publicly traded and private REITs.

Read the article HERE

Along similar lines, Nathan Hoyt, Chief Investment Officer at Regent Peak Wealth Advisors, does not see the recent Mag 7 correction as the end of the line for the group.

Read the article HERE

With new tariffs now in effect, our CIO Nathan Hoyt weighed in on how tariffs are simply a policy tool - neither inherently good nor bad, but defined by their intended use. He also breaks down their potential economic and trade impacts:

"Tariffs could be a terrible policy mistake, leading to anti-free trade (if you like that perspective), or it could be necessary economic medicine to bring back manufacturing to the U.S. and negotiate better terms for the U.S. (if you like this one)."

Ultimately, Nathan notes that the true impact of tariffs will only be clear in hindsight - and they shouldn't impact your investment strategy. While tariffs may create short-term noise, long-term investors should stay focused on diversifying across multiple asset classes.

Read the article HERE

With crypto experiencing recent volatility, our Founding Principal and Managing Director Craig Robson reminds investors that strong performance in 2024 doesn’t mean digital assets won’t have a big draw down or pull back like in 2022. He emphasizes that crypto must be suitable for each investor’s risk tolerance.

“Everyone says that they can handle volatility when times are good. When things aren't good, I call it your pain threshold," Craig said. "Upside volatility is great, but the knife cuts both ways."

Read the article HERE

Divorce is a challenging time, both emotionally and financially, but the right guidance can help clients navigate it more smoothly. Our Founding Principal and Managing Director Craig Robson gave Rob Burgess a look into how we leverage advice, education and financial tools to help clients find the best path forward amid divorce.

As Craig explained, we help clients outsource the financial aspects of their life so they can focus on what matters most – their families, careers and personal interests. Through strategic planning technology, we provide the clarity and stability they need to navigate difficult transitions like divorce and work toward the best possible outcome.

Read the article HERE

In a recent InvestmentNews article, our Founding Principal and Managing Director Craig Robson explained how the monthly CPI index – minus the “owner’s equivalent rent” (OER) component – offers a directional snapshot of inflation and how investors can historically combat inflation with public equities.

In fact, Craig highlights that from 1945 to 2023, investors who held cash lost purchasing power by 90%, while those who invested in the U.S. stock market with dividends reinvested significantly outpaced inflation.

Read the article HERE

Private credit is on the rise. In this piece, Craig Robson shares that the asset class "is another tool in the toolbelt" that can offer investors diversification beyond traditional bonds or dividend-paying stocks.

While private credit presents compelling opportunities, Craig also notes that investors should stay mindful of potential risks. As more capital flows into private credit, the possibility of underwriting standards could weaken, potentially leading to credit deterioration. “Will we have a scenario where underwriters get a little lackadaisical in their diligence? I hope that won’t be the case – but hope isn’t a strategy, as we all know,” Craig said.

Read the article HERE

Discover why investors are turning to alternatives, including private equity, private credit, and digital assets and how each plays a unique role in portfolio diversification and growth.

Link HERE

In January our family went to Las Vegas to watch my younger son's hockey team play in a tournament out in the desert - yes, ice hockey is becoming a national sport! For this Atlanta-based group of 17- and 18-year-old young men, it was their first trip to the city known for its entertainment value, especially the gaming industry. Watching their expressions and body language as we toured the casinos between games was worth the price of admission as it was definitely an educational experience. There were multiple mini discussions throughout the weekend between parents and their kids, which included questions such as: "Why is gambling addictive for some people?", "Why don't people stop once they have generated a profit?", "Which games have the best odds of success?", and so on. From a hockey weekend perspective, our boys experienced some difficult odds as two of their five games included a come from behind victory late in the 3rd period as well as an overtime and subsequent shoot-out victory. It was gut-wrenching for the parents! Fortunately, the team wasn't overly distracted as they went undefeated and won the tournament, returning home with the hardware they were seeking, including a team trophy and individual gold medals.