In this Elevate Roundtable, the team unpacks recent market performance, disciplined portfolio management, and the realities of client communication.

The conversation kicks off with discussion of a recent Microsoft position, using it as a springboard to discuss risk management, position sizing, and the critical difference between long-term investing and short-term trading. Shane explains how Elevate manages hundreds of accounts with target allocations—an approach that often requires more frequent trading to stay balanced and control risk. The group also examines when diversified ETF models make more sense for clients than individual stocks, the limitations of relying solely on the S&P 500 as a benchmark, and the value of using more relevant, diversified comparisons. Throughout the discussion, the team addresses one of the most common client questions: why so many trades? They share practical insights on keeping investors focused on long-term goals rather than short-term activity. Tune in for a candid look at how thoughtful portfolio construction, risk discipline, and clear communication come together in real client portfolios.

Whether you’re an advisor, investor, or simply want unfiltered insights on today’s most talked-about names and macro shifts, this roundtable delivers candid analysis you won’t want to miss.

Views expressed are those of the speakers as of the recording date and subject to change. For educational purposes only. Investing involves risk of loss. Contact Elevate Capital Advisors for personalized advice.

In the launch episode of Elevate Roundtable, the seasoned team at Elevate Capital Advisors pulls back the curtain on the world of professional investing and holistic wealth management. Join hosts Tom Damon (Investment Operations Specialist and CFA Level 1 candidate), Shane Fleury (Chief Investment Officer), Ken Armstrong (Co-Founder and planning expert), and Kyle Lotman (Wealth Management Advisor and CFA charter holder) for a candid, real-time discussion recorded live on April 15, 2026.

The conversation opens with a lively market update amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The S&P 500 surges toward (and nearly hits) its all-time high, even as a fragile ceasefire with Iran hangs in the balance and the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, keeping oil prices elevated. The team explores what the market's resilience may be signaling, the risks of short-covering rallies, potential double tops, and why historical data favors buying at new highs over the 3-, 6-, and 12-month horizons, while cautioning against over-optimism given ongoing private credit concerns, AI disruption, and a possible "SaaS apocalypse."

The core of the episode dives deep into Elevate's portfolio philosophy: an internally hedged, all-weather-style approach inspired by Ray Dalio's Bridgewater All-Weather and Harry Browne's Permanent Portfolio. The advisors break down their four-bucket framework (stocks, bonds, gold, cash), with a strong emphasis on high-quality businesses purchased at fair prices rather than deep value. They explain why they favor elite property & casualty insurance stocks (like WR Berkley, Travelers, and Chubb) as a superior, inflation-resilient alternative to traditional corporate bonds—highlighting built-in inflation protection from mandatory premiums and the challenges of navigating hard vs. soft insurance pricing cycles.

Additional highlights include:

• The resilience of "forever" quality holdings (Coca-Cola, McDonald's, Hershey, Waste Management) in inflationary environments.
• Behavioral investing lessons: avoiding "resulting," sunk-cost fallacies, and emotional decisions when trimming speculative names or redeploying cash.
• Sector rotation signals, opportunities in energy (ExxonMobil, Venture Global LNG), and concerns around pressured SaaS/tech names (Adobe, Intuit, Microsoft, ServiceNow).
• Closing thoughts on client patience during volatility and the importance of process-driven discipline over short-term noise.

Whether you're a client, business owner, or independent investor, this episode delivers rare, behind-the-scenes insights from a highly credentialed team committed to fiduciary wealth stewardship. Educational, transparent, and refreshingly honest—no hype, just thoughtful analysis.

Next episode: Thursday, May 21, 2026, with a deeper look at quality stocks and more.

Views expressed are those of the speakers as of the recording date and subject to change. For educational purposes only. Investing involves risk of loss. Contact Elevate Capital Advisors for personalized advice.

The Elevate Roundtable team sits down to unpack a market that’s flashing more warning lights than usual.

They discuss current market conditions, interest rates, and economic concerns. Shane shares his bearish outlook on US government debt, predicting that the country's reserve currency status may eventually end due to excessive debt levels, and voices caution against long-term treasuries. The group analyzes market breadth statistics showing only about half of S&P 500 stocks trading above their 200-day moving averages.

They discuss the impact of rising interest rates on various sectors, particularly property and casualty insurance companies that were being affected by the flattening yield curve. The conversation also covers the potential implications of Social Security Trust Fund running out of money around 2029-2032, and the group debates whether this will lead to significant benefit reductions or government default through inflation. They agree that rising interest rates are creating opportunities to adjust portfolio durations and increase exposure to hard assets like gold, while warning that traditional 60/40 stock-bond portfolios might not provide the expected diversification benefits in an environment of rising rates.

Whether you’re an advisor, investor, or simply want unfiltered insights on today’s most talked-about names and macro shifts, this roundtable delivers candid analysis you won’t want to miss.

Views expressed are those of the speakers as of the recording date and subject to change. For educational purposes only. Investing involves risk of loss. Contact Elevate Capital Advisors for personalized advice.