portfolio

Chace Campbell’s Journey to Becoming a Legal Expert

August 1, 2024 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

Reading Time: 3 minutes On this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, we interviewed Chace Campbell, a distinguished attorney based in Greenville, with over 20 years of legal experience. Chace’s story is one of diverse experiences and deep-rooted passion for the law, family, and business.

Early Influences and Entrepreneurial Roots

Chace’s journey began in his childhood, growing up as the only child of a serial entrepreneur. His father’s ventures provided Chace with an early education in business, sparking his interest and shaping his understanding of what it means to be a business owner. He recalls fondly the times his father would take him along to business meetings, allowing him to observe and learn the intricacies of various industries. These experiences were more than just father-son bonding moments; they were foundational lessons that would later inform Chace’s legal practice. “The education I got from those experiences has stayed with me throughout my life,” Chace reflects. This early exposure to business operations equipped him with a unique perspective that he brings to his legal practice, especially when dealing with business owners and entrepreneurs.

The Path to Law

Despite his entrepreneurial upbringing, Chace always aspired to be a lawyer. Initially influenced by iconic TV lawyers like Perry Mason and Matlock, Chace pursued his dream, earning his JD with honors from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1997. His early career at Culp, Elliot, and Carpenter, P.L.L.C. saw him specializing in tax and corporate law, but it wasn’t long before he found his true calling. In 2002, Chace transitioned to focus on family law, probate, and small businesses. This shift was driven by his passion for the interpersonal dynamics within these areas, where he felt he could make the most significant impact. His ability to listen attentively and communicate effectively has made him a trusted advisor for his clients, helping them navigate complex legal landscapes.

Building His Own Practice

After several years of working with established firms, a pivotal moment in Chace’s career came when he was appointed to represent three children whose mother had been incarcerated. This experience was a turning point, inspiring him to start his own practice. In 2002, he founded Chace Law, initially focusing on guardianship cases before expanding to encompass business and estate planning. Chace’s practice is characterized by a holistic approach, recognizing the interconnectedness of business, probate, and estate planning law. “Those are not really three different areas to us; those are really interconnected,” he explains. This integrated perspective allows Chace to offer comprehensive legal solutions tailored to the unique needs of his clients.

A Day in the Life

Today, Chace’s clients range from entrepreneurs and business owners to individuals dealing with estate planning and probate issues. His practice areas may seem distinct, but they often intersect, reflecting the complexity of modern legal challenges. Chace’s goal is to provide decisive legal action balanced with compassionate understanding, ensuring his clients receive the best possible outcomes. Stay tuned for more interviews with Chace, where we’ll dive deeper into his expertise and the valuable lessons he has to share with our intelligent investing audience, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts. Schedule a short discovery call or meeting

Chace Campbell Bio

Chace is a seasoned legal professional with over 20 years of experience in estate planning, business law, and probate. He began his career in 1997 at Culp, Elliot, and Carpenter, P.L.L.C., focusing on tax and corporate law before discovering his passion for family law, probate, and small businesses in 2002. Chace is renowned for his exceptional communication skills and careful listening. He is dedicated to helping clients navigate complex legal landscapes, providing comprehensive understanding and effective resolutions through litigation, mediation, negotiation, or forward planning. He emphasizes both resolving and preventing legal issues, offering accurate information, honest advice, and concrete action steps. Outside of work, Chace enjoys time with his wife Michelle and their three children, preparing for outdoor adventures at REI, and indulging in his passion for coffee. Credits: This blog was written in part by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. The content of this blog reflects the knowledge and opinions of ChatGPT, may or may not reflect the knowledge and opinions of Intelligent Investing, and is protected by copyright laws. Please do not reproduce or distribute without giving proper credit to ChatGPT and OpenAI.

What An Intelligent Investor Should Do with Market Outlooks

November 30, 2023 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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The Reality of Market Forecasts

Larry firmly grounds his perspective in empirical evidence, highlighting that market forecasts hold no genuine value. The research indicates that predicting the future is beyond the prowess of even the most esteemed experts. Warren Buffett, revered for his investing prowess, hasn’t entertained macro forecasts for over 25 years, emphasizing their futility in guiding long-term plans. An intriguing paradox emerges when investors revere individuals like Buffett or Peter Lynch yet often disregard their advice. Larry notes the danger of succumbing to predictions by market gurus like Jeremy Grantham, whose forecasts have often faltered, leading investors astray. The empirical evidence reaffirms that forecasting market trends accurately remains elusive.

The Ark Investment Phenomenon

Kathy Wood’s approach at Ark Investments soared on a narrative of disruptive technologies, akin to the late 90s tech boom. However, as Larry points out, this strategy historically led to significant volatility and long-term underperformance. Wood’s fund initially gained traction, attracting billions of dollars during its successful periods, only to face substantial challenges when those speculative trends faltered. The pattern echoes a cycle familiar in investing: rising investor interest leads to inflows, magnifying the fund’s exposure and driving up the prices of thinly traded stocks. This reinforcement ultimately feeds back into the momentum, creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. However, when these high expectations are not substantiated by earnings, the bubble bursts, leaving investors vulnerable.

Prudent Advice for Investors: Tune Out Market Forecasts

Larry’s analysis emphasizes that while Kathy Wood’s strategies occasionally yield short-term successes, they often culminate in long-term disappointments. This rollercoaster ride in performance, influenced by speculative investments in disruptive technologies, serves as a cautionary tale for investors. Larry Swedroe’s wisdom is clear: investors should tune out market forecasts and strategists and adhere to well-crafted investment plans. Instead of chasing returns or following the latest headlines, the focus should remain on executing well-thought-out plans. He cautions against hasty reactions driven by market noise. For those seeking a financial advisor or aiming to reevaluate their investment strategies, we extend an invitation to connect with us. Our goal is to help you minimize financial stress and maximize your life’s potential through informed, tailored financial decisions. Schedule a short discovery call or meeting We’ll be interviewing Larry on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts. Larry was among the first authors to publish a book that explained the science of investing in layman’s terms, “The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You’ll Ever Need.” He has since authored seven more books.

Larry Swedroe Bio

Since joining Buckingham Strategic Wealth in 1996, Chief Research Officer Larry Swedroe has spent his time and energy educating investors on the benefits of evidence-based investing. In his role as chief research officer and as a member of the firm’s Investment Policy Committee and Board of Directors, Larry regularly reviews the findings published in dozens of peer-reviewed financial journals, evaluates the outcomes and uses the result to inform the firm’s formal investment strategy recommendations. Larry’s dedication to helping others has made him a sought-after national speaker. He has made appearances on national television shows airing on NBC, CNBC, CNN and Bloomberg Personal Finance. Larry is a prolific writer, contributing regularly to multiple outlets, including Advisor Perspectives and ETF.com. Before joining Buckingham, Larry was vice chairman of Prudential Home Mortgage and senior vice president at Citicorp. Larry holds an MBA in finance and investment from NYU and a bachelor’s degree in finance from Baruch College. Credits: This blog was written in part by ChatGPT, an AI language model developed by OpenAI. The content of this blog reflects the knowledge and opinions of ChatGPT, may or may not reflect the knowledge and opinions of Intelligent Investing, and is protected by copyright laws. Please do not reproduce or distribute without giving proper credit to ChatGPT and OpenAI.

What An Intelligent Investor Should Do When an Asset Class Falls Out of Favor

November 16, 2023 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 2 minutes In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, I had the pleasure of interviewing Larry Swedroe, head of Financial and Economic Research at Buckingham Strategic Wealth, on what an intelligent investor should do when an asset class falls out of favor.

All Risk Investments: Enduring the Ebb and Flow

Larry emphasizes a fundamental truth: every risk investment, whether it’s stocks, bonds, commodities, or others, experiences prolonged periods of underperformance. Investors often underestimate these cycles, mistakenly assuming that three, five, or even ten years are lengthy evaluation periods. However, historical evidence proves otherwise, with instances where the S&P 500 trailed behind treasury bills for 13-year durations occurring three times since 1929. The crux of Larry’s advice centers on diversification across various unique risks, aligning with one’s risk tolerance. This strategy, substantiated in his book, “Your Complete Guide to Factor-Based Investing,” promotes the inclusion of assets proven to offer premiums over time. Diversifying globally and including varied sources of risk—be it stocks, bonds, commodities, or currencies—reduces dependency on any single investment, mitigating the impact when a particular asset class is out of favor.

Intelligent Investing: A Holistic Approach

Larry Swedroe’s wisdom underscores the importance of persistence and diversification in an investor’s journey. When faced with an asset class in decline, staying committed to a diversified strategy tailored to individual risk tolerances is key. We invite you to engage with us in exploring your unique risk profile and leveraging our financial technology to fortify your investment journey. For those seeking a financial advisor or aiming to reevaluate their investment strategies, we extend an invitation to connect with us. Our goal is to help you minimize financial stress and maximize your life’s potential through informed, tailored financial decisions. Schedule a short discovery call or meeting We’ll be interviewing Larry on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts. Larry was among the first authors to publish a book that explained the science of investing in layman’s terms, “The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You’ll Ever Need.” He has since authored seven more books.

Larry Swedroe Bio

Is Bitcoin a Good Inflation Hedge

October 12, 2023 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Blockchain Technology’s Potential

Larry Swedroe commenced the discussion by emphasizing the potential of blockchain technology, the foundation on which cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin are built. The blockchain is already revolutionizing the financial sector by facilitating faster and more efficient payment transfers and record-keeping. While the blockchain shows promise, Swedroe took a more skeptical view of Bitcoin. He pointed out that Bitcoin’s value proposition is questionable. Bitcoin has a theoretical limited supply, capped at 21 million coins. However, the existence of an unlimited number of substitute cryptocurrencies means Bitcoin faces a daunting challenge. An asset with an unlimited supply typically sees its value approach zero. Swedroe categorized Bitcoin as a Ponzi scheme, though he acknowledged that it could achieve high trading values based on what people are willing to pay.

Bitcoin: A Poor Inflation Hedge

Swedroe was humble in his skepticism, admitting he might be wrong. He would never recommend shorting Bitcoin. Nevertheless, he found comfort in the agreement of financial economists like John Cochran and Nobel laureate Gene Fama, who shared his view on Bitcoin’s intrinsic value. Addressing a common belief that Bitcoin is an inflation hedge, Swedroe made it clear that Bitcoin’s performance does not support this notion. Its value is highly volatile and can plummet significantly during times of rising inflation.

Speculation ≠ Intelligent Investing

Swedroe’s insight serves as a reminder that speculation does not equate to intelligent investing. While some may choose to speculate on Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, such endeavors come with substantial risks and should be approached with caution. At Intelligent Investing, we prioritize serving high-net-worth clients. Through our proprietary financial technology, Intelligrations®, we help our clients minimize financial stress and maximize their quality of life. If you’re seeking a new financial advisor or haven’t had one before, we’re here to discuss your financial goals and risk tolerance. We aim to provide sound financial advice and services tailored to your unique circumstances. Schedule a short discovery call or meeting We’ll be interviewing Larry on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts. Larry was among the first authors to publish a book that explained the science of investing in layman’s terms, “The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You’ll Ever Need.” He has since authored seven more books.

Larry Swedroe Bio

Is Gold a Good Inflation Hedge?

August 10, 2023 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 2 minutes In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, I had the pleasure of interviewing Larry Swedroe, head of Financial and Economic Research at Buckingham Strategic Wealth, on the topic of whether gold is truly a good inflation hedge.

Evaluating Gold’s Track Record

Gold and Bitcoin have often been promoted as potential shields against inflation. However, to make an informed decision, we turn to empirical evidence. Let’s explore whether history validates gold’s reputation as a reliable inflation hedge. When scrutinizing gold’s performance in the face of inflation, we find surprising results. Take, for instance, the period from 2020 to 2022, a time marked by significant inflation. Curiously, gold ended this phase down by about 4%, while inflation surged by approximately 14%. In essence, gold’s value slipped by 18% in real terms, negating its purported role as an inflation hedge. An even more striking example stretches over two decades, from 1980 to 2002, a period characterized by high inflation. During these 22 years, gold lost over 85% of its real value. These historical data points prompt a reevaluation of gold’s effectiveness as an inflation hedge.

Alternative Perspective

Interestingly, gold’s claim to being an inflation hedge stands on firmer ground when we extend our horizon to a century or more. Across this extended span, an ounce of gold has maintained its purchasing power, reflecting its role as a long-term inflation hedge. However, this century-long hedge comes at the cost of a lack of real returns. As Intelligent Investing, we believe in providing our high-net-worth clients with well-informed financial guidance. Gold’s questionable track record as a short-term inflation hedge underscores the importance of considering other strategies to preserve wealth and manage risks. Schedule a short discovery call or meeting We’ll be interviewing Larry on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts. Larry was among the first authors to publish a book that explained the science of investing in layman’s terms, “The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You’ll Ever Need.” He has since authored seven more books.

Larry Swedroe Bio

How Intelligent Investors Should Respond to Volatility

July 13, 2023 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 3 minutes In this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, I had the pleasure of interviewing Larry Swedroe, head of Financial and Economic Research at Buckingham Strategic Wealth, on the topic of how intelligent investors should respond to volatility. As a CFA and CPA, I understand the importance of navigating market volatility and its impact on investment strategies. In this blog, I will summarize the insightful discussion with Larry, providing key takeaways on the causes of volatility and how intelligent investors can respond to market uncertainties.

Causes of Volatility

Larry Swedroe begins by explaining that volatility is primarily caused by unexpected events. Since these events are unforecastable, investors should expect and prepare for periods of high volatility. Intelligent investors should incorporate this certainty into their investment plans and avoid taking more risks than necessary. Swedroe suggests assessing one’s ability, willingness, and need to take risks, ensuring that the investment portfolio aligns with these factors. He also highlights recent trends that have contributed to increased volatility, such as the shift from active to passive strategies like indexing. The rise of passive investing has led to lower turnover and reduced liquidity, resulting in greater volatility in pricing. Additionally, changes in trading rules and the Volcker Rule have further limited liquidity in the markets, amplifying volatility.

Intelligent Investor’s Response to Volatility

In response to market volatility, intelligent investors should adopt a well-structured investment plan. Swedroe emphasizes the need for a diversified portfolio and advises against taking excessive risks. He recommends keeping equity exposure within a range of 25-30% for those with enough wealth. Building a portfolio with more diversified assets can help mitigate risk without sacrificing returns. Additionally, Swedroe emphasizes the importance of sticking to the plan and not succumbing to panic-driven selling. By setting realistic expectations and aligning risk tolerance with portfolio composition, intelligent investors can navigate market volatility more effectively.

The Price of Admission

Volatility is often referred to as the price of admission for higher expected returns. Intelligent investors understand that market fluctuations are an inherent part of investing and should be prepared to weather these storms. By accepting the uncertainty and having a well-defined investment plan, investors can focus on long-term goals and avoid making impulsive decisions driven by short-term market fluctuations. Swedroe and I agree that risk should be carefully evaluated based on an investor’s financial situation, willingness to take risks, and specific investment goals. Volatility is an unavoidable aspect of investing, but intelligent investors can respond effectively by incorporating it into their investment plans. By understanding the causes of volatility, such as unexpected events and shifts in market dynamics, investors can adjust their strategies accordingly. Building diversified portfolios, aligning risk tolerance with portfolio composition, and maintaining a long-term perspective are key elements of intelligent investing in the face of market volatility. Remember, a well-structured investment plan and disciplined approach can help you weather market uncertainties and maximize your investment potential. Schedule a short discovery call or meeting We’ll be interviewing Larry on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts. Larry was among the first authors to publish a book that explained the science of investing in layman’s terms, “The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You’ll Ever Need.” He has since authored seven more books.

Larry Swedroe Bio

The Pitfalls of Recency Bias

May 18, 2023 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 3 minutes In a recent episode of Intelligent Money Minute, we had the pleasure of interviewing Larry Swedroe, the head of Financial and Economic Research at Buckingham Strategic Wealth. Our discussion centered around the dangers of recency bias, a common emotional tendency among investors. Larry emphasized the importance of understanding historical context and avoiding the trap of projecting recent events onto the future. In this blog post, we’ll share some key takeaways from our conversation and explore strategies to overcome recency bias in investment decision-making.

Recognizing Recency Bias

Recency bias refers to the tendency of investors to give excessive weight to recent market events when making investment decisions. We have a natural inclination to believe that what has just occurred will continue in the short term. This bias often leads us to ignore historical data and overlook the importance of long-term correlations. Larry stressed the need to become students of history and cautioned against relying solely on recent trends to guide our investment choices. Larry highlighted that recency bias is one of the most detrimental mistakes investors can make. While there is evidence of short-term momentum, where recent winners tend to continue performing well for a limited period, it’s crucial to remember that trees don’t grow to the sky. Valuations can reach unsustainable levels, driven by investor enthusiasm. Larry cited examples like the dot-com era and the recent market bubble, where unprofitable companies achieved sky-high valuations based on recent success. However, high valuations eventually come back to haunt investors. To avoid this pitfall, he emphasized the importance of sticking to your investment plan and not being swayed by recency bias.

Strategies to Mitigate Recency Bias

To counteract the influence of recency bias, we discussed several strategies during the interview. One effective approach is disciplined portfolio rebalancing. By selling some of the high-priced winners and buying assets that have performed poorly but offer higher expected returns, investors can maintain a balanced portfolio and avoid chasing recent winners. Additionally, we explored the role of trend following, specifically managed futures, as an investment class that captures short-term momentum swings. However, it’s crucial not to allocate all your assets to trend following, as it can underperform for extended periods. Larry recommended considering a 5% to 10% allocation to mitigate tail risk during prolonged bear markets. Recency bias can be difficult to overcome alone, especially during times of market volatility. That’s why having a financial accountability partner is vital. This partner can help design a financial plan and keep you grounded when fear and greed tempt you to deviate from your investment strategy. At our firm, we provide clients with proprietary interrogations that guide their decision-making and minimize financial stress. We believe in the power of having someone who holds you accountable and helps you stay on track to achieve your financial goals. Recency bias is a common pitfall that can hinder investment success. By recognizing the bias and incorporating strategies like disciplined rebalancing and selective trend following, investors can overcome this challenge. Moreover, having a financial accountability partner can provide valuable guidance and prevent emotional decision-making. Remember, it’s essential to view investment decisions through a historical lens and remain committed to your long-term investment plan. By doing so, you can minimize the impact of recency bias and maximize your chances of achieving financial success. Schedule a short discovery call or meeting We’ll be interviewing Larry on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts. Larry was among the first authors to publish a book that explained the science of investing in layman’s terms, “The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You’ll Ever Need.” He has since authored seven more books.

Larry Swedroe Bio

Why Did Traditional Diversification Fail in 2022?

May 11, 2023 by Hans Blake, CFA, CPA

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Reading Time: 3 minutes Traditional diversification failed in 2022, but why did it happen, and will it happen again? On this episode of Intelligent Money Minute, Hans Blake interviews Larry Swedroe, the head of economic and financial research at Buckingham Wealth Partners, who also co-authored 18 books. According to Swedroe, traditional diversification, which was within the 60/40 stock and bond allocation, failed in 2022. Both stocks and safe treasuries had double-digit losses, which is the first time this has happened, making it almost the worst year for a 60/40 portfolio. Moreover, longer-term treasuries lost over 20%, and the S&P was down by about 18%. Correlation between these two risk assets has been negative for the last 20 years. However, if you look at the last hundred years, the correlation was positive at about 0.2. Therefore, traditional diversification failed because correlations between stocks and safe bonds are time-varying. Swedroe emphasizes that investors shouldn’t treat correlations as a permanent number, as they are time-varying. He explains that correlations do not mean that when one asset goes up, the other goes down. It means that when one has a better-than-average return, the other one has a worse-than-average return. During the last 20 years, we had a negative correlation between stocks and safe bonds, so investors thought that when stocks got crushed, bonds would tend to do better than their average. However, that didn’t happen in 2022, making investors rely solely on safe bonds and equity bonds, which could be risky. Swedroe recommends that investors consider including other non-traditional assets that will do well in such periods. For instance, reinsurance, private floating debt, long-short equity, private real estate, and other alternatives can help dampen the risk in an investor’s portfolio. He mentioned that last year, all of the alternatives he owned were up, which helped diversify his portfolio. He advises investors to consider adding other unique sources of risk to their portfolio and not rely solely on safe bonds and equity bonds. Lastly, he says that investors must have a diversified portfolio to help mitigate these unusual time periods when correlations of traditional assets rise. Schedule a short discovery call or meeting We’ll be interviewing Larry on several podcasts regarding markets, passive investing, and diversification, so be sure to subscribe to our Intelligent Money Minute podcasts. Larry was among the first authors to publish a book that explained the science of investing in layman’s terms, “The Only Guide to a Winning Investment Strategy You’ll Ever Need.” He has since authored seven more books.