BCSWM’s The Benchmark

Nick and Philip share viewpoints on October 3, 2024 about the upcoming U.S. elections. They offer historical perspective about presidential leadership and the stock market’s long-term performance. Moving beyond the president, they also discuss the significance that Congress has in policymaking. They summarize how the stock market has responded historically to different mixes of political parties across the executive and legislative branches. Throughout the episode, Nick and Philip encourage long-term investors to stay unemotional about their investment portfolio despite the noise surrounding the election.

Join Nick and Scott as they discuss safeguarding your most important financial asset during your working years, your ability to earn and collect an income. Tap in for a high level overview of income protection with a handful of realistic case study examples at the end.

Humanity has revered gold throughout history for its beauty, durability, and utility as money. But what is gold like as an investment in the modern age? How might gold fit into a diversified investment portfolio? In this episode, Philip and Nathan present historical perspective and discuss gold from an impartial standpoint. They chat about gold as a portfolio diversifier, the gold’s price volatility characteristics, and events that gold historically has been a hedge against. Tune in for a primer on gold as seen through the lens of our financial advisors.

In this episode, Scott and John discuss a popular question we often hear at BCS Wealth Management. They dive into the four options one likely has with their retirement plan once they leave a job, and discuss the pros and cons of each option.

John and Scott discuss the probabilities of an interest rate cut by the Federal Reserve and how their actions may affect an investor’s bond portfolio.  They explain that bonds and bond funds can be vastly different, with various returns, and may have a unique position in a portfolio. 

Nick and Philip discuss the catalysts behind the stock market’s decline during the week of July 29 and on August 5, 2024. They explain the economic headlines that led to the selloff. They further discuss the implications for long-term investors. How should investors react to abrupt stock market volatility like on August 5? Giving reassuring context and citing historical data, they encourage folks to keep a long-term perspective.

This episode compares and contrasts investing in tangible real estate vs. investing in financial assets. While both approaches may provide income and growth, they both have advantages and nuances to consider. In that light, Philip, Nick, and Scott weigh real estate investing and investing in financial assets like stocks and bonds. Towards the end, they discuss Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as an investment type that fuses those two universes.

In this episode, we’re breaking down something that has been in the market headlines recently: stock splits. Join us as we explore what stock splits are, why companies choose to split their stocks, and how these actions can impact your investments. Whether you’re commuting to work or running errands, tune in for a concise and informative 15-minute discussion that will keep you ahead in the world of financial planning and investments.

Perfect for a short drive, we designed “Daily Drive” to fit into your busy schedule while providing valuable insights to help you make informed financial decisions. Don’t miss out – hit play and drive your financial knowledge forward with us today!

Scott Hoilman presents an overview of supplemental group insurance offerings beyond group health insurance. This informative episode describes these extra plans that help employers attract and retain quality employees. Scott discusses the following types of group policies: dental and vision insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident coverage.

Philip, John, and Nick share timeless financial principles that they would tell their younger selves. They discuss the importance of building a base of personal financial knowledge starting in high school or earlier. They talk about personal budgeting and investing. On the investing topic, they explain compound returns and suggest approaching investing with a long-term outlook. Later, they give advice about spending, drawing on their experiences and lessons learned. The chat concludes by framing overall wealth to include a sense of purpose and meaningful relationships.