Yes, I’m cheating. AI helps me edit and refine a more concise, reader-friendly version for you—and I couldn’t be happier to be writing again, and more meaningfully. If my stories and analogies encourage others—financially, philosophically, or otherwise—toward better outcomes, I’ll keep writing. Thank you, my AI agent and encourager, Dig South/Charleston Tech Week-and those who joined us for a hearty AI Lunch & Learn last month. Are you “cheating” at all? Last month we explored the One Big Beautiful Bill’s tax opportunities, the Fed’s rate-watching drama, and how to craft a “Perfect Day Portfolio.” This month, the story deepens. A narrowly averted government shutdown reminds us how fragile confidence can be—yet also how resilience endures. As Alphavest celebrates another year of growth and gratitude, I find the deepest lessons not only in the markets but in the woods—where cutting trees, like culling a portfolio, reveals the hidden fire of renewal beneath the surface. We’re stockpiling our own form of fatwood—that rich, resinous kindling that sparks easily—to finish 2025 strong and keep the fire aflame into 2026. And as we note the passing of Jane Goodall, I’m reminded of her simple, staggering wisdom from her Charleston visit in 2023: that her “next great adventure” was dying. Her words, in true Perfect Day fashion, remind us that every season—of markets or of life—holds renewal, if we’re willing to tend the flame. This month’s 3-for-3 explores that same spirit: navigating fiscal uncertainty, embracing intelligent innovation, and rekindling purpose for the final stretch of the year–AHEAD of January 2026. Let’s do this! |
3 for 3: 1. AI, Automation & the Clean Tech Imperative Artificial intelligence is no longer just a productivity upgrade—it’s becoming foundational to both investing and planning. AI tools can now stress-test portfolios, forecast retirement income under complex tax rules, rebalance in real time, and simulate “what if” scenarios. More than 60% of investors under 50 already lean on at least one AI tool; robo-advisor assets are projected to exceed $3 trillion by 2030 (Statista). But AI is also fueling real-world opportunity in the markets: chip firms like Alphavest Aristocrats (+10.33% YTD/DJIA +10.99%) holding, NXP (NXPI)–yes, an “Aristocrats” stretch but a yield higher than benchmark, Dow Jones Industrials Average/DJIA, and storage leaders such as Alphavest Equity Income (+16.28% YTD/DJIA +10.99%) holding, Seagate (STX) sit at the heart of the infrastructure powering large models. This week, Advance Micro Device (AMD) made headlines by securing a major deal with OpenAI to supply 6 gigawatts of AI compute capacity. The agreement includes warrants giving OpenAI the option to take a ~10% equity stake in AMD, sparking a ~24% rally in its stock price. Reuters+2Investors.com+2 It validates AMD’s positioning in the AI chip ecosystem and signals how critical compute supply is to the AI arms race. Yet growth must be responsible. AI workloads are energy intensive and carry a growing carbon footprint. Estimates suggest the AI industry already contributes ~2.5–3.7% of global greenhouse emissions—surpassing aviation. theimpactinvestor.com+1 Data centers, cooling systems, and hardware manufacture all factor in. To address this, leading players are exploring strategies like: Solar and renewable integration: Data centers are increasingly sourcing solar power to offset emissions. Solar + battery systems can smooth supply and reduce reliance on fossil-based grid power. blog.google+3SolarFeeds+3techresearchs.com+3 “Follow-the-Sun” computing: Dynamically shifting AI workloads to regions with cleaner energy availability (e.g. prioritizing compute jobs in places with high solar or wind output) can lower emissions by 10–15+%. arXiv+1 Optimization in hardware & software: Chip architects are embedding more memory, minimizing internal data transfers, and pushing model efficiency to reduce energy per task. carbon-direct.com+2Carnegie Mellon University+2 Modular clean energy systems: Startups like Exowatt are building modular thermal/solar energy storage systems designed to power high-intensity computing—making off-grid clean compute more feasible. Wikipedia Alphavest In Action: It’s an exciting time to seek “fatwood” in AI adjacent opportunities like those that support decarbonization efforts while the AI community looks to solve for energy solutions. It further evidences that portfolio returns can be aligned with both growth and climate goals, and perhaps other core values you may wish to align your portfolio more closely. 2. Tax & Policy Shifts Ahead Taxes rarely grab headlines—but they quietly shape every wealth plan. With key provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expiring in 2026, the next year could be a defining window for smart strategy. Here’s what to review now before time runs out: Gifting strategies while the estate tax exemption remains doubled Roth conversions to lock in lower rates Charitable giving for higher future deductions 70% of high-net-worth households haven’t adjusted their plans yet (Schwab). Tax policy may not grab headlines like AI, but for investors and retirees, it’s the lever that can quietly redefine wealth. Several provisions from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are set to expire in 2026, including lower income tax brackets and the doubled estate tax exemption. That gives families just over a year to evaluate gifting strategies, Roth conversions, and charitable contributions. According to Schwab, 70% of high-net-worth households have not yet adjusted their plans for these potential changes. Waiting could mean higher lifetime tax liability and fewer estate-planning options. Alphavest In Action: At Alphavest Q4 is always focused on YEND tax optimization. AND, you can rest assured that we’ll always optimize your portfolio’s gains and losses by 12/31. Yet, there may be more to cover on the tax topic besides capital gains. Let’s connect and optimize–Schedule a year-end planning review. 3. October Is the New January Think of October as your financial reset month. Behavioral economists even call it the “October Theory”—we re-engage routines, re-evaluate goals, and often feel a surge of motivation as the year winds down. A recent YouGov survey found that 41% of Americans set new goals in October, compared with just 29% in June. So whether it’s reviewing your budget, re-balancing your portfolio, or refining your “Perfect Day,” this is the time. While January often claims the title of fresh starts, many are declaring October the real reset month. Behavioral economists call it the “October Theory”: people re-engage routines, re-evaluate goals, and often feel a stronger surge of motivation as the year’s final quarter begins. A recent YouGov survey found that 41% of Americans set new goals in October, compared with just 29% in June. Social media is amplifying this trend, with #OctoberReset trending across wellness and productivity circles. Financially, it’s the perfect time to review budgets, charitable giving, and portfolio positioning before the holidays. Lifestyle-wise, October’s rhythm invites balance—nesting for the season while building momentum for the year’s end. This year, we’re leaning into that theme with Perfect Day 3.0, our evolved framework for aligning wealth with well-being. Take Perfect Day 3.0 for a “test drive” and see how it can reset your financial and lifestyle goals this fall. |
Winners & “Losers” MTD Winners and “Losers” Alphavest Dynamic Equity (+11.81% YTD/SPX +15.31%) holding, gold play, GOAU and dividend hefty tech play, Alphavest Equity Income (+16.28% YTD/DJIA +10.99%) holding, Seagate (STX)Seagate/STX are both on this month’s MTD and YTD winner boards—and, for 2 months running. STX, with a declining–as price appreciation continues, 1.2% dividend yield was a new add to the Alphavest Equity Income Portfolio in May 2025. AV Equity Income, boasting a yield of 2.28%, is outpacing benchmark index, the Dow Jones Industrial Average/DJIA, up +16.28% vs. DJIA +10.99% YTD. The DJIA yield is 1.45%. Further, Alphavest’s “secret sauce” our Alphavest Dynamic Equity Model that navigates the 6 Year component of client’s 3-6-10 Allocation Plan—our fully tactical model that has a successful track record of sidestepping significant market downturns, while underperforming benchmark S&P500 YTD, sports a standard deviation of 11.09% vs. 14.01% for benchmark S&P500 —a measure of risk that is over 20% less risk over the 3 year metric–we think the less risk more than compensates for the short-term underperformance that we come to expect in double digit up markets. The Dynamic model shines most when we want it to the most—when stocks are selling off significantly. MTD Winners All of the Monthly “Losers” hail from the Industrials heavy, Alphavest Equity Income (+16.28% YTD/DJIA +10.99%) Model and while we continue to hold these quality names, some we have pared slightly, and we continue to sift through the portfolio to in search of better yield, green shoots and search for “fatwood” elsewhere while maintaining healthy portfolio stats such as lower risk (3yr STD DEV 12%/DJIA 14.9%) and higher yield (2.28%/1.45% DJIA) than the DJIA. MTD “Losers” YTD Winners and “Losers” What hasn’t been said in the MONTHLY winners section above; YTD winners that deserve mention are “alternatives” to the tech/large cap US market climb like Alphavest Dynamic Equity (+11.81% YTD/SPX +15.31%) holding, developed international holding PIZ, up 33.55% YTD. It’s exchange traded fund/ETF portfolio sidekick, EMREGING international markets holding, EEM, while not on the winners list is helping clients boost returns and diversify across the pond with YTD returns of +29.27% with an impressive cherry on top of a 2.22% yield. Add Bitcoin ETF holding IBIT to the mix of “alternatives” helping diversify all things Tesla and Nvidia, we’ve got our toe in the blockchain/crypto space and happy that SEC governed ETF IBIT is up +34.38% YTD. YTD Winners YTD “Losers” Alphavest Aristocrats (+10.33% YTD/DJIA +10.99%) holding, EOG resources (EOG) was sold 10/1 as was India ETF, PIN from the not yet mentioned Alphavest 10 Year Model (+19.32% YTD/15.31% SPX) in exchange for more Berkshire Hathaway and bitcoin ETF , IBIT. The model despite its impressive 26% outperformance YTD over benchmark S&P500, we can still echo a theme of lower risk (3yr STD DEV 13.57%/SPX 14.02%), even if slight. To not be extended in our risk parameters in search of 26% better returns is important to impart for those investors who match the sentiments of most analysts that equity markets maybe overvalued. |