The Ascent - Alec Walker Summer 2026 5-30-26

Host Alec Walker, EVP of Financial Planning at Crestmont Private Wealth, opens with some personal notes about summer plans before covering two main topics: a brief market update and a deep dive into performance reporting. Market Update: Long-term US Treasury rates have risen to 5%, pushing inflation expectations higher. Notably, the yield curve has returned to a normal upward slope after being inverted through end of 2025 — historically a positive sign for economic growth. US bonds are down ~0.5% YTD but up 5.6% over the last 12 months, still outperforming money market rates of 3.5–4%. Performance Reporting: Alec walks through where clients should go for account performance — the client portal (Orion-powered quarterly reports) vs. Charles Schwab (best for statements and tax docs). He explains three key advantages of the client portal's time-weighted performance reports over custodial statements: (1) total return including dividends and interest, (2) historical performance including removed holdings, and (3) time-weighted vs. dollar-weighted returns. He closes with a recommendation not to check accounts too frequently, citing data that the S&P 500 is only positive ~53% of trading days but ~75% of years. 0:00 – Intro & summer check-in 0:19 – Market update: rising interest rates & 30-year Treasury at 5% 2:03 – Yield curve back to normal (no longer inverted) 3:22 – Bond performance update 4:06 – Performance reporting overview: Schwab vs. client portal 5:33 – When to use Schwab vs. the client portal 6:15 – Why the client portal's Orion reports are more comprehensive 7:17 – Limitation #1: Custodial statements miss total return (dividends/interest) 8:28 – Limitation #2: Removed holdings aren't tracked in custodial statements 9:37 – Limitation #3: Time-weighted vs. dollar-weighted returns explained 10:36 – How often should you check your accounts? 13:10 – Invitation to reach out & services overview 14:47 – OutroSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.