When financial stress tore Eric Nyquist's family apart during the mid-2000s, it sparked his lifelong mission to understand how to both grow and protect wealth. Now leading fund sales and distribution at Howard Capital Management, Eric shares how personal experience shaped his investment philosophy and why protecting capital during market downturns is just as crucial as capturing upside.
The cornerstone of Howard Capital's approach is their proprietary HCM Byline – a trend-following indicator that serves as a market barometer, signaling whether markets are healthy or deteriorating. Developed by founder Vance Howard in the mid-90s after experiencing the 1987 market crash firsthand, this systematic methodology removes emotional decision-making from investing, addressing what Eric identifies as the number one reason investors underperform: behavioral finance pitfalls.
Eric challenges conventional investment wisdom throughout our conversation, particularly questioning Modern Portfolio Theory's assumptions about rational investor behavior and its equation of volatility with risk. "Volatility works on a two-way street," he explains. "There's as much upside volatility as downside, and if you can't capture upside volatility, you're never going to make money in the market."
For advisors constructing portfolios, Eric suggests thinking in thirds – allocating to tactical growth strategies like Howard Capital's ETFs, actively managed fixed income, and passive strategies to keep costs down. Their ETFs (LGH and QQH) offer tactical versions of major indexes designed not to avoid every market hiccup, but to protect investors from the devastating 30-50% declines that can derail financial plans, especially for those nearing retirement.
Whether you're concerned about current market valuations, wondering about the persistence of large-cap dominance, or simply looking for ways to enhance your investment approach, this conversation offers valuable perspective on navigating market cycles with confidence. Visit howardcm.com to learn more about their systematic approach to staying tactical in today's rapidly evolving markets.

DISCLAIMER – PLEASE READ: This is a sponsored episode for which Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC has been paid a fee. Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information provided in the episode or make any representation as to its quality. All statements and expressions provided in this episode are the sole opinion of Howard Capital and Lead-Lag Publishing, LLC expressly disclaims any responsibility for action taken in connection with the information provided

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