HCM Weekly Market Update | Howard Capital Management & the BuyLine® — Curated for East Valley Retirees
Tailored Investment Solutions from Howard Capital Management and J. Martin Wealth
Located in Roswell, Georgia, Howard Capital Management (HCM) is an SEC-Registered Investment Advisor Firm. They aim to deliver professional money management solutions to individuals seeking growth while maintaining a prudent investment approach. The firm offers the use of the HCM-BuyLine®, developed by Vance Howard, CEO and Portfolio Manager at Howard Capital Management Inc., which has been their cornerstone since 1996. This stop-loss safeguard is crafted to provide timely guidance during market volatility. The HCM-BuyLine® effectively reduces downside risk by moving from equities to cash and cash equivalents while actively identifying opportunities to boost equity exposure during a market upswing.
J. Martin Wealth, based in Arizona, provides fiduciary financial advice tailored to help you meet your financial goals. Led by Jeff Martin, our team focuses on personalized investment strategies that align with your risk tolerance, time horizon, and unique objectives. Whether planning for retirement, managing your investments, or seeking comprehensive financial guidance, we are here to provide solutions that put your best interests first. Serving clients in Gilbert, Chandler, Maricopa, and throughout Arizona, we are committed to delivering transparent, client-centered service.
At J. Martin Wealth Management, serving retirees across Gilbert, Chandler, Gold Canyon and Maricopa, we share these weekly insights to help you understand market movements and how they may impact your retirement plan.
The following commentary was authored by Vance Howard, CEO of Howard Capital Management, Inc., as of the date noted. It reflects his personal views and does not represent the views or recommendations of J. Martin Wealth Management or Wealth Watch Advisors. References to specific index levels reflect HCM’s internal strategy and are not personalized investment advice for any reader of this page. Past performance of the HCM Buy-Line® is not indicative of future results.
Howard Capital - Global Weekly Summary
Tech Rout, Oil Shock & Geopolitical Tensions: Markets Rocked by a Perfect Storm
June 05, 2026
- Posted By: Editorial team
Weekly Market Snapshot
Global equity markets declined sharply this week as mixed corporate news, spearheaded by Broadcom’s Q2 earnings miss and unchanged AI outlook, triggered a massive sell-off in high-flying semiconductor and mega-cap technology stocks. Simultaneously, early-week military escalations between the U.S. and Iran pushed Brent crude oil prices up, heightening global inflation anxieties and tightening financial conditions. Finally, a stronger-than-expected May jobs report fueled fears of prolonged high interest rates from central banks, accelerating a broad capital rotation out of valuation-sensitive tech indices into safer, defensive assets.
In global geopolitics, heightened geopolitical tensions centered on the Middle East conflict, with continued military exchanges involving Iran and regional actors raising concerns over broader escalation and global security stability. Intermittent ceasefire discussions and indications of renewed negotiations tempered immediate escalation risks but failed to establish a durable resolution. The representatives of Israel, U.S. and Lebanon negotiated a conditional ceasefire framework for truce in Lebanon, which was rejected by Hezbollah.
Weekly Market Movers — Key Highlights
- Broadcom miss sparks semiconductor selloff
- U.S.–Iran tensions push crude prices higher
- Strong jobs data boosts hawkish outlook
- Investors flee tech, move to defensives.
Global Updates
- The MSCI All Country World Index declined this week as mixed corporate news, spearheaded by Broadcom’s Q2 earnings miss and unchanged AI outlook, triggered a massive sell-off in high-flying semiconductor and mega-cap technology stocks. Simultaneously, early-week military escalations between the U.S. and Iran pushed Brent crude oil prices up to $84.50 per barrel, heightening global inflation anxieties and tightening financial conditions. Finally, a stronger-than-expected May jobs report fueled fears of prolonged high interest rates from central banks, accelerating a broad capital rotation out of valuation-sensitive tech indices into safer, defensive assets.
- European semiconductor stocks pulled back sharply as market momentum reversed, following conservative guidance from major U.S. chip design partners. This sudden shift triggered a global hardware pullback, impacting key players across Europe’s tech sector.
- Japan’s Nikkei 225 surged past the 68,000 threshold for the first time, driven by an artificial intelligence and semiconductor equity rally despite regional macroeconomic headwinds
- Eurostat reported a 0.2% contraction in the Eurozone economy in Q1 2026, driven primarily by a 12% decline in Ireland’s GDP, reflecting a sharp 25% fall in pharmaceutical exports from Ireland to the U.S.
- Statistics Canada reported a gain of 87,800 jobs in the Canadian Economy in May, alongside a decline in the unemployment rate to 6.6%.
- Statistics Canada reported a 0.1% contraction in Canada’s Q1 GDP, following a 1% annualized decline in Q4. This was accompanied by a 1.5% increase in consumer spending, a 0.4% decline in final domestic demand, an 8% drop in residential investment, and a 3% reduction in business capital expenditure over the quarter.
- SoftBank became Japan’s largest company by market capitalization after its share price rallied, following an agreement to invest in AI computing clusters in France.
- China’s Services Purchasing Managers’ Index increased to 54.5 in May from 52.6 in April.
- The S&P Global Eurozone Services PMI rose marginally to 47.7 in May 2026 from the five-year low of 47.6 recorded in April.
- Early-week military escalations between the U.S. and Iran drove Brent crude oil prices up by 3.2% to $84.50 per barrel, driving global inflation expectations higher and triggering a sharp sell-off in international stock markets. Energy prices rapidly reversed later in the week as successful Middle East diplomatic talks and concrete ceasefire signals eased global supply risks, immediately stabilizing international equities and supporting broader risk assets.
U.S. Equity
- U.S. equity markets experienced diverged performance this week with the Dow Jones Index crossing the 51,500 mark, reversing an initial decline earlier in the week. The Dow Jones rose after investors aggressively rotated capital away from technology names and into stable, cyclical blue-chip equities like healthcare and financials. However, the broader market indices, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices declined over the week, due to a sharp sell-off in semiconductor and AI infrastructure equities, spearheaded by Broadcom’s disappointing quarterly outlook. Adding to the pressure on high-growth tech, a better-than-expected May jobs report fueled hawkish interest rate fears, dragging down the more valuation-sensitive, tech-weighted indices while leaving the defensive Dow relatively resilient.
- The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a stabilization in the labor market with U.S. employers adding 80,000 nonfarm payroll positions in May and the unemployment rate holding steady at 4.3%.
- ISM Services PMI for May printed at 54.5 with strong new orders, confirming continued expansion in services activity while employment components remained contractionary.
- The United States has proposed a sweeping new wave of global tariffs targeting 60 economies following the conclusion of a U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) investigation into forced labor import enforcement. This includes a 12.5% tariff imposed on 48 economies accused of major enforcement gaps, prominently including India and China. Additionally, a 10.0% tariff on 12 nations deemed to have partial restrictions or ongoing compliance frameworks, including Canada, Pakistan, Mexico, and the European Union
- NVIDIA unveiled its next-generation Vera Rubin data center architecture and the consumer-focused RTX Spark Superchip at Computex 2026 to power advanced AI agents. These cutting-edge hardware and software ecosystem announcements a short-lived stock market rally.
- Broadcom’s Q2 total revenue of $22.19 billion narrowly missed the heightened LSEG Wall Street expectation of $22.27 billion, causing its stock to plummet. Investor disappointment intensified after the company left its massive $100 billion long-term AI chip sales target unchanged, prompting a sharp capital flight out of high-beta semiconductor.
- Lululemon Athletica shares dragged after the company downwardly revised its full-year 2026 revenue projections to $11 billion–$11.15 billion and cut its expected earnings per share down to $10.95–$11.15. Management attributed this lowered forecast to severe operational headwinds, driven by rising import tariff costs and persistent consumer softness in its core North American market.
- SpaceX filed an SEC registration for a monumental public listing which is projected to reach a record-breaking $1.75 trillion valuation, completely reshaping the capital pipeline for the global space economy.
- Alphabet successfully priced and upsized its record-breaking equity offering to $84.75 billion this week, backed by a $10 billion private placement anchor investment from Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway.
Fixed Income
- The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate Bond Index was in line over the week.
- The U.S. 10-year Treasury yield edged up to 4.577% and the yield on the 2-year note edged lower to 049% over the week.
- The U.S. Dollar Index rose slightly to 99.22 over the week, due to safe haven flows as global currency markets adapted to higher-for-longer macroeconomic indicators.
Chart data below reflects market conditions as of the date shown. It is provided for illustrative purposes in connection with the commentary above and does not represent current market conditions. It should not be used as the basis for any investment decision.
Wealth Watch: From the desk of Vance Howard
Houston, We Have a Pullback (And SpaceX Might Be to Blame)
Posted By: Vance Howard - June 11, 2026
The markets have sold off hard since last Friday, should we be concerned? Nobody loves drawdowns but unfortunately, they are going to happen. We think the market was way overbought and in need of a period of consolidation. We are hitting an area of the market where we believe some good buys are beginning to emerge. The trend is up and this pullback is pretty much a classic period of consolidation.
One reason we think there has been so much selling is the very much anticipated SpaceX (SPCX) IPO. In other words, we believe a lot of investors are selling to free up cash because SPCX is not marginable yet, so the only way you can buy on Friday is with cash. We are hearing that SpaceX will be added to the major index almost immediately, and this will be one of the biggest IPOs in history.
Elon Musk-led SpaceX is set to price its IPO Thursday night, with the space company planning to sell 555.6 million shares at $135 apiece and raise $75 billion for a $1.77 trillion valuation.
Two stocks to look at are Caterpillar (CAT), which has pulled back to its 50-day MA and is hitting support, and Oceaneering International (OII), which we think could break above 40.50 in the near-term for a solid breakout play.
Early Thursday, the Labor Department said the producer price index rose 1.1% in May, with an annual increase of 6.5%, both hotter than estimates. The core CPI, which excludes food and energy, rose 0.4% on the month, in line with estimates, and 4.9% year over year, cooler than estimates.
Meanwhile, the Labor Department’s weekly initial unemployment claims unexpectedly rose to 229,000 vs. 225,000 in the previous week. Claims were anticipated to fall to 215,000.
The HCM-BuyLine® Explained
Curious how the HCM-BuyLine® works—and whether it fits your investment strategy?
The HCM-BuyLine® is a proprietary, rules-based investment tool designed to help manage portfolio risk by using market momentum indicators. Instead of relying on emotional decision-making, the BuyLine® uses quantitative data to signal when to reduce equity exposure and when to re-enter the market. This can help protect capital during major downturns and participate in uptrends when conditions improve.
For investors seeking an alternative to traditional buy-and-hold strategies, the HCM-BuyLine® offers a more dynamic, tactical investment approach. Its methodology may be especially valuable during periods of volatility or economic uncertainty.
Have you seen this kind of strategy from your current financial advisor? Are you looking for an investment philosophy that adapts to changing market conditions?
At J. Martin Wealth, we believe in aligning your financial plan with tools that are built to adapt. The HCM-BuyLine® is one example of how data-driven investing can support long-term goals while managing downside risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the HCM-BuyLine and how does it work?
A: The HCM-BuyLine® is a systematic, rules-based investment indicator developed by Vance Howard at Howard Capital Management. It uses quantitative market data to signal when to reduce equity exposure during downturns and when to increase exposure during uptrends. Rather than relying on emotion or guesswork, the BuyLine® follows predetermined criteria to help manage portfolio risk. Think of it as a disciplined framework for deciding when to be more defensive (holding cash) or more aggressive (holding stocks) based on current market conditions. It's designed to help protect capital during major market declines while participating in growth when conditions improve.
Q: Is tactical investing right for retirees?
A: Tactical investing strategies can be suitable for certain retirees, particularly those concerned about sequence-of-risk—the danger of large losses early in retirement. For retirees who are drawing income from their portfolio, avoiding major market downturns can be especially valuable since you don't have decades to recover. However, tactical strategies are not right for everyone. They involve more active management than traditional buy-and-hold approaches, and past performance does not guarantee future results. The best fit depends on your individual risk tolerance, time horizon, income needs, and overall financial plan. We recommend discussing tactical strategies with a fiduciary advisor who can evaluate whether they align with your specific retirement goals.
Q: How is this different from what most financial advisors in Chandler or Gilbert offer?
A: J. Martin Wealth Management offers tactical strategies, such as those available through Howard Capital Management, as one option among several. Whether a tactical or more passive approach is appropriate depends on an individual client’s goals, risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial circumstances. We recommend discussing any strategy with a fiduciary adviser to evaluate suitability. The HCM-BuyLine® approach is tactical, meaning it attempts to reduce equity exposure during unfavorable market conditions and increase exposure when conditions improve. This doesn't make one approach "better" than the other—they serve different objectives. Buy-and-hold is simpler and works well over very long time horizons. Tactical strategies like HCM aim to reduce volatility and manage downside risk, which can be especially important for retirees who can't afford to wait years for a portfolio to recover. At J. Martin Wealth Management, we believe in matching the strategy to the client, not forcing every client into the same approach.
Q: Does the HCM-BuyLine® guarantee that I won't lose money in a downturn?
A: No. The HCM-BuyLine® is an investment tool designed to help manage risk, but it does not eliminate risk or guarantee results. All investing involves the potential for loss, including loss of principal. Tactical strategies attempt to reduce exposure during declines, but market conditions can change rapidly, and there may be delays in executing portfolio adjustments. Additionally, moving to cash during downturns means you might miss some recovery gains if the market rebounds quickly. There are trade-offs with any investment approach. The HCM-BuyLine® has been used since 1996, but past performance is not indicative of future results. It's a tool, not a guarantee, and should be evaluated as part of a comprehensive financial plan.
Q: Can I invest with Howard Capital Management directly, or do I need to work through J. Martin Wealth Management?
A: Howard Capital Management is an institutional investment manager based in Roswell, Georgia, and they primarily work with financial advisors rather than directly with individual investors. At J. Martin Wealth Management, we have access to Howard Capital Management strategies as one of several investment approaches we can incorporate into client portfolios. We serve as your fiduciary advisor, building a comprehensive financial plan tailored to your situation, and when appropriate, we may recommend tactical strategies like those offered by Howard Capital Management. Working with us means you get personalized advice, local service in Chandler and Gilbert, and a financial plan that goes beyond just investment management—including retirement income planning, Social Security optimization, tax strategy, and more.
Q: I'm retiring soon in Gilbert—should I be worried about this market volatility?
A: Market volatility in the years immediately before and after retirement is something to take seriously, but worry isn't productive—having a plan is. This period is when you're most vulnerable to sequence-of-returns risk, meaning poor market performance early in retirement can significantly impact your long-term financial security. If you're within 2-3 years of retirement and haven't stress-tested your plan against market downturns, now is the time to do so. Consider questions like: Is your asset allocation appropriate for your timeline? Do you have enough cash reserves to avoid selling stocks in a down market? Are you maximizing Social Security timing? Do you have a tax-efficient withdrawal strategy? These are the conversations we have every day with pre-retirees in Gilbert, Chandler, and across the East Valley. If you'd like a second opinion on your retirement readiness, we offer complimentary consultations to review your situation and discuss whether your current plan accounts for market risk.
Still Have Questions?
Market volatility and investment strategies can be complex. If you'd like to discuss how tactical investing or other risk management approaches might fit into your retirement plan, we're here to help.
Schedule a complimentary consultation with J. Martin Wealth Management:
Serving Chandler, Gilbert, Maricopa, and Gold Canyon.
Disclosure: This FAQ is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. The HCM-BuyLine® is a proprietary indicator and does not guarantee investment results. All investing involves risk, including potential loss of principal. Please consult with a qualified financial advisor to discuss your specific situation.
The HCM-BuyLine® is a proprietary indicator and does not guarantee investment results or prevent losses. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal.
Ready to Learn More?
Schedule a complimentary consultation to explore how the HCM-BuyLine® and other tactical strategies may fit into your overall investment plan.
Who is Vance Howard?
Vance Howard embarked on his professional career in the financial industry in 1992, establishing Chartered Financial Services, Inc. He subsequently founded Howard Capital Management, Inc. in 1999, a fee-only Registered Investment Advisor. Mr. Howard brings expertise in the analysis, creation, and execution of diverse trading strategies.
Prior to his focus on financial services, Mr. Howard founded Delta Waste Services in 1988, a waste management company he later sold in 1992. Additionally, he co-published investment-focused newsletters, "The Savvy Investor" and the "SI Intermediate-term Trader", which garnered an international readership across over 25 countries between 1992-1999.
Demonstrating a commitment to community, Vance has served on the Huntsville, Texas city council for four terms, including two terms as mayor pro tem. His civic involvement extends to roles such as Huntsville's City Finance Chairman, Chairman of the Huntsville/Walker County 911 Emergency Service, and board positions on the Houston/Galveston Economic Development Council and the District 910 Legal Grievance Committee. He is a former President and active member of the Huntsville Rotary Club.
Outside of the professional sphere, Vance collaborates with family members in the operation of the Bar C Ranch in Madisonville, Texas, where they specialize in raising registered longhorn cattle. His leisure interests include travel with his wife and children, cycling, kayaking, scuba diving, and hiking.
“We aim to take emotion completely out of the equation. Trading with emotions, in our opinion, ruins long-term returns.”
— VANCE HOWARD, CEO + PORTFOLIO MANAGER
Disclosure:
Howard Capital Management, Inc issues this communication. It is for informational purposes and is not an official confirmation of terms. It is not guaranteed as to the accuracy, nor is it a complete statement of the financial products or markets referred to. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice. Howard Capital Management, Inc. may maintain long or short positions in the financial instruments referred to and transact as principal or agent. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, this is not a recommendation, offer, or solicitation to buy or sell, and any prices or quotations contained herein are indicative only. To the extent permitted by law, Howard Capital Management, Inc. does not accept any liability arising from using this communication. Howard Capital Management is an SEC-registered investment advisor that only does business where it is properly registered or is otherwise exempt from registration. SEC registration does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the Commission nor indicates that the advisor has attained a particular skill or ability. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.
This newsletter is a publication of Howard Capital Management, Inc. It should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed, nor should the newsletter be construed as personalized investment advice. All expressions of opinion reflect the author's judgment as of the publication date and are subject to change. It should not be viewed as legal or tax advice. Always consult an attorney or tax professional regarding your legal or tax situation. There can be no guarantee that the HCM-BuyLine® indicator will perform as anticipated. Stop-loss protection will not necessarily limit your losses to the desired amounts due to the limitations of the HCM-BuyLine®, market conditions, and delays in executing orders. It is not an actual stop-loss order that automatically sells securities in the portfolio at a certain price.
Past performance is not indicative of future results. The material above has been provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as legal or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy. The investment strategy and themes discussed herein may be unsuitable for investors depending on their specific investment objectives and financial situation. Information obtained from third-party sources is believed to be reliable, though its accuracy is not guaranteed, and J. Martin Wealth Management makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of the information, which should not be used as the basis of any investment decision. Information contained on third-party websites that J. Martin Wealth Management may link to are not reviewed in their entirety for accuracy, and J. Martin Wealth Management assumes no liability for the information contained on these websites. Opinions expressed in this commentary reflect subjective judgments of the author based on conditions at the time of writing and are subject to change without notice. No part of this material may be reproduced in any form or referred to in any other publication without express written permission from J. Martin Wealth Management. For more information about J. Martin Wealth Management, including our Form ADV brochures, please visit https://adviserinfo.sec.gov or contact us at 480-630-6177.
