Aurora Financial Strategies

09/03/2026

A strong financial plan isn’t just about growing your wealth. It’s also about protecting what you’ve built.
In the latest installment of The Power of Planning, Reed Hubbert takes a closer look at risk management and the role it plays in preparing for life’s unexpected events.

From maintaining an emergency fund to evaluating insurance coverage and keeping your estate plan and beneficiary designations up to date, thoughtful planning today can help reduce financial uncertainty down the road.

Read Reed’s latest blog to learn more about building risk management into your financial plan:
https://www.aurorafinancialstrategies.com/blog/the-power-of-planning-risk-management

Reed continues his series on the power of planning by exploring risk management and navigating the unexpected in life.

09/01/2026

What if we could extend the life of satellites already in orbit?

Northrop Grumman, a company held in our portfolio, recently launched a new robotic spacecraft designed to do just that.
Once in orbit, the spacecraft will use robotic arms to attach itself to satellites, with the ability to inspect, repair and refuel them, potentially extending their useful lives rather than requiring immediate replacement.

It’s an interesting example of how innovation can create new opportunities from infrastructure that’s already in place.

Read more about the technology from Northrop Grumman: https://www.northropgrumman.com/life-at-northrop-grumman/robotic-reality

Northrop Grumman’s Mission Robotic Vehicle is designed to inspect, repair, refuel, and extend the life of satellites in orbit.

08/27/2026

With so many new faces joining Aurora over the past year, we thought it was a good time for a re-introduction.
There are two sides of the Aurora team- Financial Strategies and Asset Management.

So, who is Aurora Asset Management?
We’re not high-frequency traders. We don’t chase trends or speculate on what the market might do next.
Instead, we take a long-term, goal-oriented approach to investing—one we believe in enough to invest our own personal accounts alongside our clients.

Our equity portfolios are built around different client goals, but share the same core philosophy: invest in quality businesses we understand, led by capable people, at prices we believe make sense and give those investments time to work.

In our latest blog, Austin Crites, CFA, reintroduces the Aurora Asset Management team, our investment philosophy, and what clients can expect from our approach.

Read the full re-introduction here: https://auroramgt.com/asset-management-blog/re-introduction
Investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

Because Aurora has welcomed many new faces to our readership and client list over the past year or so, it's a good time to take a step back and reintroduce ourselves to old clients and start with a refresher for the newcomers. 

07/31/2026

Last week, Austin got the chance to speak on a panel with investment leaders representing a wide range of philosophies and styles.

The discussion explored some of today’s biggest market risks and opportunities, and Austin shared his perspective on the risks associated with:
- The rapid AI data center buildout and elevated valuations
- Potential opportunities tied to a recovery in housing turnover
- The development of new oil reserves
- And oil’s role as an equity-market hedge.

It was a thoughtful event filled with lively discussion, contrasting viewpoints, and valuable connections.
Thank you to everyone who helped bring it together!

07/27/2026

We're growing! Welcome Rishabh Goyal to the Aurora team!

Rishabh is a recent graduate of St. Olaf College and will be working with Austin Crites on the Aurora Asset Management team as an Associate Portfolio Manager.

Outside of work, Rishabh enjoys following market trends and staying active through sports including golf, cricket, badminton, squash, and field hockey. He also enjoys exploring local coffee shops, long drives, and a good poker game with friends.

Welcome, Rishabh!

07/21/2026

Portfolio company Kroger is making a significant move to expand its regional footprint.

The company announced plans to acquire Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, adding nearly 200 supermarkets and 11 standalone pharmacies across the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic. Separately, Kroger raised its quarterly dividend by 11.4%.

Analysts have responded positively to the acquisition, citing its strategic fit and potential to create long-term value.

Read more about the deal: https://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2026/07/07/kroger-analysts-react-giant-eagle-deal-grocery.html

Investment Advisory Services are offered through BCGM Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. Aurora clients may own positions in the securities discussed. Any mention of a particular security is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. Investments involve the risk of loss. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Kroger's planned $1.65B acquisition of Giant Eagle represents a positive move that fits its strategy, analysts say, with one going so far as to call it a “master stroke.”

07/16/2026

What does it really take to become a millionaire?
Brian Iles from our team dives into this in his latest blog post, exploring the what and how behind reaching millionaire status.
https://www.aurorafinancialstrategies.com/blog/what-does-it-take-to-become-a-millionaire

Investment Advisory Services are offered through BCGM Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

Brian Iles shares his thoughts on reaching millionaire status.

07/14/2026

Unemployment remains at 4.2%, but fewer people are actively participating in the labor market.
According to government data, the labor force declined by 720,000 people in June and by more than 1 million over the past year.

While June’s decline may be overstated, a shrinking labor force could create a meaningful constraint on future economic growth, and it’s a trend we’ll continue watching closely.

Read more here: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/general/job-seekers-giving-up-labor-force-participation-rate-falls-to-lowest-in-50-years-outside-of-covid-era/

Investment Advisory Services are offered through BCGM Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

07/10/2026

The Aurora team expanded this summer with the addition of our summer intern, Karson Parrott!

We love having the ability to share formative experiences with the next generation of financial leaders like Karson, and are so glad he's been able to gain new insights during his time with us.

Karson wrote a blog about his first month at Aurora, which you can find here.

Karson Parrott shares reflections on his summer internship at Aurora.

05/28/2026

The inflation story may not be as under control as the market hoped.

Oil inventories are shrinking quickly, and that pressure is starting to work its way through the economy.

April CPI came in hotter than expected, with headline inflation running at a 3.8% annualized pace. Producer prices were even stronger, with PPI up at a 6% annualized rate. Businesses are getting squeezed.

You can already see it showing up in food prices. Fertilizer costs have surged alongside energy, and food inflation just posted its biggest increase since August 2022.

The bigger issue is what happens next.

Companies only have two choices when input costs rise:

Accept lower margins
Raise prices

Most eventually choose the second.

At the same time, the economy still looks fairly resilient. Retail sales and labor data remain solid, and manufacturing activity continues to benefit from heavy data center investment.

That combination matters because resilient demand plus rising input costs is not a great setup for inflation coming down quickly.

Rates have started moving higher again as markets price in a greater chance the Fed may need to tighten further this year.

And higher rates eventually hit the most interest-rate-sensitive parts of the economy first:
housing, autos, and highly leveraged businesses.

The market still seems positioned for a smooth inflation slowdown. The data may be pointing somewhere else.

Read more in our newsletter: https://aurorafinancialstrategies.us10.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=235c8b31ff2d0621142c2d43c&id=4c95f21516