Benchmark Wealth Management

05/27/2026

No official lunch bell at the office…

…but there will be signs. 🐶

05/20/2026

Why does volatility feel like something’s gone wrong?

In reality, it’s often a sign that markets are doing exactly what they’re supposed to do: reacting to new information and adjusting in real time.

This week’s One-Minute Concept connects that idea to a familiar place: the flow of a game.

05/19/2026

A little change of pace from our typical blog.

Written by our COO, Sarah Beach, it’s a peek behind the scenes at the people, relationships, and unexpected paths that shaped our team over the years.

How do you build a financial firm? For Benchmark Wealth, it wasn't corporate recruiters—it was late-night Craigslist ads and best friends.

05/15/2026

Renovations are still underway around Benchmark…but Zoom Rooms are already up and running beautifully.

Many of our client relationships happen hundreds (or even thousands) of miles away. That’s why we’ve invested in technology designed to make virtual meetings feel personal, clear, and effortless, with clear audio, high-quality video, and seamless collaboration.

Technology will never replace relationships, but the right technology helps us show up well for the people we serve.

Bonus: it captures full-body storytelling from Charity in remarkable detail. 😄

05/13/2026

Spring has sprung at Benchmark! 🐣

05/12/2026

Returns matter, but they’re not what most people lose sleep over.

Uncertainty is. And without a plan, uncertainty often leads to reactive decisions at the wrong time.

This week’s One-Minute Concept walks through why planning matters.

05/08/2026

Benchmark is celebrating two very special graduates this season — Sarah’s son, Jack, and Nicole’s son, Sam. 🎓

We’ve loved watching these young men grow over the years, and we’re so excited to see what’s ahead for each of them as they begin their next chapters.

Jack is heading to Mississippi State University and Sam is off to Florida State University.

Join us in congratulating Jack, Sam, and their proud families on this milestone!

05/07/2026

📈 A Market Note from the Benchmark Advisors:

The market’s recent strength may feel a little surprising, especially with oil prices back above $100 a barrel and geopolitical uncertainty still making headlines. But markets are rarely driven by one factor alone. Right now, continued optimism around artificial intelligence, strong corporate earnings, and steady business investment are helping support investor confidence.

Economic growth is moderating, but the overall backdrop remains reasonably well supported. First quarter GDP came in at 2% as consumer spending cooled, and LPL Research has lowered its 2026 U.S. economic growth forecast from 2.7% to 2.0% following the Iran conflict. Even so, business investment, government spending, and AI-related capital spending continue to help offset some of the softness in consumer activity. A resilient labor market and strong corporate profits also give the Federal Reserve room to be patient, which means rate cuts in 2026 are less certain than they appeared earlier in the year.

For stocks, AI continues to be one of the biggest drivers of optimism. Major indices posted strong gains in April, and earnings growth has helped keep valuations from looking as stretched as they otherwise might. The S&P 500’s price-to-earnings ratio remains near 21, which is elevated but still supported by strong profit growth. If AI investment continues to translate into productivity gains and earnings growth, this bull market may have more room to run. That said, volatility is still part of the deal. Middle East headlines, oil prices, inflation concerns, and interest rate expectations can all create short-term swings.

The strongest anchor for the market continues to be earnings. First quarter earnings growth for S&P 500 companies is tracking above 20%, helped by technology investment, AI-related productivity gains, and broader capital spending. AI hyperscalers have increased 2026 capital investment plans by more than $200 billion this year, bringing expected spending to more than $725 billion. That level of investment is meaningful, especially for companies tied to AI infrastructure and semiconductors.

The bottom line is that we continue to see a constructive investment environment, though not one without friction. Strong earnings and AI investment are supporting markets, while inflation, oil prices, and geopolitical uncertainty remain sources of pressure. In an environment like this, patience and discipline matter. We continue to believe investors are best served by staying diversified, maintaining long-term allocations, and resisting the urge to let short-term headlines drive long-term decisions.

05/06/2026

One of the things we care about most is making people feel truly known. Not generalized. Not handed a template.

Hearing feedback like this means a great deal to our team. ❤️

"With so many financial firms in Memphis, choosing the right one could have been overwhelming, but this decision was easy. They listened. Not just to my numbers, but to my goals, my concerns, and my vision for the future. Where others offered a one-size-fits-all approach, this team created a true partnership, guiding me through thoughtful portfolio decisions and making me feel confident every step of the way. That personal attention has been invaluable to my financial journey."

- Holly E., Benchmark Wealth Management Client

04/27/2026

Numbers can only take you so far.

Eventually, financial decisions move beyond spreadsheets and into questions of meaning, timing, and intention. That’s where clarity matters most.

This week’s One-Minute Concept shares a perspective on that shift.