What does Howard Capital Management do?
Howard Capital Management (HCM) is an advisor-led portfolio management service primarily for investors seeking tactical, risk-managed portfolio models rather than self-directed investing.
HCM typically manages portfolios introduced by an outside financial professional, while that professional maintains the day-to-day client relationship.
The firm is an SEC-registered investment adviser and is based in Roswell, Georgia. As of December 2025, it reported about $8 billion in discretionary client assets.
Key services:
- Diversified portfolio management: Here, an investment professional gathers information about the client’s financial situation, risk tolerance and objectives, then HCM manages the assets through its models, strategies, and investment vehicles.
- Private wealth services: It focuses on investment portfolio management and may also involve coordination with outside vendors for estate, business, and tax-reduction strategies.
- Sub-advisory services: HCM may act as a sub-adviser to unaffiliated registered investment advisers, while the outside adviser maintains the client relationship.
HCM also offers mutual fund and ETF advisory services, SDBA services, 401(k) optimizer, and HCM Guided Retirement and TSP Optimizer.
Investment philosophy:
HCM’s investment approach is tactical and trend-driven.
It uses its proprietary HCM-BuyLine® indicator to determine when and how much to invest in equities, increasing equity exposure in favorable trends and moving toward cash or short-term bonds in weaker markets.
What are the pros and cons of Howard Capital Management?
Below is an overview of the pros and cons of Howard Capital Management.
Pros of Howard Capital Management:
- Discretionary management: HCM can make portfolio decisions without requiring client approval for each trade, which may suit investors who want delegated portfolio management.
- Defined tactical framework: HCM’s process uses the HCM-BuyLine and may also incorporate HCM Pivot Point® indicators, providing the strategy with a structured, rules-informed basis.
- Multiple portfolio models: The website lists a broad menu of separately managed accounts across different risk and return profiles.
Cons of Howard Capital Management:
- Minimum account size may be high for smaller investors: HCM generally requires $25,000 to open and maintain an advisory account.
- Active trading and volatility risk: HCM discloses that its strategies may involve above-average turnover and volatility compared with strategies offered by other advisers.
- Limited direct planning role: HCM says it does not provide financial planning, tax preparation, estate documents, accounting, recordkeeping or insurance services.
Howard Capital Management fees: How much does Howard Capital Management cost?
For diversified portfolio management and private wealth services, HCM’s advisory fee is negotiable and based on assets under management (AUM).
The portion HCM retains after paying the client’s primary investment professional may not exceed 1.1% of AUM.
Investors may also pay underlying mutual fund or ETF expenses, transaction charges, and brokerage fees.
HCM specifically notes that advisory fees are separate from the fees and expenses charged by mutual funds and ETFs.
What is Howard Capital Management’s minimum account size?
HCM generally requires $25,000 to open and maintain an advisory account.
For SDBA and variable annuity minimums, HCM generally requires $15,000 for Self-Directed Brokerage Window services or for managing assets held in a variable annuity.
Some investment models require higher balances. For example, the Ultra Aggressive model requires $500,000.
Who should choose Howard Capital Management?
Howard Capital Management may be a fit for investors who want an advisor-managed, discretionary portfolio strategy focused on tactical risk management rather than comprehensive financial planning. However, it’s worth doing a deep dive on a firm and its suitability for your needs before you agree to move forward.
Howard Capital Management works well for:
- Investors comfortable with tactical management: The service is built around adjusting equity exposure in response to market-trend signals.
- Investors seeking model-based portfolios: HCM lists multiple separately managed account models across different risk profiles.
- Private Wealth Services: HCM works with advisors and high-net-worth clients to build customized investment strategies,
Who might not benefit as much:
- Clients wanting full financial planning: HCM states that it does not provide financial planning or related consulting services.
- Low-turnover, buy-and-hold investors: HCM’s strategies may involve frequent trading, which can increase transaction costs and tax effects.
- Investors avoiding proprietary-fund conflicts: HCM discloses that its models generally use its proprietary funds, creating a material conflict of interest.
Howard Capital Management: Is it secure?
HCM is an SEC-registered investment adviser.
Independent qualified custodians hold client funds and securities, and clients receive custodian account statements at least quarterly.
It restricts access to non-public personal information to people who need that information to process and service client accounts.
HCm also states the firm maintains physical, electronic and procedural safeguards that comply with state and federal standards.
Howard Capital Management: Customer service
Howard Capital Management provides an advisor-led portfolio management service, but most client communication goes through the outside broker-dealer or investment adviser who introduces the client to HCM.
HCM’s role is mainly portfolio management, while the outside advisor generally maintains the day-to-day relationship and helps determine whether HCM’s strategies are suitable for the client.
Howard Capital Management: Mobile app
Howard Capital Management offers mobile access to authorized users via the Axos Clearing LLC “Liberty” app. The app is described as a tool for staying in touch with Howard Capital Management and accessing information from a mobile device.
The app features include:
- Account information access: The app presents users with relevant information
- Authorized users only: The app appears intended for approved users, not general public access
Is Howard Capital Management worth it?
Howard Capital Management may be worth considering for investors who want advisor-led, discretionary portfolio management with a tactical approach to market risk.
The main strengths are its structured investment process, professional portfolio oversight, and range of model portfolios.
The main limitations are that HCM does not provide comprehensive financial planning, its strategies may involve above-average turnover and volatility, and the general advisory account minimum of $25,000 may still be high for smaller investors.
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