Our Story and Services

As your Financial Advisors, we can help you define and strive to meet your goals by delivering a vast array of resources to you in the way that is most appropriate for how you invest and what you want to achieve. Working together we can help you to preserve and grow your wealth. You’ll have access to some of the world’s most seasoned and respected investment professionals, a premier trading and execution platform and a full spectrum of investment choices.
Services Include
Check the background of Our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck.*

A Strategic Approach to Growing and Preserving Wealth

Our four-step approach helps you navigate every stage of your financial journey by enhancing your wealth, protecting what you've built, giving with impact, and confidently planning for the next generation.

    Wealth Enhancement

    Our wealth management process is centered on enhancing your financial life through thoughtful planning, strategic investing, and proactive guidance. We work closely with you to identify opportunities for growth, optimize your portfolio, and align your assets with your long-term goals. Whether you're building wealth or looking to refine your current strategy, our team is here to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

    Wealth Protection

    Protecting what you've worked hard to build is just as important as growing it. Our approach focuses on minimizing risk, preserving capital, and preparing for the unexpected. From insurance strategies to asset protection and contingency planning, we help you create a financial safety net that supports your goals through every stage of life.

    Charitable Giving

    Giving back with intention can be one of the most rewarding aspects of wealth. We help you design a charitable giving strategy that aligns with your values, maximizes your impact, and incorporates tax-efficient solutions. Whether you're supporting causes you care about now or planning a legacy of giving, we will guide you through your options.

    Wealth Transfer

    Transferring wealth is about more than passing on assets—it's about preserving your legacy and supporting the people and causes that matter most. We work with you to develop a thoughtful, tax-efficient strategy that ensures your wishes are honored and your wealth is distributed according to your goals. From estate planning coordination to trust strategies and family education, we help make the transition smooth and meaningful.

    How We Manage Money

    We manage money the way a thoughtful investor should – with conviction, discipline and a clear eye of where the world is headed.

    At the core of our philosophy is a simple belief: The best returns come from owning the best businesses. Not Indexes. Not averages. The actual companies leading their industries, taking market share, and compounding value over time. We call this a best-in-bread approach – identifying the dominant player in a given space and owning it with conviction rather than diluting exposure across a crowded field of also-rans.

    Following Societal trends

    We start with a macro lens. Before we ever pick a stock, we ask: Where is society headed and which industries are in that current? Demographic shifts, technological disruption or changes, changing consumer behavior, infrastructure buildout, energy transition – these aren't abstract forces. They translate directly into revenue streams, earnings and long term wealth creation for the companies positioned ahead of them.

    We're not chasing headlines. We're identifying durable, multi-year tailwinds – the kind that don't reverse with a single fed meeting or a bad quarter – and we align the portfolio accordingly. When a trend is strong and the end market is large, we want meaningful exposure. When a sector faces structural headwinds, regulatory pressure, shrinking addressable markets, secular disruption from below – we trim or avoid it entirely.

    Sector Positioning: Deliberate Overweights or Underweights

    Not all sectors deserve equal treatment and we don't pretend otherwise. We actively tilt the portfolio towards areas where we see the most compelling risk adjusted opportunities. And we pull back from sectors where the backdrop is unfavorable.

    Where we overweight, you'll typically find sectors benefiting from technological acceleration, aging demographics, infrastructure spending, or the reshoring of critical supply chains. These are areas where growth is structural and not cyclical – where the tailwinds blow regardless of which way the short-term economic data breaks.

    Where we underweight, you'll find sectors facing commoditization, over capacity, regulatory headwinds, or simply industries that have seen their best growth already. Capital is scarce and time infinite – there's no reward for sitting in mediocrity while better opportunities exist elsewhere.

    High Conviction Selection

    We don't hide behind passive exposure. Within each sector we favor, we take the extra step of selecting the specific company – or handful of companies – we believe will lead. This is where our best-in-class discipline comes to life.

    We look for businesses with durable competitive advantages; pricing power, network effects, switching costs, or dominant market share that's genuinely hard to replicate. We favor management teams that allocate capital wisely and think in years and not quarters. We want the financial to back it up – strong balance sheets, consistent free cash flow generation, and returns on invested capital that compound wealth over time.

    High conviction means we're willing to own meaningful positions. A best idea diluted to a rounding error doesn't move the needle. When we believe in a company, the portfolio reflects that belief.

    Active Management as a Feature, Not a Bug

    In a world where passive investing has become the default, we believe active management - done with – discipline – still earns its place. Markets misprice businesses all the time, particularly during periods of volatility, sector rotation, or macro fear. Our job is to take advantage of those dislocations, add to our best ideas when the market offers them at a discount, and reduce exposure to when valuations get ahead of fundamentals.

    This isn't trading for trading's sake. It's portfolio stewardship – staying aligned with the best opportunities as the landscape evolves, without being anchored to positions that no longer fit the thesis.

    The Bottom Line

    We manage money with the belief that active, high – conviction investing – grounded in societal trends and anchored in best – in – breed businesses – gives clients the best chance of building real, lasting wealth. It requires work, discipline, and the willingness to be different from the crowd. We think that's exactly what clients deserve.

Strategic Guidance for Institutions and Plan Sponsors

We provide objective, strategic consulting to institutions and retirement plan sponsors, helping them meet their fiduciary responsibilities and drive better outcomes for their organizations and participants. From investment oversight and plan design to governance support and vendor management, our team delivers customized solutions that align with your mission, values, and long-term goals.

We offer a wide spectrum of investment consulting solutions designed to meet your desired level of service and discretion. We can also provide all the intellectual capital, specialized resources, and analytical tools you need to help implement a successful, personalized investment strategy. Whether you want assistance with a special project, full discretionary portfolio management, or something in between, we are listening and will meet you wherever your needs are.

    Corporate Retirement Planning

    Here at The Calao Group, we help make administering retirement plans easier, so you can target more time running your business. We have an intense focus on helping clients meet the demand of being a retirement plan sponsor. We appreciate that each plan will share some foundational characteristics, but each plan is different; driven by company culture, sector, and the clients' vision for an effective retirement benefit program. To that end, we are ever vigilant in our efforts to help our clients manage plan sponsor's fiduciary risks an expense while striving to enhance employee experience.

    The experience and guidance helps allow plan sponsors to effectively navigate the fiduciary landscape among:

    • Defined Contribution Plans
    • Defined Benefit Liability Driven Investing
    • Pension De-risking
    • Risk Transfer
    • Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans
    • Cash Balance Plan
      Our Group's Approach

      Your Corporate Retirement Plan provides an end-to-end process that benefits both the plan sponsor and employees, including plan management and risk mitigation, investment management, expense and service provider oversight, and employee engagement throughout the production and delivery of an employee education plan. The Calao Group is positioned to help you review your plan's investment policy statement, select and review investments, evaluate service providers, prepare benchmarking reports, and share best practices. Additionally, the robust investment options at Morgan Stanley allow us to work towards improving retirement outcomes for your employees while helping the business maintain and adhere to industry standards.

      Plan Consulting

      We integrate aspects such as plan design, vendor research, benchmarking, investment fund lineup oversight, and employee education and engagement programs to help support financial wellness, retirement readiness, and program management. The Calao Group acts in your best interest by providing strategies that are aligned with your unique investment objectives. Their world-class resources aim to deliver beyond traditional consulting by providing a holistic approach to managing your retirement plan.

    AWARD-WINNING WEALTH MANAGEMENT. FOCUSED ON YOU.

    With the guidance of a Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor and the strength of a five-time award-winning wealth management platform<sup> <a href="#wm-disclosure-1" class="Link--underline"> <span class="sr-only">Footnote</span> 1 </a> </sup>, you can build, preserve, and manage your wealth with precision and purpose. For every stage of your financial journey.

      Tax-Smart Solutions
      Leading tax optimization capabilities\<sup\> \<a href="#wm\-disclosure\-2" class="Link\-\-underline"\> \<span class="sr\-only"\>Footnote\</span\> 2 \</a\> \</sup\> designed to deliver year\-round tax management with an eye toward reducing taxes and boosting after\-tax returns.
      Seamless Cash Management Integration
      A comprehensive, coordinated strategy with access to competitive yields, flexible financing options, and exclusive cash management resources.
      Premier Risk Management and Cyber Defense
      Industry\-acclaimed risk management tools\<sup\> \<a href="#wm\-disclosure\-3" class="Link\-\-underline"\> \<span class="sr\-only"\>Footnote\</span\> 3 \</a\> \</sup\> to help drive smarter portfolio decisions. In\-house team of cybersecurity experts dedicated to help protect you from cyber threats.
      Personalized Legacy Planning
      Guidance from experienced professionals across estate, trust, philanthropy, and financial planning to help preserve and grow your legacy.
      An Industry-Leading Platform
      Expert insights from 500+ equity analysts to help unlock your portfolio's potential and investment guidance.
      Liquidity When You Need It
      Industry\-leading securities\-based lending solutions to help access liquidity without selling assets or disrupting your investment strategy.\<sup\> \<a href="#wm\-disclosure\-4" class="Link\-\-underline"\> \<span class="sr\-only"\>Footnote\</span\> 4 \</a\> \</sup\>
      Robust Concentrated Stock Solutions
      Powerful tools and strategies to help manage concentrated stock positions and look to optimize portfolio outcomes.
      Alternatives & Private Markets Access
      A comprehensive alternative investments platform offering tailored solutions, early access to select offerings, and competitive pricing structures. Exclusive private market and pre\-IPO opportunities that were previously reserved for institutions.

    Location

    510 Austin Avenue
    Suite 314
    Waco, TX 76701
    US
    Direct:
    (512) 469-3631(512) 469-3631
    301 Congress Avenue
    Suite 1400
    Austin, TX 78701
    US
    2121 N Pearl Street
    Suite 500
    Dallas, TX 75201
    US

    Meet The Calao Group

    About Me

    Utilizing his more than 27 years of experience and backed by core values of respect, integrity, proactive service, and a commitment to excellence, Joe strives to provide individuals, families, business owners, and organizations with confidence and peace of mind.

    When it comes to working with individuals and families, Joe believes in providing a comprehensive wealth management process that goes beyond investment management. By including advanced planning and relationship management, he ensures he truly understand their goals, offer tailored solutions, and provide personalized attention. To help his clients to make the most suitable decisions, Joe takes the time to educate them on a multitude of topics, including investment performance, asset allocation, economic and regulatory influences, tax management, insurance, charitable giving, and wealth transfer.

    By operating his team like a business, Joe takes on a business owner's perspective. This perspective, along with the breadth and depth of his team's tools and abilities, allows him to help entrepreneurs and business owners maximize the value of their business throughout all stages of growth. As a Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA), he is able to assist business owners in understanding how and when to transition their businesses, and in doing so, achieve their personal and professional goals.

    Joe is well-versed in the unique challenges organizations face, and he takes a proactive and holistic approach to helping them meet their fiduciary responsibilities and investment goals. By acting as a fiduciary on the plans he serves, Joe brings in-depth experience to helping organizations develop and administer retirement plans for their businesses and their employees. Additionally, as an Institutional Consultant, Joe aids a wide array of organizations, including endowments, foundations, and not-for-profit corporations, pursue their long-term missions.

    Joe's heart for service extends beyond his work, and it has led him to supporting Rotary, the Waco Symphony, Key2Free, All God’s Children, and ROCK. He also enjoys cooking, playing golf, exercising, working on his ranch, and raising champion dressage horses with his wife, Christine.
    NMLS#: 2695929

    About Tim Irwin

    Tim joined The Calao Group in 2019 as an intern before joining the team full-time in 2021. In his current role of Investment Consultant, Tim researches and analyzes investments, creates financial plans, maintains investment policy statements for corporate retirement plans, creates investment proposals, and monitors wealth management portfolios.

    Tim graduated from Baylor University with a BBA in Management Information Systems and a BBA in Finance. He has continued his education by receiving his Certified Investment Management Analyst (CIMA®) designation which gives him advanced knowledge of portfolio construction, risk management, and investment theory. Additionally, it allows him to provide bespoke solutions for a wide range of financial pictures and helps him guide clients to optimized outcomes.

    Committed to serving his community, Tim supports Special Olympics Texas, and—as a member of the Austin Young Men’s Business League—he also supports Austin Sunshine Camps. Outside of work, Tim enjoys beekeeping, playing volleyball, and swimming.

    About Natalia Adames

    Natalia has been a part of The Calao Group since 2020. In her role as Client Service Associate, she focuses on providing clients with day-to-day services, including transferring assets, opening accounts, handling client communication, and assisting with online services.

    Natalia attended McLennan Community College where she studied music and vocal performance. In order to better serve clients, Natalia is working toward obtaining her securities license.

    Natalia supports the Waco ISD Education Foundation through her annual participation in the H-E-B Celebrity Cookoff. Additionally, Nat serves her church as a member. Outside of work, Natalia spends her time baking, playing piano, singing, gardening, and spending time with her dog Ava.

    About Sam Hodges

    Sam started as an intern with The Calao Group during his freshman year at Baylor in 2016, and he joined the team full time in 2019. Now, as a Wealth Management Associate, Sam manages the day-to-day operations of the team, increases operational efficiency, develops and streamlines processes, mitigates risk and ensure team’s compliance with industry and firm regulations, helps lead marketing efforts, and provides technology support for the team and our clients. His goal is to ensure the team is capable of delivering exceptional service to clients by supporting his team on a daily basis.

    Sam graduated from Baylor University with a degree in American Studies. He also holds the Series 7 and 66 licenses. Away from work, Sam enjoys traveling, reading , playing golf, and following Formula 1 racing and Premier League soccer.
    Wealth Management
    Global Investment Office

    Portfolio Insights

    This is a video content

    Equity Compensation

    Helping you make the most of your equity awards and better understand how it may fit into your larger financial picture – today and tomorrow.

    • Vesting events
    • Option expirations
    • Restricted stock units
    • Tax implications

    Retirement

    Working with you to understand your life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy. Today and for the years to come.
    • 401(k) Rollovers
    • IRA Plans
    • Retirement income strategies
    • Retirement plan participants
    • Annuities
    A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup
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    A Simple Six-Step Retirement Checkup

    Checking in on your retirement plan may make a lot of sense, especially when market volatility arises.

    Investing

    Working closely with you to guide your wealth and investments through the most challenging market cycles.
    • Asset Management
    • Wealth Planning
    • Traditional Investments
    • Alternative Investments
    • Impact Investing
    Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors
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    Iran Conflict: Seven Takeaways for Investors

    Prolonged conflict with Iran could lead to higher oil prices, hotter inflation and greater market uncertainty.

    Family

    Creating customized financial strategies for the challenges that today’s families face.
    • Estate Planning Strategies
    • 529 Plans / Education Savings Planning
    • Long Term Care Insurance
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Services
    529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education
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    529 Plans: A Powerful Tool to Save for Education

    Though education costs continue to climb, starting to save and invest early can make a difference.

    Business Planning

    Helping you on key aspects of your business such as ownership, liquidity and developing opportunities.
    • Succession Planning
    • Business Planning
    • Qualified Retirement Plans
    Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business
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    Financial Planning for Life After Selling a Business

    Selling your business can mean big changes for your life, both personally and financially. Know how to make the most of your windfall.

    Retirement for Plan Sponsors

    End-to-End Services, Made Simple:
    We can provide the tools and guidance to help you manage a retirement plan.
    • Plan Evaluation
    • Investment Management
    • Plan Management Support
    • Plan Participant Education
    Small Business Retirement Plans
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    Small Business Retirement Plans

    Learn about retirement plans for smaller businesses and how to select the right type for you and your employees. Compare SEP or SIMPLE IRAs vs 401(k)s.

    Financial Wellness

    Enhancing Financial Wellness enables your workforce to do their best work. Companies that invest in financial wellness have an opportunity to:
    • Reduce employee stress,
    • Improve retention and engagement, and
    • Set themselves apart by offering comprehensive financial wellness benefits.
    The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce
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    The Business Case for a Financially Resilient Workforce

    In the face of turbulent markets, the word “resilience” may be top of mind. Broadly speaking, resilience is the ability to “bounce back” when encountering life’s inevitable challenges.

    Philanthropy

    Making sure your philanthropic dollars are managed with the same high quality service as the rest of your wealth.
    • Endowments
    • Foundations
    • Donor Advised Funds
    • Impact Investing
    Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving
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    Donor Advised Funds: A Smart Way to Manage Your Giving

    There's more to charitable giving than you may realize. Here's one method that may be a tax-efficient way to give and can help maximize your impact.
    Ready to start a conversation? Contact The Calao Group today.
    1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is a business of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC.

    For more information, please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Client Relationship Summary.

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    2When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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    3When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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    4Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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    5Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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    6Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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    7Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

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    8Morgan Stanley’s investment advisory programs may require a minimum asset level and, depending on your specific investment objectives and financial position, may not be appropriate for you. Please see the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC program disclosure brochure (the “Morgan Stanley ADV”) for more information in the investment advisory programs available. The Morgan Stanley ADV is available at www.morganstanley.com/ADV.

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    9Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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    10Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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    11Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.
    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning and other legal matters.

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    12Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is a registered Broker/Dealer, Member SIPC, and not a bank. Where appropriate, Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC has entered into arrangements with banks and other third parties to assist in offering certain banking related products and services.

    Investment, insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are: NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

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    13Alternative Investments are speculative and include a high degree of risk. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his/her investment. Alternative investments are appropriate only for qualified, long-term investors who are willing to forgo liquidity and put capital at risk for an indefinite period of time.

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    14Products and services are provided by third party service providers, not Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”). Morgan Stanley may not receive a referral fee or have any input concerning such products or services. There may be additional service providers for comparative purposes. Please perform a thorough due diligence and make your own independent decision.
    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Clients should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for matters involving trust and estate planning, charitable giving, philanthropic planning and other legal matters.

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    15When Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors and Private Wealth Advisors (collectively, “Morgan Stanley”) provide “investment advice” regarding a retirement or welfare benefit plan account, an individual retirement account or a Coverdell education savings account (“Retirement Account”), Morgan Stanley is a “fiduciary” as those terms are defined under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”), and/or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the “Code”), as applicable. When Morgan Stanley provides investment education, takes orders on an unsolicited basis or otherwise does not provide “investment advice”, Morgan Stanley will not be considered a “fiduciary” under ERISA and/or the Code. For more information regarding Morgan Stanley’s role with respect to a Retirement Account, please visit www.morganstanley.com/disclosures/dol. Tax laws are complex and subject to change. Morgan Stanley does not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals are encouraged to consult their tax and legal advisors (a) before establishing a Retirement Account, and (b) regarding any potential tax, ERISA and related consequences of any investments or other transactions made with respect to a Retirement Account. Individuals should always check with their tax or legal advisor before engaging in any transaction involving 529 Plans, Education Savings Accounts and other tax-advantaged investments.

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    Check the background of our Firm and Investment Professionals on FINRA's BrokerCheck*.

    The information, products and services described here are intended only for individuals residing in states where this Financial Advisor is properly registered as described in this site.

    Morgan Stanley reserves the right, to the extent permitted under applicable law, to retain and monitor all electronic communications. Morgan Stanley will not accept purchase or sale orders via any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. Morgan Stanley does not endorse and is not responsible and assumes no liability for content, products or services posted by third-parties on any Internet site, social media site and/or its messaging systems. All electronic communications are subject to terms available at the following link:
    https://www.morganstanley.com/disclaimers/mswm-email.html. Any profiles and associated content are for U.S. residents only.

    The securities/instruments, services, investments and investment strategies discussed in this material may not be appropriate for all investors. The appropriateness of a particular investment, investment strategy or service will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments, strategies and services, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a Financial Advisor or Private Wealth Advisor. This material does not provide individually tailored investment advice. It has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it.

    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”), its affiliates and Morgan Stanley Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors do not provide tax or legal advice. Individuals should consult their tax advisor for matters involving taxation and tax planning and their attorney for legal matters.

    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (“Morgan Stanley”) is not implying an affiliation, sponsorship, endorsement with/of the third party or that any monitoring is being done by Morgan Stanley of any information contained within the website. Morgan Stanley is not responsible for the information contained on the third-party website or the use of or inability to use such site. Nor do we guarantee their accuracy or completeness.

    The views, opinions or advice contained within third party websites or materials are solely those of the author, who is not a Morgan Stanley employee, and do not necessarily reflect those of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, or its affiliates. The strategies and/or investments referenced may not be appropriate for all investors as the appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.

    *References to length of service at Morgan Stanley include years at Morgan Stanley and predecessor firms.

    Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

    The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.

    Awards Disclosures | Morgan Stanley

    Please read the important disclosures below.
    1) Morgan Stanley Wealth Management secured Money Management Institute/Barron’s Industry Awards for Wealth Manager Platform of the Year. The Wealth Manager Platform of the Year category recognizes a wealth manager platform that exemplifies innovation in delivering better outcomes for investors and Financial Advisors. This award has been secured in 2024, 2021, 2020, 2019 & 2018. The winners were selected by a specially appointed MMI Industry Awards Steering Council. The Steering Council consists of representatives from all segments of the MMI membership. After carefully reviewing the nominations submitted, the Steering Council determined a slate of finalists in each award category. The primary contacts at each of MMI’s 207 member firms were eligible to vote to determine the winners. Nominations were reviewed and evaluated to determine finalists June 2024 - July 2024. Finalists were voted on to determine a winner August 2024. MMI/Barron’s does not receive compensation from the participating firms in exchange for the award and Morgan Stanley did not pay a fee to MMI/Barron’s in exchange for its receipt of the award. Morgan Stanley is a member of MMI and pays a fee to MMI as part of its membership dues. Morgan Stanley’s receipt of this award is not indicative of any future performance. These awards were granted to Morgan Stanley based on the time period from October 2023 to June 2024. There were 6 firms considered for the Wealth Management Platform of the Year Award and 12 firms considered for the Distribution Excellence Award. The Money Management Institute (MMI) is the industry association representing financial services firms and Barron’s is a financial magazine; both groups are responsible for the award. Accolade qualifications for past years may vary; additional information available upon request.

    2) Industry’s top tax-optimization technology refers to tax management capabilities developed by Eaton Vance and Parametric, affiliates of Morgan Stanley. Morgan Stanley is a leading provider of direct indexing strategies. According to Cerulli Associates’ Q1 2026 Managed Account Edition, Morgan Stanley ranked first among 15 firms in Direct Index SMA assets under management based on reported industry assets. The ranking reflects scale of assets and does not evaluate tax outcomes, performance, or quality of technology. Tax outcomes will vary and are not guaranteed.

    3) The Celent Model Wealth Manager 2025 Awards for Data and Analytics and Essential and Emerging Technologies were granted to Morgan Stanley following an evaluation process conducted by Celent analysts. To be considered for this award, Morgan Stanley submitted Model Wealth Manager 2025 Nomination Award Worksheets to Celent on or about January 30, 2025. Celent judged each submission on three criteria: (1) Measurable business benefits of live initiatives; (2) degree of innovation relative to the industry; and (3) technology or implementation excellence. In order to win, the initiatives must demonstrate clear business benefits, innovation, and technology or implementation excellence. Celent does not receive compensation from the participating firms in exchange for the award and Morgan Stanley did not pay a fee to Celent in exchange for the award. Morgan Stanley is not affiliated with Celent. Based on their submission on January 30, 2025 for Celent’s 2025 Model Awards program, Celent granted Morgan Stanley their awards in June, 2025 and publicly shared the news in June, 2025. Celent is a global financial services research and advisory firm and is responsible for determining the recipient of this award.

    4) Q4 2025 Securities Based Lending McLagan Survey – 6 Firm Report. Based on both Non-Purpose Lending and total SBL balances. Borrowing against securities may not be appropriate for everyone. Clients must be aware that there are risks associated with a securities based loan, including possible maintenance calls on short notice, and that market conditions can magnify any potential for loss.

    Not all products, tools, platforms, and services referenced are available to all clients. Please speak with your Financial Advisor for eligibility criteria.

    Investing in securities involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Diversification does not guarantee a profit or protect against loss in a declining financial market.

    Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC does not accept appointments nor will it act as a trustee but it will provide access to trust services through an appropriate third-party corporate trustee.

    Alternative investments are often speculative and include a high degree of risk. Investors can lose all or a substantial amount of their investment. They may be highly illiquid, can engage in leverage, short-selling and other speculative practices that may increase volatility and the risk of loss, and may be subject to large investment minimums and initial lock-ups. They may involve complex tax structures, tax inefficient investing and delays in distributing important tax information. They may have higher fees and expenses that traditional investments, and such fees and expenses can lower the returns achieved by investors.

    Cash management and lending products and services are provided by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association or Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A, as applicable.

    Borrowing against securities may not be appropriate for everyone. Clients must be aware that there are risks associated with a securities based loan, including possible maintenance calls on short notice, and that market conditions can magnify any potential for loss. For details please see the important disclosures below.

    Important Risk Information for Securities Based Lending: Clients must be aware that: (1) Sufficient collateral must be maintained to support the loan and to take future advances; (2) Clients may have to deposit additional cash or eligible securities on short notice; (3) Some or all of the pledged securities may be sold without prior notice in order to maintain account equity at required collateral maintenance levels. Clients will not be entitled to choose the securities that will be sold. These actions may interrupt long-term investment strategy and may result in adverse tax consequences or in additional fees being assessed; (4) Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association or Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC (collectively referred to as "Morgan Stanley") reserve the right not to fund any advance request due to insufficient collateral or for any other reason except for any portion of a securities based loan that is identified as a committed facility; (5) Morgan Stanley reserves the right to increase the collateral maintenance requirements at any time without notice; and (6) Morgan Stanley reserves the right to call securities based loans at any time and for any reason.

    With the exception of a margin loan, the proceeds from securities based loan products may not be used to purchase, trade, or carry margin stock (or securities, with respect to Express CreditLine); repay margin debt that was used to purchase, trade or carry margin stock (or securities, with respect to Express CreditLine); and cannot be deposited into a Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC or other brokerage account.

    To be eligible for a securities based loan, a client must have a brokerage account at Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC that contains eligible securities, which shall serve as collateral for the securities based loan.

    Securities based loans are provided by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association or Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A, as applicable.

    There is no guarantee that tax-loss harvesting will achieve any particular tax result. Clients may elect Tax Management Services for the account by notifying their Financial Advisor, and indicate what Maximum Tax or Realized Capital Gain Instruction is desired for the account, if any. The Tax Management Services Terms and Conditions attached to the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Select UMA ADV brochure as Exhibit A will govern Tax Management Services in the account. Review the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC Select UMA ADV brochure carefully with your tax advisor.

    Industry acclaimed risk platform refers to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC’s (“Morgan Stanley”) Portfolio Risk Platform. The assumptions used in the Report incorporate portfolio risk and scenario analysis employed by BlackRock Solutions (“BRS”), a financial technology and risk analytics provider that is independent of Morgan Stanley. BRS’ role is limited to providing risk analytics to Morgan Stanley, and BRS is not acting as a broker-dealer or investment adviser nor does it provide investment advice with respect to the Report. Morgan Stanley has validated and adopted the analytical conclusions of these risk models. The analysis provided is illustrative only. Morgan Stanley cannot predict a portfolio’s risk of loss due to, among other things, changing market conditions or other unanticipated circumstances. The analysis is based purely on assumptions made using available data and any of its forecasts are subject to change.

    The footnotes below apply to the industry-leading claims referenced above. More information is available upon request.

    Morgan Stanley Wealth Management is the trade name of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, a registered broker-dealer in the United States. Securities based loans are provided by Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC, Morgan Stanley Private Bank, National Association or Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A, as applicable.

    Investment, Insurance and annuity products offered through Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC are NOT FDIC INSURED | MAY LOSE VALUE | NOT BANK GUARANTEED | NOT A BANK DEPOSIT | NOT INSURED BY ANY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENCY

    Morgan Stanley offers a wide array of brokerage and advisory services to its clients, each of which may create a different type of relationship with different obligations to you. Please visit us at www.morganstanley.com/wealth or consult with your Morgan Stanley Financial Advisor to read about those differences.

    The sole purpose of this material is to inform, and it in no way is intended to be an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any security, other investment service, or to attract any funds or deposits. Investments mentioned may not be appropriate for all clients. Before making any investment, each investor should carefully consider the risks associated with the investment, as discussed in the applicable offering memorandum and make a determination based on their own particular circumstances that the investment is consistent with their investment objectives and risk tolerance.

    © 2026 Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC.

    CRC 4665150 (8/2025), 5378280 (5/2026)