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MARCH 2026
BROCHURE
PART 2A OF FORM ADV
ITEM 1: COVER PAGE
Black Cypress Capital Management, LLC
The Veranda Building
822 A1A North, Suite 310
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
https://blackcypresscapital.com/
(904) 280-6767
This brochure provides information about the qualifications and business practices of Black Cypress Capital
Management, LLC. If you have any questions about the contents of this brochure, please contact us at (904)
280-6767 or at info@blackcypresscapital.com. The information in this brochure has not been approved or
verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority.
Additional information about Black Cypress Capital Management LLC, is also available on the SEC's website
at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Registration with the SEC or with any state securities authority does not imply a
certain level of skill or training.
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ITEM 2: MATERIAL CHANGES
This is Black Cypress Capital Management, LLC's annual update to its Form ADV Part 2A (Brochure) as part of
the annual amendment process. There are no material changes to this Brochure; certain routine updates and
clarifying changes have been made, including updating regulatory assets under management as of December
31, 2025. We encourage all recipients to read this Brochure carefully and in its entirety.
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ITEM 3: TABLE OF CONTENTS
CONTENT
Advisory Business
Fees and Compensation
Performance-Based Fees and Side-By-Side Management
Types of Clients
Methods of Analysis, Investment Strategies & Risk of Loss
Disciplinary Information
Other Financial Industry Activities and Affiliations
Code of Ethics, Participation or Interest in Client Transactions & Personal Trading
Brokerage Practices
Review of Accounts
Client Referrals and Other Compensation
Custody
Investment Discretion
Voting Client Securities
Financial Information
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ITEM 4: ADVISORY BUSINESS
Black Cypress Capital Management, LLC (hereinafter “Black Cypress” or the “Firm” or “We”) is a limited
liability company formed under the laws of the State of Florida in July 2009. Black Cypress is owned and
managed by Alan Hartley, CFA and is registered as an investment adviser with the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC").
Black Cypress provides continuous and regular investment advisory services for both discretionary (Client
approval prior to investment activity not required) and non-discretionary (Client approval prior to investment
action required and/or other types of limitations) accounts for various types of Clients, including individuals,
institutions, businesses, family offices, trusts, and charitable organizations.
Black Cypress specializes in concentrated, long-term, and value-oriented portfolios. We believe our
unrestrained time horizon, consistent process, and independent research should lead to superior
performance over a full market cycle. Our primary investment strategy is Long-Only Equity. Other investment
programs are available that include exposure to international equity and fixed income markets through
exchange-traded funds, depending on Client-specific investment needs, risk profile, and requests.
The Firm's investment process is built on independent, in-depth research. Black Cypress manages risk using
margins of safety and a bias towards businesses with attractive returns on invested capital, low debt levels,
ample cash flow, and sustainable competitive advantages.
Investment recommendations are not limited to any specific product or service offered by a broker-dealer or
insurance company and will generally include advice regarding exchange-listed equity and debt securities,
exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds.
Clients may request reasonable restrictions on investing in certain securities, types of securities, or industry
sectors. Black Cypress, in its discretion, may agree to manage accounts that do not conform to its primary
strategies.
Services may also include determining a Client's appropriate asset mix and providing written investment policy
statements. Black Cypress conducts interviews and assessments to determine investment goals and risk
tolerance in order to determine investment and allocation suitability.
Client agreements may be terminated at any time by either party. Such termination shall be without the
payment of any penalty and without liability of either party to the other, except that the Client shall remain
liable for any accrued but unpaid compensation due to Black Cypress.
Client Assets Under Management (AUM) as of December 31, 2025:
Discretionary assets:
Non-discretionary assets:
Total AUM:
$145,150,245
$159,480,266
$304,630,511
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ITEM 5: FEES AND COMPENSATION
Black Cypress receives compensation from its Clients only. Clients are responsible for the respective
brokerage commissions, custodial fees associated with their accounts, and any other expenses. See Item 12
for more information.
Different compensation methods include asset management fees and performance-based fees, or a
combination thereof, negotiated at Black Cypress' discretion.
Fees typically fall under two schedules depending on the account's mandate and qualified status:
• AUM fee only
• AUM fee and a performance-based fee
The assets under management fee is typically 1.00%, billed in arrears on a quarterly basis. Asset management
fees are based on the average daily market value of assets under management during the period.
Qualified Clients may select an arrangement with an AUM fee combined with a performance-based fee on the
net-of-fee outperformance of a pre-selected, Client-applicable, investment benchmark.
Clients are encouraged to authorize Black Cypress to deduct fees from Client accounts directly at the
custodian. Black Cypress, in its sole discretion, may agree to invoice fees.
Certain accounts may be subject to a different account minimum and/or fee, both of which may be negotiable
depending upon a number of factors, at the sole discretion of Black Cypress. A Client may pay more or less
than others depending on certain factors, including but not limited to, the type and size of the account under
management, the historical or anticipated transaction activity, the range of additional services provided to the
Client and the amount of total Client assets under management. There are no maximum total advisory fees.
The agreed-upon fee will be put in writing prior to investment activity.
Advisory Fees in General: Clients should note that similar advisory services may (or may not) be available from
other registered (or unregistered) investment advisers for similar or lower fees.
ERISA Accounts: Black Cypress is deemed to be a fiduciary to advisory Clients that are employee benefit plans
or individual retirement accounts (IRAs) pursuant to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA"),
and regulations under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"), respectively. As such, our Firm is
subject to specific duties and obligations under ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code that include restrictions
concerning certain forms of compensation. To avoid engaging in prohibited transactions, Black Cypress does
not receive commissions or 12b-1 fees.
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ITEM 6: PERFORMANCE-BASED FEES AND SIDE-BY-SIDE MANAGEMENT
As indicated above, Black Cypress maintains different fee arrangements with different Clients. In some
instances, Black Cypress may receive both a performance-based fee and an asset-based fee from Clients. In
other instances, Black Cypress receives only an asset-based fee from Clients. The receipt of performance-
based incentive fees from some accounts but not from others raises potential conflicts of interest for the Firm.
For example, Black Cypress has a financial incentive in allocating securities to accounts to favor Clients that
pay both a performance-based fee and asset-based fee over Clients that pay only asset-based fees.
Additionally, Black Cypress has a financial incentive to charge Clients performance-based fees.
Black Cypress attempts to avoid these conflicts of interest by managing all accounts, including those of
associated persons, regardless of fee structure, in a manner consistent with the account’s investment
program guidelines. The Firm uses various intake documents and questionnaires to objectively assess each
Client. The Firm uses these objective criteria to place Clients in one or more of its investment programs, with
the goal of mitigating the incentive to place Clients in programs with performance-based fees. A description of
each of the Firm’s programs is available upon request and is provided in every Client contract.
As an investment adviser, Black Cypress owes its Clients specific duties as a fiduciary:
• provide advice that is suitable for the Client;
• disclose all material facts and any potential conflicts of interest to Clients and prospective Clients;
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•
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serve with loyalty and in utmost good faith;
exercise reasonable care to avoid misleading a Client and
seek to obtain best execution of transactions.
Black Cypress seeks to protect the interests of each Client and to consistently place the Client’s interests first
and foremost in all situations. Black Cypress believes that its policies and procedures are sufficient to prevent
and detect any violations of regulatory requirements as well as the Firm’s own policies and procedures.
ITEM 7: TYPES OF CLIENTS
individuals,
institutions, high-net-worth
individuals,
Black Cypress currently manages accounts for
businesses, family offices, trusts, and charitable organizations.
The minimum asset requirement is $1,000,000, which can be waived at the sole discretion of Black Cypress.
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ITEM 8: METHODS OF ANALYSIS, INVESTMENT STRATEGIES AND RISK OF LOSS
Black Cypress offers value-oriented, research-driven strategies with the goal of maximizing returns.
Investment decisions at Black Cypress are rooted in the tenets of value investing as originally pioneered by
Benjamin Graham and expanded and complemented by other investors. Black Cypress engages in its own
thorough and rigorous research before buying any security. Security specific research is fundamental and
bottom-up. However, Black Cypress is cognizant of the influence of industry supply-side factors and studies
them accordingly.
An account's “strategic” asset allocation is based on historical measurements of returns and volatility of
various asset classes. However, tactical changes, including changes to the asset allocation itself, may be
implemented as better risk/reward opportunities or excess valuations and heightened investment risk arise.
We utilize a value-orientated strategy for investments in individual common stocks. Preservation of capital and
risk management are considered. While investments in common stocks are inherently risky, we seek the goal
of capital preservation by a suitable margin of safety (discount to estimated worth) and the acute awareness
of mid-cycle margins. The predominant inclusion of businesses with attractive returns on invested capital, low
and/or manageable debt levels, ample cash flow and sustainable competitive advantages will further support
capital preservation.
Clients desiring fixed income securities are invested in exchange-traded funds with a focus on credit quality,
interest, inflation, and appropriate credit spreads.
Black Cypress expects that Client accounts will normally be concentrated/focused, which means that they
may contain fewer securities than a typical diversified portfolio. Furthermore, all a Client's account may be
invested in one asset class. Weightings in different investments will depend on many factors specific to
individual securities. Investments will generally be long-term. If Black Cypress is unable to identify
investments sufficient to result in a Client's account being fully invested, an account may hold cash, money-
market funds, exchange-traded bond funds, or similar securities until such time as further appropriate
investments are available.
Depending on an account’s mandate, Black Cypress may purchase exchange-listed equity and debt
securities, exchange-traded funds, and mutual funds. In limited circumstances, Black Cypress may also
purchase or recommend preferred stocks, real estate investment trusts (REITs), convertible preferred income-
producing securities, and master limited partnerships.
Black Cypress may use third-party artificial intelligence (“AI”) tools, including natural language processing
tools, as supplemental research and monitoring aids in its investment process. These tools may assist the
Firm in processing, organizing, analyzing, and summarizing information from publicly available, licensed, or
otherwise lawfully obtained materials, including SEC filings, earnings call transcripts, investor presentations,
expert transcripts, and news reports. AI tools may also help identify changes from prior periods, surface follow-
up research questions, monitor developments relevant to the Firm’s research framework, and present
alternative scenarios or contrary views for further evaluation. Black Cypress uses AI to support research
efficiency and breadth of review, but not as an autonomous decision-maker. Final investment judgments,
financial analysis, portfolio construction, security selection, and trading decisions are made by Firm personnel
exercising independent judgment.
While Black Cypress attempts to preserve capital, Clients should understand that all investments pose a risk
of loss. Clients should therefore be prepared to bear losses that coincide with fluctuations that come with
investing in securities markets. Investors can lose money and can underperform other investment strategies.
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Principal risks associated with our strategies and/or investing in general include:
Risk of Loss: Securities investments are not guaranteed and you may lose money on your investments.
Risks for All Forms of Analysis: Our research and analysis primarily relies on the assumption of accurate and
unbiased data provided by the companies whose securities we purchase and sell, proper oversight and
regulation by US federal agencies, unbiased reviews by rating agencies, and dependable data from other
publicly-available sources of information about these securities. While we are alert to indications that data
may be incorrect, there is always a risk that our analysis may be compromised by inaccurate or misleading
information.
General Market Risk: The market value of a security may move up or down, sometimes rapidly and
unpredictably. These fluctuations may cause a security to be worth less than the price originally paid for it, or
less than it was worth at an earlier time. Market risk may affect a single issuer, industry, sector of the economy
or the market as a whole.
Equity Securities Risk: Equity (common stock) securities are subject to greater fluctuations in market value
than other asset classes because of such factors as a company's business performance, investor perceptions,
stock market trends, and general economic conditions. Equity investments risk a loss of all or a substantial
portion of the investment.
Concentration Risk: Our investment approach may have more volatility than a strategy that invests in a greater
number of securities, as changes in the value of a single issuer’s security in our portfolio can have a more
significant effect, either negative or positive, due to larger average position sizes. To the extent that our strategy
invests its assets in the securities of fewer issuers, an account will be subject to greater risk of loss if any of
those securities decreases in value or becomes permanently impaired. Our approach may focus on particular
asset classes, industries, sectors, or specific companies. This may result in greater risks of adverse
developments in such areas of focus than a strategy that is more broadly diversified across a wider variety of
investments.
Manager Risk: Black Cypress' opinion about the intrinsic worth of a company or security may be incorrect or
the market may continue to undervalue the company or security. Black Cypress may not make timely
purchases or sales of securities.
Database Error Risk: The investment strategies used by Black Cypress relies on proprietary databases and
third-party data sources. Data may contain errors, as may the database system used to store such data. Any
errors in the underlying data sources, data entry, or database may result in investment decisions based on
incorrect information.
Artificial Intelligence Risk: AI-generated output may be incomplete, inaccurate, stale, biased, inconsistent, or
misleading, and may omit important facts, context, or contrary information. Such output depends on the
quality and completeness of the underlying data, the design and limitations of the relevant model, and the
availability, reliability, and changing terms of third-party systems. In addition, changes in vendor models, data
sources, access terms, or applicable law and regulation may reduce the usefulness of these tools or create
operational, cybersecurity, confidentiality, and recordkeeping challenges. Although Black Cypress reviews AI-
generated output as part of its research process, errors or limitations in such output may not always be
identified. Accordingly, AI-generated content is treated as a preliminary input for further investigation and not
as a substitute for independent research, fiduciary judgment, or portfolio decision-making.
Systems Risk: Black Cypress relies on computer programs and systems to implement its strategies, to trade,
to monitor portfolios, and generate reports that are critical to the Firm's activities. The programs or systems
may be subject to certain defects, failures, or interruptions.
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Interest Rate Risk: Debt security prices may decline due to rising interest rates. The price of debt securities
with longer maturities is typically affected more by rising interest rates than the price of obligations with shorter
maturities.
Credit Risk: An issuer or guarantor of a debt security may be unable or unwilling to make scheduled payments
of interest and principal. Actual or perceived deterioration in an issuer's or guarantor's financial condition may
affect a security's value. Changes in credit spreads across markets can impact an investment in fixed income
securities.
ITEM 9: DISCIPLINARY INFORMATION
Alan Hartley entered into a Stipulation and Consent Agreement with the State of Florida on July 16, 2021 to
resolve findings that Mr. Hartley rendered investment advice, from a location within the state of Florida,
without being registered by the Office as an associated person of a federal covered adviser. The findings were
the result of an erroneous Form U5 filed by an independent compliance consultant hired by Black Cypress,
and therefore, Mr. Hartley was unaware of the inadvertent withdrawal of his Florida registration between June
23, 2020 and March 4, 2021. Mr. Hartley has been registered in the State since 2009.
ITEM 10: OTHER FINANCIAL INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES AND AFFILIATIONS
Our Firm and our related persons are not engaged in other financial industry activities and have no other
industry affiliations at this time.
ITEM 11: CODE OF ETHICS, PARTICIPATION OR INTEREST IN CLIENT TRANSACTIONS AND PERSONAL
TRADING
In accordance with regulations, Black Cypress has created and adopted its Code of Ethics to:
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•
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set forth standards of conduct expected of advisory personnel (including compliance with federal
securities laws)
safeguard material non-public information about Client transactions, and
require access persons to report their personal securities transactions. In addition, the activities of an
investment advisor and its personnel must comply with the broad anti-fraud provisions of Section 206
of the Advisers Act.
Black Cypress and its team members may purchase or sell the same securities that are recommended to and
purchased on behalf of our Clients. Owning the same securities we recommend (purchase or sell) to you
presents a potential conflict of interest that, as fiduciaries, we must disclose to you and mitigate through
policies and procedures. As noted above, we have adopted, consistent with Section 204A of the Investment
Advisers Act of 1940, a Code of Ethics, which addresses insider trading (material non-public information
controls) and personal securities reporting procedures. We have also adopted written policies and procedures
to detect the misuse of material, non-public information. We may have an interest or position in certain
securities, which may also be recommended to you. Black Cypress or any associated person of Black Cypress
is prohibited from transacting in any security to the detriment of any Client.
To mitigate risk, Black Cypress prohibits its team members from maintaining personal account(s). Black
Cypress requires its team members to place all their investable assets in one of Black Cypress’ investment
programs. The “managed accounts” are those brokerage or retirement accounts that Black Cypress manages
in accordance with one of its investment programs. A personal account is any retirement or brokerage account
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of which a team member is a beneficial owner that is not managed by Black Cypress in accordance with one
of its investment programs.
A copy of our Code of Ethics is available to Clients and prospective Clients. You may request a copy by emailing
us at info@blackcypresscapital.com.
ITEM 12: BROKERAGE PRACTICES
Clients are encouraged, but not required, to establish accounts at Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services
("FIWS") Black Cypress' primary custodian. FIWS is a member FINRA/SIPC and is an independent and
unaffiliated SEC-registered broker-dealer. Black Cypress may, at its discretion, manage an account outside of
Fidelity. Black Cypress utilizes Interactive Brokers as a secondary custodian. Not all advisers require their
Clients to direct brokerage. By directing brokerage, a Client may be unable to achieve the most favorable
execution of a transaction, which could cost the Client more money.
Black Cypress considered, among other factors, the full range and quality of brokers/dealers' and custodians'
services in placing brokerage, including: securing the best price for a transaction, the confidentiality provided
by the broker/dealer, the ability of the broker/dealer to provide timely and accurate settlement of the
transaction, the promptness of execution of securities transactions, the financial stability of the broker/dealer,
the trading capabilities of the broker/dealer, and the reasonableness of trading commissions. As such, Black
Cypress chose Fidelity Institutional Wealth Services.
Black Cypress does not receive any compensation for its Clients' use of FIWS. Black Cypress encourages its
Clients to use Fidelity for the enhanced ease of managing the accounts, the existence of an established data
feed that is used to track Client performance, as well as Fidelity's range and quality of services and its
reasonable trading commissions.
A Client may limit Black Cypress' discretionary authority in executing securities transactions by directing the
Firm to use a particular broker-dealer to execute portfolio transactions for its account. When a Client directs
Black Cypress to use a particular broker-dealer other than Fidelity, the Firm generally has not negotiated the
terms and conditions (including, but not limited to, commission rates) of the broker-dealer's services.
Therefore, Black Cypress may not be able to freely negotiate commission rates or spreads and the Client may
not obtain as favorable prices or commission rates as it might otherwise have obtained if Black Cypress had
selected the broker-dealer.
Clients that, in whole or in part, direct Black Cypress to use a certain broker/dealer other than Fidelity to
execute transactions for their accounts should be aware that they may adversely affect the Firm's ability,
among other things, to negotiate commissions, obtain volume discounts on aggregated orders, obtain best
execution with respect to their trades, or manage the account as efficiently and/or effectively as undertaken
at Fidelity. In addition, directed transactions may be delayed relative to transactions for Clients with assets
held at Fidelity Institutional.
Unless otherwise instructed by its Clients, Black Cypress has the authority generally to determine the
securities to be purchased and sold for a Client and the amount of securities to be purchased or sold for the
Client. These authorities are subject to restrictions on Black Cypress' advisory activities set forth in the
applicable advisory agreement and any written investment guidelines.
Black Cypress typically utilizes block trading when buying or selling an individual security across multiple
accounts. Trades may not be aggregated when Client-specific restrictions exist or when accounts have
different tax treatment at a security level.
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Soft dollars are revenue programs offered by broker/dealers/custodians whereby an advisor enters into an
agreement to place security trades with the broker in exchange for research and other services. Black Cypress
does not participate in soft dollar arrangements.
ITEM 13: REVIEW OF ACCOUNTS
Client accounts are monitored on a continuous and ongoing basis. Black Cypress and individuals associated
with the Firm monitor the portfolio and individual securities owned daily. Cash withdrawals, cash additions,
security specific news, and our Firm's security analysis can trigger a review.
While Black Cypress reviews Client accounts and investment policy statements on an ongoing basis, Clients
are required to update Black Cypress with respect to their financial situation or investment objectives as they
change. Alan Hartley, CFA and/or the Firm's Chief Compliance Officer conduct these reviews.
Clients receive a confirmation for each transaction effected for their accounts and statements reflecting all
account activity directly from their brokers and custodians. Additionally, Black Cypress will issue quarterly
appraisal and performance reports for Clients upon request. Performance reports reflect the realized and
unrealized gains and losses in an account and compare the performance in the account to an appropriate
benchmark for the Client's risk tolerance and objectives.
ITEM 14: CLIENT REFERRALS AND OTHER COMPENSATION
Black Cypress only receives compensation from its advisory Clients. It does not compensate any third parties
to refer Clients to the Firm.
ITEM 15: CUSTODY
Black Cypress is deemed to have limited custody solely on the basis that it deducts advisory fees directly from
some Client accounts.
Clients will receive a confirmation for each transaction effected for their accounts and statements at least
quarterly reflecting all account activity directly from their custodians. Additionally, Black Cypress will issue
quarterly appraisal and performance reports for Clients upon request. Performance reports reflect the realized
and unrealized gains and losses in an account and compare the performance in the account to an appropriate
benchmark for the Client's risk tolerance and objectives.
Clients should compare the brokerage statements they receive by the custodian to the statements provided
by Black Cypress to ensure accuracy.
ITEM 16: INVESTMENT DISCRETION
Black Cypress provides continuous and regular investment advisory services for both discretionary and non-
discretionary accounts. Clients that place limitations on discretionary management, including choosing a
custodian besides Fidelity Institutional or Interactive Brokers, limiting the purchase or sale of individual
securities, limiting security types to purchase and sale or requiring approval prior to trade execution, may be
classified as non-discretionary. Discretionary authority is granted by Clients signing a contract specifying
discretionary management as well as full trading authorization granted at the chosen custodian.
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ITEM 17: VOTING CLIENT SECURITIES
Black Cypress does not vote proxies on behalf of Clients. Nor does Black Cypress accept responsibility for
responding to, completing, or delivering to any party, Client or otherwise, documentation of any sort
associated with class action lawsuit events. Proxies and other solicitations are sent to Clients by the chosen
custodian.
ITEM 18: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Neither Black Cypress, nor its management has any adverse financial situations that would reasonably impair
the ability of Black Cypress to meet all obligations to its Clients. Neither the Firm nor any of its advisory persons
have been subject to a bankruptcy or financial compromise. Black Cypress is not required to deliver a balance
sheet along with this Disclosure Brochure as the Firm does not collect fees of $1,200 or more for services to
be performed six months or more in advance.
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