What's Investing Got To Do With It?

June 13, 2022

With so much bad news in the market, with talk of a global recession and a no growth decade for the stock market, what are we to do about investing?  What has served us well since 2008 may not work in this market now.

The CPI report on Friday showed that inflation rose 8.6%, the highest rate since 1981, with shelter inflation high, which is one third of the index.  Easing supply chain restraints and releasing oil reserves are key to the government’s response.  Selling was widespread.

The Atlanta Fed’s GDP Now tracker shows the U.S. economy could be headed for a second consecutive quarter of negative growth, meeting the technical definition of a recession.

The likelihood of a global recession, first in Europe seems more likely, as the war in Ukraine continues to tighten a chokehold on the world’s food supply and slow productivity worldwide.

What does this mean for investing?

Due to elevated valuation metrics and serious geopolitical risks, as well as a higher household ownership of stocks, supply chain disruptions and margin and regulatory risk will affect the markets dramatically - more so than in the last twenty years.

After the Dot Com bubble and through the Great Financial Crisis of 2008, we saw 20% downward counter trends. The average annual return of 13% in the 2010’s (makes us feel old, right?) may not be attainable and note that the average annual return during the 2000’s was -0.9%.

What to do?

Make no mistake, passive investing will suffer.

Buy and Hold portfolios, will not increase the likelihood of success, even with the advantage of the baskets of issues in Exchange Traded Funds. We have been selling into these rallies consistently, actively moving assets into cash and income generating securities for safety during this volatile and unpredictable time. V

Who should worry?

Twenty-year market cycles tend to do better than ten-year cycles. If you are one of our younger Emerging Investors (sign up for information about our Emerging Investor program here ) your portfolio will be able to stand the test of time and investing comes with the added benefit of dollar cost averaging. Retirement account investing such as 401(k)’s will require special attention and should not be allowed to sit passive in fund choices.

Our clients closer to retirement still have a growth component to their portfolios but great attention is paid to hedging the portfolio for market downturns and will be more heavily invested in select income producing securities. This itself requites diligence as the choice for fixed income is not as simple as it once was. Decisions such as present and future tax brackets, the impact of rising interest rates and future income needs must be carefully considered.

Every one of our portfolios is put through rigorous risk metric testing where we assess the client’s lifetime risk as well as the expenses charged on every level in the portfolio. For many clients, we use planning software to gauge the impact of potential market returns and risks in the future. This is available to all clients.

Many of our clients are choosing to either age in place or move to facilities when they may require more assistance in everyday living. In both cases, special attention is paid to providing for the continued and often expensive cost of care. We work closely with many families to ensure that their loved ones are safe, both financially and personally. Elder Abuse fraud is rampant and getting worse and we collaborate with clients to minimize this risk for our older clients.  We have resources to assist you with assessing elderly client risk.

Our tag line ‘Wealth Management for Life” reflects this comprehension of the parts of clients lives as it pertains to the whole. This is the definition of holistic that we see in many places related to financial advising. Its more than a term - it is a way of life for us, of interacting with our clients and their families on a meaningful level.

Fed Makes First Cut—Markets React with Hope and Caution

September 17, 2025
The big news today: the Federal Reserve cut interest rates by 25 basis points , lowering the federal funds target range to 4.00%–4.25% . This is the first rate cut since 2023, and it marks what could be the beginning of a new easing cycle. Chair Powell acknowledged that the labor market is showing signs of strain —job growth has slowed, unemployment has edged higher—while inflation, though still above target, has been gradually moderating. One member of the committee even pushed for a larger 50-point cut, underscoring the growing concern about keeping the economy on stable footing. Markets largely anticipated this move, and that helped set the tone for the week. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit new record highs earlier in the week , reflecting investor optimism that lower rates will support growth. Small-cap stocks also enjoyed a bounce, showing that confidence wasn’t limited to the mega-cap names. At the same time, Treasury yields fell toward 4% before inching back up, a sign that bond investors are weighing both the near-term relief of rate cuts and the longer-term risk that inflation remains sticky. Economic data released this week helped frame the Fed’s decision. August inflation readings came in a touch hotter than expected , with headline CPI up 2.9% year over year and core inflation at 3.1%. Those numbers are still above the Fed’s target, but not high enough to derail its decision to pivot toward easing. Meanwhile, energy prices moved higher on global supply concerns, giving the energy sector a lift, while technology—especially companies tied to AI—continued to outperform. Beyond the numbers, politics are adding a layer of uncertainty. Recent controversies around Fed appointments and legal challenges to sitting governors have raised questions about the central bank’s independence. Markets are watching closely to see whether these distractions influence policy direction. Globally, other central banks, including Canada’s, have also begun shifting to more accommodative stances, reinforcing the sense that the next phase of policy is easing across major economies. So what does this mean looking ahead? Markets could see more upside in the short run , especially in interest-rate sensitive areas like housing and consumer spending. But investors should also prepare for continued volatility —each new jobs or inflation report has the potential to swing sentiment quickly. If inflation proves stickier than hoped, long-term Treasury yields could rise even as short-term rates fall, a dynamic that might pressure parts of the financial sector. In short, the path ahead is unlikely to be smooth, but the Fed has signaled it is prepared to act again, with two additional cuts projected before year-end. Bottom line : The Fed has taken its first step toward easing, reflecting concerns about growth while balancing persistent inflation risks. Markets are encouraged, but optimism remains cautious as investors adjust to a more complex mix of risks and opportunities. As always, we welcome your questions and are here to support you. At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to Wealth Management for Life —providing enduring guidance for you and your family’s financial success.

What’s Happening in the Market—and What It Means for You

September 4, 2025
The market’s summer calm may be giving way to a more dynamic period. In the weeks ahead, jobs data, inflation reports, tariff developments, and Federal Reserve policy decisions will dominate the investment landscape. With the S&P 500 now more than 90 days removed from a 2% decline—the longest such run since mid-2024—the stage is set for renewed volatility. September has historically been the market’s weakest month, averaging a 0.7% decline over the past 30 years. Four of the last five Septembers ended lower. A correction of 5–10% this fall would not be surprising and could, in fact, set the stage for a stronger year-end rally. Key drivers include: Federal Reserve policy — easing inflation may open the door to rate cuts, while strong job growth could delay them. Volatility Index (VIX) — at unusually low levels, suggesting complacency and the potential for sharper reactions to new developments. Triple witching expirations — adding short-term trading pressure this September. Despite these factors, the macro environment remains supportive. Earnings resilience, healthy economic growth, and investor confidence underpin the outlook. Elevated valuations are best understood as a reflection of optimism about future earnings, particularly in sectors leading innovation. Our perspective: We expect choppier markets in the near term, but remain constructive on equities for year-end. We continue to focus on portfolio resilience, opportunistic rebalancing, and selective positioning in areas where growth prospects justify higher valuations. For investors, discipline and perspective are essential. Volatility is not an enemy—it is an inevitable part of capital markets and often a source of opportunity. At times like these, it’s important to remember that markets move in cycles—but your goals remain constant. Our role is to help you stay focused, avoid distractions, and make thoughtful adjustments as opportunities and risks arise. As always, we welcome your questions and are here to support you. At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to Wealth Management for Life —providing enduring guidance for you and your family’s financial success.

Signals from the Fed: Inflation, Growth, and What Comes Next

August 22, 2025
It was a Fed-heavy week, with three major developments that matter for markets and the economy. FOMC minutes (July 29–30) — released Wednesday (Aug. 20). The minutes reinforced a data-dependent stance : participants saw continued progress on inflation but noted that risks aren’t one-way, citing pockets of labor-market cooling and the growth impact of tighter financial conditions. Policymakers emphasized flexibility and the need to see inflation moving durably toward 2% before declaring victory. For investors, the takeaway is that the bar for rapid policy shifts remains high, but the Committee is clearly keeping both sides of the mandate in view. Weekly balance sheet (H.4.1) — released Thursday (Aug. 21). The Fed’s weekly statement showed the usual moving pieces: securities holdings, reserve balances, and program usage. While week-to-week changes can be noisy, the release remains a useful pulse on system liquidity and the runoff of the Fed’s portfolio under quantitative tightening . Markets watch aggregate reserves and Treasury General Account flows because they can nudge front-end rates and funding conditions at the margin. Jackson Hole — Chair Powell’s Friday address. At the Kansas City Fed’s annual symposium, Chair Powell underscored that policy decisions will continue to be guided by incoming data . He highlighted the balance between sustaining expansion and finishing the job on inflation , noting tariff-related price pressures and supply-chain considerations among factors being monitored. The message: no preset path, but openness to adjust as evidence accumulates. Historically, Jackson Hole is more about long-term framework and risk management than near-term moves, and that tone held this year. What it means for the days ahead Near-term market drivers will be how inflation and labor data align with the Fed’s “proceed carefully” posture. • If inflation continues to edge lower while growth holds steady, the door stays open to gradual policy easing later this year. • If price pressures re-accelerate—or if hiring slows more sharply than expected—the Fed may extend its wait-and-see approach. Liquidity dynamics from the Fed’s balance sheet runoff will remain a background factor , but the central story is still inflation’s glide path and the durability of demand . Investors should expect choppy trading around key data releases , with markets pricing probabilities rather than certainties. As always, we welcome your questions and are here to support you . At the heart of everything we do is our commitment to “ Wealth Management for Life ”—providing enduring guidance for you and your family’s financial success.