E + R = O, a Formula for Success – Second Quarter 2018
Combining an enduring investment philosophy with a simple formula that helps maintain investment discipline can increase the odds of having a positive financial experience. “The important thing about an investment philosophy is that you have one you can stick with.” David Booth Founder and Executive Chairman...
Sailing with the Tides – First Quarter 2018
Embarking on a financial plan is like sailing around the world. The voyage won’t always go according to plan, and there’ll be rough seas. But the odds of reaching your destination increase greatly if you are prepared, flexible, patient, and well-advised. A mistake many inexperienced sailors make is not having a...
Recent Market Correction – Fourth Quarter 2017
After a period of relative calm in the markets, in recent days the increase in volatility in the stock market has resulted in renewed anxiety for many investors. From January 27 to February 8, the U.S. market (as measured by the S&P 500 Index) fell more than 10%, marking the first stock...
Key Questions for the Long-Term Investor – Third Quarter 2017
Focusing on what you can control can lead to a better investment experience. Whether you’ve been investing for decades or are just getting started, at some point on your investment journey you’ll likely ask yourself some of the questions below. Trying to answer these questions may be intimidating, but...
Stock Investing at All-Time Highs – Second Quarter 2017
As stock markets, once again, continue to hit all-time highs, investors take this news not with celebration, but with trepidation. Modern stock markets have been worrying investors with new highs since they were created several centuries ago. For example, in 1955, Benjamin Graham, the great...
The Uncertainty Paradox – First Quarter 2017
Doubt is not a pleasant condition, but certainty is an absurd one. —Voltaire “The market hates uncertainty” has been a common enough saying in recent years, but how logical is it? There are many different aspects to uncertainty, some that can be measured and some that cannot...
The first quarter of 2025 served as another vivid reminder that while history doesn’t repeat itself in investing, it often rhymes. We entered the year amid considerable volatility, as the largest technology stocks fell into bear market territory, triggering the seventh-fastest 10% correction in the S&P 500 since 1929. This correction gained momentum following President…
Over the years, I have spent more ink cautioning investors about the perils of bear markets rather than celebrating bull markets because discipline is tested in tough times. However, as evidenced by today’s somewhat stretched valuations, let’s talk about the other great pitfall: the fear of missing out (FOMO).
“The first rule of compounding is to never interrupt it unnecessarily.”
—Charles T. Munger
As we navigate a world of shifting dynamics, it’s wise to stay grounded in the fundamentals.
I am pleased to update you on our progress in the first half of 2024. Before examining the current market landscape, it is worth reflecting on what our disciplined approach has delivered so far.
While strong market performance is encouraging, it can also trigger a less favorable response within the investment community. On the opposite end of the spectrum from selling during market downturns, some restless investors might be tempted to chase after speculative trends, no matter how closely they resemble past “Fear of Missing Out” (FOMO) frenzies.
The unpredictability of markets became evident in 2023, as The Wall Street Journal aptly reported: “Almost no one thought 2023 would be a blockbuster year for stocks. They could hardly have been more wrong.” As we step into the new year, it brings the opportunity to reflect on the intricacies of the equity markets, not…
Contemplate how invaluable your steadfastness is to those you love and care for. This is the gift you give.
As we find ourselves at the midpoint of the year, it’s an opportune moment to reflect on the long-term journey we’ve embarked upon together in the realm of investments. The financial landscape has unveiled its latest chapters, and I am pleased to share our insights and observations with you.
With increasing anxiety, many investors are eyeing their portfolios for exposure to regional banks. When financial headlines cause worry, focus on your investment plan instead of rummaging through your portfolio for investments to sell.
The year 2022 was tumultuous for the investment world, filled with uncertainty that tested investors’ mettle. Despite these challenges, the central theme of 2022 was the ultimate heroic act of standing fast in the face of economic and inflationary uncertainty.