Presidential Elections and the Stock Market – Third Quarter 2016
Next month, Americans will head to the polls to elect the next president of the United States. While the outcome is unknown, one thing is for certain: There will be a steady stream of opinions from pundits and prognosticators about how the election will impact the stock market...Continue reading→
10 Reasons to be Cheerful – Second Quarter 2016
Do you ever listen to the news and find yourself thinking that the world has gone to the dogs? The roll call of depressing headlines seems endless. But look beyond what the media calls news, and there are also a lot of things going right. It’s true the world faces challenges in many areas...Continue reading→
Climbing a Wall of Worry – First Quarter 2016
First Quarter 2016 proved to be a volatile one for investors. Before suddenly rallying in mid-February, stocks got off to their worst start ever to begin the New Year. From peak to trough (high to low), large U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500 index, fell more than 10%…Continue reading→
Markets Have Rewarded Discipline – Fourth Quarter 2015
A disciplined investor looks beyond the concerns of today to the long-term growth potential of markets. The chart below shows how $1 invested in 1926 in various asset classes has grown through 2014. The top line shows that $1 invested in small cap U.S. stocks in 1926 would have grown to...Continue reading→
”It’s always something. And then it’s nothing.” – Third Quarter 2015
Stocks saw their first true panic selling in Third Quarter 2015 since the U.S. default crisis of 2011. In a particularly volatile week in mid-August, the Dow fell nearly 2,000 points in just five trading sessions. The VIX index, which measures the level of fear in the stock market, spiked into the mid-50 range, a level last seen during the 2008-09 financial crisis...Continue reading→
The All-Weather, All-Road Portfolio – Second Quarter 2015
Owners of all-purpose motor vehicles often appreciate their cars most when they leave smooth city freeways for rough gravel country roads. In investment, highly diversified portfolios can provide similar reassurance. In blue skies and open highways, flimsy city sedans might cruise along just as well as sturdier sports utility vehicles...Continue reading→
In recent months, two themes have dominated investor conversations: AI investing and the renewed belief in gold as a timeless safe haven. Both trends have resurfaced at the exact moments when crowd enthusiasm is high. That’s why we’re taking a closer look at the gold safety myths and the rising excitement around artificial intelligence as we enter the final stretch of 2025.
It’s our pleasure to report on the progress of your long-term financial plan through what proved to be a highly instructive first half of 2025. If markets seemed unusually dramatic, it’s only because they were, but not in ways unfamiliar to seasoned investors. Let me begin by restating a few principles that have guided us…
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.