Blog

War - What is it good for?

Are we in a bubble?

It has been a while since I communicated my thoughts and observations on where things stand in the investment markets and economy with our clients. My last letter came right after the pivotal national elections were over in November....

The Elections and Your Investments - Continued

I did not stay up late to watch election returns come in last night – for various reasons. The main reason being, I am neither a politician nor a lobbyist. I am a financial advisor, and my ability to serve my clients and their...

The Upcoming Elections and your Investments

As if we needed one more thing to worry about in 2020, the U.S. Presidential and Congressional elections are bearing down on us like a freight train – albeit a rather silent freight train. Candidates have been limited in their...

Checking in Amidst a Market Pull-Back

The investment markets have been relatively quiet over the past few months. Steadily, they have climbed out of a market collapse to just barely reach new market highs. And while I would love to say “See, I told you so,”...

Be the Patient Investor

I was talking to a group of buddies last night – while properly socially distancing outside around a friend’s backyard pool. Somebody made the obvious, yet simply profound, statement, “This year stinks!” He used...

2020 Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act

Whether you watch television or read the news, you have probably heard the “CARES Act” repeated over and over. When I told my wife I would be writing my first blog post on the CARES Act, she said, “Perfect, all you...

What does recovery look like?

The market rally is still on – despite the last couple of days of market pull-back. Since my last post on April 9th the S&P 500 has continued to climb another 2.88% through May 12th. This brings the return on the market from its...

Let's Not Get Ahead of Ourselves

Up to now, my communications have been with the general purpose of offering encouragement in the face of bad, sometimes frightening, news. It seems this week I am tasked with a different job – providing balance and restraint to...

Courage!

It is Week 2 of what I consider our national quarantine. Only last week did most states, counties, and cities across America urge our citizens to stay-at-home, shelter-in-place, and social distance through governmental orders. And, yet...

What do we do now?

As of the close of the market yesterday, March 18, 2020, the S&P 500 was down -29.51% from its high on February 19, 2020. One month is all it has taken to turn stock charts a deep crimson. This bear market has come swift and fierce -...

Everything is going to be alright....

I was talking to one of the advisors in our office yesterday morning as we both watched the market implode on itself. He asked me, “What am I going to tell my clients?”. I answered with a question – “What do you...

Required Minimum Distributions

It is that time of year again – no, we are not talking about the fast approaching holiday season, though, it is also that time of year again – it is Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) time. For those who are unaware,...

The Dreaded Yield Curve Inversion

If you're following the news, you know that financial markets across the globe have experienced increased volatility in recent weeks from trade concerns, protests in Hong Kong, and political uncertainty. The volatility was exacerbated...

Here we go again!

If you are paying attention to the news you probably already know that the U.S. is once again getting tough on trade with our largest trading partner, China. And, if you are paying attention to your investment portfolio you have...

Deep Breaths Everybody

I work with my father. He worked with his father. And, family in business together is like anything else, there is good and bad. Mostly good, I think. My father has been my mentor for all of my life, and certainly for all of my career....

Midterm Elections Outcome & "The Markets"

People love to ask me what I think “The Markets” are going to do once the results of an election cycle in our country are confirmed on election day. I worry my initial response is something like Mike Gundy being asked his...

Momma said there'll be days like this....

As the song goes – momma said there’ll be days like this. I’m looking at the stock market ticker tape at the end of trading today and it is a fine hue of crimson. Some might observe that there’s blood running in...