Category: Market Commentaries
Market Volatility: A Closer Look at the Opportunity in Front of Us
With the recent volatility in the stock market, it’s completely natural to feel some concern. Headlines can make it seem like the sky is falling, and short-term drops can feel unsettling—even if you’ve experienced them before. The S&P has fallen over 10% in the last two trading days, and today has been volatile, too. Historically, … Continued
Staying the Course During Market Volatility
“The most important quality for an investor is temperament, not intellect” – Warren Buffett Market corrections can be unsettling, and the recent volatility has left many investors wondering what’s next. According to the American Association of Individual Investors (AAII), last week’s sentiment reading revealed some of the lowest levels of optimism and the highest levels … Continued
Navigating Record Markets and Future “Risks”: 2024 Investment Strategies
Market performance in the first quarter of 2024 defied expectations. Following a strong 24% gain in 2023, the S&P surprised investors with a robust 10% increase for the quarter. The market’s strong start in Q1 is historically significant as there have only been four times since 2000 that the index has risen 8% or more … Continued
How to Approach the Proposed Tax Changes
It is hard to believe that the days are already growing shorter. Before we know it, the end of the year will be upon us, which means tax planning season is just around the corner. At present, there is much uncertainty surrounding the upcoming tax season. Earlier this year the Biden administration formally proposed several … Continued
Investing in an Inflationary Environment
Most of us notice the rising cost of our grocery bills. We pay more for gas. Anyone undertaking a building project sees that the price of building materials soared. These rising costs lead many to ask, “Is this inflation?” What should I do? Let’s start with a quick primer on inflation itself. Inflation refers to … Continued
Investing at All-Time Highs
“I have some extra cash. What should I do with it?” Or, “I don’t want to invest right now. The market is too high. A correction is coming.” As advisors, we’ve heard questions and statements like this a lot lately. With historically low interest rates, most people recognize that it may not make sense to … Continued
The Odds
By: Zachary Means, CEO “The only value of stock forecasters is to make fortune-tellers look good.” – Warren Buffett. Every year, top firms, analysts, and economists provide projections on the markets’ direction. They offer a year-end price target, indicating where they expect the markets to end the year. “We are in a secular bull market,” … Continued
Perspectives 2020/2021
Check out our Year-End Booklet, Perspectives! Click to view.
Presidential Election & the Stock Market: What History Tells Us
By: Zachary Means, CEO Source: DFA Funds It was election day 2016. I’ll never forget watching the news stations read off which candidate, Clinton or Trump, won each state. Massachusetts went to Clinton. Florida went to Trump. It was neck and neck. I flipped from one major news network to another. I was most interested … Continued
Why Do the Markets Do Well When the Economy Isn’t?
The last few days notwithstanding, the stock market has staged a significant recovery from the market lows we saw in late March. While off its all-time high reached in February, the S&P 500 stands at a level that was first reached in the last quarter of 2019. Yet the economy is suffering in the wake … Continued
What’s Next?
I always enjoy writing with good news. I have some for you today. As I write this, the S&P is up roughly 32% from its lows in March. We are only down a “mere” 13% from its all-time highs. It seems like a long way to go to get back to highs, but we will, … Continued
A Message from Means Wealth
Good Afternoon, Over the last few weeks, the consternation concerning personal health, our families, the markets, and the economy has been palpable. Like you, I am concerned. These are no doubt challenging times. Many clients expressed how different this situation feels, and I certainly cannot argue that. This is something we have never seen … Continued