While it may be difficult to remain calm during a substantial market decline, it is important to remember that volatility is a normal part of investing. 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 February 1-5, the US market (as measured by the Russell 3000 Index) fell almost 6%, resulting in many investors wondering what the future holds and if they should make changes to … [Read more...] about Recent Market Volatility
As Goes January, So Goes the Year?
As investors ring in the new year, some may see the occasional headline about the "January Indicator" or "January Barometer." This theory suggests that the price movement of the S&P 500 during the month of January may signal whether that index will rise or fall during the remainder of the year. In other words, if the return of the S&P 500 in January is negative, this would supposedly foreshadow a fall for the stock market for the remainder of the year, and vice versa if returns in … [Read more...] about As Goes January, So Goes the Year?
Key Questions for the Long-Term Investor
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 know that you're not alone. Your financial advisor is here to help. While this is not intended to be an exhaustive list it will hopefully shed light on a few key principles, using data and … [Read more...] about Key Questions for the Long-Term Investor
The Uncommon Average
I have found that the importance of having an investment philosophy—one that is robust and that you can stick with— cannot be overstated." —David Booth The US stock market has delivered an average annual return of around 10% since 1926.[1] But short-term results may vary, and in any given period stock returns can be positive, negative, or flat. When setting expectations, it's helpful to see the range of outcomes experienced by investors historically. For example, how often … [Read more...] about The Uncommon Average
The Uncertainty Paradox
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. Uncertainty is an unchangeable condition of existence. As individuals, we can feel more or less uncertain, but that is a distinctly human phenomenon. Rather than ebbing and flowing with investor sentiment, … [Read more...] about The Uncertainty Paradox
A Look Back at 2016
Every year brings its share of surprises. But how many of us could have imagined that 2016 would see the Chicago Cubs win the World Series, Bob Dylan receive the Nobel Prize in Literature, Donald Trump elected president, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average close out the year a whisker away from 20,000? The answer is very few—a lesson that investors would be wise to remember. Click HERE to read DFA's latest brief, "A Look Back at 2016," and learn how truly difficult it is … [Read more...] about A Look Back at 2016