
FINANCIaL
FIELd NOTES
Average Returns Following a Stock Market Rally
Following the Tariff-related sell-off in March and early April, the stock market had one of its best rebounds on record, with the S&P 500 up over 25% from April 4th-July 10th. It’s normal for this kind of momentum to feel unsustainable. But that isn’t what history shows us.
When the market posts strong short-term gains, it often doesn’t fizzle out…
Historical Declines in a Balanced Portfolio
I was recently meeting with a new client discussing the investment implementation part of their financial plan. They were financially secure but understandably anxious about market volatility. We had run the numbers and determined that a balanced portfolio, consisting of roughly 70% stocks and 30% bonds, was an appropriate mix for their retirement spending goals.
But identifying the correct allocation also should include your risk tolerance, or how much risk you’re emotionally and mentally prepared to take on…
Planning For Unused 529 Funds
I recently met with a client whose grandchild has gotten a full ride for the first year of college and will may graduate without ever having spent a dollar or tuition, room, and board! While she was thrilled, she was also concerned that the 529 may go to waste.
Thankfully, there are several options with unused 529’s that provide incredible flexibility…
Why Most Investors Lose at Stock Picking (Even the Pros)
I’ve met with many clients over the years who own individual stocks – some have been huge winners and others not so much. Sometimes it makes up a meaningful portion of their net worth, other times it’s a tiny fraction. I can understand the allure of stock picking.
Check out the return of $10,000 over the past 20 years (2005-2024) in the following stocks. Nvidia turns $10k into $7.5mm, Netflix into $5mm, and Apple into $2.5mm. The stock market index (S&P 500), just $71,000…