Michael Scott

When markets fluctuate, it’s easy to feel unsettled, but you don’t have to navigate those feelings alone. Working with a financial advisor can help make a difference. My team and I pride ourselves on our commitment to helping you stay the course. Rather than reacting impulsively, we work with you to plan deliberately. With strategies supported by research and knowledge, we’ll face uncertainty together, with purpose and conviction.

Recognize the normalcy of market swings

Market ups and downs may feel alarming in the moment, but history tells us they’re an inevitable part of investing. Attempting to time the very bottom or top of the market can be costly. In fact, studies show that missing just a few of the best market days can dramatically reduce long-term results.1

So, rather than trying to “guess correctly,” we’ll aim to build a plan based on your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.

Begin with a plan built for your life

A sound investment strategy begins with clarity on your goals, whether it’s retirement, a college savings fund, legacy giving, or something else entirely. Together, my team and I can help you determine how much liquidity makes sense and how much long-term growth you may need. With that in place, the rest of the plan follows.

Construct a diversified, goal-aligned portfolio

Once your goals and timeframes are clear, we can help you design a portfolio. Asset allocation — i.e. the mix between stocks, bonds, real assets, and alternative investments — has proven to be an effective investment strategy, as opposed to trying to pick the next “hot” stock. We’ll also consider global diversification, liquidity needs, and your comfort level with market swings.

Stay disciplined through volatility

Our goal is to help you avoid acting on the emotions typically involved with investing: greed and fear. It’s tempting to think rising markets will continue to do so, and greed can cause you to chase gains. Similarly, fear can kick in when the markets plunge, and the impulse may be to sell everything and get out entirely before the markets hit bottom. However, both impulses undermine long-term success. For example, the best days and the worst days often cluster together, and thus being out of the market even briefly can mean missing key rebounds.

While working with you during periods of market volatility, we will encourage you to consider the following:

·         Rebalance when necessary, trimming asset classes that have grown too large and adding to those that have fallen short of their target

·         Stay aligned with your strategic allocation, adjusting only when your goals, time horizon, or risk profile change

·         View turbulence as opportunity, not panic; volatility can allow disciplined investors to “buy low” and set the stage for recovery

Before you react, talk through what’s happening

When market headlines flash and emotions run high, my team and I will be here to guide you. We’ll review how your portfolio is positioned relative to your plan, consider the long-term context, and decide if any tactical shifts make sense. But we’ll do so within the framework of your overall strategy, not on a whim.

Take the next step

If you’re looking for help building a plan or refining a plan, I’d love to connect. Please reach out to schedule a complimentary consultation. Together, we’ll map your goals, clarify your priorities, and craft a strategy that can help keep you on track, even when the market isn’t.

_{1. "The perils of trying to time volatile markets: Missing the market's best days," Bloomberg and Wells Fargo Investment Institute. Read more.}

_{All investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal.}

_{Asset allocation and diversification are investment methods used to help manage risk. They do not guarantee investment returns or eliminate risk of loss including in a declining market.}