Month: January 2025

Rocky (But Good) Start to the Year… PS. “Alts”

This may be the last weekend we can say, “Happy New Year!” to friends. And a fairly happy new year it has been for the markets… with a few bumps here and there. The “bump” was a mini-cavernous plunge for shares of Nvidia shares, down 15% in one day without a rebound. Both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq 100 (tech focused index) promptly rebounded.

However, there may have been a few investors, especially those newer to the markets or those less patient among us, who need a “gut check” when markets get rocky. Here are a handful of questions investors can ask themselves, in order to stay put with current investments in down and seriously down markets – providing a plan is already in place:

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When You Don’t Win A National Championship

We have all been there. Whether it is not getting the promotion or appointment to the C-suite, not hitting the jackpot with a start-up company investment or hedge fund or not reaching a savings goal in order to buy a fancy new car or retire by a certain year. We miss winning our own, personal “national championship”.

The keys to recovery are resilience and focus (2 weeks ago’s TGIF 2 Minutes talked about focus, as well). In Atlanta this past Monday, resilience and focus were on display in the CFP National Football Championship between Notre Dame and Ohio State, as well as an economic mismatch… but more about the economic mismatches of college sports in another edition.

As for resilience and focus, these two concepts figure heavily into personal finance, saving and investing.

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The Markets Are UP

At this time of the year, clients and friends love asking the question, “What do you think of the markets?” Long ago, I learned not to answer with what I believe the markets will do – because no one knows for certain what the markets will do – but rather to respond with a handful of “data points” about what events are taking place currently and what near-future events truly figure in to investor expectations.

So far this year, markets are UP. To be exact, in the first 11 trading days of 2025 the markets have been up, down and then up. On balance markets are UP 1% to 1.5% year-to-date with small companies marginally leading the way. Small companies tend to be more volatile and react positively when there is perceived value in stock prices.

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One New Year’s Resolution

It is that time of year when goals of every sort are made – for work, family, health and, yes, personal finances. Thinking about and writing down goals for each of these areas can be productive in itself. But then getting practical and boiling down a list of goals into a handful of things – or even JUST ONE THING – that a person resolves to make happen is critical.

Of course, this task is not easy, but hey, it is January 10th. Let’s give it a go.

Here is a goal that could be either a lifetime goal, or a one- or two-year goal that could make a lifetime of difference:

Focus on Saving in order to maintain Patience – in the event of the inevitable market decline. My nickname for this goal is FSP.

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Fighting Irish Victory

TGIF 2 Minutes is celebrating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Victory!

For all Irish fans, enjoy celebrating with Coach Freeman and the Guys.

For all TGIF 2 Minutes fans (these two fan groups may be mutually exclusive*), more insights to come in 2025!

*MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE – meaning

This material has been prepared for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, tax, legal or accounting advice.

Thank you for reading, Happy New Year and TGIF!