Very short note to ring in 2026! On the topic of last year’s stock (& bond) market returns, which were surprisingly impressive, who would have thought?!
Tag: Markets
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.
The Election/Markets Waiting Game
This week in a conversation with one of my favorite people, I discovered – or confirmed – something that was already obvious: the US Presidential election has nearly everyone on edge. There are varying degrees of “on edge” including,
- overwhelmed
- nervous
- confused
- curious
- angry
- discouraged
- (fill in the blank).
Getting Paid to Take Risk
In true TGIF 2 Minutes fashion, a short note today – with further thoughts to follow.
A week ago, I had the distinct honor to set foot onto “Omaha Beach” in Normandy, France to recognize the 80th anniversary of the Allied Troops storming that beach on June 6, 1944, in the name of (future) freedom – and potential success – for multiple generations of free people around the world. The experience and the trip surrounding the experience left an impression that will not soon wear off.
