Forty "W"ritings

October was a solid month for risk assets. All major equity markets, except for emerging markets, had strong positive returns. Fixed income returns were negative.

Both the stock and bond markets took a big move down last week dropping the major indices back to their lowest levels of 2022. This latest move was the result of persistently high inflation and the Federal Reserve’s bark and bite which has increased the probability that a recession is on the horizon. Traditional recessions are uncomfortable for everyone, and they are devastating for those directly affected by job loss or business closures but for long-term investors they tend to give way to some of the best market returns. Markets will stabilize before the real economy feels good and before the confirming data comes in. The challenge to long-term investors is to remain resilient, confident and patient so that you are in the game when the market tide turns. This has been a historically challenging year for investors; almost all asset classes have lost money year to date. We recently concluded a deep dive on our client portfolio allocations and holdings; we remain convicted to both.

August reminded us that following one’s emotions is a great way to lose money in the equity markets. Most major equity markets declined in August. 2022 has been a challenging year for a 60% equity / 40% fixed income portfolio with both losing value year-to-date.

Do medical expenses cost more than you’d like? Do you wish you had more control over your health care expenses? A Health Savings Account (HSA) might be able to help.

May was a month with volatile price movement, both down and up. At one point the S&P 500 was down 5% and almost 20% from its recent high. Ultimately, global stocks and bonds managed slight gains.

Markets continue to worry about the Fed's ability to fend off inflation without sending the economy into a recession. How we are adjusting...