Investment Committee Meeting Summary:

Our advisors review fund performance by day, week, and month. And the Investment Committee meets at least quarterly to evaluate the portfolio construction of advisory accounts, proactively rebalance portfolio construction, watch for red flags and perform stress tests to gauge performance in various market environments.

Market Insights and Strategies

With the end of 2023 swiftly approaching, it’s a pivotal time to stay up to date on new developments. We’ve witnessed a year with its fair share of economic and market twists and turns. The journey from a rather challenging 2022 to the present has been a roller coaster ride, marked by recession fears, inflation concerns, rising interest rates, global unrest, and the ever-looming possibility of a federal government shutdown.

In reflecting on 2022, we remember it was a tough year for equities, with major market indexes like the S&P 500 ending in the red. However, stepping into 2023, we’ve observed a different story unfold. As of late September, equity markets have delivered positive returns. It’s a testament to the resilience of the market and the dynamism of investors.

Constantly Adapting

In response to the ongoing challenges, we’ve proactively adjusted our investment approach to better suit the changing landscape. During our investment committee meeting, we utilized our relationships with T. Rowe Price, as we carefully reviewed our investment strategies together to help ensure they are in sync with the present market conditions. One of our key observations was our favoritism of large-cap growth funds to small-cap positions. This strategic shift reflects our anticipation of potential rate hikes by the Federal Reserve and the subsequent impact on the market. Typically, larger companies are better equipped to weather the effects of such rate hikes.

Certain of Uncertainty

Inflation has seen a slight easing since its peak in January 2022 but continues to remain above the Federal Reserve’s targeted 2%. This lingering level below the threshold underscores the challenge of curbing spending, with the final leg of this journey proving to be the most difficult. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve has recently hit the pause button on rate hikes, although the specter of future increases looms on the horizon with market expectations suggest a potential rate hike in December. It is worth noting that historical data indicates positive market performance after the conclusion of a hiking cycle. Conversations about a possible recession continue, reminding us that economic downturns are inherent phases of the business cycle. In the realm of global geopolitics, tensions such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict cast shadows of uncertainty over the market, prompting us to stay vigilant of potential international market volatility. While forecasting the future remains elusive, our preparation for various scenarios is unwavering.

Our Commitment to Your Financial Success

We are remaining focused on an informed, long-term planning and a diversified approach. The decisions we make are grounded in our commitment to our clients’ financial well-being. We anticipate further market volatility and continue to adapt our strategies accordingly.

As we look ahead, we’ll keep a vigilant eye on market movements and remain steadfast in our dedication to your financial success. We appreciate your trust in our team and are here to navigate the ever-changing financial landscape together.

As always, we’re here for you. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need assistance with your financial planning. Thank you for your continued trust in our team.