Investment Committee

Three-quarters of the year are behind us now, and both stock and bond markets have had a strong year so far. Stocks and bonds typically do not experience simultaneous growth and certainly not of this magnitude for bonds.

Our last few portfolio updates have shared a recurring theme; we have taken gains in growth assets and moved to slightly more defensive positioning recognizing that we are likely later in the economic cycle.

A little goes a long way. Perhaps, a phrase many of us can relate to in some way whether we’re referring to a change in our spending habits, showing kindness to a stranger, or adding hot sauce to our dinner. Our investment committee works tirelessly to find opportunities, big and small, to drive better outcomes in the portfolios.

The end of the first quarter of 2019 has brought sunshine, baseball, and one of the best quarters US stocks have seen since the 90’s. While the sharp recovery from last year’s market declines has been a welcomed move, we are mindful that we have just celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the current bull market and the U.S. economy appears to be softening.

We hope that you and your family kept warm as the Polar Vortex sunk its teeth into the northern part of the country.  Our investment committee has been busy sinking its teeth into economic and market data after an eventful and volatile 2018. We have shared our current approach to the investment environment in our latest blog post.

All major US markets will be closed today for a national day of mourning in honor of George H.W. Bush. While it is meant to be a day to reflect on the life and legacy of our 41st president, let it also serve as a day to remind ourselves to take a breath after a challenging day of trading yesterday. 

We are writing to share with you that the Investment Committee has approved another change to target allocations, this time within the bond portion of the portfolio.  Specifically, we will be swapping the Vanguard Total Bond Index Fund with the Payden Low Duration Fund.  This move will continue the theme of reducing the portfolio’s duration (i.e.

The buzz around rising interest rates continues to play out in markets and headlines this year. We have been discussing the notion that it will be difficult to make money in bonds amidst this environment for quite a while now. This is due to our central bank's (i.e. The Fed's) efforts to prevent the economy from overheating which can, in turn, lead to inflation.

In the worlds of financial planning and investment management, there are many variables outside of our control.  Perhaps most significant and obvious is the fact that we cannot control the financial markets, and as much as we take the guesswork out of financial planning by building detailed, customized cash flow projections and testing them, looking into the future naturally breeds uncerta

When you last heard from us in mid-February, we were amidst a period of heightened stock market volatility, and it was at that time that we noted how the economic indicators we study still suggested that solid market fundamentals would prevail in the near term.  The results of the first quarter earnings season, which just wrapped up last month, continue to make that case.