Hi,
I hope this message finds you well, and enjoying early spring.
With the recent volatility in the financial markets, I know some of you may be feeling concerned or worried. Declines in market values can be unsettling. I am reaching out to provide some perspective, and hopefully some peace of mind.
We have worked together to build your planning for the longer-term, and have anticipated periodic market corrections and volatility. In addition, our financial planning reflects fairly conservative future investment returns. The S&P 500 stock index returned over 20% in both 2023 and 2024, and even with recent declines the index is still significantly above the level of two years ago. Stock market movements are inherently volatile in the short-term and influenced by market sentiment, and over the longer-term underlying fundamentals are a bigger driver of market returns.
While I can’t say with any certainty where the financial markets are headed, especially in the short-term, I can say that history has shown repeatedly that the markets do bounce back from significant declines, and that maintaining a longer-term focus is important. Maintaining a diversified, balanced portfolio continues to be a key aspect of the comprehensive financial planning we have built for your situation.
True North is here to continue to partner with you, and thank you for your continued trust. Your peace of mind is paramount, and please feel free to reach out an any time.
My best,
Tom
Thomas C. Dettre, CPA, MBA, PFS
President and Founder
True North Financial Planning, LLC
www.TrueNorthFinancialPlanning.com