As we navigate through the complexities of 2023, we wanted to provide you with an update on the current investment landscape and how we are optimizing your portfolio for long-term success.
Strong First Half: A Rollercoaster with Upsides
The first half of 2023 has been positive across our diversified portfolios. The S&P 500 experienced a 20% increase from January 1 to July 31, largely fueled by advancements in Artificial Intelligence. However, the market faced a 6% decline in August and September and continued decline the beginning of October due to ongoing inflationary pressures and Federal Reserve actions.
What to Expect Next: A Bumpy Ride Before Stability with Long-Term Opportunities
Looking ahead to the rest of 2023, we expect some challenges. Company earnings may face some obstacles, and the Federal Reserve is trying to slow down job growth to control inflation. However, we believe that by 2024, these challenges will ease, and the market will become more stable.
We understand that clients are anxious about rising interest rates, government dysfunction, and geopolitical risks. However, these short-term fears can be opportunities for long-term investment success. High interest rates and market volatility often present buying opportunities, and geopolitical risks can make some assets cheaper than they should be.
Our Approach: Steady and Adaptable
In today's uncertain market, we prioritize a well-rounded investment strategy. For the bond portion of your portfolio, we mix low-risk government bonds with higher-yielding options. On the stock side, we include both the large tech companies that have been performing well and smaller companies that often excel in strong markets. This balanced approach is designed to handle a variety of market conditions.
Equity: Sound Diversification
While volatility has been largely driven by heightened enthusiasm surrounding advancements in Artificial Intelligence, inflationary pressures, and Federal Reserve actions, our guiding principle remains steadfast: sound diversification. We adopt a risk-calibrated approach tailored to your investment horizon. For portfolios with longer time horizons, we are comfortable embracing higher volatility to capitalize on growth opportunities. Conversely, for portfolios with shorter time horizons, we aim to minimize volatility to preserve capital.
Bonds: High Yields and Attractive Entry Points
Bond yields are currently high, providing an opportunity to bolster many portfolios. High-yield bonds are particularly appealing now due to their elevated returns and favorable conditions. In our aggressive strategies, we allocate more to High Yield Bonds to capture higher return opportunities, accepting a higher level of risk. In contrast, our conservative strategies feature a lower allocation to High Yield Bonds to maintain a focus on capital preservation. This approach allows us to balance risk and reward based on your investment goals.
Investment Spotlight: Global Bonds - Expanding Horizons for Greater Returns
In our ongoing commitment to diversification, we include an allocation to global bonds in your portfolio. This is achieved through Vanguard's International Bond Index ETF (BNDX). This fund has consistently outperformed its U.S. counterparts.
Why Global Bonds?
Enhanced Diversification: Investing in global bonds allows you to spread risk across different economies and interest rate environments, reducing the impact of any single market downturn.
Potential for Higher Returns: International bonds often offer higher yields compared to domestic bonds, providing an opportunity for better returns.
Currency Hedging: The BNDX fund is currency-hedged, mitigating the risk of currency fluctuations that could otherwise impact returns.
Access to Emerging Markets: Global bonds offer exposure to fast-growing emerging markets, which can be a source of both yield and diversification.
Inflation Protection: International bonds can offer a hedge against domestic inflation, as they are influenced by different economic factors.
We remain steadfast in our mission to blend cutting-edge technology with personalized service, aiming to provide you with unparalleled financial freedom. We're excited about the future and committed to leveraging both technology and human expertise to maximize your financial well-being.
JUSTIN WOLLMAN
PRINCIPAL | INVESTMENT ADVISOR
575 Market St, 4th Fl, San Francisco, CA 94105
Tel: (415) 717-2661 | Fax: (415) 480-8227
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