A Short Market Note from Rachel
February 2022
You are likely aware that unrest on the geopolitical stage, as well as ongoing inflation here at home, has pushed the stock market into correction territory. As of this writing on 2/24/2022, the S&P 500 is down 10.02% year-to-date and the Dow Jones Industrial Average is down 8.57%. Here are some key points to keep in mind to remain level-headed and keep our emotions in check during this period of political and economic uncertainty:
- Market corrections are healthy, and markets are cyclical.
- We have not lost money unless we sell securities or redeem shares (i.e., realize a loss). That is, the best way to ensure that we are positioned to take advantage of a market recovery when it occurs is not to sell anything during the downturn.
- Your conversations with us should always focus, in part, on your near-term and long-term liquidity needs. If you do need money, or you are in a phase of your financial life where you are drawing on income from investments, we have strategized for this.
- We have already had conversations with many of you to see how you are feeling during this period. As a gentle reminder, please keep in mind that there are three of us in this office but over 1,200 of you. Please reach out to us by phone or email if you need reassurance or have a question.
- Market downturns and periods of volatility can offer excellent opportunities for investing, depending on one’s time horizon. Making automatic contributions at regular intervals allows you to take advantage of different price points.
To schedule a meeting with Rachel, please call our office or email Rheagan at rheagan@flexfinancialplanning.com. To speak with or schedule a meeting with Harold, please call the office or email harold@flexfinancialplanning.com. We all answer both office telephone numbers (518-854-3958 and 518-383-3581), which ring no matter where we are. And you can always leave a voicemail, too. For a more in-depth description of each of our backgrounds and how we work together to support you and your financial planning needs, please visit Team (flexfinancialplanning.com) and Rachel E. Lauber, CFP® (flexfinancialplanning.com).
And as always, thank you for letting us guide you.
Rachel
This material is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified attorney or tax adviser. Before making any financial commitment regarding the issues discussed herein, consult with the appropriate adviser.