There's a second big move in the S&P 500 and it's going to change things! Today we reflect on a historic and volatile week in the markets, highlighting dramatic swings that included 40- to 50-year extremes. We also talk investor psychology, client reactions, and the importance of focusing on long-term planning rather than daily market noise. There's also been a mystery investment that has quietly outperformed this year despite a lack of media attention so it's important to pay attention to all the trends, even the ones that aren't getting mainstream attention. We also share on Warren Buffett’s enduring success, Trump’s negotiation tactics, and how to spot overlooked opportunities by tracking what isn't crashing when everything else is. Today we discuss...
- A mystery investment that's performed exceptionally well in 2024 but has received zero media attention.
- How under-the-radar assets often outperform when no one is paying attention.
- Billionaires lost large amounts of money this year—except Warren Buffett, who gained $12.7 billion.
- Charts from the previous week showed bond-related assets and corn among top performers, while energy and cannabis sectors lagged.
- Some Dow stocks barely moved during the selloff—specifically Coca-Cola and McDonald’s.
- We encourage investors to look for stocks that remain resilient during market downturns as potential buying opportunities.
- Trump’s negotiation tactics with China are giving markets a breather while keeping pressure on.
- Strength in gold miners, healthcare, and food & beverage was cited as areas to watch moving forward.
- Social media sentiment is largely negative, with most companies underperforming regardless of size.
- Low volatility stocks are the notable outliers, performing better than other equity factors.
- Alternative assets like preferreds and hedge funds are also experiencing significant declines.
- Gold is the surprise top-performing asset this year, up sharply and widely ignored by even gold enthusiasts.
- Financially strong companies are likely to outperform in uncertain markets and come out stronger.
- U.S. processed food is often lower quality than international versions, yet less regulated domestically.
- The 200-day moving average is a key rule of thumb—nothing good tends to happen below it.
- Global equity markets, particularly Europe and Latin America, remain positive year-to-date despite recent pullbacks.
- European stocks may offer opportunity, but the speaker expresses skepticism over Europe’s long-term competitiveness.
- The U.S. dollar is down 4% year-to-date and recently broke below its multi-year trading range.
- Crypto has been mixed, with Bitcoin holding up better than Ethereum but still failing to protect during downturns.
- Short-term U.S. Treasuries are a reasonable safe option, but cash in one’s own currency is the best defense.
- Investors should stay cautious and avoid big risks during uncertain times, even amid major rebounds.
"Cash is not trash... Cash is King" - Kirk Chisholm
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Today's Guest: Kirk Chisholm
Kirk Chisholm is a Wealth Manager and Principal at Innovative Advisory Group, an independent Registered Investment Advisor located in Lexington, MA. He has been providing wealth management services to individuals, executives, entrepreneurs, and their families since 1999. He is an outside the box thinker, risk manager, inflation expert, blogger, podcaster, and all-around interesting guy. Kirk is dedicated to developing lasting relationships with all of his clients and their families. One of the benefits of working with Kirk is his patience, empathy, and his ability to provide clear and easy-to-understand explanations to complex financial topics.
Kirk developed a unique philosophy for the wealth management industry called Risk Management First. The medical field has a similar way of thinking of “first do no harm”. This philosophy focuses on risk management for clients in all aspects of their lives in ways the industry does not address. Risk management does not stop with investments. It also requires working closely with other professionals to address areas of their financial lives not currently being met.
In 2008, Kirk co-founded Innovative Advisory Group to address the needs not being addressed by the wealth management industry. It started with specializing in alternative assets held in retirement accounts (i.e. self directed IRAs/401ks). Then the company expanded into the specialization of college funding (i.e. planning, strategy, and paying the least possible for a high quality education), Risk Management First, exit planning for business owners, advanced planning (estate, tax, etc), and providing practice management and leadership training to other financial advisors, accountants and attorneys.
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Today's Panelists
- Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
- Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management