The recent escalation in the Middle East has raised understandable concerns among investors about oil prices, inflation, and the broader economy. In this month’s letter, Judy Rubino, CFP®, looks at the historical relationship between war and markets, explains why energy shocks matter most when they are prolonged, and outlines why discipline—not reaction—remains especially important during uncertain periods.

In a market dominated by a handful of mega-cap tech stocks, it’s easy to forget that leadership rotates. This month’s article highlights how the broadening of market performance in 2025—across sectors, styles, and regions—underscores the enduring value of diversification.

There is not a secret set of tools investors can use to navigate an event-driven, volatile market. Instead, we see it as a critical time to unwaveringly avoid guesswork and to keep focus on broad ownership of assets in a diversified, long-term focused portfolio.

There is heightened uncertainty surrounding U.S. economic policy, foreign policy, and many aspects of the government’s structure and functions. The sheer volume of executive actions and policy changes are difficult to track, and for some readers, the changes may feel overwhelming.

Elections and the policies they produce matter, but they have not been the primary driver of market returns over the long run. Economic fundamentals and earnings matter far more. Many investors understandably have strong feelings about the results, but it’s important not to let those emotions alter or derail your long-term goals--and the plans you’ve put in place for achieving them.

The first six months of 2024 featured strong stock market returns with relatively subdued volatility. But then late July and early August happened.

Politics and investment decision-making don’t mix very well. There’s a simple reason why: politics is usually filled with emotionally charged views and stubborn biases, neither of which have been known to serve investors well.