Perspective: A Look Forward

You may be feeling quite disoriented, fearful, and anxious as our "normal" has been shaken. We care deeply about our clients and their families, our communities and, of course, our employees. To those of you who are afraid and worried, our hearts are with you. To those on the front lines, helping our world continue to function, we extend our deepest gratitude for what you do every day. With stock and bond markets experiencing daily swings in dramatic fashion, we wanted to share our perspective. In this very challenging environment, our recommendation is to hold steady. Try and tune out the noise, focus on your long-term goals, and let the benefits of diversification play out. We realize it may get worse before it gets better—but one thing we know for sure, it will get better. The carefully designed, thoughtful plan you created with us has not fundamentally changed. We understand that none of us can foresee the future, but your plan was designed to accommodate life's ups and downs. We want to let you know that we are addressing all of the things we can control regarding the day-to-day management of your portfolio. We are actively working every angle we can to maximize your after-tax returns, rebalancing portfolios when appropriate, and maintaining your cash and short-term bond allocations to ensure you have the funds available when you need them. As one client recently told us - "I don't look at my portfolio or worry about it daily, as I know you are doing that for me." The long-term intrinsic value of the companies that make up the stock market have not fundamentally changed, however steep the downturn. The best action now is to remain calm, try and find any rays of light in life's new normal, and know that we are here for you in whatever capacity you need us. Take care of yourselves and your families. Stay safe, and we encourage you to contact us with any concerns you may have as we navigate through the storm together. Your Willow Creek Team