"Having an advisor at Willow Creek, it’s such a trusted source of information…no question is a stupid question. We feel totally comfortable asking anything."

“People say, ‘Well, why not just invest in an index fund or whatever?’ And I say, well, you still have to watch that….and you don't get all of these other personal benefits.”

"They said, 'Go to Willow Creek. Everybody we know goes to Willow Creek.' So, we did…we were able to get our questions answered and make decisions that were right for us.”

With all the benchmarks we follow currently at or near record highs – coupled with US political concerns, interest rate uncertainty, and major global conflicts – clients have raised some big questions. How do we, as investors, reconcile a soaring stock market with such negative world news? Will the markets continue to rise to even greater heights despite so much turmoil? Unfortunately, the answers to these questions are simply unknowable. There is good news though: as a diversified investor, your portfolio has been carefully crafted to adapt to whatever may be on the horizon. 

With the 2024 US presidential election on the horizon, many investors are understandably concerned about how the outcome might affect their portfolios. Given the polarized political climate where both sides see the other as a threat to the nation’s future, it's only natural to wonder how your investments will fare. However, history shows us that a disciplined, long-term investment strategy will weather the storms of political change. 

Our team had the opportunity to visit Glen Oaks Ranch, an anchor preserve in the Sonoma Land Trust system of protected open space in Sonoma County for a guided hike through the property to learn about its unique history and value as a key part of the Sonoma Valley Wildlife Corridor.

The S&P 500 Index has posted exceptional returns for the past two quarters. It turns out that the most striking contributor has been the dominance of the seven largest stocks in the US: the so-called “Magnificent 7”. These companies alone made up 33% of the total value of the S&P 500 as of the end of March. It’s at this point many investors may question the validity of a more diversified approach: why settle for 6% returns when, if you just picked the right stocks, your returns could be much higher? The simple answer is that it’s harder than you might think.

Every four years, investors face the uncertainty of how presidential elections might impact their portfolios and long-term retirement plans. As November approaches, candidates and their campaigns ramp up their messaging and our collective anxiety increases.

Whether we are aware of it or not, emotions often wield significant influence over our personal investment decisions. It’s not just about the numbers; it’s about how we respond to them emotionally.

Towards the end of each year, it is common to see financial forecasts being issued for the year ahead. Market analysts and financial pundits put forth estimates of where the market will end the year and how the economy will perform.