Let’s talk about markets for a minute.

The most recent inflation data shows that inflation continues to persist near recent highs.¹

The trend makes it likely that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates again in November.²

Does that mean a recession is inevitable? Are we passed the bottom or are markets going to fall further?

It’s hard to say.

We won’t know for sure how things will play out until long after current events are in the rearview mirror.

However, the uncertainty won’t stop the media from churning out scary headlines and flawed predictions.

Instead of speculating wildly about what the future brings, what if we look for lessons and guidelines, we can follow?

4 Lessons About Life

1. Count your blessings. There is so much in our lives to be grateful for.
2. Cherish your most important relationships. They’re what truly matters, especially when the road gets rocky.
3. When you think of something positive about someone, tell them right away. It might be exactly what they needed to hear today.
4. “Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted.”³ (Randy Pausch said this. His book, “The Last Lecture” is well worth a read.)

5 Market Lessons

1. Markets can keep falling for a lot longer than we’d like.
2. Market bottoms don’t come with an all-clear signal and missing the best days of the market can shockingly damage your long-term growth.

3. Don’t panic and make sudden decisions. One bad decision can destroy years of good ones.

4. Stocks historically deliver strong growth over time.⁴ But you only benefit from it if you can withstand the painful periods that come with the territory.

5. You can’t avoid all risks. You CAN identify them, manage them, and focus on what’s in your control. (That’s what I’m here for!)

What market lessons have you learned about investing and life?

When you reflect on the lessons you’ve learned over the years in investing, can you say you’ve stood the test of time when it was a volatile market?

Here’s the bottom line: Reaping the rewards of long-term investing means taking the good times along with the bad.

The end of a bear market looks an awful lot like the middle, and investors who panic, sell and miss the ride back up regret it.

That’s because the best days and worst market days tend to cluster.⁵ Sit the bear market out, and you’re likely to miss out on the whole play.

We’re here, we’re watching, and we’ll be in touch as needed.

Sources

1. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/13/consumer-price-index-september-2022-.html
2. https://www.cmegroup.com/trading/interest-rates/countdown-to-fomc.html
3. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/48126-experience-is-what-you-get-when-you-didn-t-get-what
4. https://equitable.com/retirement/articles/inflation-and-long-term-investing
5. https://www.hartfordfunds.com/practice-management/client-conversations/managing-volatility/timing-the-market-is-impossible.html

Chart Source: https://www.putnam.com/literature/pdf/II508.pdf

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