A Mid-Year Lookback - A Reminder to Tune Out the Noise
We’re halfway through 2025, and despite a steady drumbeat of unsettling headlines, the market has quietly climbed to new highs.
If you’ve been following the news, it’s understandable to feel uneasy. Here’s a sample of what investors have seen so far this year:
- “A shocking Chinese AI advancement called DeepSeek is sending US stocks plunging” - CNN, January 2025
- “Dollar falls after soft consumer confidence as economic concerns drag” - Reuters, February 2025
- “Consumer confidence is sliding as Americans’ view of their financial futures slumps to a 12-year low” - AP, March 2025
- “Dow nosedives 1,600 points, S&P 500 and Nasdaq drop the most since 2020 after Trump’s tariff onslaught” - CNBC, April 2025
- “Moody's downgrades U.S. credit rating, citing rising government debt” - CBS, May 2025
- “Israel strikes dozens of targets in Iran, including nuclear program: IDF” - ABC, June 2025
- “Iran Threatens To Close Strait of Hormuz: What Would Happen?” - Newsweek, June 2025
On paper, this looks like a recipe for market turmoil. But despite all the noise, the S&P 500 is hovering near all-time highs.
Does this mean markets are immune to geopolitical risk or economic shocks? Of course not. But history has shown that markets tend to climb over long stretches of time—even through periods of volatility and uncertainty.
The takeaway? Stick to your plan. A well-constructed investment strategy, grounded in your time horizon and risk tolerance, doesn’t require constant tinkering. It requires discipline.
So as we look ahead to the second half of the year, remember: headlines may drive emotions, but your portfolio should be guided by strategy.
