This article was originally written on Sunday, March 22, 2020.
Steve Devlin, Senior Financial Consultant with Freedom First Wealth Management, and Jason Fletcher, Financial Consultant with Freedom First Wealth Management, share their thoughts on the market and steps you should take in response.
As the number of people confirmed to have COVID-19 increases, we will likely see a continued effect on businesses and the markets. While most of the markets losses are probably behind us, the increasing number of positive confirmations of COVID-19 leaves the question “where is the bottom of this market decline?” still unanswered. We believe we could still be a couple weeks from when the number of new cases reported will begin to decline.
1. The markets have now experienced the correction many were waiting on.
2. The daily swings in market values are less now than a week ago.
3. Many investments are now undervalued and seen as buying opportunities or expected to be in the near future (by the time the number of new cases begins to decline).
4. Americans are social distancing, so many of the increasing number of cases we see today are still a result of the time we were not social distancing.
5. Our Government and Medical professionals are working with great focus to get through this pandemic.
6. The Fed is being proactive in creating financial balance.
1. If you were invested during the market decline, staying in is the best way to get your value back to where we started this year, even though we may not be at the bottom just yet.
2. If you have enough cash to live on for the next couple months, consider not withdrawing from your investments to enhance the funds invested when the markets do bounce back.
3. If you have been considering investing more money, be sure you have transferred those funds to the cash position in your investment account so we can invest them on the day appropriate for you.
4. The majority of the market rebound will likely require the reporting of fewer new cases and businesses reopening, but the markets should start their rebound before everything returns to normal.
The most important part of working with us is the plan we create together. That said:
1. We structure your cash reserves to meet your short term needs during hard times.
2. We set your risk level based on your perceived tolerance so as to protect your future income needs.
3. We are constantly monitoring and looking at ways to take advantage of this market situation to help you prosper (things like tax harvesting, improved fund selection, etc). Note: this could lead to some fund changes in your portfolio.
1. Practice Social Distancing. Only go out as you need too, work from home if you can, and create physical space the best you can.
2. Look for the stories of people serving each other and do the same if you can. It’s the positive stories that get us through the day in the midst of fears.
3. Spend time connecting with people through the phone and social media. Laugh together!
4. If you are a parent still raising children, enjoy this time at home with your kids.
5. Consider not taking withdraws if you have enough cash already to cover the next few months.
Call us at (540) 400-7611 if you have questions or just want to chat about your accounts and the market conditions
Steve Devlin, Senior Financial Consultant, Freedom First Wealth Management
Jason Fletcher, Financial Consultant, Freedom First Wealth Management
For more information about Freedom First Wealth Management services or make an appointment, go to our website www.freedomfirst.com/wealth-management
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