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Mid-Year Market Check-In: Navigating Volatility Without Losing Focus
Peter Lynch once said, “If you spend more than 13 minutes analyzing forecasts, you’ve wasted 10.” His advice: ignore the noise and focus on your strategy. Mid-2025 returns show the S&P 500 up 8.1%, Nasdaq up 9.1%, Dow up 5%, Russell up 2.3%, and MSCI EAFE up 20%. Tech leaders like Nvidia and Microsoft boosted gains, while Apple and Tesla lagged. Diversification remains key. Stay the course—volatility is the cost of strong long-term returns.

Jake Buckwalter
Jul 292 min read


The Death of the Dollar Has Been Greatly Exaggerated
The idea that the U.S. dollar is on the verge of collapse is largely hype. Despite rising debt and global tensions, no other currency offers the trust, liquidity, and stability of the dollar. The U.S. economy’s size, innovation, and rule of law keep it at the center of global finance. While headlines fuel fear, the dollar’s dominance remains strong. Long-term investors are wise to stay steady and not be swayed by doomsday predictions.

John-Mark Young
Jun 296 min read


The Bull Case for the U.S. Debt Situation: Why America's Balance Sheet Is Stronger Than It Seems
While headlines scream about rising U.S. debt, the real story might be more hopeful. From untapped national assets to a coming wave of AI-driven productivity, America’s balance sheet may be stronger than it seems. In this article, we explore why debt-to-GDP headlines don’t tell the full story—and why long-term investors can remain confident in the nation’s resilience and capacity to grow through innovation, strength, and strategic planning.

John-Mark Young
Jun 85 min read


The Importance of Offense and Defense in Challenging Markets
Creating Offense and Defense In Your Portfolio Is The Key To Success In Retirement Investing.

John-Mark Young
Apr 106 min read


Election 2024: Navigating Financial Plans Amid Political Uncertainty
How to think about the Presidential Election as it relates to my investment portfolio

John-Mark Young
Nov 3, 20245 min read


Why Investors Can Be Thankful After a Volatile Year
Psalm 100:4 - Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For those who live or...

John-Mark Young
Nov 21, 20235 min read


Israel War & My Portfolio: Pray, Give & Stay Disciplined
We truly are blessed in America. A phrase we often say but it's meaning takes on a crisper form when you can compare how easy our lives...

John-Mark Young
Oct 11, 20237 min read


WHAT THE HOPE OF A SOFT LANDING MEANS FOR THE FED AND INVESTORS
Hopefully, you'll excuse my two-week hiatus from "What We Learned in the Markets." I'll be back next week and better than ever when I...

John-Mark Young
Jul 23, 20235 min read


5 Key Insights to Guide Investors in 2023
2022 was a challenging year for investors. Markets fell into bear market territory and experienced the worst annual performance since...

John-Mark Young
Jan 31, 20235 min read
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