Dear Clients,

Spring has arrived, and with it comes sunshine, new growth, and a sense of hope. We anticipate the impact of Covid decreasing in our daily lives, and some of you may already be feeling that! We look forward to hearing about your summer adventures, whatever they may be.

New Team Member: We are pleased to announce a new addition to our team, Megan Miller. Megan joins us from the accounting world and will be a valuable asset to our firm as her role develops. Read below for more information on Megan.

Market Review: By the end of the first quarter, global markets had turned in some very solid performance numbers on their way to new record highs. The themes that drove the markets in the first quarter were positive economic data, the passing of another stimulus package, and more COVID vaccines being distributed worldwide. Although stocks did well, bond markets had a tough first quarter due to higher interest rates.

What’s to come: While we do not have a crystal ball :), due to the above-average gains in stocks over the last few years and relatively high current valuations, we would not be surprised to see a short-term stock market correction in the near future, especially if the newly opened economy experiences some growing pains. Keep in mind that while attempting to “time” the markets is never a good long-term strategy (see the article linked below that quantifies the perils of trying to time the market), we will be taking advantage of the next market drop by rebalancing the portfolios to “Buy Low & Sell High” in increments over time. We are not relying on our ability to predict future market swings, only taking advantage of the ups and downs along the way.

Below we’ve included an in-depth market report and an upcoming webinar around college planning hosted by Julia Surtshin. We recently met with Julia, who works with parents and students, to choose the right college. She may be a great resource for you or someone you know looking at college options. There is also a list of some upcoming fun activities for you to check out.

Thank you for allowing us to partner with you on your journey,

The IFS Team