
Third Quarter 2023
Market review
A new phone scam to be aware of
Ideas for new skills to learn
Dear Friends,
We hope this edition of our newsletter finds you well and filled with some fresh hope as we turn our attention to the New Year. The continued challenges in our world are well documented. However, we celebrate all we have learned and overcome during this season. We continue to remind each other that there are always reasons to be thankful. At the top of our list is the privilege of partnering with you on your financial journey!
This newsletter includes a detailed market review of 2021, which ended up being another year of strong returns across most asset categories. The start of 2022 has shown some reversals of the upward trends we’ve experienced during the past three years. We certainly have potential headwinds to overcome going forward (Covid, rising interest rates, inflation, labor shortages, supply chain issues, etc.). We would not be surprised by a more significant stock market correction, along with downward volatility, if for no other reason than recent returns have been lofty and unsustainable.
Against this challenging backdrop, however, we are optimistic about the future. Our long-term investment horizon and portfolio rebalancing allow us to take advantage of market adjustments and invest in areas that we believe will prosper over the coming years.
We hope and pray for many beautiful moments for you and your families in 2022,
The IFS Team
In a nutshell, 2021 (just like 2020) saw markets crest to new highs all year long, with a few volatility spikes scattered throughout. And despite those spikes in volatility and a few worrisome pullbacks, there were not too many market scares. But we did see notable economic activity: unemployment numbers steadily declining throughout the year, more government stimulus programs, better-than-expected GDP numbers, a very active and aggressive Federal Reserve, surging oil prices, historically high inflation readings, and a continued-red-hot-housing market.
Virtual Event – Jan 27 at 7:30 am
Our community, businesses, and economy are beginning to recover from the pandemic. However, businesses face new challenges as we move into recovery: the shortage in the workforce, economic uncertainty, and access to capital. Join us, Thursday, January 27, as we present the labor market trends & forecast, what the economy holds for 2022, and how the pandemic has impacted entrepreneurs & startups.
Market review
A new phone scam to be aware of
Ideas for new skills to learn
Market review
Summer home maintenance
What’s happening
Market commentary
Schwab/TD Ameritrade merger
Contribution deadline
What’s happening
2022 market commentary
2023 perspectives to consider
Last year’s market predictions
RMD and contribution changes
Valentine date ideas