This July marks the 36th year of Shark Week, an annual week-long event featuring shark-based programming including documentaries, videos, and podcasts.
As apex predators, sharks predictably follow certain patterns related to how they hunt prey and when they migrate. Their unpredictable behavior occurs when they’re reacting to abrupt changes in their environment or stimuli, like sudden movement or the presence of an unexpected threat or potential meal.
Financial markets function with similar principles of predictability and unpredictability. Predictably, markets follow certain trends and cycles, so investors can usually foresee long-term market movements based on historical data and known economic conditions. However, like sharks, markets can also be highly unpredictable, reacting to unforeseen events related to political events or natural disasters.
With markets, like sharks, short-term unpredictability tends to yield to longer-term certainty, rewarding investors for their patience and perseverance.
Articles of Interest
Q4 2024 Market & Economic Commentary
In Q2 2024, markets were volatile due to monetary policies and elections. Equities dipped in April but rebounded in May and June, with the S&P 500 reaching new highs. Bonds faced challenges, while commodities—particularly metals and rubber—rose.
The Federal Reserve is considering rate cuts amid mixed economic signals, with employment improving and inflation declining. The oil market surged due to geopolitical tensions. The GDP had a slight downward revision, impacting future economic decisions.
Risk tolerance remains crucial for investors, highlighting the importance of a long-term perspective despite short-term market fluctuations.
Global Diversification Still Requires International Securities
Investors often ask if globally diversified stock portfolios are necessary when the U.S. stock market has many multinational companies or those earning revenues from non-U.S. countries.
What Kind of Retiree Will You Be?
When it comes to planning for retirement, determining your personal identity and associated goals is an important (and often overlooked) step.
11 Money Habits Financial Experts Wish More People Would Cultivate
Whether you’re saving to buy a house, planning for retirement, or looking to feel financially secure, building the right habits helps ensure you have the tools you need to accomplish your goals.
25 Best Watermelon Recipes You Should Try This Summer
Watermelon is nearly ubiquitous with summer. From salsas to salads, here are some ideas for how to enjoy this summer fruit.
Advisory services offered through KCPAG Financial Advisors LLC and insurance services offered through KCPAG Insurance Services LLC, subsidiaries of Kemper Capital Management LLC. Tax services offered through Kemper CPA Group LLP.
Symmetry Partners, LLC is an investment advisory firm registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or excluded or exempt from registration requirements. Registration of an investment adviser does not imply any specific level of skill or training and does not constitute an endorsement of the firm by the SEC.
No one should assume that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, product, or non-investment-related content made reference to directly or indirectly in this newsletter will be profitable. You should not assume any discussion or information contained in this email serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice. Symmetry does not provide tax or legal advice and nothing either stated or implied here should be inferred as providing such advice. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions.
Investors cannot invest directly in an index. Indexes have no fees. Historical performance results for investment indexes do not reflect the deduction of transaction and/or custodial charges or the deduction of an investment management fee, the occurrence of which would have the effect of decreasing historical performance results. Actual performance for client accounts will differ from index performance.
