Despite technical damage to market indexes, many factors point to the bull market’s return. However, if economic stagnation becomes the new norm, probabilities rise sharply for a secular bear.

Professionals like Buffett have a plan for when they must sell an investment—average investors do not. They would benefit from working with advisors offering disciplined investment methodologies.

Jeffrey McAvaddy believes in a “well-rounded approach” to his clients’ overall financial health. His firm’s overall goal is articulated as “Helping clients protect, grow, use, and bestow their assets.”

Market risk can come out of left field. But what about business risk? Advisors need to understand the key differences between the kinds of risk managed for clients and risks to their advisory model.

The Fed has been clear in its virtually unlimited support of the credit markets. Despite equity market uncertainty and volatility, it is currently hard to have an overly negative view of risk assets.

Behavioral biases influence all investors, often at a significant cost. There are tools that advisors can use to identify and reduce the impact of biases—both for themselves and for their clients.

While there are “experts” on either side of the market, financial advisors should avoid focusing on forecasts. Their most important task is keeping clients on track with a disciplined investment plan.

During the height of the pandemic, excess capacity and lack of demand destroyed crude oil pricing. While oil has since rebounded, technical analysts were not surprised to see oil’s drastic plunge.

A holistic approach to financial planning should be accompanied by a similarly holistic approach to investment management, using multiple layers of diversification and risk management.