As of April 7, 2025, the Dow Jones Industrial Average has seen large swings, including a drop of over 2,200 points just days ago on Friday, April 4th. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq have followed suit, with futures tanking in after-hours trading as investors learn of President Trump’s latest tariff announcements. The Cboe Volatility Index (VIX), Wall Street’s “fear gauge,” has spiked to levels we have not seen in nearly 6 months.
A Glance At 2020 So Far; Investment Committee Commentary From Independent Solutions
The Financial Guys
A Glance At 2020 So Far; Investment Committee Commentary From Independent Solutions
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The first half of 2020 is now behind us an the Investment Committee at Independent Solutions have written various commentaries to talk about the first 6 months and what they think will happen in the near future. The Independent Solutions Investment Committee Commentary is now available for you and your clients. You can access these pieces by clicking the buttons below for each committee members commentary column. They will also be made available on the News & Updates section of our website www.iswealthmanagement.com.
Paul Meeks, CFA | 2020 July Commentary
After a rip-roaring second quarter in which my technology stocks (as measured by the return on the NASDAQ 100) climbed +30% despite the pandemic, it would make sense that the market would cool off and maybe even give back some of its gains. I am a contrarian, but I am also betting on this outcome for the second half of 2020. That is, I expect that stocks will trade in a range albeit one that is wider than normal given the continued uncertainty around COVID. I think that we must wait at least until September for the market’s next “tell.”
READ MORE
John Thur, CFA | Is This Real?
We are six months into a turbulent 2020, having experienced a worldwide pandemic, a 35+% fall in stock prices, a (0.31%) yield on the 10 year U.S. Treasury Note, a three month shutdown of the economy and an imminent recession to follow. Amazingly, the stock market value on June 8th was almost on top of its value on 12/31/2019.
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Dan Neiman, CIO | Halfway Through The Most Interesting Year
What an interesting year we’ve had so far. January kicked off with a relatively strong start, but the last week of February, with fears of the coronavirus spreading across the world, sent equity markets into a downward spiral. Near the end of March we literally hit rock bottom, but somehow the markets ignored the continued spread of Covid-19, protests, political, countries being closed to travel, and states now going back to closing certain areas of the economy, to have the best quarterly performance in decades.
READ MORE
Investment Advisory Services offered through Independent Solutions Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser.
All opinions expressed Paul Meeks are solely Meeks’ opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Independent Solutions Wealth Management, LLC (“ISWM”). You should not treat any opinion expressed by Meeks as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of his opinion for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice, an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product; or an endorsement of any third party or such third party’s views. Meeks opinions are based upon information he considers reliable, but neither ISWM nor its affiliates and/or subsidiaries warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. Meeks, ISWM, its affiliates and/or subsidiaries are not under any obligation to update or correct any information provided on this website. Meeks statements and opinions are subject to change without notice. No part of Meeks compensation from ISWM is related to the specific opinions he expresses. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Neither Meeks nor ISWM guarantees any specific outcome or profit. You should be aware of the real risk of loss in following any strategy or investment discussed. Strategies or investments discussed may fluctuate in price or value. Investors may get back less than invested. Investments or strategies mentioned may not be suitable for you. This material does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for you. Before acting on information, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and strongly consider seeking advice from an investment adviser.
“Securities offered through Peak Brokerage Services, LLC. Member FINRA /SIPC , Advisory services offered through Independent Solutions Wealth Management LLC., an SEC Registered Investment Adviser.
The Financial Guys and Independent Solutions Wealth Management LLC. are not affiliates of Peak Brokerage Services, LLC.”
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Short-Term Struggles, Long-Term Strength: Why Gen Z Should Bet on Themselves
With economic stress and market conditions constantly shifting, most of this generation feels like they are playing a never-ending game of catch-up.
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Securities offered through Peak Brokerage Services, LLC. Member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Independent Solutions Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser.
Securities are offered through Peak Brokerage Services, LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC. Independent Solutions Wealth Management, LLC and are separate and independent entities from Peak Brokerage Services, LLC.
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The Financial Guys
A Glance At 2020 So Far; Investment Committee Commentary From Independent Solutions
Share this post
The first half of 2020 is now behind us an the Investment Committee at Independent Solutions have written various commentaries to talk about the first 6 months and what they think will happen in the near future. The Independent Solutions Investment Committee Commentary is now available for you and your clients. You can access these pieces by clicking the buttons below for each committee members commentary column. They will also be made available on the News & Updates section of our website www.iswealthmanagement.com.
Paul Meeks, CFA | 2020 July Commentary
After a rip-roaring second quarter in which my technology stocks (as measured by the return on the NASDAQ 100) climbed +30% despite the pandemic, it would make sense that the market would cool off and maybe even give back some of its gains. I am a contrarian, but I am also betting on this outcome for the second half of 2020. That is, I expect that stocks will trade in a range albeit one that is wider than normal given the continued uncertainty around COVID. I think that we must wait at least until September for the market’s next “tell.”
READ MORE
John Thur, CFA | Is This Real?
We are six months into a turbulent 2020, having experienced a worldwide pandemic, a 35+% fall in stock prices, a (0.31%) yield on the 10 year U.S. Treasury Note, a three month shutdown of the economy and an imminent recession to follow. Amazingly, the stock market value on June 8th was almost on top of its value on 12/31/2019.
READ MORE
Dan Neiman, CIO | Halfway Through The Most Interesting Year
What an interesting year we’ve had so far. January kicked off with a relatively strong start, but the last week of February, with fears of the coronavirus spreading across the world, sent equity markets into a downward spiral. Near the end of March we literally hit rock bottom, but somehow the markets ignored the continued spread of Covid-19, protests, political, countries being closed to travel, and states now going back to closing certain areas of the economy, to have the best quarterly performance in decades.
READ MORE
Investment Advisory Services offered through Independent Solutions Wealth Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Adviser.
All opinions expressed Paul Meeks are solely Meeks’ opinions and do not reflect the opinions of Independent Solutions Wealth Management, LLC (“ISWM”). You should not treat any opinion expressed by Meeks as a specific inducement to make a particular investment or follow a particular strategy, but only as an expression of his opinion for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice, an offer to buy or sell any security or insurance product; or an endorsement of any third party or such third party’s views. Meeks opinions are based upon information he considers reliable, but neither ISWM nor its affiliates and/or subsidiaries warrant its completeness or accuracy, and it should not be relied upon as such. Meeks, ISWM, its affiliates and/or subsidiaries are not under any obligation to update or correct any information provided on this website. Meeks statements and opinions are subject to change without notice. No part of Meeks compensation from ISWM is related to the specific opinions he expresses. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Neither Meeks nor ISWM guarantees any specific outcome or profit. You should be aware of the real risk of loss in following any strategy or investment discussed. Strategies or investments discussed may fluctuate in price or value. Investors may get back less than invested. Investments or strategies mentioned may not be suitable for you. This material does not take into account your particular investment objectives, financial situation or needs and is not intended as recommendations appropriate for you. Before acting on information, you should consider whether it is suitable for your particular circumstances and strongly consider seeking advice from an investment adviser.
“Securities offered through Peak Brokerage Services, LLC. Member FINRA /SIPC , Advisory services offered through Independent Solutions Wealth Management LLC., an SEC Registered Investment Adviser.
The Financial Guys and Independent Solutions Wealth Management LLC. are not affiliates of Peak Brokerage Services, LLC.”
Share this post
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