My family and I recently traveled to Florida for Spring Break. Traveling as a mom with three young boys is, well, noisy. It’s a mix of so many questions, snack requests, and the occasional brotherly spat. My trick? Noise-canceling headphones! I get on that plane, find a movie of interest, and what do you know—I no longer hear the whining about how long it's taking or the feuding over the window seat and armrest.
To say 2025 has started out noisy feels like an understatement. With talks on tariffs, DOGE, Ukraine and Russia peace talks, MAHA, interest rates, and the continued battle with inflation, the list goes on—it sure is LOUD! And it all has happened so fast. We are only three months into the year, and so much has happened, and the stock market has moved with it.
Sometimes, we have to put on our noise-canceling headphones and tune out the loudness around us.
We can't predict the future, nor should we try, but we can build in defenses and hold on to what we know to be true—diversification is working (international and fixed income are supporting the portfolios) and there is ALWAYS noise to point to when it comes to the state of our economy and stock market. In these turbulent times, it's crucial to stay focused on long-term goals and not be swayed by short-term noise.
We are here to guide you through these uncertain times. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can navigate the noise and stay on track towards your financial goals.
Read on to hear more about the Markets and Economy, Planning updates, and a few of our upcoming events to be on the lookout for!
After three attempts last week and over the weekend to write this portion of the newsletter, we ultimately settled on delaying until the last minute to analyze every current bit of information before we put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard). As of April 7th at 2:45 pm, here is what we know:
On April 2, 2025, President Trump announced a sweeping set of tariffs, referred to as "Liberation Day" tariffs. These tariffs include a 10% duty on practically all goods imported into the United States, with even higher rates for countries that have significant trade deficits with the U.S. For example, tariffs on goods from the European Union are set at 20%, while Chinese goods face a total tariff of 54%.
Negotiation Talks and Timeline
Negotiation talks have begun, but the timeline for resolution remains uncertain. We have seen how swiftly the markets are moving on headline news announcements and it re-enforces the importance of sticking to owning high quality investments through bouts of volatility as any news announcement could spark a pop to the upside without warning, leaving you on the sideline.
Market Declines and Diversified Portfolios
Market declines, such as the recent pullback, are a normal part of market cycles. While they can be unsettling, it's important to stay focused on long-term goals. What is happening in the markets is not necessarily the same level of volatility you are experiencing within your own investment accounts. A well-diversified balanced portfolio can help mitigate risks and provide stability during volatile periods.
Headline Noise vs. Long-Term Investments
To date, the S&P 500 is down approximately 14% year to date, as we type. A correction of this nature, while uncomfortable, is not unrealistic and we historically see it occur every 16 months. It's crucial to differentiate between short-term market movements driven by headline news and the long-term performance of your investments. While headlines can cause temporary volatility, the underlying fundamentals of a well-diversified portfolio are designed to weather such fluctuations. Staying disciplined and focused on your long-term strategy is key to achieving your financial goals.
While the S&P and NASDAQ show noisy stock market movements, not every client is affected by these drastic movements. Diversification is key in investing and the foundation of your portfolios. By spreading investments across different asset classes and regions, investors can reduce risks and lessen the impact of market fluctuations.
For instance:
There are no guarantees in the near-term performance of any asset class. A long-term perspective is crucial, as short-term, panic-driven decisions rarely help your overall goal. A well-diversified portfolio can help ensure that when one category struggles, others help pick up the slack. Bonds, international stocks, and buffered ETFs in your portfolios have been doing just that!
At Family Legacy Wealth Partners, we believe in the ripple effect—how a simple act of showing up, sharing a moment, or supporting a cause can stretch far beyond the initial gesture. Just like your actions influence your family, neighbors, and community, our events are designed to reflect that same spirit: connecting, appreciating, and giving back.
This year, we’re continuing to evolve our events to be more than just gatherings. They’re opportunities—to come together, to create joy, and to make a meaningful impact.
Thanks to your incredible support, we made a significant difference through various initiatives in 2024. We appreciate the impact you have made with Family Legacy Wealth Partners and the other organizations you participated in. We look forward to continuing our efforts to better our communities in 2025.
Our Annual Client Event (A.C.E.) is heading to the lanes for an unforgettable evening of fun, food, and community impact! This free, family-friendly bowling night will include:
🎳 Bowling & Shoe Rental – On Us 🍕 Pizza & Drinks – On Us 🧒 Teams of 5–Adults and Kids Welcome💖 You Bowl, We Give.
Whether you're planning a family outing or a fun night with friends, we invite you to build a team, hit the lanes, and help us give back. Bring your besties, your neighbors, or your little ones—everyone is welcome to join the fun!
Your participation directly supports two charities. Whether you enter a raffle or score a bingo win, our company will make a donation based on your activity. Plus, bingo winners get to choose which charity FLWP donates to!
So, grab your crew, lace up those bowling shoes, and join us for a night that’s all about connection, celebration, and community impact.
Stay tuned—more details and sign-up info coming soon!
Any opinions are those of Family Legacy Wealth Partners and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Raymond James and its advisors do not offer tax or legal advice. You should discuss any tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected, including diversification and asset allocation. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. stock market. The NASDAQ composite is an unmanaged index of securities traded on the NASDAQ system.
