Fans
This could be a long and painful year.
As of this writing, the Milwaukee Brewers are 0-4. The number of pitchers they have on the injury list exceeds the runs they have scored in three out of those four games. They are, on average, surrendering 12 runs per game.
The only good news right now is that their record is not the worst in baseball. The former Milwaukee Braves who currently reside in Atlanta are 0-5.
So, the first 2.5% of the season has gone about as poorly as anyone could expect. What do you do? Give up and tune out? Or do you cheer harder to get them back on track?
That depends on whether you are a fair-weather fan or a real fan.
Real fans support their teams through thick and thin. They may boisterously disagree with management decisions, creatively manage a list of convenient excuses, and emotionally ride glimmers of hope that ebb and flow to an unpredictable cadence. However, their passionate support for their team can never be questioned regardless of their recent performance.
Fair-weather fans will cheer their team on whenever they are doing well. They may act like real fans occasionally, but when the chips are down they are nowhere to be found. Their attention span belongs to whatever is winning in the moment rather than committing to a team they can call their own.
So which type of financial markets fan are you?
Real fans commit to an investment risk budget aligned with their financial plan and then diligently follow their plan. They understand that sometimes the financial markets will have some significant losing streaks along the way, but they continue to follow their plan with disciplined rebalancing and maybe even opportunistic buying.
Fair-weather fans make no commitments and have no plans. They are subject to whatever captures their attention in the moment – frequently jumping on whatever bandwagon has recently been “hot” just in time for it to slump. Fair-weather fans are unburdened by discipline or purpose and are swayed solely by their wild emotional responses to news headlines about the recent past.
It sure looks like it could be a bit rough for both the Brewers and the financial markets this year. We encourage you to be a real fan and keep rooting for your team through whatever pitching or tariff challenges they may face. If you happen to know any fair-weather fans that could use a great coach, our advisors are willing to teach them through the ins and outs of being a real fan.
Quote of the week: Yogi Berra: “In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. But, in practice, there is.”
Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through IAG Wealth Partners, LLC, (IAG) a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.
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Past performance is not guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and can’t be invested in directly. The modern design of the S&P 500 stock index was first launched in1957. Performance back to 1950 incorporates the performance of the predecessor index, the S&P 90.
Any opinions are those of IAG and not necessarily those of LPL Financial. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. This information is not intended as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security referred to herein. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. Investing involves risk including loss of principal.
The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.
There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.
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