By Allen Giese, CLU®, ChFC®, ChSNC®
It’s always encouraging to see positive investment results, and lately, the numbers have given us reason to smile. It’s natural to feel reassured when markets move in the right direction and our portfolios reflect that progress. But while strong returns are always welcome, it’s equally important to remember why we invest in the first place.
At Northstar, our focus has never been on winning the next quarter. Our clients’ goals—and our strategies—extend well beyond that. Yet it can be easy to forget when nearly every headline and market update seems to treat short-term news as make-or-break: the latest jobs report, a Federal Reserve meeting, or one company’s earnings release.
The truth is that short-term movements often matter far less than they seem. The real value of an investment portfolio comes from owning shares of great companies around the world—businesses that provide the essential goods and services people depend on every day. That steady demand doesn’t disappear just because prices fluctuate for a while. And by investing across broad asset classes instead of betting on individual winners, we help reduce the risk that any single company’s fortunes will derail long-term results.
What truly matters is aligning your investments with your life goals so that your assets can support the lifestyle you want and last throughout your lifetime. Historically, ownership in a well-thought out, well-diversified portfolio of global equities and bonds has been one of the most effective ways we know to do that.
When we eventually experience a slower year or a market pullback (and we certainly will), we need to remind ourselves that successful investing isn’t about the last three months—or the last year. It’s about maintaining discipline, patience, and perspective.
Some years will be great. Others, not so much. But over time, the long view has rewarded those who stay focused on what counts: their goals, their plan, and the progress that unfolds steadily over years, not weeks.
As always, thank you for your continued trust and confidence.