Bellwether Investment Management

Ironically, long-term investment returns aren't dependent on election outcomes. History has demonstrated that bull and bear markets are equally likely regardless of the party holding the oval office. In fact, the ideal outcome for investors is typically when the head of state has less sway. A split Congress dilutes both sides of the aisle, leading to fewer radical policies and reduced pressure on companies to adjust to new challenges. Rather than wrestle with legislative landslides, they can focus on much more impactful conditions to grow profits and reward investors—such as the state of the economy, monetary policy, global trade, and other critical factors.

While best-selling author Thomas Deans, Ph.D. covered a broad range of topics that often go unnoticed during estate planning procedures, there were three key takeaways that stood out from our recent client webinar. Estate planning should bring families closer, not divide them. Having a trusted advisor facilitate meetings can drive outcomes. Transparency and clear communication are vitally important. 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘏𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘐𝘯𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳 is filled with helpful insights, and once you and your Family Wealth Advisor have identified what matters most for your legacy, you can establish the framework for an estate plan that uplifts generations, not just individuals.

With regulatory burdens and industry challenges on the rise, advisors have been short on their most valuable asset—time. In anticipation of a more difficult environment, Bellwether was founded on the principle of giving more freedom to industry professionals, and we've made investments in our platform so advisors don't have to. With compliance specialists, keen analysts, veteran portfolio managers, and dedicated marketing members on your side, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘸𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘧𝘦 is a simple promise: When you partner with us, you don't have to decide between reaching your goals and helping clients achieve theirs—you'll have the freedom to do both. #wealthmanagement #financialservices #professionalgrowth #partnerforsuccess

Though difficult, sitting down and reflecting on what matters most is worthwhile. Setting goals that inspire you can make all the difference by giving you the confidence, direction, and motivation to build the future you're most excited for. People commonly discuss the value of reaching your objectives, but rarely do they consider how to establish them in the first place to set yourself up for success. Today's subject, as part of our Financial Literacy series, hopes to change that. https://lnkd.in/e7tfMPCd

Last month, the U.S. Federal Reserve pivoted to reduce interest rates by a sizable half percentage point. Craig Ellis unpacks these developments from the viewpoint of a seasoned portfolio manager, offering valuable perspectives on market reactions as well as possible reasons for the Toronto Stock Exchange's surprising outperformance of the S&P 500 for the second consecutive month.

As we continue to grow, reinvesting into our company becomes even more important for our long-term success. We’re on the lookout for a Family Wealth Advisor to be part of that success. https://lnkd.in/d-P3zxxC #hiring #jobopening #careeropportunity #financejobs #investmentmanagement #careers

As we round the corner on Q3, now may be an opportune time to also look back on the past to see what 2024 and beyond hold for investors. ● The U.S. Federal Reserve ("Fed") has delivered long-awaited and well-received interest rate cuts. ⤷ With inflation trending in the right direction, the U.S. Federal Reserve ("Fed") pivoted towards supporting labour markets, a key driver for economic prosperity and dollar velocity. As one of the most influential central banks, the market impacts were noteworthy and almost immediate. ● For most, it's been a rewarding year—equities have excelled and bonds have recovered from a lengthy struggle. ⤷ Although the Magnificent Seven certainly deserve their name, market concentration is subsiding as more interest rate sensitive sectors benefit from looser monetary policy. ⤷ While it's encouraging to see traditional fixed income strategies on the mend, our proactive, innovative approach has consistently rewarded our clients with tidy returns. ● The U.S. presidency is soon to be settled, and as rhetoric, polarization, and emotions run high, so too may short-term volatility. ⤷ While the Trump-Harris faceoff seems to dominate headlines, it's worth noting that election outcomes have rarely—and surprisingly—had any meaningful impact on long-term market performance. ⤷ Wisdom suggests that investors should remind themselves that voting happens at the ballot box, not the portfolio—attempting to "time" markets often disservices long-term planning. Broadly speaking, investors have discounted a highly optimistic outlook. While they certainly have good reason from a factual perspective—inflation trending lower, interest rate reductions, likelihood of a soft landing—there are still several unknowns at play, ranging from geopolitical tensions to the knock-on effects of higher-for-longer interest rates. Equal weight should be given to both frames of thought. While we maintain our core belief that continued strength in labour markets alongside a slow-growth economy and moderate interest rate reductions should support fixed income and stock prices over the next year, it's vital that we recognize that various uncertainties could invite heightened volatility. This isn’t something to be fearful of, but rather, prepared for through enhanced diversification, prudent risk management, and client-first portfolio management.

Ultimately, your priorities and aspirations in life are subject to change based on what phase of life you’re in. From one stage to the next, we’re here to support you in everything you do. When you achieve one goal, we’re already looking at how we can help you reach your next one. Learn more in our latest blog https://lnkd.in/eidSyFUF

Cooking Thanksgiving dinner is time-consuming, sensitive, and most importantly, something that brings the whole family together. In a similar vein, family wealth is a labour of love that's built up over decades of hard work, but many people often neglect to have a conversation about what comes next. Whether it's taking the time to check in on newly minted university freshmen or asking what everyone is grateful for and what they may need to help them get ahead, Thanksgiving is a rare opportunity to sit down with your loved ones and understand their needs, struggles, and dreams. In yesterday's The Globe and Mail publication, Janine Guenther, CFA, CMT and her industry peers discuss strategies for having open, transparent discussions across the dinner table to enrich the family across generations.

September, possibly emulating August's pattern, started with a brief stock selloff but concluded with new all-time highs. With fixed income yields falling in tandem, both major asset classes rewarded investors in kind. Several factors contributed to market performance this month, but they can largely be classified into two groups. • North American influences: The U.S. Federal Reserve cut interest rates as they shifted their focus from taming inflation to supporting labour markets. • Global developments: The Chinese government has implemented aggressive stimulus measures to revive an economy that's been stalked by deflation since last year. Equity markets have started broadening out. Sectors more sensitive to interest rates (real estate, utilities, and financials, for example) have begun to acclimatize to more forgiving monetary policy. Underlying earnings growth within the Magnificent Seven continues to impress despite slowing down from lightspeed, but the important consideration here is that the gap has closed because others are catching up, not index leaders plummeting. Overall, the combination of a shift toward other sectors and declining bond yields has demonstrated the importance of diversification.