TCM BLOG

As we head into the final few weeks of the year, 2017 has been a banner year for stocks not just in the U.S., but around the world. Investors have been focused on the upbeat fundamentals – corporate profit growth sparked by economic gains at home and abroad. The U.S. economy grew at 3.3% in Q3, according to revisions released by the U.S. BEA. It’s the second quarter in a row that GDP has exceeded 3%, a feat that hasn’t occurred in the three previous years. As Q3 concludes, S&P 500 earnings are up a solid 8.4% versus a year ago, according to Thomson Reuters. And analysts are forecasting a return to double-digit earnings growth in 2018.

Since the turn of this century, there have been two major market meltdowns. The first one occurred between 2000 and 2002 with the bursting of the Tech Bubble when the S&P 500 dropped 49%. The other meltdown referred to as the Great Recession occurred from 2007 to 2009 when the stock market plummeted an astounding 57%. When was the last time you assessed whether your current portfolio mix is optimized to help you achieve your financial goals? If it’s been a while – or never – we should talk. Because there’s never a better time than today to ensure you and your portfolio are well-prepared for the next bear market.

Imagine one day having trouble with your smartphone. You contact your phone carrier for help, but they say you’re no longer a customer, and that you recently transferred your mobile phone account to another carrier. Voilà! You just became a victim of a growing cybersecurity threat—mobile phone account takeover. You can take five key actions now to protect your smartphone from hackers. As with all cybersecurity choices, you need to decide the level of security you want for your device. Implementing all of these options will give you the best protection, but even choosing just a few will significantly boost your cybersecurity and peace of mind.

There are many reasons to engage the services of a financial advisor. Some investors don’t understand the complexities and the array of choices, and they would prefer to have an expert deal with it for them. Retaining an advisor is akin to having a personal trainer coaching you as you go through your daily exercise regimen. The trainer keeps you on track, encourages you, and can suggest beneficial adjustments. But, while each person’s plan has its unique qualities, there are fundamental principles that must be woven into every financial blueprint.