Economic and Market Considerations

The purpose of the Stifel Investment Strategy Group is to provide general portfolio insights based on current and future economic and market conditions and overlay that information with targeted asset allocation strategies.

Your personal investment strategy is based on several key factors that are specific to you, your family, or your organization, etc.  We are in a very unusual place in terms of our personal wealth.  It used to be if stocks were down, our bond portfolio was strong. If the value of our homes was flat or declining, the investing markets were strong.  Now, we look at our personal balance sheets and see that, in some cases, everything is down.  Investors who have a plan are better able to make informed decisions - they have an added measure of discipline that non planners just do not share.  Why not use every advantage available to be a successful investor?  

If you take the time to develop an investment strategy with a financial advisor, you may be better informed in order to make tactical decisions during market upswings and downturns. 

Determining the timeframe in which you will need to access the funds (for a particular goal) is a great place to start.  Then ask yourself, what rate of return do I need to fund this goal in the time allotted?  This will help you establish what mix of stocks, bonds, and cash will form the base of your investment portfolio.

Your financial advisor will guide you through the asset class selection process.  This is a highly delicate balance of assets used to help you pursue your long-term goals and potentially mitigate portfolio risk. 

These steps may help you to weather very troubling market conditions and show discipline when the market is strong.

In my opinion, investors who choose to invest without a clear plan are "playing" the market not "investing" in the market.  Through Stifel, you have access to financial planning and retirement planning resources, estate planning services, and nationally recognized research.  I work with portfolio managers to regularly review my clients' portfolios and keep my clients up to date on their performance and objectives. 

For a customized investment strategy, call my office directly at (412) 456-0207, or e-mail me at Valerie.Lyle@Stifel.com.

For general investment information, please view our research page at www.stifel.com.

Asset allocation does not ensure a profit or protect against loss.