What a difference a quarter makes! Just a few months ago, the outlook felt very different. A new administration had taken office, bringing with it talk of tax cuts and job growth. Fast forward to today, and the tone has shifted. Global trade is facing disruption as efforts ramp up to bring manufacturing jobs back to the U.S. Right now, investors seem skeptical about how effective it will be.

This past quarter was a challenging one for stock investors. And while that can feel unsettling, it’s also how markets work. Volatility and pullbacks are a normal part of the investing journey. When markets dip, it naturally sparks fear, uncertainty, and questions about what’s next.

But here’s the important part: prices adjust in anticipation of what’s coming. The market is forward-looking—it reacts not just to today’s headlines but to expectations about how those developments will affect future earnings. That’s why it’s so important to stay grounded. Letting short-term emotions drive long-term decisions is rarely a winning strategy.

Perspective is key. Yes, this quarter was down—but we’re coming off a strong stretch in the past couple of years. Market cycles include ups and downs, but over time, growth tends to win out. And despite today’s uncertainties, there are still many powerful forces working to support long-term company value and earnings growth.

There’s an old saying: “Save like a pessimist, invest like an optimist.” It’s a helpful reminder that while we may be surrounded by negative headlines, there’s also plenty of potential upside we can’t yet see. The unknowns might just surprise us—in a good way.

Ultimately, the most important thing is to align your portfolio with your short, medium, and long-term goals. Investing should be driven by your needs, not by economic forecasts or market predictions.

If anything in your life or goals has changed—or if you’re just feeling uncertain—now’s a great time to connect. Let’s sit down, talk it through, and make sure your plan is still aligned with where you’re headed.