One of the hardest aspects of this crisis is this social distancing required between you, us, friends, neighbors, colleagues, even our families! In difficult times, America’s greatest strength has come from pulling together to generate the ingenuity, resilience and tenacity that solves problems and creates opportunities. We’ll overcome this crisis even from six feet apart, if necessary.
One thing we want you to remember as you watch the markets and the news: Working together, we have the inner strength and fortitude to survive this market storm.
This is a market storm that we have long prepared for by making smart, responsible decisions about allocating assets and diversifying holdings. We based your portfolio on strategic investment strategies that have protected investors for years, and they are protecting you now.
No one knows when the recovery [health and financial] will occur. We are monitoring the markets and your investments with extreme diligence to keep your portfolio well-positioned for the recovery when it does occur.
Prosperous days will come again. They always do. This time will be no different.
Let us leave you with a story that illustrates how we view market downturns and explains our mission in managing your portfolio:
Years ago, a farmer, whose fields stretched along the eastern seaboard, was looking for hired hands. It wasn't easy because people were reluctant to work on the Atlantic coast. They dreaded the raging storms that wreaked havoc on buildings and crops. Finally, a middle-aged man applied for the job. The farmer asked: "Are you a good farmhand?" The man answered: "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows." Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer hired him.
Then, late one night, the Atlantic wind began howling in from offshore, and the farmer rushed next door to the hired man’s sleeping quarters. He shook the man, yelling, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!" The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No, sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows." Concerned, the farmer hurried outside to prepare for the storm and he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins, the cows were in the barn, the chickens in their coops, the doors barred, and the shutters tightly secured. Everything was tied down; nothing would blow away.
The farmer returned to his bed, and the sound of the storm wind lulled him to sleep.
We like to think that we are the hired hand who keeps you, your financial goals and your portfolio safe while the wind blows. We hope you think so, too, and if there is anything we can do to “help you sleep,” please do not hesitate to reach out.
We are here for you…24 X 7.