Do you remember when AOL was the internet? When hearing “You’ve got mail” felt like a small event, and logging on meant you were connected to the future?

2025 closed out with global stock markets delivering another remarkable year, capping one of the strongest three-year stretches in stock market history. The April correction now feels like a distant memory as tariff shocks came and went.

Each quarter, we create an outlook that covers topics including general investment market conditions, financial planning considerations, and SJS news.

As we discussed in our last blog post, Congress passed the long-anticipated One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). True to its name, this legislation covers a wide range of tax and financial provisions. And for business owners in particular, the impact is meaningful [1].

The end of the year provides a great time for us to reflect on recent experience to divine lessons to help us going forward.

History has shown that over long periods of time, gold has often failed to outpace inflation, even before considering fees.

As advisors and professional investors, we hold vivid memories of the times when markets are volatile and bear markets ensue.

We explore what is a recession, how the US stock market has performed before and after a recession, and how an investor can prepare for recessions.

Series I Saving Bonds provide many of the benefits of TIPS, but may be even more beneficial during times of heightened inflation.

Global stock and bond markets have been tested by inflation many times in the past, and these markets have historically demonstrated their resilience in providing returns higher than inflation over time.

In my opinion, investing is arguably the most competitive field in the world. So what differentiates a great investor from the rest?

We believe that trying to time when to get in and out, or what to buy and sell, represents little more than gambling.

Rising interest rates are not always a bad thing. As interest rates move higher, the drop in value can be concerning, but in the longer-term, higher rates mean higher expected returns for investors, as bonds begin to produce more income.

On the conflict in Ukraine, how that may impact investment markets, and what you can control within your investment portfolio.

As anyone who was looking to purchase or sell a home in 2021 knows, the US real estate market grew a lot in value in 2021. Will this continue?

China has been growing rapidly from an economic perspective. So what’s happening with the Chinese stock markets?

There will always be something to worry about, but with the right portfolio design and disciplined approach, you can whether almost any storm.

SJS uses our 2021 Capital Market Expectations to help design a portfolio that is appropriate for you, and to share insights from the SJS Investment Committee.

We don’t think that growing revenue, growing profits, or undervaluation can adequately explain GameStop’s valuation growth. Instead, we think short-term price speculation explains the majority of the dramatic growth.

Ignorance is bliss. At least that’s how we feel about the markets in 2020. The person who did not look at the news or troubles of the world was rewarded with an incredible year in the markets.