SJS News
SJS Investment Services creates a weekly market update to summarize performance characteristics for major stock and bond indices.
As you look ahead to 2026, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the new financial and tax updates. To make things simpler, we want to highlight the key numbers to keep on your radar this year.
Gold has delivered eye-catching gains in recent years, surging past $4,000 per ounce this year and headlining financial media with talk of safe havens, inflation fears, and geopolitical uncertainty. This performance has increased investor enthusiasm, but history and research suggest caution.
The value of investment markets lies in the unknowable future. No one knows exactly what comes next - despite what some may claim. What we do know, grounded in academic research, is that valuations matter.
Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7, 2025) is the time to review your current healthcare coverage and make changes for the year ahead.
In this Outlook, we share an update on today’s markets and the new “Big Beautiful Bill,” plus stories about our SJS Book Club, new team members, and interns.
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].
While many of us were enjoying fireworks and family time over the July 4th holiday, something else quietly lit up the sky in Washington—Congress passed the long-anticipated One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). True to its name, this sweeping piece of legislation covers a wide array of tax and financial provisions designed to impact Americans at nearly every stage of life.
In our Quarterly Outlook, we reflect on 30 years of SJS with a letter from our Founder & CEO, share our latest investment insights, and highlight our continued commitment to community through SJS Cares. Plus, download a copy of our featured SJS Personal Information Organizer, which can serve as a comprehensive record of your essential family, financial, and personal information.
At SJS, we embrace the fact that great work can happen in the office or remotely. With four office locations and team members working across the country, flexibility isn’t just a benefit—it’s a strategic strength.
It’s no secret that the pace of innovation these days is supersonic. We all see the online videos of near-daily rocket launches and miraculous landings. And everyone seems to be asking the same question: how do we discern a good “innovation” from a not-so-good one?
Interest rates don’t always make headlines, but when they do, they tend to shake everything else. That’s because rates sit at the heart of the economy: they influence borrowing costs, savings yields, and business investment.
SJS Q1 2025 Outlook includes a market update, team highlights, SJS book club insights and important information on the social security fairness act.
The SJS Annual Report provides updates on the SJS Team, MarketPlus Investing®, SJS purpose, mission, & values, multi-family office services, and SJS community involvement.
At SJS Investment Services, we’re always looking for fresh perspectives on wealth and how it impacts families, communities, and future generations. On March 11, we attended an event at the Toledo Museum of Art’s Glass Pavilion, Next Generation Philanthropy: Purpose, Not Privilege, featuring a conversation between Kristen Keffeler, author of The Myth of the Silver Spoon and Aly Sterling Philanthropy.
Given recent price drops in US stocks, we wanted to offer our perspective on why maintaining discipline to target allocations may be one of the most important things we can do as investors.
While the returns on your investments are important, so is the safety of your personal information and assets.
To help you financially plan for 2025, we provide this resource with important numbers for the year.
As we begin the new year, we have some ideas for concrete actions to start your new year on the right foot, financially.
Stepping into 2025, SJS is filled with gratitude and excitement as we celebrate our 30th year serving you, our valued clients.
This Outlook includes a letter from Scott J. Savage on gratitude and excitement, what the yield curve means for you, planning financially for the new year, SJS puppy, and looking forward to Q1 2025.
Every four years, we get the same question (whether you have asked it, or you are thinking it) – how will the election affect my portfolio?
As we approach the end of the year, we want to highlight some important financial items to review before the new year.
This Outlook includes our discussion of election time, financial to-dos before the end of the year, new SJS Perrysburg office, SJS Team updates, and looking forward to Q4 2024.
As I approach my 40th anniversary as a financial advisor, I can't help but look back on the road I've traveled.
While people commonly hold their cash within checking and savings accounts, we want to highlight three short-term, interest-bearing investments that can be held within your investment account.
This Outlook includes Founder & CEO Scott J. Savage’s gratitude for your 40 years of trust, how you can earn more interest on your cash, welcoming new SJS Team members, and looking forward to Q3 2024.
When working with investment managers, we want them to share that same client-first philosophy and sit on the same side of the table with us.
We want to emphasize some best practices that can help us work together to ensure your information and assets remain safe.
This fall, we had the pleasure of working with Isaac Saffold, an intern from Georgetown University. Isaac joined us through a meaningful connection — he was referred by the Georgetown football coach, as SJS Senior Advisor Andrew Schaetzke also played on the team. It’s a great example of how strong relationships open doors and create opportunities.
SJS Investment Services is proud to be #11 on CNBC’s 2025 Financial Advisor (FA) 100 list, an annual ranking of registered investment advisory (RIA) firms within the United States.[1]
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in the Forbes / SHOOK 2025 list of America’s Top RIA (Registered Investor Advisor) Firms.
In this Outlook, we share an update on today’s markets and the new “Big Beautiful Bill,” plus stories about our SJS Book Club, new team members, and interns.
Elizabeth began working at SJS in August 2025 as an Investment Analyst in the Chicago office, primarily supporting Tom Kelly, SJS’s Chief Investment Officer. Her responsibilities include investment research, portfolio analysis, performance monitoring, and client/advisor support.
SJS Investment Services has earned recognition in Financial Advisor Magazine’s 2025 Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Ranking, an annual ranking of registered investment advisory firms in the United States.
In our Quarterly Outlook, we reflect on 30 years of SJS with a letter from our Founder & CEO, share our latest investment insights, and highlight our continued commitment to community through SJS Cares. Plus, download a copy of our featured SJS Personal Information Organizer, which can serve as a comprehensive record of your essential family, financial, and personal information.
We’re proud to share that Scott J. Savage, Founder and CEO of SJS Investment Services, has once again been recognized by the Forbes / SHOOK 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors ranking.
SJS Q1 2025 Outlook includes a market update, team highlights, SJS book club insights and important information on the social security fairness act.
The SJS Annual Report provides updates on the SJS Team, MarketPlus Investing®, SJS purpose, mission, & values, multi-family office services, and SJS community involvement.
We are thrilled to welcome our new Marketing Director, Rae Navarre, to the SJS team! Rae brings extensive experience in branding and strategic marketing to the firm.
Stepping into 2025, SJS is filled with gratitude and excitement as we celebrate our 30th year serving you, our valued clients.
This Outlook includes a letter from Scott J. Savage on gratitude and excitement, what the yield curve means for you, planning financially for the new year, SJS puppy, and looking forward to Q1 2025.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in CNBC’s 2024 FA 100 list, an annual ranking of registered investment advisory (RIA) firms within the USA.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in the Forbes / SHOOK 2024 list of America’s Top RIA (Registered Investor Advisor) Firms.
We are proud to share our new office location in the historic River House building at 115 West Front Street, Perrysburg, OH 43551!
This Outlook includes our discussion of election time, financial to-dos before the end of the year, new SJS Perrysburg office, SJS Team updates, and looking forward to Q4 2024.
We would like to welcome Ryan Stoller to the SJS Team! Ryan serves SJS and our clients as an Associate Advisor.
We asked SJS interns Elizabeth Molique and Isabelle Szenderski to write a summary of what they did throughout the summer.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in Financial Advisor Magazine’s 2024 Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Ranking, an annual ranking of independent investment advisory firms within the United States.
As I approach my 40th anniversary as a financial advisor, I can't help but look back on the road I've traveled.
This Outlook includes Founder & CEO Scott J. Savage’s gratitude for your 40 years of trust, how you can earn more interest on your cash, welcoming new SJS Team members, and looking forward to Q3 2024.
We would like to welcome Robert Schaefer to the SJS Team! As an Advisor, Robby works with both individual and institutional clients.
SJS Investment Services Founder & CEO Scott J. Savage has been recognized in the Forbes / SHOOK 2024 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in Ohio ranking, as part of a ranking of wealth advisors within the United States.
The Outlook includes our evolving MarketPlus® Investing philosophy by standing on the shoulders of giants, and ways to help protect your personal information and financial assets. We also highlight The Ability Center and look forward to Q2 2024.
The SJS Q4 2023 Outlook includes our insights on small town values, MarketPlus® Investing, and planning financially for the new year. We also highlight new SJS Team members and look forward to Q1 2024.
We would like to welcome Jeff Lewis to the SJS Team! Jeff is an Associate Advisor, working alongside Senior Advisors to serve our clients.
Most recently part of the SJS Team from 2018 to 2021, we are thrilled to say that Molly LaClair has decided to re-join the SJS Team as an Associate Advisor!
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in the Forbes / SHOOK 2023 list of America’s Top RIA (Registered Investor Advisor) Firms.
The SJS Q3 2023 Outlook includes our insights on gifting and charitable contributions as well as U.S. real estate. We also look forward to Q4 2023.
Insights
Community Involvement
SJS began sponsoring an Assistance Dog at The Ability Center in Sylvania, Ohio. Assistance Dogs help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence.
For five graduating high school Seniors who shadowed us recently, we asked each student to write a summary of what they learned during the week.
One of The Ability Center’s services is the Assistance Dog training program, which helps individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence.
Isn’t this picture magical? It's Main Street in Sylvania, Ohio, the small town where I founded SJS over 28 years ago!
In addition to family gifting, many individuals support giving to organizations that aim to help their communities. We highlight some strategies to make the most of your giving dollars.
International Samaritan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is working to break the chains of poverty and improving lives, particularly within garbage dump communities worldwide.
The SJS Mission is to empower you to build a better life. That extends to our teammates, clients, and community members.
Leadership Toledo is an organization that connects individuals with the community, engaging and involving them with initiatives that make the Toledo region a great place to live, work, and enjoy.
The mission of Courageous Community Services is to provide meaningful, inclusive opportunities for individuals with disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, and engaging recreational experiences.
We asked each student to write a summary of what they learned during the internship, which we share here. We thank Kleiston, CJ, Beckham, and Zach for spending their internship with us, and we wish them well going forward!
Further expansion, connection, and exceptional maintenance of existing Metroparks will continue to elevate our region in the eyes of the world and in the hearts of those who call Toledo home.
These are stories of achievement that can only come through caring enough about you, your communities, and the world to give our time, financial support, our passion to offer a helping hand to those in their time of need.
For two graduating high school Seniors who shadowed us recently, we asked each student to write a 2-3 paragraph summary of what they learned during the week.
Inspired by many clients throughout the years, SJS Team Members are encouraged to “pay it forward“ with their time, talents, and resources to advance the missions of worthy non-profit organizations.
For three graduating high school Seniors who shadowed us recently, we asked each student to write a 2-3 paragraph summary of what they learned during the week.
I love Toledo, Ohio. There are so many great businesses in this area, and the least I can do is to support them. Here is a list of local gifts that I usually consider.
For nonprofits, less than 50% of donations come from the previous year’s donors. Here are 7 ways to potentially inspire more giving to your favorite nonprofit.
Restoring, preserving, protecting: It’s no coincidence that the tenets that I believe make for good environmental strategy also may make for a good financial strategy.
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Market Movements Q2 2020: The Sequel
In our estimation and experience, most predictions are largely speculative and unreliable. The only prediction we are prepared to make is based on historical evidence that prices/economies tend to recover after economic shocks.
By SJS President Kevin Kelly, CFA.
EQUITY MARKETS
Last quarter, global markets experienced a synchronous drop in equity asset classes. Investors around the world arrived at lower market valuations that included falling revenues and newly identified risks. We can now offer a more encouraging picture as a rising trend has been evident in the same asset classes during the second calendar quarter:
Source: Morningstar.com, July 1, 2020. Equity asset classes are considered representative by SJS Investment Services based on actual results of institutional mutual funds within these categories (DFQTX, DFIEX, DFCEX, and DFGEX). Actual performance for each client may be different. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.
As of June 30, 2020, the quarterly gain in major equity asset classes spanned a positive range of 12 to 22%.
THOSE DOGGONE PREDICTIONS!
It is worth re-stating that in our estimation and experience, most predictions are largely speculative and unreliable. The only prediction we are prepared to make is based on historical evidence that prices/economies tend to recover after economic shocks.
But we acknowledge that things can get worse from here and the current upward trend is in no way guaranteed to continue. Predicting where the dog at the end of the leash will go is range-bound at best…and even then, the dog can sometimes break his leash!
Investments, by their nature, are unpredictable. Yet we continually strive to manage your investments so that you can have the confidence that your MarketPlus® portfolio has been trained at obedience school!
If you ever find the investment markets make you “uncomfortable,“ let us do the worrying for you, so you can focus on the people and causes that matter most to you. We are always here for you, to lend an ear, to listen, and assist!
Important Disclosure Information:
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. There is no guarantee investment strategies will be successful. Diversification neither assures a profit nor guarantees against a loss in a declining market. MarketPlus Investing® models consist of institutional quality mutual funds. Mutual fund investment values will fluctuate, and shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than original cost.
Indices are not available for direct investment. Their performance does not reflect the expenses associated with management of an actual portfolio. The performance of the indices was obtained from published sources believed to be reliable but which are not warranted as to accuracy or completeness.
Hyperlinks to third-party information are provided as a convenience and we disclaim any responsibility for information, services or products found on websites or other information linked hereto.
Suggested Reading
SJS Investment Services is proud to be #11 on CNBC’s 2025 Financial Advisor (FA) 100 list, an annual ranking of registered investment advisory (RIA) firms within the United States.[1]
Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7, 2025) is the time to review your current healthcare coverage and make changes for the year ahead.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in the Forbes / SHOOK 2025 list of America’s Top RIA (Registered Investor Advisor) Firms.
SJS Q1 2025 Outlook includes a market update, team highlights, SJS book club insights and important information on the social security fairness act.
The SJS Annual Report provides updates on the SJS Team, MarketPlus Investing®, SJS purpose, mission, & values, multi-family office services, and SJS community involvement.
To help you financially plan for 2025, we provide this resource with important numbers for the year.
The yield curve isn’t just an academic concept; it impacts real-life decisions.
As we begin the new year, we have some ideas for concrete actions to start your new year on the right foot, financially.
SJS began sponsoring an Assistance Dog at The Ability Center in Sylvania, Ohio. Assistance Dogs help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence.
Stepping into 2025, SJS is filled with gratitude and excitement as we celebrate our 30th year serving you, our valued clients.
This Outlook includes a letter from Scott J. Savage on gratitude and excitement, what the yield curve means for you, planning financially for the new year, SJS puppy, and looking forward to Q1 2025.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in CNBC’s 2024 FA 100 list, an annual ranking of registered investment advisory (RIA) firms within the USA.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in the Forbes / SHOOK 2024 list of America’s Top RIA (Registered Investor Advisor) Firms.
Every four years, we get the same question (whether you have asked it, or you are thinking it) – how will the election affect my portfolio?
As we approach the end of the year, we want to highlight some important financial items to review before the new year.
This Outlook includes our discussion of election time, financial to-dos before the end of the year, new SJS Perrysburg office, SJS Team updates, and looking forward to Q4 2024.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in Financial Advisor Magazine’s 2024 Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Ranking, an annual ranking of independent investment advisory firms within the United States.
As I approach my 40th anniversary as a financial advisor, I can't help but look back on the road I've traveled.
While people commonly hold their cash within checking and savings accounts, we want to highlight three short-term, interest-bearing investments that can be held within your investment account.
This Outlook includes Founder & CEO Scott J. Savage’s gratitude for your 40 years of trust, how you can earn more interest on your cash, welcoming new SJS Team members, and looking forward to Q3 2024.
For five graduating high school Seniors who shadowed us recently, we asked each student to write a summary of what they learned during the week.
One of The Ability Center’s services is the Assistance Dog training program, which helps individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence.
When working with investment managers, we want them to share that same client-first philosophy and sit on the same side of the table with us.
We want to emphasize some best practices that can help us work together to ensure your information and assets remain safe.
The Outlook includes our evolving MarketPlus® Investing philosophy by standing on the shoulders of giants, and ways to help protect your personal information and financial assets. We also highlight The Ability Center and look forward to Q2 2024.
SRDAX is a shining example of the value alternatives can bring to traditional stock and bond strategies.
As we begin the new year, we have some ideas for concrete actions to start your new year on the right foot, financially.
Isn’t this picture magical? It's Main Street in Sylvania, Ohio, the small town where I founded SJS over 28 years ago!
The SJS Q4 2023 Outlook includes our insights on small town values, MarketPlus® Investing, and planning financially for the new year. We also highlight new SJS Team members and look forward to Q1 2024.
To help you financially plan for 2024, we provide this resource with important numbers for the upcoming year.
Grocery Stores And Equilibrium
As Americans, we have a history of navigating uncertainty and innovating our way through challenges. I believe we will get to the other side of the COVID-19 challenge together and grow through the process.
By SJS Founder & CEO Scott Savage.
Monday, I ran into a supermarket for the first time since our collective world changed with the addition of the word “Coronavirus” to our lexicon. I was struck by certain sections of the market:
Organic produce
Rice
Beans
Bottled water
Toilet paper (of course)
They were decimated by nervous shoppers. Many times in my life I’ve experienced similar “runs on the grocery store” when weather, terrorist attacks, past pandemics, and other “exogenous” events occurred. Our limbic (fight or flight) brains kick in to protect ourselves, and we behave in a way that may seem irrational to a casual observer.
At that moment in the supermarket I felt a strong parallel to the stock market, where nervous investors have decimated many sectors of the market as their limbic brains have triggered a “sell everything” reaction to recent events. And while I understand the desire to act on these emotive responses, my experience tells me that this can be a mistake.
I have seen these emotions and corresponding behaviors before. Notably in 1987’s “Black Monday”, 1998’s “Asian contagion”, 2000’s “tech wreck”, 2001’s “9/11”, and of course the 2008/2009 “great recession”. The “why” behind these stock market routs occurred were all different, but what made them similar was FUD: Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt. And the collective response of investors led to steep market declines. But ultimately, in every case, an economic recovery led to higher markets.
And while this time could be different, the risk I believe we will simply have to endure once again is “how long” will the current reality last? Nobody knows for certain, but I personally envision a time in the not too distant future when the supermarkets will be well stocked, and order will return to the economic system and the stock market.
As human beings, and Americans, we have a history of navigating uncertainty and innovating our way through challenges. I believe we will get to the other side of the COVID-19 challenge together and grow through the process.
Good health and safety to you and your loved ones in the meantime.
Suggested Reading
SJS Investment Services is proud to be #11 on CNBC’s 2025 Financial Advisor (FA) 100 list, an annual ranking of registered investment advisory (RIA) firms within the United States.[1]
Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7, 2025) is the time to review your current healthcare coverage and make changes for the year ahead.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in the Forbes / SHOOK 2025 list of America’s Top RIA (Registered Investor Advisor) Firms.
SJS Q1 2025 Outlook includes a market update, team highlights, SJS book club insights and important information on the social security fairness act.
The SJS Annual Report provides updates on the SJS Team, MarketPlus Investing®, SJS purpose, mission, & values, multi-family office services, and SJS community involvement.
To help you financially plan for 2025, we provide this resource with important numbers for the year.
The yield curve isn’t just an academic concept; it impacts real-life decisions.
As we begin the new year, we have some ideas for concrete actions to start your new year on the right foot, financially.
SJS began sponsoring an Assistance Dog at The Ability Center in Sylvania, Ohio. Assistance Dogs help individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence.
Stepping into 2025, SJS is filled with gratitude and excitement as we celebrate our 30th year serving you, our valued clients.
This Outlook includes a letter from Scott J. Savage on gratitude and excitement, what the yield curve means for you, planning financially for the new year, SJS puppy, and looking forward to Q1 2025.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in CNBC’s 2024 FA 100 list, an annual ranking of registered investment advisory (RIA) firms within the USA.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in the Forbes / SHOOK 2024 list of America’s Top RIA (Registered Investor Advisor) Firms.
Every four years, we get the same question (whether you have asked it, or you are thinking it) – how will the election affect my portfolio?
As we approach the end of the year, we want to highlight some important financial items to review before the new year.
This Outlook includes our discussion of election time, financial to-dos before the end of the year, new SJS Perrysburg office, SJS Team updates, and looking forward to Q4 2024.
SJS Investment Services has been recognized in Financial Advisor Magazine’s 2024 Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) Ranking, an annual ranking of independent investment advisory firms within the United States.
As I approach my 40th anniversary as a financial advisor, I can't help but look back on the road I've traveled.
While people commonly hold their cash within checking and savings accounts, we want to highlight three short-term, interest-bearing investments that can be held within your investment account.
This Outlook includes Founder & CEO Scott J. Savage’s gratitude for your 40 years of trust, how you can earn more interest on your cash, welcoming new SJS Team members, and looking forward to Q3 2024.
For five graduating high school Seniors who shadowed us recently, we asked each student to write a summary of what they learned during the week.
One of The Ability Center’s services is the Assistance Dog training program, which helps individuals with disabilities achieve greater independence.
When working with investment managers, we want them to share that same client-first philosophy and sit on the same side of the table with us.
We want to emphasize some best practices that can help us work together to ensure your information and assets remain safe.
The Outlook includes our evolving MarketPlus® Investing philosophy by standing on the shoulders of giants, and ways to help protect your personal information and financial assets. We also highlight The Ability Center and look forward to Q2 2024.
SRDAX is a shining example of the value alternatives can bring to traditional stock and bond strategies.
As we begin the new year, we have some ideas for concrete actions to start your new year on the right foot, financially.
Isn’t this picture magical? It's Main Street in Sylvania, Ohio, the small town where I founded SJS over 28 years ago!
The SJS Q4 2023 Outlook includes our insights on small town values, MarketPlus® Investing, and planning financially for the new year. We also highlight new SJS Team members and look forward to Q1 2024.
To help you financially plan for 2024, we provide this resource with important numbers for the upcoming year.