Welcome to the First Edition of Golden Spread Journal. At Golden Spread Wealth, we know that staying grounded is harder when markets are moving fast and the headlines won’t quit. That’s why we’re launching the Golden Spread Journal—a monthly newsletter focused on steady, long-term thinking in a world full of noise.
In this first edition, we talk about:
- Why short-term market swings aren’t the signal—and how a solid financial plan keeps you anchored when things get choppy.
- What history tells us about the impact of tariffs on markets, featuring an insightful article from Wes Crill, PhD, and Kevin Green, PhD of Dimensional.
Our goal is simple: offer practical perspective, cut through the noise, and help you stay focused on what works over time. Let’s get into it.
—Evan
When Markets Get Loud, Here's What Keeps Us Grounded
We've seen markets rise and fall plenty of times. And if you've been invested for a while, you've probably noticed a pattern: when things get bumpy, the noise gets louder.
You'll hear theories, predictions, breaking news, and worst-case scenarios. It's enough to make even seasoned investors second-guess what they thought they knew.
That's why this message isn't about predicting where things go next. It's about what helps us stay calm, focused, and committed when everything around us seems to be reacting—or overreacting.
What's Really Behind Market Moves?
When markets dip, there's no shortage of blame to go around. One day it's tariffs. The next it's interest rates. Then it's jobs data, tech earnings, or global politics.
But here's the truth: markets are messy. There's never just one reason they go up or down. They're influenced by thousands of moving parts, all shifting at once.
Trying to make sense of it in real time usually leads to more stress—not more clarity.
Volatility Isn't the Problem—It's Part of the Process
Ups and downs are not a flaw—they're a feature.
Volatility is what allows long-term investors to earn better returns over time. It's the cost of the ride, and no one gets a smooth trip.
Think about it:
- 1987: The market dropped 22% in a day.
- 2008: A financial crisis pulled the rug out from under everything.
- 2020: A pandemic rattled every corner of the economy.
Each one felt like it might be the end of the road. But each time, the market came back. That's not blind optimism—it's a pattern backed by history. And it's why we stay invested through the noise.
The Right Portfolio Makes All the Difference
When we build your investment plan, it's not based on what the market is doing this week or this quarter. It's built to match your goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon.
That's why portfolio design matters. If your mix of stocks, bonds, and cash is aligned with what you're working toward, then temporary swings won't throw you off course.
Financial planning also takes into account that markets will have good years and bad. That's not a surprise. That's the reality we prepare for—on purpose.
Planning Helps You Manage More Than Just Money
Markets donʼt just move your account balance—they can move your emotions.
When headlines scream and numbers fall, the urge to “do somethingˮ can be strong. But a custom financial roadmap gives you something more powerful than quick decisions: perspective.
You donʼt need to respond to every market move. You need a plan that holds up, even when the market doesnʼt. Thatʼs what we help you build—and more importantly, what we help you stick with.
Our Process: Built for Times Like These
At Golden Spread Wealth, we donʼt chase trends. We follow a steady, proven process:
Discover & Assess - We listen first. We want to understand your values, goals,
and comfort with risk.
Clarify & Strategize - Together, we shape a strategy that reflects your needs— not the marketʼs mood.
Design & Implement - We build your portfolio, align your financial plan, and put your strategy to work.
That process is what keeps us grounded. Itʼs how we stay clear-headed when markets get noisy. And itʼs how we help you do the same.
Final Word: Stay Steady. Weʼre With You.
Market volatility will always come and go. But a disciplined plan, a thoughtful portfolio, and a steady advisor can help you stay the course.
If recent headlines have you wondering what to do next, weʼre here to talk. But just remember: success in investing isnʼt about reacting to what just happened — itʼs about sticking with the plan you built for the long term.
Headlines Change. Your Strategy Shouldn't.
Why smart investors donʼt chase the news cycle
In this monthʼs featured article from Wes Crill, PhD, and Kevin Green, PhD, of Dimensional, the focus is on tariffs—and how markets have a way of seeing past the headlines. Their piece, “Tariff Trepidation,ˮ looks back at the U.S.- China trade tensions during the Trump administration and points out that, despite the drama, markets in both countries posted strong returns. The lesson?
Markets are forward-looking. By the time news hits the front page, prices have often already moved.
That same principle applies today. Every few weeks, it seems like thereʼs a new headline stirring up anxiety in the markets. Tariffs. Elections. Rate hikes. Global tensions. You name it.
Right now, tariffs are back in the news—and theyʼre getting the blame for recent market wobbles. Itʼs easy to zero in on one issue and assume itʼs the root of all the volatility. But thatʼs rarely the full story.
Markets donʼt respond to just one event. Theyʼre constantly digesting a mix of information: inflation trends, interest rate expectations, consumer data, corporate earnings, and political developments around the globe. Trying to explain market moves with a single headline is like trying to explain the weather by looking at one cloud.
A Look Back: Tariffs and Market Resilience
Crill and Green point out that during the 2018-2020 tariff battles, investors had plenty to worry about. Yet despite the uncertainty, both the U.S. and Chinese stock markets outperformed many global peers.
Why? Because markets anticipate. They price in expectations long before policies are finalized or reported. By the time investors react to the news, the market has often already moved on.
Donʼt Chase the News—Trust the Process
Thatʼs why successful investing isnʼt about responding to the latest headline. Itʼs about staying disciplined, focused, and diversified.
Markets are uncertain by nature. You donʼt win by guessing right—you win by building a strategy that can weather uncertainty. And a key part of that strategy is diversification.
Diversification: Your Built-In Shock Absorber
Being diversified means not putting all your chips on one country, one industry, or one economic outcome. Instead, you spread your investments across different regions, sectors, and asset classes.
That way, if one part of the world or one market segment hits a rough patch, your entire portfolio isnʼt thrown off course.
Diversification doesn't guarantee gains. But it helps reduce risk and smooth the ride—especially when the headlines turn dramatic.
Final Word: Stay Focused on What Works
Itʼs tempting to react when the news feels urgent. But investing is about probability, not prediction. Your best odds of long-term success come from discipline, not quick moves.
So when the headlines heat up, remember: the real strategy isnʼt found in the news—itʼs in your plan. And if your plan is built to last, you donʼt need to change it every time the story shifts.
The article below, by Wes Crill, PhD, and Kevin Green, PhD of Dimensional, offers perspective on how tariffs—and the headlines that come with them— have historically impacted markets.
Tariff Trepidation by Wes Crill, PhD & Kevin Green, PhD - Dimensional
One of the focal points following the presidential election is the potential for an increase in tariffs applied to goods produced outside the US. Many investors have wondered what this could mean for markets. One period offering perspective on this issue is President Trumpʼs first term in office. Beginning in 2017, the administration eyed China as a target and, by 2018, began imposing tariffs across a range of products. The next couple of years saw back and forth trade discussions that eventually led to an agreement, though pre-existing tariffs remained in place. Despite all this uncertainty, both China and the US posted higher cumulative returns than the MSCI World ex USA Index over the four years of Trumpʼs term. Markets are forward looking, and the economic impact from initiatives such as tariffs is likely already reflected in current market prices. When these expected developments come to pass, the effect on markets may be muted.
Disclosure:
Golden Spread Wealth is a Registered Investment Advisor (RIA) registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. The information in this newsletter is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment, tax, or legal advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.