We get it. When markets move fast, it’s tempting to think we should move faster. Whether it's a sudden dip or a rally making headlines, market timing can feel like the smart (or even necessary) play. But more often than not, trying to time the market leads to missed opportunities, emotional decisions, and unnecessary risk.

We believe in focusing on what we can control: building a strategy that aligns with your goals, time horizon, and life… and not market headlines.

 

The Allure of Market Timing

Market timing is the attempt to predict when to get in or out of the market to maximize gains or avoid losses. Sounds smart, right?

The problem? Even the most experienced investors get it wrong. Markets are influenced by a complex mix of factors: interest rates, economic data, global events, and even investor psychology. Predicting the right move at the right time, consistently, is next to impossible.

In fact, studies show that missing just a few of the market’s best days can drastically reduce long-term returns.

📊 For example: From 2003 to 2023, the S&P 500 returned over 9% annually. But if you missed just the 10 best days in that 20-year period? Your return drops to 5%.

 

Time Horizon: The More Reliable Approach

Instead of trying to guess when to invest, we focus on why you're investing—and for how long.

Your time horizon is the length of time you expect to hold an investment before needing the money. Whether you're saving for retirement in 20 years, sending a child to college in 10, or planning a vacation in 2, your time horizon helps determine:

• How much risk is appropriate
• What mix of investments makes sense
• When and how to make adjustments

With a long-term view, temporary downturns become less threatening and more like what they truly are - normal parts of the journey.

 

Market Timing vs. Time Horizon: Side-by-Side

Topic	Market Timing	Time Horizon
Emotion-driven?	Often reactive and emotional	More stable and intentional
Success rate	Inconsistent—even for experts	Stronger long-term reliability
Stress level	High (requires constant decisions)	Lower (guided by strategy)
Outcome	Frequently underperforms	Historically more consistent

 

Staying Invested = Staying Empowered

Here’s the truth: market volatility is unavoidable. But with a sound financial plan that’s built around your goals and time horizon, volatility doesn’t have to derail your progress.

We help our clients:

✅ Tune out the noise
✅ Stay disciplined through all market cycles
✅ Make confident decisions based on their why, not the market’s what

Because your future isn’t built on guessing games. It’s built on thoughtful, long-term strategy.

 

Need to revisit your plan?
If recent market headlines have made you uneasy, let’s talk. Sometimes a simple check-in is all it takes to reaffirm that you're on the right path or to make a small adjustment that aligns with your current goals.

 

 

 

 

 

This presentation is not an offer or a solicitation to buy or sell securities. The information contained in this presentation has been compiled from third-party sources and is believed to be reliable; however, its accuracy is not guaranteed and should not be relied upon in any way whatsoever. This presentation may not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and does not give investment recommendations. Any opinion included in this report constitutes our judgment as of the date of this report and is subject to change without notice.

 

Additional information, including management fees and expenses, is provided on our Form ADV Part 2 available upon request or at the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website, www.adviserinfo.sec.gov. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.