It’s been hard to miss the wave of attention-grabbing headlines lately. News cycles have been dominated by concerns over Big Tech’s earnings, trade tensions, and a potential economic slowdown in 2025. Even seasoned investors can feel uneasy when faced with headlines like these.

Companies that have long driven market trends have seen their earnings expectations fall this quarter.¹ Meanwhile, the presidential administration’s increasing focus on tariffs over tax cuts could affect costs for businesses and consumers.²

When uncertainty piles up, it’s natural to ask: Should I be doing something different?

The truth is that uncertainty is part of investing. While past performance is not indicative of future results, there are practical steps you can take to avoid letting anxiety dictate your financial decisions:

1. Take a Step Back from the Headlines – News outlets thrive on drama, but short-term market movements often don’t reflect long-term trends. Avoid making investment decisions based on fear-driven news cycles.

2. Focus on Your Personal Plan – Your portfolio is built around your financial goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon – not today’s headlines. If your strategy was solid last month, it’s likely still solid today.

3. See Volatility as a Natural Part of Investing – History has shown that markets fluctuate, with periods of volatility often followed by recovery over time (however, future outcomes are not guaranteed). Selling out of fear may lock in losses, while patient investors tend to benefit over time.

4. Check Your Emotions Before Making Moves – If you’re feeling anxious, resist the urge to react impulsively. Instead, talk to your advisor (that’s what we’re here for!) before making any major decisions.

5. Ask Questions & Stay Engaged – If you’re concerned about how market conditions impact your investments, let’s discuss it. Stay informed but don’t act out of fear.

2025 will bring economic shifts, evolving government policies, and global uncertainty. But these are not new challenges. Markets have weathered far worse, and long-term investors are usually rewarded for staying patient. (Over the last 97 years, 94% of 10-year periods in the U.S. stock market were positive.³)

Don’t forget: Market commentary reflects broad trends, but individual portfolios perform differently based on factors like risk tolerance, asset allocation, and investment objectives. If your results don’t mirror the headlines, that’s okay—it doesn’t mean your plan isn’t working as intended.

Let’s connect if you have specific concerns or life changes that could impact your financial strategy. Your investment plan should give you confidence, not stress.

If you have questions about your situation, give us a call at 517-435-4040 or email us to discuss your needs.

Sources:

1. Yahoo Finance, 2025 [URL: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/big-tech-grip-market-shows-175717723.html]

2. Bloomberg, 2025 [URL: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-02-10/prioritizing-trade-wars-over-tax-cuts-creates-risk-for-us-economy]

3. Capital Group, 2023 [URL: https://www.capitalgroup.com/individual/planning/investing-fundamentals/time-not-timing-is-what-matters.html]

Richmond Brothers, Inc. is an SEC-Registered Investment Adviser.

Content prepared by Snappy Kraken. 

This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. 

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. 

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