An Inferno & Your Temperature
“Our city is on fire! We need to evacuate. Our home is gone…burned to the ground!”
These were the exclamations from friends and family in Los Angeles. As the expression goes, “there are no words”.
What can we do besides offer sorrow and sympathy? Contribute. Many legitimate charities such as American Red Cross, Salvation Army, and LA Fire Department Foundation, to name a few, who help victims. Just like the Bel Air fire in the sixties, the Woolsey, Napa, Ventura-Santa Barbara fires, and the Maui fire last year…LA will recover and rebuild. For those of us who are unscathed and our lives uninterrupted, we hope for a fast recovery for those who are scarred for life.
We have big changes in Washington. We hope for a better world from our new leaders.
The markets stumbled out of the blocks this year but have now steadied. After a fantastic 2024 in which the S&P 500 grew 24%, this year the major indices are up about 2%.[i] Which investments will be best in the new political environment? Will proposed tariffs and different international policies promote certain sectors? What laws may change that could affect our taxes? As Yogi Berra said, “it’s tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”[ii] Two investment strategies we know will work in any political arena: “Buy low, sell high” and “Buy good Investments and let them grow.”
The winners at the Golden Globes this year included Zoe Saldana, Demi Moore, Jean Smart, Jessica Gunning, Anna Sawai, and Kieran Culkin. “Emilia Perez” and “The Brutalist” took the top prizes for the best motion pictures. Ohio State beat Notre Dame to win the College Football Championship. The final four teams vying for the Super Bowl are Washington, Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Kansas City. Where are the West Coast teams?
We have attached a client survey to this report. Please take a few minutes to help us take your temperature and to determine your priorities. We are always looking for ways to improve and to do better for you.
Thank you for your continued trust and confidence.
Mitch Fisher & Ryan Fisher
[i] JP Morgan Asset Management Weekly 1/20/25