A white background with a few lines on it

Compound Interest

Christopher Liong • March 22, 2024

Small changes now can lead to large impacts in the future. Compound interest is the interest you earn on interest. Small differences in the present rate can lead to big differences in the multiplier effect down the line.

A graph and a table are shown on a white background
By Christopher Liong March 10, 2025
“Stagflation and Tariffs and Bears! Oh, My!” In the Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man are venturing into the dark forest, they discuss what types of animals they might encounter. In fearing this unknown danger, they start singing “Lions and Tigers and Bears! Oh My!” This fear of the unknown has investors and markets a bit on edge as of late, given the aggressive and unorthodox approach the new administration has been utilizing to carry out promises made during the campaign. We will try to address some of these concerns and, as always, emphasize the long-term view and more of a focus on growth fundamentals, as the market ultimately returns to that. Concerns. #1 Stagflation. The Wikipedia definition of Stagflation is the combination of high inflation, stagnant economic growth and elevated unemployment. While in the very near term, the concerns about tariffs driving prices higher may be valid and the headlines around egg prices due to bird flu are pushing prices higher, there are more prices actually on the decline which we expect to continue, such as gasoline prices, consumer technology, used cars, eating away from home (fast casual and restaurants), clothing, toys and many other food items.
By Christopher Liong January 13, 2025
“Winners never quit and quitters never win.” – Vince Lombardi Happy New Year to all! We wish everyone a safe, healthy and prosperous year and hope that 2025 has gotten off to a good start as we look forward to what the year has to bring. In honor of Quitter’s Day (the second Friday of January when many people abandon their resolutions for the New Year) and the start of NFL Playoffs, we start with this quote. After a nice bounce post-election in the S&P 500, the market has since settled and is roughly flat since November 5, 2024. This newsletter will have a slightly different format to start the year, as we review the year that was and discuss some things to look out for in 2025. 2024 Year in Review Below are the full year returns of various indices (including dividends) through 12/31/24.
2024 Election
By Christopher Liong November 6, 2024
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution of the United States of America.” - Preamble to the United States Constitution After months of political rhetoric, back and forth accusations and approximately $16b spent on advertising, the results are finally in, and investors can now refocus on policies and the direction of growth for our country. These words should remind us what OUR great country was built on and that we will always find a way to not only succeed, but thrive. Elections.  With the potential for a Republican sweep, the US Dollar has jumped to a new three-month high, interest rates are up, the price of oil is down and bitcoin surged to a new all-time high of over $75k. Historically, the market has rallied between Election Day and year-end on average...
Share by: