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brian johnson
February 2019 Market Update
By Brian Johnson, Chief Investment Officer and Shareholder Summary: News has swung to the positive side, with many of the previous uncertainties having been resolved. This, coupled with the Fed’s policy shift towards patience in raising rates, has led to markets rallying and nearing former highs. We’ll likely use pullbacks or corrections as opportunities to…
Read More January 2019 Market Update
Written by Brian Johnson, Chief Investment Officer Summary: The fourth quarter of 2018 was a nasty one for stocks. Through it, we have maintained our defensive positioning. We expect U.S. stock returns over the next 10-15 years to be substantially worse than the last 10 years. However, bond, cash, and international stock returns are projected to improve.…
Read More December 2018 Market Update
Written by Brian Johnson, Chief Investment Officer Summary: The current market decline has yet to show signs that it is bottoming out. It is likely, therefore, that we’ve further to go on the downside before stocks begin moving meaningfully higher again. We’re glad that we reduced risk/stock exposure in our strategies twice this year –…
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‘We expected more tailwinds’: RIAs’ best (and worst) investment calls
Brian Johnson, Chief Investment Officer, and Doug Custer, CFP® were featured today in an article by Citywire who spoke with leading RIAs about their 2018 highs and lows—as well as their hopes for the quickly upcoming 2019. Click here to read it.
Read More November 2018 Market Update
Written by Brian Johnson, Chief Investment Officer Summary: It’s been hard to find positive returns in 2018. We’ve made a number of allocation updates within our models to respond to the evolving landscape. If market and economic indicators continue deteriorating in the weeks and months ahead, we may reduce risk even more. Logistically, getting in…
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Pay-For-Performance Funds Cropping Up
Brian Johnson, our Chief Investment Officer, was featured in a Barron’s article today discussing active management. Read it here: https://www.barrons.com/articles/pay-for-performance-funds-cropping-up-1541519816
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New Funds Take Pay Cut If They Can’t Beat the Market
Brian Johnson, our Chief Investment Officer, was featured in a Wall Street Journal article today discussing technology stocks. Read it (subscription required) here: https://www.wsj.com/articles/new-funds-take-pay-cut-if-they-cant-beat-the-market-1541419200
Read More October 2018 Market Update
Written by Brian Johnson, Chief Investment Officer Summary: Equity markets had a solid 3rd quarter, but they have become much more volatile recently. The bond market looks to have ended its 35+ year bull run (interest rates falling, bond prices rising). The recent volatility is a reminder of the importance of rebalancing portfolios. After a…
Read More September 2018 Market Update – A Few Thoughts
Written by Brian Johnson, Chief Investment Officer Summary: U.S. stocks (equities) remain in a secular (10-20 year) bull trend. International markets have not done as well recently, but they remain attractive for long-term investors. In lieu of an analysis of one aspect of the market, this month I’m sharing thoughts and interesting pictures on three…
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April 2019 Market Update
Written by Brian Johnson, Chief Investment Officer and Viridian Shareholder. Summary: Q1 was a great quarter. We will likely continue to use market pullbacks to increase equity allocations. When we first reduced our equity allocations in July of 2018—from “overweight” stocks (where we had been since April of 2016) to a “neutral” stance—we did so…
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