News and Commentary

July Quarterly Update 2026

The current market environment is reinforcing the importance of tactical discipline. As we navigate the historical "Year Two" presidential cycle slump, we are also contending with the "Black Swan" impact of the Iran-Israel conflict.While the broader markets have struggled—with the S&P 500 under pressure and leaders like Microsoft down over 20% YTD—our diversified approach has provided essential stability.• Tactical Resilience: Our heavy emphasis on dividend stocks, international equities, and fixed income has allowed our client portfolios to hold up significantly better than the passive indices.• Active Advantage: Current conditions prove that active management and intentional allocation outperform a "passive index" strategy in times of high uncertainty.We continue to monitor global events closely, fine-tuning portfolios to ensure they remain aligned with your private wealth goals.Coming Soon: Keep an eye out for our team’s new video release arriving in the next month. See attached for more details on the quarter: Broadridge quarterly market review SWM News:I’m pleased to share that Caroline Ballou, our Client Service Associate, has successfully passed the Series 7 exam, an important milestone in her professional development.Earning this license reflects a strong understanding of financial markets, investment strategies, and regulatory standards.For you as a valued client, this means:Enhanced support: Caroline is now fully licensed to assist with a broader range of investment needs.Expanded capabilities: She can help execute transactions and provide more comprehensive guidance across your portfolio.Continued commitment to excellence: Her achievement reflects our team’s dedication to maintaining high standards of expertise and service.Congratulations Caroline!

SWM Private Clients,Last year, we correctly identified that a combination of political continuity and strong corporate fundamentals would drive a high-performance market. Our thesis that the AI revolution would mirror the transformative growth of the late 1990s has also been validated by recent market activity. Our outlook for the coming year remains optimistic, fueled by:Monetary Policy: Anticipated Fed cuts providing increased liquidity.Fiscal Growth: Positive policy shifts supporting domestic earnings.AI Integration: Continued expansion of technology-driven productivity.The Bottom Line: While the momentum is undeniable, we are mindful of the late-stage nature of this cycle. We will continue working with you to ensure your "game plan" remains robust, prioritizing risk management alongside moderate growth. Consider tuning into our Janney Outlook 2026 call next week.  See attached for more details on the quarter: Market Vane Monthly UpdateSWM NEWS:Schultz Wealth Management and Jeff were again named to the CEO Roundtable at Janney, provided to only the top 12% of the firm's financial advisors. Jeff spent time with his parents and family over the holidays and had a ball!Clarke had a nice trip for with friends to Mexico in December for a birthday celebration. He and Laura are grateful to work along a strong team and thoughtful clients, and he is looking ahead to 2026. This holiday season reminded us that the best moments usually include a little chaos, a lot of laughter, and being together. Kevin, Meg, Ridley (9), and Hughes (7) are grateful for a year full of family time, memories made, and plenty of reasons to smile.Caroline spent lots of time with family and friends in Q4, including a trip to Costa Rica!