Originally Published January 2017 – Updated September 2024 

When we first published this article, it was early 2017.  Seems the landscape, amazingly enough, and our approach hasn’t changed that much.

“For a brief time, after the November 8 election, (Trump taking office 2017) stock markets were ruled by fear of the unknown.  Subsequently, though, they’ve been ruled by euphoria.  Euphoria by its nature feels good but is flimsy to build on.”

But the approach today remains the same and our process is no different than it was in 2017, or it was back in 2002.

In 2017 at our TenBridge Partners investment committee meetings, our discussions centered on the knowledge that a rush to euphoria is often a rush to sorrow. Back then we avoided high flying speculation in favor of tried-and-true strategies, just the same as we avoided the “magnificent 7” today which has pushed the market to new highs and are leading the market back down.

Instead of following the popular view that the future holds nothing but promise in 2017, our determination was to focus on risk management within the financial plan developed for each client. Thoughtful growth of the asset is a responsibility we take especially seriously in this period we consider more filled with questions than answers as it was then and is today.

Back then, we sifted through the plethora of information seemingly churned out endlessly by world events, particularly as to whether or how they affect our investment strategy.

These may sound familiar because they are the same questions we consider today.

• Will the expected changes to tax policy for individuals and corporations happen and if they do, what will be the effects?

• Does it matter that our country is able to produce goods/services that can be consumed domestically while many competing countries in Asia and Europe are primarily export driven?  What effect would tariffs have on our investments?

• How will the movement toward greater nationalism in many European countries (and now in America too) affect the European Union and/or its business relations with U.S. companies?

The questions are endless, and new ones appear without much regard for hurt feelings.  When all is said and done, we know this is not a science.  Our experience tells us that applying our best thinking without regard to biases, but with the mantra of “clients first”, always increases the likelihood of long-range success.

So where are we today in all this?  Over the last 23 years we have consistently grown client wealth while protecting them on the downside as best we can.  Our clients have consistently reached their goals. We must have originality of thought, and we must relentlessly avoid “herd” thinking.

Brent Norman, our co-founder, said there is an old admonition, “may you live in interesting times”.  Some of us have come to know this not as a curse, but rather a reason to live. These are indeed interesting times, and therefore, a chance to grow. With a relentless focus on your unique financial plan, we grow with you.

From the desk of
Erik Lawrence CFP®

The information contained in this correspondence is intended for general educational purposes only and as a means for facilitating a conversation.  Please consider our door always open to discuss your particular situation and how this information might benefit you and fit your specific needs.

About TenBridge Partners

TenBridge Partners is an independent financial planning and investment management firm based in Portland, Oregon with a simple focus of honoring the fiduciary responsibility of putting clients first.

Planning is central to everything we do. Our focus is on a complete understanding of a client’s and potential client’s needs through the financial planning process, before we move forward with anything else.

We bring clarity and confidence to an otherwise confusing financial world.

We are about people.