Stock Market Commentary July 2024

Market Update: Positive Trends in the First Half of 2024

As the first half of 2024 comes to a close, we’re happy to say that it has been smooth sailing for the major stock market indexes. For the month of June, the Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.12% this month.

One thing that has not had the smoothest ride this year is bonds. The Fed has delayed their previously projected interest rate cuts, and as a result, most bond market indexes have not had the smoothest ride, and some have dropped slightly so far this year.

Please look at your own statements to see your individual performance and give us a call if you have any questions. We would love to connect with you to discuss how much you have in stocks versus how much you have in bonds and make sure that your allocation is appropriate for your risk tolerance. If the Fed starts to cut interest rates, it has the potential to help the performance of bonds.

Gold and Silver: Perspective on Value

We frequently receive calls from clients saying that they are interested in investing in purchasing Gold or Silver. Please check out the following charts, which show the 100-year historical performance of these precious metals after they are adjusted for inflation:

Gold Prices – 100 Year Historical Chart

Source: macrotrends

Silver Prices – 100 Year Historical Chart

Source: macrortrends

For us, the biggest takeaway is that gold and silver prices, when adjusted for inflation, are lower now than they were in the past. Past performance cannot predict future performance, but as of today, these have not been good investments when you adjust the prices for inflation.

Presential Debate and Market Implications

There was much chatter after the Presidential debate that President Biden may step down from the race in November. So far, all reports have said he will continue his campaign. If we see otherwise, we will quickly decipher through our independent research how it may change the dynamics of the election and potentially the stock market.

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Speak With a Trusted Advisor

We’d love to have a review meeting with you to discuss investments, retirement income planning, college planning for kids or grandkids, tax preparation, health insurance, including Medicare supplemental and prescription drug plans, and a variety of other financial planning topics. Please get in touch with our office at (586) 226-2100 to schedule a meeting!

If your income, job status, marriage status, new birth in the family, 401K options, address, risk tolerance, or any other financial changes have changed, please contact us right away.

Sincerely,

with contributions from Robert Wink, James Wink, Zachary Bachner, James Baldwin, and Daniel Ladzinski

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Sources:

Notes & Disclaimer: Investment advisory services are offered through Summit Financial Consulting LLC, an SEC registered investment advisory firm. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Summit Financial Consulting Investment Advisory firm Representatives do not render tax, legal, or accounting advice. Insurance products and services are offered through Summit Financial Consulting, LLC. Please update Summit Financial Consulting LLC, if your investment objectives have changed or if the personal or financial information previously provided has changed. The investment advisory disclosure document that describes Summit Financial Consulting investment advisory services account is provided to you annually, but additional copies are available upon request. Investing involves risk, including the risk of a total loss. Stock market indices, like the S&P 500 Index, are unmanaged groups of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general or subsets of the market, and their performance is not reflective of the performance of any specific investment. Investments cannot be made directly into an index. Historical returns data are calculated using data provided by sources deemed to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to their accuracy, completeness or correctness. Dividends are not included in index returns. This information is provided “AS IS” without any warranty of any kind. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This communication is only intended for recipients who reside in states where our agents are licensed to sell these products. All guarantees are subject to the claims paying ability of the issuing insurance company. Past performance cannot predict future performance. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Representatives of Summit Financial Consulting LLC offer tax preparation services through Summit Tax Services. Summit Tax Services is a DBA of Heemer Klein & Company and they are owned and operated independently.