3 Shrewd Maneuvers in a Down Market

It’s natural to think “defense” during a bearish market season. But why not mix in some “offense” with your defense? Here are three moves we can discuss together that may be helpful during the current market downturn.

1. Invest Your Excess Cash: If you have excess cash earmarked for a long-term goal (retirement or college, for example), a downturn may present an opportunity. Over the last three years, the Standard & Poor’s 500 compounded annual growth rate was 9%. Even with all the pandemic-related volatility, that’s still shy of its historical average.¹
   
   
2. Consider Series I Savings Bonds: With inflation at 40-year highs, you might consider some fresh ideas for investing. I Bonds pay a rate of return plus inflation protection and are backed by the U.S. government. You can visit TreasuryDirect.gov to open a free account (as always, reach out if you have any questions).
   
   
3. Take a Look at Taxes: Each year, taxpayers can deduct up to $3,000 in realized losses. If your losses exceed $3,000, you may be able to carry them forward into future years. Make sure to speak with your tax professional before making any decisions.

I’m confident we’ll see a brighter economic picture before too long. In the meantime, it’s a shrewd move to find ways to better your position, and I’m always available to help you think it through.

^{1. Yahoo Finance showed the S&P 500 at 3020.97 on June 24, 2019, and 3,911.74 on June 24, 2022.}

^{Content in this material is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.  This information is not intended to be a substitute for individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your
specific tax situation with a qualified tax advisor.}