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Volatility: A Feature, Not a Bug – Zoom out!

By: Jeff Bullock

A few of my brothers and I had a small venture for a number of years in the sports analytics industry. As part of our business, we developed a phone app to help basketball coaches track team statistics. One of my jobs during the development was to test the app over and over. I needed to not only make sure the key features were working properly, but also find any bugs that would be detrimental to the experience, or worse, make the app unusable. The key with any consumer product is to enhance the features and limit the bugs to create a great user experience.

How was the user experience for investors in the stock market the past few months?!

January, February, and March saw some of the biggest swings in recent market history. It wasn’t just that the market drifted down for a period, but we often saw multiple intra-day swings of over 1% in a single trading session. Whether it was the constant barrage of news coming out of Ukraine, or the Federal Reserve turning more hawkish due to runaway inflation, the market reactions were quick and sharp.

Reflecting on my basketball app experience, and looking at the high levels of volatility the stock market sometimes gives, it made me ask the following question:

Is stock market volatility a feature or a bug in the investing experience?

Below are a few key points to explore that may help us answer this question:

  1. Price Discovery: Markets move every day as they digest news and try and figure out how economic growth will affect individual companies. Since every investor has a different thesis on what will happen in the future, prices bounce around based on these outlooks. This natural volatility is called price discovery, and for long-term investors, can provide great buying opportunities. With this understanding, it’s more likely that volatility is a feature, not a bug in the investing experience.
  2. Pullbacks Are Healthy & Normal: The S&P 500, on average, experiences a 10-15% pullback at least once each year. Why? Because markets are always trying to predict future growth and are adjusting to the latest economic news. A pullback is the market’s way of cooling off if prices have risen too fast. What happened in January and February fits this profile exactly. In other words, what we just experienced is normal! Pullbacks are a feature, not a bug in the investing experience.
  3. Zoom Out: Did you know, after all that has happened in this first quarter, the S&P 500 is only down a little over 5% this year? That’s it! Did you know it is up 15% in the last 12 months? Did you know it is up nearly 100% in the last 5 years? Time is your friend with investing. Zoom out, look at the big picture.

Remember, price discovery and pullbacks are healthy and normal. These are features not bugs.

My best advice when experiencing price volatility: Zoom out and embrace it as a feature of long-term investing because it’s not a bug!

This blog is general communication being provided for informational purposes only.  This information is in no way a solicitation or offer to sell securities or investment advisory services.  It is educational in nature and not to be taken as advice or a recommendation for any specific investment product or investment strategy.  This does not contain sufficient information to support an investment decision.  Any investment or investment strategy mentioned may not be suitable for all investors or in their best interest.   Statistical information, quotes, charts, references to articles or any other quoted statement or statements regarding market or other financial information is obtained from sources which we believe reliable, but we do not warrant or guarantee the timeliness or accuracy of this information. All rights are reserved.  No part of this blog including text, graphics, et al, may be reproduced or copied in any format, electronic, print, et al, without written consent from Fidelis Wealth Advisors, LLC. Fidelis Wealth Advisors does not provide legal or tax advice.  Please be advised to consult with your investment advisor, attorney or tax professional before making any investment decisions.

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Brandon Waite

PROFESSIONAL

Brandon is new to the wealth management business, however, he brings many skills useful to the profession because of his prior experience. Brandon has worked in the accounting world auditing hedge funds, venture capital firms, and low-income housing organizations. Assessing business risk and financial GAAP accounting has been his primary focus. He is passionate about the world of finance and helping individuals accomplish their financial dreams.

Brandon graduated from Brigham Young University- Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Additionally, he holds two professional designations, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).

 

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He lives in Castle Rock with his wife Emily, and their three daughters. Most of his free time consists of taking his daughters to the park, enjoying all types of sports, and watching movies.

Bailey Marudas-Jones

Bailey Marudas-Jones joined Fidelis Wealth Advisors in 2024, where she supports the back office by managing client onboarding and ensuring compliance. She also helps alleviate the team’s workload by handling various administrative tasks and processes. With a deep commitment to efficiency and excellence, Bailey is excited to contribute to the team’s success and help clients navigate their financial journeys at Fidelis Wealth Advisors.
Bailey grew up in Littleton, Colorado, where she still lives. In her free time, she enjoys watching old movies, reading, and learning to sew. She also loves spending time with her family and friends

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Karley Winder

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Karley Winder started at Fidelis Wealth Advisors in 2022. Currently, she is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in financial management at the University of Colorado Denver business school. At Fidelis, she specializes in working with clients on their 401k plans and is dedicated to providing a valuable and quality experience for them. Karley also has several years of entrepreneurial experience from starting her own local businesses in the past. She has sincere interest in finance and is eager to continue gaining experience in the field alongside her education.

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Karley is a Colorado native and has lived in Castle Rock since she was a young girl. She enjoys horseback riding, Pilates, and mountain biking in her free time.

Rilee Erickson

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Rilee began working in the financial services industry in 2017 as an associate specializing in property and casualty insurance, as well as life insurance.  Since joining Fidelis Wealth Advisors she has taken on a paraplanner roll, providing life insurance support, as well as client and operations support. She also hopes to obtain her own Certified Financial Planner® designation in the years to come. Rilee’s passion in the industry is helping people protect their family and their future.

 

PERSONAL

Rilee graduated from the University of Wyoming with a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness and Horticulture Science. She is a Wyoming native, growing up on the family cattle ranch in Lander, Wyoming, and now resides in Green River, Wyoming with her husband and two boys. Rilee enjoys spending a lot of time outdoors and exploring the beautiful and rugged Wind River Range.

Skye Fineran

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Skye comes to Fidelis Wealth Advisors as an Administrative Assistant in 2021 and is a recent graduate from West Texas A&M University. There she earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management. Skye also completed Amarillo College’s paralegal certification program. Skye enjoys the rewarding feeling of helping clients to achieve their financial goals and looks forward to making a difference at Fidelis Wealth Advisors.

 

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Skye grew up in Tecumseh, Michigan and currently resides in Castle Rock, Colorado with her family. Skye loves art history, playing golf, and spending time with her family and friends.

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Fidelis Wealth Advisors has a strategic partnership with RIA Innovations, a Division of NWAM, LLC. RIA Innovations provides administrative support services for registered investment advisors nationwide. This service is under the direction of Nelly Mubashi, the Chief Operating Officer.

 

NWAM, LLC, dba Northwest Asset Management & RIA Innovations is an SEC registered investment adviser. NWAM, LLC dba Northwest Asset Management & RIA Innovations and Fidelis Wealth Advisors, LLC are not affiliated companies.

Gabriel Jones

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Gabe started with Fidelis Wealth Advisors as an Investment Research Assistant in 2018, and has an intense passion for investment research.


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Gabe is currently in college to obtain his Bachelors in Finance, and enjoys spending time outside of work hiking and reading.

Dawn Folmer

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Dawn Folmer comes to Fidelis Wealth Advisors with a background in the finance industry, having previous experience with a registered investment advisory firm in Denver. Dawn is a recent graduate of Colorado State University Global, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership. As a skilled financial planning assistant, she enjoys the rewarding feeling of helping people reach their financial dreams and retirement goals.

 

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Dawn is a Colorado native and resides in Castle Rock with her family, where they enjoy being adventurous and active in the outdoors. Additionally, she is passionate about travel, food, and playing golf.

Jeff Bullock

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Jeff joined Fidelis Wealth Advisors after spending nearly 10 years working at J.P. Morgan Wealth Management in their Private Bank. As Chief Investment Officer, he is responsible for the overall investment strategy, portfolio construction, and market insights for clients.

 

Jeff held various roles during his decade at J.P. Morgan, including working as an investment specialist on their trading desk, where he was responsible for managing and trading investment portfolios for High Net-Worth families and non-profit foundations throughout the Rocky Mountain region. Jeff helped co-manage over $4.0 billion of investment assets and gained broad experience in portfolio construction and investment strategy, as well as in-depth knowledge in a variety of asset classes and markets. In recent years, Jeff was part of the leadership team that trained new advisors and established an expansion office in Utah.

 

Jeff loves helping people with their money-related questions and management. Very simply, his goal is to help others continuously improve their financial situation, regardless of the current condition. His framework centers around sound advice and proper decision-making by engaging in honest discussion and taking a long-term approach.

 

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Jeff holds a B.S. in Accounting from Brigham Young University. He is a native to Colorado and loves playing golf and being outdoors. He lives in Highlands Ranch with his wife Nicole, and their two children.

Lorie C. Jones, MBA, CFP®

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Lorie began working in financial services in 2013 with a Registered Investment Advisory firm in South Denver. She started as a paraplanner and provided technology and operations support before transitioning to a Client Services Manager role with Empower Retirement. There she managed a book of 300+ Core Market plans before joining Fidelis Wealth Advisors.

 

Lorie enjoys the challenges presented by financial planning and is rewarded by helping clients thoroughly understand the complexities of finance so they can be better informed and in control of their planning.

 

In addition to securities licenses, she holds health, life, accident, property, and casualty insurance licenses in the state of Colorado and completed her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation from the CFP® Board of Standards. She is also a member of the Financial Planning Association (FPA).

 

Lorie recently launched the “Fearless Females” podcast, providing a unique space for empowering discussions that inspire women in the financial services industry and beyond. Through insightful interviews and stories, she fosters a community where challenges are met with resilience, amplifying female voices and demonstrating her dedication to fostering inclusivity and fearlessness in finance.

 

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Lorie graduated from Colorado State University with an MBA. She enjoys running and has participated in several marathons and half-marathons around the country. She also enjoys hiking with her family, traveling with her husband David and their five children, and working with the cub scout and boy scout programs, including volunteering with the district.

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