Welcome to 2026!

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026!

We hope you and your loved ones enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. Thank you for allowing us the opportunity to help you pursue your financial goals. We look forward to our continued relationship with you and seeing what the year ahead will bring. 

The year 2025 was filled with many significant events, from ushering in a new president, to a brief but alarming market correction. Overall, it proved to be a great year for investors. Investors enjoyed strong returns, and major indexes reached multiple new highs. The Fed’s decision to lower interest rates in the latter half of the year, a continued healthy and resilient economy, and strong corporate earnings fueled positive investor sentiment. 

Heading into a new year, we remain dedicated to supporting you throughout your financial journey. Our proactive approach focuses on anticipating your needs and identifying opportunities to strengthen your financial plan. To assist with that, we’ve included a 2026 Planning Checklist designed to help you review key financial items to discuss with us in the coming year. 

Looking Ahead to 2026

Financial planning encompasses many elements, but several areas will continue to be particularly important in the year ahead: 

• Interest Rates: Interest rate movements remain a critical factor for investors. The Federal Reserve’s recent policy shifts toward rate reductions have influenced borrowing costs, bond yields, and equity valuations. We will continue to monitor these developments closely and assess their impact on the economy and markets.

• Inflation: Inflation remains resistant and while we are getting closer, it remains above the Fed’s long-term 2% target. We’ll continue tracking inflation data in 2026 to evaluate its effect on consumer spending, business growth, and portfolio performance.

• Stock Market Valuations: Valuations play an important role in shaping long-term returns. While short-term market movements can be unpredictable, maintaining discipline and focusing on your risk tolerance and investment horizon remains essential. Market volatility is a natural part of investing, and our role is to help you stay focused on your long-term objectives rather than short-term fluctuations.

• Your Personal Situation: Your personal goals and circumstances remain our highest priority. Every household’s financial journey is unique, and we are committed to providing customized guidance that aligns with your needs. We will continue our tradition of keeping you informed of any changes that we think may affect your personal financial situation.

As we begin 2026, we remain cautiously optimistic. A sound financial foundation built on discipline, diversification, and proactive strategy is key to achieving lasting success. Revisiting your plan regularly ensures it stays aligned with your goals and the changing environment. Our mission remains to provide clarity, confidence, and continuous support on your journey toward long-term financial security.

Disclosure:

Advisory Services offered through Materetsky Financial Group Inc., a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered by Registered Representatives through Private Client Services, Member FINRA/SIPC. Private Client Services and Materetsky Financial Group Inc. are unaffiliated entities. All insurance products are offered through unaffiliated insurance companies. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product (including the investments and/or investment strategies recommended or undertaken by Materetsky Financial Group, Inc. [“Materetsky]), or any non-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in this commentary will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the content may no longer be reflective of current opinions or positions. Moreover, you should not assume that any discussion or information contained in this commentary serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from Materetsky. Materetsky is neither a law firm, nor a certified public accounting firm, and no portion of the commentary content should be construed as legal or accounting advice. A copy of the Materetsky’s current written disclosure Brochure discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available upon request or at www.materetsky.com. Please Remember: If you are a Materetsky client, please contact Materetsky, in writing, if there are any changes in your personal/financial situation or investment objectives for the purpose of reviewing/evaluating/revising our previous recommendations and/or services, or if you would like to impose, add, or to modify any reasonable restrictions to our investment advisory services. Unless, and until, you notify us, in writing, to the contrary, we shall continue to provide services as we do currently. Please Also Remember to advise us if you have not been receiving account statements (at least quarterly) from the account custodian. Note: The views stated in this letter are not necessarily the opinion of broker/dealer, and should not be construed, directly or indirectly, as an offer to buy or sell any securities mentioned herein. Investors should be aware that there are risks inherent in all investments, such as fluctuations in investment principal. With any investment vehicle, past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Material discussed herewith is meant for general illustration and/or informational purposes only, please note that individual situations can vary. Therefore, the information should be relied upon when coordinated with individual professional advice. This material contains forward looking statements and projections. There are no guarantees that these results will be achieved. All indices referenced are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Unmanaged index returns do not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is general considered representative of the U.S. Stock market. The modern design of the S&P 500 stock index was first launched in 1957. Performance prior to 1957 incorporates the performance of the predecessor index, the S&P 90. Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), commonly known as “The Dow” is an index representing 30 stocks of companies maintained and reviewed by the editors of the Wall Street Journal. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. CDs are FDIC Insured and offer a fixed rate of return if held to maturity. Due to volatility within the markets mentioned, opinions are subject to change without notice. Information is based on sources believed to be reliable; however, their accuracy or completeness cannot be guaranteed.There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and bond prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, bond prices fall and when interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns out outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk. There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and bond prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, bond prices fall and when interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns out outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.