Jake Buckwalter

Morningstar’s research leaders, Damian Conover and Dan Rohr, shared insights on the power of wide moat investing—focusing on companies with lasting competitive advantages and sustainable profitability. Their rigorous research process, independence, and long-term perspective align with investors seeking resilient portfolios. The VanEck Morningstar Wide MOAT ETF exemplifies this strategy, outperforming the S&P 500 in most five- and ten-year periods.

Peter Lynch once said, “If you spend more than 13 minutes analyzing forecasts, you’ve wasted 10.” His advice: ignore the noise and focus on your strategy. Mid-2025 returns show the S&P 500 up 8.1%, Nasdaq up 9.1%, Dow up 5%, Russell up 2.3%, and MSCI EAFE up 20%. Tech leaders like Nvidia and Microsoft boosted gains, while Apple and Tesla lagged. Diversification remains key. Stay the course—volatility is the cost of strong long-term returns.

The U.S. faces a $36 trillion national debt and a $1.8 trillion deficit. With most revenue tied up in mandatory spending, there’s little left for other needs. Cutting discretionary spending alone won’t balance the budget—economic growth, increased tax revenue, or reduced defense spending are needed. Efforts like DOGE help reduce waste, but long-term discipline and smart policy are essential. Like personal finance, fixing national debt requires focus and tough choices.

Over the next 20 years, an estimated $84 trillion will transfer from baby boomers to their heirs—marking the largest wealth shift in U.S. history. This transition, driven by 401(k)s, rising home values, and disciplined savers, will reshape the economy and widen the wealth gap. For those expecting an inheritance, now is the time to meet with a financial advisor to plan wisely, maximize tax efficiency, and set long-term goals. Whitaker-Myers Wealth Managers can help you prepare.

From conversations I’ve had, most investors have a firm grasp of why stocks move up and down (because of market trends, economy, or...

What does “Portfolio Rebalancing” mean? There are many terms  used in the finance world. You may have heard your financial advisor or...

If you are anything like me, you have probably registered for hundreds, and what feels like maybe even thousands, of accounts online that...

As the calendar turns over, it is an excellent time to review your current tax situation and see if there are tax strategies that you can...

Being in the industry of helping everyday people save and plan for retirement has provided insight into what it takes to be successful...

Ohio recently expanded the EdChoice program to allow families of all income levels to apply for some scholarships to be used in grades...

Worrying can be okay “The market climbs a wall of worry” and “This time is different” are two of my favorite quotes regarding investing....

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