Market Chatter: A Tale of Two Economic Realities

Tariffs are back in the headlines—and markets aren’t handling it well.

A new wave of trade penalties, including a universal 10% import tariff and a steep 25% on Canadian and Mexican goods, has triggered a ripple of fear through global markets. The result? A skittish S&P, a tech-heavy NASDAQ off 13%, and investor sentiment near historic lows. But beneath the surface panic lies a tale of two economies.

Those who entered the COVID era with assets—homes, portfolios, pensions—are emerging stronger. But renters, young families, and blue-collar workers are bearing the brunt of inflation and now face what amounts to a regressive tax. Tariffs, by their nature, raise prices, and those who spend more of their income on essentials feel it most. In other words: the economic divide is deepening.

Yet even amid uncertainty, opportunity exists. Utilities, commodities, and international markets—especially Europe—are quietly outperforming. And with inflation moderating and potential rate cuts on the horizon, the Fed may have room to maneuver.

What’s the play? Diversify. Rebalance. Think long-term. If you’re heavily concentrated in a few tech names, this might be your chance to reassess. Sharp drawdowns tend to reward patient investors—those who ignore the headlines and focus on fundamentals.

Yes, the noise is deafening. Yes, the future is murky. But that’s often when portfolios are quietly built, not broken.

Bottom line: stay the course. History favors the disciplined, and panicking rarely pays.

Key Topics:

• The Problem with Living in the Post-COVID World (01:29)
• What Exactly Are Tariffs? (05:54)
• The Current State of the Market (10:45)
• How These Tariffs Could Impact the Near Future (14:24)
• Implications of the Latest Michigan Consumer Confidence Survey (22:57)
• Closing Thoughts (35:05)

This podcast is brought to you by Joey Loss, CFP®, Adam Van Wie, CFP®, and Strivus Wealth Partners. Through Strivus, Joey and Adam provide financial planning and investment management services to clients across the country from their home base in Jacksonville Beach, Florida.

You can find show notes and transcript of the conversations here: Strivus Wealth - Wealth Unplugged.

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