Home | Mid-Year Market Review: Navigating Uncertainty Webinar Transcript
Navigating Market Volatility, Tax Legislation & Investment Strategy in 2025
Presented by Adams Brown Wealth Consultants
Key Takeaways:
- Volatility is Opportunity: Market swings can be leveraged through rebalancing and strategic investment.
- Tax Legislation Watch: The “One Big Beautiful Bill” could reshape income and estate tax planning.
- Diversification Matters: Real estate, fixed income, and international sectors are being reassessed.
- AI & Infrastructure: Capital spending in AI and data centers is creating new investment opportunities.
- Debt Trends: Household and national debt levels are rising, with student loan delinquency worth monitoring.
- Cybersecurity & Scams: Clients are urged to stay vigilant and use verified channels for financial communication.
Transcript Highlights
Introduction
Justin Mitchell:
I’ve worked across tax, estate, and investment management, bringing a tax-efficient lens to portfolio construction. At Adams Brown, we benefit from deep CPA expertise, allowing us to serve clients holistically.
I’ve worked across tax, estate, and investment management, bringing a tax-efficient lens to portfolio construction. At Adams Brown, we benefit from deep CPA expertise, allowing us to serve clients holistically.
Joining me today are three colleagues:
- Jude Fox, CPA and Personal Financial Specialist, based in Hays, Kansas.
- Trent Woodcock, CFP®, with over a decade of experience in investment modeling and analytics.
- Grover Musser, CFP®, who specializes in income projections and retirement readiness, including digital assets like cryptocurrency.
Economic Outlook
Grover Musser:
Economic uncertainty is constant, but current volatility is amplified by shifting policies out of Washington. While inflation numbers have improved, rising interest rates and tariff concerns remain. Expect continued market volatility.
Economic uncertainty is constant, but current volatility is amplified by shifting policies out of Washington. While inflation numbers have improved, rising interest rates and tariff concerns remain. Expect continued market volatility.
Portfolio Management Strategy
Trent Woodcock:
Don’t panic over headlines. Stick with long-term goals and quality investments. Volatility can create buying opportunities—whether you’re investing new money or repositioning existing assets.
Don’t panic over headlines. Stick with long-term goals and quality investments. Volatility can create buying opportunities—whether you’re investing new money or repositioning existing assets.
Justin Mitchell:
For clients with short-term spending needs, we may recommend treasuries or cash management strategies, while managing the rest of the portfolio for long-term growth.
For clients with short-term spending needs, we may recommend treasuries or cash management strategies, while managing the rest of the portfolio for long-term growth.
Managing Emotions in Investing
Jude Fox:
We aim to remove emotion from financial decision-making. Panic often leads to poor timing and missed returns. Volatility is normal—over 55% of market years have seen intra-year losses of 10% or more, yet 70% ended positive.
We aim to remove emotion from financial decision-making. Panic often leads to poor timing and missed returns. Volatility is normal—over 55% of market years have seen intra-year losses of 10% or more, yet 70% ended positive.
Risk Tolerance & Technology
Grover Musser:
We use a risk assessment tool that considers both financial metrics and emotional comfort—what I call the “gastrointestinal meter.” Matching your portfolio to your sleep comfort is key.
We use a risk assessment tool that considers both financial metrics and emotional comfort—what I call the “gastrointestinal meter.” Matching your portfolio to your sleep comfort is key.
Real Estate & Consumer Behavior
Trent Woodcock:
Despite higher interest rates, real estate remains resilient in Central Kansas. Consumer spending hasn’t slowed significantly—travel and vehicle purchases are still strong.
Despite higher interest rates, real estate remains resilient in Central Kansas. Consumer spending hasn’t slowed significantly—travel and vehicle purchases are still strong.
Justin Mitchell:
We’re focusing on REITs in multifamily housing, industrial, and infrastructure sectors. Retail and office space have seen more pullback.
We’re focusing on REITs in multifamily housing, industrial, and infrastructure sectors. Retail and office space have seen more pullback.
Tax Legislation: The “One Big Beautiful Bill”
Jude Fox:
The bill aims to extend current tax rates and deductions, increase the child tax credit, and maintain estate tax exemptions. Business provisions include increased QBI deductions and bonus depreciation.
The bill aims to extend current tax rates and deductions, increase the child tax credit, and maintain estate tax exemptions. Business provisions include increased QBI deductions and bonus depreciation.
Grover Musser:
If passed, it could boost market confidence. If not, expect temporary market disruption. Diversification and rebalancing are key strategies.
If passed, it could boost market confidence. If not, expect temporary market disruption. Diversification and rebalancing are key strategies.
Debt Trends
Jude Fox:
Household debt service is stable at 11% of disposable income, but credit card debt has surpassed $1 trillion. Student loan delinquency rose to 8% in Q1 2025—something to monitor closely.
Household debt service is stable at 11% of disposable income, but credit card debt has surpassed $1 trillion. Student loan delinquency rose to 8% in Q1 2025—something to monitor closely.
Fixed Income Strategy
Jude Fox:
We focus on after-tax returns. Treasuries offer state tax exemption, and municipal bonds may be federally and state tax-exempt. It’s not just about yield—it’s about what you keep.
We focus on after-tax returns. Treasuries offer state tax exemption, and municipal bonds may be federally and state tax-exempt. It’s not just about yield—it’s about what you keep.
Trent Woodcock:
We’re diversifying across treasuries, corporates, and mortgage-backed securities. Interest rates have created opportunities, but quality and stability remain priorities.
We’re diversifying across treasuries, corporates, and mortgage-backed securities. Interest rates have created opportunities, but quality and stability remain priorities.
CD Strategy & FDIC Coverage
Justin Mitchell & Jude Fox:
Clients concerned about FDIC limits can purchase CDs through a brokerage account, diversifying across institutions while maintaining coverage. Treasuries offer similar safety with added tax benefits.
Clients concerned about FDIC limits can purchase CDs through a brokerage account, diversifying across institutions while maintaining coverage. Treasuries offer similar safety with added tax benefits.
Tariffs & Market Positioning
Trent Woodcock:
Tariffs remain uncertain. We’re watching sectors like technology, autos, and consumer staples. Inflationary pressure could impact spending and market performance.
Tariffs remain uncertain. We’re watching sectors like technology, autos, and consumer staples. Inflationary pressure could impact spending and market performance.
Grover Musser:
Volatility creates buying opportunities. Keep cash reserves ready to deploy when markets dip.
Volatility creates buying opportunities. Keep cash reserves ready to deploy when markets dip.
Cybersecurity & Scam Protection
Justin Mitchell:
Scams are increasing. Never respond to suspicious texts or emails. Call known numbers directly. Adams Brown uses dual authentication, fraud alerts, and external audits to protect client assets.
Scams are increasing. Never respond to suspicious texts or emails. Call known numbers directly. Adams Brown uses dual authentication, fraud alerts, and external audits to protect client assets.
Final Thoughts
Trent Woodcock:
If you’re concerned, reach out. We’re here to help.
If you’re concerned, reach out. We’re here to help.
Grover Musser:
Don’t panic. Stick to your plan. Diversify. And remember Warren Buffett’s advice: “It’s never paid to bet against America.”
Don’t panic. Stick to your plan. Diversify. And remember Warren Buffett’s advice: “It’s never paid to bet against America.”
Jude Fox:
Volatility brings opportunity—through rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, and Roth conversions.
Volatility brings opportunity—through rebalancing, tax-loss harvesting, and Roth conversions.
Justin Mitchell:
We take a holistic approach—integrating estate planning, insurance, and tax strategy into investment management.
We take a holistic approach—integrating estate planning, insurance, and tax strategy into investment management.
Contact Us
If you’d like to review your portfolio, discuss tax strategies, or explore estate planning, we’d be honored to meet with you. Contact an Adams Brown Wealth Consultant today.