Insights

Happy New Year and welcome to 2026!

We hope you and your loved ones enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. We are excited to see what the new year 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.

We enter 2026 with a service goal of exceeding our clients’ expectations and providing them with first-class service. We take pride in providing holistic service and our ability to fully understand and effectively respond to our clients’ needs. We are thankful for the opportunity to work with them and want to extend the same service to you this new year. Please take the time to review the 2026 Checklist and call us if you’d like to take advantage of a complimentary financial check-up.

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 our clients stay focused on their long-term objectives rather than short-term fluctuations.

• Our Clients’ Personal Situations: First and foremost, our clients’ personal situations are always our highest priority. We are here to help them with any financial moves or concerns throughout the year. We understand that each individual and household has different goals and needs. We will continue our tradition of keeping our clients informed of any changes that we think may affect their personal 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 our clients’ journeys toward long-term financial security.

You may also want to watch our recent deep dive into Year-End 2025 Market & Economic Update!

team@stablerwm.com | (425) 646-6327

Securities and Advisory services are offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor. Member FINRA/SIPC. Stabler Wealth Management is not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor.

The views expressed are not necessarily the opinion of LPL Financial and should not be construed, directly or indirectly, as an offer to buy or sell securities mentioned herein. All indexes 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. This article is for informational purposes only. Economic forecasts set forth may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful. This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax, legal or investment planning advice as individual situations will vary. For specific advice about your situation, please consult with a lawyer or financial professional. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. This article provided by The Academy of Preferred Financial Advisors, Inc. © 2026