IN Fox Chapel Area Winter 2013 | Page 40

IndUStrY InSIGHt Your Finances SponSored Content I n ve s te d I n Y o u r I n t e r e s t s for over a quarter century Keep Your Focus on Your Financial Planning recently, my colleague robert Standish, Jd, cfP®, Managing director of bPu’s financial Planning, provided our clients with some insight to what he coined “political brinkmanship and insurmountable debt” in light of last october’s government shutdown and looming default of our Government’s debt. that said, his thoughts continue to be relevant, especially for those of you who read and react to the headlines every day. among the most significant comments he made, and i believe we should all remember is what follows: • conditions in private and public sectors have improved over the past few years. the leverage of the companies included in the S&P 500 is at the lowest rate we have seen in 25 years. and despite the incessant rhetoric, the government budget deficit has fallen from almost 10% in 2010 to an estimated 3.9% for 2013. • Work with your advisor to monitor the markets and evaluate whether your circumstances require a need to reduce risk exposure in your portfolios. as you collaborate with your financial advisor, please keep in mind that search for higher yield or alternative sources of income can represent other uncontemplated risks not normally associated with traditional, investment grade bonds. nadav baum Executive Vice President Mr. baum can be contacted at [email protected] • as long-term investors, we simply do not believe it is prudent to let fear arising from our response to political theatrics to drive our investment decisions. Short-term phenomena will continue to frustrate us as investors, but we should not let these erractic events impact our long-term perspective. no doubt the news cycle will continue to bring us drama, but it is up to us to consider and think through what is actually fact and what serves to keep us glued to our computers, tVs and mobile devices. My advice – when the media gets all in a twist, that is your cue to unwind. don’t sit and fume, contact your financial advisor to bring you back to your world and your reality. note: to read the full article by mr. standish go to: http://www.bpuinvestments.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/debtceilingLetter.pdf one oxford centre 301 Grant St. | Suite 3300 | PittSburGh, Pa 15219 | 412-288-9150 BPU Investment Management, Inc. | A registered investment advisor | Member FINRA/SIPC www.bpuinvestments.com SECURITIES AND ADVISORY SERVICES ARE OFFERED BY BPU INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, INC. member FINRA and SIPC, a registered investment advisor. Please be advised that the accuracy and completeness of this information are not guaranteed. The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and are not necessarily those of BPU Investment Management, Inc. or its affiliates. The material is distributed solely for informational purposes and is not a solicitation of an offer to buy any security or instrument or to participate in any trading strategy and should not be relied on for accounting, legal or tax advice. Though our firm provides planning services, we do not render specific legal, accounting or tax advice. Always consult an appropriate professional before implementing any planning decisions. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. owns certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S. © 2013