“You Retire Once… I Help People Retire Everyday”
If 2026 has reminded investors of anything, it’s that markets rarely move in a straight line. September brought plenty of reasons for concern—from sharply rising bond yields and persistent inflation to higher oil prices and renewed volatility. Yet beneath the headlines, the broader investment backdrop remains relatively healthy, supported by resilient economic growth, strong corporate earnings and continued investment in artificial intelligence.
In this month’s Market Perspectives, I take a closer look at what drove markets in September and, more importantly, what investors should be watching as we enter the final quarter of 2026. We also explore the 7 Virtues of Successful Investing—a reminder that long-term success often has less to do with predicting the next market move and more to do with patience, discipline, optimism and focusing on what we can control.
We’ll also examine some fascinating market history. October has historically been the strongest month of a midterm election year, while the fourth quarter has traditionally been the strongest quarter of the calendar year. That doesn’t mean history will repeat itself, but it does provide useful perspective as we look toward the months ahead.
There will always be something for investors to worry about. The goal isn’t to eliminate uncertainty—it’s to have a plan built to withstand it.
Cilck below to read this month’s Market Perspectives for my thoughts on where we’ve been, where we may be headed, and why I believe investors should remain disciplined, patient and opportunistic as we close out 2026.
Thanks for reading. AP
