“S&P Could jump another 5% this year, Goldman says. Expect volatility first.”
“S&P, Dow, Nasdaq end lower, oil jumps 5% as Middle East conflict stokes supply concerns.”
“The Dow drops 200 points as inflation fears are back.”
“U.S. port strike ends but clearing long ship queues will take time.”
“Stocks rally after monster jobs report beat, Dow up 200 points.”
“U.S. hiring accelerated in September, blowing past expectations.”
These are ALL headlines I saw online within just the last 24 hours.
And they are all from “reputable” news sources, all reporting “facts” about the economy.
So, what is the takeaway?
Make your own decisions. Don’t take any one source as the ultimate truth. It’s no wonder why consumers have such concerns, often falling victim to sensationalism or downright bad information.
I’ve written about this many times before, but the news should be taken under consideration, pieces to add to your overall picture, not a consensus. Consumers should use all available credible information weight in total, making their own decisions. All this salacious journalism does nothing but stoke uncertainly.
As a financial advisor, our job is to quiet the noise and give sound guidance based on real data.
That is what we do.
As a client, be careful of what you subscribe to. Always remember that a journalist’s primary job is to sell more news, not provide you facts. (If it bleeds, it leads!)
Online attention, not credibility, is the premium, and clickbait is the norm, not the exception.
Keep all that in mind as we bring 2024 to a conclusion and look to clarify our world like never before in 2025.
-J.D.