Separating Political Emotions from Investment Decisions

We are living in highly emotional times. But how can investors make sure those emotions don't get in the way of good investing decisions? In this episode of WashingtonWise, host Mike Townsend welcomes Stephanie Shadel, senior wealth advisor at Charles Schwab, for a timely discussion on managing emotions during turbulent markets and the impact of Washington policy decisions on investing. Steph shares practical strategies for keeping emotions in check, building a financial plan, and considerations in making smart year-end decisions—including rebalancing portfolios, reviewing liquidity needs, and navigating the new tax law. She discusses how the tax planning, charitable giving, and estate strategies are evolving in light of recent legislative changes, providing actionable suggestions on the key questions for investors to discuss with their financial advisor before the end of the year. Mike also shares updates on the ongoing government shutdown, including how the Federal Reserve is navigating the lack of government economic data in advance of the upcoming monetary policy meeting.

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IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES

The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party.

This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned  suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions.

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All names and market data shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security.

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Lower rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk. 

Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets.

Rebalancing does not protect against losses or guarantee that an investor’s goal will be met. Rebalancing may cause investors to incur transaction costs and, when a non-retirement account is rebalanced, taxable events may be created that may affect your tax liability.

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