With all the headlines about tariffs, global uncertainty, and markets doing their best impression of a roller coaster, it’s natural to wonder: Should we be doing something different?
Short answer? Probably not.
Longer answer? Let’s talk about it.
Your Portfolio is Built for This
If you’ve been working with us, you’re not flying blind in this market. Your portfolio is already diversified across the globe, meaning it’s not overly reliant on any single country, political decision, or news cycle. That’s by design.
Markets go up, markets go down—that’s what they do. But making drastic shifts every time there’s a scary headline? That’s like changing your entire diet every time a new fad comes out. (Remember when butter was bad, then good, then bad again?) Instead, we focus on what actually works over the long term: diversification, keeping costs low, and avoiding emotionally driven decisions.
Timing the Market: A Losing Game
Trying to time the market is like trying to time Toronto traffic—good luck. Even the pros can’t consistently predict when to get in and out, and missing just a handful of the best recovery days can do serious damage to long-term returns.
History has shown that markets recover, but they don’t send out invitations when they do. The best approach? Stick to the plan, ride out the volatility, and stay invested. It’s not flashy, but it works.
When Should You Adjust?
There are times when revisiting your strategy makes sense—if your financial situation has changed, your risk tolerance has shifted, or you’re approaching a big life transition. But reacting to short-term headlines? That’s usually not a reason to make a move.
As Warren Buffett wisely put it, “The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.” We’re in the patient camp.
Final Thoughts
If recent news has you feeling uneasy, let’s talk. We can review your portfolio, check in on your goals, and make sure you’re on the right track. Otherwise, rest assured—your strategy is designed to handle the ups and downs of the market, so you don’t have to.
Quintessence Wealth (Q Wealth) is a partnership that is registered as a portfolio manager, exempt market dealer and investment fund manager. The portfolio manager registration allows Q Wealth to provide investment advice to its clients. The exempt market dealer registration allows Q Wealth to engage in trading activity. These services are provided by Q Wealth through registered advising representatives and dealing representatives, respectively.
Q Wealth is a partnership that is owned by its partners, including Flatiron Wealth Management .As a client of Q Wealth, you may receive services from both Q Wealth and Flatiron Wealth Management. Note that individuals from Flatiron Wealth Management will only provide investment advice and trading advice if they are registered as advising representatives and dealing representatives of Q Wealth, and in providing such services, they will be doing so on behalf of Q Wealth only. Flatiron Wealth Management may however provide wealth management services such as financial planning, estate and retirement planning, insurance, group benefits and others. Q Wealth Partners is a registered trade name of Quintessence Wealth, a registered Portfolio Manager in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, an Investment Fund Manager in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Quebec, and an Exempt Market Dealer in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan. The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the principal regulator for Quintessence Wealth. Please visit www.qwealth.com for more information.
Andrew Sheppard,
Associate Portfolio Manager, Managing Partner, Q Wealth Partners.
