Weathering the Storm
Tony Daniel, CFP®, CPFA©
May 10, 2025
How We Help Clients Stay Grounded in a Volatile Market
Over the past several weeks, markets have experienced renewed volatility—driven in part by policy uncertainty and shifting trade dynamics. For many investors, the quick drops and conflicting headlines have been unsettling. But for us at Nelson Murphy, this kind of turbulence isn’t a surprise—and more importantly, it isn’t a crisis. In fact, this is exactly the kind of environment we plan for.
“You can’t predict exactly what event will cause a downturn,” partner Tony Daniel often tells clients. “But you can—and should—plan for the fact that volatility will happen.”
Planning for Uncertainty Is the Plan
We never treat market swings as reasons to panic—because we’ve already accounted for them in each client’s financial plan. Through tools like Monte Carlo simulations, we stress-test a wide range of market conditions to ensure our clients’ goals remain achievable even when the path isn’t smooth.
This planning is always personal. Every portfolio we build is aligned with a client’s risk tolerance, time horizon, and long-term objectives. And that includes preparing for the emotional weight that comes with seeing a portfolio drop—even temporarily.
“A 20% decline doesn’t feel the same to someone retiring next year as it does to someone who’s 20 years out. So we talk about that well in advance—long before volatility hits.”
Having those conversations early allows our clients to stay focused, confident, and grounded—no matter what the headlines say.
Filtering Out the Noise
We live in a time when economic headlines are increasingly intertwined with politics and media bias. Our role is to cut through that noise. We listen to all sides, do our own due diligence, and focus on the fundamentals—because we know that good decisions require clear, balanced information.
When markets reacted to tariff-related headlines, we didn’t scramble or make knee-jerk changes. Our portfolios were already positioned with quality in mind: more dividend-paying stocks, more stable fixed income, and less exposure to speculative trends.
“We’re not trying to outguess the market. We’re managing for the long term with data, discipline, and clarity.”
Keeping Clients Calm and Informed
During times like these, many advisors are flooded with panicked phone calls. That wasn’t our experience. We received some questions, of course—but fewer than you might expect, and most came from a place of curiosity, not fear.
We attribute that to the trust we’ve built through consistent communication and holistic planning. Because our clients understand the “why” behind their strategy, they’re less likely to make emotional decisions when volatility hits.
“This isn’t about selling a product or chasing returns. We’re building strategies that adapt and support our clients over time.”
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Markets will always face periods of uncertainty. Whether it’s related to policy, geopolitics, or economic cycles, we don’t believe in reacting for reaction’s sake. We believe in preparing—not predicting.
That’s why we remain focused on quality, on flexibility, and on communication. For clients with longer time horizons, these moments may even be opportunities. For those approaching retirement, we’ve likely already adjusted course to protect what matters most.
“The forecast is mostly sunny. Sure, there’s always a chance of storms. But we’ve prepared for that. And when the skies clear, our clients are still on track.”
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