Chris Chen CFP

Chris Chen CFP As a wealth strategist, I help people like you make smart financial decisions to live your best life

One of the more interesting market stories this year is that earnings, not expanding valuations, have been doing most of...
06/02/2026

One of the more interesting market stories this year is that earnings, not expanding valuations, have been doing most of the heavy lifting. In many regions, valuations have actually come down while businesses continued to grow profits. That’s a very different backdrop than a market simply being pushed higher by optimism alone. Headlines and sentiment can feel disconnected from reality sometimes, which is why I always find it valuable to go back to the underlying data. Long-term investing tends to reward discipline more than emotion.

You might have seen headlines warning that “banks are in trouble.” It’s easy to assume the worst, but the data tells a v...
06/01/2026

You might have seen headlines warning that “banks are in trouble.” It’s easy to assume the worst, but the data tells a very different story.

Right now, banks are actually in one of the strongest positions they’ve been in for decades, with healthy balance sheets and low loan-to-deposit ratios.

Meanwhile, the bond market has quietly had its worst stretch in fifty years. That’s right, with five years of underperformance, and barely a mention in the media.

For long-term investors, this is why context matters. The markets and the media don’t always tell the same story. My goal is to help you focus on what truly matters and tune out the noise.

If you're facing a big life changedivorce,retirement,a new chapterWe help you get your arms around the money side.We are...
05/30/2026

If you're facing a big life change
divorce,
retirement,
a new chapter

We help you get your arms around the money side.

We are fee-only, fiduciary, and independent. That means we work only for you, with no commissions and no product sales. You get a clear plan, smart tax moves, and an advisor who listens first. If you want straight answers and a path toward confidence, contact me.

When oil prices move, the effects tend to extend far beyond the energy sector.Gas prices have recently approached ~$3.88...
05/28/2026

When oil prices move, the effects tend to extend far beyond the energy sector.

Gas prices have recently approached ~$3.88 per gallon, reflecting broader increases in oil prices. While this is immediately visible at the pump, the impact can be more widespread.

Energy costs influence transportation, production, and supply chains, which can contribute to broader inflation trends.

Some projections suggest that if oil prices remain elevated (around $100+ per barrel) developed economies could see inflation increase by approximately 1%.

From there, inflation expectations can influence interest rate expectations, which in turn may affect multiple areas of the economy and financial markets.

It’s a reminder that many economic variables are interconnected—and small shifts in one area can lead to broader ripple effects.

One area worth watching closely is the relationship between inflation and wage growth. After a period where wages had be...
05/28/2026

One area worth watching closely is the relationship between inflation and wage growth. After a period where wages had been outpacing inflation, recent data suggests that dynamic may be shifting again. That doesn’t necessarily mean consumers are in trouble, but it is a reminder that inflation continues to affect everyday financial decisions in very real ways. Markets and economies are rarely all good or all bad at the same time.

A lot of attention has been placed on how concentrated the market has become, particularly within the largest companies ...
05/28/2026

A lot of attention has been placed on how concentrated the market has become, particularly within the largest companies in the S&P 500. What often gets left out of the conversation is that these same companies are also generating an outsized share of total earnings. That doesn’t guarantee future results, but it does help explain why the market looks the way it does today. Understanding why something is happening matters just as much as recognizing that it is happening.

&P500

One of the more interesting dynamics right now is the disconnect between data and sentiment.Markets have performed well,...
05/28/2026

One of the more interesting dynamics right now is the disconnect between data and sentiment.

Markets have performed well, and earnings remain strong yet confidence is extremely low.

In fact, consumer sentiment recently hit historic lows.

That divergence raises an important question: are perceptions lagging reality, or anticipating something ahead?

Information flow plays a role here—constant negative headlines shape how people feel.
It’s a reminder that emotion and data don’t always move in the same direction.

Longer-term trends often get overshadowed by short-term noise.But the expansion of global internet access is one of the ...
05/26/2026

Longer-term trends often get overshadowed by short-term noise.

But the expansion of global internet access is one of the most important developments underway.

Billions more people gaining access to information changes everything—economically and socially.

We’re already seeing rapid adoption in areas that were previously disconnected.
That kind of access creates opportunity at scale, not just locally but globally.

When you step back, it’s a powerful reminder of how much progress continues beneath the surface.

It’s easy to assume that war and geopolitical conflict would lead to poor market returns.It feels logical. Uncertainty r...
05/25/2026

It’s easy to assume that war and geopolitical conflict would lead to poor market returns.

It feels logical. Uncertainty rises. Headlines get worse. Investor sentiment often weakens.

But historically, the relationship hasn’t been so straightforward.

Looking at past geopolitical events, the market’s median 1-year return has been close to 10%, roughly in line with long-term averages. In other words, markets have often continued to behave in line with historical norms, even during periods of elevated uncertainty.

This doesn’t mean risk disappears or outcomes are guaranteed. It simply highlights how markets have responded in prior environments.

Moments like these can create a gap between how things feel and how markets actually behave.

That tension is worth paying attention to.

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