Birch Run Financial

06/01/2026

Doug Drabik responds to frequent questions from investors who may place too much emphasis on short-term rate forecasting and not enough emphasis on the purpose of the fixed income allocation.

raymondjames.com

05/29/2026

Reaching an eight-week streak of positive growth, the S&P 500 was on a roll in May. Strong earnings in the tech sector helped lead the way as the market pushed ahead through inflationary pressures. Get the details in the May market recap:

raymondjames.com

05/28/2026

Riding the Market Momentum: The S&P 500 has rallied nearly 20% from its late-March, Iran conflict–driven low.

Read more in the Weekly Market Guide.

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05/28/2026

We’re excited to announce that Birch Run Financial has been named a Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Team.

While recognition like this highlights growth and consistency, the more important question is what it means for the people we serve.

Our collaborative approach means clients aren't relying on a single perspective. We work together to think through client situations, evaluate decisions, and stay aligned with each client’s goals over time.

This recognition also reflects the relationships we’ve built and the trust clients place in us, which we are grateful for.

If you’re not already working with us and looking for a more coordinated and collaborative approach to your financial plan, let’s connect.

05/21/2026

Following the index's pullback in Q1, there has been some incremental progress in the Middle East (i.e. ceasefire negotiations vs. widespread bombing) and economic data has been resilient through the disruptions.

Read more in the Weekly Market Guide.

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05/18/2026

Doug Drabik discusses the opportunity to build portfolios with income levels that were unavailable for many years, while matching maturities and risk exposure to each investor's actual objectives.

raymondjames.com

05/15/2026

A few months ago, I shared a story that honestly wasn't easy for me to tell publicly:

After more than 22 years in financial services—and after giving numerous talks on fraud prevention—I almost fell victim to a scam myself.

I received a phone call while driving home. The caller ID showed American Express. The caller knew my name and claimed there were fraudulent charges on my account. The conversation sounded completely legitimate. The process mirrored real fraud prevention calls I had experienced before.

It wasn't until the caller asked for my full Social Security number that I stopped the conversation, hung up, and called American Express directly using the number on the back of my card.

The call was fake.

Even knowing what I know. Even working in this industry for decades. Even teaching people how to avoid scams—I still almost got caught.

I'm bringing this up again today because I just got off the phone with a client who unfortunately did fall victim to a similar scam.

Her email was compromised. Her bank accounts were accessed. And now begins the long, frustrating process of unwinding the fraud, securing accounts, changing passwords, disputing activity, and trying to restore a sense of security.

This is the reality we're living in now:

Fraudsters are advancing at an exponential rate. The emails, phone calls, websites, and even the voices on the other end of the line are becoming increasingly sophisticated and convincing.

And these scams are not only targeting vulnerable or uninformed people. They are fooling intelligent, experienced, cautious professionals every single day.

In fact, just this morning, I received a scam email that I recognized almost immediately—but I'll admit my cursor hovered over the hyperlink for a second before I stopped myself and verified the sender more carefully.

That moment reminded me how quickly these things can happen.

So this is simply another reminder to stay vigilant:

Slow down before clicking
Verify before responding
Never trust caller ID alone
Hang up and call back using a trusted number
Treat urgency as a warning sign

The people behind these scams are getting better every day.

We all have to stay sharp.

05/14/2026

The market appears reinvigorated following the war-induced selloff, driven by a powerful gravitational pull from fear of missing out and a growing preference for earnings visibility.

Read more in the Weekly Market Guide.

amazonaws.com

05/14/2026

Most people worry about not living long enough.

But what if the real risk is the opposite - living longer than your money?

According to the Social Security Administration, once you reach 65, there’s nearly a 50% chance that one member of a couple will live to 90. And with inflation doubling the cost of living about every 25 years, your plan has to go the distance.

At Birch Run, we plan conservatively - assuming longer lifespans, modest returns, and the need for balance so you can enjoy life today without worrying about tomorrow.

If you’re ready to have this conversation or know someone who could use our advice, connect with us in the link in the comments.

05/11/2026

Head of Fixed Income Solutions Nick Goetze discusses that investing success isn't just about markets - it's about mastering emotions, avoiding behavioral mistakes, and building a portfolio that gives confidence and stability through every market cycle.

raymondjames.com