In the last several months we have watched worldwide financial markets experience a season of volatility that we have not seen in a generation. Many investors have witnessed their portfolio values decline, even as they employ a consistent strategy of investing for retirement.
To help you understand and find your way through these troublesome times, we’ve prepared this online special issue of GuideStone Magazine. Here, you’ll find a timeline of events that have brought us to these market conditions. You’ll also find some helpful dos and don'ts for navigating the market, as well as commentary from GuideStone’s investment experts.
GuideStone has always encouraged retirement investors to be well diversified and appropriately allocated. It is important to evaluate your current asset allocation based on your long-term goals and objectives. Your goals and objectives should reflect your risk tolerance, investment time horizon and age, and should not be based solely on fear of where the market may go in the short-term. Remember that the markets historically have rewarded long-term investors that utilize a well balanced portfolio — even with exposure to market risks.
During its nine decades, GuideStone has weathered a Depression, multiple recessions, world and regional wars, terrorism at home and abroad, dot.com tech bubble and economic upheaval. Know that GuideStone is committed to serving you through these challenging times and remains keenly focused on the trust you have placed in us.
All of us here at GuideStone pray you and your family have a blessed Christmas season.
O.S. Hawkins
President — Chief Executive Officer