Here’s Why We’re Grateful We Stepped Away from Stocks a Month Ago
Rewinding the Clock: Key Economic Shifts in 2025
📅 February 1, 2025: President Trump signed executive orders imposing 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada
📅 March 24, 2025: Executive Order 14245 imposed a 25% tariff on all goods imported into the U.S. from any country importing Venezuelan oil.
📅 April 2, 2025: Trump declared a national economic emergency, dubbed “Liberation Day,” and announced a universal 10% tariff — with much higher rates for certain countries, some as high as 34% or more.
Markets React Before the Headlines
Since early March, the market had already begun telegraphing unease — dropping over 6% before the April 2nd announcement.
Many of us, myself included, believed Trump had been clearly signaling these moves.
Plenty of analysts predicted it would spark a tit-for-tat trade war.
And I can’t think of anyone who believed that would end well for the global economy.
So we did what any prudent person would do when they see a train coming and aren’t sure if it’s going to stop:
We stepped off the tracks.
And I’m glad we acted when we did.
Portfolio Moves Made Ahead of the Storm
You see about a month ago, we adjusted client portfolios:
- We cut our exposure to Bitcoin as its trend went negative and triggered stop-losses
- Cut stocks entirely
- Increased our gold exposure
- Added high-yield bonds, and have since shifted to inflation-protected bonds
The Result?
Our clients aren’t panicking.
They’re still drawing income.
They’ve got cash on the sidelines, and a store of value in gold.
They’re not sitting frozen, wondering if they just need to “ride it out” — which, let’s be honest, is no plan at all.
Storm-Ready Retirement Planning
Because we plan for storms before they hit.
Not out of fear – out of prudence & wisdom.
Just like you take shelter when a bad storm’s rolling in (like on Wednesday night), we take care ahead of market squalls.
Because in retirement, risk isn’t just about volatility.
Risk in retirement is about hurting your quality of life.
It’s about hurting your quality of life
Losing sleep
Second-guessing your future
Making hard tradeoffs
You don’t need to live like that.
The Narrow Road Approach
At Narrow Road, the proof is in the pudding.
We help retirees with investment strategies crafted for:
- Stability
- Reliable income
- Peace of mind
— not guesswork & gritting your teeth through turbulence.
Wondering if You’re Positioned Properly?
If you’re unsure how your portfolio will hold up if this downturn drags on…
or you’re just tired of the uncertainty…
Let’s talk. I’ll walk you through the strategy that’s keeping our clients calm and confident right now. Just schedule a call with us with the button below.
Your friend,
– Tj
P.s. – We believe wealth is meant to bless our family and community. That’s why our mission is to help retirees live abundantly now rather than merely die in abundance later.
P.ps. – Maybe this isn’t your season of life — but someone close to you might be quietly wrestling with uncertainty right now. If you know someone who’s unsettled by the markets or unsure what to do next, forward this their way. You could be the reason they finally feel the freedom to stop worrying — and start planning with confidence.
