Visible Beginnings: Navigating Uncertainty and Building Financial Confidence

Welcome to Visible’s inaugural blog – a space for thoughtful reflection on the many forces that shape your financial wellbeing. From expert insights to curated perspectives, our mission is to empower women to take charge of their financial futures with clarity and confidence.

I’ll be honest, writing this first post didn’t come easy. I’ve never written a blog before, and procrastination got the better of me. Thankfully, during a team call last Tuesday, my colleagues asked the simple but motivating question: “Need any help getting started?” That conversation was just the nudge I needed.

Let’s talk about uncertainty.

It’s everywhere—trade policy, tax changes, global conflict. As the media constantly reminds us, markets hate uncertainty. But really, who doesn’t?

The truth is, uncertainty is constant. No one knows what the market will do next. Even the youngest among us have lived through at least one major disruption—COVID, anyone? And still, markets recover. They always have. And often, they bounce back stronger, providing some amazing opportunities along the way.

This year is a perfect example. The S&P 500 started strong, peaking in February. But by April, concerns over tariff policy sent markets into a tailspin. On April 8, the S&P was down nearly 16% year-to-date and 19% from its February high. Yet just 12 weeks later, on June 27, it hit a new all-time high.

International markets have been a bright spot this year. After years of underperformance, they’ve surged, up 18.4% in the first half of the year (based on the MSCI ACWI ex U.S. index, a common benchmark used for international stocks). To be fair, over half of that return is due to a weaker U.S. dollar. The dollar is down about 10% overall—12% against the euro and 9% against the pound. If you’re traveling to Europe this summer, you’re likely feeling that firsthand.

What’s behind the dollar’s slide? Several factors. U.S. trade policy is pushing for more balanced trade, and a weaker dollar makes American exports more competitive. Meanwhile, concerns over U.S. debt are causing foreign investors to sell dollars in favor of their local currency. Global dollar reserves are now at their lowest level in 20 years. If inflation and employment data hold, the Fed may lower interest rates in September. Lower rates tend to make U.S. assets less attractive to foreign investors, putting additional downward pressure on the dollar.

But of course, things could shift. Unforeseen events often send investors rushing back to the dollar and U.S. Treasuries. That’s the nature of markets—constantly changing and largely out of our control.

So let’s focus on what is in our control.

First, our mindset. Staying focused on long-term goals helps buffer short-term noise. Even for those with shorter time horizons, a well-balanced, global portfolio can lead to steadier, more resilient growth.

Second, our strategy. You don’t need a complicated or expensive currency hedge. International investments can serve as a natural hedge, as they have this year. Diversifiers like gold, precious metals, or even bitcoin can serve as a store of value that is unrelated to the U.S. dollar and other currencies.

We can’t control the markets. But we can control how we prepare, how we respond, and how we move forward—with intention and confidence.

We’re so glad you’re here. Let’s begin this journey together.

Meg Connelly
Chief Investment Officer

Investment advisory services offered through Equita Financial Network, Inc., an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Equita Financial Network also markets investment advisory services under the name Visible Wealth Planning. The foregoing content reflects our opinions and is subject to change at any time without notice. Content provided herein is for informational purposes only and should not be used or construed as investment advice or a recommendation regarding the purchase or sale of any security. There is no guarantee that the statements, opinions, or forecasts provided herein will prove to be correct. Past performance may not be indicative of future results. Indexes are not available for direct investment. All investing involves risk, including the potential for loss of principal. There is no guarantee that any investment plan or strategy will be successful.