A Message of Vigilance and Focus

“There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception.”

- Aldous Huxley

As your trusted advisor, our role is to bring clarity and perspective to the financial decisions you make.

The past two weeks have proven to us once again that fear and uncertainty drives markets into deep bouts of volatility. We understand this feels frustrating, unsettling and uncomfortable.

We have confidence in the financial systems around the world, knowing they will work hard on stabilizing our economy and getting confidence back into the systems. Time will give us the needed factual information to determine how to best proceed. In the meantime, we will remain vigilant, making any necessary adjustments.

How should we react? 

Just like flying a plane, “You can’t trust your instruments except when you have to.”

One of the toughest things about learning to fly is learning to trust the instruments, especially when they disagree with what we see and feel. However, we have no choice; our eyes, our inner ear, and our general kinesthetic (a fancy word for “seat of the pants”) senses can all be fooled. This is one of those things that’s impossible to believe until you’ve experienced it - and then it’s impossible to forget.

The same things happen when we invest based solely on emotion and how things may “feel” at the current point in time.

Whether you’re really experiencing disorientation in the clouds or, hopefully, just practicing under the hood with an instructor, the first time you catch your body lying to you it is jarring, indeed. Given the right sort of input, everything from your brain on down will line up in lockstep agreement that your airplane is flying straight and level when, in actuality, you might be in a steep spiral.

That’s powerful stuff and has to be taken absolutely seriously. As financial advisors, we respect the power unsettling influences have on clients and respond by using the trusted instruments of our profession to guide the recommendations that we make.

We are also focused on continuing to deliver timely, quality services to you in the safest manner. Our team has the technological and operational capabilities to work remotely and conduct meetings virtually if this becomes necessary. Charter Oak has had a flexible work environment for many years and our team is adept at this.

We take solace in the human condition. We are all strong, adaptable, clever, and opportunistic – which will likely help as we proceed.

Throughout the turbulent last few weeks, we also want to take the time to thank you, our clients. We are grateful for the trust you place in us.

Charter Oak will continue to work diligently to provide the information, facts and advice you need through this uncertain and historic time. We will continue to be available by phone, email and, if necessary, via online meeting for any questions or concerns you may have.