The Iran conflict and Strait of Hormuz disruption are creating uncertainty in global markets. Here’s what investors can learn from COVID—and how to think about volatility today.

Andrew and Tyler are joined by guest presenter Strider Elass, Senior Economist at First Trust, for an economic update. Strider is part of the First Trust Economics Team, which Bloomberg has consistently ranked among the top forecasters of the U.S. economy over the past decade. In this webinar, Strider discusses the current state of the U.S. economy, the outlook for inflation and Fed policy, potential market implications for investors, and what may lie ahead in 2026.

Recent joint airstrikes by the United States and Israel against Iran, and the subsequent escalation in the region, have introduced renewed volatility into global markets. In moments like this, headlines move quickly. Emotions can move even faster. Our role, however, is not to react to headlines. It is to interpret them carefully, filter out noise, and evaluate what, if anything, requires action within your financial plan.

The “b” word is not one most investors like to talk about, but what began as a whisper has grown louder and more prominent in recent weeks. While stocks are up for the year, the word is starting to inject a note of uncertainty into the markets…and when uncertainty comes, volatility follows.

In today's webinar, Andrew and Tyler are joined by guest speaker Patrick McMahon for a thoughtful discussion on long term care planning. Patrick, a Bakersfield native and insurance specialist, shares insights into the risks, costs, and considerations surrounding long term care. Drawing on real-world statistics and practical examples, the conversation explores how insurance can support retirement planning and help address potential care needs.

On Wednesday, October 1, Americans woke up to the news that their government had shut down. It is the first such shutdown since 2018, although there have been plenty of near-misses in recent years. In this case, both parties rejected last-minute proposals and counterproposals to fund the government, with the major sticking point being healthcare.