stock market – WWM Financial

How Smart Investors Close Out 2025!

Dec 23, 2025

As we close the books on 2025, the entire WWM crew comes together for a fast-paced, insightful, and occasionally hilarious year-end market recap. From strong equity returns and surprise leadership from international markets to the continued dominance of AI, this episode breaks down what actually mattered and what investors may be underestimating heading into 2026.

There’s also a reflective pause in this conversation because the end of the year isn’t just about numbers. It’s about perspective. After navigating uncertainty, policy shifts, rate debates, and emotional market swings, this episode acknowledges what many investors are feeling right now: gratitude for resilience, relief after volatility, and cautious optimism for what’s ahead. It’s a moment to step back, take stock of progress, and remember why planning matters beyond performance.

We unpack:

How U.S. markets finished the year (and whether a Santa Claus rally still has legs)
Why international and emerging markets quietly stole the spotlight
The real story behind rate cuts, inflation data, and why lower rates aren’t guaranteed
Gold, commodities, and what fear, geopolitics, and central banks have to do with it
Key tax and planning takeaways after a year of uncertainty—and what moves still matter before the calendar flips

Plus, practical year-end reminders around Roth conversions, charitable giving, retirement contributions, and why early-January market volatility wouldn’t be surprising.

Thoughtful, candid, and grounded in real-world planning this is the kind of conversation worth ending the year with.

Recorded 12/23/2025

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Disclosure:

WWM Financial is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor

The opinions expressed in this program are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. It is only intended to provide education about the financial industry and how we may be able to assist. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. Any past performance discussed during this program is no guarantee of future results. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. Tax considerations presented may not be appropriate every individual circumstance. A tax professional should be consulted before making any decisions about your tax liability. wwmfinancial.com | 760.692.5190

What Investors Miss When Markets Stabilize But Policy Changes!

Dec 19, 2025

Markets may fluctuate week to week, but long-term planning requires a much wider lens. In this episode, the WWM team discusses how inflation, interest rates, and longer lifespans are reshaping retirement strategies and why investors may need to rethink traditional portfolio assumptions to stay ahead.

You’ll hear a clear update on year-to-date market performance, the latest CPI inflation reading, and what shifting rate-cut expectations could mean for 2026 and beyond. The conversation dives into why CDs and money markets may feel safe but could quietly erode purchasing power after inflation and taxes. The team also explains why volatility isn’t the same as risk and why being too conservative later in life can be one of the biggest retirement mistakes.

Highlights include:

Why inflation still matters even when markets are up
The hidden downside of sitting in cash and CDs
How longer lifespans are changing retirement portfolio design
What tax strategies like Roth conversions and tax-loss harvesting really mean
Why innovation, growth, and optimism still matter for long-term investors

A timely, practical conversation for anyone navigating today’s uncertain markets while planning for a longer financial future.

Recorded 12/18/2025

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Disclosure:

WWM Financial is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor

The opinions expressed in this program are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. It is only intended to provide education about the financial industry and how we may be able to assist. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. Any past performance discussed during this program is no guarantee of future results. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. Tax considerations presented may not be appropriate every individual circumstance. A tax professional should be consulted before making any decisions about your tax liability. wwmfinancial.com | 760.692.5190

The True Reason Rate Cuts Are Back on the Table And What It Means for You!

Dec 5, 2025

This week’s episode delivers a sharp, timely breakdown of the markets as we head into the final stretch of the year. Catherine, Rachel, Steve, and Vince unpack the sudden surge in stocks, why small caps are finally waking up, and what’s driving the shift in rate-cut expectations for 2025.

They also decode the mid-November market turbulence, what really caused institutions to reposition so quickly, and why those moves created outsized swings investors couldn’t ignore.

From there, the conversation moves into the mechanics of rates, mortgages, and the potential shake-up in Fed leadership and how each could shape the investment landscape in the coming year.

Rachel brings essential year-end tax guidance, including FSA deadlines, contribution rules, deduction timing, and the surprising situations where Roth conversions don’t make sense. The team also highlights the emotional traps investors fall into, the importance of real diversification, and why earnings, not headlines, remain the ultimate market driver.

Whether you’re planning ahead, reviewing allocations, or simply trying to make sense of the noise, this episode delivers the clarity and context investors need right now.

🎧 Tune in and stay ahead of what’s coming next.

Date Recorded: 12/04/25

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Disclosure:

WWM Financial is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor

The opinions expressed in this program are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. It is only intended to provide education about the financial industry and how we may be able to assist. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. Any past performance discussed during this program is no guarantee of future results. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. Tax considerations presented may not be appropriate every individual circumstance. A tax professional should be consulted before making any decisions about your tax liability. wwmfinancial.com | 760.692.5190

When the Fed Blinks: How Markets React to Every Hint of Policy Change

Nov 20, 2025

In this episode, Catherine, Greg, Steve, and Vince unpack one of the wildest market weeks of the year a roller-coaster ride fueled by surprise economic data, shifting Fed expectations, and tech-sector drama that had investors glued to the screen.

From a 35% swing in the S&P this year to a Fear & Greed Index plunging to 7 (yes, seven), the team breaks down what’s behind the sudden spike in fear and why panic-selling is the worst move you could make right now. They dive into job numbers, rate-cut odds collapsing from 90% to 35%, and how big-name tech earnings beat expectations yet still sent markets spinning.

You’ll also hear how extreme concentration in top tech stocks is shaping risk, why AI infrastructure demand “exceeds all expectations,” and what investors should actually do during a classic bull-market correction.

Plus real estate surprises, what rising home sales mean for mortgage seekers, and a timely reminder about checking your beneficiaries as we head into year-end estate-planning season.

It’s fast, it’s fun, and it’s full of insights to help you stay level-headed in a jittery market.

Date Recorded: 11/20/25

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Disclosure:

WWM Financial is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor

The opinions expressed in this program are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. It is only intended to provide education about the financial industry and how we may be able to assist. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. Any past performance discussed during this program is no guarantee of future results. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. Tax considerations presented may not be appropriate every individual circumstance. A tax professional should be consulted before making any decisions about your tax liability. wwmfinancial.com | 760.692.5190

Fed Policy Shift: What It Means for Markets Right Now

Nov 13, 2025

This week’s episode is packed because the markets did not take a break. Catherine, Greg, Rachel, and Vince unpack everything from the end of the 43-day government shutdown to the surprising shifts in stocks, rates, and IRS rules you’ll want on your radar.

We break down why the Nasdaq dipped, why the Dow climbed, and what investors should read into the sudden rotation from tech into value. Plus, the Fed’s December rate-cut odds just slipped from 65% to 55%… so yes, the markets are jittery, and we explain what that means for investors.

You’ll also hear the latest on 2026 retirement contribution limits, why charitable giving rules are changing, and how to use year-end strategies like tax-loss harvesting, QCDs, and catch-up contributions before the year closes.

And because we love a good fun fact: the U.S. is discontinuing the penny, after learning it costs $3.69 to make one. Yes, really.

If you want practical guidance with a little entertainment sprinkled in, this episode delivers it.

🎧 Tune in and get ahead of what’s moving the markets and your money right now.

Date Recorded: 11/13/25

Schedule A FREE Call

Disclosure:

WWM Financial is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor

The opinions expressed in this program are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. It is only intended to provide education about the financial industry and how we may be able to assist. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. Any past performance discussed during this program is no guarantee of future results. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital. Tax considerations presented may not be appropriate every individual circumstance. A tax professional should be consulted before making any decisions about your tax liability. wwmfinancial.com | 760.692.5190