Jeff Cashman, Founder of Cashman Consulting, an Investment Advisory and Retirement Consulting firm discussed “Stock Market Volatility – It’s a Matter of Perspective” today.

When considering stock investments, Jeff suggested we break information down into 4 areas –

• What we know. We know what the Dow Jones Industrial (DJI) average is today, Year to Date and large declines that have occurred in the past (Black Swan events) such as 1987, 1990, 9/11/2001 and 2008-9. The total capitalization of Dow companies is about $8 trillion with 4 million people employed
• What we have been told. This impacts how we think but you have to remember that the anchors for the major news organizations are each paid between $5 and $40 million per year and they are part of the entertainment business. Often their comments are not facts and have an agenda.
• What we do not know. Where the Dow (DJI) will be at a future date. We know where it has been in the past and can average out the returns over time periods.
• What is our/others opinion.

What is your investment time horizon? If it is a week, you are a trader. As an investor, is it just until retirement (age 65 for most) or for your lifetime? Jeff argues it should be the latter as most people live many years after retirement.

The stock markets are a by-product of the global economy. For the market to grow and for countries to grow, it is necessary for these economies to grow as both the economies and markets are a product of buyers and sellers. That will be true after the pandemic just as it was after the tech bubble, 9/11 and the financial bubble!

Where will the stock market be in the next 10 years? In May 2013 (when many people thought the market was too high), an article was written “Can Dow 25,000 happen?”. Over time, people (many considered experts) have always pointed out the market is too high. Jeff showed the DOW has gained an average of 8.19% over the last 25 years.

His opinion is you should stay in the market. That means managing your fears and expectations. You should be an investor not a trader. Your time horizon should be your lifetime. You should also always consider the source of the information.

With the growth of China, India and other emerging countries, many suggest we are in Industrial Revolution 2.0 For the near term, Jeff’s opinion is US GDP for the second quarter and company earnings for the second quarter will be bad (due to the pandemic). His opinions further out are on the bright side – Unemployment will be lower (than now) at the end of the year and the DOW will be higher one year from now.

Today was a history lesson on investing. Jeff’s opinion – “Don’t time the market. Invest for the long haul!” Remember. “It’s a Matter of Perspective!”

Thank you to Steven Goldfarb and Alvin Goldfarb Jewelers for the speaker’s donation of fresh produce for Harvest Against Hunger. Also note there is on online auction for Harvest against Hunger and Kim, our Club Administrator will send out details.

The meeting was opened by President Desiree Yuzawa at 8 AM. John Schwager did the invocation and pledge while Kit Bowerman introduced our visiting Rotarians and guests.

Colleen Turner shared that summer books were distributed to low income students at Lake Hills Elementary for their Literacy Support program, which helps students avoid the summer slide during the summer break. Thank you to Colleen and BBRC for this support of the Bellevue School District.

 Tanya Franzen-Garrett then introduced the BBRC college scholarship recipients from Sammamish High School and Forest Ridge School for 2020. Those joining us were Ryan Lank, Austin Brooke, Caleb Daly and Haley Droppelman (Sammamish High) and Rohini Achal from Forest Ridge. In addition, 4 returning students from previous years, all Sammamish graduates, received an additional scholarship award – Lilya Garzon-Boyd, Aysha Altayar, Grace Kneeland and Ana Espindola-Garzon. Congratulations to all these students from BBRC!

President Desiree awarded the May Rotarian of the Month award to Jenny Andrews!Congratulations Jenny.

Girish Bhatia, BBRC President Elect, asked Rotarians to sponsor our speakers during the 2020-21 Rotary year and filled all the months! He also asked for website articles as we are redoing our website with great contributions from Dustin Walling! In addition, there is still a need for Committee Chairs and as well as committee member sign-ups!

About the Speaker