__*“Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” –* Proverbs 15:22__

When it comes to managing your money wisely, few decisions are as important as choosing a financial advisor. But for Christians who want their finances to reflect their faith, it’s about more than just numbers and returns—it’s about finding someone who shares your convictions and walks with wisdom.

Here are three foundational categories to help you make a thoughtful, values-based decision.

__Values Alignment: Does Your Advisor Share Your Biblical Worldview?__

At the heart of every financial decision lies a set of values. For believers, those values are shaped by Scripture and a desire to honor God with everything, including money. That’s why the first and most critical step in choosing a financial advisor is making sure they see financial planning through a biblical lens.

__Key questions to ask:__

- *“What role does faith play in your financial advice?”*
- *“What’s your definition of financial success?”*

Look for someone who not only respects your beliefs but actively integrates biblical wisdom into their guidance. Are they encouraging you to be generous, to see money as a tool rather than a goal, and to pursue faithfulness over financial status?

To help in this search, consider looking for a [Certified Kingdom Advisor® (CKA®)](https://www.faithfi.com/find)—a professional trained specifically to apply biblical principles to financial planning. You can find one at[ FaithFi.com](https://www.faithfi.com/) under “Find a Professional.”

__Competency: Do They Have the Skills and Experience You Need?__

Even the most aligned values won’t get far without practical expertise. A wise advisor should be equipped to handle the complexities of your financial situation and bring clarity to your planning.

__Ask questions like:__

- *“What are your credentials and certifications?”*
- *“How long have you been in practice, and who do you typically work with?”*
- *“What is your approach to financial planning?”*

Credentials like CFP® (Certified Financial Planner), CPA® (Certified Public Accountant), or CFA® (Chartered Financial Analyst) signal rigorous training and ethical standards. Just as important is their ability to explain their process clearly and tailor their advice to your unique circumstances—whether that’s preparing for retirement, navigating investments, or stewarding an inheritance.

__Process & Compensation: Are They Transparent and Client-Centered?__

Understanding how an advisor works—and how they’re paid—is vital. Their process should be relational, thorough, and focused on your best interest.

__Questions to consider:__

- *“What is your process for creating a financial plan?”*
- *“How are you compensated for your services?”*

Some advisors charge a flat fee (fee-only), while others earn commissions based on products sold. A transparent advisor will explain their compensation model and how it may affect their recommendations. Ideally, their incentives should be aligned with your goals, not driven by sales.

__Seek Wisdom, Not Just Wealth__

Selecting a financial advisor isn’t just a logistical choice—it’s a spiritual one. You're choosing someone who will help shape how you steward God’s provision. That’s why it’s worth taking the time to evaluate not just their credentials, but their convictions.

__By asking the right questions about values, competency, and process, you’ll be better positioned to find an advisor who will not only help you grow financially but also walk in greater faith and faithfulness.__

FaithFi

Articles

For Christians who want their finances to reflect their faith, it’s about more than just numbers and returns.

How To Choose The Right Financial Advisor

__Imagine going back in time to evaluate a stock portfolio on Dec. 31, 1999. Over the prior five years (1995-1999), foreign stocks have performed well, nearly doubling in value (+95%). But then you look at your U.S. stocks, which have gained 2.5 times as much (+244%)!__

That huge performance disparity caused many global investors to pile into U.S. tech stocks during the dot-com bubble. Alas, from the dot-com bubble peak in March 2000, performance for these classes flipped back the other way. Over the next 7½ years, U.S. stocks earned a meager +13.5% (total), while foreign stocks were much better, gaining +69%.

Global investors have recently relived a similar, if even more dramatic, setup. Over the past 14 years, U.S. stocks have gained *four times* more than foreign stocks: +493% vs. +114% (13.6% vs. 5.6% annualized). As during the 1990s’ dot-com bubble, the default decision for many global investors has been to increasingly pile into large U.S. growth stocks.

__Catalysts are emerging__

The effect of 14 years of U.S. outperformance on stock valuations has been profound. The average weighted Price-to-Earnings (P/E) ratio for the MSCI U.S. Index is 26.5. For the MSCI World ex-US index, it’s just 16.1.

However, as SMI has written countless times, valuation is not a helpful timing indicator. Foreign stocks have been cheap for years now. The valuation gap tells us that if/when investors favor foreign stocks again, the reversal could pack a powerful punch. But it doesn’t tell us anything about *when* that is likely to happen.

What factors should we be watching for signs of a reversal between U.S. and foreign stocks? SMI has covered some of this ground before, specifically in the January 2024 article, *[Uncomfortable Regime Shifts](https://soundmindinvesting.com/articles/uncomfortable-regime-shifts)*. That article explained how the higher inflation environment since COVID has led to rising interest rates. Higher rates make “tangible” businesses more attractive relative to the more “ethereal” tech businesses that thrived during the recent era of ultra-low interest rates. Not coincidentally, the U.S. market is dominated by big tech companies (Magnificent Seven, etc.), while foreign markets are much less heavily weighted toward tech.

That’s a solid over-arching thesis to keep watch on. But as we’ve watched the opening months of the new [Trump 2.0 administration](https://soundmindinvesting.com/articles/trump-2-0-using-objective-investing-models-to-guide-us-through-anticipated-disruption) with keen interest, other factors have emerged to cause global investors to question their devotion to the “U.S. Exceptionalism” trade that has been the default in recent years.

__New administration policies tipping investor preferences?__

There’s considerable recent evidence that global investors are starting to vote with their feet. February and March have seen significant outflows of U.S. stocks, while foreign stocks are seeing huge inflows. Given the extent and duration of U.S. stock dominance in recent years (see chart below), we’re not willing to say this trend has definitively reversed. But given the massive degree of mean reversion possible after such a long one-sided move, it’s something we’re watching closely.


![](https://soundmindinvesting.com/assets/articles/l3-us-share-world-market-capitalization.png)


Here are a few reasons investors may be inclined to favor foreign stocks.

1. __Fiscal impulses are reversing.__
Over the past five years (since COVID), the U.S. has run enormous deficits, allowing the government to spend at a rate unprecedented outside of past wars or recessions. U.S. deficits of roughly 7% of our GDP have dwarfed the spending of other countries (most of whom have run deficits of 2-3% of their much smaller GDP levels). The net effect of this gusher of U.S. government spending has been much stronger U.S. economic growth than other countries.Suddenly, and somewhat unexpectedly, this is reversing. Much of the attention since President Trump’s inauguration has focused on cutting U.S. government spending. At the same time, tariff and treaty uncertainty has triggered numerous foreign nations to significantly boost their own plans for government spending.Put simply, the U.S. is *reducing* its fiscal spending while the rest of the world is *increasing* theirs. Government spending has a powerful short-term impact on the companies that receive it and their stock prices.
2. __Growth expectations are diverging.__
This is another angle on the prior point. The U.S. avoided a recession when most expected one in 2022-2024. In contrast, Europe and China suffered through recessions and now appear to be emerging out of them. Declining growth here vs. improving growth elsewhere changes the relative attractiveness of high-priced U.S. stocks vs. the relative bargains available overseas.
3. __Re-writing the global economic agreement.__
For many years, the global economy ran on the following rough equation: the U.S. bought everyone else’s stuff (exports), and then the rest of the world recycled many of the dollars used to buy those goods back into U.S. financial assets (stocks and bonds). That’s arguably been a bad deal for U.S. workers, but it’s been great for U.S. asset prices which have boomed.Now, President Trump has clearly stated his intent to rewrite this equation by increasing U.S. manufacturing. This means less U.S. buying of everyone else’s exports...and by logical extension, less foreign buying of U.S. financial assets.
4. __Interest rate differentials are closing.__
Interest rates are impacted by many factors, but one of the biggest is growth expectations. So it’s not surprising that after several years of very low growth expectations in major economies like Europe and Japan (plus China fighting through their own 2008-type financial crisis the past several years), improving foreign growth prospects are causing foreign interest rates to finally rise from the extreme lows of the past decade.More competitive rates at home make foreign investors incrementally more inclined to bring their capital home, rather than seeking higher yields in U.S. assets, including U.S. Treasuries. These global capital flows matter to national economies (money flowing *in* to a country creates a virtuous cycle for business, money flowing *out* tends to create challenges). And these flows matter a lot to financial markets.
5. __National pride.__
It’s easy to forget that while U.S. financial markets are disproportionately large relative to U.S. population or the U.S. share of global economic activity, the rest of the world combined isn’t far behind. International money managers control vast amounts of capital, assets that could potentially be on the move as the U.S. appears to become a less reliably friendly place for global capital.Opinions vary widely on some of the international decisions being taken by the Trump Administration. But even if they are necessary and appropriate, they clearly are triggering other nations to perceive them along a sliding scale ranging from pulling back from long-time friendships (Europe) to outright economic warfare and threats (Canadians are mad!). In addition to the purely logical points listed here, it wouldn’t be shocking to see emotions play a role in some foreign investors choosing to bring their savings back home
6. __Currency revaluation.__
Currency fluctuations are complicated, but here’s a high-level overview. When the dollar is *rising* in value relative to foreign currencies, foreign investors get a secondary benefit by owning U.S. stocks, as dollar profits are more valuable when converted back into their native currencies. Meanwhile, U.S. investors see the opposite effect from their own holdings of foreign stocks — foreign profits are less valuable because it takes more of them when being converted into stronger dollars.This dynamic flips when the dollar is *falling* relative to foreign currencies — foreign investors become relatively less enthused by U.S. returns, while U.S. investors get a boost from foreign stock returns.Many factors impact the value of currencies, so we don’t want to oversimplify here. But generally speaking, lower U.S. growth should lead to lower interest rates. Higher foreign economic growth should lead to higher foreign interest rates. These trends appear to be contributing to the dollar’s roughly -6% decline in value relative to foreign currencies since peaking in early January. The dollar decline has provided a recent tailwind to U.S. investors owning foreign stocks while potentially incentivizing foreign investors to reduce their holdings of U.S. stocks.
### 
__Broader options are a good thing for SMI strategies__

The factors we’ve reviewed here help explain why President Trump and Treasury Secretary Bessent keep repeating the idea that an adjustment period is required for the U.S. economy and that some pain may be ahead for U.S. asset prices. Starting points matter a lot in investing, and the reality is U.S. markets began 2025 with some of the highest valuations ever. In contrast, many foreign markets have very attractive valuations after being largely ignored for years.

Even if a rebalancing between U.S. and foreign markets is underway, it’s difficult to know whether this will be a rapid repricing vs. a trend that unfolds gradually. Either way, the SMI strategies will monitor this via our trend and momentum processes. Those processes led DAA into foreign stocks at the end of January, which has helped blunt the recent correction in U.S. stocks. (DAA’s foreign stock holding was up +11.2% year-to-date through March 25, while the S&P 500 was down -1.5%.) This month, [Stock Upgrading](https://soundmindinvesting.com/articles/stock-upgrading-new-fund-recommendations-for-april-2025) is buying a new foreign stock fund for the first time since December 2023.

Importantly, this isn’t the first time SMI has navigated a potentially significant trend shift away from large U.S. stocks and into foreign stocks. The years following the dot-com bubble saw huge outflows from large U.S. growth stocks that went into other parts of the market, including foreign stocks. Those years were some of SMI’s *strongest relative performance years ever*.

__The simple fact is that it’s difficult for active management to outperform when the biggest U.S. growth stocks are beating every other investment type by a wide margin. In contrast, active management tends to thrive when market activity broadens out to include foreign, small company, and value-oriented stocks. It’s too early to say definitively the trends have shifted in this direction, but the recent pickup in foreign stock returns has certainly grabbed our attention.__

Since 1990, do-it-yourself Christian investors have relied on SMI for proven strategies and trustworthy guidance.

Sound Mind Investing

Investing

Have stocks shifted in a different Direction? Recent pickup in foreign returns has certainly grabbed our attention.

Time for Foreign Stocks to Shine?

__More than 20 years ago, an idea known as “the latte factor” made its way through personal finance circles. In essence, this idea suggested that *small* daily spending decisions—buying expensive coffee shop coffee instead of making coffee at home, or buying lunch at a restaurant instead of bringing your lunch to work—cost people big-time.__

Proponents would run the numbers. “Just think, if you stopped spending $5 a day on fancy coffee during the week and invested that money instead, by the time you’re 70, you could be a zillionaire!”

Although the idea certainly has merit, getting *big* financial decisions right—how much you spend on a house or car, for example—will be far more impactful. The same can be said with investing. Getting the big things right is crucial.

__The big things__

Successful investing has much more to do with behavioral factors than financial factors. In other words, it has more to do with how *you* behave than how the *market* behaves. That should come as good news because, while you have no control over what the market does, you have a lot of control over what you do.

Here are seven big factors that will have a significant impact on your success as an investor, all of which are within your control.

- __Whether you have an investment plan.__
At one point in “Alice in Wonderland,” Alice asks the Cheshire Cat for directions. When the cat says, “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” Alice says, “I don’t much care where.” To which the cat replies, “Then it doesn’t matter which way you go.”You probably aren’t so nonchalant about where *you’re* going. To get to your destination, it’ll help to have a plan. A retirement plan starts with your target retirement date and how much you’re hoping to have in your retirement portfolio by then. Next, you’ll be able to figure out the best steps for getting there.
- __How much you invest each month.__
Generally speaking, for those in the accumulation phase, investing 10 to 15 percent of your monthly gross income should be enough to build a sufficient retirement nest egg. But it depends on how old you are, when you plan to retire, and how much you’re aiming to save. You can get more specific by using [MoneyGuide](https://soundmindinvesting.com/articles/planning-is-always-a-work-in-progress-moneyguide-can-help), a powerful retirement planning tool available to SMI premium members for a small one-time fee, or another retirement planning calculator.
- __Your asset allocation.__
There’s no such thing as the perfect portfolio that will put you on the right side of every market move. The “right” mix of investments is the one that generally matches your time frame and risk tolerance.If you’re using SMI’s Fund Upgrading or Just-the-Basics strategies, take SMI’s [risk tolerance quiz](https://soundmindinvesting.com/start-here/risk-tolerance-quiz). That will help you determine an appropriate level of risk in your portfolio. And *that *will help your portfolio generate the level of gains you need from a growing market as well as an acceptable level of losses in a downturn.
- __How you choose investments.__
One of the most common mistakes in investing is deciding too quickly what to invest in. The financial press fosters this, constantly touting this investment or that, as if any particular investment is right for everyone. It’s all very ad-hoc, reactionary, and stressful.It’s far more effective to choose an objective, process-driven investment strategy that tells you how to build a diversified portfolio, when to sell a particular holding, and what to buy next.
- __Your point of comparison.__
To report on the stock market’s performance, the financial press uses an index like the S&P 500. It’s tempting to use it as the benchmark for your** portfolio.However, unless you are solely invested in an S&P 500 index fund, that’s the wrong point of comparison. The right one is the average annual return your portfolio requires to accomplish your goals.
- __How often you look.__
If you pay close attention to the stock market, it can drive you crazy. It goes up, it goes down—seemingly without rhyme or reason. SMI’s primary strategies are updated once a month. That’s often enough to check on the market.
- __Your level of commitment.__
With investing, as with life, it’s easy to think “the grass is always greener on the other side.” To play the comparison game. To head in one direction, only to read a headline or see a promotion that makes you wonder if you’re moving in the right direction.Choose your strategy with care, commit to it, and stay with it.
### 
__The little things__

If you’ve gotten those *big* things right, you’ve taken some of the most important steps toward investing success. However, it will help a lot if you also let go of the following.

- __Daily market “news.”__
At the end of every trading day, investment reporters are tasked with the unenviable job of explaining why the market did what it did, so they list a reason or two. But what moves the market is usually far too complex to boil it down to a simple explanation. And more importantly, most days’ market news doesn’t even matter. Remember, you’re not in it for every market wiggle. You’re in it for the long haul.
- __The “what-if” game.__
On slow news days, investment reporters often resort to this click-bait script: “If you had invested $1,000 in XYZ company 30 years ago, it would be worth $100,000 today.” Or maybe you were seriously considering a certain investment some time ago but took a pass. You check up on it every now and then and, of course, it went to the moon. Now you torture yourself with an occasional round of “what if?”A related expression of this is questioning one particular investment in your portfolio. Diversification, which reduces risk, recognizes that it’s impossible to know which individual portfolio holding will outperform. Holding numerous investments that were chosen through an objective, rules-based process, puts the odds of success in your favor.The sooner you quit the what-if game, the better.

On this side of heaven, life will never be perfect. That isn’t bad news, it’s helpful news. With investing, it reminds us to focus on getting the big things as right as we can while letting go of the little things.

__[Image](https://soundmindinvesting.com/articles/getting-the-big-moves-right)__ used  with permission

With investing, let's focus on getting the big things as right as we can while letting go of the little things.

Getting the Big Moves Right

__Did you know that according to the National Center for Health Statistics, the average 65-year-old man today can expect to live roughly 18 more years, while his similarly aged wife can expect to live more than 20 more years? Another fact: Social Security payments generally replace less than 40% of a retiree’s pre-retirement income.__

What do these statistics tell you about the need to save for retirement? Everything. They underscore the importance of taking responsibility to prepare for your own retirement. This is especially true for small-business owners (and the self-employed) who don’t have a company contributing to a plan on their behalf. But small-business owners should be encouraged: they have access to the same types of plans large corporations use.

Let’s review the benefits of saving in a retirement account. One of the biggest is that funds contributed to a retirement plan usually aren’t taxed as current income. Further, contributions made by a business owner (but not employee deferrals) are tax-deductible as a business expense. And, unlike salaries, they’re not subject to payroll taxes.

Additionally, funds inside a retirement account grow tax-deferred. This means no income tax is due on contributions or the investment profits they generate until the money is withdrawn during retirement — unless one is using a Roth account. (With a Roth 401(k), contributions are taxed before going into the plan, but withdrawals of principal and earnings are tax-free in retirement.)

Offering a good retirement plan also helps attract and retain employees!

Many types of retirement plans exist, so business owners often have difficulty identifying which are best suited to their business. Let’s take a look at the plans available for use by for-profit organizations.

__1. Qualified Plans.__

There are two main categories of qualified plans:

*Defined benefit* specifies a monthly amount a retiree will receive, i.e., a pension. For example, the plan might guarantee a retiring worker 70% of his or her pre-retirement income for life.

*Defined contribution* specifies the contribution to be made by the employer/owner. It does not, however, guarantee a specific level of benefit at retirement. For example, the plan might specify a contribution amount equal to 3% of annual salary. The most popular types of defined contribution plans are the 401(k), SIMPLE 401(k), Profit-Sharing, and Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP, not shown in table). Qualified plans must comply with extensive government rules regarding employee participation and coverage, and IRS reporting requirements can make such plans costly to set-up and maintain.

__2. IRA-Funded Plans.__

These plans use *individual retirement accounts* to hold the assets in an employee’s name. But unlike traditional and Roth IRAs, an employer funds at least part of the account. The two main types of employer-sponsored IRAs are Simplified Employee Pensions (SEP-IRAs) and Savings Incentive Match Plans for Employees (SIMPLE-IRAs). Employer-sponsored IRAs typically require less time and attention to establish and maintain than qualified plans.


However, these plans have a key disadvantage from the employer’s perspective: *amounts are fully vested as soon as they are contributed*. As the vesting row of the table below shows, IRA-funded plans don’t allow an employer to require a certain length of service before owning the funds in his/her account. If an employee quits the day after a contribution is made, the funds will still belong to him.


![](https://soundmindinvesting.com/assets/articles/l4-small-business-retirement-plans.png)


__Qualified or IRA-funded?__

There are tradeoffs when deciding which type of plan is best for your business. Contributing higher levels of money may mean annual reporting to the IRS is required (see table). Conversely, being free from the reporting requirements (IRA-funded plans) may mean contributions to employee accounts can’t follow a vesting schedule. The goal is to find a balance between flexibility and utility.Answering the following questions should narrow your choices:

- __Are you willing to make mandatory contributions annually?__ 
If yes, then consider all plans. The determining factors will be which group of employees you are targeting, whether you would like employees to be able to contribute, and whether you prefer gradual or immediate vesting of contributions. (If you’d rather not have to fund the plan every year, consider only SEP-IRA, Profit Sharing, and 401(k) plans.)
- __How much are you — as the employer — prepared to contribute annually?__
If you’re willing to commit greater than 3% of payroll, but less than $70,000 for each key employee, consider Profit-Sharing, 401(k), SEP, or SIMPLE-IRA plans. If you want to contribute $70,000 or more for key employees, consider Money Purchase, Defined Benefit, or possibly Profit-Sharing plans with some additional features.
- __Are you willing to make annual filings with the IRS?__
If so, then any type of plan is fair game. If not, stick with either a SEP or SIMPLE-IRA plan.

Answering these questions may not point you to a single “best” plan, but doing so should narrow the options. However, *unless you are comfortable working with detailed rules and regulations, seeking the help of a professional in making a final selection and implementing a plan is strongly advised.*

__That said, don’t allow the confusing nature of these plans to keep you from saving for retirement, or from helping any employees you have to do likewise. As the Book of Proverbs tells us, “Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer” — and they are called “extremely wise” for doing so ([Proverbs 30:24](https://ref.ly/Prov%2030.24;niv?t=biblia)). May it be so with us.__

__[Image](https://soundmindinvesting.com/articles/a-road-map-to-retirement-plans-for-small-business-owners1)__ used with permission

Retirement

Business owners often have difficulty identifying which are best suited to their business. Let’s take a look.

A Road Map to Retirement Plans for Small-Business Owners

They say you shouldn’t sweat the small stuff, but that doesn’t mean you can ignore the big stuff, either. When it comes to finances, and especially investing, it’s important to get the big moves right. Mark Biller joins us today to go over the things that need special attention.

Mark Biller is Executive Editor and Senior Portfolio Manager at [Sound Mind Investing](https://soundmindinvesting.org/?%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1295850508872026842&utm_source=moneywise&utm_medium=moneywise&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL8ozMsnWSywo0MvJzMvWT9Uvzi%2FNS8nNzEvJzCtLLS7JzEsHAC68E5srAAAA), an underwriter of [Faith & Finance](https://www.faithfi.com/show). 

Today, we’ll cover some key takeaways from [Sound Mind Investing](https://soundmindinvesting.org/?%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1406008510245626691&utm_source=moneywise&utm_medium=moneywise&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL8ozMsnWSywo0MvJzMvWT9Uvzi%2FNS8nNzEvJzCtLLS7JzEu3rytKTUstKgIy45OK8suLU4tsnTOK8nNTAU0jnGBFAAAA)’s recent article, [_Getting the Big Moves Right_](https://soundmindinvesting.com/articles/getting-the-big-moves-right), which explores seven critical investment decisions that can make or break your financial future.

### 1\. Have a Clear Investing Plan

As the old saying goes from the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, _"If you don’t know where you’re going, it doesn’t matter which way you go."_ A successful investment strategy starts with a plan—one that outlines:

* Your target retirement date

* The amount you hope to have saved by that date

* The steps needed to achieve that goal

Without an investment plan, it’s easy to drift or make hasty decisions based on emotions or short-term market fluctuations.

### 2\. Commit to Investing Consistently

One of the most significant factors in successful investing is how much you invest each month. While everyone’s situation differs, investing 10–15% of your monthly income during your working years is a general rule of thumb.

Your age, retirement timeline, and savings goals will influence this percentage, but the key is to make investing a consistent habit—not something you do only when you have extra cash.

### 3\. Get Your Asset Allocation Right

There’s no such thing as a “perfect portfolio” that always wins in the market. Instead of chasing returns, focus on the right mix of investments for your:

* Time horizon (how long you have until retirement)

* Risk tolerance (your ability to withstand market fluctuations)

At [SMI (Sound Mind Investing)](https://soundmindinvesting.org/?%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1406008510245626691&utm_source=moneywise&utm_medium=moneywise&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL8ozMsnWSywo0MvJzMvWT9Uvzi%2FNS8nNzEvJzCtLLS7JzEu3rytKTUstKgIy45OK8suLU4tsnTOK8nNTAU0jnGBFAAAA), their members start with a risk tolerance quiz to determine the best balance between stocks and bonds. A well-diversified portfolio ensures that when one part of the market struggles, another part can provide stability.

### 4\. Choose Investments Wisely

Many investors fall into the trap of buying stocks or funds based on hype or following the latest market trend. Instead, focus on:

* Process-driven investment strategies that guide decisions based on long-term goals

* Diversification across asset classes to minimize risk

* Avoiding emotional investing based on fear or excitement

Rather than constantly adjusting your portfolio based on short-term news, stick to a disciplined investment approach that aligns with your financial plan.

### 5\. Measure Success with the Right Benchmark

Too many investors compare their portfolios to popular stock indexes like the S&P 500, but this can be misleading.

If your portfolio contains more than just large U.S. stocks, using the S&P 500 as your benchmark may lead to unrealistic expectations. Instead, measure success based on:

* Your personal financial goals

* The average return needed to achieve those goals

In other words, success isn’t about “beating the market”—it’s about making steady progress toward your investment objectives.

### 6\. Limit How Often You Check Your Investments

One of the biggest emotional traps investors fall into is checking their portfolios too frequently.

* Daily monitoring can lead to panic-driven decisions

* Overtrading increases costs and reduces long-term gains

* Market fluctuations are expected, and checking too often can create unnecessary stress

At [SMI (Sound Mind Investing)](https://soundmindinvesting.org/?%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1406008510245626691&utm_source=moneywise&utm_medium=moneywise&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL8ozMsnWSywo0MvJzMvWT9Uvzi%2FNS8nNzEvJzCtLLS7JzEu3rytKTUstKgIy45OK8suLU4tsnTOK8nNTAU0jnGBFAAAA), they recommend checking investments monthly—or even quarterly—to maintain a long-term perspective.

### 7\. Stay Committed for the Long Haul

Many investors struggle with "grass-is-greener" syndrome, constantly switching:

* Investment strategies

* Financial advisors

* Individual stocks and funds

While there are appropriate times to make changes, they happen far less frequently than most investors think. Choose your investment strategy carefully, then stick with it—even when market conditions fluctuate.

### What to Let Go of for Investment Success

Once you’ve nailed the big investment moves, free yourself from these distractions:

1. **Daily Market News**—Most headlines are designed to create fear or hype, not provide useful long-term advice. 

  

2. **The “What-If” Game**—Don’t waste time thinking about missed opportunities—focus on future decisions. 

  

3. **Portfolio Micro-Management**—Diversification means some investments will perform better than others at different times. Stay patient and trust your strategy.

Investing isn’t about perfection—it’s about faithfulness and consistency. Here’s how to ensure long-term success:

* Create an investment plan

* Stick to your strategy

* Commit to steady investing

* Monitor progress with the right benchmarks

* Limit emotional reactions to market noise

The key to financial freedom isn’t found in chasing quick gains—it’s in making faithful, long-term decisions that align with wise stewardship principles. Above all, trust God as your ultimate provider. Investing is a tool for wise financial stewardship, but our true security is in Him—not in our portfolio’s performance.

To dive deeper into today’s discussion, check out the full article [_Getting the Big Moves Right_](https://soundmindinvesting.com/articles/getting-the-big-moves-right) at [SoundMindInvesting.org](https://soundmindinvesting.org/?%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1406008510245626691&utm_source=moneywise&utm_medium=moneywise&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL8ozMsnWSywo0MvJzMvWT9Uvzi%2FNS8nNzEvJzCtLLS7JzEu3rytKTUstKgIy45OK8suLU4tsnTOK8nNTAU0jnGBFAAAA). Want personalized guidance? [SMI (Sound Mind Investing)](https://soundmindinvesting.org/?%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1406008510245626691&utm_source=moneywise&utm_medium=moneywise&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL8ozMsnWSywo0MvJzMvWT9Uvzi%2FNS8nNzEvJzCtLLS7JzEu3rytKTUstKgIy45OK8suLU4tsnTOK8nNTAU0jnGBFAAAA) offers tools like the risk tolerance quiz and MoneyGuidePro to help investors stay on track.

### On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:

* I have a $410,000 universal life insurance policy that I opened in 2020. I now have $30,000 in cash value built up. My children are grown and independent. What would be the best way for me to move that $30,000 somewhere else?

* My dad is starting to retire and has equity in his home. Would it be a good idea for him to take out a reverse mortgage to pay off his significant credit card debt so he can live comfortably in retirement? He still has a mortgage on the home.

### Resources Mentioned:

* [Faithful Steward: FaithFi’s New Quarterly Magazine](https://faithfi.com/give)

* [Getting the Big Moves Right (Sound Mind Investing Article)](https://soundmindinvesting.com/articles/getting-the-big-moves-right)

* [Sound Mind Investing (SMI)](https://soundmindinvesting.org/?%24web_only=true&_branch_match_id=1406008510245626691&utm_source=moneywise&utm_medium=moneywise&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL8ozMsnWSywo0MvJzMvWT9Uvzi%2FNS8nNzEvJzCtLLS7JzEu3rytKTUstKgIy45OK8suLU4tsnTOK8nNTAU0jnGBFAAAA)

* [Movement Mortgage](https://movement.com/faith?_branch_match_id=1406008510245626691&utm_medium=faithfi&_branch_referrer=H4sIAAAAAAAAA8soKSkottLXL8ozMsnWSywo0MvJzMvWz80vS81NzSuxrytKTUstKsrMS49PKsovL04tsnXOKMrPTQUAaZFz8zkAAAA%3D)

* [Wisdom Over Wealth: 12 Lessons from Ecclesiastes on Money (Pre-Order)](https://www.faithfi.com/shop/wisdomoverwealth)

* [Look At The Sparrows: A 21-Day Devotional on Financial Fear and Anxiety](https://www.faithfi.com/sparrows)

* [Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool](https://www.faithfi.com/rtg)

* [Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)](https://www.faithfi.com/find)

* [FaithFi App](https://www.faithfi.com/manage)

Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith &amp; Finance is also available on the <a href="https://www.moodyradio.org/programs/faith-and-finance/">Moody Radio Network </a>and <a href="https://afr.net/podcasts/faith-finance/">American Family Radio</a>. Visit our website at <a href="https://www.faithfi.com/">FaithFi.com </a>where you can join the FaithFi Community <a href="https://www.faithfi.com/give">and give </a>as we expand our outreach.

Faith & Finance is a daily radio ministry hosted by Rob West. The program offers a practical, biblical and good-natured approach to managing your time, talents and resources.

Faith & Finance with Rob West

Investing: Getting the Big Moves Right with Mark Biller

## Episode Notes
*“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”* - Philippians 2:4
We tend to think of that verse as a prescription for giving to help the poor and needy and that’s good. But is there an application that involves investing? Stella Tai joins us today to talk about how your investing can have a positive impact in the world.

Stella Tai is Manager of Stewardship Investing Impact and Analysis for [Praxis Mutual Funds®](https://www.praxismutualfunds.com/?utm_campaign=praxis-all-moneywise&utm_source=moneywise&utm_medium=partner-site-link&utm_content=logo-), an underwriter of [Faith & Finance](https://www.faithfi.com/show).
### Why Should People of Faith Focus on Impact Investing?
Impact investing is an investment approach that goes beyond the traditional goal of making a profit. It’s a way to use investment dollars to promote social and environmental good in the world through carefully selected investment portfolios.
Impact investing holds particular significance for people of faith because it aligns with the scriptural mandate to use our gifts, talents, and possessions for good. Faith provides a moral compass, guiding investors to avoid investments that harm society while promoting strategies that address pressing global issues, such as healthcare, education, and environmental stewardship.
People of faith have a rich history of pioneering this type of investing, drawing inspiration from groups like the Quakers and Catholic orders that have been practicing values-aligned investing for decades.
### Integrating Faith-Based Impact into Investment Portfolios
For individuals or institutions looking to incorporate faith-based impact into their investment portfolios, here is some practical advice to get started:
1. __Articulate Values:__ Clearly define the values that will guide your investments.
2. __Align Current Portfolios:__ Assess existing portfolios to ensure they align with these values.
3. __Utilize Available Tools:__ Explore funds and financial advisors experienced in impact investing.
These steps help investors begin the journey of integrating impact into their investments, whether in traditional markets or philanthropy.
If you’d like to learn more information about Praxis Mutual Funds, you can visit[ praxismutualfunds.com](https://www.praxismutualfunds.com/).
### On Today’s Program, Rob Answers Listener Questions:
- I have a rental property with a $50,000 mortgage at 5.5-5.6% interest. I have the ability to pay off the mortgage, but I'm unsure if I should let the renter continue paying it off while I invest the money elsewhere or if I should pay it off myself. What would be the better financial decision?
- I have a 5-acre property that includes my current home. I want to do a lot split to build a smaller retirement home on part of the land. What are the best financing options for building the new home while I continue living in my current home? Should I sell my current home first and rent it back, or try to stay in it during construction? And what tax or capital gains implications do I need to consider with the lot split and home sale?
- I made about four times what my wife made on average during our working careers. Our plan was for my wife to start taking her Social Security at age 62, and then when I started taking mine at age 67, she would switch over to spousal Social Security. However, we recently attended a seminar where the presenter said that even if my wife switches to my spousal benefit at 67, she will still suffer a 25% penalty. Is that true? I want to ensure I understand the implications before deciding when to start our Social Security benefits.
- I'm 63, and my wife is 60. We both still work. We have $200,000 in savings, earning only 1.5%, and my wife has $200,000 in her 401(k). I declined a 401(k) at my job since they didn't match. Should I invest the $200,000 in savings instead of leaving it in the low-yield account? I plan to keep working as long as I'm able.
### Resources Mentioned:
- [Praxis Mutual Funds](https://www.praxismutualfunds.com/?utm_campaign=praxis-all-moneywise&utm_source=moneywise&utm_medium=partner-site-link&utm_content=logo-)
- [Bankrate.com](http://bankrate.com/)
- [Rich Toward God: A Study on the Parable of the Rich Fool](https://www.faithfi.com/rtg)
- [Find a Certified Kingdom Advisor (CKA) or Certified Christian Financial Counselor (CertCFC)](https://www.faithfi.com/find)
- [FaithFi App](https://www.faithfi.com/manage)
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Faith & Finance is also available on the [Moody Radio Network ](https://www.moodyradio.org/programs/faith-and-finance/)and [American Family Radio](https://afr.net/podcasts/faith-finance/). Visit our website at [FaithFi.com ](https://www.faithfi.com/)where you can join the FaithFi Community [and give ](https://www.faithfi.com/give)as we expand our outreach.

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” - Philippians 2:4  We tend...

Why Impact Investing? with Stella Tai

For more than a quarter century, financial advisors have used the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals. So why change it now? Some advisors are now saying 4% may be too high, while the man who wrote the rule says it’s too low. In today's Faith and Finance Rob West weighs into the debate. This is Faith and Finance -  biblical wisdom for your financial decisions.
- We’ll start by consulting God’s Word about saving and spending, which lays down a basic principle. Proverbs 21:20 tells us, *“Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.”*
- We certainly don’t want to be foolish, so choosing the right percentage that we can withdraw from our holdings each year in retirement is important, to say the least. Too little and you may not be able to meet your expenses. Too much, and you run the risk of running out of funds during retirement.
- You might be curious about where the 4% rule came from in the first place. Way back in 1994, investment advisor Bill Bengen published an article that detailed how and why he was recommending to his clients that they only withdraw 4% a year from their assets in retirement.
- Bengen said he created his 4% rule based on a hypothetical investor who retired in October, 1968, and was promptly hit with an extended bear market and high inflation. In other words, a “worst case scenario.”
- And even though you might be tempted to think history is repeating itself now, Bengen believes that by tweaking asset allocation, a retiree would actually be safe withdrawing up to 4.7% annually, as he is doing now. To be fair, he’s suggesting that 4.5% would be safer, until we see what inflation will do in the near future.
- So how did Bengen arrive at the new, 4.7% figure? He says it’s due to the greater gains he’s seen by adding small and microcap asset classes to his portfolio. He says that increased volatility, but also gains, which made his 4.7% calculation possible.
- Besides the benefit of increasing the rate of withdrawal in retirement, the new rule also allows the retiree to reduce allocation in stocks over bonds. The old 4% rule was based on a 50 to 70% stock allocation, which could make many retirees jittery.
- The new higher withdrawal rate of 4.7% over the long haul is based on an ideal stock allocation of only 55 to 60%.
- Bengen says having less than that in equities will lower your return enough enough to make 4.7% unworkable, but having more than that will create enough volatility to also threaten your safe withdrawal rate.
- But not all investing experts are as optimistic as Bengen. In fact, Morningstar is now suggesting that the old 4% rule is too high a withdrawal rate for the times. They’re recommending that figure be reduced to just 3.3%.
- Remember that the goal is to have enough built up to last for a 30-year retirement, say from age 65 to 95. Market returns and inflation will no doubt fluctuate a great deal over that time, but in the end, they should balance out.
- And whether you use 3.3, 4, or 4.7% as your safe withdrawal rate in retirement, they all assume that percentage of your portfolio will be enough to live on when Social Security is added to the mix.
- Anyone contemplating an earlier retirement will need a great deal more in assets or a lower withdrawal rate, or both. That certainly won’t be easy.
- Some investment advisors suggest that maximum diversification is one way to overcome the uncertainties of bear markets and inflation. That means not just having a broad spectrum of stocks and bonds, but also having several different “buckets” of retirement holdings.
- Some might be in a 401k or traditional IRA with their tax-deferred benefit. Some could also be in a Roth IRA, that’s funded with after tax money but allows for tax-free withdrawals. Some equity holdings could be income-producing, some dividend-paying.
- Some fixed income securities could be I bonds, which are taxable; others could be municipal bonds which aren’t subject to federal tax. Some “munis” even escape state taxes, as long as you live in the state that issued the bonds.
- This can all get pretty confusing. There's a case for having an experienced financial advisor help you with your retirement investing, whether you’re already retired or you're still working. We believe strongly in the Certified Kingdom Advisor designation. With a CKA, you’ll not only have an experienced advisor, but one who shares your Christian values. You can find a local CKA professional, by going to faithfi.com and click the [Find a CKA](https://www.faithfi.com/find) at the top of the page.
Next, Rob answers these questions at __800-525-7000__ or via email at [askrob@FaithFi.com](mailto:askrob@faithfi.com?subject=Faith%20and%20Finance%20Listener%20Question&%20Finance%20Listener%20Question)
- How can you give up a timeshare that you purchased last year if the sellers are telling you that it can't be sold back to them? (Rob referred the caller to the [Timeshare Users Group](https://tug2.com/Home)).
- What's your best recourse to pay off about $7000 in credit card debt and buy now pay later loans if you are 64, living on a fixed income, and don't want to get further in debt? (Rob referred the caller to [Christian Credit Counselors](https://www.christiancreditcounselors.org/)).
- Would it hurt your credit rating to close a Mastercard you opened last year when you were trying to get out of a timeshare, but never activated the card? (Rob referred the caller to [annualcreditreport.com](https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action)).
- What is the purpose of opening a Roth IRA now if you were told by an advisor you should have one waiting to be funded for when you retire in five years?
- How do you report interest paid to you by a home buyer who was initially renting from you?
Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Also, visit our website at [FaithFi.com](https://www.faithfi.com/) where you can join the FaithFi Community, and even download the free FaithFi app.

For more than a quarter century, financial advisors have used the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals. So why change it n

4%: A Rule To Be Broken?

There are also no secrets to successful investing. In the long run, several key factors will determine your results. Mark Biller lays those out for us today on Faith and Finance.
Mark Biller is the executive editor at <a href="https://soundmindinvesting.com/">Sound Mind Investing</a>.
<ul><li>Today we want to look at <a href="https://soundmindinvesting.com/articles">an article</a> you have up at SoundMindInvesting.org titled, “Eight Key Factors That Determine Your Long-Term Investing Results.” We’ll dive into those in a moment. But first, let’s talk about the big-picture message we hope you’ll take away today.</li><li>In a nutshell, it’s to focus on what you can control rather than worry about what you can’t. That’s good advice for all aspects of life, including money management. </li><li>For investors, it’s a timely reminder as well, given the ever-present uncertainty about the stock market’s future direction. But regardless of which way the market moves this year, there are still several factors you have direct control over. So those are the things to focus our attention on.</li><li>KEY FACTORS</li><li>1. The rate of return you earn: This is what investors focus most of their attention on, which causes them to spend their time trying to pick winning stocks, the best funds, or the most astute market guru to follow. </li><li>And it’s not that your rate of return doesn’t matter. It obviously does. It’s just that, unfortunately, this is the one factor we’ll discuss today that’s largely out of your control, unless you’re willing to settle for guaranteed CD-like returns. No matter how hard you study or how much you know, you can’t predetermine exactly what your rate of return will be. So instead, it makes sense to turn your attention to the factors where you do have a lot of control.</li><li>2. Building on a strong foundation: This is the first factor that you DO have control over. You don’t have as much to fear from economic storms and bear markets if you’re debt-free, have an emergency reserve, and use a cash flow plan that produces a monthly surplus. </li><li>Your ability to put such a foundation in place is affected by how big a house you buy, how new a car you drive, how responsibly you handle credit, and a host of other decisions—most of which are under your direct control.</li><li>3. How much you save and invest: Invest $200 a month for 20 years at 10.0% and it will grow to $152,000. You could improve that to $198,000 by either (1) increasing your annual rate of return from 10% to 12%, or (2) by increasing your deposit by $60 per month. </li><li>A lot of investors will try to move heaven and earth to boost that return, while boosting the monthly deposit is much more certain and under their direct control.</li><li>3. How much you lose to taxes: The example I just gave assumes you’re investing in a tax-deferred retirement account. If you made your $200 monthly investments into a regular taxable account, you’d need to earn 12.6% per year rather than 10%, just to reach even the lower $152,000 target. (That’s assuming a 29% combined federal/state rate.) </li><li>So you want to make full use of tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s.</li><li>4. How long you save: Examples of compound interest and investment growth show us that amazing things happen when you leave money invested for long periods of time. That means you should start contributing to your investment accounts as early as possible and plan to leave the money working tax-deferred for as long as possible.</li><li>5. Whether you’re playing the short game or the long game: With the long-term investing game, you win by plotting your strategy very carefully at the outset, and then letting that strategy play out over time. Short-term news, current market fads, and so-called expert opinions are largely irrelevant to long-term investors.</li><li>So turn off the financial shows on TV and stop looking at your daily returns.</li><li>6. Whose advice you listen to: Is your strategy in sync with biblically based financial principles, or more reflective of the conventional thinking offered by the secular investing world? It’s your choice.</li><li>And there we can recommend two sources for biblical financial advice: Obviously at Sound Mind Investing. Also, you can connect with a Certified Kingdom Advisor. You can do that at <a href="https://www.faithfi.com/">FaithFi.com</a>.</li></ul>On this program, Rob also answers listener questions: 
<ul><li>What is the best approach to saving for and purchasing a car? </li><li>How can you get the best possible return on your money with minimal risk? </li></ul>Remember, you can call in to ask your questions most days at (800) 525-7000. Also, visit our website at <a href="https://www.faithfi.com/">FaithFi.com </a>where you can join the FaithFi Community, and even download the free FaithFi app.

The late Colin Powell said, “There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.”  ﻿There are also no secrets to successful investing. In the long run, several key factors will determine your results.

Factors for Successful Investing With Mark Biller

There's a difference between a house and a home as a good investment. What's the difference between the two? Ron Blue shares his insight and experience on this topic.

The Ron Blue Institute seeks to be a thought leader with great influence committed to changing the way Christians think, act, and communicate about financial stewardship, empowering the church, and changing the world.

Ron Blue Institute

Videos

There's a difference between a house and a home as a good investment. What's the difference between the two?

Is a House a Good Investment?

Values-based investors are in a unique position to redeem capital and wealth.

Eventide’s Co-Chief Investment Officer, Dolores Bamford, CFA, is proving that investors do not have to decide between what is profitable and what is right. Instead, she has been an integral part of Eventide, building a model to deliver superior returns while also making a positive impact on the world.

Listen to Dolores’s personal story as she guides listeners through her journey of developing a passion for finance.

__Transcript:__

I was interested in finance because it reminded me of family dinners and my parents talking about finance and business at the dinner table. My father is my mentor, so he really brought the human aspect of business and management to light. He really lived this service orientation about business, that business’s role is to serve others.

As I continued to gain more experience as an analyst and a portfolio manager, I became more sensitive to how negative business practices and ethics were having a negative effect on shareholder value because it was having a negative effect on certain stakeholders that the two were connected. I would become more sensitive to this and eventually start a US responsible and global responsible equity practice at Goldman Sachs and develop portfolios that are focused on companies that have strong ethics and strong values. Going back to seminary really enabled me to really dive deeper into specific topics where I really wanted to advance my investment philosophy. It really was very confirming to what I had already learned and what I had already experienced, which was that a company that is running a human-centered or an employee-honoring culture is adding value to society and is creating value for their shareholders.

I believe that Eventide is the culmination of my career and my life journey, pursuing virtuous investing and the culmination of my 25-year experience in investment management and as an analyst analyzing companies and recognizing the importance of values and ethics and evaluating companies and in my education as well, my business school education, as well as my theological education. It’s just the absolute perfect fit. As I grew to love finance and to learn about companies, I felt like I was at the dinner table again, talking to my dad and that love for business continues to shine through. Like I’m still talking to my dad 20, 30 years ago.

__Disclosure:__ This communication is provided for informational purposes only and expresses views of Eventide Asset Management, LLC (“Eventide”), an investment adviser. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives, generate profits, or avoid losses. Eventide’s values-based approach to investing may not produce desired results and could result in underperformance compared with other investments. Any reference to Eventide’s Business 360® approach is provided for illustrative purposes only and indicates a general framework of guiding principles that inform Eventide’s overall research process. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

Eventide

Insights

Values-based investors are in a unique position to redeem capital and wealth.

Investing with Purpose

__How do you decide if a stock will be a good investment?__

Investors' answers to this question usually fall into one of three categories:

1. Indexing – No one can answer this question
2. Quantitative Data Crunching – Looking at objective metrics and tangible assets
3. Fundamental Qualitative Investing – Looking at both objective metrics AND intangible qualities

__Director of Education @ShaunMorgan walks through how Eventide seeks to identify early indicators of a company’s long-term success.__

You can also find the whole story here ⇒

Apple Podcasts: [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbmVqeGtZWFJYOEs3aWhtR2Q4ZGVRTXk5LVQ5QXxBQ3Jtc0tscWVNZzBGaEhvekx0d1I4UVpiRE9CdDFjN25RdGFkclZ2RzJXMEpETVZBLUVBbnVBUThITlhpQUwzMW9qbTJwTHdxV09JMk1mM3gwUUdyUzFmeVlUT1l1cnpZbDdQVlZYRnRtQTZLenNIT0dpQlNwMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fus%2Fpodcast%2Fthe-company-behind-the-stock-price-ft-dolores-bamford%2Fid1691896688%3Fi%3D1000618463660&v=dTqEu32GAFo)
Spotify: [https://open.spotify.com/episode/7ldX...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1NCVXl0UEVuMXVOQ1VvR3NWY1BrOGtLS09XZ3xBQ3Jtc0tuSTVzX3NoQUlzQ29MZmxVM0dSMnZLUUVsQVJqZTNwckoxOUNCUFd3djdzblY3UXlTNUxxWm50MnBxaTY1UnZQM0Z6NWJVZG16ZVU3OS1nNW9EUlU1ZkVsNUdra0NYV25JQ0VqQ0p3WG9RN1JaSzN6OA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fopen.spotify.com%2Fepisode%2F7ldXyo99v9WalDvie8g6Sb%3Fsi%3D42f3260f7ccb42a2&v=dTqEu32GAFo)
Youtube:   [The Company Behind the Stock Price ft...  ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8slQxSY-qX8&t=0s)
Google: [https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0...](https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbE1VSENRc1R5TGx0R2pLeGNLOWtUNVFQOE44QXxBQ3Jtc0tuNnBGQWJWU2tGVHZkSHFPY0dxS1otN2RGcDJDM3lKNnhpSk5EVERqazdTNnByYVpNM0MtWUtyUEl5UE1Pa3RlRnoycENXQmNnd2JMTjZzQjdheXREVjk5Y1VTbEw2QnFzTFJaaXJPamxORU1BRl9rRQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.google.com%2Ffeed%2FaHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8yMTcyNTgwLnJzcw%2Fepisode%2FQnV6enNwcm91dC0xMzA5Njk5MA%3Fsa%3DX%26ved%3D0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjg08LI2YSAAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQBA&v=dTqEu32GAFo)

*This communication is provided for informational purposes only and expresses views of Eventide Asset Management, LLC (“Eventide”), an investment adviser. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives, generate profits, or avoid losses. Eventide’s values-based approach to investing may not produce desired results and could result in underperformance compared with other investments. Any reference to Eventide’s Business 360® approach is provided for illustrative purposes only and indicates a general framework of guiding principles that inform Eventide’s overall research process. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.*

*Eventide’s ethical values screening criteria could cause it to underperform similar investments that do not have such screening criteria. This could be due to ethically acceptable companies falling out of favor with investors or failing to perform as well as companies that do not meet Eventide’s ethical screening guidelines. The Adviser’s judgment about the quality of a particular company may prove to be incorrect.*

*Eventide uses its trademark (“Investing that makes the world rejoice®”) in a figurative manner to help explain its focus on serving investors by helping them improve the world.*

How do you decide if a stock will be a good investment?

Three Ways Investors Evaluate Stocks

In a recent interview on the Invest by Design podcast, Eventide CEO Robin John shares his view that investors are inevitably rooting for a company’s success when investing. This should ultimately shape how we approach investing.

Hear the full episode on [Apple](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/invest-by-design/id1691896688), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/5oX2cLjSqqOWe55D92E7WF), [YouTube](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLl7ow5b65N2HgPLmmgf1PwkeWxZ5ILMGr), or [Google](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8yMTcyNTgwLnJzcw/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xMzAwNjI5Mg?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjAqcSrzMD_AhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ).

__Transcript:__

*So what were the problems that you saw with investing and how did you think they needed to be fixed?*

*Shaun, when I was starting Eventide with Finny one of the biggest issues I saw in the investment world is that people didn’t even understand what investing is. I think that the number is that 150 million investment accounts exist in this country but I don’t think most of those people have really thought through the purpose of business or of investing. I was actually recently speaking to a professional money manager and that person couldn’t explain to me what the purpose of investing is, but a couple of weeks ago I was at…speaking to a class of undergraduate students and I asked them “what is the purpose of investing?” and they said “to allocate capital” and I said to them “where would you want to allocate capital?” And they started giving me examples of the types of things that they would…where they would want to allocate capital, and so one of the things I often remind people is that we also root for the success of the companies we’re investing in. So it’s not just about avoiding ill-gotten gain, but really like what do you want to see in the world? Those are the areas we should be putting our capital? So if you if you are investing in tobacco, an investor is happiest if everybody in the world smoked tobacco, you want more and more people to be customers in tobacco companies. Vice versa, if you are investing in a cancer drug, you want everybody with cancer to have access to that drug, right? So what are we rooting for in the world? Most investors haven’t really thought through the purpose of investing or the power of investing to change the world.*

__This communication is provided for informational purposes only and expresses views of Eventide Asset Management, LLC (“Eventide”), an investment adviser. There is no guarantee that any investment strategy will achieve its objectives, generate profits, or avoid losses. Eventide’s values-based approach to investing may not produce desired results and could result in underperformance compared with other investments. Any reference to Eventide’s Business 360® approach is provided for illustrative purposes only and indicates a general framework of guiding principles that inform Eventide’s overall research process. Investing involves risk including the possible loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results.__

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