Research and timing are crucial when starting a new company. No doubt, anyone with a crystal ball would not have planned to open a new restaurant or bar in 2020. But no amount of research could have pinpointed exactly when a pandemic would strike nor the extent of its fallout.

​Art Haws, CPWA®, CFP® and Cam Goodwin, CFP®, CPFA know a little something about launching an unlikely business during unprecedented times.

​It feels negligent to write about the state of the economy or the investment markets without first pausing to acknowledge the current state of discord in the United States, says the Stearns Financial Group in a letter to clients.

Here are some excerpts, followed by some of their Top 10 2021 Predictions:

The chaos we experienced at our nation’s capital in early January along with the ongoing threats of armed protests around the country leading up to the inauguration are rivaled only by a second impeachment trial for our sitting president – the first in our history. As with the thwarted kidnapping plot surrounding the governor of Michigan last year, it seemed only a matter of time before something went (yet again) too far and shocked us all. Putting things into perspective, we know it is only an extremist subset of our population that are breaking the law. It is not “us.” And yet, this handful of people represent the state of affairs in our country and accordingly, injure us all. We hope and pray these unprecedented events will ultimately lead to a stronger democracy, a more civil society, and one in which the rule of law once again prevails.

Intercontinental Wealth Advisors’ 2020 Market Review and 2021 Outlook, compiled by Senior Investment Analyst Juan Pablo Villamarin, CFA, CAIA, is available now. This message from the executive team precedes the market commentary:
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“As we turn the page over for what has been one of the most challenging years for the human population as a whole, we want to take the opportunity to sincerely thank all of our clients for the trust and partnership they have bestowed upon us over the years. We mourn with all of you the human and financial hardship that this pandemic has caused many individuals and families around the world, and we welcome and hope for a quick transition to post-COVID life.”