There are record levels of money market funds, but it doesn't mean quite what you think. Today we also explore recent market volatility sparked by Trump's brief tariff announcement and a sharp crypto sell-off that triggered stop-loss cascades. We also analyze seasonal trends, the rotation from mega-cap tech into value and small-cap stocks, and why most active managers underperformed the S&P 500 this year. We talk the importance of diversification, understanding risk tolerance, and viewing corrections as part of normal market cycles rather than reasons to panic.

We discuss...

• Markets experienced sharp volatility following Trump's brief tariff announcement and a cascading crypto sell-off.
• How stop-loss triggers and algorithmic trading can amplify short-term market moves.
• Gold and silver pullbacks are healthy corrections within a long-term bullish thesis on precious metals.
• Portfolio allocation and risk management are critical to surviving sharp market drawdowns.
• Seasonal patterns are examined and late-year volatility can set up strong year-end rallies.
• Underperformance of active managers relative to the S&P 500 comes from narrow market leadership.
• Don't chase short-term moves, instead focus on long-term positioning.
• We explore how investor psychology and herd behavior can magnify both rallies and declines.
• The episode touched on how retail investors often get whipsawed when reacting emotionally to news-driven moves.
• The conversation compared current market sentiment to prior bubbles in meme stocks and crypto.
• Diversification is the best protection against unpredictable volatility events.
• How market manipulation and liquidity gaps can distort short-term price signals.
• The discussion linked rising geopolitical uncertainty with the growing appeal of hard assets.
• We underscore the importance of having a clear thesis and sticking to it through market noise.
• Volatility should be viewed as opportunity, not danger, for prepared investors.

Today's Panelists:

• Kirk Chisholm | Innovative Wealth
• Phil Weiss | Apprise Wealth Management

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For more information, visit the show notes at https://moneytreepodcast.com/record-levels-of-money-market-funds-759