Gold, silver, and other precious metals have rallied over the past two years, capturing investor attention. Gold recently surpassed $4,700 per ounce while silver now trades above $90 per ounce, marking historic milestones for both metals. This strong recent performance may lead some investors to wonder whether they should be investing in these assets. As with all investments, it's important to maintain a broader perspective to understand their history and how they fit into a well-constructed portfolio.

The strong stock market performance of the past several years has been positive for investors and their financial plans. At the same time, these recent successes can lead to unrealistic expectations when it comes to long-term financial goals. This is because investing and financial planning occur through all parts of the cycle, in both good and bad markets. So, while benefiting from investment opportunities and managing risk are important, it’s just as critical to set proper expectations grounded in history, analysis, and tailored financial plans.

The arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by U.S. forces represents an unexpected and significant geopolitical event. As has been widely reported, the U.S. military successfully conducted an operation that detained Maduro on charges related to drug trafficking and corruption. President Trump stated in a press conference that the United States will "run" Venezuela and work to expand its oil production.

2025 was a historically strong year for markets despite the many events that took place along the way. The past year delivered no shortage of headlines including April's tariff announcements, ongoing developments in artificial intelligence stocks, the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and more. Yet through it all, investors are likely happy as U.S. stocks rose to new record highs, international markets outperformed, and bonds continued their rebound. The S&P 500 has now generated double-digit returns in six of the past seven years and has nearly doubled in value since the market bottom in 2022.