If the recent market turbulence has you feeling unsettled, you’re not alone. Whether you’re retired, still saving, or somewhere in between, it’s natural to feel the urge to “do something.” But moments like these are precisely why your portfolio was built with care and foresight.

Here’s how we’re thinking about this moment—and how you can, too:

For Retirees and Near-Retirees:

Your portfolio includes years’ worth of conservative fixed income—intentionally. That cushion is what allows you to ride through downturns without needing to change your lifestyle or your plan. Stability was built in for exactly this reason.

For Accumulators (Still Saving):

If you’re still in growth mode, volatility has a silver lining. Down markets give you the chance to buy great businesses at lower prices—essentially investing in your future at a discount. It may not feel good in the moment, but it’s a long-term gift.

Understanding Volatility:

Markets rise over time—that’s the first truth. The second? They often fall along the way. Since 1990, the market has averaged a 10.5% annual return. But within each of those years, the average drop was 14%. Roughly every five years, we’ve seen a drop twice that size. This week isn’t a surprise—it’s part of the journey.

Why This Drop Feels Different:

This downturn stings because it’s policy-driven—our leaders’ decisions caused global turbulence. That makes it feel personal, even avoidable. But it’s not evidence that the system is broken. In fact, it’s proof that capitalism endures.

The Market Is Resilient:

Time and again, companies adapt. They grow earnings, find new efficiencies, and create value through war, recessions, political turmoil, and global crises. Your portfolio isn’t built for perfection—it’s built for reality and for the long arc of progress.

Our Approach:

You’ll never hear us say, “It’s time to go to cash.” That’s not a strategy—it’s a reaction. Our philosophy is rooted in evidence, patience, and discipline. It’s why we stay the course and take the long view.

As always, we’re here if you want to talk.

At Hill Investment Group, we often say that real financial planning isn’t about being exactly right today—it’s about being less wrong tomorrow.

That may sound strange coming from a team grounded in evidence, logic, and long-term thinking. But we also know life doesn’t follow a straight line. That’s why we believe the most valuable part of financial planning isn’t the plan itself—it’s the process of ongoing planning.

Carl Richards, a friend and fellow long-term thinker, offers a great analogy we love to share:

Airline pilots prepare a flight plan before every trip. Yet when asked how often the flight goes exactly according to that plan, the answer is: rarely.

Course corrections are built into the process because the unexpected is expected. Weather changes. Winds shift. But the destination remains the same—and they keep adjusting until they land safely.

The same principle applies to your financial life. We build your plan using the best data available—making thoughtful assumptions about returns, taxes, inflation, goals, and more. But the moment the plan is complete, we know one thing for sure: it will be wrong. We just don’t know how yet.

That’s not a flaw. It’s reality.

Real planning is what happens next. It’s the process of revisiting, refining, and adjusting—so you can stay on track, even when the world around you changes.

That’s why our team is here: not just to build your plan, but to keep you flying steady all the way to your destination.

Take the Long View.

We’re thrilled to share some exciting recognition for Hill Investment Group and our upcoming Longview Advantage ETF (ticker: EBI). Bloomberg recently published an article highlighting this innovative fund launch, describing it as part of a growing trend that is reshaping how investors approach tax efficiency. We’re honored to be included in this discussion and to be bringing a cutting-edge solution to our clients and the market.

Here are some highlights from the article and why this matters to you:

A $500 Million ETF: The Next Big Tax-Efficient Launch
The Longview Advantage ETF, set to launch on February 25, 2025, will debut with an estimated $500 million in assets expected in the first month (likely making it one of the more successful launches in 2025). This fund is unique because it’s designed to help investors defer taxes while rebalancing their portfolios. Through a strategy known as a 351 conversion, investors can exchange their existing securities for shares in the ETF without triggering a capital gains tax bill.

This approach has been compared to tools like 1031 exchanges for real estate but with the added liquidity and flexibility of an ETF. It’s a powerful way to gain diversification without losing to taxes in the process.

Built on Evidence-Based Investing
At Hill Investment Group, of course, you know we believe in strategies grounded in academic research. Under the leadership of Matt Zenz, formerly of Dimensional Fund Advisors, the Longview Advantage ETF will use a systematic approach to select stocks based on lower valuations and higher profitability – two factors expected to drive long-term performance.

Our commitment to evidence-based investing ensures that the fund is not only tax-efficient but also built to deliver meaningful results over time.

Why This Matters
Some investors feel stuck holding appreciated securities, unable to rebalance without incurring significant taxes, this ETF is a solution for them. By converting assets into shares of the Longview Advantage ETF, investors can:

• Diversify their portfolios,
• Defer capital gains taxes until they sell ETF shares,
• Align with a strategy designed for long-term success (which is what we care most about).

As Matt Hall shared with Bloomberg:
“To be able to get diversification and defer the taxes — for us, it’s the best financial planning idea we’re bringing to certain clients in 2025.”

What’s Next?
We’re counting down to February 25, when the Longview Advantage ETF will officially launch. This milestone represents our commitment to bringing thoughtful, innovative solutions to investors. We’re also engaging with financial advisors and family offices nationwide to expand access to this unique offering.

You can read the full Bloomberg article for additional details about the launch and its broader impact on the industry.

Thank you for being part of the Hill Investment Group journey. Everything we do is about putting the odds of long-term success on your side. The Longview Advantage ETF (EBI) is another example of our commitment to this objective.