The wait is almost over!

Our newly remodeled Nashville office is nearly ready and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.

We designed the space to reflect what matters most to us: clarity, transparency, and simplicity. It’s also welcoming, professional, and soon to be full of Nashville charm. We can’t wait for you to experience the refreshed space. It’s built to inspire collaboration and connection.

Hill Team members Nick Ashby and Sherrie Dickson are especially excited to settle back in. With more natural light, open layouts, and beautiful views of the hills, it’s a space that truly embodies our commitment to Taking the Long View, something we know you value, too.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Tune Out the Noise. Stay the Course.

We’re more plugged in than ever. The average person now spends nearly four hours on their smartphone daily, and over half of Americans get their news from social media. That’s a lot of headlines, and most of them short, urgent, and emotionally charged.

While access to information has never been greater, trying to beat the market by reacting to it is one of the surest ways to undermine your financial progress.

This constant stream of information can rattle even disciplined investors. Markets dip on geopolitical tensions. Another AI company announces a breakthrough. Interest rates nudge higher. The instinct is to react, shift allocations, “de-risk,” or step out of the market altogether.

But history shows that these short-term decisions often hurt long-term results.

Explore the Research

Independent research backs this up. Morningstar’s Mind the Gap study, most recently updated in 2023, compares the returns of investment funds to the returns earned by the investors in those funds. The results reveal a persistent gap: investors tend to underperform their own investments by 1.0% to 1.7% annually. Why? Because they often buy high, sell low, and attempt to time the market, frequently in response to short-term news.*

Consider this hypothetical example: Over the last 50 years (1974–2023), while markets faced double-digit inflation, multiple financial crises, and a global pandemic, long-term investors who stayed disciplined were rewarded. A $1 investment in the MSCI World Index would have grown to approximately $126.** Now imagine an investor who underperformed that index by just 1% annually; they would have ended up with a portfolio roughly 40% smaller.

What We Focus On

At Hill Investment Group, we work to tune out short-term noise, not because we’re ignoring reality, but because we believe markets are constantly processing new information. The headlines you’re reading? The market read them about five seconds ago. By the time most investors can react, they’re already behind.

Taking the Long View means focusing on what can actually be controlled: strategic asset allocation, disciplined rebalancing, thoughtful tax management, and investor behavior. That’s where meaningful long-term impact happens.

When headlines get loud, remember this: staying invested is not a passive decision. It’s an active commitment to your plan. That’s what we help our clients do every day.

That’s The Long View.

* Morningstar (2023): Mind the Gap Study – U.S. Edition

** Dimensional Fund Advisors (2025): Geopolitical Jitters

At Hill Investment Group, we’ve found that when a few clients ask similar questions, many more are likely thinking the same thing. To better serve you, we’re introducing our “Hey Hill” series—addressing common client questions and sharing our perspective.

To submit a question for a future post, email us at service@hillinvestmentgroup.com.

Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, and anyone can be a target. Scammers are constantly developing new ways to access personal and financial information, whether it’s a fake email or a suspicious phone call.

We’re sharing examples of common fraud tactics we and others in the industry have observed, along with simple steps you can take to protect yourself and others.

Phishing Emails, Texts, or Letters

These are among the most common scams, and you likely encounter them daily. They’re often disguised as messages from banks, delivery services, or companies you recognize. The goal is to get you to click a link or share sensitive information.

What to watch for:

• Misspelled sender addresses or strange-looking links
  
• Urgent language (e.g., “24-hour notice” or “Immediate action required”)
  
• Requests for passwords, authentication codes, or personal data
  

What you can do:

• Don’t click suspicious links—hover and verify before clicking
  
• Contact the company directly through a known phone number or website
  
• When in doubt, delete the message
  

Impersonation Scams

Scammers may pose as government agencies (IRS, FBI, Sheriff’s Office), financial professionals, or even friends and family members in distress.

Common examples include:

• Claims that you owe money or face legal consequences unless you send funds immediately
  
• Urgent, secretive requests for access to your personal devices or accounts
  
• Promises of cryptocurrency “bonuses” or internet transfers via platforms like PayPal or Zelle
  

What you can do:

• Hang up and independently verify by calling an official number
  
• Don’t share personal information unless you initiated the contact
  
• Use two-factor authentication wherever possible
  
• Be skeptical—even caller ID can be faked
  
• Remember: government agencies will never request payment via cryptocurrency or gift cards
  

Staying Vigilant

Scammers rely on confusion and speed. If something feels off, pause and verify.

At Hill Investment Group, we take data security seriously. Our team undergoes regular training, and we maintain internal protocols to reduce cybersecurity risks. We also partner with a large custodian that maintains dedicated fraud prevention and monitoring teams.

If you’re unsure whether something is legitimate—or if you just need a second opinion—don’t hesitate to reach out to us or a trusted family member. We’re here to support your financial well-being and help you stay secure in an increasingly digital world.

Disclosures:
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice. Hill Investment Group is an SEC-registered investment adviser. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Always consult with your professional advisors before making decisions related to your personal security or financial situation.