We’ve been saying it for years, and it’s always nice to hear others—especially respected voices like Jason Zweig—reinforce the message.

In a recent Wall Street Journal column, Zweig highlights a subtle but costly mistake many investors are making right now: chasing what’s worked recently and ignoring timeless principles like diversification, discipline, and rebalancing.

He writes:

“You’re making predictions without even realizing it. And most of those predictions are probably wrong.”

Sound familiar?

Zweig’s advice mirrors the core of our evidence-based approach:

• Avoid making emotional or speculative moves
• Stick with a globally diversified plan
• Rebalance with purpose, not panic

This article is another reminder that resisting the urge to act on headlines is often the most powerful move an investor can make.

Read the full piece here.

Long before the Wall Street Journal picked it up, we were already tuned in.

A year and a half ago, we hosted a private screening of Tune Out the Noise—a thoughtful, visually arresting short film that captures the essence of what we’ve been saying for years: successful investing isn’t about reacting to the news—it’s about rising above it.

The film, directed by Academy Award-winner Errol Morris and centered on the story of Dimensional Fund Advisors’ David Booth, is now getting the national spotlight. The WSJ recently featured the film and its message, which reinforces what we’ve long believed—and shared with our clients:

Ignore the noise. Focus on what matters. Stick to the plan.

We’re proud to have brought this film to our clients and friends well before it was newsworthy. That’s part of what we do—curate ideas, tools, and insights that help you stay the course, often before the rest of the world catches on.

Read the Wall Street Journal article:

Investing Documentary by Errol Morris Tells You to Do Nothing

Market volatility is back in the headlines, and if you’re feeling uneasy, you’re not alone. Over the past month, markets have given us another sharp reminder of what it means to be an investor. On April 2nd and 3rd, the S&P 500 fell a combined 10.7%—a drop that understandably triggered anxiety for some. And just when the idea of sitting on the sidelines might have felt tempting, the market turned on a dime. On April 9th, the S&P 500 gained 10.5% in a single day, quickly recapturing much of the prior decline.

That’s the market. It moves. Sometimes violently. In hourly bursts. Often unpredictably. And always in response to new information.

One of the best examples of this came on April 9th at 1:18 p.m. Eastern, when President Trump posted on Truth Social that he would lift tariffs on all countries other than China. Within ten minutes of that post, the S&P 500 had surged nearly 6%. Markets are incredibly efficient at digesting new information, whether it’s about trade policy, inflation, interest rates, or elections. The current price of a security reflects the consensus expectations of millions of participants, each with skin in the game.

So what should you do in the face of this kind of uncertainty?

Stick with your plan.

At Hill Investment Group, every client portfolio is built around a long-term strategy, not short-term noise. Your plan was designed with the understanding that markets will experience sharp moves, both up and down. We don’t pretend to know what tomorrow’s headlines will be or how the market will respond to them. What we do know—based on decades of data and mountains of research—is that markets are priced to deliver a positive expected return every single day. That’s why being in the market is so critical.

Missing just a handful of the best days has an outsized impact on long-term results. And as we just saw, those days often come immediately after the worst ones. Getting out and waiting “until the dust settles” may feel comforting, but it’s rarely profitable.

Global diversification is also part of the plan.
This year offers a good reminder of why. While the S&P 500 is down 9.7% year-to-date as of April 22nd, international developed and emerging markets are actually up 6.3%. No one can consistently predict which areas of the market will outperform in the short term. That’s why we build portfolios that don’t rely on a single country or asset class to deliver returns. Diversification ensures that when one area of the market struggles, others may pick up the slack. It’s not just about reducing risk—it’s about improving the odds of long-term success.

Instead of reacting to volatility, we encourage our clients to focus on what can be controlled—things that actually add value:

• Tax Loss Harvesting – When markets decline, we actively harvest losses to offset gains elsewhere in your portfolio. This reduces your tax bill while keeping you invested.
• Rebalancing – We monitor portfolios to ensure your exposure to risk remains aligned with your plan, buying when assets are down and trimming when they’ve run up.
• Staying the Course – Most importantly, we help you stay focused on the big picture. Financial goals aren’t achieved in a week or a month—they’re met over years and decades by maintaining discipline and a long-term perspective.

Trying to respond to every market move or every tweet is not an investment strategy. It’s gambling. It’s a recipe for regret.

So yes, volatility has returned. And no, we can’t predict what comes next. But we can control how we respond. And our response is grounded in evidence, backed by decades of research, and aligned with your goals.

We’re here to help you take the long view. That’s not just a tagline—it’s a philosophy that has helped our clients build and preserve wealth through all kinds of markets. And it’s one we continue to believe in today.

Stick with it.

Hill Investment Group is a registered investment adviser. Registration of an Investment Advisor does not imply any level of skill or training. This information is educational and does not intend to make an offer for the sale of any specific securities, investments, or strategies.  Investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future performance.