After closing out an eventful second quarter of 2025, we are reminded that investing is a long journey. A journey marked by short-term turbulence and long-term opportunity. This quarter brought a particularly meaningful moment in the investing world: Warren Buffett, one of the most enduring voices in finance, announced his upcoming retirement after six decades leading Berkshire Hathaway. At the same time, markets delivered a bumpy ride, testing the emotional resilience of even the most seasoned investors.

Seen side by side, these developments highlight essential lessons about market behavior and investor discipline.

Warren Buffett’s Retirement and the Enduring Lessons He Leaves Behind

Warren Buffett’s announcement that he will step down by the end of the year was met with admiration and reflection across the financial community. After building Berkshire Hathaway into one of the most successful conglomerates in history, his legacy is cemented not just in numbers, but in timeless principles. Buffett's approach has always been rooted in patience, value, and a steady hand during times of turmoil. He famously said:

“Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.”

This mindset, simple but profound, has defined his career. The saying seems especially relevant given the volatility we’ve experienced over the last three months.

Q2 Market Volatility: Headlines vs. Fundamentals

April began with sharp market declines following aggressive tariff announcements that unsettled global supply chains. Equity markets dipped into correction territory briefly, fueled by concerns over inflation, central bank responses, and policy uncertainty. The S&P 500 saw its steepest drawdown since 2020, and headlines warned of a brewing “mini-crash.” But as often happens, sentiment shifted. Markets rebounded. Investors who stayed disciplined were rewarded.

This quarter was a clear reminder: the market gives us many reasons to react, but very few good reasons to abandon a well-constructed plan.

Through Buffett’s Lens: What Really Matters

Buffett didn’t concern himself with predicting short-term market movements. He ignored short-term noise and focused instead on enduring principles – much like our commitment to diversified portfolios and patient, plan-driven investing. Much like Monument’s approach, he didn’t chase hot sectors or try to time markets, and he certainly didn’t build his legacy by chasing trends, no matter how compelling the hype or recent performance. For him, market volatility was never a signal to panic, but a reminder of why discipline matters.

This past quarter, many of you saw headlines that might have tempted second-guessing: interest rate chatter, geopolitical instability, rapid advances in AI and technology disrupting traditional industries. These are real dynamics, but they do not require reactive behavior. Instead, they invite thoughtful evaluation within the context of your long-term strategy.

The most Buffett-like thing we can do in this environment is stay focused, stay diversified, and trust in the process.

Your Plan Is Built for Moments Like These

At Monument, our “Master Planning” approach embraces the very principles Buffett lived by: clarity of purpose, long-term orientation, and evidence-based decision-making. We design portfolios to weather storms and capture opportunities. Your plan is not based on what the market will do next month - it's built around what you need the market to do over the course of your life.

The core principle endures: stay committed to the blueprint, adjusting thoughtfully as life unfolds.

Looking Ahead with Confidence and Conviction

Buffett's transition marks the end of a remarkable chapter, but his core teachings of discipline, patience, and rational optimism remain deeply relevant. The market will continue to fluctuate, and the headlines will continue to surprise us. But as he once quipped:

“The stock market is designed to transfer money from the Active to the Patient.”

We're here to help you remain in the second camp.

Thank you for your continued trust. As always, if you’d like to revisit your financial roadmap or talk through recent events, please be in touch.