DeGroot Investment Advisors

08/07/2026

August Letter to Clients:

Chips ahoy

For about three months, the S&P 500 Index has been stuck in a fairly tight trading range.
Yet, beneath the surface, there has been no shortage of market drama. Much of it can be seen in the action of the PHLX Semiconductor Index.

Well known among active traders, the index receives far less attention from long-term investors and is not well known to much of the investing public.
The index has been in existence for over 30 years. It is a modified market-capitalization-weighted index composed primarily of 30 large semiconductors and memory chip makers.

Why do we care? Demand for memory chips used in PCs and smartphones has soared due to massive demand from companies building AI data centers. As a result, chip prices are up.
It doesn't take an advanced degree to understand that exceptionally strong demand, combined with rising prices, can drive profits sharply higher.
Investors certainly recognize that reality: the index doubled in the second quarter of the year before reaching its peak on June 22, according to data from the Wall Street Journal.

Demand for anything AI-related is off the charts

How off the charts? “The computing power of the total stock of AI chips has grown at 3.4 times per year, doubling every 7 months since 2022, based on revenue data, other financial disclosures, and analyst reports,” according to [[https://epoch.ai/ Epoch AI]].
That said, trading in the index has been extremely volatile—both up and down.
Since the 22nd, it’s been mostly to the downside, entering a bear market four weeks after having peaked, i.e., a 20% decline. In total, the index shed nearly 30% before bouncing back at the end of July.

Why the tug of war between buyers and sellers? Investors are skittish about the huge outlays that have driven data-center-related stocks higher.
At its core, the question is whether companies spending hundreds of billions of dollars will earn an adequate return on that investment. As Moody’s recently noted, it is uncertain whether current AI demand is strictly driven by market demand or bolstered, at least in part, by investments from key industry players.

While questions remain about how these firms might meet their profit objectives, it’s hard not to stress that current demand for AI continues to be incredibly robust.
The recent pullback in semiconductor stocks may simply represent a healthy correction, helping to flush out excess optimism and speculative froth. When a trade becomes too crowded, it often reverses as excessive optimism gives way to a more balanced outlook.
But cash exiting semiconductor stocks haven’t gone to the sidelines.

Instead, it has rotated into other sectors—what would be framed as a broadening in the rally. Groups that underperformed are seeing some support.
While prior winners have come under pressure, the economy continues to expand, and corporate profits are strong.
Key Index Returns

July % YTD %
Dow Jones Industrial
Average 0.32 9.20
Nasdaq Com -3.20 9.17
S&P 500 Index -0.13 9.41
Russell 200 -3.08 18.11
MSCI World ex-USA** 2.00 9.74
MSCI Emerging Markets** -3.31 18.62
Bloomberg US Agg
Total Return - -1.30 -0.69

Source: Wall Street Journal, MSCI.com, Bloomberg, MarketWatch
MTD returns: June 30, 2026—July 31, 2026
YTD returns: December 31, 2025—July 31, 2026
**in US dollars

In summary, we believe investors should avoid placing big bets on narrow sectors.
Stick with what you know best—diversification, patience, and a long-term time horizon.
Success is determined not by timing the market but by time in the market. As the legendary investor Warren Buffett has emphasized, "The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient.”
It beats chasing always-shifting trends and fads.

I trust you found this review to be insightful. If you have any questions or simply want to talk through your portfolio or other financial goals, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or anyone on our team.
Thank you for choosing us as your trusted financial advisor. We deeply value your confidence and are honored to help you navigate your financial journey.
Dirk DeGroot

DeGroot Investment Advisors, LLC.
1903 Austin St. Suite A
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
(541) 882-3614 (Office)
(541) 850-8728 (Fax)

Dirk DeGroot is a Registered Representative offering Securities and Advisory Services through UNITED PLANNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES, Member FINRA, SIPC. DeGroot Investment Advisors and United Planners are not affiliated.
Past performance does not guarantee future results and investing during any market cycle poses risks, including the loss of principal. Diversification is an investment strategy that can help manage risk within a portfolio, but it does not guarantee profits or protect against loss in declining markets. This is meant for educational purposes only.
Confidential Information: This message and any attachments contain information from United Planners Financial Services, which may be confidential and/or privileged, and is intended for use only by the addressee(s) named on this transmission. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are notified that any review, copying, distribution or use of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please (i) notify the sender immediately by e-mail or by telephone and (ii) destroy all copies of this message.
This material is created by Horsemouth. The views expressed are those of the author as of the date noted, are subject to change based on market and other various conditions. There is no guarantee that any statements of future expectations will come to fruition. All information presented is collected from sources believed to be reliable, but may not be guaranteed

Send a message to learn more

07/13/2026

We hope you are enjoying your Summer! Remember if you are getting ready to Retire, need an IRA, or just need to talk investments, we are here to help.

03/23/2026

March Client-Letter

In the early hours of February 28, global markets were shaken by significant geopolitical developments, as the U.S. and Israel carried out coordinated strikes on Iran that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader. Iran responded with missile strikes, which escalated tensions and raised uncertainty in global markets.

It’s not surprising to see heightened volatility in the early stages of a conflict, especially one without a clear endgame.

A short-term risk-off response, with pressure on equities and upward movement in oil prices (due to possible supply disruptions), is not surprising in this environment. The U.S. dollar has also strengthened, benefiting from global inflows as it resumes its traditional role as a safe-haven currency.

In moments like these, it’s natural to feel uneasy. Headlines are dramatic, markets react quickly, and uncertainty can make even seasoned investors uncomfortable.

But here’s what we want to emphasize:

1. Market volatility is normal during a geopolitical crisis
Market behavior in response to geopolitical events often follows a familiar pattern: a reaction—which can sometimes be sharp—a rise in volatility, and then a reset because investors attempt to price in the economic impact at home.
In the immediate aftermath of significant events, markets often stabilize more quickly than expected.
How the hostilities may impact the broader U.S. economy is unknown right now, but we believe it will play a bigger role for investors over the medium term.

2. Your financial plan and volatility
We design portfolios with the understanding that unforeseen events, including geopolitical tensions, economic shifts, and policy changes, will occur.
Your plan incorporates diversification, risk management, and long-term strategy to help reduce risk and weather periods of turbulence.

3. Staying invested remains the most reliable long-term approach
Times like these can tempt investors to make quick, emotion-driven moves. But historically, reacting to headlines has often led to worse long-term outcomes than sticking with the plan.
Markets have absorbed wars, recessions, pandemics, political crises, and unexpected global shocks, and long-term investors have historically been rewarded for their patience.

4. We are monitoring developments closely
While we don’t recommend making investment decisions based on short-term news or emotions, we continuously monitor the situation, the market response, and any potential implications for your portfolio.
If market conditions shift in a way that warrants action, we will communicate proactively.

Final thoughts
Events unfolding in the Middle East are serious, and markets may remain volatile in the coming days and weeks. But volatility alone is not a reason to abandon a well-constructed financial plan.
As always, we encourage you to reach out if you have questions, concerns, or simply want to talk through what this means for your personal financial goals. We’re here to provide clarity, perspective, and guidance, especially when the news feels overwhelming.
We get through moments like these by staying disciplined, thoughtful, and focused on what we can control.

Thank you for your ongoing trust.

Dirk DeGroot
DeGroot Investment Advisors, LLC.
1903 Austin St. Suite A
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
(541) 882-3614 (Office)
(541) 850-8728 (Fax)

Dirk DeGroot is a Registered Representative offering Securities and Advisory Services through UNITED PLANNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES, Member FINRA, SIPC. DeGroot Investment Advisors and United Planners are not affiliated.
Confidential Information: This message and any attachments contain information from United Planners Financial Services, which may be confidential and/or privileged, and is intended for use only by the addressee(s) named on this transmission. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are notified that any review, copying, distribution or use of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please (i) notify the sender immediately by e-mail or by telephone and (ii) destroy all copies of this message.
This material is created by Horsemouth. The views expressed are those of the author as of the date noted, are subject to change based on market and other various conditions. There is no guarantee that any statements of future expectations will come to fruition. All information presented is collected from sources believed to be reliable, but may not be guaranteed

Send a message to learn more

03/04/2026

It's NOT too late to make your contributions
Give us a call today so we can discuss the options with you

01/23/2026

January Client-Letter

A 2025 three-peat
The bull market that kicked off in late 2022 kept rolling through 2025, with the S&P 500 recording another impressive year, climbing 16.4% following back-to-back gains that exceeded 20% in 2023 and 2024.

Table 5: Key Index Returns
December % 2025 %
Dow Jones Industrial Average 0.7 13.0
Nasdaq Composite -0.5 20.4
S&P 500 Index -0.1 16.4
Russell 2000 Index -0.7 11.3
MSCI World ex-USA** 2.9 28.6
MSCI Emerging Markets** 2.7 30.6
Bloomberg US Agg Total Return -0.1 7.3

Source: Wall Street Journal, MSCI.com, Bloomberg, MarketWatch
December returns: November 28, 2025 – December 31, 2025
2025 returns: December 31, 2024 – December 31, 2025
**in US dollars

We did, however, experience a sharp but temporary pullback when so-called Liberation Day tariffs levied in early April generated an enormous amount of uncertainty. When steeper-than-anticipated tariffs were modified, volatility began to dissipate, and investors re-engaged amid positive fundamentals.

As we saw in 2024, the Federal Reserve lowered the fed funds rate. We believe it’s worth noting that recent rate cuts by the Fed came against a backdrop of continued economic growth, a key factor supporting corporate earnings.

Historically, rate cuts enacted during economic downturns have failed to lift equities, as seen in 2001 and 2008.

Profit growth also remained strong, which underpinned equities amid the expanding U.S. economy.

Moreover, the AI boom continued to fuel tech stocks and earnings. Just as in 2024, the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite once again led the charge, outpacing other major U.S. indexes.

A 2025 surprise—the global arena

Global stocks have been hibernating for years. In 2024, the MSCI World Ex-USA Index posted a gain of just 2.0%, according to MSCI (in U.S. dollars). Its 10-year annualized gain of 2.6% per year paled in contrast to major U.S. market indexes.

Last year, however, global stocks awoke from their slumber, easily outpacing returns in the U.S.

For starters, a weaker dollar amplified global equities held by U.S. investors. A falling dollar boosts U.S. returns when foreign currencies are translated back into dollars. As referenced in the table of return, the MSCI ex-USA Index leapt 28.6%.

In contrast, the index in their respective home currencies rose 18.7%. That’s respectable, but not the turbo-charged returns U.S. investors experienced.

Other factors that bolstered returns around the world include

• Ongoing trade tensions and tariff uncertainty weighed on U.S. sentiment and encouraged investors to look at other markets.
• Many global markets sported lower valuations, attracting investors.
• Looser fiscal policies, especially in European countries, supported equities.
• Lingering doubts about the Fed’s independence from executive branch interference fueled diversification outside the US.

Last year’s outsized advance is a reminder that investments in global equities reduce home-country concentration and currency risk.

Aided by a drop in the dollar, gold also delivered an outstanding return. Globally, gold is priced in dollars, and a weaker dollar tends to support the price of gold. In addition, gold was supported by modest global central bank purchases, tariff and trade uncertainty, questions about the Fed’s independence, and Fed rate cuts.

Investors wary of heightened geopolitical tensions and other risks, like the ballooning U.S. deficit, also aided the shiny metal.

While many of the factors that supported gold last year remain in place as we enter 2026, we would be remiss not to caution that gold is very speculative, and price action can be very volatile.

The New Year
According to CNBC’s 2026 survey of 14 market strategists, the average year-end target for the S&P 500 is 7,628.57.

In part, many of the themes that supported stocks last year remain in place. The economy is expanding, and corporate profits are expected to remain on an upward trajectory. Although the Fed is eyeing fewer rate cuts this year, it isn’t currently considering rate hikes amid an inflation rate that remains modestly but stubbornly above the Fed’s target rate of 2%.

But a note of caution is in order. Strategists bring unique observations to our attention. We are better informed due to their diligence and insights. They really are brilliant men and women.
But they grapple with the unknown, and no one knows precisely how the future will unfold.

Yet, the unknown encourages us to get comfortable with some degree of risk. It allows us to become better and more disciplined investors.

Final thoughts
While diversification can’t fully shield a portfolio from market pullbacks, it remains one of the most effective ways to reduce volatility and pursue long-term financial goals.

Our investment philosophy is rooted in experience and supported by rigorous academic research. While equities will inevitably disappoint, history has demonstrated that patient, disciplined investors are consistently rewarded over the long term.

I trust you found this review to be insightful. If you have any questions or simply want to talk through your portfolio or other financial goals, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or anyone on our team.

We’re always here for you.

Dirk DeGroot
DeGroot Investment Advisors, LLC.
1903 Austin St. Suite A
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
(541) 882-3614 (Office)
(541) 850-8728 (Fax)

Dirk DeGroot is a Registered Representative offering Securities and Advisory Services through UNITED PLANNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES, Member FINRA, SIPC. DeGroot Investment Advisors and United Planners are not affiliated.
Confidential Information: This message and any attachments contain information from United Planners Financial Services, which may be confidential and/or privileged, and is intended for use only by the addressee(s) named on this transmission. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are notified that any review, copying, distribution or use of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please (i) notify the sender immediately by e-mail or by telephone and (ii) destroy all copies of this message.
This material is created by Horsemouth. The views expressed are those of the author as of the date noted, are subject to change based on market and other various conditions. There is no guarantee that any statements of future expectations will come to fruition. All information presented is collected from sources believed to be reliable, but may not be guaranteed

Send a message to learn more

12/04/2025

Come in and see us before the New Year to discuss opening an account with us!

11/14/2025

November Client-Letter

October delivers further stock market gains
October has a curious reputation rooted in market history.

The Crash of 1929 (a 13% selloff on Black Monday and 12% on Black Tuesday, according to Federal Reserve History), the Crash of 1987 (a 22% selloff in October per MarketWatch data), and the financial crisis of 2008 (a 17% decline in October) have all contributed to the month’s spooky reputation.
But does perception match reality? Since 1970, October averages a 0.91% return for the S&P 500 Index (dividends not reinvested), according to S&P 500 data from the St. Louis Federal Reserve. Between 2010 and 2024, October sports an average monthly advance of 2.13%, which is eclipsed only by November and July.
Last month’s action was generally in line with the long-term averages.

Key Index Returns
MTD % YTD %
Dow Jones Industrial Average 2.5 11.8
Nasdaq Composite 4.7 22.9
S&P 500 Index 2.3 16.3
Russell 2000 Index 1.8 11.2
MSCI World ex-USA** 1.0 23.9
MSCI Emerging Markets** 4.1 30.3
Bloomberg US Agg Total Return 0.6 6.8

Source: Wall Street Journal, MSCI.com, Bloomberg, MarketWatch
MTD returns: September 30, 2025–October 31, 2025
YTD returns: December 31, 2024–October 31, 2025
**in US dollars

More impressively, the major market averages—the Dow, the S&P 500 Index, and the Nasdaq Composite—have all been up in each month—six straight monthly gains—since May.
As we briefly noted last month, government shutdowns typically have little impact on equities, and last month was no exception. Broadly speaking, the absence of all but essential government services does not have a lasting impact on the economy.

We did, however, experience a brief bout of volatility during the month when the president threatened punitive tariffs against China, which was primarily in response to China’s decision to tighten export controls on rare earth minerals and related technologies.
Rare earth minerals are crucial for manufacturing various high-tech products and military equipment, and China dominates the global supply chain.
However, cooler heads prevailed. As part of the truce, China agreed to delay its new export restrictions, and the president lowered some tariffs.

What were the major catalysts behind last month’s rally?
1. The government shutdown has delayed key economic data, but investors aren’t flying blind. In addition to private sources of data, investors are carefully combing through Q3 corporate profits, which have been quite strong overall, according to LSEG.
2. The ongoing boom in AI continues unabated and has been fueling investor enthusiasm.
3. The Federal Reserve delivered a widely expected quarter-point rate cut.
4. While Fed Chief Jay Powell tempered market enthusiasm by signaling that a December cut is far from certain, investors chose to focus on the generally favorable economic fundamentals, including solid corporate profits and the expanding economy

Overall, October continued the upward momentum that began in May, driven by a combination of solid economic fundamentals, a stable interest rate environment, and the ongoing AI revolution, which remained a key catalyst for gains among large-cap tech firms.
I trust you have found this review informative and helpful. If you have any questions or would like to discuss any other topics, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our team.
Thank you for choosing us as your financial advisor. We are truly honored by your trust and remain committed to serving you with integrity and care.

Dirk DeGroot
DeGroot Investment Advisors, LLC.
1903 Austin St. Suite A
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
(541) 882-3614 (Office)
(541) 850-8728 (Fax)

Dirk DeGroot is a Registered Representative offering Securities and Advisory Services through UNITED PLANNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES, Member FINRA, SIPC. DeGroot Investment Advisors and United Planners are not affiliated.
Confidential Information: This message and any attachments contain information from United Planners Financial Services, which may be confidential and/or privileged, and is intended for use only by the addressee(s) named on this transmission. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are notified that any review, copying, distribution or use of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please (i) notify the sender immediately by e-mail or by telephone and (ii) destroy all copies of this message.
This material is created by Horsemouth. The views expressed are those of the author as of the date noted, are subject to change based on market and other various conditions. There is no guarantee that any statements of future expectations will come to fruition. All information presented is collected from sources believed to be reliable, but may not be guaranteed

Send a message to learn more

10/15/2025

Come in and see us for some FINANCIAL ADVICE and open an account with us TODAY!

09/25/2025

September Client-Letter

The sun shines through the shadows of August
August and September have historically been the worst months for investors, specifically as measured by S&P 500 data compiled by the St. Louis Federal Reserve.

Since 1970, August has averaged an advance of just 0.13% (through 2024), the second-worst month, while September has recorded a loss of 0.91%.

A review of the historical market data can spark interesting conversations.

It’s not unusual to spot patterns from time to time, but what has happened in the past does not necessarily foreshadow what will come to pass. There is no guaranteed outcome. In the end, market fundamentals or unexpected events can easily override any trends we spot in the data.

Upward movement
As the month unfolded, many of the catalysts that spurred new highs for the S&P 500 Index and the Nasdaq Composite this year remained in place.

Fueled by growing expectations of a September rate cut, the Dow surged to its first all-time high of 2025.


Key Index Returns
MTD % YTD %
Dow Jones Industrial Average 3.2 7.5
Nasdaq Composite 1.6 1.1
S&P 500 Index 1.9 9.8
Russell 2000 Index 7.0 6.1
MSCI World ex-USA** 4.2 20.4
MSCI Emerging Markets** 1.2 17.0
Bloomberg US Agg Total Return 1.2 5.0
Source: Wall Street Journal, MSCI.com, Bloomberg, MarketWatch
MTD returns: July 31, 2025—August 29, 2025
YTD returns: December 31, 2024—August 29, 2025
**in US dollars

Before we move ahead, let’s review the key catalysts that have underpinned stocks.

• The AI story remains intact,
• Longer-term bond yields have remained relatively stable, especially regarding the benchmark 10-year Treasury bond yield,
• The Fed appears to be gearing up for a September rate cut,
• Corporate profits are rising—second quarter S&P 500 earnings are up an impressive 13% versus one year ago, according to LSEG,
• The economy continues to expand, and
• Many of the larger firms seem to have weathered the initial shock of the early April tariff announcement—so-called Liberation Day, though how tariffs will eventually be integrated and absorbed is unclear.

Specifically, let’s look at one event that led to an 846-point advance for the Dow and a record close of 45,632 on Friday, August 22.

We tend to avoid getting overly granular regarding a one-day response by investors, but the conversation has broader implications.

On the morning of the 22nd, Fed Chief Jerome Powell, in prepared remarks that lasted about 20 minutes, noted that “the shifting balance of risks may warrant adjusting our policy stance.”

It was the signal investors had been waiting for. Why? Let’s translate Powell’s “King James version” into modern-day English.

In essence, Powell’s remarks signaled that policymakers are actively considering a rate cut in September because they are cautiously eyeing the slowdown in job growth.

Sure, inflation hasn’t returned to the Fed’s 2% target, and progress has stalled over the past year. But with job growth slowing, the Fed is treading carefully, aiming to avoid curbing inflation at the expense of the labor market.

Whether it’s a one-and-done cut in September (assuming the Fed moves this month) or policymakers tweak the rate again later in the year (there are three meetings left this year, including September) is unknown, but all eyes are on the labor market, which could play a key role in shaping the Fed’s next steps.

Separately, as the three-day Labor Day weekend began, an appeals court ruled that most of the president’s tariffs are illegal, but they will remain in place pending an appeal; the ruling largely upheld a decision that was rendered in May.

Ultimately, much of the president’s trade policy may be decided by the nine justices that make up the Supreme Court.

I trust you have found this review informative and helpful. If you have any questions, concerns, or would simply like to have a conversation, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me or any member of our team.

Thank you for choosing us as your financial advisor. We are truly honored by your trust and remain committed to serving you with integrity and care.


Dirk DeGroot
DeGroot Investment Advisors, LLC.
1903 Austin St. Suite A
Klamath Falls, OR 97603
(541) 882-3614 (Office)
(541) 850-8728 (Fax)

Dirk DeGroot is a Registered Representative offering Securities and Advisory Services through UNITED PLANNERS FINANCIAL SERVICES, Member FINRA, SIPC. DeGroot Investment Advisors and United Planners are not affiliated.
Confidential Information: This message and any attachments contain information from United Planners Financial Services, which may be confidential and/or privileged, and is intended for use only by the addressee(s) named on this transmission. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering the message to the intended recipient, you are notified that any review, copying, distribution or use of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please (i) notify the sender immediately by e-mail or by telephone and (ii) destroy all copies of this message.
This material is created by Horsemouth. The views expressed are those of the author as of the date noted, are subject to change based on market and other various conditions. There is no guarantee that any statements of future expectations will come to fruition. All information presented is collected from sources believed to be reliable, but may not be guaranteed

Send a message to learn more

06/23/2025

We hope you have a wonderful Summer