Chances are that you, like us, have been following the coronavirus updates and its potential impact on Americans. You may have seen that the equity markets have been skittish throughout the week, and the latest news about the first case in California that does not have a clear point of origination continued the trend, explained Raymond James Healthcare Policy Analyst Chris Meekins. The bond markets, on the other hand, have experienced sharp rallies as uncertainty seems to have prompted investors to seek lower risk among more traditional defensive assets, according to Chief Investment Officer Larry Adam.

While the news can be disconcerting at times, we hope the constant headlines won’t distract you from your long-term, disciplined financial plan. It’s likely the markets will remain volatile over the short term, however, Managing Director of Equity Portfolio & Technical Strategy Mike Gibbs believes attractive forward returns remain a strong possibility. Any pullback could present an opportunity to prudently and selectively add names within favored sectors.

We will, of course, continue to monitor the situation for indications of broader economic impacts and share any developments with you. We hope the global response to contain the respiratory disease proves effective and will slow the spread of the virus. We wish you good health and encourage you to visit cdc.gov to learn about pragmatic measures that could help protect you and your family, especially if you have travel plans.

As always, please reach out to us with any questions you may have. Thank you for your trust in us.

Sincerely,

Laura A. Webb, CFP®

President

Faith Doyle, MBA, CFP®

Financial Advisor Associate

82 Patton Ave Ste 610 Asheville, NC 28801

Investing involves risk, and investors may incur a profit or a loss. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of Raymond James and are subject to change. There is no assurance that any of the forecasts mentioned will occur. Economic and market conditions are subject to change. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index of 30 widely held stocks. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks. Keep in mind that individuals cannot invest directly in any index, and index performance does not include transaction costs or other fees, which will affect actual investment performance. Investing in oil involves special risks, including the potential adverse effects of state and federal regulation and may not be suitable for all investors. Material prepared by Raymond James for use by its advisors.