Having only recently moved back to Cincinnati, I was a little unprepared for the autumnal gloom that can overwhelm the beauty of the foliage. This became apparent on a jaunt to Pittsburgh for our daughter’s soccer team where, unfortunately, the soundtrack was (and I am only being somewhat hyperbolic here) driver of GDP growth, inspirer of Halloween décor, and destroyer (or would-be savior) of American football, Taylor Swift. We will celebrate her entire catalog (as well as another, older Swift).

America lost a television icon in August with the passing of Bob Barker, long-time host of The Price is Right. As one of our colleagues insightfully noted, he died at age 99, coming as close as possible to 100 without going over. We will come on down and use a few of the show’s games for this month’s recap. September Update - Key Takeaways • Fed policy finally started to squeeze investors in August. • The deck remains stacked against investors as we consider the factors we track. • The rest of the year may be a cliff hanger, especially for higher valuation stocks.

The French Enlightenment philosopher, writer, historian Voltaire once wrote: “The Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.” Adapting one of history’s pithier jibes to the realm of financial advice, we think the so-called passive index is most often neither passive nor an index, and it is most certainly not investing. Investors should take heed.

Episode 13 features Adam Eaglston, the Chief Investment Officer of Formidable Asset Management. Formidable is an active and adaptable financial services company. They employ a disciplined process and build client portfolios and develop financial plans.

August Update - Key Takeaways • Returns for equities continue to be dreamy in 2023. • While GDP growth remains resilient, other factors point toward a dose of reality. • While investors remain transfixed by the attraction of stereotypical growth at any price, we look for opportunities elsewhere.