By Tim Russell, President & Wealth Manager at Life Financial Group
Originally shared on the Life in the Markets podcast — 9/8/2025
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Welcome to Life in the Markets, our weekly video commentary where we share market and economic insights through a Christian lens. Our goal is to give you a clear, disciplined perspective so you can better steward the resources God has entrusted to you.
Weekly Market Recap
This past week was relatively quiet, with mixed signals from economic data:
- Stocks: The Russell 2000 rose 0.6%, while the S&P 500 slipped 0.3% and the Nasdaq remained flat.
- Commodities: Gold surged 5%, oil fell 3.7%.
- Year-to-Date: S&P 500 (+9%), Nasdaq (+11.6%), Russell 2000 (+9%), Gold (+37%), Silver (+42%), Oil (-13.7%), Bitcoin (+19%).
A quick reminder: don’t get caught chasing returns. Silver may be up 42%, but discipline and patience are always better than emotional investing.
Disciplined Investing in Up Markets
- Avoid chasing the latest hot asset.
- Spread investments out over time.
- Keep cash available for opportunities.
- Don’t let fear or greed guide your decisions.
We believe the markets remain the best hedge against inflation long-term, but caution is warranted in the near term. Over the next 1–2 years, volatility may rise.
Hot Takes: Policy and Economics
- Tariffs: Always a bad idea. They act as a regressive tax, raising consumer costs and hurting corporate profits.
- The OBBBA Bill: Extends tax cuts but doesn’t do enough to rein in spending. Some deductions (like used car loans and overtime pay) may do more harm than good.
- Sovereign Wealth Fund: Government ownership of corporations is unwise. It creates conflicts of interest, reduces competition, and distorts markets.
- Debt-Funded Investing: Bad for individuals, worse for governments. Borrowing to invest undermines both accountability and stability.
Jobs and Interest Rates
August’s jobs report showed slowing growth and unemployment rising to 4.3%. Economists now widely expect the Fed to cut rates in September, with further cuts possible by year’s end.
- For Savers: Lower rates are bad news—yields on savings accounts, money markets, and CDs will drop.
- For Small Businesses: Lower borrowing costs could be a boost to profitability.
- For Mortgages: Don’t expect much relief immediately; mortgage rates tend to move more slowly.
Looking Ahead
Next week we’ll be watching the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI). Rising PPI may indicate that tariffs are starting to push up costs for manufacturers, which could trickle down to consumers.
“Whoever trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.”
— Proverbs 11:28
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Have questions or topics you’d like us to cover in a future episode? Email us at contact@thelifegroup.org with “Life in the Markets” in the subject line.
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Disclaimer: The topics discussed here are for informational purposes only and do not constitute specific investment advice. Investing involves risks, including potential loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Securities and advisory services offered through Geneos Wealth Management, member FINRA/SIPC.
