Elliott Vaughn • May 8, 2026
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Harbor Wealth

MARKET UPDATE

Simple. Clear. Focused.

 

WHAT'S GOING ON IN THE MARKET?

 

There's still a lot of scary news — but underneath it all, the U.S. economy remains resilient.

 

Headwinds

•       Wars

•       Oil prices

•       Inflation

•       Interest rates

Underlying Strengths

•       Companies still making money

•       People still working

•       Businesses still spending

•       AI driving new growth

 

WHAT WE'RE DOING IN PORTFOLIOS

Stocks

We are focused mostly on:

•       Bigger U.S. companies

•       Strong businesses with lots of cash

•       Continue holding companies leading in AI and technology

•       Still have a healthy diversification outside of those names in AI and Technology

 

Examples:

•       Apple

•       Microsoft

•       Nvidia

•       Amazon

 

We are using LESS of:

•       Small companies

•       Mid-sized companies

•       International stocks

•       Emerging markets

 

 

 

Right now, the biggest and strongest companies are still leading the market because they have the

money, scale, and technology to keep growing even during uncertain times. Many of these companies

are also leading the AI boom, which continues to drive earnings and investor demand.

 

Smaller companies, international stocks, and emerging markets may eventually have their time, but

today they carry more risk and less certainty given higher interest rates, global energy concerns,

and weaker overseas economic conditions. For now, we believe staying focused on stronger, more

established businesses gives clients a better balance of opportunity and stability.

 

Bonds

For bonds, we are staying:

•       Higher quality

•       Shorter-term

•       More conservative

•       US-Centric

 

That means:

•       Less risk if interest rates move higher

•       More stability

•       Better cash flow

RISK MANAGEMENT

We still believe:

•       Staying invested matters

•       Emotional reactions hurt long-term returns

•       Diversification still matters

BOTTOM LINE

 

Our Focus

✦   Own strong companies

✦   Keep bond risk controlled

✦   Stay disciplined

✦   Ignore short-term noise

✦   Invest for the long term

 

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