In this month’s episode of Nurturing Financial Freedom, we dig into a topic that’s becoming more critical in today’s investment landscape—concentration risk. We’ve talked about the "Magnificent Seven" tech stocks—Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Amazon, Meta, Alphabet, and Tesla—before, but now we're zooming in on the downside of their dominance. While these mega-cap companies have driven much of the market's recent growth, their outsized influence poses a risk that many investors overlook.We start by revisiting the concept of diversification, which we believe is often misunderstood. As Alex explains, owning cash at different banks or multiple funds that move in lockstep isn't real diversification. What matters is what’s inside those funds—are they all large-cap U.S. stocks, or do they include small caps, international equities, or different sectors? Too often, investors think they’re diversified when, in reality, their holdings are heavily skewed toward the same handful of companies.We also discuss how concentration creeps in—especially through popular indexes like the S&P 500, which is now heavily weighted toward just a few tech giants. Ed points out a striking stat: Nvidia and Microsoft alone represent as much of the S&P 500 as the bottom 400 companies combined. This “index drift” means that even supposedly diversified portfolios—like target date retirement funds—may be overly reliant on the same names.To build resilience, we stress the importance of intentional diversification. That means expanding beyond large-cap U.S. stocks to include mid- and small-cap companies, international equities, and even alternative assets like gold, real estate, and commodities. Fixed income is also relevant again, with bonds and cash offering meaningful yield for the first time in years.We wrap up by emphasizing the need for proactive rebalancing. Don’t try to time the market. Instead, rebalance regularly on a schedule to keep your allocation aligned with your goals. And understand that even strong companies stumble, so don’t let recent winners dominate your portfolio.At the end of the day, this isn’t about abandoning tech or being a contrarian—it’s about knowing what you own and why you own it. Because building a durable portfolio isn’t a one-time setup. It’s an ongoing process that needs regular attention. You can always email Alex and Ed at info@birchrunfinancial.com or give them a call at 484-395-2190.Or visit them on the web at https://www.birchrunfinancial.com/Alex and Ed's Book: Mastering The Money Mind: https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Money-Mind-Thinking-Personal/dp/1544530536 Any opinions are those of Ed Lambert Alex Cabot, financial advisors, RJFS, and Jon Gay, and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. The information contained in this report does not purport to be a complete description of the securities, markets, or developments referred to in this material. There is no assurance any of the trends mentioned will continue or forecasts will occur. The information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but Raymond James does not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. The examples throughout this material are for illustrative purposes only. Raymond James does not provide tax or legal services. Please discuss these matters with the appropriate professional. Diversification and asset allocation do not ensure a profit or protect against a loss. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. CDs are insured by the FDIC and offer a fixed rate of return, whereas the return and principal value of investment securities fluctuate with changes in market conditions. The S&P 500 is an unmanaged index of 500 widely held stocks that is generally considered representative of the U.S. Stock Market. 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. Individual investor's results will vary. This information is not intended as a solicitation or an offer to buy or sell any security referred to herein. Future investment performance cannot be guaranteed, investment yields will fluctuate with market conditions. International investing involves special risks, including currency fluctuations, differing financial accounting standards, and possible political and economic volatility. There is an inverse relationship between interest rate movements and bond prices. Generally, when interest rates rise, bond prices fall and when interest rates fall, bond prices generally rise. Investing in small cap stocks generally involves greater risks, and therefore, may not be appropriate for every investor. The prices of small company stocks may be subject to ...
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