VOLUME 18 | ISSUE 1
In the year 153 BCE, January 1st replaced the Ides of March as the start of a new year in the Roman calendar for the first time. I imagine that on that first January 1st, 2,179 years ago, Roman sages wasted no time consulting the entrails of goats or crows to predict what the next 12 months might bring.
These days, we are flooded with annual predictions, especially related to the economy and the stock market. We’re drawn to these forecasts because uncertainty is stressful, and few things feel more outside of our control than market performance. So we find comfort in consulting specialists who appear able to interpret the financial “entrails” of earnings reports or Federal Reserve meeting minutes.
I’ve read and listened to many of the well‑researched 2026 Outlooks produced by our outstanding investment partners and am happy to share a curated compilation along with my own suspicions and biases. But if I am honest, I cannot predict how the stock market will perform over the next twelve months.
As financial planners and wealth managers, our job is not to predict the future — it’s to prepare for it.
We build multigenerational plans that, as our mission states, reduce financial stress, simplify complex financial lives, and help turn goals into realities.
As we move into 2026, we are working closely with clients to deliver on that mission. Peace of mind begins with trusted relationships, and trust begins with listening — understanding each client’s personal financial stresses and responding thoughtfully.
In addition to our regular one-on-one meetings, we recently completed our 2025 client survey to better understand what’s weighing on clients’ minds and how effectively we are helping address those concerns. The top concerns from the survey echoed what we have heard in our client meetings:
· Tax Planning: 38% of clients were very concerned and 42% somewhat concerned about making prudent tax planning decisions. In response, we invested in new tax‑analysis software. In 2025, we reviewed tax returns for more than half of our clients and assisted many with Backdoor Roth contributions, Roth conversions, QCDs, and other strategies to help minimize lifetime taxes.
· Financial Decisions for Children: 30% were very concerned and 26% somewhat concerned about ensuring their children make good financial decisions. We expanded outreach to the next generation — aligning with our vision of building multigenerational client relationships.
· Health and Long‑Term Care Costs:28% were very concerned and 51% somewhat concerned about rising healthcare and long‑term care costs. For over a decade, we have worked with trusted partners to provide annual Medicare and long‑term care reviews. With the changing landscape in the ACA marketplace, we broadened support to help clients evaluate other medical plan options.
· Market Volatility:21% were very concerned and 60% somewhat concerned about current market volatility — an understandable worry in today’s media environment. In every client meeting, we review goals, time horizons, and cash‑flow needs. Time horizon has a direct relationship with market volatility: the longer the rolling period, the lower the volatility of returns. This understanding guides how we build diversified portfolios aligned with each client’s goals, timing, and cash needs. Our consistent monitoring and rebalancing process ensures portfolios stay aligned with their targets and helps reassure clients that they remain properly invested.
Two years ago, after our last survey, I wrote (Net Promoter Score) about how much I appreciate the Net Promoter Score (NPS)— a simple yet powerful measure of client satisfaction. I am pleased to report that our NPS has increased five points to 91. This is a truly world‑class score and a testament to the difference we’re making in our clients’ lives.
Additional highlights from the survey include:
· 100% of clients are satisfied with their advisory team at Armor, and 94% are very satisfied — our highest reading across seven surveys.
· 47% of clients referred a friend or colleague in the last year, up from 37% in 2023 — most often when someone they care about faced a financial challenge.
· 92% agree or strongly agree that they are confident they will reach their financial goals, and 95% say they have a clear plan in place to do so.
· 96% agree or strongly agree that the advice they receive from Armor is helping them build a better financial future.
· 94% strongly agree that their advisor responds quickly and completely to questions (the remainder somewhat agree).
While we cannot interpret entrails — nor predict where the S&P 500 will stand on December 31, 2026 — we can assure our clients that we will be here next year and for many years to come. We listen to our clients’ concerns, help them prepare, and build portfolios designed support long‑term goals, no matter what 2026 brings.
Happy New Year!
