During BIP Wealth’s recent Quarterly Market Webinar, Eric Cramer, CFP®, CFA®, BIP Wealth’s Chief Investment Officer shared a timely and insightful update that focused less on artificial intelligence this time—and more on what’s truly shaping today’s economic environment. The session was divided into three parts: a strategic review of BIP Wealth’s 2025 market themes, a recap of Q1’s market behavior, and a look forward at the implications of reemerging global tariffs.

In case you missed the presentation, we’ll go over Eric’s main talking points. You can also watch the recording of the presentation..

Below is a breakdown of the key themes covered and how they apply to investors.

1. Strategy Review: Rethinking Risk and Embracing Diversification

Eric shared that investors must reconsider their approach to risk in 2025. The first quarter highlighted vulnerabilities in public markets, especially within tech-heavy portfolios. While some investors remain heavily tilted toward growth stocks, Eric emphasized the importance of rebalancing portfolios to include more resilient, diversified holdings.

Private markets—especially private credit—are a critical part of this evolution. Many investors still have limited exposure to private credit, even though it can offer income stability and reduced correlation to stock market swings.

BIP Wealth has the tools in place to help clients diversify effectively. Beyond asset classes, our message is also about planning discipline: investors should align their portfolios with long-term goals, not short-term trends. Eric cautioned against assuming that more risk automatically means more return, especially when individual plans might already be on track with more moderate exposure.

“Financial plans should guide risk, not the headlines.”

2. Q1 Market Recap: “Tech Tanked, the Dollar Dropped”

In the next section, Eric covered the notable movements from Q1 2025. The standout theme? Technology stocks saw significant declines, disrupting the market’s previous growth-led narrative. Simultaneously, the U.S. dollar experienced a noticeable drop, adding complexity to global investments.

The volatility seen in early April raised concerns, but a rebound later in the month provided perspective. Despite dramatic swings, the market returned to roughly where it started by the end of April. This whipsaw behavior reinforced why tactical shifts alone aren’t sufficient: portfolios need long-term resilience, not just short-term reaction.

For active observers, this served as a reminder that recovery often follows volatility—but only disciplined, diversified portfolios benefit consistently over time.

3. Looking Ahead: Trade Policy and the Return of Tariffs

Finally, Eric wrapped up this quarter’s report with a segment dedicated to tariffs. While trade policy developments are complex and far-reaching, here’s an overview of what matters now:

  • Fluctuating tariff policy continues to dominate the conversation amongst major global economies.
  • These shifts may impact supply chains, cost structures, and corporate earnings, particularly in industrial and manufacturing sectors.
  • Investors with concentrated international exposure may face higher volatility or sector-specific drag.

Global economic friction is back, and it needs to be factored into asset allocation decisions. It’s not just about what’s growing—but what’s being taxed, restricted, or redirected.

A Call to Revisit Financial Plans

Eric closed by encouraging every client to revisit their financial plan. Too many investors are still positioned based on outdated assumptions—chasing growth or risk without considering whether it’s necessary for their goals.

Drawing comparisons to pre-2008 planning errors, the team warned against overreaching. Many clients could meet their objectives with lower risk—provided they embrace more balanced, well-structured portfolios that incorporate alternatives and downside protection.

“You don’t need to ride the roller coaster if your goals don’t require it.”

Final Thoughts

This quarter’s report made one thing clear: in a year of shifting risks—tech pullbacks, currency changes, and geopolitical trade pressures—flexibility and discipline matter more than ever. BIP Wealth continues to evolve its strategies to help clients thrive through the uncertainty.

If you’d like to speak to a Personal Wealth Advisor about your portfolio or want to learn more about how we’re engineered to perform for our clients, be sure to contact us. You can also check out the rest of our resources hub to learn more.

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