What you will find in this issue:
  • Keeping this correction in perspective, from David Dickens
  • Rescheduled: State of the Market has been moved to Tuesday, March 6th. RSVP by Friday, March 2nd by 12 pm.
  • Weekly Update: Service sector grew rapidly in January
  • Health & Wellness Talk w/Special Guest Speaker, Jonah Yakel D.C., The Top 5 Strategies for Investing in your Health in 2018 and Beyond
  • Around the Office with Melody Collins - Office Manager
  • Weekly Quote, Tip, Riddle and Recipe of the week
  • KCFA's One Appointment Tax Process (Details Below)
Keeping This Correction in Perspective
After 20 months of relative calm, this volatility needs to be taken in stride.

Are you upset by what is happening on Wall Street? It may help to see this pullback within a big-picture context. Corrections have become so rare as of late that when one occurs, emotion threatens to influence investment decisions.
 
So far, February has been a rough month for equities. At the close on February 8, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was officially in correction territory after a slide occurred, which included two 1,000-point descents within four days. Additionally, nearly every U.S. equity index had lost 7% or more in the past five trading sessions. 1,2
 
This drop is troubling, yes – but not as unsettling as it may first seem. The market has been up for so long that it is easy to dismiss the reality of its occasional downs. Last year’s quiet trading climate could legitimately be characterized as “abnormal.”
   
Prior to this current retreat, the S&P 500 had not fallen 5% from a peak since June 2016. It went more than 400 trading days without such a slump, setting a record. In this same calm stretch, the index also went through its longest period without a dip of 3% or more. 3
 
During a typical year, there are five trading days when equities descend at least 2%, plus one correction of about 14%. On average, equities take roughly a 30% fall every five years. 4
 
This year, the kind of volatility normally seen in the market has returned. It may feel like a shock after so much smooth sailing, but it is the norm – and while the Dow’s recent daily losses are numerically unprecedented, they are also proportionate with the level of the index.
 
A few things are worth remembering at this juncture. One, Wall Street has had more good years than bad ones, as any casual glance at its history will reveal. This year may turn out well. Two, something similar happened in the mid-1990s – a long, easygoing bull run was suddenly disrupted by major volatility. That bull market kept going, though – it lasted four more years, and the S&P 500 doubled along the way. Three, this market needed to cool off; in the minds of many analysts, valuations had become too expensive. Four, the economy is in excellent shape. Five, earnings are living up to expectations. Last week, Thomson Reuters noted that 78% of the S&P firms that had reported this earnings season had topped profit forecasts. 1,3
      
Wall Street may be turbulent, but you can stay calm. You could even look at this as a buying opportunity. Assuming this is a correction and nothing more, the market may regain its footing more quickly than we think. Typically, the average correction lasts less than 90 days. Consider any moves carefully – and talk with a financial professional if you have concerns or anxieties about this volatile episode for the markets. 5

Rescheduled to March 6th
2018 State of the Market Financial Forum at the Ritz Charles
Please note if you have RSVP'd already, you were automatically moved to this NEW date and time.

3 Major Topics will be Discussed:

Top changes in new tax bill.

How to maximize the provisions of the tax code for your benefit.

Roth conversions in a new environment. 

Tuesday, March 6th
3:00 PM for Coffee and Light Snacks
OR
7:00 PM for Wine and Desserts

**Please arrive 30 minutes prior for check in and to get something to eat and drink.

The Ritz Charles
9000 West 137th Street
Overland Park, Kansas 66221

RSVP by Friday, March 2nd by 12:00pm
Contact Elizabeth at 913.317.1414


February 12th Weekly Financial News

This week's headlines ...
  • Wall Street sees its first correction since 2016
  • Service sector grew rapidly in January
  • Earnings look strong
  • A retreat for crude

Top 5 Strategies for Investing in your
Health in 2018 and Beyond!

Friday, March 2nd at KC Financial Office
w/Jonah Yakel (Doctor of Chiropractic)
9:30 - 10:30 AM

We will serve coffee and tea.

12 Spots Available - You must RSVP to this event
Call Elizabeth at (913) 317-1414

Just like financial security, health is not a destination to which we simply arrive. Ensuring our future health requires daily investments. Join Dr. Yakel as provides the top five strategies for maximizing and maintaining your health for years to come.

Dr. Jonah Yakel is a chiropractor and functional medicine practitioner and our neighbor in Corporate Woods (Overland Park, KS). 

With over twelve years of experience, Dr. Yakel focuses on helping people restore and optimize their health naturally through personalized health protocols including lifestyle and dietary modification.  

Lifegate Health Center
Jonah Yakel, D.C.
More information about Lifegate Health Center - Click Here

Around the Office
Melody Collins - Office Manager
This week we had to share these photos of Melody's granddaughter, Raina. This kid needs to be the next face of American Girl Doll!

Wishing Raina a VERY Happy Birthday!
Weekly Quote, Tip, Riddle & Recipe
 
WEEKLY QUOTE -   “Understanding human needs is half the job of meeting them.”     - Adlai Stevenson    

WEEKLY TIP -   Risk and reward go hand in hand when investing. For that reason, it is crucial to define your risk tolerance limits. When investors lose their tolerance, they can make emotional decisions they may later regret.

WEEKLY RIDDLE -   Cheryl was driving a black car. Its lights were off, and there was no moonlight. A cat walked into the middle of the road. How did she know to stop?
   
 
Last week’s riddle:
No matter the time of day, it can open what you can’t. If not for it, on your front porch you would stand. What is it? 
    
Last week’s answer:
A key.


Foodie with Family
Recipe of the week!
"I am so excited to share today’s recipe with you all! Cheater Sesame Chicken is everything you love about takeout Chinese sesame chicken but is made in your own kitchen. It takes mere minutes without any deep frying. I call that a win!" Rebecca, Foodie with Family cookbook author

KCFA's One Appointment Tax Process
For those who are too busy & want simplicity!
We want to invite you to use our streamlined “one appointment tax process”. We know life gets busy and we want to make this as stress-free as possible.

“How does this process work?” It’s really pretty simple. First, call our office and let us know you would like to take advantage of our one appointment tax process .

We will send you a comprehensive package to assist you in gathering your information to allow us to prepare a complete and accurate return. Your personalized packet includes the following:

  • Engagement Letter
  • Tax Checklist for 2017 Returns    
  • Tax Organizer for 2017 Returns

We will prepare your return upon receipt of your packet and necessary documents. These returns are prepared on a first-come, first-served basis, so bring them in as soon as you have your documents ready. Then,

  • We will call you with any questions that we have regarding your return.
  • Upon completion, we will print your return, scan your documents and call you to schedule your “one appointment” tax pickup.
  • After you pick up your return and sign the e-file documents, KC Financial Advisors will electronically file your return with the IRS and the state taxing authorities.

Naturally, if you have a complex return and don’t feel like you can take advantage of this new process, please call our office at 913-317-1414 to schedule an appointment.

Tax time is also a great time to reflect on changes in your financial situation and how these changes may affect both your short and long term planning goals and objectives. We would be happy to meet with you to determine how we can help you with those goals. 
 
Reminder: Checks must be made payable to KC Financial Advisors at the time of drop off. 
Do you have a friend or colleague that could benefit from KC Financial Advisors services? 
 
If you know someone who:

  • Would like a second opinion.
  • Doesn't have an income plan.
  • Recent job change - Needs help rolling over 401K
  • Organizing your orphaned 401K's.
  • Is recently widowed or divorced.
  • Still has the same portfolio they did in 2008, but are hoping to find a different result this time.
  • Is looking to reduce their taxes.

Please provide us their contact information or give them our name.

We truly appreciate the opportunity to serve you & those who are important to you! 
Office Information
KC Financial Advisors
Located in Corporate Woods
10975 Grandview Dr. , Ste. 190, 
Overland Park, KS 66210
(913) 317-1414
      
Citations.
1 - cnbc.com/2018/02/08/us-stock-futures-dow-data-earnings-fed-speeches-market-sell-off-and-politics-on-the-agenda.html [2/8/18]
2 - markets.wsj.com/us [2/8/18]
3 - money.cnn.com/2018/01/22/investing/stock-market-today-extreme-calm-pullback/index.html [1/22/18]
4 - marketwatch.com/story/panicked-about-a-stock-market-crash-what-you-need-to-remember-can-fit-on-a-single-notecard-2018-02-08 [2/8/18]
5 - cnbc.com/2018/02/07/the-quicker-the-sell-off-the-faster-we-recover-says-market-watcher.html [2/7/18]

Disclosures:
Disclosure: Dickens Law and KC Financial Advisors are two separate companies, although they share office space. When Dickens Law renders services or gives advice, it does so only on behalf of the Law Firm, and not on behalf of the Financial Firm. Likewise, when KC Financial Advisors renders services or gives advice, it does so only on behalf of the Financial Firm, and not on behalf of Dickens Law, LLC.

Investment Advisory Services are offered through Brookstone Capital Management, LLC, an SEC Registered Investment Advisor. KC Financial Advisors and Brookstone Capital Management LLC are separate companies. These views should not be construed as investment advice. Neither Brookstone Capital Management LLC nor any named representative gives tax or legal advice. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, we make no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Please consult your financial advisor for further information.

Brookstone Capital Management (BCM) and its Investment Advisor Representatives act as fiduciaries for all of our investment management clients. We have an obligation to act in the best interests of our clients and to disclose any conflicts of interests and all associated fees. Additionally, the recently enacted Department of Labor (DOL) Fiduciary Rule imposes a fiduciary duty upon advice given to any retirement account, including qualified insurance annuity products. Please refer to the BCM firm brochure (Form ADV 2A) for additional information regarding the fiduciary standard.

The Five Star Wealth Manager award, administered by Crescendo Business Services, LLC (dba Five Star Professional), should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by Crescendo Business Services or any client. The award methodology does not evaluate the quality of services provided. The award is not indicative of the award winners future performance. For more information on the Five Star Award and the research/selection methodology, go to: www.fivestarprofessional.com/wmresearch .