Monthly Newsletter
September 2023
Rallies in different sectors support a broader growth story.
Global equities rallied last week as a drop in Treasury yields following their recent rally helped support growth stocks. The Russell 2000 and Nasdaq Composite were both particularly strong—up more than 3 percent. Technology, energy, and materials were among the top performers as the drop in rates and better-than-expected employment report supported a broader growth story.
 
Peace,
Will
TEAM NOTES
Market Thoughts - September 2023
Brad McMillan, CFA, CAIA, MAI, Managing Principal, Cheif Executive Investment Officer shares his thoughts on what's going on with the financial status of our markets and economy as we wind up summer.
Will's Top Ten - Insights on Italy
I recently made a trip to Italy with my wife. It was
our 25th-anniversary trip. I told people I was celebrating 25 years of marriage and Bridget was celebrating 40 years of “marriage” based on the work needed to live with me! We loved our trip, and I want to share my 10 most memorable observations of Italy with you:

  1. Driving in Rome takes a special soul. I realize at this stage of my life I don’t have the requisite gusto to take on driving in that city. Tiny cars are a must there and the car I need to have would need the roof cut out of it so I could fit!
  2. It's hard to fathom when you see structures that are older than Christ and they are still operable. Makes you feel small in some ways. As I tell my kids, “We are all quite meaningful but none of us are very important!”
  3. The relaxed consumption of wine might be my new favorite thing.
  4. Even though the wine consumption is mild it was still funny to sit across from my wife and watch her feel its effects about three different times a day. I am still laughing at her lack of “vino stamina”.
  5. Driving in km/h and spending in Euros is a hopeless and perpetual math equation that I just turned over to a greater power.
  6. I don’t think I can ever eat American Pizza the same way again. My excess cheese and tomato sauce consumption was an unknown mistake until now! Wow, the pizza is good!
  7. Can someone please explain to me the clear distinction between a “sea” and the ocean and what is the line of demarcation?
  8. I tried to leave my business card staggered through Portofino. The image of deep international wealth is hard to fathom until you see it - the yachts! Yikes.
  9. I was saying “Grazie” at the stores in St. Paul for about 4 days after I returned.
  10. This last one is a tie, so I am putting two in here… 1) The wonder of Michaelangelo’s David surprised me. I have seen the photo hundreds of times but seeing it in person I now understand the hype. 2) I can’t tell you how pleased I am that they serve potato chips with a bottle of wine when you are just hanging out. Thank God I found that out before I am finished on this planet. My life is forever better because of this!
Kurt takes some time to visit family and enjoy a summer music festival.

I was able to take a long weekend in August to see Tammy’s sisters. She comes from a family of five girls in a small town called Galva, IL. We were able to visit with all her sisters, who still live in Galva, except one, who lives in Kansas. We enjoyed a weekend of visiting and taking in a country music festival, "The Back Road Music Festival". There were three main acts, Diamond Rio, Lonestar, and Trace Adkins. That festival tripled the population of Galva that weekend. A good time was had by all!
Heidi is in a pickle.
The best possible kind of pickle!
This year's crop from the farmer's garden yielded some beautiful vegetables. So much so that I decided to make some of my favorite refrigerator pickles. They are delicious and pretty simple to make. Give this recipe a try, you won't be disappointed.

Refrigerator Pickles

Ingredients:

1 small/medium, Sweet Onion
2 pounds medium Pickling Cucumbers, sliced
1 large bunch of Dill
**Pack jars with sliced cucumbers, onions, and dill

The Brine:

1 tablespoon Mustard Seed
2 teaspoons Whole Peppercorns
1 ½ c. Cider Vinegar
1 cup Water
1 cup Sugar
3 tablespoons Kosher Salt or Pickling Salt
2 teaspoon Dill Seed

Crush the mustard seed and peppercorns together
Add to pan with the rest of the ingredients
Bring to a boil/simmer until sugar is dissolved remove from heat and ladle brine over cucumbers, cover, and store in the refrigerator for 2-3 weeks.

**This recipe can be prepared and stored in Tupperware or an ice cream bucket.

If you have any questions, please give me a call!
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Will Berigan CFP® Wealth Advisor Shamrock Wealth Management | shamrockwm.com