Sometimes there are no words. This is both sad and humorous. It is a serious clip on Good Morning America discussing how investors are seeking clarity in the current environment.

This is the end result of wanting to cling to certainty in a market environment that really only compensates investors for taking on the risk of uncertainty.

There is no magical skill set that allows investors to know what is going to happen next and those that claim to provide it seem to be somewhat foolish or simply charlatans. I’ll let you decide where to categorize the following:

How far will investors go to seek certainty and who will line up to provide this? Click here.

Many times stepping back and getting a fresh perspective on a consistent theme makes all the difference.

Six months after his first comprehensive survey of the market downturn, Weston Wellington returns to the topic with a multi-part series on what investors should consider as they move forward. The videos include an examination of capital markets, the effects of recession and government policy on stock prices, how the current market stacks up to previous downturns, and the reasons why our core beliefs have not changed in light of these events.

I strongly encourage everyone to watch. Having a strong foundation of our investment view helps reinforce the appropriateness and effectiveness of your investment strategy during these volatile times.

Click below for presentation.

Our approach under adverse business conditions.

Despite a tumultuous start, the month of March was one of the top 5 best months for many of the funds noted below.  But, this is just part of the story.  Equally interesting, had the monthly returns stopped on March 9^th, many of the same funds would have experienced top 10 worst monthly performances in their live history.

One of my first reactions to the recent market rise, its highest since October 1992, was to think of those in the investing public that had recently reduced their exposure to stocks. The results of the last few weeks of March will not make anyone “right” or “wrong” as there are sensible reasons for investors to become more risk averse, just as there are reasons to become more risk tolerant.

We may very well experience further declines, or we may be in the midst of a market upturn. I would not attempt to predict either. These past weeks serve as a much needed reminder that we should not allow ourselves to get caught up in the fear gripping investors.

As advisors, we are subject to the same behavioral biases that affect all types of investors. We have not somehow immunized ourselves from these emotions, nor have we been brainwashed into behaving rationally. We simply have confidence in our message and know, that a disciplined, diversified, low cost approach offers the best probability of long-term financial success.

Link to Data disclosures: DFA Funds