Shawn Peters – Christian Financial Advisors®

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1766521791383{margin-top: 30px !important;}”]Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on December 22nd, 2025

The Bullet Points for January are:

1. 2025 Tax Documents: As done in previous years, Schwab should produce 1099s for tax reporting by the end of February unless there is an unforeseen problem. Paper copies will be mailed, while digital copies can be accessed through the Schwab Alliance portal. If you need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact us by phone or text at 830.609.6986.

2. BRI Portfolio Returns: For the third year in a row, as of this writing, 2025 returns have exceeded our benchmarks for all “in-house” Biblically Responsible Managed Portfolios. Currently, many economic indicators suggest that the markets are overvalued; therefore, we are presently taking a defensive stance in our positions, holding a sizable amount in fixed income across all portfolios to capitalize on any potential major pullbacks.

3. Oil & Gas Prices: In December, Oil hit $56 per barrel for the first time in nearly 5 years, resulting in the lowest gas prices at the pump since May 2021. Crude oil inventories are suggesting a softening in demand.

4. Low Consumer Sentiment: Consumer Sentiment reports released in December from November showed the lowest readings since June of 2022, indicating economic challenges could be ahead.

5. Interest Rates: The Fed lowered short-term interest rates in December for the sixth time since August 2024 for economic reasons. While many believe this affects long-term mortgage rates, it doesn’t, as they are based on the longer 10-year Treasury rate, which can actually increase when short-term rates decrease as happened in the past. Lower short-term rates hurt savers, fixed-income investors, weakens the dollar, creates inflation, encourages greater debt, and are a terrible recipe for long-term financial success.

6. 2026 Financial Goals: Many people never hit their financial goals because they don’t write them down and look at them daily. Procrastination is, by far, the number one reason for financial failure. We encourage you to write down at least one to two financial goals for 2026 on paper and place them where you see them daily. Aim for nothing, and that is precisely what you will hit. People don’t plan to fail; they fail to plan. Check out our episode on successful goal-setting by visiting cfa.lc/goals.

7. Continuing Education & Scripture: This month’s schedule for Christian Financial Perspectives.

Ep 238 – Introduction to “The Biblical Worldview of Money” – 01/13/2026
Ep 239 – The Biblical Worldview of Tithing and Giving – 01/27/2026
Galatians 6:9 – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

As we step into 2026 together, we’re here to help you turn fresh starts into faithful financial progress.

If you would like further explanation of any of the bullet points mentioned, please call or text (830) 609-6986 during business hours or email us by clicking here.

Bob Barber, CWS®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor & President

Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor

Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1764695186292{margin-top: 30px !important;}”]Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on November 25th, 2025

The Bullet Points for December are:

1. Year-End Tax Planning and Deadlines:: Year-end tax planning deadlines are fast approaching. The target is to complete all year-end RMDs, QCDs, Roth conversions, and other monetary transactions by December 12, and all clerical items by December 22. Our office is closed beginning on Christmas Eve. It’s crucial to implement year-end tax strategies now, as many cannot be completed after January 1st. These include maximizing qualified plan contributions (401(k), TSP, 403(b), etc.), making charitable donations, paying property tax bills, and other eligible expenses. Remember, itemized deductions must surpass the standard deduction to count: $31,500 for married couples (plus $12,000 for eligible seniors), and $15,750 for single filers (plus $6,000 for eligible seniors) in 2025. Contact us to discuss year-end tax strategies specific to your situation.
2. Home Foreclosures: Total home foreclosures rose 19% in October compared to October 2024. The rising cost of property taxes and home insurance, particularly in states like Texas and Florida, has strained homeowners navigating monthly budgets. Continued increases in this area could significantly impact the US economy..
3. Tariffs in Supreme Court: The Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments on President Trump’s reciprocal tariffs on November 5. While this continues to be a focal point of the market, it is very likely that a ruling is not announced for several weeks or even months. Traditionally, the Supreme Court communicates decisions on the most complex cases right before their summer recess in April or May. In the meantime, inflation risks remain, as many companies pass along the tariff costs to consumers.
4. AI Stocks Waver: Early November brought a general decline in AI technology companies, as investors questioned if they are overpriced. While concerns about an AI bubble have surfaced, AI has infiltrated daily routines worldwide and is here to stay. However, prominent AI companies are facing increased competition, bringing their valuations into question.
5. Equity Allocation: In September, based on 20+ market indicators, we took profits and lowered equity positions by 25% in our moderate, growth, and aggressive growth portfolios. We maintain an appropriate equity allocation, but this strategy enables us to purchase equities at favorable prices when opportunities arise. Patience is prudent while waiting for these opportunities. .
6. Continuing Education and Scriptures. This month’s programs for Christian Financial Perspectives are listed below along with our Scriptures for the month:
  - Ep 236 – Annual Year-End Tax Strategies – 12/09/2025
  - Ep 237 – Unique Giving Strategies – 12/23/2025
  - Isaiah 9:6 – “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”

We hope all of you have a Wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year.

If you would like further explanation of any of the bullet points mentioned, please call or text (830) 609-6986 during business hours or email us by clicking here.

Bob Barber, CWS®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor & President

Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor

Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor

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Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on August 26th, 2025

The Bullet Points for September are:

1. Ready for Year-End Tax Planning: Why mention this in September? November and December focus on holidays, so by September, we know it’s better to start strategies earlier. We’re here to help with strategies that must be done before year-end, and Clayton or Mariah will contact you for RMDs soon.
2. Costco Stops Selling Abortion Pill: Costco announced they are no longer selling the abortion pill mifepristone after influence from religious groups, including Inspire ETFs, which most clients have in their portfolios. This massive victory in protecting unborn children shows your impact as a Biblically Responsible Investor!
3. The Fed’s Annual Meeting: The Federal Reserve’s Annual Economic Policy Symposium was held in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, August 21-23. Main topics were inflation, interest rates, with tariffs and immigration policies added. Chairman Powell indicated conditions ‘may warrant’ rate cuts as the Fed proceeds ‘carefully’. By publication, we may already have a cut.
4. The 10-Year Treasury Rate: This misunderstood, significant rate determines mortgage rates, home prices, and stock market direction. It’s a benchmark for corporate bonds and loans. Today, this rate is precisely where it was two years ago. We watch it closely for portfolio allocations. Short-term rates don’t affect the 10-year, so the Fed can lower rates, but mortgage rates may stay the same unless the 10-year changes.
5. Home Prices: Higher mortgage rates have won the battle over housing inflation. Home prices have fallen steeply in California, Texas, Florida, and the Southeast. Existing homes are staying on the market much longer than average, with sellers believing their homes are worth more than what buyers are willing to pay at today’s higher mortgage rates.
6. Procrastination: It has been the biggest reason for financial failure for decades. Psychologists say people procrastinate due to emotional regulation, task aversion, and avoiding negative feelings like anxiety or fear of failure. It’s our job to help you avoid procrastinating on critical financial decisions.
7. Continuing Education and Scriptures. This month’s programs for Christian Financial Perspectives are listed below along with our Scriptures for the month:
  - Ep 231 – 9/9/25 – Financial Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
  - 1 Peter 5:10 – “And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast.”

Please join us in prayer for our brothers, sisters, and communities that were impacted by the recent floods in central Texas. May the Lord be glorified and may He bring peace that transcends all understanding.

Visit our channel: www.cfa.lc/yt

If you would like further explanation of any of the bullet points mentioned, please call or text (830) 609-6986 during business hours or email us by clicking here.

Bob Barber
Senior Wealth Advisor & President

Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®
Senior Wealth Advisor

Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor

Christian Financial Advisors^®

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written by Bob Barber

What is a Steward? The definition

A steward is responsible for managing anything entrusted to their care. This includes managing property, resources, finances, planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and making wise decisions.

Christian Stewardship?

Christian stewardship is the understanding that God owns everything and that we are managers of His creation and resources. It is the belief that everything we have, including our time, talents, resources, finances, investments, possessions, and relationships, is a gift from God to be used responsibly and for His glory rather than only for personal gain, knowing we will be accountable for how we use them.

Four Examples of Stewardship:

Stewardship of Finances: Using money wisely, giving generously, and investing with biblical principles.
Stewardship of Time: Prioritizing God’s work and using time effectively to serve others and advance His kingdom.
Stewardship of Talent: Using our abilities and skills to serve God and others.
Stewardship of the Environment: Caring for the earth and its resources, recognizing that we are responsible for protecting God’s creation.

The Biblical Basis for Stewardship:

Stewardship is rooted in many biblical teachings, such as the command to “work the land” (Genesis 2:15) and the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30).

Christian Stewardship and Investing, known as Biblically Responsible Investing

One form of Christian Stewardship is in how we invest God’s resources. Examples include investing in companies that demonstrate Christian values while avoiding companies that support services or produce goods that violate them, regardless of how good the investment returns may or may not be with Biblically Responsible Investing.

Hundreds of scriptures find the Biblical basis for Biblically Responsible Investing and Stewardship. A few of them are:

Christian Stewardship and Investment Returns

Christian Stewards need to be extremely careful about investment returns becoming idols. In the biblical context, idolatry is giving divine honor or reverence to anything other than God and following biblical guidelines. If we obsess over investment returns or a lack thereof and become fearful, Investment returns can quickly become idols.

God cares much more about how we invest and our hearts than the returns we make on this earth, whether good, bad, or average. Investments should be viewed as tools for stewarding God’s resources, not as objects of worship.

In this passage, the “love of money” can easily be replaced with the “love of investment returns” because it creates more money.

The question is always, “How much is enough? Is it 7% over 6%, or how about 8%? At what point might we ‘sell out’ our Christian values for possibly a better return if available? Not that it has to be this way with Biblically Responsible Investing.

Again, replace “love of money” with “love of returns,” as it is the same thing.

Matthew 6:19-21 reminds us about where to store our treasure and why. In verse 21, it states: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Obsessing over investment returns reflects a materialistic, secular worldview that aligns with the world’s priorities, not God’s. Matthew 6:24 warns, “No one can serve two masters… You cannot serve both God and money.” Pursuing wealth above all else leads us to neglect God’s Kingdom and justice.

Pursuing better investment returns over proper stewardship of God’s resources can cause us to forget that the eternal value of our lives is not found in wealth but in the Kingdom of God. Matthew 6:19-21 teaches that we should store up treasures in heaven, not on earth, where they are temporary.

Christian stewardship and Biblically Responsible investing are very different from the world’s ways.

It’s a clear choice: God’s ways or man’s?

Biblically Responsible Investing is a Christian Steward’s way of aligning their finances with a Biblical Worldview.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Over the past few years, I have patiently waited for God to send someone who is a strong Christian, has many credentials and experience in the financial services industry, is approximately 20 years younger than me, and could work alongside my son-in-law, Shawn Peters, and me. As I will be 62 in June, I want to start spending more quality time with my wife of nearly 40 years, Rachael, and our grandchildren, and more time serving in different ministries and traveling.

With that said, please welcome the person God has sent to work alongside us, Matthew Barrovecchio. Matthew is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional with 20 years of diversified experience in the financial services industry. He managed approximately $400 million at Vanguard before being called by God to do it Biblically Responsible, which led him to us. Matthew fits perfectly with our firm’s mission, vision, and our clients’ Christian and conservative values. He is also very friendly, outgoing, and kind-hearted. He is like a younger me, and you will come to love him over the next few years.

Matthew is 42 years old and has been married to his wife, Ann, for 18 years. Together, they have homeschooled their five children, ages 7-14. They are a Christian family that loves the Lord and lives in Tampa, Florida. Matthew will work remotely from Tampa, serving our clients via Zoom and phone, and will conduct in-person meetings at our New Braunfels office for a week every four weeks. With Matthew’s experience, qualifications, and youth, he is the perfect person to accompany Shawn and me to help drive Christian Financial Advisors^® forward for many years. A neat twist: Many of you know of and have listened to Matthew’s father-in-law, the late Dan Celia, who had a well-known three-hour daily Christian Financial talk show heard on over 640 Christian Radio stations worldwide for many years.

Moving forward, I will shift my focus to managing our Biblically Responsible, non-woke portfolios and driving the content of our podcast program and monthly bullet points. While I will continue to do some client reviews, I will be shifting away from many of the reviews and answering ad-hoc financial questions that Matthew and Shawn can handle. However, if needed, I will always be available for the more difficult questions.

If you are wondering if I will be retiring, please know that I intend to remain at the firm as long as I am mentally and physically capable, especially with all my experience understanding the financial markets. I look at the famous Warren Buffet, and he’s still doing financial management at 93; I hope I can do the same. Also, I will remain the owner of the firm for the foreseeable future.

For more information about Matthew Barrovecchio and his role at Christian Financial Advisors^®, please click here to view Matthew’s full bio.

Please call Shawn Peters or me if you have any questions regarding this announcement.

In Christ,
Bob Barber, Founder & Owner
Christian Financial Advisors^®

New Braunfels, TX – Christian Financial Advisors^® is pleased to announce the addition of Matthew Barrovecchio to their team as a Wealth Advisor. With over 20 years in the financial services industry, Matthew brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company. He will officially begin serving clients on February 19, 2023, out of the New Braunfels office.

Prior to joining Christian Financial Advisors^®, Matthew worked at Vanguard, one of the world’s largest investment management companies. During his time there, he served as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional, helping clients with their financial goals and plan for their future. With his extensive experience and dedication to providing personalized financial solutions, Matthew is a valuable asset to the team.

“We are thrilled to have Matthew join our team at Christian Financial Advisors^®,” says Shawn Peters, Vice President of the company. “His impressive background and commitment to serving clients align perfectly with our mission to provide ethical and faith-based financial advice. We are confident that Matthew will make a positive impact on our clients’ financial journeys.”

As a Wealth Advisor at Christian Financial Advisors^®, Matthew will leverage his analytical abilities and interpersonal skills to provide clients with holistic financial guidance. He will work closely with individuals and families to gain a deep understanding of their values, priorities, and goals in order to develop customized financial plans. With compassion and attentiveness, Matthew will walk alongside clients each step of their financial journey.

Specifically, Matthew will offer services including retirement planning, estate planning, investment management, and more. He will educate clients on smart money management strategies while keeping their faith and ethics at the core of each financial recommendation. Matthew will continuously monitor market trends and regulatory changes to provide up-to-date guidance. His commitment is to serve each client with integrity and help position them for long-term financial stability and success.

Matthew’s addition to the Christian Financial Advisors^® team also expands their breadth of knowledge and abilities. With over 20 years of experience across various facets of the financial industry, Matthew brings a diverse skillset and perspective. He has served clients as a CFP® professional since 2016 and also plans to pursue becoming a Certified Kingdom Advisor® in 2024. This advanced training will allow Matthew to provide biblically wise and spiritually guided financial advice.

The company is also proud to welcome Matthew as he carries on the legacy of his late father-in-law, Dan Celia. As the founder of Financial Issues Stewardship Ministries, Dan was a respected voice for ethical and faith-based financial education. Matthew is honored to continue advancing his mission. As a husband, father, and faithful follower of Christ, Matthew strives to serve both his family and his community.

Outside of the office, Matthew enjoys spending time with his wife Ann and their five children, playing and watching soccer, exploring the outdoors, and experimenting in the kitchen. After over 20 years in Philadelphia, Matthew relocated with his family to Tampa Bay, Florida in 2021 for new adventures. With compassion, intellect, and devotion, Matthew is prepared to make a difference in the lives of the clients he will serve.

The addition of Matthew Barrovecchio comes at an exciting time for Christian Financial Advisors^®. As the company continues expanding, this highly qualified new team member will allow them to enhance their client offerings. They look forward to the positive contributions he will make in guiding individuals and families toward financial stability.

With his breadth of experience, Matthew is skilled at educating clients and helping them navigate major financial decisions. Whether planning for retirement, managing investments, or establishing a legacy plan, Matthew has the knowledge and discernment to provide sage guidance. He stays up-to-date on market trends, regulatory policy, and advanced financial strategies to best serve clients.

At its core, Christian Financial Advisors^® is committed to honor God and serve people. Matthew aligns with these values and strives to glorify God through his work. He follows Proverbs 3:5-6 which states, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” This faith-based approach guides Matthew as he assists clients.

For more information about Matthew Barrovecchio and his role at Christian Financial Advisors^®, please contact Shawn Peters at (830) 609-6986 or visit spinupwp.christianfinancialadvisors.com/about/about-us/matthew-barrovecchio.

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1706738886553{margin-top: 30px !important;}”]Written by Bob Barber, Prepared on Jan 27th, 2024

The Bullet Points for February are:

Inflation. The core personal consumption expenditures price index for December, an influential gauge for the Federal Reserve, increased 0.2% on the month and was up 2.9% on a yearly basis. Including volatile food and energy costs, headline inflation rose 0.2% for the month and held steady at 2.6% annually.
Interest Rates. As I expected, 10-year Treasury yields stabilized in the 4% range in January after a sharp decline from touching 5% to a little below 4% in the 4th quarter.
Consumer Spending. The rate of Consumer Spending increased 0.7%, more robust than the 0.5% estimate, but with consumer debt at all-time highs, this may not continue.
Real Estate. Home inventories continue to rise, with prices falling in some markets like Austin as much as 20% from the peak a few years ago.
Car Sales. Electric vehicle sales are plummeting, with EV inventories approaching six months in some places.
GDP. A measure of all the goods and services produced, GDP increased at a 3.3% annualized rate in the fourth quarter of 2023. Wall Street expected a 2% gain.
The Markets. January markets unexpectedly narrowed again to just a handful of tech companies. Don’t be fooled by the cap-weighted S&P 500 reported in the news being lifted by these few stocks; it is not indicative of the overall markets. Instead, look at an equally weighted index more representative of all the sectors. An equally weighted example is the ETF ticker symbol RSP.
Continuing Education. This month’s programs for Christian Financial Perspectives are:

- 14 Characteristics of Financially Successful Christians (Feb 13th)
- Using 1 Timothy 3 to Find a Financial Advisor (Feb 27th)

Can’t watch it on YouTube? You can listen on any smartphone while driving, cooking, gardening, or taking daily walks through almost any podcast platform, any time of the day, by searching for Christian Financial Perspectives.

Visit our channel: www.cfa.lc/yt

If you would like further explanation of any of the bullet points mentioned, please call or text (830) 609-6986 during business hours or email us by clicking here.

Bob Barber, Founder & Owner
Christian Financial Advisors^®[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1704302142015{margin-top: 30px !important;}”]Written by Bob Barber, Prepared on Dec 27th, 2023

The Bullet Points for January are:

Year-End Rally as Expected: As anticipated, a year-end rally materialized in Q4. This time it extended beyond the top 7 “woke” Big Tech stocks to the broader market, including the other 493 companies of the S&P 500, benefiting our Biblically Responsible active portfolios to end the year nicely.
Taking Profits, Rebalancing, and Lowering Equity: In December, we took profits on many individual stock holdings, rebalanced across portfolios, and lowered overall equity allocations by a third in anticipating potential profit-taking early this year. Most of our deep value biblically responsible stock picks were up in December, with 10 stocks up 30% or more. With little value left in some, we liquidated 9 positions and rebalanced the rest to capture gains before they could dissipate*. We are actively seeking new buying opportunities to replace the sold positions.
*As of 12/18/2023, 40 stocks were up, and 9 stocks were down since the 10/19/2023 purchase. Excess cash was placed in a Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund until we reinvest it into 9-10 replacement stocks.
Declining Inflation. Inflation numbers continued improving in December, pleasing the Fed and markets. The Fed signaled possible rate cuts this year amid ongoing disinflation, driving 10-year Treasury yields back below 4% and benefiting mortgage rates.
CD Rates Trending Down.. With the Fed’s potential pivot, the 5.5-5.7% 1-2 year CD rates of the past year are vanishing. Expect rates in the low 4% range by mid-summer.
GDP Growth Encouraging US GDP grew 5.2% versus 2.7% a year prior, another positive economic indicator. This was also higher than the original reporting of 5.0%.
2024 Election Year Outlook. 2024 is a presidential election year. The incumbent party typically stimulates the economy pre-election, which often helps markets.
Broader Returns Expected. Unlike last year’s concentration in a few stocks, returns should spread out more broadly in 2024, benefiting our active, Biblically Responsible portfolios.
Continuing Education. This month’s programs for Christian Financial Perspectives are:
- - Setting Goals for 2024 (Jan 2nd)
  - Selling Financial Fear (Jan 9th)
  - Our Biblically Responsible Stocks Portfolio (Jan 16th)
  - Is a Rental Home a Good Investment (Jan 23rd)
  - 14 Characteristics of Financially Successful Christians (Jan 30th)
Can’t watch it on YouTube? You can listen on any smartphone while driving, cooking, gardening, or taking daily walks through almost any podcast platform, any time of the day, by searching for Christian Financial Perspectives.
Visit our channel: www.cfa.lc/yt

Until next time, we hope you had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and look forward to 2024. That’s all for now.

If you would like further explanation of any of the bullet points mentioned, please call or text (830) 609-6986 during business hours or email us by clicking here.

Bob Barber, Founder & Owner
Christian Financial Advisors^®[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1701384045275{margin-top: 30px !important;}”]Written by Bob Barber, Prepared on Nov 28th, 2023

The Bullet Points for December are:

Year-End Tax Planning. Don’t wait! Year-end tax strategies and Charitable Giving must be done now, not tomorrow or next week, as time is running out quickly. Things like maxing out your company-qualified plan contributions, bundling your itemized deductions every other year to surpass the standard deduction, legacy giving from cash and non-cash assets, etc. Watch the Christan Financial Perspectives episodes 182 and 184 – 2023 Year-End Tax Strategies and Year-End Charitable Gifting Ideas on YouTube, released on Nov. 13th and 28th, for more information.
Interest Rates Update. Interest rates remain the major financial newsmaker, with 10-year bond yields rising from under 4% in July to nearly 5% in October but have now dropped below 4.5%. Will it last? Not sure, but our Ultra-Conservative portfolio continues to average a net annual interest rate of approximately 6%. We also offer very competitive FDIC CD rates, which would be worth a call before taking out your next CD.
Third Quarter Earnings Results. Over 80% of the S&P 500 companies beat analysts’ earnings estimates again as they were released in October and November for the prior quarter. Where is the major recession they have been saying is supposed to happen for the last 18-20 months? Oh, and U.S. GDP grew at a 5.2% rate in the third quarter, even stronger than first indicated (5%) and better than the estimate (4.9%).
Inflation Improvement. The latest Inflation numbers are looking good. Gasoline and home prices are down, as well as overall inflation is now under 3.5% annually based on the latest figures.
Real Estate Investing Option. Want to own a Diversified Real Estate Portfolio for passive income plus possible appreciation? For a while now, we have offered a diversified real estate portfolio comprising 28-30 publicly traded “Real Estate Investment Trusts” equally weighted across many real estate sectors. The current dividend yield is over 6% net. If interested, contact our office for more information.
Portfolio Appreciation. Our Biblically-Responsible, Non-Woke, Deep-Value portfolio appreciated well for the month of November, along with its annual dividend above 4% net of fees. Past performance is no guarantee of future performance.
Market Index Nuances. Don’t get mixed up! The cap-weighted S&P 500 is now so heavily cap-weighted in the top 7 companies that it’s more like the “S&P 7” instead of the S&P 500. The better way to measure how well all the S&P 500 companies are doing is to look at an equally weighted index like “RSP”.
Continuing Education. This month’s programs for Christian Financial Perspectives are:
- - The High Cost of Cash Value Life Insurance (Dec 5th)
  - Seven things to know before Buying your Next Vehicle (Dec 12th)
  - Christmas Special 2023 (Dec 19th)
  - 2023 Financial Recap (Dec 26th)
Can’t watch it on YouTube? You can listen on any smartphone while driving, cooking, gardening, or taking daily walks through almost any podcast platform, any time of the day, by searching for Christian Financial Perspectives.
Visit our channel: www.cfa.lc/yt

Until next time, we hope you have a wonderful December and a Merry Christmas! That’s all for now.

If you would like further explanation of any of the bullet points mentioned, please call or text (830) 609-6986 during business hours or email us by clicking here.

Bob Barber, Founder & Owner
Christian Financial Advisors^®[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1698788077760{margin-top: 30px !important;}”]Written by Bob Barber, Prepared on Oct 27th, 2023

The Bullet Points for November are:

Markets have been consumed with the 10-year bond yield moving from 3.8% to 5% for the first time in many years and are realizing that current interest rates may be here to stay. Lately, every time the 10-year bond has touched 5%, it bounces a little below that mark, so this could be the peak.
The inverted yield curve (i.e., short-term interest rates are higher than long-term rates) we’ve had for the last 18-24 months usually indicates a coming recession, but that may soon change to a normal yield curve indicated by the rise in recent long-term rates.
Emphasis on fixed income. Our ultra-conservative managed portfolio is now yielding over 6% net of fees. We use the same fixed-income portfolio for 78% of our conservative, 38% of our moderate, and 21% of our growth-managed portfolio. With a simple phone call from you, we can easily move from one portfolio to another. With interest rates so good now, we understand if you want to move a portion or all of your portfolios to ultra-conservative.
In October, we restructured 50% of our equity exposure to an equal weighting of 49 of the most fundamentally sound, deep-valued, Biblically responsible stocks we could find in the marketplace. The average net dividend of these 49 stocks to you is 4.06%, so if we can get just 2-5% annual appreciation on top of the dividend, that’s a good total annual return. We will decide quarterly which of the 49 stocks to keep or replace depending on their value and fundamentals scores.
The markets have been pricing in a coming recession for the last three months, yet on October 24th, GPD came in very hot at a 4.9% annual growth rate, or more than double the previous quarter. The markets continue to be surprised at the resilience of the U.S. economy and keep pricing in a recession by its behavior at this time. We are focusing on the interest and dividends spinning off our holdings over price appreciation until the markets come to their senses.
Get educated. This month’s programs for Christian Financial Perspectives are:
- - 10 Ways to Overcome Inflation (Nov 7th)
  - Ten Year-End Tax Strategies (Nov 14th)
  - 7 Takeaways for Christmas Spending (Nov 21st)
  - Year-End Charitable Gifting Ideas (Nov 28th)
Can’t watch it on YouTube? You can listen on any smartphone while driving, cooking, gardening, or taking daily walks through almost any podcast platform, any time of the day, by searching for Christian Financial Perspectives.
Visit our channel: www.cfa.lc/yt

Until next time, we hope you have a wonderful November! That’s all for now.

If you would like further explanation of any of the bullet points mentioned, please call or text (830) 609-6986 during business hours or email us by clicking here.

Bob Barber, Founder & Owner
Christian Financial Advisors^®[/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]