Summer 2025 Newsletter

Dear Clients and Friends,

​Welcome to our summer newsletter!
 
If you had closed your eyes at the beginning of this quarter and only opened them at the end, you would have said: “The S&P 500 was up more than 10%, everything has been great!” Maybe you have figuratively done this with your investments – either out of momentum or out of concern. If so, and in market terms only, just about everything has been great. 

​For anyone who has paid closer attention, you know that the story of this quarter has been a bit more complicated. Markets across the globe plunged in the first week of April, primarily driven by tariff uncertainty. Fear reigned, selling was pervasive, and naturally, questions abounded about whether people should make changes, or just sell and “get out of the way”.

I must make a confession here. Sometimes I struggle when writing these pieces or when preparing our market commentary presentations. So much of our conversation lately has centered on “try and ignore short-term volatility, do not try to time markets, the reality of situations is generally never as negative or positive as it seems in times of great noise, etc.”, that we feel the message may seem redundant.​

But there is a reason these phrases are so important – it’s because they’re true. They are easy to say, and easy to believe, when markets are calm and rising. When markets are falling, not so much. If you have struggled with this lately, congratulations, this makes you normal! Markets in the second quarter have once again shown us that as certain as something may seem, we can never know exactly when or how things may evolve.
 
Investors are still dealing with a lot of interconnected factors. Increased actions and instability in the Middle East, the new legislation regarding taxes and benefit reforms, and ongoing trade and tariff negotiations, just to name a few. Regardless of the market environment, there are always issues to consider, and some of them will always feel negative. And once again at the risk of repeating myself, I encourage you to be cautious about reacting too forcefully to short-term events, remember the fundamentals that lead to your portfolio construction, and of course, reach out to us if you would like to discuss anything in more detail.
 
On the StraightLine front, we have continued to grow. We recently welcomed Jessica Harrell to the StraightLine team. Jessica has more than 10 years of experience in the financial service industry and has quickly and confidently integrated herself into our internal operations. We also welcomed an intern for the summer, Gunner Bliss. Gunner is a student at Michigan State University where he is majoring in Finance with a minor in Wealth Management and Financial Planning.  We are excited to have them both and to see how their roles continue to evolve!

I hope that you have a wonderful, calm summer, and thank you as always for your continued trust in StraightLine.
 
---Mike

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​Michael Bisaro, AIF®
​President and CEO

Fi360, a Broadridge Retirement and Workplace, Inc. owned company, licenses the designation marks Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and AIF® in the United States. Attainment of the AIF® Designation demonstrates initial and ongoing understanding of the Prudent Practices® and methodology. Designation requirements include training, exam, experience, ethics and standards components -- more information is available at https://www.straightline.com/professionaldesignations.html

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StraightLine clients are staying informed and empowered by our frequent blogs and videos. The latest content features practical strategies for new graduates, managing beneficiary designations, and tips to help you organize your financial life and protect your legacy. Whether you're looking to optimize your estate plan or safeguard your credit, these resources are designed to support your financial goals and informed decision-making.

• Spring Into Financial Wellness: Simple Steps to Strengthen Your Money Mindset
• The Perfect Graduation Gift: Setting Up Yourself or a Loved One for Financial Success
• Safeguarding Your Finances Using Credit Freezes​
• The Power of Beneficiary Designations: 8 Key Tips for Managing Them Effectively

Share this newsletter and link with a friend who you think will value our insights: Subscribe today! 

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Join us in welcoming our new team members

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​Jessica Harrell is joining StraightLine as a Client Service Specialist. She is a seasoned financial professional with over 10 years of experience in the industry. Throughout her career, Jessica has held various roles that have honed her expertise in financial planning, client service, and accounting. As a part of the Client Service team, she will work with StraightLine clients to educate, plan, and invest.

Gunner Bliss is joining the team as an Intern. He is a driven and detail-oriented student currently studying at Michigan State University, pursuing Finance with a minor in Wealth Management & Financial Planning. Gunner is gaining hands-on experience in the financial services industry and with strong analytical skills and a commitment to learning, he is eager to contribute to impactful projects and further develop a career in finance.

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StraightLine Mentors

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​Mike Bisaro was recently a guest on the MSU Wealth Management Association’s podcast, where he sat down to share a message with students about emerging trends shaping the future of the industry and offered advice on how to get started in the profession.

​​Mike also recently met in person with the MSUWMA students, where he shared insights on what it means to be a financial advisor and the unique experience of owning an RIA. He emphasized the critical role advisors play during this time of uncertainty.

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​Mike also contributed to a recent Barron’s Advisor article where he offered advice for those graduating in a tough job market. He touched on networking, communication, and why it’s important to be passionate about your job and employer’s mission. 
 
Read the full article here.

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StraightLine In the Community

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​In May, StraightLine had the honor of sponsoring the Michigan State University Retirees Association luncheon. The event was a fantastic opportunity to discover the exciting initiatives planned and to be surrounded by clients, friends, and new acquaintances.

(L to R) Mike Bisaro, Elizabeth Bisaro, Amy Pisano, Dave Brower, Mike Rice

​In early June, Mike Bisaro joined an impressive lineup of CEOs as a moderator at the Portfolio Summits conference. The conversation focused on how technology, from AI to data analytics, is transforming the client experience. But the key takeaway? Innovation must go hand in hand with the human touch.

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StraightLine In the News

​Mike recently joined journalist Chris Latham where he shared a story about an overworked client gain comfort about his finances. View it here. 

Mike along with StraightLine’s Chief Growth Officer Rob Rickey, have been quoted in the news recently in these and other publications. Please visit our In the News page to take a look at all the recent media attention.

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StraightLine Market Updates

We recently held our second quarter update via Zoom. This is an interactive, one-hour discussion of market events and updates on investment issues most important to you. Brought to you by StraightLine and SkyView Investment Advisors. Next meeting is scheduled for September. Did you miss the June Update?
Watch it here. 

​Can't get enough of StraightLine's Market Updates?

Be sure that you are subscribed to receive the Weekly Market Updates directly into your inbox each week. 

​Subscribe here. 

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Second Quarter Update

The preceding quote may have resonated more from mid-February through early April, when we were in the throes of a nearly 19% decline in the S&P 500. Now, with the benefit of hindsight, it serves as a reminder of the condition we all experience as investors. The tone of this commentary would have undoubtedly been different had we written it during that downturn.

Read full update here. 

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Index Descriptions: The Standard and Poor's 500, or simply the S&P 500, is a stock market index tracking the stock performance of 500 of the largest companies listed on stock exchanges in the USA.
The Russell 2000 Index is a stock market index that tracks roughly 2000 US small companies, and is considered a key benchmark for US small cap stocks.
The MSCI EAFE Index is a stock market index that measures the performance of large- and mid-cap companies across 21 Developed markets countries around the world. Canada and the USA are not included. EAFE is an acronym that stands for Europe, Australasia, and the Far East.
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large and mid-cap representation across 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries.
The Bloomberg US Aggregate Bond Index, or the Agg, is a broad based, market capitalization-weighted bond market index representing intermediate term investment grade bonds traded in the USA.
Disclosures: Information presented is for informational purposes only. StraightLine Group, LLC (“StraightLine”) is a registered investment adviser. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Investing involves risk, including the possibility of loss of principal. The ideas and opinions expressed herein do not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security or strategy.
Before making any investment decision, you should seek expert, professional advice and obtain information regarding the legal, fiscal, regulatory and foreign currency requirements for any investment according to the laws of your home country and place of residence. Any forward-looking statements or forecasts are based on assumptions and actual results may vary. Information presented from third parties is believed to be reliable, but no warranty is provided. StraightLine is not required to update information presented, unless otherwise required by applicable law. For more information about StraightLine, including our Form ADV Part 2A Brochure, please visit https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/firm/summary/127401 or contact us at 248-269-8366.
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