by Joseph P. Trybula, CFP^®, AIF^®, Diversified Financial Advisors

Economic downturns and turbulent investment markets can make people nervous. Recognize these events as a normal, although undesirable, part of the economic and investment cycles. With that in mind, here are some tips for investors during unpredictable times.

Don’t panic

Some people may be tempted to bail out of their stock investments if markets are having a particularly rough ride. Selling solely because the stock market tumbles may be the worst thing to do.

Stay invested

If you’re investing for a long-term goal — such as a retirement that begins in another decade or more and could last two or three decades — you’ll have plenty of time to ride out market cycles. As the table below shows, missing some of the best days in the market can reduce your gains significantly over the years. An investor who stayed fully invested over the past 15 years would have earned $20,460 more than someone who missed the market’s 10 best days.

Missing the best days in the market substantially reduced returns

If the stock market posted gains and losses every other year, imagine what you would lose by selling after a dip. Where would you put your money? A money market account might earn a steady 1.5%, but, that won’t even keep up with the average long-term inflation rate of 3.1%.

Keep a long-term perspective. It’s easiest to stay the course if you focus on your major life goals and not on the market’s day-to-day or month-to-month movements. Look at your quarterly account statements, stay on top of major current financial events, and plan to do a thorough review of your investments — asset allocation, investment performance and progress toward your goals — once a year.

Dollar cost average

One of the most effective approaches to investing is dollar cost averaging. You simply commit to investing the same dollar amount on a regular basis. When the price of shares in a stock or investment portfolio rises, you’ll buy fewer shares, and when the price dips, you’ll buy more.¹

Maintain a diversified portfolio

Diversification lowers your risk because historically not all parts of the market move in the same direction at the same time. Losses in one area may be balanced out by gains elsewhere.²

Know your risk tolerance

If you find stock investments to be too risky for your taste — for example, if you can’t sleep at night because you’re worrying about your stocks — maybe you should consider a safer, steadier ride. Make thoughtful moves. If you make changes to your investments, do so in a thoughtful way, and after careful consideration. Talking with a financial professional could be a good first move.

For more information, contact Joe Trybula at joe@printers401k.com or 800.307.0376.

Disclosures

1. Dollar cost averaging involves continuous investment in securities regardless of fluctuation in price levels of such securities. An investor should consider their ability to continue purchasing through fluctuating price levels. Such a plan does not assure a profit and does not protect against loss in declining markets.

2. There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not protect against market risk.

U.S. manufacturing is at an inflection point: The sector is increasingly viewed as crucial to economic and pandemic recovery, yet outdated public perceptions could be impacting recruitment of vital new workers, according to study findings by Deloitte, New York, New York, and The Manufacturing Institute, Washington, DC, based on two recent surveys of executives and consumers.

A persistent shortfall of workers and a skills mismatch for smart manufacturing could slow down economic growth and manufacturing competitiveness. The study found perceptions are starting to change, especially due to the manufacturing industry’s response to the pandemic, but there are areas that need attention.

According to the surveys, perceptions do not reflect the current level of technological advances, benefits and salary levels in the industry. But the manufacturing sector should bring public perceptions in line with the current reality of the industry to attract the stable, skilled workforce needed for economic growth and global competitiveness.

For more information, visit www.themanufacturinginstitute.org or www.deloitte.com.

Irvine, California-based Roland DGA has announced its new schedule of “Business Builder” Demo Days Roadshow stops for 2022 – events designed to bring the company’s latest technologies to print professionals throughout the United States.

At present, the schedule includes visits to nine different authorized Roland DGA dealerships nationwide, with more locations to be added later in the year. Each roadshow in 2022 will be an “open-house” style event that makes it easy for attendees to see Roland DGA’s newest printers and printer/cutters in action. Door prizes will be awarded during raffles held at each event.

Roland DGA conducted similar Demo Days Roadshow tours in 2020 and 2021, with a roadshow truck transporting the company’s latest product introductions to select dealerships for interactive demonstrations. The 2022 tour will allow attendees to get a firsthand look at some of Roland DG’s most advanced inkjets, including the recently launched third-generation TrueVIS™ VG3 and SG3 eco-solvent printer/cutters, the new VersaUV^® LEC2 Series UV printer/cutters, and the VersaUV LEF2 Series benchtop flatbed printers.

The 2022 schedule began with a March 22-23 stop at the Tempe, Arizona-based dealership Hansen Supply. Following that, the roadshow truck will make stops at authorized Roland DGA dealerships in eight additional states, including Texas, Tennessee, Maryland, New York, Kentucky, Ohio, Washington and California.

“We are very excited about our 2022 Demo Days Roadshow tour,” said Amado Lara, Roland DGA’s vice president of sales. “These stops make it possible for those who can’t attend larger industry tradeshows to see our latest and greatest products and get in-person demos at a nearby location. They also enable print providers to get expert advice on which specific Roland DG products will best serve their specific needs and help them build their respective businesses.”

To view the complete 2022 Demo Days Roadshow schedule, visit https://www.rolanddga.com/sites/business-builder-events. For more information on Roland DGA, visit https://www.rolanddga.com.

Primary Color LLC, Cleveland, Ohio, recently installed a five-color RMGT 9 Series press with UV curing. Since 2014, it has continued to expand the tag and label printing to include light packaging, wide and grand format printing for point of purchase displays.

Josh Hoffmann, president of Primary Color LLC, noted that the horticultural tag and label market exploded during the pandemic. The increase in demand for more printing capacity was met with the investment in a five-color RMGT 940 offset press, with UV curing and camera system. The press was installed in the summer of 2021.

For more information, visit www.graphco.com.

Baldwin Technology Company, Inc., has announced that Oliver Jentschke, an industrial engineer with a long track record as a customer-focused sales leader, has joined the organization as vice president of sales for Europe.

His experience leading and developing commercial teams, along with his results-driven approach and passion for enhancing the customer experience, will be instrumental as he builds and delivers Baldwin’s print sales strategy across Europe.

Jentschke is a highly skilled commercial leader, most recently working for ratioparts GmbH (part of Arrowhead Engineered Products), where he was the sales director for Europe. Prior to that, Jentschke was the sales director for Oerlikon and ROFIN-LASAG AG. He also spent time as the business development manager for Rotoflex/Mark Andy Inc., where he and his sales team drove revenue growth and market expansion throughout Europe. Jentschke received an industrial engineering degree from the University of Cologne in Germany.

For more information, visit www.baldwintech.com.

BOBST is hosting a webinar at 10 a.m. Central Time on April 13, 2022, to demonstrate the company’s new, compact cross and in-line hot foil stamper.

Speakers will be Bodo Junge, product management director, and David Reymond, technology sales manager.

To register, go to https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ikJPS4i7QRK3u3GEiGKqEA.