If you’ve been watching the headlines over the past few months—or your portfolio—you know 2025 has been a year of market motion. From record-breaking highs to sharp declines within days, the stock market has stimulated a rollercoaster of emotions. But underneath the drama lies an important truth: volatility is part of the journey, not a sign that you’ve taken the wrong path.
Take April, for example. On the 4th, the S&P 500 dropped 6.0% following sweeping new tariffs. Just five days later, it rebounded 9.5%—the largest one-day gain since 2008. While this may seem chaotic, such swings are not unusual during periods of uncertainty. They reflect how markets process news rapidly, often looking ahead rather than reacting only to what’s just happened.
Rather than trying to outguess the next move, this period reminds us of something more powerful: your long-term plan matters more than today’s headlines.
Curio Wealth Quarterly Market Review for Q2 2025
Strong Finish to a Volatile Quarter: What Worked?
Despite a turbulent start to the second quarter, global markets ended on a high note. U.S. stocks rose 10.9%, led by a strong showing in the technology sector, while international markets did even better, with non-U.S. stocks gaining 12.7%.
International investments in particular delivered meaningful contributions to diversified portfolios over the quarter—something they’ve always been designed to do. Remember: diversification doesn’t just reduce risk—it also increases resilience. That’s the point. Markets and sectors perform uniquely depending on the environment, helping your portfolio stay strong through all kinds of conditions.
International stocks aren’t just a hedge against short-term uncertainty—they represent well over 35% of the global stock market and offer distinct return drivers that U.S. stocks don’t always capture. While some investors assume large U.S. multinationals provide sufficient international exposure, the evidence suggests otherwise. Companies with global revenues still tend to move in sync with the broader U.S. market, especially during downturns. Stock prices more often reflect where they’re traded than where they earn their revenue.
That’s why holding a truly diversified portfolio—one that includes stocks across geographies, not just industries—is essential. Different markets respond differently to global events, and that natural divergence strengthens portfolio resilience. International investing isn’t a reaction to the headlines—it’s a longstanding, research-backed way to build a more durable foundation for long-term growth.
We can’t predict exactly how the global economy will shift. But we can make sure we’re not overly reliant on one outcome, one country, or one sector. Preparing for a range of futures is a more durable strategy than betting on any single one.
Feeling Uncertain? That’s Normal—and Manageable
It’s completely human to feel anxious when markets are unpredictable. Our brains are wired to pay more attention to what feels like danger. So when we see a dip or hear the word “tariff,” our impulse may be to act—to change something, move to cash, or “do something” that feels like protection.
But here’s the challenge: emotional decisions often lead to poor long-term results. Markets move based on the collective expectations of millions of participants. They reflect not just the latest headlines but the future hopes, fears, and data already priced in. If you’re making decisions based only on how you feel today, you may be responding to information the market already moved on from—old news, in other words.
Often we find that that the best decisions come when we pause, focus, and align our choices with our long-term goals, not short-term emotions. The good news? You’ve likely already built a plan that prepares for uncertainty. Your job isn’t to predict the future—it’s to stay aligned with your future.
Eyes on the Horizon, Not Just the Headlines
A core principle in your financial plan is this: you don’t need to predict what’s next—you need to stay invested in a strategy that reflects what matters most to you.
The swings we saw this spring were intense. But what’s even more striking is what came next. After bottoming out in early April, the S&P 500 rose nearly 25% by the end of June. Those who stayed the course were rewarded—again.
The second quarter served as another reminder for us that a well crafted long-term plan is designed for periods exactly like this. It’s not something to abandon in a storm. It’s what helps you sail through to catch the rising tides.
Looking Ahead: Control What You Can
As Congress debates tax changes and geopolitical tensions remain high, uncertainty will likely persist. But rather than feeling paralyzed by what we don’t know, we invite you to focus on what you can control:
- Your plan – Revisit it. Is it still aligned with your values and goals?
- Your decisions – Are your decisions calm and intentional, or reactive?
- Your support system – Do you have people who listen and guide without judgment?
At Curio, we’re here to help with all three. Whether it’s a question about markets, taxes, or just what’s next, we’re ready to meet you where you are and move forward together.
If recent market moves have left you with questions or stirred emotions you’re not sure how to process, we’re here for that. Talking things through can often bring the clarity and calm needed to move forward with confidence.
Your journey is personal. Your plan should be, too. Let’s keep it that way.
