Welcome to our newsletter — your monthly window into company updates, community stories, and practical tips to inspire and inform. In this edition we spotlight recent milestones, upcoming events, and expert insights to help you make the most of what’s ahead. Thanks for joining us; let’s dive in.

Summer gets busy. Between vacations, kids being out of school, weddings, weekends at the beach, and everything else life throws at us, the markets probably aren’t at the top of your mind. And when you do hear about them, it’s usually the same three names: the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq. But while most of the attention has remained on the largest U.S. companies, something has quietly been happening underneath the surface—small-cap stocks have been leading. As of August 12, the Russell 2000, an index commonly used to track smaller U.S. companies, is up roughly 22.6% year-to-date compared with about 13.2% for the S&P 500.

For years, investors heard some version of the same story: Why own small caps? Why own value? Why own international stocks? When large U.S. growth companies dominate for an extended period, everything else can start to feel unnecessary. Small caps, value, and international stocks were even declared “dead” by some. Now many of those same areas are leading. Markets don’t send us an email telling us when leadership is about to change, and by the time everyone recognizes it, the move has usually already happened.

That’s why we diversify. Diversification means accepting that something in your portfolio will almost always be underperforming something else. That’s not a flaw—it’s the point. We don’t know whether large caps, small caps, growth, value, or international stocks will lead next, so the goal isn’t to chase whatever worked yesterday. It’s to maintain a disciplined allocation built around your goals and give each part of the portfolio the opportunity to do its job when its time comes.

Joe McGloin,
CFP^®, ChFC^®, CBDA ,

Advisor

Every month, we host live, in-person or virtual educational workshops throughout the local community. We welcome you to attend these events and share them with those in your circle who may benefit from these no-cost seminars and workshops! Click the registration link for more details.  Feel free to send us any topics of interest at communications@bdfsmail.com.

Joe's officially a Certified Financial Planner^® professional! He passed the most rigorous exam in the industry within only two years with the company.  We are very excited to watch as his career flourishes!

This photo marks the end of an era for Jeff's coaching career as he and his son,  Roman, played their last game together!  

Our very own Wesley Humes is spearheading the Central Delaware Ducks Unlimited annual Harry Greenly Crab Feast being hosted at the Memorial Fire Company in Slaughter Beach.  His love of the outdoors is one of the many ways he supports his community! Click the image if you're interested in supporting this cause!

This American Woodcock, bill poised like a tiny fishing rod, is banking on an early arrival to snag the worm

Chances are, you've met Rosalie "Rose" Dillon if you've visited Black Diamond Financial Solutions before.  In addition to excelling as a Senior Account Representative, she is an excellent photographer.  While some of our clients are her biggest fans, we love supporting her hobby by sharing some of her photos from time to time.  Enjoy!

Rosalie M. Dillon

Senior Account Representative