The first quarter was a difficult one for equity markets. The S&P 500 finished Q1 down 4.63%, its worst quarter since 2022, pressured by geopolitical tension in the Middle East, crude oil volatility, and rotation out of mega-cap technology.
Your portfolio closed the quarter up 2.15%. That is a 6.78% spread against pure equity and a 3.65% spread against the 60/40 blended benchmark. Both reflect the defensive positioning we set heading into the year: underweight mega-cap tech, overweight short-duration Treasuries, and meaningful exposure to dividend-paying quality names that held up through the March drawdown.
Three moves shaped the quarter: we trimmed 2% from developed international in mid-February ahead of the March volatility, we added to short-Treasury exposure on the February rally, and we held our healthcare weight as it outperformed the broader market.
Looking forward: the portfolio is built to participate less on the upside than a pure equity allocation and protect meaningfully on the downside. Q1 reflected exactly that trade-off working as designed. No material strategy changes are planned for Q2 absent a change in your goals.
TB
Toby Brazzel, CFP®
Principal · Brazzel Wealth Management
Key Takeaways
Positive quarter (+2.15%) while S&P 500 fell 4.63%
Outperformed S&P 500 by +6.78%
Outperformed 60/40 blended benchmark by +3.65%
Max drawdown limited to −0.80% vs. S&P's deeper decline
On track for 2026 income target of $155K
Discussion Items for Next Meeting
01
Rebalance fixed income.
FI weight has drifted +2.8% above target. Consider trimming intermediate duration and adding short Treasuries.
Decision Needed
02
Review beneficiary designations.
Annual check on IRA and trust beneficiary forms. Last reviewed May 2025.
Housekeeping
03
Plan 2026 charitable giving.
Decide between appreciated-stock gifting or donor-advised fund contribution before year-end.
The first quarter was a difficult one for equity markets. The S&P 500 finished Q1 down 4.63%, its worst quarter since 2022, pressured by geopolitical tension in the Middle East, crude oil volatility, and rotation out of mega-cap technology.
Your portfolio closed the quarter up 2.15%. That is a 6.78% spread against pure equity and a 3.65% spread against the 60/40 blended benchmark. Both reflect the defensive positioning we set heading into the year: underweight mega-cap tech, overweight short-duration Treasuries, and meaningful exposure to dividend-paying quality names that held up through the March drawdown.
Three moves shaped the quarter: we trimmed 2% from developed international in mid-February ahead of the March volatility, we added to short-Treasury exposure on the February rally, and we held our healthcare weight as it outperformed the broader market.
Looking forward: the portfolio is built to participate less on the upside than a pure equity allocation and protect meaningfully on the downside. Q1 reflected exactly that trade-off working as designed. No material strategy changes are planned for Q2 absent a change in your goals.