Notes from Nagle, June 2025

By Peter Nagle
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5/30/25

May has been a very positive month for stock markets here, and in Europe as well. But headlines about tariffs are still roiling equities and even bonds. It’s amazing to me that the wars in Gaza and Ukraine are not causing more difficulties for markets. I guess investors don’t care what happens there. I don’t know about you, but I definitely do. Gaza, Israel, and the West Bank especially for me.

I’ve been to Israel/Palestine many times in the last 20 years. 16 to be exact. Most people here have little understanding of what’s happening there I have found. Maybe I’ll write about my experiences there sometime, and the actual causes of the conflict, and the genocide going on in Gaza, in my view. 

For now though, let’s stay with investments. I suspect this will be a rocky summer in the investment world. There are the tariffs, which are very destabilizing. And I believe Ukraine will become more of an issue globally as our President realizes he’s being played by Putin. We will have to escalate to force Putin to the negotiating table. Right now he believes he’s winning the war, so why should he negotiate? The enormous cost in lives and resources doesn’t phase him one bit. 

I’m generally a pretty conservative guy when it comes to investments. That’s why I like annuities where they fit - they’re guaranteed not to lose money, and they can either pay you for life, or build up in value. And they’re tax deferred! They have a lot of advantages for the right situation, which is what I help people figure out. Where they fit, they’re unbeatable. 

There’s a place for all kinds of investments in your portfolio. Diversification is a sound investing principle. But as we get older, investing conservatively becomes more and more important. Especially in these unprecedented times. 

Have a great June. The weather here is just wonderful isn’t it?

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I provide financial advice to individuals in our Abiquiu community at no charge as a way of giving back. If you have questions in that area feel free to contact me. I’ll do the best I can to help you sort through the issues. 

Peter J Nagle
Thoughtful Income Advisory
Abiquiu, NM
505-423-5378 (mobile)
[email protected]