The first few weeks of 2016 were the worst start for the S&P 500 in history. So what should you do? The attached article serves as a reminder that negative returns in January (or any single month) are not meaningful because the subsequent 11-month returns have been positive 59% of the time, with an average return of 7%.

Accept the periods of negative volatility and remain disciplined. As the time period increases, the probability of realizing positive expected returns increases. Let patience lead to prosperity.

The Odds On book launch is right around the corner and we know you’d like to be supportive! You can pre-order your copy on Amazon (or visit 800-CEO-READ to get discounts on multiple copies).

Check out the endorsement from David Booth, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Office of Dimensional Fund Advisors, that will appear on the book jacket. David rarely provides endorsements, so we’re honored to have him on board.

“Successful investing often comes down to having a strong philosophy you can stick with. In Odds On, Matt Hall shows how more than fifty years of modern finance have provided insight into how financial markets work. Investors who develop and apply a strong philosophy based on these principles can improve their odds of long-term financial success.”

*If you’ve pre-ordered the book but can’t wait any longer, the introduction and first chapter are now available for you to download here.

Watch for future updates coming your way about more incredible endorsements the book has received!

We can’t help but point out this recent (and expensive) full page advertisement from Fidelity about their belief in active management. Though you won’t hear us say that active managers can’t possibly win in the short-term, we certainly know that it’s hard to identify the winners in advance.

The 15-year data on the odds of active management (as shown in this graph) indicates that we’re far better off adopting a low-cost, evidence-based approach and sticking to it over long periods of time. Doesn’t that sound prudent?