June 1, 2023

Good Morning!

Sell in May and go away was the investment advice before the internet revolution and you had to have your broker place your orders but that actually required him to be in the office rather than on a summer vacation in the Hamptons.?The theory was the markets would become thin and too volatile causing bid ask price fluctuations that you only see during June, July and August.?But that goes against some of my long held advice. ?Its not timing the market, its about time in the market.?The days that make up the moves in the market for the whole year probably only happen over a 10 day span.?If you miss those ten days, you miss a lot of up side.?On average, the market goes up 10% a year so its better to be long than short.?Lastly, diversified portfolio is the only free lunch in investing, take advantage of it, its free.

The importance of the diversified portfolio was highlighted last month.?We started having discussion, then concern about the government refusing to agree to print more money to pay for debts and bills that we have already accumulated.?Its the traditional standoff where three adversaries each have two 357 magnum revolver pointed at the other two and ready to shoot at the first sound.?Its a political game of trying to force your will by waiting until the end but it seems to spook the markets as the credit rating agencies threaten down grades.?The stock market goes down, volatility, fear, uncertainty and doubt run rampant.?Hard assets to the rescue.

Many years ago, I recommended that everyone buy one unit of gold each month as an accumulation strategy over time that would hedge against inflation and provide a store of value that has endured since the Roman empire.?Well, last month gold hit an all time high of 2040.?A diversified portfolio will always have something that will be favored that will smooth out the bumps of an all stock portfolio.?What is the ideal diversified portfolio??One that doesn’t miss out on the all star performer for the year.

Stocks

Bonds

Cash

CDs

Gold?

Real estate

Whole life insurance with MEC side fund

Non fiat currency

Commodities

Farm land

You don’t need to have them all but the more the better.

Investing Competition

And at the end of the 5 months

Erickson Perfect PitchTM allocation: ?????????????????3.3%

S&P 500 results, the "market":?????? ??????? 8.9%

Merrill Lynch Actively Managed: ???? ? ?9.0%

Enjoy the summer, the pool is open, come out for a swim!

??

Dse

ADVICE: This newsletter is not investment advice – it is for educational purposes only and is provided for informational purposes and solely as a personal reference tool.?The information discussed in this letter is not to be relied upon for investment or tax planning or tax reporting purposes as this newsletter does not provide investment, tax or legal advise.?The information is presented in general terms and is not intended as a substitute for specific advice regarding individual investment, tax, or legal planning.?This newsletter is not part of any IL based Registered Investment Advisory firm.?This newsletter is not affiliated with any broker dealer, investment advisory or brokerage firm. ?This is for your information only and is not an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, the securities or instruments mentioned.?The information has been obtained or derived from sources believed by us to be reliable, but we do not represent that it is accurate, complete, or timely, in fact its probably made up. Any opinions or estimates contained in this information constitute my judgment as of this date and are subject to change without notice.?I may provide advice or may from time to time acquire, hold or sell a position in any of the securities mentioned herein.?I am not a member of FINRA nor SIPC.?This work is based on SEC filings, current events, corporate press releases, and what I've learned as a student of business. It may contain errors and you shouldn't make any investment decision based solely on what you read here. It's your money and your responsibility.?I am just trying to share what I have learned.

PURPOSE & USE: This newsletter specializes in financial planning and investment information for high net worth individuals.?One of this newsletters guiding principles is to communicate openly with our subscribers so they may gain a clear understanding of investment philosophy, portfolio decisions and results, as well as my opinions on the underlying market.?While the information is rooted in detailed analysis, it is important to point out that actual results can differ significantly from those described.?The opinions are current as of the date they were written but are subject to change.?The information in this letter is not sufficient on which to base an investment decision and should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security.?Performance data quoted is past performance and does not guarantee future results.?Subscribers should use caution as only Madoff can predict or assure future returns on investments.?Investors should consider carefully the investment objectives, risks, and possible losses before investing.?This newsletter does not take into account your unique investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs you face.?You should consult your advisor before you waste money.?Any strategies discussed, including examples using actual securities and price data, are strictly for illustrative and educational purposes only and are not to be construed as an endorsement, recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell securities.

RISK: Investing involves risk, including loss of principal, and may not be suitable for everyone.?By continually striving to ensure the materials are clear and comprehensible, the information included above is sophisticated and complex.?It is important that you carefully read the information before you act on it.?The value of your portfolio may fluctuate in response to events specific to the investments you select, as well as economic, political or social events in the US or abroad. ?Past performance is no guarantee of future results.?No assurance the stated objectives and predictions will come true, including an above market return.?Subscribers should look to the Stanford Financial situation for the promise of above market returns.

CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: The materials and information contained in this transmission are private and confidential, and are the property of the sender.?The information contained herein is privileged and is intended only for the use of the individual(s) to whom it was sent.?If you are not the intended recipient, be advised that any unauthorized use, disclosure, copying, distribution or the taking of any action in reliance on the contents of this information is strictly prohibited.?If you have received this transmission in error, please immediately notify, via email and telephone, the person or entity whose name, address, email address and telephone/facsimile number appears above to arrange for he return of the forwarded information to such person or entity.?All other rights reserved and actively enforced. ?Extensive or unattributed reproduction of text or research findings are violations of copyright law. ?No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or for any purpose without express permission.?The information contained herein maybe changed?without prior notice.?Data contained in this letter serves information purposes only.?The information in this document is proprietary. ?This newsletter is intended to inform and not be binding.?This newsletter is provided without a warranty of any kind, either express of implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement.??This newsletter and its contributors shall have not liability for damages of any kind including without limitation direct, special, indirect, or consequential damagers that may result from the use of these materials.?This limitation shall not apply in cases of intent or gross negligence.?All statutory liabilities are not affected. ?

IRS CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE: Unless expressly stated, any federal tax advice contained in this communication and the accompanying attachments is not intended and may not be used by any taxpayer to avoid tax penalties that may be imposed on the taxpayer or for promoting, marketing or recommending any tax advice to another party.?

WARRANTY: All data is obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but are not guaranteed. ?No warranty is made with respect to any information provided although you will get filthy rich if you follow it.??

? Copyright 2023?David S. Erickson?All rights reserved.?This document has been prepared by David S. Erickson.?This material is directed exclusively to the approved subscribers of this newsletter, any investment or service to which this material may relate, will not be made available to others. ?This document is not directed to, or intended for distribution to or use by, any person or entity who is a citizen or resident of or located in any locality, state, country or other jurisdiction where such distribution, publication, availability or use would be contrary to law or regulation or which would subject David S. Erickson to any registration or licensing requirement within such jurisdiction. None of the document, nor its content, nor any copy of it, may be altered in any way, transmitted to, copied or distributed to any other party, without the prior express written permission of David S. Erickson.?All trademarks, service marks and logos used in this document are trademarks or service marks or registered trademarks or service marks of David S. Erickson. All material presented in this document, unless specifically indicated otherwise, is under copyright of David S. Erickson?The information and material presented in this document are provided to you on a confidential basis and for information purposes only and are not to be used or considered as an offer or the solicitation of an offer to sell or to buy or subscribe for securities or other financial instruments or services.?David S. Erickson is not acting as a financial adviser and is not acting in a fiduciary capacity for any party. The provision of the services referred to in this document is subject to relevant local regulation and practice, and not all the services described may be available in your particular jurisdiction. The investments and services contained or referred to in this document may not be suitable for you and it is recommended that you consult your own independent advisor if you are in doubt about such investments or services. You should note that past performance is not indicative of future performance. Nothing in this document constitutes investment, legal, accounting or tax advice, or a representation that any investment or service is suitable or appropriate to your individual circumstances, or otherwise constitutes a recommendation to you. Information and opinions presented in this document have been obtained or derived from sources believed by David S. Erickson to be reliable at the original date of publication, but David S. Erickson makes no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or completeness and they are subject to change without notice. David S. Erickson accepts no liability for loss arising from the use of the material presented in this document except that this exclusion of liability does not apply to the extent that such liability arises under specific statutes or regulations applicable to me. ?David S. Erickson may have issued and may in the future issue other material that is inconsistent with, and reach different conclusions from the information presented in this document. Those reports reflect the different assumptions, views and analytical methods of the analysts who prepared them. This document is not to be relied upon in substitution for the exercise of independent judgment. Additional information is, subject to duties of confidentiality, available on request and one of your signed blank checks.?

This publication is protected by U.S. and International Copyright laws. All rights reserved. This publication is proprietary and intended for the sole use of subscribers. No license is granted to any subscriber, except for the subscriber’s personal use. No part of this publication or its contents may be copied, downloaded, stored in a retrieval system, further transmitted, or otherwise reproduced, stored, disseminated, transferred, or used, in any form or by any means, except as permitted under the subscription agreement or with the prior written permission of David S Erickson. ?Any further disclosure or use, distribution, dissemination or copying of this publication, message or any attachment is strictly prohibited.?Each reproduction of any part of this publication or its contents must contain notice of Erickson’s copyright. Pursuant to U.S. copyright law, damages for liability or infringing a copyright may amount to $30,000 per infringement and, in the case of willful infringement; the amount may be up to $150,000 per infringement, in addition to the recovery of costs and attorneys’ fees. Erickson is financial publisher, publishing information about markets, industries, sectors and investments in which it believes subscribers may be interested. The information in this letter is not intended to be personalized recommendations to buy, hold or sell investments. Erickson is not permitted to offer personalized trading or investment advice to subscribers. The information, statements, views and opinions included in this publication are based on sources (both internal and external sources) considered to be reliable, but no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to their accuracy, completeness or correctness. Such information, statements, views and opinions are expressed as of the date of publication, are subject to change without further notice and do not constitute a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any investment referenced in the publication.?SUBSCRIBERS SHOULD VERIFY ALL CLAIMS AND DO THEIR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE INVESTING IN ANY INVESTMENTS REFERENCED IN THIS PUBLICATION. INVESTING IN SECURITIES AND OTHER INVESTMENTS, SUCH AS OPTIONS AND FUTURES, IS SPECULATIVE AND CARRIES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.?SUBSCRIBERS MAY LOSE MONEY TRADING AND INVESTING IN SUCH INVESTMENTS.?Affiliates of Erickson serve as investment advisers to clients, including limited partnerships and other pooled investment vehicles. The affiliates may give advice and take action with respect to their clients that differs from the information, statements, views and opinions included in this publication. Nothing herein or in the subscription agreement shall limit or restrict the right of affiliates of Erickson to perform investment management or advisory services for any other persons or entities. Furthermore, nothing herein or in the subscription agreement shall limit or restrict affiliates of?Erickson from buying, selling or trading securities or other investments for their own accounts or for the accounts of their clients. Affiliates of Erickson may at any time have, acquire, increase, decrease or dispose of the securities or other investments referenced in this publication. Erickson shall have no obligation to recommend securities or investments in this publication as result of its affiliates’ investment activities for their own accounts or for the accounts of their clients. If you have received this communication in error, please notify us immediately by electronic mail or telephone. This disclaimer applies to any trial subscription. Anyone who says otherwise is itchin' for a fight.