Our May 2026 Newsletter: What's Your Risk Number?

What's Your Risk Number?

What is Riskalyze?

Built on a Nobel Prize-winning framework, Riskalyze quantifies the semantics of the financial advice industry, replacing confusing and subjective terms like “moderately conservative” and “moderately aggressive” with the Risk Number, a number between 1 and 99 that pinpoints a client’s exact comfort zone for downside risk and potential upside gain. Advisors then build an investment portfolio to match the client’s Risk Number and chart a clearly defined path to the client’s goals.

The Risk Number helps us work toward ensuring that your portfolio aligns with YOUR investment goals and expectations.

• Award winning technology
• One simple questionnaire – One number
• Make the first step to pursue your financial goals

On basis of your Risk Number we can offer you the following services:

• Thoroughly understand your risk tolerance and goals
• Align your current or a new portfolio with your risk tolerance
• Assist you in pursuing your financial goals

Take a few moments to complete this brief Riskalyze survey to get your Risk Number now! Get your Risk Number now and we'll follow up with you!*

Did You Know: What Is Investing Risk? ¹

• According to a 2024 Finra Investor Education Foundation survey, while 80% of consumers have at least a basic understanding of investment risk, only 55% are able to recognize risk-mitigation strategies.²
• While U.S. government bonds are often cited as "riskless," investors can lose money if the government defaults on its debt. The U.S. came close to defaulting on its debt in 2011, when a political standoff over the debt ceiling led to a downgrade of its credit rating by Standard & Poor’s. The episode caused significant volatility and uncertainty in financial markets and reduced economic growth. ³
• 2025 was a particularly strong year for risk assets. U.S. equities, as measured by the Russell 3000 Index returned 17.1%. Within U.S. equities, the riskiest stocks generally performed better. When each stock in the Russell 3000 is categorized according to its beta, we see that the highest 20% of beta returned 29.1%. The lowest risk stocks — those in the bottom 20% of beta — returned 11.6%. In other words, in order to outperform the market in 2025, investors generally needed to own higher risk stocks. This is not always the case, at least not to this level of extreme. ¹

Protect Yourself From Scams!

To protect yourself and safeguard your financial well-being, familiarize yourself with common types of scams so you can spot them... not fall for them!

Scammers use a variety of tactics to persuade their victims into falling for their schemes, including acting friendly, helpful, and sympathetic, or using fear tactics. Their communications will most likely be from a phone number, email, or person you’ve never seen before. These fraudsters often create a fake sense of urgency to cause panic or confusion, and may ask for payment in a complicated method. A good rule of thumb is: if it’s too good to be true… it probably is!

Should you become the victim of a scam, it is incredibly difficult to recover money that you willingly sent. If you suspect you’re being or have been scammed – stop communication with the fraudster immediately and call your financial institution connected to your method of payment.

To see the full list of common scams, click here. If you have any questions, we're here to help - feel free to call us at (518) 584-2555.

2026 Social Security Reference Guide

Are you approaching retirement, or maybe still working but approaching Full Retirement Age?

If you're looking for guidance on when to trigger your Social Security benefits, applying for Medicare, or have questions on what benefits you'll receive - we have the perfect guide for you!

Call or email Kate and she'll mail you a physical copy!

(518) 584-2555

kate.fryer@lplfinancial.com

Springtime in Saratoga Springs!

The weather is finally feeling like spring, it’s time to get outside and enjoy the sunshine, the late spring blooms, and all the things Saratoga Springs has to offer! Other than walking through the city to see all the gorgeous tulips in bloom, here are a couple of events you may want to add to your calendar:

• Saturday 5/9: The 2026 Historic Homes Tour. An exclusive opportunity to tour private homes in the East Side Historic District and celebrate the city's rich architecture and history.
• Saturday 5/9:Saratoga Automobile Museum's Spring Auto Show
• Wednesday 5/13: The Saratoga Senior Center's Health & Wellness Fair 2026
• Saturday 5/16: SFS's 15th Annual Shred Event

For a complete list of local events, click here.

Here's the SFS Team at last year's Shred Event: