THIS WEEK’S FOCUS

Recession-Proof Your Investments: The 2025 Survival Guide

Ah, recessions. The ultimate "plot twist" in every investor’s journey. Whether you’re hearing whispers of economic slowdown or bracing for impact, one thing’s for sure: knowing how to navigate rough market waters can be the difference between a wealth win and a wallet wipeout.

Good news? You don’t need to be a Wall Street wizard to protect and grow your investments in 2025. Let’s break it down, step by step, and recession-proof your portfolio like a pro.

GROW YOUR WEALTH AND SUPPORT PROGRESS

🌟 Investing with Impact: The Black-Owned Businesses Strategy

This socially responsible, automated investing approach focuses on buying and holding Black-owned businesses across key sectors like healthcare, financial services, and communication. And here’s the best part—it’s not just about supporting a good cause. This strategy has delivered impressive returns, outperforming the S&P 500 with an all-time gain of 140.09%, compared to the S&P 500’s 85.28%. 💥

How the Black-Owned Businesses Strategy Works

1️⃣ Diverse Holdings: The strategy holds a balanced basket of 6 equally-weighted companies, representing industries that thrive in various market conditions.
2️⃣ Monthly Rebalancing: To ensure your portfolio remains optimized, it rebalances on the first of every month—no manual work for you.
3️⃣ Proven Results: With an annual return of 19.18% and a low-risk score of 3.06, this strategy delivers steady performance with manageable volatility.

Why It Stands Out

• Social Responsibility Meets Profitability: By investing in Black-owned businesses, you’re supporting underserved communities while positioning your portfolio for growth.

• Steady Performance: The strategy’s sector allocation ensures stability—whether healthcare, financial services, or real estate, these industries are resilient in various economic cycles.

• Automated Simplicity: No guesswork or constant monitoring. The system handles everything, from rebalancing to asset adjustments, leaving you free to focus on your goals.

Real Results You Can Trust

🚀 Historical Performance: Since its inception, the Black-Owned Businesses Strategy has grown to $24,009.49, outperforming the S&P 500 benchmark.
💡 Consistent Returns: Even during volatile times, this strategy’s risk-balanced approach ensures long-term stability with less drawdown.

If you’ve been searching for a way to align your investments with your values—while still maximizing returns—the Black-Owned Businesses Strategy is your golden ticket. It’s proof that impact investing isn’t just good for the world; it’s good for your wallet too.

Whether you’re a seasoned investor or just starting out, this strategy provides a low-maintenance, high-impact way to grow your wealth and make a difference.

WHAT GOES DOWN… CAN GO BACK UP

Why Recessions Are Opportunities in Disguise

Recessions sound scary, right? But here’s the thing: they’re part of the natural cycle of markets. Economies slow down, stocks take a dip, and then—eventually—things bounce back.

Think about it like shopping for your favorite sneakers on Black Friday. Prices drop, but the value is still there. Stocks work the same way during a recession. High-quality companies often see their prices fall temporarily. If you’re patient and strategic, it’s like picking up premium assets at a discount.

Focus on "blue-chip stocks" (established, reliable companies) or ETFs (exchange-traded funds) that track the broader market. They’re less likely to nosedive and more likely to recover when the market rebounds.

STASHING CASH IS GREAT, BUT DON’T LET INFLATION EAT IT ALIVE

Cash Is King (But Not Forever)

During uncertain times, having some extra cash in your savings account is smart. It’s your financial cushion, ready for emergencies or opportunities. But too much cash sitting idle? That’s where inflation creeps in and steals your buying power.

Instead of hoarding all your money under your mattress (or in a basic savings account earning close to zero), put some of it to work. For example:

• Build a 6-month emergency fund to cover essentials if your income takes a hit.

• Invest the rest in recession-resistant assets, like dividend-paying stocks or real estate investment trusts (REITs). These assets provide steady income even when the market wobbles.

DON’T PUT ALL OF YOUR EGGS — OR STOCKS — IN ONE BASKET

Diversify, Diversify, Diversify

Here’s the golden rule of investing: diversification. It’s the financial version of not betting your entire fantasy football season on one player. By spreading your investments across different industries, asset classes, and regions, you reduce your risk.

Picture this: If you’re only invested in tech stocks (which were killing it in 2021 and 2022), a recession could hit that sector hard, leaving your portfolio limping. But if you’ve also got healthcare, energy, or even commodities in the mix, you’ve got backup players to keep your wealth growing.

Not sure how to diversify? That’s where platforms like Surmount come in (more on this later).

EMOTIONAL INVESTING IS OUT. AUTOMATED INVESTING IS IN.

Keep Calm and Automate

One of the biggest mistakes investors make during a recession? Freaking out and panic-selling when the market dips. Fear and greed are the ultimate portfolio killers.

The solution? Automate your investments.

Automated strategies—like the ones Surmount offers—take the emotions out of investing. Instead of guessing when to buy or sell, you rely on a system that follows pre-tested rules to manage your portfolio for you. It’s like having a personal financial coach who never panics or sleeps on the job.

For example, Surmount’s [insert strategy name] uses a blend of market trends and data-driven algorithms to rebalance your portfolio, ensuring you’re always optimizing for growth—even in volatile markets.

YOUR FUTURE SELF WILL THANK YOU

Think Long-Term, Even When the Market’s Down

Recessions tempt us to think short-term: “Should I pull all my money out now? What if the market crashes even more?” But history proves that sticking to your plan during tough times usually pays off.

Take this stat: Over the last 50 years, the S&P 500 has had 10 bear markets (where stocks drop 20% or more). Every single time, it bounced back—and then some.

The key? Focus on long-term growth instead of short-term fear. If you’re investing in solid assets and sticking to a strategy, time is on your side.

SMARTER INVESTING STARTS HERE

Surmount: Your Secret Weapon for Recession-Proof Investing

Managing your portfolio during a recession can feel overwhelming. But that’s why Surmount exists—to make investing smarter, simpler, and stress-free.

Our automated strategies are built to help you grow your wealth no matter what the market’s doing. Whether it’s adjusting for volatility or targeting recession-resistant sectors, Surmount works behind the scenes so you don’t have to sweat the details.

Here’s what you get:

• Proven strategies designed to outperform in any market.

• Complete control over your existing brokerage account—no need to switch platforms.

• Affordable pricing for any budget.

The best part? You can start recession-proofing your portfolio today.