This monthly communication, “Financial Bullet Points,” will quickly and easily cover the main financial issues we see affecting the markets without being bogged down with a lot of details.
Written by Bob Barber, Matthew Barrovecchio, and Don VandeVanter
Prepared on May 20th, 2026
The Bullet Points for June are:
1. Wholesale Prices Increase: April’s Producer Price Index (PPI) was 1.4%, well above the 0.5% estimate and matching April 2022 as the highest monthly increase since September 2012. Historically, high PPI has been a leading indicator of higher consumer prices months later, so consumers should anticipate some sticker shock amid higher oil prices to start the summer.
2. New Fed Chairman: After more than eight years as Chairman of the Federal Reserve, Jerome Powell’s term ended on May 15, bringing an end to the policy approach that navigated us through the COVID pandemic. The new Chairman, Kevin Warsh, has a reputation for aggressive policy and takes over right as inflation has recently begun to increase again.
3. Market Valuations: The continued surge in the markets has stretched valuations of many stocks from the historic trend line to levels not seen in many decades. Six of the seven times in the last 76 years when the overall markets went this far from the historic trend line, a correction occurred. But, in saying this, we know the markets can be irrational for a lot longer than they can be rational, in either direction, up or down, so it may be months before this happens. In the meantime, we are still offensive but are putting more emphasis now on being defensive. When the correction occurs, we will be ready to buy at discounted prices.
4. Inspire ETF Expense Ratios Decrease: Inspire ETFs recently decreased the expense ratio on five of its ETFs, including the Inspire Small Mid Cap ETF (ISMD) and Inspire Corporate Bond ETF (IBD). This change reflects the growing interest in Biblically responsible investments and should encourage Christians seeking to honor God with their finances.
5. Greed and Fear: There is an old saying, “Be fearful of the markets when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful”. To add to this, never allow emotions to get in the way of making wise financial or investment decisions, and always be cautious of a herd mentality in either direction of the markets.
6. Continuing Education & Scriptures: We are still in our 12 Part series of the “Biblical Worldview of Money and Wealth”, with just one more month in the series to go after this one. This month’s schedule for Christian Financial Perspectives is listed below, along with our Scripture for the month:
- Ep 247 – The Biblical Worldview of Work – 06-09-2026
- Ep 248 – The Biblical Worldview of Retirement – 06-23-2026
- 1 Peter 5:6 – “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time.”
We wish you all a great summer full of fun, family, water sports, and fellowship. We also have an exciting announcement: we just opened a local office in Rockport, Texas, this month (by appointment only), located at 1806 Harbor Drive, Suite 5. Bob will be the one mostly working at this location since he and Rachael live in Rockport part-time now, but will still see clients in person at our New Braunfels headquarters and continue doing online appointments from either location during business hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Bob Barber, CWS®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor & President
Matthew Barrovecchio, CFP®, CKA®
Senior Wealth Advisor
Don VandeVanter, CPA
Wealth Advisor
Christian Financial Advisors®