Watch: Capital Markets Mid-Year Check-In

What Retirement Committees Should Watch for in the Back Half of 2025

As we head into the second half of 2025, retirement plan sponsors face a mix of encouraging market performance and growing uncertainty. In LoVasco Consulting Group’s latest quarterly video briefing, Retirement Plan Consultants Jim Chapman and Chris Schuppe break down the major market and economic themes from Q2—and what they mean for investment committees and fiduciaries charged with overseeing 401(k) plans.

From AI-fueled tech gains to global diversification opportunities, Jim and Chris offer timely insights to help plan sponsors navigate the evolving landscape.

Highlights and Takeaways:

• The S&P 500 continues to rise, but market valuations are stretched. Jim and Chris explain what a historically high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio could signal about future returns and what plan sponsors should consider in response.
  

• The “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks are skewing index performance. Learn how much of the market’s gains are concentrated in just a handful of companies…and why that matters when evaluating passive versus active strategies.
  

• Global markets are gaining ground. With international equities currently outperforming U.S. stocks and trading at significant valuation discounts, there may be a compelling case for diversifying beyond U.S. borders.
  

• Rate cut expectations are shifting. The Federal Reserve’s path forward is less certain than many anticipated earlier this year. Hear how the interplay between inflation, tariffs, and interest rate policy could impact bond markets and investor behavior.

If you're responsible for a retirement plan—or just want to understand what’s moving the markets the latter half of this year—this 25-minute video delivers the context and clarity you need to make informed decisions.