McGovern Financial Management of Janney Montgomery Scott

06/02/2026

SpaceX is rumored to be going public in June, and a number of other companies with eye-popping valuations may follow later this year.

For many of us, the immediate emotion we experience hearing news like this is FOMO.

We want to buy in… often before we’ve really considered the price, the risk, or what we’re actually paying for.

That reaction is completely normal, but it may not be a great investment strategy.

Last week’s Barron’s issue did a deep dive on US IPO performance, and a few stats jumped off the page at me:

There were 1,724 U.S. IPOs from 2011–2024
They averaged a 23% “day one pop”
But over the following 3 years, they lagged the S&P 500 by an average of 25%

Even more interesting:

36 U.S. companies IPO’d at valuations above $15 billion over that stretch
Only 9 outperformed the S&P 500 after going public
Only 17 generated positive returns at all

META is a great example of how patience can matter more than excitement. Investors who bought Facebook at its IPO are up 1,474% today. But investors who waited just six months before buying are up 2,454%.

The hard part about investing isn’t usually finding great companies. It’s fighting the feeling that you need to own them immediately or just because everyone else does.

This is why having a financial plan with clearly defined goals is so important. It helps you keep your eye on the big picture, make decisions pragmatically, and keep your emotions out of the driver's seat.

Link to the full article here: https://bit.ly/4fULlnk

Disclosure: IPO performance varies widely, and past performance is not indicative of future results. For more information about Janney, please see Janney's Relationship Summary (Form CRS) at www.janney.com/crs which details all material facts about the scope and terms of our relationship with you and any potential conflicts of interest.

05/29/2026

Running a business means balancing today’s priorities with tomorrow’s goals. with a strategy designed to support both. Reach out to learn how thoughtful planning can help bring clarity to both your business and personal financial picture: https://bit.ly/4dQxv2N

05/15/2026

If there was one thing I wish more people understood about investing, it would be this:

Successful long-term investors and savers tend to share one trait:

Conviction.

Not certainty. (No such thing)
Not perfect timing. (Often luck)
Not the ability to predict markets. (Nobody can)

Conviction.

They understand that if an investment strategy aligns with their:

Goals
Timeline
Risk tolerance
Liquidity needs

…the most important thing they can do is make informed decisions and stay consistent.

They don’t waste time trying to predict the next pullback or waiting for the “perfect” entry point.

Because they recognize what many people learn the hard way. Delayed decision making can affect long term progress.

The more time I spend in this business, the more it becomes clear that our behaviors and emotions can either support or interfere with our goals.

If you struggle with conviction when managing your finances, reach out!

Reminder: All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. For important information about Janney and your best interests, see www.janney.com/crs

05/12/2026

Unused 529 plan funds don’t necessarily have to go to waste!

New guidelines have come out over the past few years unlocking previously un-available benefits for unused 529 funds.

Whether considering a beneficiary change, future education expenses, or rollover opportunities, there are several strategies that may help families make the most of remaining balances.

Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4npFxUK

04/16/2026

Financial Literacy is knowing you should save money.

Financial competence goes one step further.

Financial competence is understanding the specific job for each dollar, or group of dollars, you save.

Many people are doing the first part well, but fewer are doing the second. And that's the most important part.

Every dollar you save should probably be doing one of four things:

1. Paying for things now
Your everyday money—bills, groceries, lifestyle.
Checking Account money. Not risky. Not complicated.

2. Being preserved
This is your emergency fund.
The goal isn’t growth. It’s stability.

3. Paying for things in the future
Retirement. Kids’ education.
This has the longest time horizon —so it may be invested and subject to market risk.

4. Growing - exact purpose TBD
This is where you can take intentional, appropriate risk.
Its job is to outpace inflation and build wealth over time. (Though that outcome is not
guaranteed).

Problems show up when we mix these roles. For example:
- Putting money at risk you might need next year.
- Letting long-term money sit in cash.
- Taking zero risk… or way too much.

Clarity around this is what turns general saving into a savings strategy, and with that financial literacy into financial competence.

If you need help turning your savings into a savings strategy, reach out!

For important information about Janney and your best interests, see www.janney.com/crs .

04/08/2026

April is Financial Literacy Month and frankly, I think we overrate it a bit.

As I've spent more time in this business, one thing has stood out to me very clearly..

Our most successful clients aren’t necessarily always the most “financially literate.”

They may not understand their taxes, have a super dialed-in budgeting plan, or flawless credit.

However, what they all are is incredibly financially competent.

They:
- Stick with a plan even when it feels uncomfortable
- Respect the role of time instead of trying to outsmart it
- Understand how much risk they can actually tolerate (not just what sounds good in theory)
- Avoid making emotional decisions when it matters most

Meanwhile, I’ve seen plenty of very smart, very informed people struggle…Not because they didn’t know what to do but because they couldn’t consistently do it.

Financial literacy is understanding concepts.
Financial competence is understanding yourself. Especially when things are inconvenient or uncertain.

Concepts are helpful, but in the long run, competency tends to matter a lot more.

03/26/2026

Retirement planning can be complicated, but it doesn't have to be!

Janney’s Retirement Planning Quick Start is a simple checklist to help you understand where you stand and identify next steps that may strengthen your strategy.

Explore the full checklist here:
https://bit.ly/3NIa3f6

Reach out with any questions about your personal planning needs!

03/20/2026

Most people think successfully saving for college is about how much you put away.

That’s partially true.

But it’s more about when you start.

The chart below highlights how college tuition has increased over time relative to other expenses.

While past trends don’t guarantee future results, the long-term rise in education costs is one reason planning early can matter.

The same force working against rising costs
is the one that can work in your favor when saving:

Time.

Unfortunately, I hear a lot of versions of Plan A:

“I’ll start when things settle down.”

“I’ve been meaning to get to that.”

“They’re still young, we’ll address it later.”

But things rarely settle down.
You don’t always get to it.
And they grow up fast.

Every year you wait, you may need to contribute more later to reach the same goal.

Plan B is simpler:

Start early

Save what you can—even if it’s small

Let time and compounding work in your favor

Not just income.
Not perfect timing.
Not picking the “right” investment.

Consistency can make a meaningful difference over time, although investing involves risk and outcomes are not guaranteed.

You may not be able to fully fund four years of private tuition—and that’s okay.

But from what I’ve seen, families who feel more in control often started earlier and followed a consistent approach.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics and J.P. Morgan Asset Management. For illustrative purposes only. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, Member NYSE, FINRA, SIPC. Securities and investment advisory services offered through Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, a registered investment adviser.

03/17/2026

Wishing you a day filled with Irish luck and endless joy. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

03/17/2026

Insightful, non-partisan update about the latest developments in the Iranian conflict in the latest update from our Investment Strategy Group.

Uncertainty remains high around how events will unfold and the impact on the economy will depend on the length of the disruption to energy flow through the Strait of Hormuz.