Disclosure Statement: This is for informational purposes only; consult a certified professional before making investment decisions.

editorial policy & financial disclosures

Last Updated: 2026-03-08

Mission and Core Values

The goal of Invest Safely is to provide independent, data-driven market analysis to help individual investors navigate complex market cycles. The content is built on three pillars: Transparency, Analytical Rigor, and First-Hand Experience. I do not provide personalized financial advice; rather, I share the processes and tools I use for our own portfolio management.

Sourcing Policy, Data Methodology, & Analytical Tools

Unlike many financial outlets that rely on third-party summaries, my content is derived from my own analysis. "Outlook" designation and proprietary "Market Bias" ratings are generated using a combination of professional-grade tools and my own technical frameworks.
  • Primary Data Source: Charles Schwab's ThinkorSwim platform supplies the raw market data used in my analysis.
  • Bias-Shift Framework: My proprietary analysis compares price, volume, and volatility measurements, over different timeframes, to identify shifts between bullish and bearish trends.
  • Rotation Framework: The performance overview compares 1-week and 4-week performance metrics to identify emerging asset class, sector, and/or style rotations.
  • Primary Chart Source: I use original, annotated screenshots from professional platforms like StockCharts.com, which I enhance with uptrend and downtrend signals to illustrate findings.
  • Data Integrity: Prior to publication, I fact-check any fundamental or macroeconomic data against trusted source material from various qualified professionals and subject matter experts, including but not limited to:
    • Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED)
    • U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)
    • U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
    • Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE Global Markets)
    • Hedgeye Risk Management LLC
    • Fintel.io
    • TradingEconomics.com

AI Policy

I may utilize AI assistants for structural drafting or data organization. However, all market conclusions, technical annotations, and final editorial decisions are made by human experts. I do not publish raw AI-generated financial advice.

Correction & Update Policy

The financial markets move quickly, so each and every "Outlook" contains the specific date of the analysis. This ensures traceability and enables performance measurement and process improvement of my analysis over time.

If a significant error is identified, I issue a "Correction" or "Update" note at the top of the post to ensure our archives remain a reliable resource. Readers are encouraged to report any suspected errors and/or omissions via our contact page (https://www.invest-safely.com/contact-invest-safely.html)

In addition to dating my Outlooks, I conduct a semi-annual audit of core educational content to ensure all links to external data sources remain functional and accurate.

Professional Standing & No-Advice Disclaimer

Invest Safely, LLC provides educational market analysis and research. With over 20 years of personal experience navigating bull and bear cycles, I'm confident my analysis is will provide readers with a representative example of process development and/or a valid case study.

  • Not a Financial Advisor: I am not a licensed financial advisor, Certified Financial Planner (CFP), or Registered Investment Advisor (RIA).
  • Educational Purpose: All content is for informational purposes only. You should consult with a qualified professional before making any investment decisions. All investments carry risk, including the potential loss of principal. Invest Safely, LLC is not responsible for any financial losses incurred based on the information provided.

Conflict of Interest, Holdings Disclosure, Affiliate Connections

I believe transparency about personal holdings and/or compensation arrangements provides essential context for our readers.
  • Independence: Neither Invest Safely, LLC nor Joel Wenger receive payment from companies or funds to feature them in our market outlooks.
  • Holdings Disclosure: If an author (i.e. Joel Wenger) holds a material position in any security mentioned, it is disclosed at the top of the article per the following categorization:
    • Category Disclosure Threshold Example(s) Notes
    Individual Stocks > 2% of Portfolio e.g. MSFT, NVDA, etc. Individual ticker disclosure is subject to our strictest transparency standards
    Specialty / Sector Funds > 5% of Portfolio e.g. XLK, SPLV, GLD, etc. Disclosures will include funds with specific industry, sector, or style specialization
    Broad-Based Equity / Bond Funds Exempt e.g. SPY, VEA, EEM, IEF, BNDX, PCY Disclosures omit diversified indices representing whole market segments
  • Affiliate Links: Some links on this site (i.e., Google Ads, Amazon.com) may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. For an explanation of the Advertising Policy, please visit this page covering our affiliate disclaimer.
  • Objectivity Standards: For any type of product or service evaluation (e.g. review of a trading book), I am committed to presenting balanced views, including both the potential benefits and risks.