America at 250: A Long-Term Investment Story
June 29, 2026
By Matthew Andera
Securities Analyst
As we celebrate United States’ 250th birthday this coming weekend, it’s an opportunity to reflect on our nation’s history and appreciate the remarkable progress made over the past two and a half centuries. Since our founding fathers drafted the Declaration of Independence in 1776, America has endured wars, recessions, disease, inflation, and political uncertainty. Through it all, innovation, entrepreneurship, and open capital markets have created opportunities for businesses to grow; individuals to pursue their ideas; and investors to share in that success. We are quite fortunate to be alive at this moment in our nation’s history.
When the Declaration of Independence was adopted, the average life expectancy was just 40 years. Roughly one in ten children did not survive their first year of life. Electricity, indoor plumbing, refrigeration, and automobiles did not exist. About 95% of the population lived in rural areas, and most never traveled more than a few dozen miles from where they were born. News and information traveled at the speed of horseback. Daily life was defined by physical hardship and limited opportunity.
Comforts Enjoyed from America's Ingenuity
Today, advances in modern medicine have pushed average life expectancy to 79 years. Infant mortality has declined to 0.5%. Aviation allows us to travel across the country in hours, and communication can be shared instantly around the globe. Driving many of these advancements has been American ingenuity supported by robust capital markets. Predominantly an agricultural economy at our founding, the U.S. has grown into a global economic powerhouse. Despite representing just 4% of the global population, the U.S. accounts for roughly 25% of the world’s economic output and over 60% of the investable market — a strong indication of the value global investors place on American businesses.
Sharing in America's Economic Success
The best part? Individual investors get to participate directly in the economic success of the United States. Over the past century, the U.S. stock market has delivered an average annual return of 10% despite wars, recessions, inflationary periods, and technological disruption. Long-term investors have been consistently rewarded for staying disciplined through uncertainty and allowing innovation to compound over time.
While we may not know what the next 250 years will bring, our commitment to our clients remains the same: prudent goals-based investment management with an emphasis on valuation and diversification. This philosophy isn’t just about navigating today’s markets – it’s about building a foundation to support your family for decades to come. To review your financial plan or discuss succession planning for future generations, please reach out to an advisor if you have any questions. Your family’s financial success matters to us.