Market Fortune-Telling? Schwab’s CEO Says Leave the Crystal Ball at Home
Patience Over Prediction: Why Schwab’s CEO Says Staying the Course Beats Guessing the Market

When Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster stepped onto Yahoo Finance’s Opening Bid, his message to investors was as timeless as it was pointed: resist the temptation to outsmart the market. He reminded audiences of a core principle often forgotten in times of rallies and fear-driven dips. “It’s about time in the market, as opposed to timing the market,” Wurster said, echoing wisdom that has guided generations of long-term investors.
Wurster underscored the challenge of trying to outmaneuver the market’s rhythm. To succeed, he explained, you have to be right twice—on the way out and on the way back in. Few investors manage that feat consistently, even professionals. It is the financial equivalent of hitting two bullseyes in a row while blindfolded.
The Market’s Relentless Climb
This year’s surge has been nothing short of extraordinary. The S&P 500 is up nearly 13 percent, the Nasdaq has raced ahead with gains above 16 percent, and even the lagging Dow has managed to climb more than 8 percent. The rally has been fueled largely by the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants, with Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet, and Nvidia leading the charge. Their robust earnings, unprecedented cash flows, and dominance in artificial intelligence have created a gravitational pull on indexes, lifting them to historic highs.
Wurster acknowledged the outsized role of these companies. “Their fundamentals have been so strong,” he said, pointing to the resilience of their businesses. For Schwab clients, it has been a winning run. Portfolios are swelling, balances are higher than ever, and activity levels have surged. Trading is up 30 percent compared to last year, margin balances have reached record levels, and options activity is on the rise.
