AUGUST 2025 MARKET COMMENTARY
EQUITY & FIXED INCOME MARKETS COMMENTARY
Stocks posted strong gains during August on the tailwinds of a market rotation away from mega-cap technology stocks and into small and mid-cap stocks. The S&P 500 Large-Cap Index, the Mid-Cap S&P 400 Index and the Small-Cap S&P 600 Index rose by 2.0%, 3.4% and 7.1%, respectively. GFC’s Blended Equity Benchmark gained 3.4% for the month. The Dow Jones Industrial Average Index rose 3.4% while the mega-cap heavy NASDAQ Composite lagged for the month, only up 1.6%. International stock indices also had a strong month as developed markets ex U.S. were up 4.1%. Fixed income markets were positive, as interest rates were down slightly during the month, as seen by the 10-year U.S. Treasury bond yield which decreased from 4.36% to 4.22%.
MEET ROBIN
After more than 30 years in the investment industry—and the last eight here at Goodman Financial Corporation—I have decided that the time is right for me to finally retire. It has been an incredible honor to work with you and to help Goodman Financial more than double its assets under management during my tenure, which has allowed the firm to add resources and staff to provide you with great service. With the strong systems we’ve put in place and the exceptional team we have assembled, I’m confident the firm will continue to thrive and serve you well for years to come.
I’m also excited to share that Robin R. Kollannur, CFA, has joined Goodman Financial as our new Chief Investment Officer. Robin brings over three decades of professional investment experience, having served as CIO of Northern Trust Value Investors, held senior positions at Rothschild Asset Management and Brandes Investment Partners, and co-founded several successful investment firms. He earned his MBA from the University of Houston and his BA from Texas A&M University.
Robin was born in India and moved to the United States at the age of eight, growing up in Corpus Christi, TX. Robin and his wife of 26 years, Mary, are excited to relocate from back to Mary’s hometown of Houston. They have two daughters, Asha and Maya. Asha just started her career in nursing (a third generation nurse!) and Maya just started her freshman year at the University of Florida.
Robin shared his thoughts on joining the firm: “I’m honored to be part of Goodman Financial and to continue its legacy of putting clients first. I look forward to leading the investment team and building on the strong foundation Chris and the firm have established.”
Over the coming month, Robin and I will work closely together during a transition period to ensure a seamless handoff of responsibilities. Please know that your portfolio will continue to be managed according to the disciplined, long-term investment philosophy that has guided Goodman Financial for decades. As I move into this next chapter— spending more time with my five grandchildren, volunteering, and enjoying a bit more fishing— I do so with great confidence in the firm’s future and deep gratitude for your trust over the years. It has been a real joy getting to know so many of you.
I also hope you take the time to watch the video version of this month’s Market Commentary wherein I do a quick interview of Robin so that you can get to him better.
Chris Matlock
