FINANCIAL FOCUS: STAY THE INVESTMENT COURSE

This "Financial Focus" column is prepared by Edward Jones Investments, headquartered in St. Louis. Jones includes branches throughout the nation, including Cape Girardeau and Jackson.

Soon, we'll elect a new president. And it can safely be said that the world is watching, with significant interest, to see who will take over the Oval Office. As a U.S. citizen, you are probably interested in the outcome of the election. But as an investor, should you be equally concerned?

Ultimately, the market's response to presidential elections and to political proposals is short-term. As an investor, it's more important to think about the long term. Instead of being concerned about what industries might fare better under which candidate, look for high-quality companies with good products, good growth prospects and the ability to dominate their competitive niche. And once you find these companies, hold on to them. If they are truly strong firms, they'll increase their earnings -- no matter who's the president or which party is running Congress.

By taking a long-term approach, you'll spare yourself the difficulties of constantly trying to adjust your portfolio in response to elections and proposals. Not only would you be constantly veering off course, but you'd also be chasing after the wrong driver. The nation's economy, not its politics, has traditionally had more impact on the financial markets. And the Federal Reserve, not the White House, has played the key role in steering the economy.