The third quarter was tense in manners similar to the thrilling, but otherwise inconsequential subplots forced into the hurtling-toward-a-super-bad-outcome narrative of a typical disaster movie. This year’s trade scrap is just one round of many past and likely future struggles that the U.S. will experience as it seeks to come to terms with an ever-surging China. It seems obvious from the market data that investors have eyed the contest closely. But global growth was slowing anyway. As nations seek to deal with a range of long-term growth-sapping pressures, the third quarter presented a fresh reminder to stay observant of the underlying plot, even as exciting side stories may draw attention elsewhere. In the same way, we wish to remind readers that the “plot” on which to focus when it comes to investing revolves around short- and long-term financial goals. Best to leave the otherwise weakly relevant subplots on the cutting room floor.