International Women’s Day - is it for you?

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Weekly Market Commentary
 


International Women’s Day is in March, and this year we’re taking a financial spin on it.

Think about the financial well-being of the women in your life.  Are they receiving the education and tools needed for success? And we’re not just talking about you or your spouse, but also daughters, granddaughters, aunts, sisters, or other friends and relatives.

Here are some ideas how you can help bolster the financial confidence of the significant women in your life.

Check in.

Reach out with information and support to someone who may be uncertain about their finances.  We’re not suggesting an intrusive intervention or advice-giving, but rather a friendly call or visit, armed with resources to inspire action.  After all, who doesn’t love an unexpected hello?

Share information.

We specialize in helping people reach their financial goals, but we also take pride in the educational side of what we do.

Help them on their retirement journey.

  • Here is a whitepaper outlining 5-steps they can take to get things rolling.
  • Chad Staskal, CFP®, CEO, has been teaching financial planning classes at Central Oregon Community College since 2010. The next class is our Personal Retirement Analysis Workshop, April 23 and 25 from 6:00-8:00 PM, along with an optional third meeting in a one-on-one format with Chad.  If your friend is interested, point them to our website for more details.  (Note: this class is not intended for current Eagle Wealth clients. The planning we’ve done with you through personal meetings far exceeds what’s possible in a classroom of students.)

There’s good news out there for women.

  • 67% of women are now investing outside of retirement.1
  • Women are starting to invest at younger ages as well.2 
  • Women investors beat men’s portfolio performance by 0.4% in one analysis, and by 1.2% in another.1,3

You CAN make a difference.

Let’s support the women in our lives on their financial journeys.  Whether it’s starting a conversation, sharing information, or recommending a great resource (like Eagle Wealth), let’s build a future where women feel empowered and confident about their finances. 
 
 
 

Introducing Gretchen Prskalo


You may have noticed a new face at Eagle Wealth Management recently, Gretchen Prskalo.  We’re thrilled to have her onboard as a Client Service Associate.
 


As one of your first points of contact, Gretchen shares her passion for client service in each interaction.  She’s here to help answer your questions and get you what you need faster.  You’ll likely see her in client meetings with your advisor, providing another set of eyes and ears to take notes for future follow-up.

“I find joy in face-to-face connections and look to build meaningful relationships with our clients,” says Gretchen.

She comes to us with five years of experience in real estate’s title and escrow sector.  Though originally from Seattle, for the last six years, she and her husband have called Bend home.  Gretchen’s family, friends, and a beloved dog, Solstice, make life outside of work fulfilling.  She also shares a passion for travel to diverse destinations with Thailand being a three-time favorite. 
 
 

The Week on Wall Street

Stocks were down for the week as investors appeared to take some profits and traders parsed Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s Congressional testimony.


Markets Wobble

Stocks had a rough start to the week, with the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq each off more than one percent on Tuesday alone. Mega-cap tech stocks were under pressure as investors appeared to take some profits.

Markets clawed back much of their losses on Wednesday and Thursday, with the Fed Chair’s upbeat comments to the Senate Banking Committee boosting stocks. Chair Powell said that once the Fed was confident inflation was tracking “sustainably at 2%,” the Fed would consider cutting short-term interest rates. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq rallied, with the S&P hitting a record close.4,5,6

Friday's employment news threw some uncertainty into the mix. The economy added 275,000 jobs in February—exceeding the 198,000 expected—but wage growth slowed, and jobless claims edged up. Some investors saw that as a negative, while others viewed it as a “Goldilocks” moment—an economy that’s not too hot or cold. Stocks initially rallied on the news, but profit-takers appeared to arrive as the day progressed.7,8

 

Fed Watch: Productivity

Productivity is one of the critical data points the Fed reviews to determine its next steps with monetary policy. Producing more goods or services with fewer resources helps the economy grow while managing inflation risks.

The 3.2 percent productivity gains in Q4 reported last week were mainly attributed to the post-pandemic repair of supply chains. However, investors may hope that artificial intelligence will play a more significant role in productivity increases.9,10
 

Any companies mentioned are for informational purposes only, and this should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of their securities. Any investment should be consistent with your objectives, time frame, and risk tolerance. Source: YCharts.com, March 9, 2024. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, March 4, to Friday, March 8.ROC 5 = the rate of change in the index for the previous 5 trading days.
TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points.
 

 

1. https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/11/women-investors-are-still-outperforming-men-study-finds.html

2. https://money.com/young-women-investing-accounts-earlier/

3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelcannivet/2018/12/29/why-women-are-better-at-investing/?sh=323a75ab6f37

4. The Wall Street Journal, March 8, 2024

5. MarketWatch, March 6, 2024

6. CNBC, March 7, 2024

7. CNBC, March 8, 2024

8. The Wall Street Journal, March 8, 2024

9. The Wall Street Journal, March 7, 2024

10. Bureau of Labor Statistics, March 7, 2024

Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.

The forecasts or forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, may not materialize, and are subject to revision without notice.

The market indexes discussed are unmanaged, and generally, considered representative of their respective markets. Index performance is not indicative of the past performance of a particular investment. Indexes do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses. Individuals cannot directly invest in unmanaged indexes. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is an unmanaged index that is generally considered representative of large-capitalization companies on the U.S. stock market. Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the NASDAQ stock market and is considered a broad indicator of the performance of technology and growth companies. The MSCI EAFE Index was created by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) and serves as a benchmark of the performance of major international equity markets, as represented by 21 major MSCI indexes from Europe, Australia, and Southeast Asia. The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities that are considered to be representative of the stock market in general.

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International investments carry additional risks, which include differences in financial reporting standards, currency exchange rates, political risks unique to a specific country, foreign taxes and regulations, and the potential for illiquid markets. These factors may result in greater share price volatility.

Please consult your financial professional for additional information.

This content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG is not affiliated with the named representative, financial professional, Registered Investment Advisor, Broker-Dealer, nor state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and they should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. Copyright 2024 FMG Suite.