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Market Update: Geopolitical shocks usually create fear first, then volatility, then opportunity. Instead of reacting emotionally, the better approach is to stay strategic.

Because of the current environment, investors can do two things:

1. Use this as a buying opportunity

Market drops caused by war, inflation fears, or oil spikes are usually temporary, but they often create better entry prices. For long-term investors:
- Continue cost averaging
- Add gradually during dips
- Focus on strong sectors, not hype

Many of the best long-term returns come from investing during uncertain periods, not when everything feels safe.

2. Diversify to Infrastructure

During inflationary environments, real assets and infrastructure tend to be more resilient because they benefit from higher energy, transport, and utility prices. Infrastructure includes power plants, toll roads ports and logistics, utilities, and energy systems.

These sectors often have stable cashflows and can perform better when inflation is rising or when governments increase spending.

Our featured funds in this diversification play:
⭐ ATRAM Global Infra Equity Fund
⭐ BPI Philippine Infrastructure Equity Index Fund

Adding exposure to infrastructure can help balance a portfolio that is heavily invested in pure equities.

Bottom line
Oil spike leads to fuel hikes, which can lead to inflation risk and market volatility. But for long-term investors, this is not a signal to panic. This is a time to stay disciplined, stay invested, and diversify wisely.

Happy international women’s day!

5 Money Lessons If You’re In Your 20s, 30s Or 40s...

And Watching the War Between Iran, Israel, and the U.S.

Most young people think war is politics.

It’s not.

War is money.

And if you don’t understand that…
you will always be the one paying for it.

Here are 5 lessons the conflict around Iran, Israel, and the United States should be teaching you right now:

1) War exposes fake stability.

For years, markets feel calm.

Then one missile flies.

- Oil spikes.
- Currencies move.
- Gold jumps.
- Stocks shake.

The lesson?

What looks stable is often fragile.

If your entire wealth depends on “everything staying calm,”
you don’t own assets.

You own hope.

2) Governments solve problems by printing money.

Wars are expensive.

They are not paid for with savings.
They are paid for with debt.

Debt becomes currency expansion.
Currency expansion becomes inflation.

And inflation steals from savers.

If you are holding only cash and paper assets,
you are financing the war without realizing it.

The rich prepare for currency weakness.
The poor trust the currency.

3) Hard assets don’t panic.

When geopolitical tension rises, something interesting happens.

People don’t run to tech stocks.

They run to:

• Gold
• Oil
• Commodities
• Real assets

Why?

Because hard assets don’t depend on promises.

They don’t depend on earnings calls.
They don’t depend on political speeches, they are tangible.

In times of conflict, tangibility matters.

4) Energy controls the world.

The Middle East is not just a headline.

It is energy infrastructure.

When tension rises around Iran, Israel, and U.S. involvement, markets immediately think about one thing:

Oil supply.

- Energy drives transportation.
- Energy drives food costs.
- Energy drives manufacturing.

If you don’t understand energy, you don’t understand the global economy.

And if you don’t understand the global economy, you’re not investing. You’re speculating.

5) Geopolitics is not optional knowledge.

Most people say,
“I don’t follow politics.”

That’s fine.

But politics follows your money.

- Sanctions.
- Trade restrictions.
- Currency shifts.
- Military alliances.

All of these move capital around the world.

When leaders escalate rhetoric… markets reposition.

The wealthy watch signals.
The average person watches headlines.

By the time the news feels “serious,”
smart money has already adjusted.

If you’re in your 20s, 30s or 40s understand this:

You are entering adulthood during a period of global realignment.

Debt is high.
Tensions are rising.
Currencies are fragile.

This is not a time to be financially asleep.

- Learn about assets.
- Learn about energy.
- Learn about currency risk.
- Learn about global power shifts.

Because war doesn’t just destroy cities.
It reshapes wealth.

ctto: Robert Kiyosaki

2. Run small course-corrections

You don’t need a dramatic pivot.
You need optionality.
Add one new project, one new skill, or one new network outside your role.

3. Reduce single-path dependence

Build at least one capability that creates value beyond your employer.
Anything that moves you from dependent to adaptable.

4. Treat friction as data

Persistent frustration usually isn’t weakness.
It’s misalignment.

You don’t have to abandon the destination.
But you do need to accept that the path will change.

The professionals who adjust early rarely need dramatic change later.
Those who ignore the signals end up being forced into it.

---

Here is the problem:

Most people only see recalibration options within their job or industry.
A promotion. A new company. A sideways move.

But there are usually far more ways to use your skills than your employer is paying you for.

You just do not see them yet.

International Marketing Group Your journey to a debt free life

"Your health is your true wealth, and time is your most valuable asset. Use both wisely." – Unknown

R E T I R E M E N T

1. One day you will retire. You won't be going to work. You won’t have office power any more. No influence or at best, a reduced influence. Your cash flow will also reduce! Check retirement date on your payslip.

2. Always go for your 30days annual leave. Whatever you do during your leave, is what you will be doing when you retire. If all you do is to sleep or watch TV, then that’s what you are likely do do in your retirement. Remember the book of Proverbs. A little sleep and a little slumber, so shall your poverty multiply.

Binge Watching will not save you heartache in retirement. Learn a trade or a skill during your leave. It will come handy. Spend your after-office hours learning something. Don’t spend it sleeping, Gossiping, watching TV!! Same goes for your weekend. Make them productive. You will thank yourself for spending your time productively.

3. Invest for your retirement... your children are not retirement investment. Don’t bank on your children’s support or the support of friends or relations. That’s a BIG risk. It may not happen. Be ready to take care of yourself!! Everyone has his own responsibilities. They won’t be able to help you that much. You will also lose your dignity and respect if you adopt a life of begging.

4. Start a hobby early in your working days to take you along when you retire. Rearing chicken, farming or own a shop. Acquire marketable skills (not useless paper certificates), etc.

5. Where shall you retire. Build yourself a home. Don't retire and start to rent a house or refuse to vacate government house. You will be at the mercy of your landlord at a time when your cash flow is not only reduced but unpredictable!!

6. Who shall be your dependants. By the time you retire, your children should be above 18, and self reliant.

7. Don't retire and stay in a big city unless you can TRULY afford it. You can't continue living in a big city after 60 with limited financial resources. The language and the hustle will be hard for you. Where possible, Relocate to a less expensive town where your reduced take home (pension) can go further.

8. Have property which can be rented or converted into cash. Have shares that pay good dividends. Plant cash trees. Rear goats, cultivate vegetables etc. these activities will not only give you income but will also keep you healthy.

9. Live a simple life. If you never built a house at your rural home, dont use your retirement package to build. It is unwise unless you plan to live there on a permanent basis or you are super rich and therefore can afford the luxury. The choice is yours.

Note that many of retirees die early because of the following:

1. They are Not mentally prepared to retire.
2. Lack of finances
3. They Lapse into Depression
4. They develop Hypertension/ Diabetes because of worries, anxiety and uncertainty and financial pressures.

YOUR DESK AT YOUR WORK PLACE IS NOT PERMANENT. PLAN FOR YOUR RETIREMENT.