Connecting What’s Happening to What Really Matters
Markets are reacting to geopolitical tensions, prediction markets are booming, and conversations around legacy planning are becoming more important than ever.
In this edition of Beyond the Headlines, Zach Horn connects what’s going on in the world—from energy volatility to March Madness—to a bigger idea: why thoughtful planning matters more than short-term predictions when it comes to building long-term wealth and legacy.
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Don't want to watch the video? Here’s the transcript you can read instead:
Hello, I’m Zach Horn, managing partner and president of Foster & Motley.
Recent geopolitical developments involving Iran have added a new layer of uncertainty to global markets. Heightened tensions have driven volatility in energy markets, with oil prices moving higher on concerns around supply disruption, and equity markets responding with increased short‑term volatility as investors reassess inflation and growth risks. While these dynamics can create near‑term market noise, they do not change our long‑term investment discipline. We will share a more detailed perspective on these developments and their broader market implications in our upcoming quarterly market commentary.
On a lighter note, it's now March, which means one thing for a lot of people: brackets. I love watching college basketball and the excitement of a buzzer beater win for a team you picked to advance. What it comes down to is sixty-eight teams, one champion, and millions of people convinced they've figured it out.
But March Madness brackets aren’t the only game in town this year. Prediction markets have exploded, growing to more than $63 billion according to blockchain security firm CertiK. Platforms like Polymarket and Robinhood now let you bet on sports, elections, economic data, you name it.
We have gotten some questions about this. And we're not here to say it's not entertaining, but let’s be clear: betting isn’t investing. It’s short-term speculation with no fundamentals, no compounding, no long-term wealth being built.
Planning beats short-term predictions every time. Because you can't compound a bracket win, but you can compound a legacy.
And when it comes to legacy planning, there's a gap between what clients want and what some advisors are actually doing. A recent study by Wealth.com and Compound Insights found that nearly half of people who plan to transfer assets want to do it while they're still alive, not just through a will or trust after they’re gone. And yet, 37% of advisors wait for their clients to bring up this topic first.
An important part of our work with clients is to have these conversations. Estate and legacy planning are topics we initiate, whether it means working with adult children or facilitating family meetings to make sure your plan reflects what you actually want, not just what fits neatly in a standard document.
Those legacy conversations matter especially right now, because the landscape of who holds and manages wealth in this country is shifting fast.
Female owned investable assets are on track to more than double, reaching $34 trillion by 2030, according to market research firm Cerulli Associates. A big part of that comes down to longevity: women outlive men by about six years on average, which means more years of making financial decisions independently
We continually stress the importance of both spouses or partners being informed about personal finances. About 20% of our clients are single women navigating major life transitions like divorce, widowhood, retirement, and inheritance. We know generic advice doesn't cut it. What makes a difference is someone paying attention to your whole life, not just your accounts.
The difference between a bet and a plan is what happens after you make it. A plan stays with you — shaped around your life, supported by someone you trust, and oriented toward the long term. That's what we build with every client.
If you want to talk more about your legacy plan, what wealth transfer means for your family, or to schedule a family meeting, reach out. That’s what we’re here for.
On behalf of everyone at Foster & Motley, thank you for your trust and partnership.