Welcome to our #256 weekly newsletter.

“For women taking control of their financial future”

-Jana Hlistova

From The Purse

In this week’s newsletter, we highlight the recent study by Fidelity Investments (US) which indicates that women are investing more of their money. And whilst younger women invest in higher numbers, Gen X and Boomer women have shown the most significant year-over-year growth in stock market participation.

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And you can review the news in brief so you stay on top of global financial, economic and investing trends.

I hope you enjoy this week’s newsletter.

Until next week,

Jana

Research: 70% of women own investments in the stock market (US)

A recent study by Fidelity Investments (US) highlights that women are investing more of their money.

According to a recent study by Fidelity Investments (US), the number of women owning stock market investments has surged by 18%+ compared to 2023, with 70% of women now participating in the stock market.

Gen X and millennial women lead the charge

While younger generations continue to invest in higher numbers, Gen X and Boomer women have shown the most significant year-over-year growth in stock market participation:

* Gen X women: 18% increase

* Boomer women: 23% increase

Millennial women are particularly motivated by building generational wealth, while older generations focus more on affording future goals.

Key findings

* 71% of women agree that investing is a way to build generational wealth.

* Top motivators for women to invest include ensuring quality of life for children, maximising earnings, and affording goals like retirement.

* More than half of women admit their financial situation causes stress at least monthly.

* Gen Z women continue to lead in embracing investing, with 77% owning stock market investments (up 6% from 2023). This group is also most likely among women to say they consider themselves an investor.

Persistent challenges

Despite progress, women still face a financial confidence gap. They are nearly twice as likely as men to describe their investing knowledge as "non-existent" and more likely to feel overwhelmed by investing and day-to-day financial management.

What’s next? (Re) listen to The Purse Podcast:

* #104: Why every woman needs a financial plan with Kristine Beese

* #113: How to start investing and the secret to building a rich life with Chloe Lin

News in Brief

Financial news

* US jobs report: US economics created 254,000 jobs in Sept way above the estimated 150k, according to Establishment survey.

* Goldman Sachs has raised the year-end 2024 S&P 500 target from 5600 to 6000, implying a 4% gain in Q4. The 12-month price target is lifted to 6300 from 6000, which means a 10% return.

* Eurozone inflation slowed below ECB's 2% target for the first time since June 2021. CPI rose 1.8% year-on-year in September, down from 2.2% in August as energy costs fell sharply. Core inflation eased to 2.7%.

* Pound heads for biggest fall in 18 months after Bank of England governor hints at ‘more activist’ rate cuts.

* BlackRock is eating the world. Since its IPO in Oct 1999, the share has returned an average of 20.7% per year, completely outperforming the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq 100, which have only returned 8.2% and 9.7% per year respectively. BlackRock even outperformed Amazon and Microsoft, with only Apple and Nvidia doing better.

* To put things into perspective: Since 2008, the US has continued to increase its share of the MSCI ACWI index, now standing at 64.7%, and exceeding levels last reached during the tech bubble. (via SRP)

Crypto: bitcoin, ethereum, DeFi

* Analysts say that Friday's strong U.S. jobs report could be bullish for Bitcoin and other risk assets after a middling start to the month. Bitcoin is currently trading at $62,005.

* Bitcoin whale's transfers of BTC mined in 2009 to Kraken hits $3.6m.

* Investors have gotten quite a scare so far in October, with Bitcoin ETFs marking three straight days of losses to start the month.

* Ethereum whales scoop up $66m in ETH during price dip, sentiment remains cautious. Ethereum is currently trading at $2,418.

* Asset manager Bitwise will combine three Bitcoin and Ethereum futures ETFs into a single offering with a momentum-based strategy.

* Grayscale launches Aave fund for Ethereum lending token. The Grayscale Aave Trust allows investors to buy shares that track the price of the asset.

* Coinbase to delist EU non-compliant stablecoins in December. EU to implement new rules to oversee the crypto industry.

Coffee Break? Read This

* Amanda Abbington was brave enough to complain. She shouldn’t shrink from admitting it

* When you start a new job, pay attention to these 5 aspects of company culture

* Let’s stop calling them ‘soft skills’ — and call them ‘real skills’ instead

We’d love to hear from you. Get in touch with Jana via the The Purse website or tweet @jointhepurse and janicka. We do no provide investment advice. Please do your own research or speak to a financial adviser.

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