Hello,  

The countdown has already begun for America’s next birthday.

And it’s a big one.

There are 362 days until America officially celebrates its 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

You can call it the Semiquincentennial, Bisesquicentennial, Sestercentennial, America250, or the Quarter Millennium.

Simply put—it’s a lot of history to commemorate. And there’s plenty to do and see!

How will you celebrate?

Many states and organizations have special events or programs planned to honor our rich history, to inspire service in our communities, and to engage and unite us as one nation.

Here are a few ideas to consider: 

• The U.S. Department of Transportation has created a Great American Road Trip initiative, which encourages Americans to explore the nation by highways and byways via iconic travel routes. ¹ Some of the greatest benefits of taking a good old-fashioned road trip are creating your own routes and schedules, being able to stop at as many historic landmarks as you wish along the way, and getting to see all the scenic beauty around you.

• If you don’t want to be the one behind the wheel, you can always consider traveling by rail. Amtrak® has over 500 train stations in 46 states across the country.² They offer vacation packages that take you to popular National Parks and city centers. 

• The National Park Service will also join in the festivities. Be sure to book your travel plans early, especially if you’re hoping to experience the most popular National Parks in 2026 as some parks require an entrance pass, reservation, or timed entry.

• America Gives is an initiative focused on increasing community involvement through volunteering, charitable giving, and public service.¹Click here to find a volunteer opportunity near you.

• Visit our nation’s capital, the epicenter for celebrating what founded America. Stroll throughout the National Mall to view historic monuments, memorials, museums, and more. Be sure to make time for the National Archives Building, which is home to three of the most important documents in American history: the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.³

 
However you decide to commemorate the 250^th anniversary of our country’s freedom, we hope you pause to reflect on where you are today and how you got here.
 
Honor those who’ve made a difference in your life and our nation. Think about how you can affect others in a positive way for a better future. And know that we appreciate you!
 
We’re grateful to be part of your journey toward greater independence. Whatever financial freedom means to you, we’re here to help you reach it. Here’s to freedom, family, and the future.

Cheers,

Your Eagle Wealth Team

Markets at All-Time Highs

The S&P 500 recently closed at another all-time high, sparking headlines, mixed opinions, and hesitation from many investors. It’s natural to worry about investing when the market is peaking—no one wants to buy at the top. However, all-time highs are actually quite common.

Since 1950, the S&P 500 has hit more than 1,250 of them, averaging over 16 new highs per year.⁴ While some may consider waiting for a better entry point, historical data suggests that investing at record highs has produced returns nearly in line with the average—about 11.2% over one year, 10.9% over three years, and 10.3% over five years.⁵ These figures are only slightly below average returns for all periods, indicated in the chart below.

Looking further, data shows that the market dropped more than 10% in the year following a record high only 9% of the time since 1950.⁶ And in every 10-year period following an all-time high, the S&P 500 has never ended more than 10% down. This underscores a key point for the long-run: avoiding the market out of fear of buying at the top can be more costly than it seems. While no one can predict short-term moves, history suggests that investing during high points has generally worked out fine over time.

The takeaway?

Timing the market is notoriously difficult, but staying invested—especially during market highs—has historically been a sound approach for long-term investors.

If you’re not sure what to do next, let’s talk about your options. You don’t have to guess, and you don’t have to do it alone.

<sup>1. https://america250.org/
2. https://www.amtrak.com/home.html
3. https://dc250.us/node/98
Image of the Declaration of Independence from the National Archives [https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/downloads]
4. Shiller Data, 2025 [https://shillerdata.com/]
5. Bloomberg, RBC GAM, 2024 [https://www.rbcgam.com/en/ca/learn-plan/investment-basics/investing-at-all-time-highs/detail]
6. Shiller Data, 2025 [https://shillerdata.com/]
Chart from Bloomberg, RBC GAM, 2024 [https://www.rbcgam.com/en/ca/learn-plan/investment-basics/investing-at-all-time-highs/detail]</sup>

^{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.}

^{U.S. Treasury Notes are guaranteed by the federal government as to the timely payment of principal and interest. However, if you sell a Treasury Note prior to maturity, it may be worth more or less than the original price paid. Fixed income investments are subject to various risks including changes in interest rates, credit quality, inflation risk, market valuations, prepayments, corporate events, tax ramifications and other factors.}

^{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 2025 FMG Suite.}