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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, and it’s not just because I love the food. It’s a time to come together with those we hold dear, and to reflect on all the things we’re thankful for.
It's incredible how expressing gratitude not only spreads joy to others but also contributes to our own happiness and well-being. Research consistently shows that embracing gratitude can lead to greater positivity and better overall health.1 Isn't that amazing?
Think about it—the people we surround ourselves with shape our lives in beautiful ways, bringing joy, meaning, and depth to our everyday adventures. It’s worth taking a moment to appreciate those connections and express our thanks.
On that note, we'd like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has chosen to work with us. We’re grateful for our relationship and humbled by the trust you’ve placed in us to care for your financial life. Thank you for being part of the Eagle Wealth community.
Here’s to cherished moments, shared laughter, and the beauty of gratitude. Wishing you a Thanksgiving filled with joy, love, and all the things that make your heart smile.
With appreciation,
Chad Staskal CFP®, ChFC, CLU
Managing Partner, CEO
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Introducing Christopher and Miranda
We’re excited to announce two new members of our Eagle Wealth team, Christopher Farrens, CPA, joining our tax team, and Miranda Nusbaum, working behind the scenes in human resources.
Christopher Farrens, CPA, Senior Tax Accountant
Christopher is a seasoned professional with extensive expertise spanning the breadth of accounting, with a particular focus on retirement tax planning, small businesses, and complex transactional work. If you’ve got a challenge, he’s the guy you want on your team.
His work experience varies from Grant Thorton, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and then business consulting. However, craving the personal connections forged while working with diverse clients, Christopher began contracting with our team on a part-time basis a few years ago. We’re delighted he’s officially come on board as a Senior Tax Accountant.
On joining our team, Christopher said, “I’m grateful for the chance to join the crew at Eagle Wealth. I observed them for two years in the background, seeing how they interact with clients. Witnessing their care and dedication made me feel like I'd found my perfect fit here.”
In addition to his wealth of experience, Christopher is currently pursuing his Certified Financial Planner certificate, eager to seamlessly blend his accounting acumen with the intricacies of financial planning.
A native of Bend, Christopher had his first season pass to Mt. Bachelor in 1976! A graduate of Mountain View High School, he went on to Dartmouth College earning a Bachelor of Arts in Chinese Language and Culture. Five years later, he charted a new course at Portland State University, obtaining his Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting and becoming a Certified Public Accountant.
Married to his wife, Janet, for over 30 years, Christopher is a proud parent of two adult children. Now residing in Sandpoint, Idaho, he finds joy in skiing, fishing, hiking, and the art of baking sourdough bread.
Fun fact: Christopher was escorted out of China in June 1989, one day after Tiananmen, and asked to not return. This created a challenge for utilization of his degree and led him to move toward accounting!
Miranda Nusbaum, Human Resources Coordinator
Miranda's journey has its unique twists. She was part of our team for a couple years but took a break to prioritize her very young children with a schedule that better fit her family life. Miranda assured us she'd return to our team one day, and we never doubted it. Now, with her kids a bit older and a new remote setup, we're absolutely thrilled to welcome her back!
"It's wonderful returning to Eagle Wealth," exclaimed Miranda. "This firm genuinely cares for both its clients and its team members—it's what makes it so special."
Miranda makes our days a little bit brighter with her warmth and positive attitude. She’s a go-getter with ambition, an open mind, and a strong desire to learn. Her years of customer service and organizational experience are a huge asset, and her dedication to family values makes her a perfect fit for our team.
Raised in Central Oregon, Miranda fast-tracked her career in the medical field, starting as an administrative assistant. Through commitment and perseverance, Miranda climbed to managerial roles and discovered a passion for human resources, where she can help manage and optimize an organization’s greatest asset: it’s people. While she enjoyed healthcare, she’s excited to make the move back to a professional office setting.
Miranda fills her weekends with quality family time with her high school sweetheart, Brett, and their two young children. Amidst the whirlwind of kids' sports and activities — soccer matches, wrestling meets, and competitive dance practices— Miranda still manages to carve out time to volunteer as the board Secretary for the local non-profit soccer academy.
When she's not wrangling kids, you can find Miranda enjoying Central Oregon by kayak or recreational quad ATV.
Fun Fact: Every year, Miranda takes part in the Gambler 500, a trail cleanup competition. Participants drive cars valued at less than $500 through wilderness areas, hunting for trash to collect, all while hoping they don’t break down!
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Toys for Tots box at Eagle Wealth
Eagle Wealth is participating in the Marine Toys for Tots program again and we need your help! This national organization distributes toys to less fortunate children during the holiday season, spreading hope and joy to others.
The donation box is set up in our lobby and our team can’t wait to help fill it up. We’ll make a financial gift for every toy donated, so please join us in the fun! Drop by our office with a (new and unwrapped) toy. We’ll collect gifts through December 19th.
Click here for more information about the program.
P.S. If you live outside of Central Oregon you can still participate. Let us know if you make a donation locally and we'll put another toy in the box.
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The Week on Wall Street
Stocks extended their November rally last week as investors cheered lower-than-forecast inflation data.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average gained 1.94%, while the Standard & Poor’s 500 added 2.24%. The Nasdaq Composite index rose 2.37% for the week. The MSCI EAFE index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, increased 3.36%.2,3,4
Stocks March Higher
A better-than-anticipated consumer inflation number on Tuesday sent bond yields sharply lower, igniting a powerful, exceptionally broad-based rally that saw 91% of all New York Stock Exchange volume advancing in price and a similarly substantial advance (85%) on the NASDAQ. Small-cap stock performance was solid, surging 5.2%, more than double the advance of the S&P 500.5
Further gains came the following day as wholesale price inflation rose even slower than consumer prices. The rally paused in the final days of trading as stocks digested their gains and investors assessed weak retail sales and industrial production reports and a rise in continuing jobless claims.
Inflation Cools
Two inflation reports released last week, the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Producer Price Index (PPI), showed continued inflation progress. Consumer prices were flat in October from the previous month, while the 12-month increase was 3.2%. Both were below market forecasts. Core CPI (excluding food and energy) also moderated, rising just 0.2% in October and 4.0% from a year ago–below forecast. The climb in the annual core CPI was the lowest in two years.6
Producer prices confirmed the disinflationary picture, as wholesale prices declined 0.5% in October (versus a +0.1% forecast). It was the biggest decline in 3 ½ years. Over the last 12 months, wholesale prices rose just 1.3%.7
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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
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1. https://www.mindful.org/the-science-of-gratitude/
2. The Wall Street Journal, November 17, 2023.
3. The Wall Street Journal, November 17, 2023.
4. The Wall Street Journal, November 17, 2023.
5. CNBC, November 14, 2023.
6. CNBC, November 14, 2023.
7. CNBC, November 14, 2023.
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 2023 FMG Suite.
