Men and women may have different investment styles — which may show up in the investment results.

For example, men tend to invest more aggressively, which could lead to excessive risk-taking, although it’s also true that the greater the risk, the greater the potential reward. By investing more conservatively, women may limit their losses, but they could also be limiting their gains.

Here’s another difference between the genders: Women, when investing, are more likely to look at the “big picture.” Instead of focusing strictly on performance statistics, they tend to delve deeper into their investments’ background, competitive environment and other factors. This quest for additional knowledge may help explain why all-female investment clubs have achieved greater returns than all-male clubs, according to a study by the National Association of Investors Corp.

Neither men nor women have a monopoly on positive investment behaviors. Each gender can probably learn something from the other.


Women Business Owners Need Retirement Plans

If you’re a woman who owns a small business, you’ve got company. Women-owned businesses account for about 40 percent of all privately held firms in the U.S., according to the Center for Women’s Business Research. Being in business is good, of course — but will you be ready for life after business?

To prepare for those days, you may need to contribute to a retirement plan.

If you have no full-time employees other than yourself or your spouse, you might be able to set up an owner-only 401(k). Or, if you have just a few employees or are self-employed with no employees, you may want to consider a SEP IRA. You might even be able to establish a solo defined benefit plan, similar to a traditional pension plan.

Consult with a financial professional to determine which retirement plan is right for you. The future will be here sooner than you think.

Contact Wendell at Edward Jones www.edwardjones.com.