March has arrived, bringing longer days, renewed energy, and a season of growth. As we spring forward, it is a natural time to reflect and refocus.
In honor of Women’s History Month, we celebrate the remarkable women who work at PlumTree Financial, as well as our clients and friends who make a lasting impact every day. Your leadership, dedication, resilience, and perspective inspire us, and we are grateful for all that you contribute.
This issue explores Iran Escalation: How Markets Have Reacted to Geopolitical Events, shares tips in Mail Alert: Is Your Postmark Lying? What You Need to Know Before Tax Day and reflects on daylight saving in Springing Forward: A Bright Sign of Spring.
In Plum Picks, Kelly is pondering the big questions and celebrating one year with gratitude, reflection, and excitement for what comes next.
March 2026
Capital Markets
Iran Escalation: How Markets Have Reacted to Geopolitical Events
Additional content provided by Kent Cullinane, Sr. Analyst, Research.
As with the recent escalation in the Middle East, financial markets are constantly exposed to unpredictable events — from geopolitical conflicts and terror attacks to political transitions, corporate crises, and systemic financial shocks. While each new development tends to generate uncertainty and anxiety, history consistently shows that markets are far more resilient than most investors expect.
Reviewing market reactions across more than eight decades of market history helps us understand how stocks typically behave when the unexpected happens, and which conditions matter most to determine the likely depth and duration of any drawdowns. It is important to note that past performance does not guarantee future results.
Immediate Market Reactions: Sometimes Sharp but Often Short-Lived
Across more than two dozen major geopolitical events since World War II, the S&P 500 has produced an average one-day decline of just -1%. In other words, even seemingly dramatic world events tend to trigger declines that are notable, but not catastrophic. Typically, markets tend to absorb shocks quickly, stabilize (bottoming on average within 18 days), and recover within a matter of weeks (the average time taken for the S&P 500 to get back to pre-event levels is under 39 days). Importantly, the scale of the initial event rarely predicts the magnitude of the market impact.
Mail Alert: Is Your Postmark Lying? What You Need to Know Before Tax Day
If you still rely on the "blue box" on the corner for your most important mail, it’s time to change your routine. A recent shift in how the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) handles mail has fundamentally changed how your envelopes are dated—and waiting until the last minute could now cost you dearly.
The Change: Processing vs. Possession
For decades, most of us assumed that dropping a letter in a mailbox on the 15th meant it was postmarked on the 15th. That is no longer a guarantee.
Under the USPS "Delivering for America" modernization plan, mail processing is being consolidated into fewer, regional hubs. This means that a letter dropped in a local box often has to travel to a different city—or even a different state—before it reaches a sorting machine. Because the postmark now reflects the date the mail is processed at the regional facility, rather than the date it was collected, your mail could be postmarked 24 to 48 hours after you let go of it.
Why This Matters for You
This isn’t just a technicality; it’s a legal risk. Many deadlines rely on the "timely mailed, timely filed" rule. If your postmark is a day late, you may face:
IRS Penalties: An April 15th drop-off could result in an April 16th postmark, triggering late-filing fees and interest.
IRA Contribution Issues: Contributions to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) must be made by the tax filing deadline to count for the prior year. A late postmark could jeopardize your eligibility and impact your retirement savings strategy.
Missed Insurance Windows: Deadlines for Medicare enrollment or insurance claims are strict. A late postmark could lead to a gap in your coverage.
Invalidated Ballots: In many states, mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Election Day. If your ballot sits in a truck on its way to a regional center overnight, your vote might not count.
3 Pro Tips to Protect Your Deadlines
Don’t let a regional processing delay derail your schedule. If you have time-sensitive mail, follow these steps:
Ask for a "Manual Postmark": Go inside your local post office and head to the counter. Ask the clerk to hand-stamp (manual postmark) your envelope. They will apply the current date right in front of you. This service is free.
Use Certified Mail: For a small fee, Certified Mail provides a mailing receipt. For the IRS and most legal entities, this receipt serves as "prima facie" evidence of the date you mailed the item, regardless of what the postmark says.
The "5-Day Rule": If you cannot get to a post office counter, the USPS recommends mailing critical items at least five days before the deadline to account for transportation to regional hubs.
Hanging out with us in the Plum Tree!
Springing Forward: A Bright Sign of Spring
After a long and snowy winter, the Plums are more than ready for a change of pace. This Sunday, March 8, 2026, at 2:00 AM, we will officially “spring forward” one hour for Daylight Saving Time. While we will all miss that extra hour of sleep this weekend, we are excited about the payoff: an extra hour of evening sunlight. It is a clear sign that the winter snow is behind us, and warmer spring days are finally on the way.
Interesting Historical Facts
The history of this practice is filled with fascinating characters. Although many believe Benjamin Franklin invented Daylight Saving Time, he actually proposed it as a joke in a 1784 satirical essay. He suggested that Parisians could save money on candles by waking up earlier. To encourage this, he humorously recommended taxing window shutters, ringing every church bell at sunrise, and even firing cannons in every street to wake "the sluggards".
The modern version was later championed by two men with very different hobbies. In 1895, New Zealand entomologist George Hudson proposed a time shift so he would have more daylight for collecting insects. In 1907, an Englishman named William Willett published "The Waste of Daylight" because he was frustrated that his evening golf games were being cut short by the sunset.
Finally, during World War II, the United States took this a step further. President Franklin D. Roosevelt instituted year-round Daylight Saving Time from 1942 to 1945 to conserve energy for the war effort. During those years, the time was officially referred to as “War Time”.
As we all adjust to the new schedule, here are a few tips from the Plums:
Take it Slow: Research shows that driver fatigue often increases during the first week of the time change, leading to a 6% rise in fatal traffic accidents. Our team encourages everyone to take a little extra care on the roads next week as we all adjust to the new rhythm.
Ease Into the Change: To make the transition easier, we are planning to head to bed about twenty minutes earlier this weekend. We suggest you do the same to help your body adapt to the shift.
A Safety Ritual: Use the start of Daylight Saving Time as our semi-annual reminder to change the batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. It is a quick task that keeps your household safe.
We are looking forward to seeing the neighborhood bloom and enjoying the extra evening sun with all of you. Happy Spring!
Plum Picks: Where Petals Meet Passports
2026 Plans, Goals, and a Dash of Humor
Pop the confetti because we are celebrating a major milestone: it is officially Kelly’s one-year anniversary with the team! The Plums are back to share their 2026 plans, goals, and thoughts—some serious and some just for laughs. This month, it is Kelly’s turn in the spotlight. Do not miss her unique insights and inspiration! Be sure to check back next month to see which Plum takes center stage next.
Upcoming Events
Save the Date
April 21, 2026 | 12pm EST
Market Intelligence – Presented by John Hancock
In today’s global financial markets and nonstop news cycle, it can be hard to cut through the noise and identify the trends that matter most.
Join us for a comprehensive review of the investment landscape across key markets and asset classes that leverages the insight of dozens of asset managers and investment research firms.
Young Investors Series: Invest Now! Or Pay Later...
Join Greg Bernhard and Brock Mumford (members of PlumTree Financial’s investment team) for an engaging session designed specifically for young investors ready to take control of their financial journey.
This webinar will guide you through the essentials of creating a financial plan, including setting meaningful goals, building a budget, starting to invest, and planning for retirement.
Don't take any wooden nickels- The phrase dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries in the United States. The expression is believed to stem from wooden tokens shaped like the United States nickel that merchants distributed as promotional pieces or store credit—items that might be redeemable at a specific shop but were otherwise worthless. The old, vivid American idiom meaning be cautious and don’t be cheated—or, in financial/business use, a warning not to accept something that has little or no real value.
Disclosures
Assessing the Impact of Developments in Iran: Watch Energy
This material is for general information only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. There is no assurance that the views or strategies discussed are suitable for all investors. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, please consult your financial professional prior to investing.
Investing involves risks including possible loss of principal. No investment strategy or risk management technique can guarantee return or eliminate risk.
Indexes are unmanaged and cannot be invested into directly. Index performance is not indicative of the performance of any investment and does not reflect fees, expenses, or sales charges. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.
This material was prepared by LPL Financial, LLC. All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
Unless otherwise stated LPL Financial and the third party persons and firms mentioned are not affiliates of each other and make no representation with respect to each other. Any company names noted herein are for educational purposes only and not an indication of trading intent or a solicitation of their products or services.
Asset Class Disclosures –
International investing involves special risks such as currency fluctuation and political instability and may not be suitable for all investors. These risks are often heightened for investments in emerging markets.
Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity.
Municipal bonds are subject and market and interest rate risk and potentially capital gains tax if sold prior to maturity. Interest income may be subject to the alternative minimum tax. Municipal bonds are federally tax-free but other state and local taxes may apply.
Preferred stock dividends are paid at the discretion of the issuing company. Preferred stocks are subject to interest rate and credit risk. They may be subject to a call features.
Alternative investments may not be suitable for all investors and involve special risks such as leveraging the investment, potential adverse market forces, regulatory changes and potentially illiquidity. The strategies employed in the management of alternative investments may accelerate the velocity of potential losses.
Mortgage-backed securities are subject to credit, default, prepayment, extension, market and interest rate risk.
High yield/junk bonds (grade BB or below) are below investment grade securities, and are subject to higher interest rate, credit, and liquidity risks than those graded BBB and above. They generally should be part of a diversified portfolio for sophisticated investors.
Precious metal investing involves greater fluctuation and potential for losses.
The fast price swings of commodities will result in significant volatility in an investor's holdings.
This research material has been prepared by LPL Financial LLC.
Not Insured by FDIC/NCUA or Any Other Government Agency | Not Bank/Credit Union Deposits or Obligations | Not Bank/Credit Union Guaranteed | May Lose Value
2) Fritz, J., VoPham, T., Wright, K. P., Jr., & Vetter, C. (2020). A chronobiological evaluation of the acute effects of daylight saving time on traffic accident risk. Current Biology, 30(4), 729–735. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2019.12.045
Securities and Advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a Registered Investment Advisor, Member FINRA/SIPC. Insurance products offered through LPL Financial or its licensed affiliates.
All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, PlumTree Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.
