Quantis Wealth Management

Markets moved lower in March as interest rates rose, energy prices increased, and geopolitical tensions escalated.

Both stocks and bonds faced pressure, despite stronger-than-expected corporate earnings.

For many investors, these types of environments raise a different set of considerations, particularly for those approaching or in retirement. When your income is coming from withdrawals instead of paycheck earnings, market movement begins to affect distribution strategy, inflation can increase pressure on spending, and interest rates influence both bond values and overall portfolio structure.

We put together a short update outlining what drove markets in March, and how these shifts may affect planning decisions over time.

March 2026 Market Update: Interest Rates, Inflation, and Market Volatility Markets declined in March as interest rates rose and geopolitical tensions increased. What this may mean for investors and retirement planning.

In the years leading up to retirement, certain decisions tend to matter more.

The “retirement red zone” is the 5–10 year window before and after retirement, where financial decisions become more interconnected and less flexible.

This can include:

-Income moves to withdrawals and distributions instead of earned income
-When to take Social Security affects how income is structured over time
-Withdrawal strategy begins to affect tax exposure
-Investments need to support income in retirement, not just growth

For those approaching retirement, the focus often shifts from building assets to structuring them in a way that can support spending, taxes, and longevity together.

Understanding how these pieces fit together before retirement begins can make a meaningful difference.

Read more about the decisions to manage in the Retirement Red Zone. https://quantiswm.com/2024/03/25/10-things-to-consider-in-the-retirement-red-zone/

Oil prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, raising questions about inflation, interest rates, and what it could mean for markets.

What matters most is how these changes affect the broader economy over time.

We've shared a brief perspective on what's happening and what we're watching going forward.

Read more:

Why Oil Prices Are Rising and What It Could Mean for Markets (2026) Oil prices are rising due to supply concerns in the Middle East. Learn how higher energy prices may affect inflation, interest rates, and stock market performance.