Erste Asset Management

Why women should start investing

Why women should start investing
Why women should start investing
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The financial reality of Austrian women still does not look rosy in 2023. The still large gender pay gap, a high part-time rate and resulting lower pensions are factors in this development. However, women are aware of their financial circumstances and also want to do something about it – as an IMAS study by Erste Bank and Sparkassen on the occasion of International Women’s Day on March 8 shows. One way for woman to take their financial situation into their own hands is investing through fund savings.

Financial independence more important for women

Austrian women want to change their financial situation. This is clearly reflected in this year’s results of the IMAS study: 84% of Austrian women state that it is “very important” to them to be financially independent from other people. Unfortunately, this goal is not yet a reality for many women: Every fourth woman says she is financially dependent on her family – among men, the figure is only 12%.

Security aspect in focus for women

For women, the focus is primarily on the issue of security when it comes to saving. This is also reflected in the product figures of Erste Bank and the savings banks: Compared to men, women prefer savings books and building savings accounts. The share of women is 52% and 54%, respectively. They are less likely to own securities accounts (47%) or an investment plan (45.3%).

Investments in particular can be helpful for income-oriented retirement planning. For example, long-term investments in funds can fill any income or pension gaps that may arise*. Since investing in mutual funds can also involve risks, it is important to know about them and learn how to deal with them. Our blog post, “Understanding the Risks of Funds – Nothing ventured, nothing gained” provides an overview of the main types of risks to be aware of before investing in funds.

*In the long run, investing in mutual funds has the potential for higher profits. However, it is important to keep in mind that mutual funds carry significantly higher risk than savings accounts.

Information counts: How do women start investing?

As the study also shows, there is often a lack of information when it comes to investing. While almost half of the men surveyed feel very well informed about financial topics, women are much more critical in their self-assessment: only 36% said they were very well informed about financial topics in general.

Especially those who want to take their finances into their own hands should be able to access the most important information quickly and easily so that they can make their own investment decisions. The search for securities and investment opportunities can quickly become overwhelming. Finding an investment fund that matches individual expectations is not always easy. With our fund search, you can filter the diverse range of products according to your own interests.

Fund savings: Step by step to financial independence

If you have decided to invest in securities, the first step is to determine the investment objective. Think about what you want to save for and how much you want to save. You can start investing in investment funds with as little as 50 euros a month. In the next step, select securities according to your risk tolerance. You can also open funds online via George.

In addition, especially newcomers to the subject of finance have many basic questions: How can I buy funds and where do I find them? You can find the answers to these questions about getting started in investing in our blogposts “Decision to invest taken – what happens next?” and “How can I invest my money wisely?“.

For a glossary of technical terms, please visit this link: Fund Glossary | Erste Asset Management

Legal note:

Prognoses are no reliable indicator for future performance.

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Legal disclaimer

This document is an advertisement. Unless indicated otherwise, source: Erste Asset Management GmbH. The language of communication of the sales offices is German and the languages of communication of the Management Company also include English.

The prospectus for UCITS funds (including any amendments) is prepared and published in accordance with the provisions of the InvFG 2011 as amended. Information for Investors pursuant to § 21 AIFMG is prepared for the alternative investment funds (AIF) administered by Erste Asset Management GmbH pursuant to the provisions of the AIFMG in conjunction with the InvFG 2011.

The currently valid versions of the prospectus, the Information for Investors pursuant to § 21 AIFMG, and the key information document can be found on the website www.erste-am.com under “Mandatory publications” and can be obtained free of charge by interested investors at the offices of the Management Company and at the offices of the depositary bank. The exact date of the most recent publication of the prospectus, the languages in which the key information document is available, and any other locations where the documents can be obtained are indicated on the website www.erste-am.com. A summary of the investor rights is available in German and English on the website www.erste-am.com/investor-rights and can also be obtained from the Management Company.

The Management Company can decide to suspend the provisions it has taken for the sale of unit certificates in other countries in accordance with the regulatory requirements.

Note: You are about to purchase a product that may be difficult to understand. We recommend that you read the indicated fund documents before making an investment decision. In addition to the locations listed above, you can obtain these documents free of charge at the offices of the referring Sparkassen bank and the offices of Erste Bank der oesterreichischen Sparkassen AG. You can also access these documents electronically at www.erste-am.com.

N.B.: The performance scenarios listed in the key information document are based on a calculation method that is specified in an EU regulation. The future market development cannot be accurately predicted. The depicted performance scenarios merely present potential earnings, but are based on the earnings in the recent past. The actual earnings may be lower than indicated. Our analyses and conclusions are general in nature and do not take into account the individual characteristics of our investors in terms of earnings, taxation, experience and knowledge, investment objective, financial position, capacity for loss, and risk tolerance.

Please note: Past performance is not a reliable indicator of the future performance of a fund. Investments in securities entail risks in addition to the opportunities presented here. The value of units and their earnings can rise and fall. Changes in exchange rates can also have a positive or negative effect on the value of an investment. For this reason, you may receive less than your originally invested amount when you redeem your units. Persons who are interested in purchasing units in investment funds are advised to read the current fund prospectus(es) and the Information for Investors pursuant to § 21 AIFMG, especially the risk notices they contain, before making an investment decision. If the fund currency is different than the investor’s home currency, changes in the relevant exchange rate can positively or negatively influence the value of the investment and the amount of the costs associated with the fund in the home currency.

We are not permitted to directly or indirectly offer, sell, transfer, or deliver this financial product to natural or legal persons whose place of residence or domicile is located in a country where this is legally prohibited. In this case, we may not provide any product information, either.

Please consult the corresponding information in the fund prospectus and the Information for Investors pursuant to § 21 AIFMG for restrictions on the sale of the fund to American or Russian citizens.

It is expressly noted that this communication does not provide any investment recommendations, but only expresses our current market assessment. Thus, this communication is not a substitute for investment advice, does not take into account the legal regulations aimed at promoting the independence of financial analyses, and is not subject to a prohibition on trading following the distribution of financial analyses.

This document does not represent a sales activity of the Management Company and therefore may not be construed as an offer for the purchase or sale of financial or investment instruments.

Erste Asset Management GmbH is affiliated with the referring Sparkassen banks and Erste Bank.

Please also read the “Information about us and our securities services” published by your bank.

Subject to misprints and errors.

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