Investors' Insights and Market Updates

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Ty Miller explores how newly appointed Federal Reserve chairs are often tested early in their tenure through heightened market volatility and pullbacks. Looking at past leaders from Paul Volcker to Jerome Powell, he highlights a consistent pattern of strong market performance leading up to confirmation, followed by notable corrections shortly after....

Navigating Uncertainty with Clarity In today’s rapidly shifting global environment, investors are faced with an overwhelming amount of information. From central bank policy decisions to geopolitical tensions, the volume and complexity of news can make it difficult to determine what truly matters for long-term financial planning. The focus, however, should remain on identifying the key variables th...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Trey Booth explains the critical difference between correlation and causation in investing. While many market trends appear connected, like certain stocks rising alongside the broader market, he highlights why moving in the same direction doesn’t necessarily mean one causes the other. By looking beyond surface-level data and digging into the underly...

Higher Oil Prices are Cutting into Consumer Tailwinds Coming into the year, one of the major economic themes was the expected strength of the U.S. consumer. A key reason for that optimism was the wave of additional tax refunds created by provisions from last year’s tax legislation, including changes such as no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and adjustments to the SALT deduction. These measures w...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Ty Miller explores the growing conversation around cryptocurrency investing and the key differences between owning crypto directly and investing through a crypto ETF. He explains how each option works, from the convenience and regulation of ETFs traded through brokerage accounts to the control and responsibility that comes with holding digital asset...

Oil Spikes and What They Historically Mean for Markets One of the most immediate market reactions to geopolitical tension in the Middle East is the surge in oil prices. Since the current conflict began on February 28, crude oil has risen sharply, climbing roughly 18% within days and continuing to move higher as new developments unfold. While oil has surged, other areas that investors often expect...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Ashley Page examines why commercial construction is slowing down and what that means for the U.S. economy. From labor shortages tied to tighter immigration to rising material costs driven by tariffs, he breaks down the key forces slowing new projects across offices, hotels, apartments, and warehouses. He also highlights one bright spot: the rapid ex...

Technical Levels and Market Support From a technical standpoint, the market has shown notable resilience despite geopolitical tension. The S&P 500 is currently trading around 6,845, holding up well in the wake of weekend developments. While volatility may persist, it is important to evaluate where meaningful support levels lie. The first key support range sits between approximately 6,522 and 6...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Ashley Page unpacks the slowdown in U.S. job growth and what it signals for the broader economy. From the shift to a “low hire, low fire” environment to the impact of tariffs, labor shortages, AI adoption, and shifting workforce dynamics, he breaks down the four key forces reshaping today’s labor market. While hiring has cooled significantly, he als...

Tax Refunds and the Consumer Spending Boost There is encouraging news on the tax front. Tax refunds for 2026 are already running approximately $3 billion ahead of last year, reflecting a 17% increase driven in part by recent tax legislation. While that growth rate is slightly below earlier projections, it remains strong and meaningful. Historically, refund season begins to accelerate in late Febru...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Robert Moody breaks down the Roth 401(k) and how it compares to a traditional 401(k), along with how to know which one may be the best fit for your goals. From tax-free growth and withdrawals to contribution limits, employer matching, and tax diversification, this episode highlights the key pros and cons to help you make a confident decision. He als...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Mark Hume breaks down the topic of allowing private investments inside 401(k) plans and what it could mean for everyday investors. Private equity may offer new opportunities for diversification beyond public markets, but it also comes with important differences like fees, transparency, and how these investments are evaluated. This episode highlights...

Market Breadth is Strengthening One of the most important themes so far this year has been the broadening out of the stock market. In recent years, the market’s gains were heavily concentrated in the largest companies, particularly the “Magnificent 7,” with the top 5 to 10 stocks dramatically outperforming the rest of the index. This year, the pattern has shifted in a meaningful way. Instead of a...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Ashley Page breaks down how sports spending contributes to the U.S. economy, and the numbers may surprise you. Depending on how broadly it’s measured, sports account for roughly 1% to 2% of U.S. GDP, a footprint comparable to the entire American auto industry. From the Super Bowl and the Olympics to college athletics and global soccer, this episode...

Federal Reserve Policy and the “Height Chart” Theory The Federal Reserve met last week and, as widely expected, made no changes to interest rates. The decision generated little market reaction, largely because economic conditions have not deteriorated enough to warrant rate cuts. Long-term rates have remained relatively stable, short-term rates have already adjusted downward, and overall economic...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Ty Miller discusses Artificial Intelligence and how it is shaping Wall Street. AI is no longer a futuristic concept, as it’s already driving millions of trades each day by analyzing news, earnings calls, and even satellite data in real time to shape market decisions. From high-frequency trading to predictive analytics and risk monitoring, artificial...

Broad Market Participation Signals Improving Market Health After several years of narrow leadership, early signs suggest the market is finally beginning to broaden. Market expansion, measured by how many stocks are participating in overall gains, is a critical component of a healthy and sustainable bull market. While major indexes may continue to hit new highs, the underlying strength of the marke...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Bobby Norman breaks down the rising cost of eldercare and why it has become one of the most critical factors in long-term financial planning. With monthly costs ranging from roughly $6,000 for home care to nearly $10,000 for nursing homes, new data highlights how quickly these expenses can impact retirement savings. The real takeaway isn’t fear; it’...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Ashley Page breaks down how a growing majority of small businesses are now using AI and how adoption is accelerating faster than many expected. New surveys show usage jumping to 58%, with practical applications ranging from everyday communications and marketing to analytics, scheduling, and customer service. The real story isn’t hype; it’s how AI is...

Seasonality and the Midterm Election Effect Seasonality has long played a role in understanding market behavior, and historical trends can help inform portfolio strategy. January has often set the tone for the year ahead. Historically, a positive January has skewed returns higher over the subsequent quarter, half-year, and full year, while a negative January has tended to precede weaker performanc...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Bobby Norman breaks down the growing cybersecurity threats facing individuals and businesses, from phishing and ransomware to lesser-known attacks that can quietly compromise your data. He shares practical, client-tested strategies to protect your financial life, including stronger passwords, multi-factor authentication, and smart habits that reduce...

Volatility, the Fed, and the Productivity Question The year 2026 is poised to be a major inflection point. While 2025 represented a transition phase, toward artificial intelligence adoption and hoped-for productivity gains, 2026 may be the year where outcomes must finally materialize. In many ways, it is a “prove it” year for markets and policy alike. One expected source of volatility is the polit...

Closing Out 2025: Setting the Stage for 2026 As 2025 comes to a close, the economic landscape offers both reassurance and reason for vigilance as we look ahead to 2026. Inflation has been the defining theme of the year, and recent data suggests meaningful progress. The latest CPI reading for November showed inflation at 2.7% year-over-year, below expectations of 3.1%. While this data should be int...

On this week’s episode of Educational Insights , Robert Moody breaks down the latest updates to 529 plans, including new tax benefits, scholarship withdrawal flexibility, and even the ability to roll unused funds into a beneficiary’s Roth IRA. These changes give families more control than ever over education and retirement planning, with several little-known rules that could make a major financial...

Corporate Earnings and a Broadening Market One of the most compelling themes as we transition from 2025 into 2026 is the continued strength of corporate earnings. Estimated 12-month S&P 500 operating margins have climbed to historically impressive levels, reinforcing the idea that Corporate America remains on solid financial footing. As has been noted, a recession accompanied by positive earni...