Making Sense

In this week’s episode, Phillip Neuhart, Head of Market and Economic Research, recaps the latest market-moving data and previews the key events investors should watch in the days ahead. He discusses last week’s softer employment report and what it signals for the economy, then looks ahead to the ISM Services Index, the release of the June FOMC minutes, and the start of earnings season. With inflat...

Blake Taylor breaks down a volatile week across bonds, oil, and tech—explaining falling yields, shifting inflation signals, and what AI-driven earnings mean for consumers. Plus, what to watch in key labor data and the Fed as markets head into the holiday week. Key Takeaways • Bond yields declined, but inflation and economic resilience remain • Oil prices dropped back near pre-war levels • Strong A...

This month, Phillip Neuhart and Blake Taylor discuss where markets and the economy stand midway through 2026. The US economy has shown notable resilience despite a volatile first half, marked by geopolitical shocks, rising energy prices and new leadership at the Federal Reserve. The outlook is similar to where the year began, with one key exception: inflation has moved higher. Chairman Kevin Warsh...

Markets are adjusting to a more hawkish tone from the Federal Reserve after new Chairman Kevin Warsh signaled a clear commitment to price stability. In this episode, Blake Taylor, Market & Economic Research Analyst, discusses the evolving macro backdrop, including shifting Fed policy expectations, upcoming inflation data, and what key economic releases may reveal about consumer strength and ov...

Markets saw increased volatility last week as pressures from interest rates, inflation, and geopolitics weighed on sentiment, even as broader equity performance remains solid year to date. In this episode, Blake Taylor, Market & Economic Research Analyst discusses the evolving macro environment, including Federal Reserve policy expectations under new leadership, persistent inflation dynamics,...

In this episode, Phillip Neuhart, Head of Market and Economic Research and Thomas O’Keefe, Managing Director of Portfolio Strategy, are joined by Market and Economic Research Analyst Blake Taylor to discuss the Federal Reserve’s evolving policy outlook. With a new Fed Chair stepping in at a pivotal moment, the conversation places today’s policy environment in historical context while also examinin...

In this week’s episode, Phillip Neuhart, Head of Market and Economic Research, breaks down recent moves in equity markets, including reactions to U.S.–Iran developments, strength in AI-related stocks, and stronger-than-expected May employment data. Looking ahead, Phil focuses on key economic releases—Consumer Price Index (CPI), Producer Price Index (PPI), existing home sales, and consumer sentimen...

In this week's episode, Phillip Neuhart, Head of Market and Economic Research, analyzes the latest trends driving the US stock market as equities reach new all-time highs and Treasury yields pull back. He explores mixed economic data, including weaker personal income and a downward revision to first-quarter GDP. Looking ahead, we previews key events shaping the economic outlook, including the May...

On May 27, 2026, Phillip Neuhart and Blake Taylor provided this month's Market Update. For more information, visit https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/market-outlook/2026/making-sense-may-market-update Markets in May 2026 reflected a complex mix of geopolitical risk, inflation uncertainty, and shifting Federal Reserve expectations. War in the Middle East continued to disrupt global oil supply, wh...

Interest rates are moving higher, with long-term Treasury yields reaching multi-decade highs as markets reassess inflation and Federal Reserve policy. In this episode, we explore shifting expectations toward a more hawkish Fed, what to watch in the upcoming PCE inflation report, and how housing trends could influence the broader inflation outlook. We also touch on ongoing geopolitical risks and th...

Markets continue to climb, with equities reaching new highs alongside strong earnings growth—but rising inflation, higher interest rates, and energy risks are also in focus. In this episode, we cover the latest market momentum, what to watch in upcoming Federal Reserve communications, and the megacap tech earnings rally. We also highlight the importance of global oil flows and evolving geopolitica...

Blake Taylor, Market and Economic Research Analyst, covers what to watch in the week ahead. U.S. equities pushed to fresh all‑time highs last week, with the S&P 500 now more than 15% above its late‑March lows. This move reflects more than geopolitics, as corporate earnings results—particularly for mega‑cap technology—continue to outperform expectations. Fresh economic data comes out next week,...

Blake Taylor, Market and Economic Research Analyst, discusses what to watch in the week ahead. U.S. equities hit new all-time highs alongside rising oil prices as markets focused on strong mega cap tech earnings, resilient growth, and an AI driven investment boom that supported solid Q1 GDP. We recap the Fed’s decision to hold rates steady amid rare dissents and preview key labor market data, expl...

In April’s market update, Phillip Neuhart and Blake Taylor break down how global events—including the war in the Middle East—and rapid advances in artificial intelligence are shaping energy markets, inflation, and investor sentiment. Despite a sharp oil price shock and elevated geopolitical risk, U.S. equities have remained resilient, supported by strong corporate earnings and improving fundamenta...

Blake Taylor, Market and Economic Research Analyst, shares what to watch in the week ahead. 1. Q1 Earnings season 2. Federal Reserve meeting 3. GDP data 4. Price and inflation data

Blake Taylor, Market and Economic Research Analyst discusses what to watch in the week ahead. 1. Middle East developments 2. Q1 earnings season 3. Senate confirmation hearing

Blake Taylor, Market and Economic Research Analyst reviews what to watch in the week ahead: 1. Developments in the Middle East 2. Q1 earnings season 3. Company and Fed anecdotes 4. Producer prices

Phillip Neuhart, Head of Market and Economic Research, and Thomas O'Keefe, Managing Director of Investment Strategy, talk about how we think about taxes as part of our investment strategy and philosophy.

Blake Taylor, Market and Economic Research Analyst reviews the week ahead for markets and the economy. 1. CPI inflation data 2. Fed meeting minutes 3. Personal income and spending data

Market and Economic Research Analyst, Blake Taylor covers the week ahead. 1. Employment data 2. Job openings and job cuts 3. ISM manufacturing index

This is the audio from March 24, 2026’s Making Sense Market update. Each month, our team takes a deep dive into markets and the economy. Link to access the video and charts: https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/market-outlook/2026/making-sense-march-market-update In March’s Market Update, Brent Ciliano and Phillip Neuhart took a close look at the conflict in the Middle East, as well as other impac...

Market and Economic Research Analyst, Blake Taylor, presents the week ahead for markets and the economy. 1. Commodity prices 2. Global central bank communications 3. Company commentaries For more information, visit firstcitizens.com/wealth/market-outlook.

On Monday, March 16, 2026, Blake Taylor, Market and Economic Research Analyst, shared what to watch this week: 1. Middle East updates 2. The Federal Reserve meeting 3. Producer level inflation

On Monday, March 9, 2026, Phillip Neuhart, Head of Market and Economic Research, and Thomas O’Keefe, Managing Director of Portfolio Strategy, talked about how we’re thinking about portfolio positioning in light of recent geopolitical headlines and market events. With news rapidly changing, investors can easily get lost in the noise. Learn how we’re navigating headlines and portfolios positioning....

Blake Taylor, Market and Economic Research Analyst, covers the week ahead for markets and the economy. 1. Inflation data 2. Household net worth 3. Personal income & spending