• Stocks mostly lower with Fed policy and corporate earnings in focus – S. equity markets closed mostly lower Wednesday, following the Federal Reserve's decision to leave its policy rate unchanged at today's meeting and investors awaiting earnings results from technology giants Microsoft, Meta, Alphabet and Amazon after market close. Most sectors closed the day flat to lower, with energy leading amid another move higher in oil prices. Overseas, Asian markets were mostly higher overnight, led by a 1.7% gain in Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index, while European equities finished modestly lower. On the economic front, investment trends appeared steady in March. Headline durable goods orders rose 0.8% for the month, above expectations for a 0.4% gain, while housing starts increased 10.8%, well ahead of expectations for a modest contraction. Bond yields traded higher on the day, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rising to 4.41% and the 2-year yield at 3.93%. In commodities, oil prices closed higher, with WTI settling around $108 per barrel after reports surfaced that the U.S. is preparing to extend its naval blockade of Iranian ports.
   
• Fed holds rates steady as views diverge on policy outlook – The Fed maintained its target range for the federal funds rate at 3.50%–3.75% at today’s meeting, as expected. The Federal Open Market Committee statement also maintained its easing bias, signaling that the next move in the policy rate is more likely to be lower than higher. However, three members voted to remove the easing bias from the statement, while one member voted to lower the federal funds target range by 0.25%, highlighting divergent views among FOMC members amid the uncertain economic backdrop. Additionally, Fed Chair Jerome Powell announced that he will continue to serve on the Fed’s Board of Governors after his term as Fed chair ends next month, at least until the investigation into the Federal Reserve is “fully and transparently resolved.” The announcement follows this morning’s Senate Banking Committee vote to advance Kevin Warsh’s nomination to take over as Fed chair when Powell’s term ends. Tomorrow brings the release of the Fed’s preferred inflation measure, the Personal Consumption Expenditures Price Index. Core PCE is expected to rise 3.2% year-over-year in March, which, if realized, would mark the highest reading since January 2024. With inflation running above target for five years and the labor market showing signs of stabilization, we believe the Fed is likely to remain on hold in the near term. However, if energy prices decline and geopolitical tensions ease toward year-end, we believe the Fed could deliver another interest-rate cut before the end of the year.
   
• Earnings in focus – First-quarter earnings season is in full swing this week, with more than 150 S&P 500 companies scheduled to report. Key reports include Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft and Meta after today’s market close, followed by Apple after the close tomorrow. Results have been solid so far. S&P 500 first-quarter earnings are now expected to grow 14% year-over-year, up from estimates of roughly 12% at the end of March. Strong earnings growth is also expected to continue through the remainder of 2026, with full-year S&P 500 earnings projected to rise 18.7%, compared with expectations of about 15% at the start of the year. The upward revision has been driven largely by a nearly 40% increase in expected earnings per share for the energy sector, reflecting the higher oil-price backdrop. Materials and technology have also seen 2026 earnings estimates rise by more than 11%. While estimates have moved modestly lower in sectors that may be pressured by higher oil prices, including consumer staples and consumer discretionary, these downward revisions have been more than offset by stronger expectations in energy, materials and technology. Despite pockets of downward revisions since the start of the year, earnings growth is still expected to be positive across all 11 S&P 500 sectors in 2026. In our view, robust earnings growth, supported by healthy economic activity and continued strength in AI-related spending, should remain a key support for equity markets over the balance of the year.

Brock Weimer, CFA;
Investment Strategy

^{Source for all data: FactSet} 

• Markets close modestly lower, Nasdaq lags – Equity markets were lower on Tuesday, with the technology-heavy Nasdaq lagging the broader S&P 500. The weakness in the tech sector was in part driven by news that the tech giant OpenAI fell short of sales targets and new users for the quarter. This weighed especially on AI and data-center-focused stocks. In addition, oil resumed its upward climb as uncertainty around the blockades of the Strait of Hormuz lingers. WTI oil was up over 3.5% toward $100. From a sector perspective, energy and defensive sectors like consumer staples led the way higher, while technology lagged. Bond yields were also modestly higher, with the 10-year yield up about 0.01% to 4.35%. More broadly, the S&P 500 is now up about 13% since its recent March 30 lows and is hovering around all-time highs. In our view, while uncertainty around geopolitics remains in place, markets seem focused on the solid fundamentals, including positive economic growth and corporate earnings forecasts which continue to be revised higher.
   
• Earnings season set to hit its stride with Magnificent 7 – Five of the Magnificent 7 companies are on the earnings calendar this week, starting with Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Meta (Facebook) and Microsoft on Wednesday, followed by Apple on Thursday. More broadly, the early read on first-quarter earnings has been encouraging: With about 28% of S&P 500 companies reporting, 82% have beaten EPS estimates by an average upside surprise of 12%. EPS growth estimates have been revised up to 13.7%, from 12.1% at the end of the quarter. If achieved, this would mark the sixth straight quarter of double-digit earnings growth. Technology is again expected to lead by a wide margin, with earnings gains of more than 40% year-over-year, followed by materials and financials. Importantly, the breadth of growth is expected to be strong, as eight of the 11 sectors are projected to post year-over-year EPS gains. We believe wide earnings growth should help support more balanced market performance across sectors and help strengthen the case for portfolio diversification.
   
• Fed likely to remain on hold this week – The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) begins its April meeting on Tuesday, with expectations pointing to policymakers leaving the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% for the third straight meeting. The larger focus is likely to be on the statement and commentary, specifically the extent to which the Fed is willing to look through the near-term impact of higher oil prices on inflation. The Fed's preferred Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) inflation gauge for March will be released on Thursday, with forecasts calling for a rise to 3.6%, from 2.8% the prior month. With inflation well above the 2% target, the Fed will likely be on the sidelines in the near term. We believe the stabilizing labor market, showing some signs of strengthening, should give policymakers time to look for signs that inflation is temporary.

Mona Mahajan;
Investment Strategy

^{Source for all data: FactSet} 

• Markets close higher with Fed, Magnificent 7 on deck – Equity markets advanced on Monday as investors look ahead to the Fed's April meeting and earnings results of five of the Magnificent 7 companies this week. Sector performance was mixed, with communication and financials leading gains, while consumer staples and real estate lagged. Bond yields rose, with the 10-year Treasury yield at 4.33%. Internationally, Asian markets were mostly stronger overnight with both Japan's Nikkei and South Korea's KOSPI indexes reaching record highs. In energy markets, WTI oil prices traded higher amid uncertainty around U.S.-Iran diplomacy and continued disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the U.S. dollar softened against major currencies.
   
• Fed likely to remain on hold this week – The Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) begins its April meeting on Tuesday, with expectations pointing to policymakers leaving the target range for the federal funds rate unchanged at 3.50%-3.75% for the third straight meeting. The larger focus is likely to be on the statement and commentary, specifically the extent to which the Fed is willing to look through the near-term impact of higher oil prices on inflation. The Fed's preferred Personal Consumption Expenditure (PCE) inflation gauge for March will be released on Thursday, with forecasts calling for a rise to 3.6%, from 2.8% the prior month. With inflation well above the 2% target, the Fed will likely be on the sidelines in the near term. We believe the stabilizing labor market, showing some signs of strengthening, should give policymakers time to look for signs that inflation is temporary.
   
• Earnings season set to hit its stride with Magnificent 7 – Five of the Magnificent 7 companies are on the earnings calendar this week, starting with Alphabet (Google), Amazon, Meta (Facebook) and Microsoft on Wednesday, followed by Apple on Thursday. More broadly, the early read on first-quarter earnings has been encouraging: With about 28% of S&P 500 companies reporting, 82% have beaten EPS estimates by an average upside surprise of 12%. EPS growth estimates have been revised up to 13.7%, from 12.1% at the end of the quarter. If achieved, this would mark the sixth straight quarter of double-digit earnings growth. Technology is again expected to lead by a wide margin, with earnings gains of more than 40% year-over-year, followed by materials and financials. Importantly, the breadth of growth is expected to be strong, as eight of the 11 sectors are projected to post year-over-year EPS gains. We believe wide earnings growth should help support more balanced market performance across sectors and help strengthen the case for portfolio diversification.

Brian Therien, CFA ;
Investment Strategy

^{Source for all data: FactSet} 

• Stocks mostly rise on peace hopes and tech outperformance – The S&P 500 and Nasdaq hit fresh record highs today after encouraging signs that the U.S. and Iran may return to the negotiating table for peace talks. The recent rally in oil prices, with WTI up 13% this week, paused following news that the Israel‑Lebanon ceasefire has been extended for three weeks, and that Iran’s foreign minister is expected to travel to Pakistan for a second round of negotiations. Elsewhere, technology stocks led the gains, with semiconductors outperforming after Intel issued an upbeat outlook. Intel shares surged 22% to a new record high after the company delivered a sales forecast that significantly exceeded expectations. In Asia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing jumped 5% after regulators eased limits on single‑stock fund holdings. Meanwhile, bond and currency markets remained relatively quiet as investors look ahead to central-bank meetings next week.
   
• Depressed sentiment vs. still-solid fundamentals - Sentiment surveys, such as the University of Michigan consumer sentiment index, have fallen to their lowest levels on record, below those seen during both the 2008 financial crisis and the 2020 pandemic. Yet the hard economic data do not appear to reflect this degree of pessimism. Retail sales have remained resilient, highlighting a significant divergence between how consumers feel and how they behave. While technology-sector layoffs have attracted attention, labor-market indicators remain encouraging. Weekly initial jobless claims continue to run near historical lows, unemployment is steady, and private‑sector hiring appears to be regaining momentum. Higher energy prices remain a headwind for households, but increased tax refunds stemming from the new tax bill are providing a meaningful offset. According to the latest IRS data, the average refund this year is approximately $3,400—an 11% increase from last year. Overall, we expect household stimulus to reach roughly $200 billion in 2026, more than offsetting an estimated $80–$100 billion increase in gasoline and other fuel spending driven by higher oil prices.
   
• Earnings strength is key behind market's resilience - While investor sentiment can change on a whim, trends in corporate profits are among the most durable drivers of market performance. We believe strong earnings growth is a key reason markets have become less sensitive to geopolitical headlines and swings in oil prices. S&P 500 earnings are expected to grow nearly 14% year-over-year in the first quarter. If realized, this would mark the sixth consecutive quarter of double‑digit earnings growth. The technology sector is leading the charge, with earnings projected to rise roughly 46%, driven by robust demand for artificial intelligence and the related infrastructure buildout. Other sectors are also expected to deliver solid growth, but markets will remain focused on mega‑cap technology next week. Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta are all set to report after the close on April 29, followed by Apple on April 30.

Angelo Kourkafas, CFA ;
Investment Strategy

^{Source for all data: Bloomberg.} 

• Markets take a breather after reaching all-time highs – Equity markets were modestly lower on Thursday after the S&P 500 and Nasdaq notched new closing highs on Wednesday. The technology-heavy Nasdaq lagged the broader S&P 500. Nonetheless, for the full year, all major U.S. indexes are higher, with the S&P up about 4% and the Nasdaq up about 5% this year so far. On a sector basis, energy, materials, and industrials have led the way higher in 2026, all up over 10%, while financials and health care have lagged, both down about 5% year-to-date. More broadly, recent market action suggests investors have been rapidly repricing away worst-case outcomes as oil prices remain below recent peaks, rates stabilize, and corporate earnings remain resilient—key supports behind the swift rebound to new highs.
   
• U.S.-Iran ceasefire extended - President Trump extended the ceasefire with Iran this week, reducing near-term geopolitical risk and allowing more time for diplomacy. Despite this development, energy markets reflect continued stress. WTI oil prices moved higher as the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted and the U.S. blockade on ships from Iranian ports continues. Brent crude oil is back above $105, while WTI crude hovers around $96, both up over 65% this year alone. Importantly, however, energy futures markets are reflecting expectations for the disruptions to be short-lived, pointing to crude prices moving back toward the mid-$70s by year-end. If realized, falling oil prices should help ease headline inflation and help reduce pressure on energy-intensive sectors, in our view.
   
• Broadening of market leadership theme may re-emerge – Looking ahead, we do not think investors should assume the market is completely out of the woods. The narrative around the conflict remains fluid, and while the probability of the most adverse outcomes appears to have diminished, considerable uncertainty remains around the duration and resolution of energy supply disruptions. Historically, V‑shaped rebounds have shown a mixed record in sustaining momentum. There have been periods such as the tariff‑induced correction in April 2025 when markets not only recovered quickly but were followed by strong performance. In other instances, equities moved sideways as gains were digested. And in episodes like early 2000 and late 2007, sharp rebounds ultimately marked major market peaks. In the current environment, a pause and sideways phase appear likely, in our view, particularly until oil supplies normalize and physical shortages ease more decisively. If the path toward de‑escalation remains intact, we would expect markets to gravitate back toward the themes that defined performance earlier in the year, with prior leaders reasserting themselves. This would likely entail cyclical sectors regaining leadership over defensives, U.S. small‑ and mid‑caps sustaining relative momentum versus large-caps, and emerging‑market equities continuing to outperform domestic stocks.

Mona Mahajan ;
Investment Strategy

^{Source for all data: Bloomberg.}