All three major U.S. indices ended January in positive territory, despite volatility driven by geopolitical tensions and uncertainty around the Fed. International stocks outperformed, with developed and emerging markets rising amid concerns about U.S. trade and foreign policy.
Fed Leadership in Flux: The Road Ahead for Kevin Warsh
After much speculation and wild swings in market expectations, President Trump has nominated Kevin Warsh as his Fed chairman. If confirmed, he is expected to replace current Chair Jerome Powell in May at the end of his term.
Are Consensus Economic and Earnings Views on the Mark?
At a recent advisor presentation, I was asked an interesting question about this year’s consensus upbeat outlook and what could happen if it doesn’t come to fruition. Indeed, you can make the case that consensus coming into 2026 is sanguine. U.S. GDP growth is expected to be around 2 percent, with some economists forecasting even higher growth due to the benefit of fiscal stimulus from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. It is challenging to find anyone calling for a U.S. economic recession, despite concerning trends in employment and inflation. Certainly, this outlook contrasts with that of late 2022, when almost everyone was forecasting a recession in 2023. That recession never materialized. The lesson? The consensus view isn’t always right.
The Market Observatory: Rate Cut Forecast [Audio]
As we approach the Fed’s next meeting at the end of January, what do we expect the central bank to do about rates? In this month’s Market Observatory episode, Sam and I talk about the likely path ahead, the tug-of-war between headlines and fundamentals, and how a pause on rates may shift investor focus to corporate earnings, which continue to beat expectations.
Market Thoughts for January 2026 [Video]
December was a mixed month for markets. The Nasdaq ended the month down slightly, while the S&P 500 and Dow Jones saw modest gains. Overall, markets had a strong 2025, with all three major U.S. indices up between 15 and 21 percent for the year. The economy also continued to expand throughout 2025, as shown by the 4.3 percent annualized GDP growth rate in Q3. Consumer spending has remained resilient and helped power the economy throughout the year.
LPL Financial 2026 Outlook: The Market Observatory [Video]
As we get ready for 2026, investors are faced with some uncertainty about the path ahead. Consumer confidence has deteriorated, the jobs market seems to be slowing, and inflation has started to tick up. But against this backdrop, the market still seems positioned for another year of solid gains. So, what are the risks—and the opportunities—as we begin a new year?







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Ashley has been working in the customer service field since she started her first job at age 16. For the past ten years she worked in an office setting handling accounts payable and receivable as well as some receptionist work. She is very excited to learn more about the investment field.
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