WealthStep » Quarterly Thoughts

Quarterly Commentary Q1 2026

1 month ago

1 month ago 0 172

The first quarter of 2026 brought heightened market volatility, driven largely by geopolitical tensions and rising energy prices. Inflation increased to 3.3% annualized in March, and while this has weighed on consumer sentiment, the broader economic outlook remains stable with a recession still considered unlikely. Expectations for interest rate cuts have shifted, with markets now anticipating fewer and potentially later moves from the Federal Reserve as inflation trends evolve. Despite…

Quarterly Commentary Q4 2025

By WealthStep in Quarterly Thoughts

4 months ago

4 months ago 0 593

Concerns about whether today’s enthusiasm for artificial intelligence represents a market bubble have become increasingly common, especially after several years of strong equity returns led by AI-related companies. While in many ways different, comparisons to the dot-com era are understandable, when excitement around transformative technology pushed valuations well beyond fundamentals and ultimately resulted in sharp market declines. History also shows, however, that while such periods can be painful for investors,…

2025 market volatility review

By WealthStep in General Education, Investor Behavior, Quarterly Thoughts, Video

1 year ago

1 year ago 0 4489

View the 2025 market volatility review, to help you stay the course, by understanding more about market cycles, what’s driving current market fluctuations, how common volatility is, what the pitfalls are of changing strategies due to investor emotion, and how to think differently about long-term investing vs. short-term spending needs.

Q1 2025 Quarterly Context Video

By WealthStep in General Education, News, Quarterly Thoughts, Video

1 year ago

1 year ago 0 726

Politics and tariff mania are making markets and consumers nervous, some markets are up and some are down but diversification is helping cushion returns, volatility is overdue and more normal than people think. That plus a general key retirement planning review and more in this quarter’s Quarterly Context webinar … Watch to stay relaxed by staying informed, and remain current about things that actually matter to staying focused on your…

Q4 2024 Quarterly Context Video

By WealthStep in General Education, News, Quarterly Thoughts, Video

1 year ago

1 year ago 0 654

US hiring numbers were higher than expected, Inflation continues its bumpy ride, US economic growth extended its solid streak, the fed cut rates twice, the Trump won the presidential election, the stock market took a dip, but despite that, the market had the best 2 years in a quarter century. That plus a general key retirement planning review and more in this quarter’s Quarterly Context webinar …Watch to stay relaxed…

Q3 2024 Quarterly Context Video

By WealthStep in General Education, News, Quarterly Thoughts, Video

1 year ago

1 year ago 0 550

Economic growth in the US quickened, but then slowing growth fears rattled markets, pre-election uncertainty is starting to make markets wonder what the future holds, the Fed cut rates by half a percent as lower inflationary pressure gave the Federal Reserve more confidence, and how to be smart with cash. That plus a general key retirement planning review and more in this quarter’s Quarterly Context webinar …Watch to stay relaxed…

Q2 2024 Quarterly Context Video

By WealthStep in General Education, News, Quarterly Thoughts, Video

1 year ago

1 year ago 0 1152

Stock markets continue up, bonds are flat, rates remain unchanged, inflation is cooling, and the recession-avoiding soft-landing appears to be happening… so far. That plus a review of key retirement planning basics and more in this quarter’s Quarterly Context webinar …Watch to stay relaxed by staying informed, and remain current about things that actually matter to staying focused on your long-term goals and strategy.

Q1 2024 Quarterly Context Video

By WealthStep in General Education, News, Quarterly Thoughts, Video

2 years ago

2 years ago 0 1234

Is there still a chance of a recession? Inflation has small a surprise uptick, Fed interest rates remained unchanged, causing bond to wobble since investors were hoping rates would fall. Stock markets, especially many of the biggest stocks performed well yet again. However, some mega-cap stocks cooled, it wouldn’t be surprising if more volatility were on the horizon. That and more, plus a general key retirement planning review and more…

Blog