Our team looks at a lot of research throughout the day. Here are a handful of charts we think are good summations of investor activity, from a historic equity surge against negative sentiment, the changing US energy impact, and growth trends in corporate earnings and government spending. Have a great weekend!
Joseph: It’s been an amazing couple of weeks for US stocks
Source: Strategas as of 04.16.2026
Brett: and what’s really unique is this kind of surge happening so close to the highs
Data as of 04.14.2026
Beckham: with no sign of a slowdown, the February/March pullback can be entirely attributed to valuation, especially in tech
Source: Apollo as of 04.12.2026
Jake: The drop in consumer sentiment has been historic
Data as of 04.13.2026
Brian: and the polarized political climate is certainly driving some of those feelings
Data as of 04.13.2026
Ten: The spike in energy prices is certainly a contributor to poor sentiment, especially for those without higher incomes
Dave: thankfully, the US as a whole has become far less reliant on foreign oil relative to other regions
Data as of March 2026
John: as the US flipped the switch in the past decade, it can now actually profit from these spikes
Data as of March 2026
Brad: It’s not just earnings that are rising for S&P 500 companies, but the entire income statement, including sales and profit margins
Source: Yardeni as of 04.14.2026
Dave: and the outcome in recent years suggests those numbers could prove conservative
Source: Citadel as of 04.15.2026
JD: Bonds have not shown themselves to be a reliable portfolio hedge
John Luke: but at least investors have moved away from thinking the Fed would hike rates into a spike in energy prices
Data as of 04.15.2026
Dave: Regarding the Fed, they’ve subtly taken back a chunk of the extreme COVID-induced balance sheet expansion
Source: Strategas as of 04.13.2026
John Luke: but deficit spending has become a policy choice around the world
Dave: the spending growth is unlikely to stop, but maybe we’re finding new ways to keep government revenues growing without tax hikes?
Source: Strategas as of 04.17.2026
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