The Market in Pictures, August 15

by | Aug 15, 2025 | Blog, Charts

Our team looks at a lot of research throughout the day. Here are a handful that we think are good summations of investor activity, from inflation to dispersion, from wall of worry to tariff impact, and the ongoing US vs. Foreign discussion. Have a great weekend!

 

Dave: Consumer price changes have seemingly stabilized in the 3% annualized range, manageable but above the Fed’s stated targets.

 

Data as of 08.12.2025

 

 

John Luke: with an even split between components that are accelerating in price and those that aren’t

 

 

 

Jake: The performance dispersion across types of stocks has become quite striking

 

Data as of 08.11.2025

 

 

Joseph: as a minority of companies have been able to outperform the indices in this earnings season

 

Data as of 08.11.2025

 

 

Brett: and those with iffy outlooks have been especially punished

 

Source: Bespoke as of 08.10.2025

 

 

Joseph: Fund managers remain highly concerned about US equity valuations

 

Data as of 08.08.2025

 

 

Beckham: and individuals reporting to surveys from the American Association of Individual Investor (AAII) aren’t exactly embracing the equity rally

 

Source: AAII as of 08.13.2025

 

 

Dave: To this point, US businesses have borne the brunt of the tariffs

 

As of 08.13.2025

 

 

Dave: with those numbers seemingly confirmed by actual corporate tax receipts

 

Source: Strategas as of 08.12.2025

 

 

Arch: The global equity rally continues to broaden throughout the world

 

Data as of 08.08.2025

 

 

Dave: leading to actual progress in global stock indices

 

 

 

Brad: That said, the US economy has reasserted its reliable tendency to deliver better-than-expected performance

 

 

 

Brian: Top earners continue to lead the US economy higher

 

Data as of 08.08.2025

 

 

Ten: extending the spending leadership established in prior decades

 

As of 08.06.2025

 

 

John Luke: The aggregate sum of US mortgage debt is as low as it’s been in generations

 

Source: Bespoke as of 08.10.2025

 

 

Arch: but we could use some new homeowners to enter the mortgage market

 

Data as of 08.08.2025

 

 

JD: There are additional reasons related to money supply growth, but comparing today’s valuations to those of prior decades makes little sense

 

Data as of July 2025

 

 

 

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Advisory services offered through Aptus Capital Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level or skill or training. More information about the advisor, its investment strategies and objectives, is included in the firm’s Form ADV Part 2, which can be obtained, at no charge, by calling (251) 517-7198.

Aptus Capital Advisors, LLC is headquartered in Fairhope, Alabama.

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