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 manager struggles to large cap earnings, AI impacts to economic growth, and money flows to cash and bonds. Hope you have a great weekend!
Dave: It’s been a tough year for stock-pickers relative to the market cap-weighted S&P 500
John Luke: giving investors another reason to move to index funds
Data as of 12.12.2025
Brad: with an inkling of change over the past 6 weeks but not enough to dent tech leadership

Source: Citadel as of 12.17.2025
Joseph: If earnings expectations hold, it will be tough to bring the tech juggernaut down

Source: Strategas as of 12.14.2025
John Luke: or the S&P 500 as a whole, for that matter

Data as of 12.15.2025
Jake: The toughest battle facing the Artificial Intelligence (AI) story has been Oracle’s move to using debt to finance projects, vs. cash flow like the other hyperscalers

Data as of 12.12.2025
Joseph: but the overall jump in electricity use will likely continue to track into strong economic growth

Data as of September 2025
John Luke: The U.S. manufacturing renaissance continues

Graphic via Brookfield December 2025
Dave: and while administrations can’t dictate market outcomes, they’re really good at juicing the economy

Source: Strategas as of 12.17.2025
John Luke: This rate-cutting cycle has had a much different impact on longer-term bonds than in recent cycles

Data as of 12.15.2025
Beckham: partly due to the endless need to finance government spending

Source: BlackRock as of 12.15.2025
Ten: Thankfully, US consumers as a whole are as prosperous as corporations and seemingly need little debt

Source: Citadel as of 12.12.2025
Brad: but oddly, are letting much of household wealth build in the form of cash
Cash as a % of Household Wealth

Source: Citadel as of 12.12.2025
Brett: Options have become an increasingly valuable tool for building portfolios

Graphic via Meketa March 2024
Brad: with a demonstrated ability to improve outcomes

Data as of 12.12.2025
Brian: US stocks have grown to dominate global indexes, with good reason

Data as of 12.12.2025
Disclosures
Past performance is not indicative of future results. This material is not financial advice or an offer to sell any product. The information contained herein should not be considered a recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security. Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed.
Projections or other forward-looking statements regarding future financial performance of markets are only predictions and actual events or results may differ materially.
This commentary offers generalized research, not personalized investment advice. It is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a complete description of our investment services or performance. Nothing in this commentary should be interpreted to state or imply that past results are an indication of future investment returns. All investments involve risk and unless otherwise stated, are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with an investment & tax professional before implementing any investment strategy. Investing involves risk. Principal loss is possible.
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