The Market in Pictures, October 16

by | Oct 16, 2026 | Charts

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 four-year bull market built on growing profits, to buybacks returning just as earnings season and midterm seasonality kick in, an inflation debate, and the long-run case for protecting purchasing power. Have a great weekend!

 

Brett: The bull market turned four this week, and it still looks young next to history’s best

 

Source: Briefing as of 10.12.2026

 

John Luke: and this one has been built the sustainable way

 

 

Jake: Under the hood, this year’s winners and losers have performed quite differently

 

 

Dave: with the leadership built on earnings

 

Graphic as of 10.09.2026

 

Brian: and a rotation that has kept the index near its highs as investors seek fresh opportunities

 

Source: Bespoke as of 10.14.2026

 

Dave: Companies have plenty of firepower to support their own stock

 

Graphic as of 10.09.2026

 

Brad: which adds fresh support as we get beyond the next week

 

 

Joseph: The real test for Q3 comes at the end of the month, when the heavy hitters report

 

 

Dave: and with the midterms less than three weeks away, history says seasonality could be supportive

 

 

JD: It’s been a great era to own businesses

 

 

John: and companies have continually found ways to improve profit margins

 

Graphic as of 10.08.2026

 

Beckham: which makes today’s valuations look a lot less stretched than the headlines suggest

 

 

Mark: Over in rates, bond investors are demanding more return, not more inflation protection

 

 

John Luke: which makes sense, since inflation isn’t spreading the way it did in 2022

 

Graphic as of 10.14.2026

 

Ten: though services prices are still keeping the Fed honest

 

Graphic as of 10.15.2026

 

Matt: Owning assets has been the dividing line in this economy

 

Graphic via Raymond James as of 10.13.2026

 

JG: though younger generations are getting on the right side of that line earlier than their parents did

 

Graphic via Cullen Roche as of 10.10.2026

 

John Luke: Constant government stimulus should be a prompt to raise investor hurdle rates

 

John Luke: and those who value their dollars should be looking at the long-term ability of stocks to protect purchasing power

 

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. 

Advisory services are offered through Aptus Capital Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Adviser registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of 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. ACA-2610-16.

Explore the Aptus Blog

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.

The opinions expressed herein are those of Aptus Capital Advisors (“Aptus”) and/or the individual Aptus Employee being interviewed as of the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Aptus reserves the right to modify its current investment strategies and techniques based on changing market dynamics or client needs and there is no guarantee that such assessments of investments will be accurate. There is no guarantee that strategies or recommendations will equal or exceed any expectations or goals discussed. The discussions, outlook, and viewpoints featured are not intended to be investment advice and do not take into account specific client investment objectives.

The opinions expressed herein are those of Aptus Capital Advisors (“Aptus”) and are subject to change without notice.

Aptus social media posts, including third party material, are provided for information purposes only and should not be considered investment advice or recommendation to purchase or sell any particular security, product or service. Aptus posts are based on data obtained from sources believed to be reliable but are not guaranteed as being accurate and do not purport to be a complete summary of the available data. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Aptus does not endorse or take responsibility for any content, advertising, products, advice, opinions, recommendations, or other materials posted by followers or other third parties on Aptus’ social media sites. Any comments or opinions posted by another user should be attributed to that user and not Aptus.

Aptus is an independent investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about Aptus including our investment strategies, fees and objectives can be found in our ADV Part 2, which is available at www.aptuscapitaladvisors.com or by calling 251.517.7198.

Enhancing Outcomes

Your job is to help clients meet their goals. Part of that is capturing the compounding power of markets, part is making sure the path matches client expectations. How portfolios get from point A to point B matters.