Is the market still being driven by a handful of tech stocks—or is something bigger happening beneath the surface? In our January 2026 Market Update, Doug Johnson, CFA and Dan Rinck break down why broad market strength, improving earnings, and shifting leadership could set the stage for another constructive year ahead.
Markets in October were driven largely by shifting expectations around interest rates, inflation trends, and corporate earnings, leading to periods of volatility but signs of cautious optimism. Advisors emphasized staying disciplined, focusing on long-term strategy, and recognizing that short-term market movement often reflects changing economic narratives rather than fundamental shifts in long-term investment outcomes.
Proper tax planning when making your charitable gifts this season can decrease your tax burden & increase the amount of good you can do for your fellow humans.
Taxpayers can use year-end opportunities—like Roth conversions, charitable giving, and bracket management—to smooth taxes over time, protect against stealth taxes such as IRMAA and Social Security taxation, and ultimately reduce Uncle Sam’s share through deliberate, long-term strategy.
Doug Johnson and Dan Rinck highlight a resilient but unusual market, where strong earnings, solid GDP growth, and easing inflation coexist with speculative investor behavior and skepticism.
Markets rebounded strongly in 2025 after a rocky start, with equities, bonds, and gold all delivering solid gains, driven by resilient earnings, easing inflation, and investor risk appetite. While risks such as tariff uncertainty, labor market softening, and market concentration remain, HCM’s base-case outlook calls for a “soft landing” with steady growth, gradual Fed rate cuts, and continued, though potentially choppier, positive returns into year-end.