Markets in a Minute
Private Credit: Between Pressure and Performance
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
The private credit space has grown enormously over the last decade, luring investors with juicy yields and borrowers with bespoke terms. More recently, however, several credit issues have caused concern and sent some investors rushing for the exits. Are these alarming headlines signs of more to come? Or are investors overreacting? In this week’s Markets in a Minute, we help separate fact from fiction in the private credit markets.
Finding Higher Ground: Cautiously Optimistic For 2026
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
After finishing strong in 2025, the broad U.S. equities market got off to a rocky start this year. Stocks initially traded higher during the first quarter, but the onset of the Iran conflict in late February and resulting global spike in oil prices clouded the economic picture and triggered a broad selloff.
When the dust settled, the S&P 500 posted its first quarterly loss in a year (-4.3%). Does a difficult first quarter portend a down year? Not necessarily. In this week’s Markets in a Minute, we unpack first quarter performance and touch on some reasons to be cautiously optimistic about the balance of the year.
Higher Oil, Higher Stakes: A New Test for Consumers and the Fed
Tuesday, March 10, 2026
Rising oil prices amid an escalating Middle East conflict are creating new challenges for consumers, markets, and policymakers alike, with inflation risks and economic growth both hanging in the balance. This week’s Markets in a Minute explores why the duration of higher energy prices matters more than the initial spike and how prolonged pressure could complicate the Federal Reserve’s path forward. The bottom line: uncertainty is elevated, but history suggests disciplined, long-term investors are often rewarded for staying focused on fundamentals.
Can U.S. Stocks Continue Earnings Momentum?
Tuesday, March 3, 2026
The S&P 500 is on the verge of posting its fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit earnings growth, but that only tells part of the story. Leadership in the market is shifting, and performance is starting to broaden beyond the largest names. In this week’s Markets in a Minute, we explore the developments of earnings season and where opportunity may be expanding next.
Small and Mid-Caps Are Re-Entering the Conversation
Tuesday, February 17, 2026
For years, investors have been rewarded by sticking with the biggest stocks in the market. That narrative may finally be starting to change. Small- and mid-cap stocks are showing early signs of leadership, supported by improving macro conditions, attractive relative valuations, and earnings momentum. In this week’s Markets in a Minute, we break down the drivers for renewed interest in small- and mid-cap (SMID) stocks and whether this move has staying power.
Beyond Big Tech: The Global Surge in AI Adoption and Implications for Investors
Tuesday, February 10, 2026
U.S. companies have been leaders in developing AI technology but global economies are embracing and deploying the technology faster. Companies integrating AI are seeing gains in innovation, efficiency, and employee satisfaction. In this week’s Markets-in-a-Minute, Kara explores how the global AI surge is reshaping industries, influencing markets, and redefining where investors may find long-term growth.
Thriving in Uncertainty: Market Review and Outlook
Tuesday, January 13, 2026
In 2025, the S&P 500 posted its third consecutive year of double-digit gains and strong earnings growth signals the market is backed by strong fundamentals. As we look ahead to 2026, a variety of policies could help extend the bull market to a fourth year. In this week’s Markets in a Minute, we review the highlights of 2025 and the importance of diversification in a broadening rally.
Worried About an AI Bubble? The Case for Emerging Markets
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Investors that have achieved strong returns in AI-driven technology stocks may want to consider an allocation to emerging markets. The cohort is putting the finishing touches on an excellent 2025 and provides meaningful diversification potential for portfolios. We look at the opportunities and risks that investors must consider before considering this underrated corner of the market.
A Rising Tide: Third Quarter Market Review and Outlook
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
For much of this year, uncertainty around trade, fiscal and monetary policy ran high. In the third quarter, however, investors got answers to some key policy questions with the passage of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the Federal Reserve’s resumption of the rate-cutting cycle it paused nearly a year ago. Earnings growth, greater policy clarity and other tailwinds drove U.S. stocks to new highs. The third quarter marked the first quarter this year the U.S. stock market outperformed international equity markets, which have been buoyed by a sharp decline in the value of the dollar.
From Wall Street to Main Street: Why M&A Matters for Everyone
Tuesday, September 16, 2025
Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are a key signal for markets — when deal-making is strong, it often reflects confidence and growth, while a slowdown can hint at caution. In 2025, activity is rebounding as companies pursue mega-deals and invest heavily in AI-related infrastructure, even as the pace remains below the record highs of 2021. Beyond Wall Street, most transactions happen in the small business space, where owner retirements and creative financing are driving steady deal flow. In this week’s Markets in a Minute, we explore recent trends and what the road ahead for M&A might look like.