Wickham Financial & Insurance Services

10/26/2026

If your possessions are lost or damaged in a storm, it may be difficult to remember all of your belongings. Having a current inventory of your possessions, including make and model numbers, may help you recover faster after a loss. – Learn more.

10/26/2026

When markets get volatile, fear can cost investors more than any correction. Psychiatrist Dr. Mena Mirhom explains how anxiety distorts financial decision-making.

10/22/2026

Learn how Roth conversions work, when they may make sense, and how taxes, RMDs, Medicare premiums and withdrawal rules may affect your retirement plan.

10/21/2026

Recap of Last Week

• Inflation came in hotter than expected, raising concerns that interest rates may stay higher for longer.
o September CPI: +0.6% month-over-month, +3.7% year-over-year.
o Core CPI: +0.3% month-over-month, +2.6% year-over-year.
o Producer Price Index (PPI): +6.3% year-over-year, above expectations.
• Technology and AI stocks sold off sharply as investors reassessed valuations and financing risks.
• AI infrastructure debt became a major concern.
o CoreWeave was at the center of investor worries.
o Its stock declined significantly.
o Yields on its 5-year unsecured bonds rose above 15%.
o Credit default swap costs rose above 11%, signaling increased credit risk.
• Investors questioned whether the AI buildout is becoming too dependent on debt financing, especially for companies requiring constant access to capital.
• Treasury bonds rallied later in the week as investors sought safety.
o The 10-year Treasury yield fell toward 5%.
o Lower yields briefly helped stabilize stocks on Thursday.
• Market volatility increased.
o Stocks resumed selling on Friday.
o The VIX ("fear gauge") rose above 22 intraday before ending just below 20, suggesting expectations for additional volatility.
• Energy prices remained strong due to growing geopolitical tensions.
o Shipping disruptions and attacks on energy infrastructure added supply concerns.
o Diesel refining margins stayed near record levels.
• The International Energy Agency warned that global diesel supplies are likely to remain tight into 2027 because of reduced refining capacity in the Middle East and Russia.
• The U.S. dollar strengthened initially after the inflation reports but weakened later as Treasury yields declined.
• Gold and cryptocurrencies fell immediately following the CPI release but recovered as bond prices rose and yields declined.
• Emerging markets struggled, particularly South Korea and Taiwan, due to their heavy exposure to semiconductors and AI-related stocks.

What to Watch This Week

• Housing data will be a major focus.
o Monday: NAHB Housing Market Index.
o Tuesday: Building Permits and Housing Starts.
• Housing affordability remains challenged.
o 30-year mortgage rates have risen to approximately 7.4%.
o High rates and elevated home prices continue to pressure demand.
• Investors will monitor ongoing weakness in semiconductors and AI-related stocks, particularly companies with heavy debt loads.
• Treasury yields are a key market driver.
o If yields remain lower, stocks could find support.
o If yields rise again, equity markets could come under renewed pressure.
• Despite recent volatility, the S&P 500 remains only a few percent below its all-time high, indicating that the broader market trend remains relatively resilient.

10/20/2026

Trees can beautify your property, but during storms, they can become a risk. Inspect for dead or broken limbs, watch for leaning trunks, and keep trees healthy with pruning, watering, and pest control. Taking care of your trees can help protect your home and family during severe weather.

Trees can beautify your property, but during storms, they can become a risk. Inspect for dead or broken limbs, watch for leaning trunks, and keep trees healthy with pruning, watering, and pest control. Taking care of your trees can help protect your home and family during severe weather. #...

10/19/2026

Are tree branches on your property too close to power lines or hanging over your house? Fall is a good time to trim overgrown branches before they damage your home or become a safety hazard. Learn more.

10/19/2026

An HSA can cushion the blow of medical expenses, but it’s also a tax-favored investment vehicle

10/15/2026

A garage door is the largest opening in the home and the most vulnerable in a storm. Wind-rated garage doors can help provide better protection in severe windstorms. Upgrade to a wind-rated garage door today. Learn more at IBHS.org

10/15/2026

The 3.6% cost-of-living adjustment for 2027 will give Social Security beneficiaries the largest benefit increase since 2023.

10/13/2026

Recap of Last Week

• U.S. stocks continued higher, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq reaching new record highs, while small-cap stocks (Russell 2000) continued to lag.
• International markets were mixed:
o European equities declined modestly.
o Asian markets posted gains.
• Treasury yields surged midweek to new highs before easing by Friday, keeping interest rates and borrowing costs in focus.
• Energy markets faced supply disruptions from Hurricane Isaias, which temporarily shut in significant Gulf Coast oil and natural gas production. The expected impact on fuel prices was minimal, but broader geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Russia remained the larger influence on oil prices.
• Investor sentiment became more cautious due to:
o Higher energy costs
o Elevated bond yields
o Geopolitical uncertainty
• This caution was reflected in:
o Broad equity fund outflows
o Weakening participation in the stock rally
o Increased movement into bonds and money-market funds
• Bond funds saw record inflows, indicating a shift toward safety.
• Despite overall equity outflows, investors selectively favored:
o Technology
o Utilities
o Industrials
• OpenAI's reduced revenue projections prompted greater scrutiny around AI-related spending, financing needs, and expected returns.
• Bitcoin and gold declined for most of the week before recovering on Friday.
• Federal Reserve meeting minutes reinforced a "higher-for-longer" interest rate outlook:
o Economic growth remains resilient.
o Inflation remains stubborn.
o Additional tightening remains possible if needed.
o No indication of near-term rate relief.
• Bond market volatility increased sharply:
o The MOVE Index ("VIX for bonds") rose significantly.
o The divergence between bond volatility and low stock-market volatility is the largest since last year's market turmoil.
• Economic data was mixed:
o ISM Services PMI remained in expansion territory, despite slowing.
o Consumer confidence fell 3.7% during the month.
o The Current Economic Conditions Index fell 12.2% month-over-month and 23.7% versus October 2025.

Week Ahead

• Markets will focus heavily on inflation, interest rates, credit conditions, and bank earnings.
• Wednesday's CPI report is expected to be the week's most important economic release.
• Bond markets are closed Monday for Columbus Day, while stock markets remain open.
• Major bank earnings begin Tuesday, including:
o JPMorgan (JPM)
o Goldman Sachs (GS)
o Wells Fargo (WFC)
o Citigroup (C)
• Investors will be watching:
o Credit quality
o Loan growth
o Trading revenue
o Deposit costs
o Consumer spending trends
• Thursday's PPI report will provide additional insight into inflation trends following CPI.
• A more bullish market backdrop could emerge if:
o CPI comes in softer than expected
o Oil prices remain contained
o Treasury yields decline
o Small-cap stocks begin participating in the rally
o High-yield credit spreads remain stable
o Crypto markets strengthen
o The U.S. dollar weakens

Recap of Last Week• U.S. stocks continued higher, with the S&P 50...