The Recent Market Has Been Driven by Fundamentals, Not Headlines

Get your free copy of our Q1 2026 Market Commentary for our analysis of Q4 performance and what's ahead for investors in the months ahead. Tune out the noise, tune in the fundamentals. As 2025 ended and the new year began, investors contended with persistent policy uncertainty, slowing job growth, and more worries over valuations. Now, many watchers are asking whether the markets will roll over in the months ahead. Our Q1 2026 Market Commentary1 provides a closer look at the real drivers of the market and economy in late 2025 into 2026. Amid volatility spikes, tariff concerns, AI speculation, and labor market worries, the data showed resilient earnings, easing financial conditions, and an economy that continued to expand. We also look at the resurgence of “bubble” narratives surrounding AI and mega-cap stocks, and offer a balanced, investor-focused overview for thinking about opportunity and risk heading into 2026. Topics in this report include: Why earnings—not speculation—drove market gains in 2025 How easing financial conditions are shaping the 2026 outlook What slowing job signals about recession risk A clearer perspective on AI, valuations, and concentration concerns Why patience and discipline mattered during 2025’s volatile periods If you have $500,000 or more to invest, request this guide today. Talk to a Zacks Wealth Advisor today. 1 Zacks Investment Management reserves the right to amend the terms or rescind the free Q1 2026 Market Commentary offer at any time and for any reason at its discretion. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Inherent in any investment is the potential for loss. Zacks Investment Management, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Zacks Investment Research. Zacks Investment Management is an independent Registered Investment Advisory firm and acts as an investment manager for individuals and institutions. Zacks Investment Research is a provider of earnings data and other financial data to institutions and to individuals. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and nothing herein constitutes investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice, or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold a security. Do not act or rely upon the information and opinions given in this document without seeking the services of competent and professional investment, legal, tax, or accounting counsel. Publication and distribution of this document is not intended to create, and the information and opinions contained herein does not constitute, an attorney-client relationship. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment or strategy is suitable for a particular investor. It should not be assumed that any investments in securities, companies, sectors, or markets identified and described were or will be profitable. All information is current as of the date of herein and is subject to change without notice. Any views or opinions expressed may not reflect those of the firm as a whole. Any projections, targets, or estimates in this document are forward looking statements and are based on the firm's research, analysis, and assumptions. Due to rapidly changing market conditions and the complexity of investment decisions, supplemental information and other sources may be required to make informed investment decisions based on your individual investment objectives and suitability specifications. All expressions of opinions are subject to change without notice. Recipients should seek financial advice regarding the appropriateness of investing in any security or investment strategy discussed in this document. Certain economic and market information contained herein has been obtained from published sources prepared by other parties. Zacks Investment Management does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such information. Further, no third party has assumed responsibility for independently verifying the information contained herein and accordingly no such persons make any representations with respect to the accuracy, completeness or reasonableness of the information provided herein. Unless otherwise indicated, market analysis and conclusions are based upon opinions or assumptions that Zacks Investment Management considers to be reasonable. Any investment inherently involves a high degree of risk, beyond any specific risks discussed herein. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Investors pursuing a strategy similar to an index may experience higher or lower returns, which will be reduced by fees and expenses. Privacy Policy  |  Unsubscribe © Zacks Investment Management 101 N. Wacker Drive, Suite 1500 | Chicago IL 60606