Markets delivered mixed signals this week, reminding investors that headline performance rarely tells the full story. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average surged 1,223 points, or 2.5%, while the S\&P 500 edged lower by about 7 points, or 0.1%. The Nasdaq declined roughly 431 points, or 1.8%. On a year-to-date basis, the Dow is now up 4.3%, the S\&P 500 is up 1.3%, and the Nasdaq is down 0.9%.

From a technical standpoint, the conversation focuses on key market levels and investor behavior. The Dow closed above 50,000 for the first time in history, marking a notable milestone. Meanwhile, the S\&P 500 briefly dipped below its 50-day moving average before rebounding sharply on Friday, supported by improved consumer sentiment. That late-week rally was significant, representing the S\&P’s strongest single-day gain since April of last year, following the tariff-driven volatility at that time. Despite the rebound, resistance near the 7,000 level remains intact.

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The Money Wise guys also examine why weakness in the Nasdaq drew so much attention. After rising roughly 50% from its intraday lows earlier in the year to its October high, the index has struggled to regain momentum, particularly as software stocks faced renewed pressure. The guys caution against chasing speculative narratives, including claims that assets like Bitcoin serve as reliable hedges. Instead, the discussion reinforces a long-standing Money Wise principle: cash and active portfolio management remain practical tools for managing uncertainty, while speculation often introduces more risk than protection.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys discuss Equity Index Annuities. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

Rather than reacting to short-term market swings, this week on Money Wise took a closer look at the technical patterns shaping recent market activity. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average declined by roughly 206 points, or 0.4%, while the S\&P 500 gained approximately 23 points, or 0.3%. The Nasdaq slipped about 39 points, or 0.2%. Despite modest weekly movement, year-to-date results remain positive, with the Dow up 1.7%, the S\&P 500 up 1.4%, and the Nasdaq up 0.9%.

From a technical perspective, the conversation focuses on what long-time listeners recognize as a market “pause.” Since Thanksgiving, the S\&P 500 has traded within a narrow range of roughly 300 points, about a 4.5% channel from high to low. The 50-day moving average continues to act as a support level, with the index briefly dipping below it intraday before closing back above. At the same time, resistance near the 7,000 level has capped upside progress, creating a consolidation phase that is common in extended market cycles.

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The Money Wise guys also address growing attention around precious metals, particularly gold. Since Thanksgiving, gold as measured by the GLD ETF has risen nearly 20%, a move that has generated increased advertising and speculation. The hosts caution investors against emotionally driven decisions fueled by extreme forecasts, noting that gold does not consistently protect against inflation and has historically lagged equities over long periods. The broader takeaway remained consistent with Money Wise’s long-standing message: understanding market structure, maintaining perspective, and avoiding reactionary decisions matters far more than chasing headlines or short-term performance narratives.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys give listeners a peek into what Wall Street Won’t Tell You. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

The Money Wise guys are back inside the Money Wise studio with an all-new episode. This week, the conversation opens with a look at recent market performance. Major indexes moved modestly lower for the week, while year-to-date results remain positive across the Dow, S\&P 500, and Nasdaq. That context matters, especially in a market environment that continues to trade within a narrow range. Much of 2026 has resembled a “two steps forward, two steps back” pattern, with the S\&P 500 repeatedly finding support and resistance around its 50-day moving average.

The discussion then shifts to how short-term political headlines continue to influence market behavior, particularly when algorithmic trading reacts instantly to news rather than fundamentals. Recent tariff-related rhetoric and geopolitical developments sparked a brief market pullback, followed quickly by a recovery once uncertainty eased. This pattern has become familiar. Markets often react first and think later, especially when algorithms dominate trading volume and amplify knee-jerk responses to headlines.

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A key takeaway from the episode was the role of human judgment in navigating these moments. While automated systems react to inputs, experienced investors recognize recurring patterns and understand when volatility is driven by noise rather than lasting structural change. Retail investors stepped in to buy during the brief dip, reinforcing the idea that markets often recover quickly once clarity returns. The broader message remains consistent: understanding market behavior, recognizing negotiation dynamics, and maintaining perspective matters far more than reacting emotionally to every headline.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys explore RIA vs. Broker. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

As always, the Money Wise guys kick off this week with a quiet but telling market recap. For the week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped about 145 points (-0.3%), the S\&P 500 declined roughly 26 points (-0.4%), and the NASDAQ fell about 156 points (-0.7%). Despite the modest pullback, year-to-date performance remains positive, with the Dow up 2.7%, the S\&P 500 up 1.4%, and the NASDAQ up 1.2%, underscoring how tightly the market has been consolidating early in the year.

The conversation then shifts to what’s really driving investor unease: noise, not fundamentals. The team discusses how markets have largely shrugged off a steady stream of political headlines, global rhetoric, and policy speculation - from tariffs and credit card rate caps to questions around the Federal Reserve’s independence. Even with heightened commentary and media-driven anxiety, market reactions have remained surprisingly muted, reinforcing the idea that emotions and sensational narratives often do more damage to portfolios than the underlying data ever could.

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A major theme throughout the episode is investor behavior. The hosts emphasize that fear-driven decision-making, fueled by constant “wall of worry” coverage, can undermine long-term outcomes far more than normal volatility or consolidation phases. In contrast, disciplined planning, diversification, and staying focused on fundamentals continue to matter most, especially during periods when markets appear stuck in a range, and headlines dominate sentiment.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys share The Best Investment Advice Ever. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

The Money Wise guys are back inside the studio, and the episode this week opens with a strong start to 2026, as markets posted their first full trading week gains and both the Dow and S\&P 500 closed at new all-time highs. The Dow surged more than 1,100 points on the week, while the S\&P 500 and NASDAQ followed with solid advances, reflecting renewed momentum after year-end profit-taking and tax-loss selling faded. The guys explain how early-January rebalancing activity, by both institutional investors and individual portfolios, often creates a powerful tailwind as capital gets redeployed with a fresh calendar year.

The conversation then shifts to what’s driving that momentum beneath the surface. Annual portfolio rebalancing takes center stage, with a discussion on why long-term data consistently shows annual rebalancing outperforms more frequent adjustments over full market cycles. The team also shares insight into how Davidson Capital Management implemented its own significant rebalance, expanding diversification and restructuring portfolios to reflect current market conditions, underscoring why discipline and structure matter during strong market starts.

Later in the show, the focus broadens to alternative investments, particularly energy-related strategies. The guys caution listeners that “alternatives” can mean very different things depending on structure and risk, emphasizing the importance of education before allocating capital. They also touch on recent geopolitical developments and why, despite dramatic headlines, markets often react far less than expected, reinforcing the episode’s recurring theme: markets tend to reward fundamentals, diversification, and long-term thinking over emotional reactions.

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Rebalancing matters because it helps keep a portfolio aligned with its intended risk level and long-term strategy as markets move. Over time, strong-performing assets can grow to represent a larger share of a portfolio than originally planned, increasing exposure and risk without investors realizing it. Rebalancing trims areas that have run ahead and reallocates toward underweighted positions, bringing discipline to the investment process. Rather than reacting emotionally to headlines or short-term market swings, it encourages a systematic approach that can support more consistent outcomes over full market cycles.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys discuss Equity Index Annuities. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

This week’s Money Wise episode steps back from the day-to-day market headlines to review how December, the fourth quarter, and all of 2025 wrapped up. While December itself was relatively muted and didn’t deliver a traditional Santa Claus rally, the broader takeaway was far more positive. All three major indexes finished the year with solid gains, reinforcing that short-term pauses don’t negate longer-term momentum.

The discussion then shifts to what investors should focus on heading into the new year: maintaining perspective after a strong multi-year run. Rather than chasing headlines or short-term market moves, the hosts emphasize disciplined portfolio construction, diversification, and understanding the forces that continue to support equity markets. The message is clear: healthy markets don’t move in straight lines, and temporary slowdowns are often part of a much larger trend.

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A key portion of the episode is devoted to historical context. The Money Wise guys highlight how three consecutive years of double-digit returns for major indexes are relatively rare and examine how similar streaks played out in prior decades. Importantly, they explain why today’s market environment is structurally different, pointing to factors like the rise of 401(k) investing, increased participation in equities, and long-term U.S. innovation leadership. The takeaway isn’t that history will repeat itself, but that understanding how markets have evolved can help investors make more informed decisions going forward.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys give listeners a peek into what Wall Street Won’t Tell You. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.**

This week’s Money Wise episode takes a step back to assess where markets stand as the year winds down and the Santa Claus rally remains firmly in focus. With a holiday-shortened trading week and lighter volume, the S\&P 500 edged closer to a new all-time closing high, supported by strong performance over the final five trading days of December. The guys discuss why late-year seasonality still matters and how recent gains align with historical Santa Claus rally patterns.

Beyond market action, the conversation shifts to the broader economic backdrop. Despite incomplete and delayed data from the recent government shutdown, key indicators point to continued momentum: third-quarter GDP growth came in at a strong 4.3%, savings rates are rising toward 5%, and consumer spending remains a major driver of economic expansion. The Money Wise guys push back on narratives suggesting growth is narrowly driven by AI infrastructure, emphasizing that consumer activity continues to power a significant share of GDP. With year-end optimism intact and early 2026 catalysts on the horizon, the episode reinforces why long-term perspective matters, especially when headlines focus more on costs than growth.

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A Santa Claus rally refers to the market’s historical tendency to rise during the final trading days of December and the first few days of January. This period is often supported by seasonal optimism, lighter trading volumes, and investors repositioning portfolios for the year ahead. When it occurs, it can help improve overall market sentiment and reinforce confidence after a full year of trading. A strong year-end rally may also provide momentum as markets enter the new year. While not guaranteed, it’s a pattern investors often watch closely as a gauge of near-term market tone.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys explore RIA vs. Broker. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

This week’s Money Wise episode takes listeners through a choppy but telling stretch in the markets, underscoring why perspective matters, especially in a bull market. The week delivered mixed results across the major indexes, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average down roughly 0.7%, the S\&P 500 essentially flat, and the NASDAQ managing a modest gain of about 0.5%. Despite the uneven week, the bigger picture remains constructive, with year-to-date performance still firmly positive across all three indexes.

The episode also dives into the importance of thoughtful portfolio construction. While AI-related companies have been strong performers, the discussion highlights why disciplined profit-taking and diversification across sectors can help manage volatility and create more balanced portfolios. Rather than chasing headlines or hot sectors, the message is clear: bull markets climb walls of worry, and investors who stay patient, diversified, and grounded in fundamentals are often better positioned over time.

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A major focus of the conversation centers on renewed volatility in AI-related stocks and the growing “wall of worry” surrounding the AI infrastructure buildout. The Money Wise guys push back on constant comparisons to the dot-com era, emphasizing that large-scale technological transformations take years, not months, to fully develop. AI, they argue, remains in the early-to-middle innings, and periodic pullbacks, headlines, and rotations are a normal part of long-term growth themes.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys share The Best Investment Advice Ever. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.