Charts & Chat - January 4, 2026

This week, CEO Eric Boyce, CFA discusses:

1. breakdown of drivers behind the 3rd quarter economic growth data and what to possibly expect in 2026, including possible impact from lingering tariffs and the OBBBA

2. inflation and wage trends heading into the new year.

3. the impact of income levels on spending, consumer confidence and expectations, as well as impact of tariffs and OBBBA on consumers by income level.

4. home prices up, but rate of growth decelerating; median home price to income ratios increasing. 

5. Manufacturing activity remains sluggish in the Dallas and Richmond Fed districts, but future order growth looks promising.

6. Net federal interest rate expense will become a significant conversation during the 2030's.

7. breakdown of 2025 equity market drivers, including by sector and by factor. What to expect at least for the first part of 2026.

8. discussion of concentration risk, valuation and volatility heading into the new year.

9. more normal treasury yield curve at beginning of year; discussion of potential for rate cuts.

10.breakdown of commodity performance in 2025 and implications for potential commodity supercycle based on potential weaker dollar expectations

11.state of alternative assets in portfolios, weak crypto markets at end of year, implications of declining Chinese fertility.