Investments
Stable Jobs + Hot Inflation + No Hikes = Bullish Equities
Take the labor market off your checklist for potential downside risks. We’ve been in the camp for a few months now that the labor market is healthier than noisy headline payrolls suggest. The April payroll data bears that out, pointing to a labor market that is no longer the downside risk it was. For the …
Sonu Varghese
May 8, 2026
Factors in Focus
I believe one of the most powerful and overlooked tools in portfolio construction is the use of factor investing. Factors are characteristics of stocks that help to describe their risk and return, offering another way to classify stocks, similar to sectors and industries. Factors can also replicate some of the things an active manager can …
Grant Engelbart
May 7, 2026
The Labor Market Is Holding Up, But Inflation Is the Real Story
We’ve gotten a flurry of economic data over the past week, covering the labor market (JOLTS, the Employment Cost Index, ISM employment sub-indexes), personal income, and the broader pulse of the economy via the ISM Manufacturing and Services surveys. Layered on top of that, the big tech hyperscalers all reported earnings. While a lot, the …
Sonu Varghese
May 6, 2026
Sell in May? With Jeff Hirsch (FvF Ep. 186)
In Episode 186 of Facts vs Feelings, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist at Carson Group, are joined by a genuine industry legend, Jeff Hirsch, Editor-in-Chief of the Stock Trader’s Almanac, now celebrating its 60th year. And yes, Jeff is also turning 60 this month. The conversation …
Ryan Detrick
May 6, 2026
Why This Bull Market Could Have Years Left
“So, you’re telling me there’s a chance?” Lloyd Christmas in the classic comedy Dumb & Dumber Now that I have your attention with that title, let’s start with why the rest of 2026 could be strong, then we’ll get into why there could be a lot longer left to this bull market than many may …
Ryan Detrick
May 5, 2026
Charts of the Week: May 27 – April 1
Thanks for reading this week’s Charts of the Week This week’s charts focus on the AI buildout, Q1 GDP numbers, the Fed Funds rate, and how oil prices are affecting households. We’ll keep publishing Charts of the Week every Monday. To view this week’s Charts of the Week, click here: Charts of the Week: Apr. 27-May …
Carson Research
May 4, 2026
The Fantastic Five Deliver on Earnings
Apple, Amazon, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Meta delivered earnings reports that largely lived up to investors’ expectations last week. Their financial results paint a clear picture: AI is driving earnings growth even amidst record spending levels. While some investors may fear we’re in a ‘build and hope’ cycle, the results and commentary of this earnings season …
Blake Anderson
May 4, 2026
The AI Wave Continues, and It’s a Big One – 10 Charts Showing the Impact
We discussed the artificial intelligence (AI) wave in our 2026 Outlook and said we believed the best approach for investors was to ride it, using an equity overweight and broad diversified exposure. Five months later, that picture hasn’t changed—if anything, it’s only strengthened. AI continues to have a big impact on the economy. When I …
Sonu Varghese
May 1, 2026
Let’s Talk About ‘Sell in May’
“The first principle is that you must not fool yourself—and you are the easiest person to fool.” Richard Feynman, American theoretical physicist Buckle up, as the trigger points for one of the most well-known investment axioms, “Sell in May and go away,” is nearly here. This gets a ton of play in the media, as the …
Ryan Detrick
April 30, 2026
Small Cap Surprise
Small Cap stocks have staged a strong rebound starting late in 2025 in both absolute and relative (to large caps) terms. Many investors are likely not aware that small cap stocks have not only outperformed large cap stocks over the past year, but done so by more than 10%! There are a few reasons this …
Grant Engelbart
April 29, 2026
Still Searching for Buffett (FvF Ep. 185)
In Episode 185 of Facts vs Feelings, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist at Carson Group, are recording live from Omaha at PodPony’s studio during Carson’s Q2 board meeting. They make a pilgrimage to the McDonald’s on 40th and Dodge that Warren Buffett reportedly frequents. No Buffett …
Ryan Detrick
April 29, 2026
Portfolio Defense During Inflationary Growth
Today, we take a look at what’s worked defensively during the current rising rate period. I’m emphasizing “current” because every rising rate period has its own characteristics. To do this, we’ve looked at all S&P 500 drawdowns of more than 5% since September 2020. In some of these periods, bonds did “work” as a diversifier—in …
Barry Gilbert
April 28, 2026