U.S. High Yield Credit Spreads vs. VIX Investors are pricing high-yield credit as if the good times will roll on. Spreads are tight, fundamentals look firm, but that very optimism risks shading into complacency. Active monitoring helps detect early signs of stress. Image: Topdown Charts
Deviation of Earnings Above-Below Long Term Growth Trend vs. Valuations When earnings drift too far from their long-term growth trend, markets tend to close the gap painfully. The gap widening today points to risks still under the radar. Image: Real Investment Advice
Real Price of Gold Per Ounce Gold’s nominal price has climbed past its 1980 peak, but once you factor in inflation, it’s far less frothy than it looks. The market hasn’t lost its head, at least not yet. Image: Carson Investment Research
Seasonality – S&P 500 Cycle Composite for 2026 The S&P 500 Cycle Composite is flagging 2026 as a bullish but choppy year, and for now, the market is playing along with that seasonal script. Image: Ned Davis Research
S&P 500 and Equity ETF Flows Equity ETFs remain money magnets, pulling in about $5.6 billion a day since the start of the year, up from $3.5 billion in 2025. Flows don’t lie: risk appetite is alive and well. Image: Strategas Asset Management
Systematic Strategies Equity Positioning vs. S&P 500 Realized Volatility When markets are calm, systematic strategies often stay heavily long equities to capture steady gains, a stance that can sting once volatility returns. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation
Earnings Sentiment (Analyst Upgrades Minus Downgrades Across Markets) Analysts are turning more cautious on U.S. earnings as growth concerns deepen, raising the risk of near-term pressure on stock valuations. Image: Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
U.S. M2 Money Supply With M2 up 4.27% year on year, the money supply is lagging behind economic growth, pointing to cooling inflation rather than trouble. Image: Real Investment Advice
Performance Based on Congress Makeup – Average S&P 500 Index Annual Return Since 1950, U.S. stocks have typically shone under a split Congress, posting an average annual gain of 15.1% as investors embrace the political gridlock that keeps sweeping policy changes in check. Image: Carson Investment Research
Markets – Average Daily Change: SPY, TLT, LQD, HYG, IBIT Is “Sell America” becoming the new market mantra? Europe could rattle investors if it strikes back with tariffs and its own trade bazooka. Image: Bloomberg
Bond Fund Flows (Last 4 Weeks) Bond funds keep drawing strong inflows as investors look for yield and stability in a world of moderating inflation and lingering uncertainty. Image: Deutsche Bank Asset Allocation