Money Wise

Algorithmic Trading vs Human Judgement, Political Headlines, & RIA vs. Broker

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. \ ALGORITHMIC TRADING VS HUMAN JUDGEMENT\ 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 [http://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.

Short-Term Volatility, Long-Term Investor Behavior, & The Best Investment Advice Ever

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. \ LONG-TERM INVESTOR BEHAVIOR\ 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 [http://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.

A Strong January Start, Why Rebalancing Matters, & Equity Index Annuities

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. \ WHY REBALANCING MATTERS\ 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 [http://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.

Another Solid Year for Stocks, How History Frames Expectations, & What Wall Street Won’t Tell You

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. \ HOW HISTORY FRAMES EXPECTATIONS\ 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 [http://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 Santa Claus Rally, Looking Ahead to 2026, & RIA vs Broker

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. \ THE SANTA CLAUS RALLY\ 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 [http://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.