Jobs and Earnings Impress, Markets Rise | Market Outlook : 05/11/26

Economic Data Too Good | Market Outlook : 06/08/26

Better-than-anticipated economic numbers came out last week, led by non-farm payrolls nearly doubling expectations (+172,000 actual vs. +96,000 expected). This led markets to price in a lower chance of the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates, and instead potentially raising them later this year. Markets tumbled as a result, with the S&P 500 losing 2.55% on the week. International markets fell too, but by a smaller margin. Disclosures: These materials have been designed for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Such offers can only be made where lawful under applicable law. These materials have been prepared and derived on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third party sources believed to be reliable. Zhang Financial LLC has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third party sources. No representation, warranty or undertaking, stated or implied, is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Zhang Financial LLC expressly disclaims any liability for the accuracy and completeness of this information. All opinions and views constitute judgments as of the date of writing without regard to the date on which the reader may receive or access the information, and are subject to change at any time without notice and with no obligation to update. To the extent that these materials contain statements about the future, such statements are forward looking and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. This information is intended solely for the information of those to whom it is distributed by Zhang Financial LLC. No part of these materials may be reproduced or retransmitted in any manner without the prior written permission of Zhang Financial LLC. Zhang Financial LLC does not intend to provide investment advice through these materials and does not represent that any market position, economic forecast, securities or services are suitable for any investor. Investors are advised not to rely on these materials in the process of making a fully informed investment decision and they do not render business, tax or legal advice. Each client or prospective client should consult his/her own attorney, business advisor and tax advisor as to legal, business, tax and related matters concerning the information contained herein. The information, opinions and views contained herein have not been tailored to the investment objectives of any one individual, are current only as of the date noted and may be subject to change at any time without prior notice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing involves risk of loss including the possible loss of principal.

Mixed Economic Data, Markets Rise | Market Outlook : 06/01/26

Economic indicators were mixed last week, with PCE coming in better than expected while initial jobless claims and personal income fared worse than anticipated. Still, the S&P 500 rose 1.44% as growth outperformed value. Additionally, international markets continued to climb, with emerging markets gaining 4% last week alone. Emerging markets are now up 25.6% YTD, despite the drag from underperforming Chinese equities. Disclosures: These materials have been designed for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Such offers can only be made where lawful under applicable law. These materials have been prepared and derived on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third party sources believed to be reliable. Zhang Financial LLC has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third party sources. No representation, warranty or undertaking, stated or implied, is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Zhang Financial LLC expressly disclaims any liability for the accuracy and completeness of this information. All opinions and views constitute judgments as of the date of writing without regard to the date on which the reader may receive or access the information, and are subject to change at any time without notice and with no obligation to update. To the extent that these materials contain statements about the future, such statements are forward looking and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. This information is intended solely for the information of those to whom it is distributed by Zhang Financial LLC. No part of these materials may be reproduced or retransmitted in any manner without the prior written permission of Zhang Financial LLC. Zhang Financial LLC does not intend to provide investment advice through these materials and does not represent that any market position, economic forecast, securities or services are suitable for any investor. Investors are advised not to rely on these materials in the process of making a fully informed investment decision and they do not render business, tax or legal advice. Each client or prospective client should consult his/her own attorney, business advisor and tax advisor as to legal, business, tax and related matters concerning the information contained herein. The information, opinions and views contained herein have not been tailored to the investment objectives of any one individual, are current only as of the date noted and may be subject to change at any time without prior notice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing involves risk of loss including the possible loss of principal.

Markets Rise on Hopes for Iran War End | Market Outlook : 05/26/26

Anticipation for a potential end to the war in Iran caused inflation expectations to drop, and the Atlanta Fed raised it Q2 GDP forecast from +4% to +4.3%. Interest rate hikes, rather than cuts, are expected by the end of the year; however, no change is expected at the next meeting in June. The S&P rose 0.91% last week, driven by small-cap and non-Magnificent 7 companies. International markets performed well, as both developed and emerging indexes climbed over 1% last week alone.  Disclosures: These materials have been designed for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Such offers can only be made where lawful under applicable law. These materials have been prepared and derived on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third party sources believed to be reliable. Zhang Financial LLC has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third party sources. No representation, warranty or undertaking, stated or implied, is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Zhang Financial LLC expressly disclaims any liability for the accuracy and completeness of this information. All opinions and views constitute judgments as of the date of writing without regard to the date on which the reader may receive or access the information, and are subject to change at any time without notice and with no obligation to update. To the extent that these materials contain statements about the future, such statements are forward looking and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. This information is intended solely for the information of those to whom it is distributed by Zhang Financial LLC. No part of these materials may be reproduced or retransmitted in any manner without the prior written permission of Zhang Financial LLC. Zhang Financial LLC does not intend to provide investment advice through these materials and does not represent that any market position, economic forecast, securities or services are suitable for any investor. Investors are advised not to rely on these materials in the process of making a fully informed investment decision and they do not render business, tax or legal advice. Each client or prospective client should consult his/her own attorney, business advisor and tax advisor as to legal, business, tax and related matters concerning the information contained herein. The information, opinions and views contained herein have not been tailored to the investment objectives of any one individual, are current only as of the date noted and may be subject to change at any time without prior notice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing involves risk of loss including the possible loss of principal.

Tone Shifts on Interest Rates as Inflation Heats Up | Market Outlook : 05/18/26

A few weeks ago, markets were anticipating an 80% chance of no interest rate changes for the rest of 2026. That has since dropped to 49%, paired with a 39% probability of one rate hike due to higher-than-expected inflation. US markets remained positive, with the S&P 500 rising 0.2% last week, now +8.7% YTD. This exceeds developed international markets, sitting at +6% YTD, but still trails emerging markets at +19.5%. Disclosures: These materials have been designed for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Such offers can only be made where lawful under applicable law. These materials have been prepared and derived on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third party sources believed to be reliable. Zhang Financial LLC has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third party sources. No representation, warranty or undertaking, stated or implied, is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Zhang Financial LLC expressly disclaims any liability for the accuracy and completeness of this information. All opinions and views constitute judgments as of the date of writing without regard to the date on which the reader may receive or access the information, and are subject to change at any time without notice and with no obligation to update. To the extent that these materials contain statements about the future, such statements are forward looking and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. This information is intended solely for the information of those to whom it is distributed by Zhang Financial LLC. No part of these materials may be reproduced or retransmitted in any manner without the prior written permission of Zhang Financial LLC. Zhang Financial LLC does not intend to provide investment advice through these materials and does not represent that any market position, economic forecast, securities or services are suitable for any investor. Investors are advised not to rely on these materials in the process of making a fully informed investment decision and they do not render business, tax or legal advice. Each client or prospective client should consult his/her own attorney, business advisor and tax advisor as to legal, business, tax and related matters concerning the information contained herein. The information, opinions and views contained herein have not been tailored to the investment objectives of any one individual, are current only as of the date noted and may be subject to change at any time without prior notice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing involves risk of loss including the possible loss of principal. Ask

Jobs and Earnings Impress, Markets Rise | Market Outlook : 05/11/26

Non-farm payrolls landed at 115,000, exceeding the predicted 73,000. 89% of S&P 500 companies have reported Q1 earnings, and 84% of those have beaten expectations. Moreover, the average outperformance is 18.2%; this caused the index to rise 2.4% last week, and it is now +8.5% YTD. However, international markets continue to outperform, with emerging markets up +6.9% last week alone and +22.5% YTD. Disclosures: These materials have been designed for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Such offers can only be made where lawful under applicable law. These materials have been prepared and derived on the basis of publicly available information, internally developed data and other third party sources believed to be reliable. Zhang Financial LLC has not sought to independently verify information obtained from public and third party sources. No representation, warranty or undertaking, stated or implied, is given as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained herein. Zhang Financial LLC expressly disclaims any liability for the accuracy and completeness of this information. All opinions and views constitute judgments as of the date of writing without regard to the date on which the reader may receive or access the information, and are subject to change at any time without notice and with no obligation to update. To the extent that these materials contain statements about the future, such statements are forward looking and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. This information is intended solely for the information of those to whom it is distributed by Zhang Financial LLC. No part of these materials may be reproduced or retransmitted in any manner without the prior written permission of Zhang Financial LLC. Zhang Financial LLC does not intend to provide investment advice through these materials and does not represent that any market position, economic forecast, securities or services are suitable for any investor. Investors are advised not to rely on these materials in the process of making a fully informed investment decision and they do not render business, tax or legal advice. Each client or prospective client should consult his/her own attorney, business advisor and tax advisor as to legal, business, tax and related matters concerning the information contained herein. The information, opinions and views contained herein have not been tailored to the investment objectives of any one individual, are current only as of the date noted and may be subject to change at any time without prior notice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing involves risk of loss including the possible loss of principal.