Markets with Megan: A Quick Financial Markets Update

Running on Empty: Inflation & Consumers | S3 E148 | 05-28-26

Inflation pressures are continuing to build, consumers are feeling squeezed, and the Federal Reserve may be forced to stay higher for longer. In today’s episode of Markets with Megan, Megan lays out a massive day of economic data covering housing, inflation, consumer spending, GDP, and what it all means for markets and interest rates. 🏠 Topics Megan Covers: • New home sales fell sharply across most regions • Median new home prices surged 8% in one month • Core PCE inflation rose 3.3%, the highest since 2023 • Headline inflation climbed to 3.8% year-over-year • Real disposable income fell for a third straight month • The savings rate dropped to its lowest level since 2022 • First quarter GDP was revised lower from 2.0% to 1.6% • Durable goods orders jumped 7.9%, boosted by defense spending • Why the Fed may lean closer to rate hikes than rate cuts While markets continue hitting record highs, the underlying economic data tells a much more complicated story. Consumers are struggling with higher prices, inflation remains sticky, and disruptions tied to the Iran conflict continue filtering through energy costs and supply chains. So, what does this mean for investors? Watch now! Listen to past episodes: https://marketswithmegan.fm #Inflation #FederalReserve #InterestRates #HousingMarket #GDP #StockMarket #Investing #Economy #OilPrices #ConsumerSpending #Fed #MarketsWithMegan https://youtu.be/Jb1pek9wG6E [https://youtu.be/Jb1pek9wG6E] Disclaimer:  material was prepared by Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC (“VCA”). VCA believes the information and data in this document were obtained from sources considered reliable and correct and cannot guarantee either their accuracy or completeness. VCA has not independently verified third-party sourced information and data. Any projections, outlooks  or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur. These projections, market outlooks or estimates are subject to change without notice. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance  that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product or anynon-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in these materials will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. You should not assume that any  discussion or information contained in this report serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from VCA. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the c...

Fed Minutes: Rate Hike Is Back on the Table | S3 E147 | 05-20-26

The Federal Reserve's April meeting minutes, released today, show a committee growing more uncomfortable with inflation. The language shifted from "somewhat elevated" to simply "elevated," and three members pushed to signal that the next rate move could be a hike, not a cut. This matters for anyone watching their portfolio right now. The market has already adjusted, pricing in one rate hike before the end of 2026. That is a sharp reversal from where expectations stood just a few months ago when the Fed was still talking about cuts. In this episode, Megan covers: • Why the Fed's word change on inflation from "somewhat elevated" to "elevated" sends a real signal • The 8-to-4 vote and why four dissenters is the most since October 1992 • What three committee members wanted to say openly about a potential rate hike • Why one member still wanted a rate cut, and what that division tells us • How the labor market assessment shifted to "stabilizing but still fragile" • What to watch for at the June meeting, including the Fed's updated economic projections and Kevin Warsh's first meeting as Fed chairman If you're trying to make sense of where interest rates are headed and what it means for your money, this episode is worth five minutes of your time.  Subscribe so you never miss a weekly update. For a history of all Markets with Megan episodes, visit: https://marketswithmegan.FM #MarketswithMegan #FederalReserve #InterestRates #FedMinutes #InflationUpdate #RateHike #MeganHorneman #VerdenceCapital #InvestingIn2026 #EconomicOutlook https://youtu.be/XxAowEnS6po [https://youtu.be/XxAowEnS6po] Disclaimer:  material was prepared by Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC (“VCA”). VCA believes the information and data in this document were obtained from sources considered reliable and correct and cannot guarantee either their accuracy or completeness. VCA has not independently verified third-party sourced information and data. Any projections, outlooks  or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur. These projections, market outlooks or estimates are subject to change without notice. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance  that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product or anynon-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in these materials will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. You should not assume that any  discussion or information contained in this report serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from VCA. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the c...

Is Retail Data Misleading Investors? | S3 E146 | 05-14-26

April's retail sales report came in roughly as expected, but the headline number doesn't tell the whole story. Megan Horneman breaks down what the data actually shows, why the core control group figure matters more than the top line, and why some of that consumer spending may reflect higher prices rather than higher volume. If you've been watching inflation reports closely, the retail sales data adds an important layer. Spending categories like electronics and restaurants look strong on paper, but both are also seeing price pressures tied to semiconductor supply chains and rising food costs. That context matters for understanding whether consumers are truly spending more, or just paying more. If you're trying to make sense of what consumers are actually doing and what it means for the broader economy, this episode is worth five minutes of your time. Subscribe so you don't miss the next one. For a history of all Markets with Megan episodes, visit: https://marketswithmegan.FM #MarketsWithMegan #RetailSales #ConsumerSpending #Inflation #StockMarket #EconomicData #AIStocks #Cisco #GDP #MeganHorneman https://youtu.be/uZ4q75cZG30 [https://youtu.be/uZ4q75cZG30] Disclaimer:  material was prepared by Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC (“VCA”). VCA believes the information and data in this document were obtained from sources considered reliable and correct and cannot guarantee either their accuracy or completeness. VCA has not independently verified third-party sourced information and data. Any projections, outlooks  or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur. These projections, market outlooks or estimates are subject to change without notice. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance  that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product or anynon-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in these materials will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. You should not assume that any  discussion or information contained in this report serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from VCA. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the c...

The Numbers Look Fine Until You Read Them | S2 E345 | 05-12-26

That CPI headline might look “close enough,” but when we slow down and read the report like investors do, it’s hard to call April a win. We walk through why a 0.6% monthly jump in headline inflation and a 0.4% rise in core inflation point to renewed price pressure, not a smooth glide back to normal. If you care about the stock market, bond yields, mortgage rates, or your grocery bill, this breakdown connects the dots from the Consumer Price Index to real world costs.  We get specific about what’s driving the print: energy commodities surge, services inflation picks up where most spending happens, and housing stays stubborn with owner’s equivalent rent still pushing higher. We also flag the secondary effects showing up in areas like airline fares and the way higher oil prices can spread through the economy. The big idea is simple: inflation that broadens beyond one category is harder for the Federal Reserve to ignore, and harder for markets to dismiss as noise.  Then we zoom out to the risk backdrop, including how Middle East tensions and Strait of Hormuz supply concerns can keep energy prices elevated long enough to influence multiple CPI components. With two months of hotter inflation in a row, the rate narrative shifts toward the Fed staying on hold and the growing possibility that cuts don’t come this year at all if the trend continues.  Subscribe for daily, market focused takes, share this with someone who follows inflation and interest rates, and leave a review if this helped you make sense of the numbers. What’s your call: temporary spike or a higher for longer inflation problem? https://youtu.be/u91rOwSCeBc [https://youtu.be/u91rOwSCeBc] Disclaimer:  material was prepared by Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC (“VCA”). VCA believes the information and data in this document were obtained from sources considered reliable and correct and cannot guarantee either their accuracy or completeness. VCA has not independently verified third-party sourced information and data. Any projections, outlooks  or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur. These projections, market outlooks or estimates are subject to change without notice. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance  that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product or anynon-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in these materials will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. You should not assume that any  discussion or information contained in this report serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from VCA. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the c...

Hiring Gains, Confidence Pains | S3 E144 | 05-08-26

The U.S. job market is showing renewed momentum, with the economy adding 115,000 jobs and posting the strongest two-month stretch of job gains since 2024. But beneath the surface, there are still signs to watch — including weaker labor force participation, rising underemployment, and consumer confidence hitting another record low. In this episode of Markets with Megan, Megan Horneman breaks down what the latest jobs report means for the economy, the consumer, inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s next move. For a full history of the podcast, visit: https://marketswithmegan.fm #MarketsWithMegan #JobsReport #LaborMarket #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Inflation #ConsumerConfidence #Economy #MarketUpdate #Investing #EconomicData https://youtu.be/eq9H1OnluL8 [https://youtu.be/eq9H1OnluL8] Disclaimer:  material was prepared by Verdence Capital Advisors, LLC (“VCA”). VCA believes the information and data in this document were obtained from sources considered reliable and correct and cannot guarantee either their accuracy or completeness. VCA has not independently verified third-party sourced information and data. Any projections, outlooks  or assumptions should not be construed to be indicative of the actual events which will occur. These projections, market outlooks or estimates are subject to change without notice. This material is being provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal, or tax advice. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance  that the future performance of any specific investment, investment strategy, or product or anynon-investment related content, made reference to directly or indirectly in these materials will be profitable, equal any corresponding indicated historical performance level(s), be suitable for your portfolio or individual situation, or prove successful. You should not assume that any  discussion or information contained in this report serves as the receipt of, or as a substitute for, personalized investment advice from VCA. Due to various factors, including changing market conditions and/or applicable laws, the c...