Stocks fell for a fourth week as the Middle East conflict and volatile oil prices pushed investors toward safety. Energy and financials held up while utilities, materials and consumer staples lagged, and the market is wrestling with uncertainty about energy supplies and inflation.

The Fed paused on rates while inflation remains stubbornly above targets. Crossmark recommends a cautious asset mix — neutral equities, overweight cash, and underweight bonds — expecting further near-term weakness but a likely rebound once clarity on oil and supply risks emerges.

For a copy of this week's Doll's Deliberations click on the following link March 23 or go to www.crossmarkglobal.com for additional insight and investment solutions.

Bob Doll reviews markets as Middle East conflict drives oil prices and investor concern. While the S&P 500 held roughly flat, the NASDAQ has softened, and energy-led price shocks raise the risk of higher headline inflation amid otherwise solid global growth.

Despite volatile moves across equities, bonds, gold and crypto, Doll concludes the recent energy shock has not yet derailed the expansion or market trends, though prolonged disruption could tip the outlook toward stagflation and weaker corporate profits.

For a copy of this week's Doll's Deliberations click on the following link March 16 or go to www.crossmarkglobal.com for additional insight and investment solutions.

Markets fell after the Iran attack, with the S&P down about 2% as investors rotated to cash amid geopolitical risk, stretched AI-related valuations, private credit concerns, and elevated earnings expectations.

Sectors diverged: energy held up while materials, staples, healthcare and industrials led losses. Short-term volatility and oil sensitivity are elevated, but broad macro momentum, accommodative policy, and supply potential make a severe global slowdown unlikely unless the conflict escalates dramatically.

Conclusion: It is premature to overhaul a 6–12 month investment strategy. Stay cautious on U.S. equity valuations and bonds over the next year, favor geographic diversification including international and emerging markets, monitor oil and inflation, and separate short-term noise from fundamentals.

For a copy of this week's Doll's Deliberations click on the following link March 9 or go to www.crossmarkglobal.com for additional insight and investment solutions.

Stocks were mixed last week as the S&P fell modestly while equal-weighted indexes and many non-U.S. markets outperformed. Big tech weakness—led by a nearly 7% drop in NVIDIA—contrasted with gains in utilities, consumer staples, healthcare, and energy.

The episode argues that calmer or lower U.S. Treasury yields have supported risk assets despite AI-driven dislocations, tariff uncertainty, and geopolitical oil-risk. Key risks include sticky inflation delaying Fed easing, tariff developments, and possible Middle East-driven oil spikes; however, while yields remain flat to lower, the risk‑on backdrop is likely to persist.

For a copy of this week's Doll's Deliberations, click on the following link March 2 or go to www.crossmarkglobal.com for additional insight and investment solutions.

Bob Doll recaps the week: S&P gains led by big tech and cyclical sectors, mixed sector performance, and largely favorable Q4 earnings while investors rotate away from overpriced internet names. He compares current market dynamics to 1999–2000 but notes the broader market’s appetite remains supported by corporate profits and accommodative financial conditions.

The outlook stresses sticky inflation, potential future rate and yield increases, and tight corporate credit spreads—factors that warrant caution but do not yet signal a broad-based bear market. Investors should stay watchful but not prematurely bearish.

For a copy of this week's Doll's Deliberations click on the following link February 23 or go to www.crossmarkglobal.com for additional insight and investment solutions.

This episode reviews a market rotation from mega‑cap tech into cyclicals and international stocks: equal‑weighted S&P outperformed while the cap‑weighted S&P declined, with utilities, real estate and materials leading and financials and communication services lagging.

Volatility stems from fading hopes for easy monetary policy, sticky inflation, and higher long‑term yields, prompting investors to shift into laggards and abroad (notably Japan and emerging markets) even as earnings revisions slow and factor divergences widen.

Takeaway: the rotation away from U.S. growth stocks continues, but risks from bond‑market repricing or policy mistakes could trigger a broader de‑risking.

For a copy of this week's Doll's Deliberation click on the following link February 17 or go to www.crossmarkglobal.com for additional insight and investment solutions.

Bob Doll reviews last week’s mixed market action, noting S&P highs, sector winners and losers, and a big Friday rally. He argues that continued accommodative monetary and fiscal policies are supporting asset prices but warns that fundamentals—not liquidity—should guide investing.

The episode outlines a broadly positive macro outlook, highlights risks from rising yields, inflation surprises, AI rotation, and geopolitical or credit shocks, and lists ten key market takeaways including slowing savings, dividend importance, and a notable Texas special election result.

For a copy of this week's Doll's Deliberations click on the following link February 9 or go to www.crossmarkglobal.com for additional insight and investment solutions.

Bob Doll reviews a mixed week for markets: S&P 500 near record highs, sector rotation out of the U.S., strong corporate earnings, and buoyant liquidity supporting asset prices. Meanwhile, gold’s rally and stress at the long end of yield curves signal growing investor unease.

Tight credit spreads, flat income growth, and falling foreign demand for U.S. Treasuries increase the risk of a bond-market shock that could trigger a risk-off phase. The outlook remains cautiously optimistic but vigilant for catalysts that could prompt de-risking.

For a copy of this week's Doll's Deliberations click on the following link February 2 or go to www.crossmarkglobal.com for additional insight and investment solutions.