The Weekly Update 4/3/2026™

This is How Opportunity Feels!

In the “Special” Weekly Update I sent you on 3/13/2026, (Read it Here), I included the Fear Versus Greed Index hitting 26.  Pure Fear is 0 to pure Greed at 100.  Below 25 is “Extreme Fear”.

Since 3-13-2026, a whole two weeks ago the Fear Versus Greed Index has dropped to 9!  It only goes to zero!  That is Extreme Fear.  Check it out:

But fear and greed only steer the market valuations of Corporate America, as measured by the S&P 500 for short periods, like a few weeks, months or maybe a few quarters.  What drives valuations up or down over longer periods of time, think 5 Year Money, (Read it Here) is the earning power of Corporate America.

In the first chart below notice 1Q2026 earnings growth estimates, per Zacks Investment Research, Inc., have gone up to +11.40% in the last few months.

And in this next chart from Yardeni Research notice both the trajectory of the forward earnings per share for the S&P 500 for full year 2026 are at an all-time high estimate of $322.00 per share.

This mix of Pure Fear and a super positive earnings backdrop that Corporate America has created is pretty much what opportunity feels and looks like!  In just a touch over 3.5 years we will ring in 2030! 

My guess is that we will be wishing we would have not only remained invested as we are, but that we would have added as much as we could to our investment accounts on this current dip in valuations.

The future is bright! 

I did not say market valuations go straight up, and I did not say without volatility, yet the data flow suggests the good old USA has a very bright outlook. 

As always, I am interested in your thoughts, comments, and questions.

Respectfully,

James O. Lunney, CFP®

CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ Professional  

*The economic forecasts set forth in this material may not develop as predicted and there can be no guarantee that strategies promoted will be successful. The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.  To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing.  Investing involves risk. Loss, including loss of principal, may occur. No strategy assures success or protects against loss. All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results.  All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested into directly.

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