Are we currently in a stock market bubble? In the 2026 Outlook from Capital Stewards, Brian Seay explores the "K-shaped" dichotomy of the current economy: a booming AI sector contrasted with a cooling labor market and stagnating "Main Street" growth.

We break down the data on inflation, the impact of 2025 tariffs, and whether the Fed's expected rate cuts will be enough to spur a rebound. Whether you are a Huntsville tech professional or planning for retirement, this episode provides the data-driven roadmap you need for your 2026 investment strategy.

Key Topics Covered:

The 2025 Market Recap: Why Gold (+60%) and International Stocks (+30%) outpaced the U.S Stock market.

AI "Bubble Watch": Analyzing the actual cash flows of Nvidia, Microsoft, and Google.

The Labor Market: Why unemployment is rising despite low layoffs.

Inflation & Tariffs: What to expect for your Social Security COLA and real income.

Asset Allocation: Why diversification into Bonds, Real Estate, and Gold is critical in 2026.

0:00 - Introduction: The Big Questions for 2026

2:05 - 2025 Performance Review: Stocks, Gold, and Bonds

3:00 - The Power of Sticking to the Long-Term Plan

5:03 - The AI Boom vs. Main Street: The K-Shaped Economy

7:05 - Labor Market Deep Dive: Why Unemployment is Rising

13:05 - Inflation, Tariffs, and Your Social Security COLA

18:20 - Bubble Watch: Is it 1999 All Over Again?

23:14 - Global Opportunities: Emerging Markets & AI

25:03 - Gold: The Strategic Hedge for 2026

27:24 - Fixed Income: Earning the Coupon in a New Era

31:42 - Real Estate Outlook: Residential vs. Industrial

35:02 - Summary: How to Build a Resilient 2026 Portfolio

Start A Conversation with Us: https://www.thecapitalstewards.com/startconversation

Any commentary is provided for general information and educational purposes only and should not be construed as specific investment, tax or legal advice. Instead, readers should make an independent assessment of the information and determine if any content mentioned is appropriate for their personal situation. Past performance of market results is no assurance of future performance. This information has been obtained from sources deemed reliable but is not guaranteed.