Geopolitical tensions escalated over the weekend as the United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran, and markets reacted immediately.

In today’s episode of Markets with Megan, CIO Megan Horneman discusses what this expanding Middle East conflict means for oil prices, inflation, interest rates, and global markets.

🚨 Market Reaction:

- Oil prices surged 6%, reaching their highest level since June 2025
- Natural gas jumped 7%
- 20% of global oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, a key risk point
- U.S. equities opened sharply lower but recovered
- Energy stocks rose 1.5%
- Consumer discretionary stocks fell 1.25%
- 2-year inflation expectations jumped to 2.9% (highest since April 2025)
- Gold moved closer to record highs
- Why This Matters for Investors

Higher oil prices increase the risk of:
✔ Rising inflation
✔ Higher interest rates
✔ Pressure on consumer spending
✔ Volatility in global equity markets

With oil supply routes potentially at risk, markets may remain volatile in the weeks ahead as investors monitor supply chain disruptions and geopolitical developments.

Is this a temporary spike or the start of a broader inflation resurgence?

Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of:
Inflation • Federal Reserve policy • GDP • Labor markets • Geopolitical risks • Market volatility

Listen to past episodes:
https://marketswithmegan.fm

#OilPrices #MiddleEast #Iran #Inflation #StockMarket #EnergyStocks #FederalReserve #InterestRates #Gold #MarketVolatility #Investing #MarketsWithMegan #economicoutlook

https://youtu.be/Oj1Ecmch16M

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 co...

The latest economic data is sending mixed — and potentially troubling — signals.

In today’s episode of Markets with Megan, Megan reveals the newest U.S. GDP report and inflation data, and why markets are watching closely.

🚨 The Headlines:
Q4 GDP came in at just 1.4%, far below expectations of 2.8%
Core inflation rose back to 3% year-over-year
Short-term core trends accelerated to 3.1%
Durable goods inflation jumped
Consumer spending slowed, led by weaker auto sales
So what does it mean when growth weakens but inflation heats back up?

We walk through:
✔ What drove the GDP slowdown
✔ Why inflation is reaccelerating
✔ The risk of sticky price pressures
✔ What this means for Federal Reserve policy
✔ Whether rate cuts could be delayed
✔ And how investors should think about markets right now

While markets turned positive today, the combination of slower economic growth and rising inflation creates uncertainty for interest rates, equities, and bond markets.

Is this just a temporary data blip — or an early warning sign?

🎙️ Subscribe for weekly breakdowns of:
Inflation data • Federal Reserve policy • GDP reports • Labor market updates • Housing trends • Market volatility

🔔 Hit the notification bell so you don’t miss our next economic update.

Listen to past episodes:
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#Inflation #GDP #EconomicUpdate #FederalReserve #InterestRates #StockMarket #CoreInflation #MarketVolatility #Economy #Investing #MarketsWithMegan

https://youtu.be/4NAWBQW7DrY

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 co...

Markets love a good data day—until the Fed has the last word. We open with a clear read on the economy’s engine room: core durable goods rose for the sixth straight month, even as the aircraft-heavy headline slipped. Under the hood, momentum clustered in AI-adjacent categories like computers, electronics, and electrical equipment, with machinery and metals showing double‑digit year‑over‑year gains. That mix points to real business investment in compute, power, and automation—signals that feed directly into fourth quarter GDP and, potentially, future productivity.

Housing adds another puzzle piece. Starts climbed to a five‑month high and permits hit a nine‑month high, hinting at a slow thaw in a starved inventory market. The surge leaned multifamily, where large projects can move faster, and the regional spread told its own story: a sharp jump in the Northeast, strength in the West and Midwest, and a softer patch in the South. More supply down the road could help cool rent inflation, one of the stickiest components in the inflation basket.

Then the tone shifts. The Federal Reserve’s January minutes leaned hawkish, with several participants endorsing a “two‑sided” stance that keeps potential rate hikes on the table if inflation lingers above target. The market’s early rally faded as equity traders recalibrated optimistic rate‑cut timelines against a Fed that’s still focused on persistent price pressures. We connect these dots: how capex strength meets policy caution, why services and shelter inflation matter most now, and where investor expectations may need to cool.

If you’re tracking the path of rates, the durability of the AI and industrial cycle, and the outlook for housing supply, this conversation is your map for the weeks ahead. Follow, share with a friend, and leave a quick review to tell us where you think rates go next.

https://youtu.be/GwQ0Agcnj2Y

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 co...