Equity markets experienced early-week pressure, concentrated in large-cap technology, as investors assessed elevated AI-related capital spending and its potential impact on margins and growth durability. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq weakened mid-week amid uneven sector performance, while small-cap stocks showed relative resilience as the week progressed. Markets stabilized toward week’s end as selling pressure eased and participation broadened modestly, allowing major indexes to recover from intra-week lows. The Russell 2000 outperformed broader benchmarks for the week, reflecting continued rotation away from mega-cap growth and toward more economically sensitive areas. On the economic front, the ISM Manufacturing PMI for January rose to 52.6, returning to expansion territory for the first time in a year and exceeding expectations. Strength in new orders and production pointed to improving activity following a prolonged period of contraction. Labor data suggested gradual cooling rather than deterioration. December job openings declined to approximately 6.5 million, marking a multi-year low and indicating softer hiring demand. Initial jobless claims increased to 231,000 but remain within a range consistent with a historically stable labor market. Investors continue to monitor upcoming labor reports for further confirmation of trend direction. Treasury yields remained elevated overall, though they eased modestly later in the week as equity markets stabilized. Rate expectations continue to reflect a cautious Federal Reserve stance, with limited near-term policy easing currently priced in.

Roth conversions could be the most important retirement tax strategy most investors ignore. In this educational breakdown, we explain how Roth accounts work, why conversions matter, and how they can help you avoid Social Security taxation, IRMAA Medicare surcharges, and unnecessary tax bracket jumps in retirement. If you have an IRA, 401(k), or brokerage account, this strategy could significantly impact your retirement taxes. We cover the difference between tax-deferred accounts, brokerage accounts, and Roth accounts — and why the Roth may be the most powerful bucket of money you can own. 📩 If you'd like a personalized Roth conversion analysis, reach out to our team. Link to the OWLFI website with our contact info: https://www.owlfi.com/contact

Nearly 40% of Stanford undergraduates now claim disability accommodations — not because they can’t function, but because the system rewards it. In this episode of The Elliot Omanson Show, we break down a shocking article exposing how elite universities incentivize students to identify as “disabled” to gain advantages like single dorms, extra time on exams, and academic exemptions. What starts on campus doesn’t stop there — it follows students into adulthood, shaping identity, entitlement, and dependency. We also connect this trend to broader government systems that reward victimhood, drawing parallels to military disability abuse, Ivy League double standards, and how institutions create winners and losers by design. This isn’t compassion — it’s conditioning.

In emotionally charged police encounters, behavior matters more than politics, race, or identity. In this episode, I share a firsthand experience from a political rally that shows why. I share a firsthand encounter at a political rally where my family and I were threatened, how law enforcement responded, and why the outcome had nothing to do with politics, race, or identity—and everything to do with behavior, choices, and de-escalation in a high-stress situation. This isn’t about defending force or dismissing tragedy. It’s about personal responsibility, how quickly situations can escalate, and why emotionally charged environments make already difficult jobs even harder. You don’t have to agree with me—but I think these are conversations worth having honestly, without slogans or shouting.

A self-described “millionaire” was recently interviewed by Business Insider, and his argument for wealth taxes might be one of the most out-of-touch takes you’ll hear all year. In this episode of The Elliot Omanson Show, Elliot breaks down an interview with a Silicon Valley figure who claims no one needs more than $30 million, argues for a 50% annual tax on wealth above that level, and insists that financial success is mostly a matter of luck — despite never having built, scaled, or funded a real business himself. The episode walks through why this worldview collapses under even basic scrutiny. Massive companies like Uber, Tesla, and SpaceX required billions in capital and years of losses before becoming viable. Under the policies being proposed, companies like these would never exist, innovation would stall, and risk-taking would be punished out of the economy. This isn’t a debate about generosity or empathy. It’s about what happens when people who’ve never made payroll, raised capital, or taken real entrepreneurial risk are elevated as moral authorities on wealth, fairness, and economic policy. Link to the Business Insider article referenced: https://www.businessinsider.com/california-millionaire-support-billionaire-wealth-tax-higher-taxation-2026-1

Minnesota’s largest fraud case is being presented to the public in a very specific way — and it raises serious questions about modern journalism. In this episode of The Elliot Omanson Show, Elliot breaks down a recent CBS News article covering Minnesota’s biggest fraud scandal and explains how media narratives are shaped, what facts are emphasized, and what details are quietly buried further down the page. While headlines focus heavily on one individual, court records and prosecution data reveal a much broader story that directly contradicts the framing most readers see first. This episode examines how selective storytelling influences public perception, why key context is often omitted upfront, and how narrative-driven reporting distorts complex issues. The goal here isn’t to defend anyone — it’s to look at the facts, read past the headline, and question how stories are being told.

We’re proud to share Backseat Ballers, a series we’ve been working on that features unscripted conversations with business owners and entrepreneurs. These discussions highlight the real lives behind business ownership — including personal struggles, life experiences, and the ways entrepreneurs overcome adversity. There’s no market commentary in this podcast — just authentic insight into the purpose behind the series and the non-profit we partner with, The I AM Foundation. If you haven’t had a chance to watch yet, we think you’ll enjoy this behind-the-scenes perspective.

Trump floated the idea of acquiring Greenland — and most Americans instantly dismissed it as absurd. But that reaction reveals a much bigger issue: we don’t understand U.S. history, geopolitics, or how America became a global power. In this episode of The Elliot Omanson Show, Elliot breaks down America’s long history of territorial acquisitions — from Alaska and the Louisiana Purchase to the U.S. Virgin Islands — and explains why leverage, tariffs, and even military pressure have always been part of serious negotiations. Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation challenges the emotional, surface-level takes dominating the media narrative.