April 2026 Newsletter:

March was a bit of a rollercoaster for markets—geopolitical tensions ramped up, oil prices climbed, and investor nerves got rattled.

There was a lot to take in all month. Jobs numbers took an unexpected dip, and consumer sentiment slid as near-term uncertainties piled up. On the bright side, people kept spending and inflation stayed steady, which was a good sign that the economy is still on solid ground—even if things felt a little bumpy.

Just about every corner of the market took a hit. The Dow was down 5.20%, leading the way, and small caps, the S&P 500, and Nasdaq 100 weren’t far behind. There really wasn’t anywhere to hide—both defensive and cyclical stocks struggled. The one exception? Energy, which got a boost from climbing oil prices.

Overseas, things looked even rougher. International stocks took a bigger hit from rising oil, with developed markets falling 8.61% and emerging markets down 6.97%. Geopolitical worries weighed heavy. The silver lining: even after a tough March, international markets are still outpacing the US so far this year.

Bonds didn’t offer much of a safe haven either. US bonds slipped 1.76% as the 10-year Treasury yield jumped from 3.97% to 4.30%, putting pressure on prices. Higher rates are mostly about stubborn inflation and higher energy costs, plus nobody’s sure what the Fed will do next. Rate cuts are now off the table for 2026—at least as far as the market’s concerned.

All in all, March was a tough month. But if your portfolio is well-diversified, you’re still in decent shape as we wrap up the first quarter of 2026. Times like these are a solid reminder why having a long-term, disciplined plan matters. Market moods can swing fast, but staying focused on your bigger goals (and tuning out the short-term noise) is still the best move.

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The moon’s hogged the spotlight at night long enough.

Now, Reflect Orbital—a California startup—wants to launch satellites with giant mirrors to bounce sunlight back to Earth after dark.

They say the tech could charge solar panels overnight, light up city streets, or even help rescue teams find their way in the dark.

Not everyone’s thrilled, though. Astronomers worry about more light pollution and messing with sleep cycles, while wildlife experts are concerned for animals that count on true darkness.

Whether they’re ahead of their time or just shooting for the stars, it’s still up in the air—they’re waiting for the green light from regulators. Either way, the space economy keeps attracting some seriously bright ideas.

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Turns out, going overboard with AI can actually make you feel a little less…well, intelligent.

Companies are pushing people to use more AI at work, but new research says we might want to pump the brakes a bit.

A Harvard Business Review study found that while AI can boost productivity, overdoing it can lead to something called "AI brain fry"—mental fog that makes it tough to focus or make decisions.

Another study found AI users spent twice as much time on email and chats, and less time actually tackling tough problems.

The sweet spot? Using AI for about 7% to 10% of your work hours—just enough to get the perks without frying your brain.

Maybe the smartest way to use AI is knowing when to hit the off switch.

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Broad Market Returns:

S&P 500 (VOO)	-5.01%	-4.42%	-4.42%	17.67%
NASDAQ (QQQ)	-4.84%	-5.93%	-5.93%	23.68%
Large Cap Growth (VUG)	-5.12%	-10.37%	-10.37%	18.30%
Large Cap Value (VTV)	-4.81%	3.30%	3.30%	16.02%
Small Cap Growth (VBK)	-5.52%	0.16%	0.16%	20.70%
Small Cap Value (VBR)	-4.96%	3.17%	3.17%	18.95%
Developed International (VEA)	-8.61%	2.75%	2.75%	30.06%
Emerging Markets (VWO)	-6.97%	0.54%	0.54%	22.75%
REITs (VNQ)	-6.31%	1.31%	1.31%	1.86%
Aggregate Bonds (BND)	-1.74%	0.05%	0.05%	4.24%
Corporate Bonds (VCIT)	-1.98%	-0.45%	-0.45%	6.08%
High Yield Bonds (JNK)	-1.04%	-0.43%	-0.43%	7.30%
Long Term Treasuries (VGLT)	-3.99%	-0.09%	-0.09%	0.42%
International Bonds (BNDX)	-2.14%	-0.13%	-0.13%	2.81%
Data as of March 31, 2026 // Source: Morningstar

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Fun Facts:

• Former Fed Chair Alan Greenspan reportedly monitored men’s underwear sales as a subtle recession indicator.

• M&M's were the first candy eaten in space, making their debut aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1981.

• If you missed April Fools' Day, don’t sweat it. April is National Humor Month!

• The oldest cat ever recorded was Creme Puff, a mixed-tabby from Austin, Texas, who lived to be 38 years and 3 days old.

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The information presented is not investment advice - it is for educational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities or investment advisory services. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser when making investment decisions.