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July Exposed a Hidden Risk in Millions of Portfolios — Here’s What It Means for Your Money
Key Takeaways The S&P 500 finished July essentially flat (down roughly 0.1%) while remaining up approximately 10% year-to-date. Semiconductor stocks experienced a sharp pullback of roughly 22%, driving most of the month’s volatility. International developed markets (MSCI EAFE) held up relatively well and finished modestly higher. Corporate earnings showed broader strength beyond a handful of mega-cap technology names. Technology currently represents about 37% of the S&P 500,
Robert Ellington-Montes
21 hours ago7 min read


Mid-2026 Market Outlook: Why American Families Are Still Winning Despite the Chaos
Key Takeaways Major U.S. stock indexes have delivered solid gains in the first half of 2026, with the S&P 500 up approximately 9-10% year-to-date despite significant global turbulence. The rally has broadened beyond Big Tech, with small- and mid-cap companies joining the advance — a healthy sign for diversified investors. Key supports include resilient job growth, continued AI-driven innovation, and recent easing in oil prices. Headwinds remain: geopolitical tensions, sticky
Robert Ellington-Montes
Jun 164 min read


May 2026 Market Review: U.S. Stocks Hit Fresh Records on AI Momentum — What the Cooling Jobs Data and Sticky Inflation Mean for Your Portfolio
Key Takeaways The S&P 500 rose approximately 5%, the Nasdaq surged more than 8%, and the Dow gained nearly 3% in May 2026, with all three major U.S. indices closing at new all-time highs. Strong corporate earnings — especially in technology and AI-related companies — combined with continued heavy investment in AI infrastructure were the primary drivers of the rally. A softer-than-expected April jobs report (+115,000 jobs) and a modest reacceleration in inflation to 3.8% year-
Robert Ellington-Montes
Jun 27 min read


April 2026 Market Recap: AI Surge Powers Record Rebound as Geopolitics Cools
Key Takeaways: U.S. equities delivered one of their strongest months in years, with the S&P 500 up 10.5%, Nasdaq Composite soaring 15.3%, and Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 7.1%—all closing at fresh record highs. Easing Middle East tensions and blockbuster AI-driven earnings were the primary catalysts, while persistent inflation and a steady Fed kept bonds roughly flat. International equities rebounded selectively, led by Asian semiconductors and Japanese reforms, thoug
Robert Ellington-Montes
May 24 min read


Tech Surge and Geopolitical Breather Drive Biggest Market Rebound Since November: April 5–10, 2026 Stock Market Recap from Nexus Wealth Management
Key Highlights • U.S. markets saw their strongest weekly gains since November: S&P 500 rose 3.6%, Dow Jones 3.0%, and Nasdaq 4.7%, marking a seven-day rally • Technology (+4.9%) and industrials (+4.7%) led the climb, while small caps (Russell 2000) gained nearly 4%, indicating broader market participation • A two-week U.S.-Iran ceasefire eased tensions and reduced short-term geopolitical risks • March CPI exceeded expectations (+0.9% monthly / +3.3% yearly), primarily due to
Robert Ellington-Montes
Apr 134 min read


March 2026 Market Recap: Oil Spikes, Tech Turbulence, and a Late Rebound – What It Means for Your Portfolio and Long-Term Wealth
Market recap video for March, 2026. Key Takeaways U.S. equities faced significant pressure in March, with the S&P 500 down 5.1%, the Dow falling 4.8%, and the Nasdaq dropping 6.2%. However, a strong late-month rebound driven by easing geopolitical tensions demonstrated how quickly markets can price in optimism. Rising oil prices fueled gains in energy, materials, and small-cap sectors, offering diversification benefits for many 401(k) portfolios. The February jobs report reve
Robert Ellington-Montes
Apr 24 min read


Cautiously Optimistic: Your 6-Month Market Outlook After the Mid-March 2026 Oil Shock
Key Takeaways • Our six-month outlook remains cautiously optimistic, with many analysts, including our team at Nexus, projecting the S&P 500 to reach the 7,500–8,000 range by year-end. • Energy and defensive sectors, such as utilities, healthcare, and consumer staples, continue to act as stabilizing forces amidst this week's market fluctuations. • Strong labor market signals and AI-powered earnings growth are bolstering the U.S. economy, providing positive momentum for Main S
Robert Ellington-Montes
Mar 166 min read


Oil at $100 and Geopolitical Jitters: Why Energy & Defensives Shined During the March 9-13, 2026 Market Dip
Key Takeaways • Over the past week, the S&P 500 declined by 1.6%, the Dow fell 2.0%, and the Nasdaq slipped 1.3% amid headline-driven market activity. • The energy sector emerged as the strongest performer, while utilities and other defensive areas provided stability. • Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East drove oil prices above $100, sparking short-term inflation concerns. • Treasury yields rose, with the 10-year ending near 4.28%, exerting mild pressure on bonds. • Inte
Robert Ellington-Montes
Mar 166 min read


Cautiously Constructive: Charting 2026's Economic Path Amid Volatility and Resilient Growth Signals
As we move past recent market fluctuations caused by energy shocks and softer economic data, the 2026 outlook remains cautiously optimistic. Despite near-term pressures such as geopolitical tensions and inflation concerns, the underlying economic strength offers opportunities across diverse sectors. At Nexus Wealth Management, our Missoula-based financial advisory team has analyzed forward-looking indicators and incorporated insights from firms like Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan
Robert Ellington-Montes
Mar 105 min read


Navigating the Geopolitical Gusts: How Oil Surges and Jobs Jitters Shaped a Choppy Week in the Markets
As we conclude another turbulent week in the financial markets, March 2–6, 2026, served as a clear reminder of how global events can ripple through domestic portfolios. Escalating tensions in the Middle East drove oil prices sharply higher, while a weaker-than-expected jobs report at home added to market uncertainty. Despite these challenges, there were bright spots, particularly in the energy sector and select international markets, offering valuable lessons for personal fin
Robert Ellington-Montes
Mar 96 min read


Our 6-Month Economic Outlook for 2026: Cautiously Constructive for Missoula Families
If you’ve been wondering whether your portfolio is truly positioned for the opportunities ahead — or if a few hidden blind spots could quietly limit your family’s long-term security — you’re not alone. At Nexus Wealth Management in Missoula, Montana, our team spends every day translating big-picture market trends into practical, personal financial planning strategies for local families just like yours. In our latest video update, I shared Nexus Wealth Management’s forward-lo
Robert Ellington-Montes
Mar 45 min read


February 2026 Stock Market Recap: Gentle Chop Amid AI Waves and Bond Resilience – What It Means for Your Wealth Management Strategy
February 2026 brought a classic example of a "gentle chop" month for investors. Despite the broader economy demonstrating strong fundamentals, concerns about AI disruption, persistent inflation signals, and geopolitical tensions created short-term volatility—especially in tech-heavy sectors. At Nexus Wealth Management , our Missoula-based research team diligently monitors these shifts to guide local families in navigating their financial planning with confidence. The outcome?
Robert Ellington-Montes
Mar 47 min read


2026 Market Outlook: Cautiously Constructive – Why Economic Resilience Outweighs Recent Volatility
From the Research Team at Nexus Wealth Management, Missoula, Montana Key Takeaways • Our team at Nexus Wealth Management remains cautiously constructive on U.S. stocks for the rest of 2026 • Consensus year-end S&P 500 targets from major firms cluster in the 7,500–8,000 range — implying solid double-digit upside from current levels • Recession odds on prediction markets sit near 25% , one of the lowest readings in years • Three core supports: resilient January jobs data, mo
Robert Ellington-Montes
Feb 165 min read


Markets Rotate Amid AI Fears: Economic Resilience Shines Through in the February 9-13, 2026 Weekly Recap from Nexus Wealth Management
Key Takeaways • Major U.S. indexes posted their largest weekly declines of 2026: S&P 500 -1.4%, Dow Jones -1.2%, Nasdaq -2.1% • Stronger-than-expected January jobs data (130,000 added, unemployment at 4.3%) and milder CPI inflation (+0.2% monthly, +2.4% yearly) underscored economic strength• Healthy sector rotation lifted “old economy” areas — utilities surged +7.07%, materials +3.77%, real estate +3.86% • AI disruption concerns pressured financials (-4.85%), technology, and
Robert Ellington-Montes
Feb 165 min read


2026 Economic Outlook: AI Productivity Boom Offsets Tariff Drag – What It Means for Investors
As we move through early 2026, the U.S. economy appears poised for a soft landing, with artificial intelligence-driven productivity gains helping to counteract the drag from higher tariffs and moderating consumer spending. Drawing directly from Nexus Wealth Management’s latest Economic Outlook Report, our research team sees moderate growth, stable labor markets, and a supportive but cautious environment for both equities and fixed income. Key Takeaways U.S. GDP growth project
Robert Ellington-Montes
Jan 286 min read


Geopolitical Drama and Earnings Resilience: Markets Weather Tariff Threats in the Week of January 19-23, 2026
The week of January 19-23, 2026, underscored the stock market's capacity to absorb geopolitical shocks—from President Trump's tariff threats tied to a Greenland framework agreement to strong corporate earnings beats and a positive GDP surprise—resulting in only modest declines for major U.S. indices while select sectors and international equities advanced. Key Takeaways U.S. Indices Modest Declines : S&P 500 down 0.4%, Dow Jones down 0.3-0.5%, Nasdaq down 0.1-0.7% amid early-
Robert Ellington-Montes
Jan 266 min read


Sarah Brown's CPA Journey: From UM Grad to Missoula Tax Expert + Self-Employed Tax Savings & Retirement Strategies | Nexus Insights
Published: January 19, 2026 By: Nexus Wealth Management Team Location: Missoula, Montana In this episode of Nexus Insights, hosts Robert Montes and Josie Allred from Nexus Wealth Management in Missoula, Montana, sit down with Sarah Brown, CPA from Sax CPA (Missoula). Sarah shares her personal story of becoming a CPA, from her roots in Missoula to her education at the University of Montana and early career in Portland. The conversation dives into the realities of the CPA exa
Robert Ellington-Montes
Jan 1960 min read
2026 Economic Outlook: Resilience, AI Momentum, and Smart Positioning for 2026
As we settle into mid-January 2026, the U.S. economy continues to demonstrate impressive resilience. Markets have held firm near recent highs despite some gentle pullbacks, with the S&P 500 closing the week of January 12-16 around 6,940 (down about 0.38% for the week), the Dow Jones Industrial Average at roughly 49,359 (down 0.29%), and the Nasdaq Composite near 23,515 (down 0.66%). These modest declines followed touches of record territory earlier in the period, underscoring
Robert Ellington-Montes
Jan 193 min read
Navigating Steady Waters: Market Resilience Amid AI Sparks and Policy Ripples in Mid-January 2026
Key Takeaways U.S. equities showed resilience with minor dips: The S&P 500 eased 0.24%, the Dow slipped 0.22%, and the Nasdaq declined 0.50%, holding near recent highs despite mixed signals. Strong bank earnings from peers like JPMorgan boosted confidence, highlighting robust consumer spending and corporate health. AI advancements, led by Taiwan Semiconductor's record results, lifted tech sentiment and underscored innovation's role in long-term growth. Stable inflation at 2.7
Robert Ellington-Montes
Jan 196 min read
Robert Ellington-Montes
Jan 120 min read
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