From Joe’s Desk
I recently spent four days in Breckenridge, Colorado, with about 15 colleagues, and it was an incredible trip. One of the highlights was snowmobiling along the Continental Divide with amazing mountain views, and we also went dog sledding through the national forest, which was an unforgettable experience.
With everything going on in the world today, it felt good to step away from the 24/7 news cycle for a bit. Spending time outdoors, breathing in the mountain air, and connecting with great people was exactly what I needed to recharge.
If you can, try to find time to step away from the noise every now and then. I came back feeling refreshed, reenergized, and grateful for those four days away.
What’s Driving Market Volatility Right Now: AI, Geopolitics, & Private Capital
Markets have been reacting quickly to a wave of headlines, leaving many investors wondering what it all means for their portfolios.
In this recent Making Sense of the Markets webinar, Prime Capital Financial’s Investment Leadership team discusses three key areas influencing markets right now:
- Volatility in AI and software companies
- Geopolitical tensions involving Iran
- Developments in private debt and private equity markets
They also share their broader outlook and what investors should pay attention to going forward.
Watch the full discussion to hear their insights.
Prime Capital Financial In The News
Market Volatility and Geopolitical Risk
Will McGough, CFA, recently joined NYSE Live to break down what’s currently driving market volatility, including geopolitical tensions involving Iran, oil prices, inflation pressure, and what it could mean for Federal Reserve policy.
Jobs Data and the Federal Reserve
Clayton Allison joined Yahoo Finance’s Market Domination to discuss January’s stronger-than-expected jobs report and what it may mean for interest rate cuts this year. He also explores how potential leadership changes at the Federal Reserve could shape economic policy moving forward.
February 2026 Market Snapshot
Month In Review
Take a look at last month’s key market developments and what may lie ahead in the latest Month-in-Review, prepared by the Prime Capital Financial Investment Team.
QUICK NOTES
- Volatile Stocks. U.S. equity indices edged down in February, with the S&P 500 index falling 0.8% and the Nasdaq 100 falling 2.3%. The Dow was the only one of the three major indexes that was positive in February, rising 0.3%.
- Inflation & Interest Rates. The 10Y treasury yield fell sharply in February from over 4.2% to around 3.9%. Headline CPI inflation for January came in soft at 2.4%, while core CPI inflation came in at 2.5%. Producer inflation, PPI, came in above expectations for January, with the headline reading coming in at 2.9% and core PPI at 3.6%.
- Power-Cost Pledge. Amid concerns over the cost of living and power prices amid data center construction, the Trump administration convened tech executives from Amazon, Google, and Meta to sign a pledge to pay for the electricity used by their data centers.
- Khamenei Killed in Iran. U.S. and Israeli forces reported that the body of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been found after missile strikes on Tehran. Iranian state TV confirmed his death a number of hours later. He had ruled the country as its Supreme Leader since June 1989.
Joe Harrish
