Vicus Capital

Economic data will be closely watched next week as investors await the updated estimate for first-quarter U.S. GDP set to be released on May 28, which could provide further insight into economic growth, consumer demand, and the potential path of future Federal Reserve policy. Meanwhile, the Baker Hughes oil rig count will also be in focus as ongoing conflict with Iran and elevated energy prices continue to impact consumers and global markets. Earnings from Abercrombie & Fitch, Best Buy, and Kohl’s will also be closely monitored, as investors look for signals on consumer spending trends, sales momentum, and the challenges retailers face in a high-cost environment. Explore the latest developments that could influence markets in the week ahead. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gENu8msi #GrowWithVicus #EconomicNews #FinancialOutlook #TheWeekAhead

Despite U.S. petroleum reserves remaining at higher levels than during 2023, the rate of decline is significantly higher. We estimate that the U.S. will be able to continue depleting reserves for another month or two before being forced to cut back. Note that this decline is not solely due to selling from the strategic petroleum reserve (SPR), but also from corporate reserves. That is why the decline is much sharper than what we saw in 2023 which was mostly a reserve release initiated by the U.S. government in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. You can also see how it rose in 2023 at the end of the year when the SPR was slightly refilled. What’s going on in the market? Equities: Domestic equities experienced a mixed week with the S&P 500 (0.2%) gaining, the Dow Jones and NASDAQ (-0.1%) and the Russell 2000 (-2.3%) declining. International markets were negative, as the MSCI EAFE fell 1.5% and MSCI Emerging Markets dipped 2.4%. Fixed Income: Fixed income also had a negative week. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate TR decreased by 1.1% and the S&P National Muni Bond slipped 0.9%. Commodities: Crude Oil and Natural Gas Spot grew 7.3% and 4.4% respectively. However, Gold USD Spot fell 3.6%. Sources: Daily Chartbook / HFI Research (Chart), Bloomberg (Index, Commodities, and Rates Data)

Initial jobless claims and housing data will be closely monitored next week as investors look for further insight into labor market strength and the resilience of the housing market amid elevated home prices. At the same time, ongoing layoffs across major companies continue to raise questions about whether unemployment claims could trend higher later this year. Earnings from Home Depot, Cava, and Walmart will also be closely watched, as investors look for signals on consumer spending, housing-related demand, same-store sales growth, and profitability trends. Explore the latest developments that could influence markets in the week ahead. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gMUT33iz #GrowWithVicus #EconomicNews #FinancialOutlook #TheWeekAhead

More affluent investors are recognizing the value of professional financial advice, especially as financial planning needs become more complex over time. In the article, “Cerulli: Affluent Investors Increasingly Willing to Pay for Financial Advice,” researchers explore how investor attitudes toward financial advice continue to evolve and why demand for guidance is growing across wealth levels. ✅ Willingness to pay for advice is increasing - According to Cerulli Associates, 68% of affluent investors were willing to pay for financial advice in 2025, up from 58% in 2024 and 38% in 2010. ✅ Financial complexity, thus willingness to pay for advice, often increases with higher net worth individuals - As assets grow, investors may face more complex tax, estate, and investment planning decisions, increasing the need for professional guidance and personalized strategies. Given this complexity 75% of investors holding $5 million or more in assets are willing to pay for financial advice, along with 64% of investors with between $2 million and $5 million in assets. While some investors still prefer self-directed platforms, the growing demand for advice highlights the importance of personalized guidance and long-term planning support. By partnering with Vicus Capital, you gain access to a team that can help you maintain personalized support as you continue to scale your business. #FinancialPlanning #FinancialAdvice #InvestorBehavior #GrowWithVicus 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g_2pzK4Y Source: Wealth Management

Qatar, one of the world’s largest suppliers of helium is (mostly) unable to get their product to market due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Now, you may be wondering why helium is such a big deal…after all, what do we use it for other than birthday balloons? Well, only 17% of helium is used to “lift” things, whereas over 50% is used for scientific purposes, MRI machines, and the production of semiconductors. In an AI-economy, semiconductor production is quite critical. What’s going on in the market? Equities: Domestic equities experienced a positive week with the S&P 500 (2.4%), NASDAQ (4.5%) and the Russell 2000 (1.7%) all gaining. Similarly, international markets were positive, as the MSCI EAFE grew 1.1% and MSCI Emerging Markets rose 6.9%. Fixed Income: Fixed Income also had a positive week. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate TR increased by 0.3% and the S&P National Muni Bond gained 0.2%. Commodities: Crude Oil and Natural Gas Spot fell 7.4% and 0.7% respectively. However, Gold USD Spot grew 3.2%. Sources: Elements (Chart), Bloomberg (Index, Commodities, and Rates Data)

Inflation data will be closely monitored next week as investors await the latest Consumer Price Index report, set to release May 12, for further insight into pricing pressures and the overall direction of the economy. Meanwhile, continued uncertainty surrounding Iran and fluctuating oil prices remain important factors influencing both consumers and financial markets. Earnings from Under Armour, YETI, and Cisco will also be closely watched, as investors look for insight into consumer demand, restructuring efforts, and the ongoing role of AI and technology infrastructure in driving growth. Explore the latest developments that could influence markets in the week ahead. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g5mu2Z5g #GrowWithVicus #EconomicNews #FinancialOutlook #TheWeekAhead

Just how big is Apple? Many of its component divisions are as large or larger than other well-known businesses. Chip designer AMD has lower revenue than Apple receives from selling iPads alone. Bank and financial custodian Schwab generates significantly lower revenue than Apple generates from Macintosh sales. Starbucks? They’re similar in size to the wearable and home accessory division of Apple. Target? Apple’s services marketplace generates more revenue than all Target locations combined. And lastly, iPhone sales are higher than all of Meta’s (Facebook) revenue, and Bank of America, one of the world’s largest financial institutions. What’s going on in the market? Equities: Domestic equities experienced a positive week with the S&P 500 (0.9%), NASDAQ (1.1%) and the Russell 2000 (1.0%) all experiencing gains. Alternatively, international markets were mixed, as the MSCI EAFE grew 1.0% and MSCI Emerging Markets fell 0.5%. Fixed Income: Fixed Income also had a mostly negative week. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate TR fell 0.4% and the S&P National Muni Bond decreased by 0.3%. Commodities: Crude Oil and Natural Gas Spot rose 8.0% and 10.4% respectively. However, Gold USD Spot decreased 2.3%. Sources: The Irrelevant Investor / YCharts (Chart), Bloomberg (Index, Commodities, and Rates Data)

The upcoming U.S. unemployment report will provide insight into labor market strength, particularly as jobless claims recently reached their lowest level in 50 years. At the same time, the latest trade deficit data may reflect the ongoing impact of tariffs and shifting global trade dynamics. Earnings from Disney, McDonald’s, and Planet Fitness will also be in focus, as investors look for signals on consumer demand, growth outlooks, and company-specific challenges across media, dining, and fitness. Explore the latest developments that could influence markets in the days ahead. Read more: https://lnkd.in/grea4w7t #GrowWithVicus #EconomicNews #FinancialOutlook #TheWeekAhead

Individual federal income taxes account for over 50% of all revenues that the U.S. government generates on an annual basis. Note that this chart does not include social security taxes which add up to another 30% of annual government revenue. Rates paid for social security taxes are similar across most of the income groups. However, for income tax, it is quite different. Here, you see that the average person in the bottom 50% pays barely over one fourth of what someone in the 10th percentile pays, and one seventh of what the top 1% pay. What’s going on in the market? Equities: Domestic equities experienced a mixed week with the S&P 500 (0.6%), NASDAQ (1.5%) and the Russell 2000 (0.4%) all experiencing gains, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (-0.4%) experiencing a loss. Similarly, international markets were mixed, as the MSCI EAFE decreased 2.7% and MSCI Emerging Markets grew 0.9%. Fixed Income: Fixed Income also had a mixed week. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate TR fell 0.3% and the S&P National Muni Bond increased 0.1%. Commodities: Natural Gas Spot and Gold fell 4.4% and 2.2% respectively. However, Crude Oil grew 6.2%. Sources: First Trust / IRS (Chart), Bloomberg (Index, Commodities, and Rates Data)

Housing data will be in focus next week, with the FHFA House Price Index and housing starts offering insight into home prices, supply, and overall economic strength. At the same time, elevated housing costs continue to shape affordability and buyer demand. Earnings from Domino’s Pizza, Starbucks, and Roku will also be closely watched, as investors look for signals on consumer spending, growth momentum, and profitability trends across dining and streaming. Discover some of the latest developments that can impact market trends. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g-Q2JtbH #GrowWithVicus #EconomicNews #FinancialOutlook #TheWeekAhead