Markets wrapped up the year with solid gains, finishing roughly 17% higher, but momentum has cooled as stocks consolidate near recent highs. Despite briefly setting a new all-time high in late December, markets spent the final weeks of the year moving sideways, reflecting growing fatigue after an extended rally. In this pre-market update, we review why the market's two-month consolidation range matters, how staying above the 20-day moving average supports the broader trend, and why recent momentum sell signals do not necessarily signal a major downturn. With markets up eight consecutive months, short-term pullbacks or mild corrections would be a normal and healthy way to relieve overbought conditions. As traders return for the first full week of the new year, futures are pointing higher—but volatility may increase as we move into the first quarter. We discuss what investors should watch in January and February, how to think about near-term weakness, and why disciplined risk management remains critical after a long run of gains. Hosted by RIA Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch the Video version of this report on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeEA-JQBKEA&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1 ------- Articles mentioned in this report: 2026 Market Outlook Based On Valuations https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/2026-market-outlook-based-on-valuations/ "Fed's Soft Landing Narrative Meets Economic Data" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/feds-soft-landing-narrative-meets-economic-data/ ------- REGISTER for our 2026 Economic Summit, "The Future of Digital Assets, Artificial Intelligence, and Investing:" https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-ria-economic-summit-tickets-1765951641899?aff=oddtdtcreator ------- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ ------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #MarketOutlook #StockMarketUpdate #MarketVolatility #TechnicalAnalysis #PreMarketUpdate