Markets are heading into year-end with optimism still firmly embedded in prices, but the economic data are telling a more complicated story. Lance Roberts examines the growing gap between the Federal Reserve's soft-landing narrative and what inflation, employment, consumer spending, and earnings expectations are actually signaling. While markets have stabilized following recent volatility, participation remains narrow, sentiment is elevated, and valuations appear priced for a smooth economic outcome in 2026. Lance Roberts breaks down the technical backdrop, including key support and resistance levels, momentum conditions, and volatility trends, along with the limited—but potentially market-moving—economic catalysts ahead. We also discuss why falling inflation driven by weakening demand presents a very different risk profile than supply-driven disinflation, and what that means for investors as liquidity thins into year-end. Finally, we outline risk-managed portfolio considerations if the Fed's assumptions prove optimistic and markets are forced to reprice expectations. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Christmas Week Preview & Valuation Ranges for 2026 3:28 - Markets Are Doing What Markets Do 10:35 - Challenges to the Fed's Soft Landing Narrative 14:06 - Earnings Growth Expectations Illustrated (charts) 20:22 - Risks to Look for in 2026 24:21 - Forecast Comparisons - Then & Now 28:00 - Valuations Are Elevated Everywhere 30:05 - Multiple Expansion Estimates - Three Scenarios 37:28 - Averages Returns Examined 39:06 - The Range of Outcomes - Not a Prediction 42:32 - Markets Have Been Too Easy 45:30 - What Happens If...? 47:43 - Coming Attractions Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4EaxzOPEWc&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&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/ ------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Too Soon for Santa?," is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EFSU2vZeFE&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1 ------- 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 ------- Watch our previous show, "What Great Financial Planning Looks Like," here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhVoQc7adgU&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1 -------- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestm entadvice.com/newsletter/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- 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/ #SantaClausRally #MarketOutlook #TechnicalAnalysis #RiskManagement #MarketTrends #FederalReserve #MarketOutlook #EconomicData #InvestingRisk #StockMarket