CB3 Financial

Welcome to the first CB3 Financials Weekly Podcast of 2026. We open the year by breaking down three major forces setting the stage for markets in the months ahead.

The S&P just wrapped up its third straight year of double digit gains, with strong performances from the Dow and Nasdaq driven largely by AI and big tech. But what does that momentum mean as we enter a midterm election year?

In this episode, we cover the political and economic landscape under President Trump’s second term, including tariffs, deregulation, tax policy, and the potential impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on GDP growth. We also look closely at artificial intelligence as the defining investment theme, the growing divide between the Magnificent Seven and the rest of the market, and why international markets quietly outperformed in 2025.

We close with a deep dive into gold and silver’s strongest year since 1979 and why the upcoming decision on the next Federal Reserve chair, with Jerome Powell’s term ending in May, may be the most consequential market event of 2026.

A clear eyed roadmap for the year ahead and the key questions investors should be watching closely.

November delivered plenty of drama and almost no reward. After a sharp sell off fueled by stretched AI valuations, doubts about data center spending, and anxiety over the Fed’s next move, the month clawed its way back to finish barely positive—one of the weakest Novembers in a quarter century.

In this episode of the CB3 Financial Weekly Podcast, we break down what really happened beneath the surface. From the S and P’s last minute rescue, to the NASDAQ 2000’s face ripping rally, to why small caps needed a miracle just to finish near unchanged.

More importantly, we look ahead.

Stay with us for clear analysis, context you can use, and a grounded look at where markets may be heading next.

This episode examines a surprisingly rough November — a month that historically ranks as one of the strongest for equities, yet in 2025 sits among the worst in over two decades. Charles Brown walks through the drivers behind the downturn, including valuation pushback in AI, defensive rotations, and rapidly shifting expectations for the Federal Reserve’s December meeting.

We explore how the Fed’s divided outlook on rate cuts is impacting volatility, why AI leaders like Nvidia and Palantir are under pressure despite strong earnings, and how these trends are shaping the CG, DS, and GI portfolios. More importantly, Charles looks ahead to how the AI cycle, capital expenditures, and potential 2026 rate cuts could set the stage for the next leg of growth.

Clear analysis, context, and a measured approach guide this episode as we prepare for December’s key decisions and position for 2026.

November is acting more like October this year—volatile, unpredictable, and full of tension. In this episode of the CB3 Financial Weekly Podcast, we break down the recent market turbulence, the sharp pullback in tech stocks, and the fragile balance between optimism and fear. Will this month’s weakness give way to a year-end rally, or are we headed for a deeper correction?

Host Charles Brown explores:

The tech-heavy NASDAQ’s worst week since April

How the ongoing government shutdown is impacting markets and the airline industry

Why valuations remain stretched and risk remains high

What could trigger a rebound as the holidays approach

Stay informed, stay invested, and join us Thursday night for CB3 Live, where we dig deeper into which sectors are cracking—and which could lead the next rally.

In this week’s episode of the CB3 Financial Weekly Podcast, we unpack the October market landscape — where early-month momentum gives way to fatigue, and investors seek refuge in safe havens. Despite worries about the U.S. government shutdown, small-cap bank credit stress, and delayed economic data, the S&P 500, Dow, and Nasdaq all managed to close the week in the green. Join us as we explore why resilience still defines Wall Street’s mood and what to watch ahead of Friday’s delayed CPI report.

Wall Street charged into October with record highs across the Dow, S&P 500, and Russell 2000—despite a government shutdown that leaves investors without critical economic data. The NASDAQ slipped as Tesla and tech stocks lost momentum, but AI and semiconductors remain the bright spots, with Nvidia topping a staggering $4.5 trillion market cap.

In this week’s CB3 Financial podcast, we unpack:

Why markets shrugged off weak private jobs data and the shutdown

The resilience of defensive plays like gold and healthcare

October’s history of market crashes and the volatility challenge ahead

Earnings season’s potential to guide investors in the absence of government reports

Sector rotation from healthcare and staples now, to tech and growth in November

Even as policymakers and investors navigate without “radar,” the market’s undertone remains bullish—buying dips and pushing higher. Stay tuned for a clear-eyed look at the forces shaping this critical stretch for the markets.

Markets defied history in September, closing the month with rare gains despite its reputation as the worst month of the year. But with new tariffs on pharmaceuticals, furniture, and heavy trucks, sector volatility is already stirring—and October, the most volatile month on record, is right around the corner.

In this week’s CB3 Financial Weekly Podcast update, we break down:

Why September’s bullish streak caught pundits off guard

How inflation data and Fed signals are shaping investor sentiment

The impact of new Trump administration tariffs on key industries

What to expect as earnings season, political negotiations, and October volatility converge

Stay with us as we head into Q4 positioned for opportunities amid uncertainty.

In this client update, we explain why CB3 is transitioning custody to Charles Schwab and what it means for you. After five months of due diligence across four major custodians, Schwab stood out for simple login consolidation, true householding, and 24/7 human support. You will get commission free stock and ETF trading, low cost options at 65 cents per contract, strong execution with frequent price improvement, and a polished mobile experience with Face ID, Apple Watch checks, and push notifications. Householding lets spouses and families see the same lineup of accounts, with consolidated statements, 1099s, and a clear audit trail.

We also introduce our systematic options hedging program at Schwab. This is not speculation. It is portfolio insurance using long puts financed in part by short puts, rolled quarterly in March, June, September, and December. The goal is to soften the ride in major drawdowns and avoid life changing losses while keeping you invested. We cover how block trading gives every client the same fill, why limited margin appears on options accounts, and when we may add or adjust hedges if markets worsen.

Plus, a quick market view: earnings breadth remains strong and the secular bull trend is intact despite headline shocks. Send your questions, then subscribe to get future updates.

This week on the CB3 Financial Podcast, Portfolio Manager Charles Brown unpacks a volatile but historic stretch for Wall Street. Major indices surged to fresh highs before pulling back, while the “Magnificent Seven” tech giants crossed an unprecedented $20 trillion in market cap. Consumer sentiment plunged, inflation ticked up to 2.9%, and markets now price in a near-certain Fed rate cut. Charles examines Powell’s balancing act, sector rotations, and the seasonal September weakness that historically challenges investors. Plus, insights on Oracle’s breakout, energy’s rebound, and what the weeks ahead may hold for both stocks and bonds.

Markets soared to fresh all-time highs before stumbling into the holiday weekend. In this week’s CB3 Financial Update, Charles Brown breaks down the rally and reversal, explores why September is historically the toughest month for investors, and shares insights on tech stock volatility, gold’s recovery, and the Federal Reserve’s path on interest rates. From the S&P 500 crossing 6,500 to hints of rate cuts ahead, this episode unpacks the milestones and risks shaping the weeks to come.