In Episode 189 of Facts vs Feelings, Ryan Detrick, Chief Market Strategist at Carson Group, and Sonu Varghese, Chief Macro Strategist at Carson Group, break down the disconnect between how people feel about the economy and what the hard data is actually showing. They connect the dots between oil prices, inflation expectations, Treasury yields, and why markets may not be reacting to geopolitical headlines the way many investors expect.

It’s a real-time look at the K-shaped economy: tighter budgets at the bottom, resilient spending at the top.

Ryan and Sonu walk through stretched momentum after an eight-week rally, sector rotation beneath the surface, and another massive earnings season. They also explain why private AI investments are quietly becoming a meaningful contributor to public company profits, something many investors still aren’t fully accounting for.

Key Takeaways:

• Oil prices, Treasury yields, and inflation expectations remain tightly connected even when markets appear calm.
• Consumer behavior is splitting across income levels, reinforcing the idea of a K-shaped economy.
• Soft data like sentiment surveys continues diverging from hard data like earnings and employment.
• Earnings, buyback activity, and AI exposure are reshaping market leadership.
• Market momentum remains strong, but sector leadership underneath the surface keeps rotating.
• Bond markets may be the biggest force shaping Fed expectations and investor behavior going

Jump to:

3:06 — Strait Tensions and Oil Prices

6:41 — The All-Electric Ferrari Debate

8:39 — Consumer Strain Signals

13:15 — Consumer Sentiment Hits Record Lows

21:37 — Home Water Leaks and Insurance Headaches

25:18 — Sector Breadth and Market Leadership

33:15 — Momentum Crowding and the Win Streak

37:41 —Earnings and Buybacks

45:01 — Private AI Valuations Inside Public Earnings

48:13 —Health Data and AI Coaching

50:44 — Chicago Live Show Details

54:00 — Grading Powell and New Fed Risks

1:05:12 — Fed Hike Odds and Week Ahead

Connect with Ryan:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandetrick/

• X: https://x.com/RyanDetrick

Connect with Sonu:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonu-varghese-phd/

• X: https://x.com/sonusvarghese?lang=en

Questions about the show? We’d love to hear from you! [email protected]