Making Sense

Making Sense

By First Citizens WealthBusinessInvesting
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Making Sense episodes

  • In Brief: Job openings | Unemployment data | Fed commentary 05.01.2026

    Blake Taylor, Market and Economic Research Analyst, discusses what to watch in the week ahead. U.S. equities hit new all-time highs alongside rising oil prices as markets focused on strong mega cap tech earnings, resilient growth, and an AI driven investment boom that supported solid Q1 GDP. We recap the Fed’s decision to hold rates steady amid rare dissents and preview key labor market data, explaining why slower job growth doesn’t necessarily point to recession—and what to watch this week.

    Key Topics
    • Stock market highs and oil prices
    • AI investment and economic growth
    • Federal Reserve policy and dissents
    • JOLTS, payrolls, and unemployment
    • Market risks and weekly catalysts

    5 min
  • Market Update | April 2026

    In April’s market update, Phillip Neuhart and Blake Taylor break down how global events—including the war in the Middle East—and rapid advances in artificial intelligence are shaping energy markets, inflation, and investor sentiment. Despite a sharp oil price shock and elevated geopolitical risk, U.S. equities have remained resilient, supported by strong corporate earnings and improving fundamentals. What might higher energy prices mean for consumers—and for economic growth in the months ahead?

    Phil and Blake also put today’s AI investment wave into historical context—from railroads and electrification to the rise of the internet. They explore why this surge matters, how quickly adoption is spreading across industries, and what this buildout could mean for productivity, corporate margins, and the labor market.
    For more information, visit https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/market-outlook/2026/making-sense-april-market-update.

    46 min
  • Investment strategies with taxes in mind

    Phillip Neuhart, Head of Market and Economic Research, and Thomas O'Keefe, Managing Director of Investment Strategy, talk about how we think about taxes as part of our investment strategy and philosophy.

    20 min
  • Market Update | March 2026

    This is the audio from March 24, 2026’s Making Sense Market update. Each month, our team takes a deep dive into markets and the economy. Link to access the video and charts: https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/market-outlook/2026/making-sense-march-market-update

    In March’s Market Update, Brent Ciliano and Phillip Neuhart took a close look at the conflict in the Middle East, as well as other impactful developments in markets and the economy, including artificial intelligence, private credit, and analyst expectations for company earnings.

    Geopolitical risk has been on the rise for many years. Oil prices and inflation concerns are certainly elevating uncertainty. How do today’s prices rank among other historical oil shocks, and how are businesses and consumers reacting so far?

    56 min

About Making Sense

From the publisher's feed

Making Sense explores the key forces shaping today’s markets—and how they impact the financial decisions investors face every day. Through timely conversations, our market and economic researchers cut through the noise and break down the headlines, trends and market movements that matter, helping you navigate volatility and make more informed investment decisions.