Making Sense

Making Sense

By First Citizens WealthBusinessInvesting
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Making Sense episodes

  • Conflict in the Middle East: Navigating headlines and portfolio positioning

    On Monday, March 9, 2026, Phillip Neuhart, Head of Market and Economic Research, and Thomas O’Keefe, Managing Director of Portfolio Strategy, talked about how we’re thinking about portfolio positioning in light of recent geopolitical headlines and market events.

    With news rapidly changing, investors can easily get lost in the noise. Learn how we’re navigating headlines and portfolios positioning. Additional links regarding the conflict in the Middle East:
    • In Brief 03.09.2026 https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth
    • Conflict in the Middle East: Navigating the first few days: https://www.firstcitizens.com/content/dam/firstcitizens/pdfs/wealth/market-outlook/2026/conflict-in-middle-east-first-days.pdf
    • February’s Market Update: https://www.firstcitizens.com/wealth/market-outlook/2026/making-sense-february-market-update

    19 min
  • Market Update | February 2026

    This is the audio from February 25, 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-february-market-update

    This month, Phillip Neuhart and Blake Taylor talked about the housing market, policy developments and the outlook for jobs and inflation. They also reviewed trends in fixed income and equity markets, including valuations and the recent broadening of equity market returns.

    AI enthusiasm—and CapEx spending—is off the charts, reminiscent of some of the biggest investment projects in history like railroads and the internet buildout. What does this mean for markets and the economy, and what should investors consider moving forward?

    44 min
  • Market Update | January 2026

    This is the audio from January 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-january-market-update

    In this month's market update, Chief Investment Officer, Brent Ciliano, and Senior Director of Market and Economic Research, Phillip Neuhart, discussed inflation trends, the slowing labor market, and a richly valued equity market.

    46 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.