In this episode of the Planned Solutions Podcast, the Federal Reserve has held interest rates steady thus far in 2026 and recently signaled that it will likely remain on pause as the committee monitors the impact of higher oil prices and reduced oil supply. Earlier this year, the market priced in the expectation that the Fed would keep rates steady in early 2026 and cut rates later in the year. The market is now pricing in a 52% probability that the Fed will raise interest rates at least once in 2026, a major reversal.S&P 500 earnings growth rebounded in early 2025 and accelerated during the year. By the third quarter, the year-over-year earnings growth rate increased to more than 20%, with the fourth quarter expected to report similar results. This strong earnings growth may be one reason that the stock market has been more resilient thus far to increased geopolitical uncertainty than would be expected.Several US stock indexes entered correction territory, which means prices declined by 10% or more from their previous all-time highs. Corrections are considered normal, whereas a bear market (a decline of 20% or more) is considered much more serious and often signals a future economic recession. So the market activity so far is concerning, but signals that it is too early to take action, given the uncertainty currently impacting the markets and the economy.Plus, a look at the Planned Solutions Incorporated Office Bulletin Board - Anyone unable to complete and file their personal income tax returns by the April 15th deadline may file for an automatic six-month extension to file their taxes, making the extended deadline October 15th. However, an extension of time to file income tax returns is not an extension of time to pay any taxes that may be due. Instead, taxpayers are required to estimatetheir income, deductions, and credits, even if they do not have all the final numbers available, and if there is tax due, make a payment with their request for an extension.If an extension is filed and the final tax returns are filed after April 15th with a balance due, the IRS and state tax authorities may assess interest on the amount due as well as underpayment penalties. Therefore, it is important to complete as much of the tax return as possible before the April 15th deadline so the tax liability, if any, can be estimated as accurately as possible.To subscribe to the Personal Finance Review (the written form of all the content we discuss on the podcast), please e-mail ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠ ⁠ Planned Solutions, Inc.ADDRESS: 1130 Iron Point Road, Suite 170, Folsom, CA 95630 PHONE: ⁠(916) 361-0100⁠ or ⁠(800) 750-2111⁠E-MAIL: ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠m⁠ FAX: (916) 361-0191WEBSITE:⁠www.PlannedSolutions.com