Record highs. Cheaper tech stocks. Strong earnings - sounds too good to be true?

Big Tech’s pullback has made valuations more compelling, while earnings continue to show resilience and the markets are setting new all-time highs. And despite fears around buying at new highs, history suggests those moments have often rewarded investors.

This week we cover:

• Is tech actually cheap again?

• Valuation - what matters most

• Why some tech stocks may look cheaper than European stocks

• The surprising case for buying at all-time highs

Join Tyler Ellegard, Keith Gangl, and Lisa Schreiber for markets, insights, and a little fun! 👉 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for weekly market insights.

We’ve got a new face on the pod - welcome our Investment Analyst, John!

Earnings season is off to a strong start, with banks leading the way - delivering standout results and pointing to continued resilience from the US consumer. Analysts are expecting double-digit earnings growth for Q1 2026.

But here’s the disconnect:

Consumer sentiment just hit its lowest level in over 70 years - below even the GFC, COVID, and the dot-com bubble era. So what’s going on?

We break down:

• Key takeaways from early bank earnings

• The resilience (and cracks) in the US consumer

• Whether earnings expectations are too optimistic

• The growing gap between market reality and consumer perception

• Why sentiment can serve as a contrarian indicator

And of course - we wrap it up with some fun: Meta is introducing an AI twin of CEO Zuckerberg for employees… so naturally we ask: Is it time for an AI version of our beloved Gradient Investments president? 😄

Episode 100. We made it.

In this milestone episode, we look back through the full run of Picker's Market — the predictions that aged well, the ones that didn't, and the wild market moments we documented in real time. From Lisa calling gold's massive run in January 2025, to living through Liberation Day volatility in real time, to watching DeepSeek blindside the entire market — it's all on the table.

Join Tyler Ellegard, Keith Gangl, and Lisa Schreiber — plus a round of 2 Truths & a Lie: Picker's Market Edition.

The first quarter of 2026 is officially in the books and it didn’t come quietly.

Markets delivered a volatile start to the year, with the S&P 500 down around 4% year-to-date despite a massive rebound day to close out the quarter. Meanwhile, oil prices surged above $100, Treasury yields climbed, and the market narrative continues to shift quickly.

We also touch on how volatility impacts markets and structured note pricing and where opportunities may rise beneath the surface.

And of course - we wrap it up with some fun:

Spring is here, Easter is around the corner, and the team shares their seasonal traditions, and whether Minnesota spring lives up to the hype 🌷

Join Tyler Ellegard, Keith Gangl, and Lisa Schreiber for markets, insights, and a little fun!

Safe havens are supposed to protect investors during times of crisis… so why are they failing right now?

In this episode, we unpack a market environment that’s breaking the usual playbook:

• Gold is down about 20% from its recent highs

• Treasury yields are surging instead of falling

• Rate cut expectations have completely flipped

We dig into what’s really driving markets right now - from inflation pressures and rising yields to shifting Fed expectations - and what it means for portfolios going forward.

We also discuss:

• Whether markets are close to a bottom despite geopolitical conflicts

• Why defensive sectors look expensive while cyclicals may offer opportunity

• And where we’re seeing opportunities in today’s environment

And for a lighter twist at the end…

Is the metaverse officially dead — or just down (a lot)?

The Fed takes center stage today — and AI is stealing the spotlight right alongside it.

In this episode, we break down the Federal Reserve's rate decision, why markets aren't expecting much movement for the rest of the year, and whether the Fed is quietly keeping one eye on oil prices even when they say they're not. We also dive deep into AI — from the Citrini Research report that kicked off the software selloff, to AI agents that are starting to act rather than just answer, to the real story on job displacement and which workers should actually be paying attention.

Join Tyler Ellegard, Keith Gangl, and Lisa Schreiber for markets, insights, and a little fun!

Oil markets have been on a wild ride lately. Prices briefly surged toward $120 per barrel before retreating sharply, marking one of the largest one-day reversals on record and highlighting just how volatile energy markets can become during geopolitical conflicts.

In this episode, we break down what’s driving the recent oil price swings and why events in the Middle East - responsible for roughly one-third of global oil production - can quickly ripple through global energy markets. We also discuss the importance of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.

We explore how higher oil prices act like a tax on consumers, their potential impact on inflation and economic growth, and which industries feel the pressure most - including airlines, transportation and consumer sectors. We also look at whether companies can pass higher costs on to consumers and whether there may also be winners during periods of energy volatility.

Global conflicts are back at the center of financial markets. After initially shrugging off geopolitical tensions earlier in the week, markets quickly reversed as volatility surged.

In this episode, we discuss how markets historically react during geopolitical crises, why oil supply and key shipping routes like the Strait of Hormuz matter for the global economy, and which sectors tend to benefit during periods of conflict - as well as which sectors typically face headwinds. We also look at whether Treasuries and gold still serve as safe havens in times of rising geopolitical uncertainty.

Finally, we examine the viral “2028 Global Intelligence Crisis” report from Citrini Research, which explores a hypothetical future where rapid AI adoption disrupts jobs, consumption, and the broader economy.

This week, we break down the Supreme Court’s big ruling on U.S. tariffs - what it means for the $170 billion already collected, how the effective tariff rate drops, and why markets barely reacted. We also dig into the next steps: can tariffs return under different rulesets, and what that means for investors and portfolios.

From a market perspective, we break down how this ruling shifts trade uncertainty, influences inflation outlooks, and what it could mean for the US consumer and companies. We also touch on key takeaways from the State of the Union speech.

Join Keith Gangl, Kyle Bergacker, Tyler Ellegard & Lisa Schreiber for a practical discussion on markets, trade policy, and portfolio positioning - always with a touch of fun!

We’ve entered the Year of the Fire Horse 🔥🐎

This week, we break down whether the Lunar New Year market effect is real and where it shows up most. We also dig into a surprising stat: older generations now spend more time on their phones than younger ones - is it productivity, changing habits, or doomscrolling?

On the markets side, we tackle the AI-driven selloff, why it’s spreading beyond just software stocks, and why investors are hesitant to buy the dip. Is this AI paralysis, cognitive overload, or the start of a true stock-picker’s market? We also discuss some stock picks unfairly caught in the selloff that could be positioned for a strong rebound.

We wrap things up with some fun: a Pokémon card that sold for $16.5 million?! We ask: what hidden treasure might be sitting in your basement or attic that could be worth some serious money some day?