In this episode of Ticker Talk, we talk about the first quarter of 2026—a quarter that was anything but quiet. From geopolitical flashpoints in Venezuela and Iran, to a sharp but temporary market pullback, to the rapid advances in AI, the past 90 days gave investors plenty to process. We’ll break down what really drove markets lower early in the quarter, why small caps, commodities, and precious metals told a very different story, and how a swift rebound to new all‑time highs reminds us just how counterintuitive markets can be. Along the way, we’ll cut through the noise around inflation, interest rates, and tech disruption to focus on what matters most: earnings, diversification, discipline, and keeping today’s headlines from derailing a long‑term investment plan. Enjoy!