INVESTMENT INSIGHTS
Market Thoughts January 21, 2026
Stocks ended last week (1/16/2026) with modest losses after a volatile five days of market-moving economic data, geopolitics, and Fed drama. The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index slid 0.38 percent, while the Nasdaq Composite Index skidded 0.66 percent. The Dow Jones Industrial Average edged down 0.29 percent. By contrast, the MSCI EAFE Index, which tracks developed overseas stock markets, rose 1.41 percent.
Choppy trading occurred with the following news during the week:
- Criminal investigation into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.
- Call for a 10 percent cap on credit card interest rates for 1 year, put pressure on financial stocks.
- Headline inflation matched forecasts while core inflation came in cooler than expected helped the overall market.
- Geopolitical tensions and disappointing Q4 results from a handful of financial stocks hurt markets.
- Chip manufacturers and banks led a rebound, recouping most of the week’s losses.
- Markets opened higher on Friday but then slid after the president's remarks about the next Fed Chair candidate.
This Week's Companies Reporting Earnings: Tuesday: Netflix, Inc. (FLIX), Interactive Brokers Group, Inc. (IBKR), 3M Company (MMM), U.S. Bancorp (USB) Wednesday: Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), The Charles Schwab Corporation (SCHW), Prologis, Inc. (PLD) Thursday: Procter & Gamble Company (PG), GE Aerospace (GE), Intel Corporation (INTC), Abbott Laboratories (ABT), Intuitive Surgical (ISRG), Capital One Financial Corporation (COF) Forecasts: When you see the word “forecast,” it should be closely followed by, “Forecasts are based on assumptions and are subject to revisions over time. Financial, economic, political, and regulatory issues may cause the actual results to differ from the forecast.” That was so true in 2025. After April 2, 2025, when Liberation Day tariffs were rolled out, many market gurus lowered their full-year forecast for the S&P 500—only to update their outlook again a few months later as stock prices roared higher. So a lesson learned—forecasts can be moving targets on Wall Street. The table shows what the Street’s best and brightest are looking for in 2026. If you toss out the highest and lowest, you can see that the others settle into a pretty tight range for the year (as of this moment Jan 21, 2026 the S&P 500 stands at 6,865).
RETIREMENT ACCOUNTS WHEN YOU CHANGE YOUR JOB
Over half of the American labor force has their eye out for a new job. The great resignation is shaping into the great reshuffle, and it’s continuing. You never know when you might find that big change, the one where you cant say no. Youve diligently been saving in your retirement plan, but what do you do now? Leaving it in place is one choice to consider, if it’s allowed. Moving it into a new employer’s plan is another option. You could look at taking it out as a lump sum but that could mean taxes and penalties. Another choice to consider is rolling the money into a tax-deferred account designed for retirement, a rollover IRA. We can help you decide what is the right choice for you.
linking your bank account to an app
Linking your bank accounts to financial tools and apps often involves a range of security measures, but there are still risks to be aware of. Here’s what you should know before you connect your bank accounts to a third-party service. Although funds in a bank account are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), that protection does not always extend to non-bank financial apps. This lack of coverage, along with other security issues, can pose risks when connecting your bank account to such apps. Fortunately, many third-party apps employ various technologies to safeguard your information, though the strength of these protections can differ significantly from one app to another. It’s important to review an app’s security practices and insurance coverage before deciding to use it. Below are some common security features these apps may offer.
- Encryption
- Tokenization
- Multi-factor authentication
- Third-party security reviews
- Liability protection
- Biometric verification
- Transport Layer Security (TLS)
- Payment confirmation notifications
Certain apps, including peer-to-peer payment platforms, may fall under the protection of the Electronic Fund Transfer Act, which helps reduce a user’s financial responsibility if unauthorized transactions occur. As a general rule, it’s important to verify that an app is trustworthy before using it. Along with examining its security features, you can research user feedback, ratings, and any reported issues online.
How to keep your bank accounts safe
- Use secure Wi-Fi: When using an app that deals with your bank or money source use a secure Wi-Fi network. Public Wi-Fi connections, like at the airport or coffee shop, can be easily hacked and others may be able to see your browsing history or personal information coming from your connected device.
- Research third-party apps: Only use an app that you've researched and understand how it protects your information.
- Monitor your accounts: You can set up alerts on your bank accounts like notifying you when a transaction is over a certain dollar amount and login regularly to see the activity.
- Password-protect your devices: Be sure you are locking your devices with passwords or biometric authentication to protect your data.
- Use unique passwords: Seems like the only way to remember, but don’t use the same password for multiple accounts; especially the most important ones!
Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/banking/article/link-bank-accounts-financial-tools-apps-144207643.html
Schedule a review of your accounts by visiting this link: https://calendly.com/meetwithcoxglobal. We are available by phone, zoom, and in person.
Cox Global Associates, Inc. || 1260 Pin Oak Road, Suite 204 || Katy, TX 77494 || 281.395.8300 https://www.coxglobalassociates.com/ || info@coxglobalassociates.com
Securities and Advisory Services are offered through Geneos Wealth Management, Inc. FINRA, SIPC. Investment advisory services also offered through Cox Global Associates, Inc., A Registered Investment Advisor.
Sources: YCharts.com, January 17, 2026. Weekly performance is measured from Monday, January 12, to Friday, January 16. TR = total return for the index, which includes any dividends as well as any other cash distributions during the period. Treasury note yield is expressed in basis points, WSJ.com, January 12,13, & 16, 2026 , Investing.com, January 16, 2026, CNBC.com, January 12, 14, & 16, 2026. Companies mentioned are for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of the securities. Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost. Companies may reschedule their earnings reports without notice. The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. It may not be used for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. Articles may be developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite is not affiliated with the named broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information, and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.
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Cox Global Associates Inc.