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Weekly Market Insights, October 18–24, 2026 Corporate profits are booming, yet stocks are stuck. Here’s what’s holding them back.Stocks hit record highs earlier this month, and then the market started drifting sideways, even as company profits kept coming in strong. Oil, interest rates, AI nerves and an election are all pulling at your portfolio at once, and some of it shows up at your gas pump and in your mortgage quote. |
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About a 5-minute read from our partners at AE Wealth Management. |
Three questions this week’s commentary answers| ? | Why can’t stocks hit new highs? Earnings have been growing at a pace we rarely see, and still the major indexes have slipped since their records. A handful of outside forces are doing the damage. | | ? | Do tax cuts make life cheaper? Candidates from both parties are promising relief on the cost of living, and lower taxes are a favorite tool. There’s a catch most campaign speeches skip. | | ? | Will the Fed move this week? The central bank meets with an election just around the corner. The market has already placed its bets on what happens now, and again in December. |
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The week in three numbers29.5% Blended year-over-year earnings growth so far this quarter | | 7.36% The average 30-year mortgage rate, down slightly on the week | | $103.27 Price per barrel of oil as of October 23 |
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How the markets finishedS&P 500 -0.47% | NASDAQ -0.71% | Dow Jones +0.41% |
One-week returns as of October 23, 2026. |
The full commentary walks through the Fed’s reasoning, the case against moving now, and the data to watch this week. |
 What could this mean for your plan? If you’re carrying a mortgage or other loan, sitting on extra cash, or getting close to retirement, a market stuck in the mud while rates stay high can change your timing. It’s worth a short conversation to see whether anything in your plan deserves a fresh look. Or call us at 515.782.1040 |
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One quick question: What’s the one money question on your mind as the year winds down? Send it our way, and it might shape a future post. Mark A. Gelbman, CFP®, CLU®, CRPC®, AAMS®
Financial Advisor | | |   
12130 Meredith Drive
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Urbandale, IA 50323 Direct: 515-782-1040
Cell Phone: 515-443-9567
Text: 515-200-2698
mark.gelbman@strategicwealthsolutionsllc.com
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AE Wealth Management, LLC (AEWM) is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) located in Topeka, Kansas. Registration does not denote any level of skill or qualification. The advisory firm providing you this report is an independent financial services firm and is not an affiliate company of AE Wealth Management, LLC. AEWM works with a variety of independent advisors. Some of the advisors are Investment Adviser Representatives (IAR) who provide investment advisory services through AEWM. Some of the advisors are Registered Investment Advisers providing investment advisory services that incorporate some of the products available through AEWM. Information regarding the RIA offering the investment advisory services can be found at https://adviserinfo.sec.gov/. Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. This information is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. None of the information contained herein shall constitute an offer to sell or solicit any offer to buy a security or insurance product. Market data sourced from AE Wealth Management, Weekly Market Insights, Oct. 18–24, 2026. Past performance does not guarantee future results. |
