Weekly Round Up of Articles

March 13, 2026

Hope everyone had a wonderful week. We wanted to share our current thoughts and articles that can benefit your planning outcomes.

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Market Update: Inflation Data and Global Tensions Keep Markets on Edge

Markets experienced another somewhat choppy week as investors digested new inflation data and kept a close eye on rising geopolitical tensions and energy prices. While inflation continues to show signs of easing overall, the path forward may not be entirely smooth.

Inflation Data Shows Continued Progress

The most closely watched economic report of the week came on Wednesday, March 11, with the release of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for February.

The report showed that inflation remains relatively stable and continues to gradually moderate:

Headline inflation rose 0.3% for the month
Annual inflation came in at 2.4%
Core inflation (excluding food and energy) increased 0.2% for the month and 2.5% year-over-year

While inflation is still slightly above the Federal Reserve’s long-term 2% target, the overall trend continues to move in the right direction. Shelter and energy prices were the primary drivers of the monthly increase, while some consumer goods categories continued to see price declines.

In short, the data reinforced the idea that inflation is cooling, but not necessarily disappearing.

Consumer Sentiment Reflects Some Caution

On Friday, March 13, investors also watched the latest consumer sentiment data, which provides insight into how households are feeling about the economy.

Early readings suggest consumer confidence softened slightly, as rising gasoline prices and geopolitical uncertainty weighed on consumer outlook. While spending remains relatively healthy, consumers appear to be growing a bit more cautious.

Energy Prices and Geopolitics Add Uncertainty

Adding to the week’s volatility were developments overseas. Escalating tensions in the Middle East pushed oil prices higher, raising concerns that energy costs could once again put pressure on inflation in the months ahead.

Energy stocks benefited from the rise in oil prices, but the broader market saw mixed performance as investors reassessed how higher energy prices could influence inflation and interest rate policy.

What This Means for the Federal Reserve

For now, the Federal Reserve remains in a “wait and see” mode.

The latest inflation data does not appear strong enough to force additional rate hikes, but it may also not be weak enough to prompt immediate rate cuts. As a result, policymakers will likely continue to monitor incoming economic data before making any major changes to interest rate policy.

Looking Ahead

As we move further into the year, several key themes will likely remain in focus:

The continued path of inflation
The impact of energy prices on the broader economy
Consumer spending and confidence
Signals from the Federal Reserve about future rate decisions

While short-term market volatility is never comfortable, it is also a normal part of investing. Markets often react quickly to new information, but long-term investment success typically comes from staying focused on fundamentals rather than reacting to every headline.

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