Zhang Financial

06/01/2026

Economic indicators were mixed last week, with PCE coming in better than expected while initial jobless claims and personal income fared worse than anticipated. Still, the S&P 500 rose 1.44% as growth outperformed value. Additionally, international markets continued to climb, with emerging markets gaining 4% last week alone. Emerging markets are now up 25.6% YTD, despite the drag from underperforming Chinese equities.

05/26/2026

Anticipation for a potential end to the war in Iran caused inflation expectations to drop, and the Atlanta Fed raised it Q2 GDP forecast from +4% to +4.3%. Interest rate hikes, rather than cuts, are expected by the end of the year; however, no change is expected at the next meeting in June. The S&P rose 0.91% last week, driven by small-cap and non-Magnificent 7 companies. International markets performed well, as both developed and emerging indexes climbed over 1% last week alone.

Watch: https://youtu.be/oEVuaQDVSRk
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2021410/episodes/19244562

05/26/2026

The Portage Zhang Farmers Market celebrated its ribbon cutting today ahead of the pavilion's official opening this Sunday. More than a home for the market, the new pavilion was created as a place for connection, conversation, and community — bringing people together at a time when so much of life has moved online.

As Lynn Chen-Zhang shared during the ceremony:
"Nowadays we do everything online — we shop online, order food online, even have meetings online. While technology provides convenience, real human connection has become more rare. That's why I'm extremely proud that, as everything goes digital, we as a community decided to invest in something physical that provides neighbor to neighbor connection"

We're proud to support a space that will continue bringing together local farmers, small businesses, families, and neighbors for years to come.

05/20/2026

Join us on Tuesday, May 26, for the ribbon-cutting ceremony as the market officially opens its new permanent home at 125 East Centre Avenue, next to the Zhang Senior Center!

Beginning May 31, the Portage Zhang Farmers Market will hold weekly markets at its new location, continuing a tradition that has brought together local farmers, vendors, and the community for more than a decade.

We’re excited to celebrate this next chapter and hope to see you there!

05/18/2026

A few weeks ago, markets were anticipating an 80% chance of no interest rate changes for the rest of 2026. That has since dropped to 49%, paired with a 39% probability of one rate hike due to higher-than-expected inflation. US markets remained positive, with the S&P 500 rising 0.2% last week, now +8.7% YTD. This exceeds developed international markets, sitting at +6% YTD, but still trails emerging markets at +19.5%.

Watch: https://youtu.be/aYedul8oZKM
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2021410/episodes/19198252

05/15/2026

Thank you to WWMT News Channel 3 for featuring our Founder and President, Charles Zhang CFP®, MBA, MSFS, ChFC, and CEO Lynn Chen-Zhang, CFP®, CPA, PFS, MBA, MS, as they are honored with the 2026 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.

Congratulations to Charles and Lynn on this well-deserved honor and for the many ways they continue to serve clients and community.

Read the full story below.

A well-known philanthropic couple around town is receiving prestigious, national recognition.

05/11/2026

Non-farm payrolls landed at 115,000, exceeding the predicted 73,000. 89% of S&P 500 companies have reported Q1 earnings, and 84% of those have beaten expectations. Moreover, the average outperformance is 18.2%; this caused the index to rise 2.4% last week, and it is now +8.5% YTD. However, international markets continue to outperform, with emerging markets up +6.9% last week alone and +22.5% YTD.

Watch: https://youtu.be/yo3ltzjXhCY
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2021410/episodes/19159998

05/04/2026

Q1 GDP grew at 2%, beating expectations of 1.3%. The Atlanta Federal Reserve is expecting a strong Q2 as well, projecting 3.5% growth. Interest rates remained unchanged, with markets pricing in a 77% probability of no rate movement through the end of 2026. The S&P 500 rose 0.9% as earnings impressed investors : 84% of S&P companies that have reported have beaten expectations, on average by over 20%.

Watch: https://youtu.be/AQgc8k1KDXs
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2021410/episodes/19123654

04/20/2026

Slower-than-expected PPI data and a robust start to the earnings season, where 88% of companies have beaten estimates, pushed the S&P 500 up 4.55% last week. Markets are pricing in a 51% probability of no rate changes this year, and the Atlanta Federal Reserve is forecasting 1.3% growth for Q1 GDP.

Watch: https://youtu.be/A4D6c2YYAlw
Listen: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2021410/episodes/19048282

04/17/2026

At Zhang Financial, we believe true wealth management goes beyond portfolios—it includes investing in the well-being of the communities we serve.

We are honored to support the Bread of Life Food Program through the Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo.

This year, the program reached a meaningful milestone:
📦 60,000+ pounds of food distributed
👥 6,000 individuals served
As a fee-only fiduciary firm, our commitment to putting clients first extends beyond financial advice—it reflects how we show up in our community.

We are proud to stand alongside the dedicated volunteers working to address food insecurity in Kalamazoo.