Vicus Capital

05/29/2026

Job openings data and Non-Farm Payrolls will be closely monitored next week as investors and economists look for further insight into whether the labor market is remaining strong or showing signs of weakness, and what that could mean for future Federal Reserve interest-rate policy. Investors will also be watching to see if May marks a third consecutive month of positive non-farm payroll growth.

Earnings from Macy’s, Lululemon, and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet will also be closely observed, as investors look for signs of sales growth, earnings improvement, consumer demand, and commentary on the retail environment amid increased prices for food and fuel. Explore the latest developments that could influence markets in the week ahead.

Read more: https://www.vicuscapital.com/2026/05/29/the-week-ahead-june-1-2026/

05/29/2026

Maintaining a desired standard of living in retirement starts with understanding current spending habits. In cash flow-based financial planning, accurately accounting for living expenses is essential to creating realistic long-term projections and helping clients stay on track toward their goals.

From housing costs and insurance premiums to groceries, travel, and discretionary spending, every expense plays a role in shaping a client’s financial outlook. Identifying unaccounted cash flow and setting realistic retirement spending assumptions can help advisors better prepare clients for future income needs and unexpected changes along the way.

🔗 Read more: https://www.vicuscapital.com/2026/05/18/standard-of-living-living-expenses/

05/25/2026

Vicus Capital will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2026.

Normal office hours will resume Tuesday, May 26 (8:00am-5:00pm).

05/22/2026

Economic data will be closely watched next week as investors await the updated estimate for first-quarter U.S. GDP set to be released on May 28, which could provide further insight into economic growth, consumer demand, and the potential path of future Federal Reserve policy. Meanwhile, the Baker Hughes oil rig count will also be in focus as ongoing conflict with Iran and elevated energy prices continue to impact consumers and global markets.

Earnings from Abercrombie & Fitch, Best Buy, and Kohl’s will also be closely monitored, as investors look for signals on consumer spending trends, sales momentum, and the challenges retailers face in a high-cost environment. Explore the latest developments that could influence markets in the week ahead.

Read more: https://www.vicuscapital.com/2026/05/22/the-week-ahead-may-25-2026/

05/19/2026

Despite U.S. petroleum reserves remaining at higher levels than during 2023, the rate of decline is significantly higher. We estimate that the U.S. will be able to continue depleting reserves for another month or two before being forced to cut back. Note that this decline is not solely due to selling from the strategic petroleum reserve (SPR), but also from corporate reserves. That is why the decline is much sharper than what we saw in 2023 which was mostly a reserve release initiated by the U.S. government in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. You can also see how it rose in 2023 at the end of the year when the SPR was slightly refilled.

What’s going on in the market?

Equities: Domestic equities experienced a mixed week with the S&P 500 (0.2%) gaining, the Dow Jones and NASDAQ (-0.1%) and the Russell 2000 (-2.3%) declining. International markets were negative, as the MSCI EAFE fell 1.5% and MSCI Emerging Markets dipped 2.4%.

Fixed Income: Fixed income also had a negative week. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate TR decreased by 1.1% and the S&P National Muni Bond slipped 0.9%.

Commodities: Crude Oil and Natural Gas Spot grew 7.3% and 4.4% respectively. However, Gold USD Spot fell 3.6%.

Sources: Daily Chartbook / HFI Research (Chart), Bloomberg (Index, Commodities, and Rates Data)

05/18/2026

Initial jobless claims and housing data will be closely monitored next week as investors look for further insight into labor market strength and the resilience of the housing market amid elevated home prices. At the same time, ongoing layoffs across major companies continue to raise questions about whether unemployment claims could trend higher later this year.

Earnings from Home Depot, Cava, and Walmart will also be closely watched, as investors look for signals on consumer spending, housing-related demand, same-store sales growth, and profitability trends. Explore the latest developments that could influence markets in the week ahead.

Read more: https://www.vicuscapital.com/2026/05/15/the-week-ahead-may-18-2026/

05/14/2026

More affluent investors are recognizing the value of professional financial advice, especially as financial planning needs become more complex over time.

In the article, “Cerulli: Affluent Investors Increasingly Willing to Pay for Financial Advice,” researchers explore how investor attitudes toward financial advice continue to evolve and why demand for guidance is growing across wealth levels.

✅ Willingness to pay for advice is increasing - According to Cerulli Associates, 68% of affluent investors were willing to pay for financial advice in 2025, up from 58% in 2024 and 38% in 2010.

✅ Financial complexity, thus willingness to pay for advice, often increases with higher net worth individuals - As assets grow, investors may face more complex tax, estate, and investment planning decisions, increasing the need for professional guidance and personalized strategies. Given this complexity 75% of investors holding $5 million or more in assets are willing to pay for financial advice, along with 64% of investors with between $2 million and $5 million in assets.

While some investors still prefer self-directed platforms, the growing demand for advice highlights the importance of personalized guidance and long-term planning support. By partnering with Vicus Capital, you gain access to a team that can help you maintain personalized support as you continue to scale your business.



🔗 Learn more:
https://www.wealthmanagement.com/client-relations/cerulli-affluent-investors-increasingly-willing-to-pay-for-financial-advice

Source: Wealth Management

While the willingness to pay for advice increases with higher assets, investors across wealth levels are willing to shell out for it.

05/12/2026

Qatar, one of the world’s largest suppliers of helium is (mostly) unable to get their product to market due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Now, you may be wondering why helium is such a big deal…after all, what do we use it for other than birthday balloons? Well, only 17% of helium is used to “lift” things, whereas over 50% is used for scientific purposes, MRI machines, and the production of semiconductors. In an AI-economy, semiconductor production is quite critical.

What’s going on in the market?

Equities: Domestic equities experienced a positive week with the S&P 500 (2.4%), NASDAQ (4.5%) and the Russell 2000 (1.7%) all gaining. Similarly, international markets were positive, as the MSCI EAFE grew 1.1% and MSCI Emerging Markets rose 6.9%.

Fixed Income: Fixed Income also had a positive week. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate TR increased by 0.3% and the S&P National Muni Bond gained 0.2%.

Commodities: Crude Oil and Natural Gas Spot fell 7.4% and 0.7% respectively. However, Gold USD Spot grew 3.2%.
Sources: Elements (Chart), Bloomberg (Index, Commodities, and Rates Data)

05/11/2026

Inflation data will be closely monitored next week as investors await the latest Consumer Price Index report, set to release May 12, for further insight into pricing pressures and the overall direction of the economy. Meanwhile, continued uncertainty surrounding Iran and fluctuating oil prices remain important factors influencing both consumers and financial markets.

Earnings from Under Armour, YETI, and Cisco will also be closely watched, as investors look for insight into consumer demand, restructuring efforts, and the ongoing role of AI and technology infrastructure in driving growth. Explore the latest developments that could influence markets in the week ahead.

Read more: https://www.vicuscapital.com/2026/05/08/the-week-ahead-may-11-2026/

05/05/2026

Just how big is Apple? Many of its component divisions are as large or larger than other well-known businesses. Chip designer AMD has lower revenue than Apple receives from selling iPads alone. Bank and financial custodian Schwab generates significantly lower revenue than Apple generates from Macintosh sales. Starbucks? They’re similar in size to the wearable and home accessory division of Apple. Target? Apple’s services marketplace generates more revenue than all Target locations combined. And lastly, iPhone sales are higher than all of Meta’s (Facebook) revenue, and Bank of America, one of the world’s largest financial institutions.

What’s going on in the market?

Equities: Domestic equities experienced a positive week with the S&P 500 (0.9%), NASDAQ (1.1%) and the Russell 2000 (1.0%) all experiencing gains. Alternatively, international markets were mixed, as the MSCI EAFE grew 1.0% and MSCI Emerging Markets fell 0.5%.

Fixed Income: Fixed Income also had a mostly negative week. The Bloomberg U.S. Aggregate TR fell 0.4% and the S&P National Muni Bond decreased by 0.3%.

Commodities: Crude Oil and Natural Gas Spot rose 8.0% and 10.4% respectively. However, Gold USD Spot decreased 2.3%.

Sources: The Irrelevant Investor / YCharts (Chart), Bloomberg (Index, Commodities, and Rates Data)