Financial Focus
With a few months remaining in 2026, there may still be time to identify potential tax issues and consider planning opportunities before year-end.
We would be happy to schedule a tax checkup to discuss steps that may help you prepare for the next tax season, including the strategies featured in the articles below.
Market Update
Wall Street enjoyed a solid month in August, despite periodic volatility. Stocks overcame inflation concerns, a receding labor market, rising Treasury yields, monetary policy uncertainty, and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East to post end-of-the-month gains. The markets focused on strong corporate earnings, softening inflation data, and investor optimism surrounding AI. The S&P 500 reached an all-time high in early August, only to slide marginally lower later in the month, but still ahead of its July closing value. The Nasdaq led the indexes as tech shares resumed their dominance. Among the market sectors, financials, information technology, health care, materials, communication services, and consumer discretionary gained ground in August, while utilities, industrials, real estate, and consumer staples declined.
August 2026 was a challenging month for the U.S. bond market, defined by rising yields across the curve, pressure on long-term Treasuries, and modestly negative total returns in most fixed income sectors. Bonds mostly reacted to the Federal Reserve rate hold, cooling inflation that remained above the Fed's target, geopolitical hostilities that influenced oil prices, and the recent trade fallout between the U.S. and Canada. The U.S. economy in August may best be described as resilient, with moderate growth and solid private demand, yet somewhat stymied by a retreat in hiring.
International Markets
European equity markets ended August 2026 showing moderate strength, although with mixed results. Markets were buoyed by strong corporate earnings and resilient economic growth. Asian markets experienced a more volatile August but ended the month mostly higher. Asian stocks were primarily impacted by artificial intelligence shares, shifting central bank expectations, and geopolitical developments affecting energy markets and investor risk appetite. By the end of August, the STOXX Europe 600 Index ticked up 0.2% for the month; the United Kingdom's FTSE fell 0.4%; Japan's Nikkei 225 Index gained 4.0%; and China's Shanghai Composite Index rose 4.6%.
On a Personal Note
Jeff and Peggy went to Denver for a long weekend to visit their son Braden. Their oldest son Luke went too, and it was great having the family together. They all did a hike in the mountains and went to a concert at Red Rock. Drew and Stephanie drove their oldest daughter back to college and watched their youngest daughter start her senior year of high school. That empty nest is on a branch nearby! August was back-to-school time in Chris’s household. He now has two high schoolers, one of which is cheering for the varsity football team and one of which is playing on the JV soccer team. Needless to say, their fall is going to be busy. Lisa's family spent a long weekend in Nashville for her nephew's wedding. The wedding was beautiful and they had so much fun being together with everyone. With summer winding down Sam had a mellow August, spending most of his weekends on the golf course and visiting family. He’s still waiting for the golf course to reward all that time and effort. August flew by for Taylor and her family. The month included looking at fish at the aquarium, post dinner trips to the park, and acquiring new books at the library. She is loving the toddler phase!
