Low-volatility stocks look cheap, AI may be helping hiring, and banks are turning higher rates into a tailwind.

The Trump administration is taking stakes in chip, defense, quantum, and rare earth companies that align with policy priorities. These “National Champion” stocks could see long-term competitive advantages that aren’t immediately apparent.

Lower income households are getting a raise, increasing capex estimates signal confidence, and small businesses are catching up in their use of AI.

Jim Lydotes flips the timer on a retail energy deal, thinner consumer cushions, and how index rebalancing shows why investors should look beneath the market surface.

Jim Lydotes flips the timer on our Grassroots Research on data centers, healthcare companies reinvesting AI dividends, and the breakdown in common value metrics.

Jim Lydotes breaks down three market signals: a shift in enterprise AI spending, energy reshoring after Iran tensions, and a potential catalyst for housing.

Jim Lydotes flips the timer on 1) packaging companies’ pricing power, 2) consolidation in utilities, 3) Voya’s Grassroots Research on college recruitment in the AI era.

Jim Lydotes flips the timer on 1) small cap capex, 2) Voya’s Grassroots Research® on cyber spending, 3) an interesting setup for specialty chemicals.

Jim Lydotes covers: 1) how health care is stabilizing, 2) why used cars could be an inflation indicator, and 3) why AI spending could crowd out hiring.

The first phase of the AI trade rewarded broad calls: “Buy power!” “Sell software!” The next phase will require much more discrimination across business models, capital structures, and industries.