On Fox Business, Advisors Capital Management Portfolio Manager Gus Scacco discussed what may move markets in the weeks ahead. Against a backdrop of tariff headlines, overseas volatility, and a busy earnings calendar, he highlighted the resilience of the U.S. consumer, what recent bank results may be signaling about the economy, and how companies are using technology, including artificial intelligence, to seek greater efficiency.
Interview: January 19th, 2026
The conversation touched on backward-looking economic indicators like third-quarter GDP and the Fed’s preferred inflation gauge, the Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) index, and how these data points may inform expectations for interest rates. Gus also discussed how select consumer and insurance companies are navigating this environment, with a focus on fundamentals such as margins, credit trends, and underwriting discipline.
Key Takeaways
- Consumer resilience remains an important market driver: Recent bank earnings suggest that consumer activity and credit trends remain solid, although that could change as conditions evolve.
- Backward-looking data can still help frame the outlook: Measures like GDP and PCE inflation do not predict the future, but they may offer useful context for how policymakers and markets view growth and price pressures.
- Interest rates remain a central variable: The path of interest rates may continue to influence valuations, borrowing costs, and investor sentiment across asset classes.
- AI is a practical tool, not just a buzzword: Companies may be using AI and analytics to improve inventory, staffing, and operations, which could support margins but does not guarantee improved performance.
- Insurance fundamentals matter: Metrics such as the combined ratio can help investors evaluate whether an insurer’s underwriting and expense profile is currently favorable, recognizing that catastrophe events and market environments can change quickly.
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