From Our Point of View

Global markets pulled back this week as renewed AI volatility, softer consumer sentiment, and mixed economic data weighed on investor confidence. Despite strong results from NVIDIA, big-tech weakness dominated trading while bonds benefited from a risk-off shift. With the Federal Reserve hinting that December rate cuts are still on the table, markets are preparing for a data-heavy week that may shape year-end positioning.

Stocks pulled back after a strong October as investors grew cautious on AI valuations, mixed labor data, and fading consumer confidence. Here’s how the markets performed and what to watch as inflation data and key economic reports arrive next week.

Stocks extended their rally through Halloween as the S&P 500 posted its sixth straight monthly gain. A hawkish-leaning Fed rate cut, end of quantitative tightening, and a U.S.–China trade truce defined a volatile but resilient week across global markets.

In this Chief Investment Officer Briefing, Freedom Family Office examines the intersection of artificial intelligence, market valuations, and fiscal policy. Our CIO provides a data-grounded view on whether AI-related equities reflect lasting innovation or speculative excess, the role of gold and bitcoin as long-term hedges, and key indicators to watch as markets evolve. The piece reinforces our philosophy: stay intentional, stay diversified, and let evidence—not emotion—guide financial decisions.

U.S. stocks extended gains as investors welcomed upbeat earnings and easing trade tensions. Cooling inflation data reinforced expectations for a Federal Reserve rate cut next week, while global markets advanced on strong corporate results and political developments in Asia and Europe.