Still believe we'll have a better-than-average year in 2026, says Carson Group's Ryan Detrick

Market Outlook - The S&P 500 is expected to gain between 12% and 15% this year, indicating a positive market outlook [1] - The global economy appears to be on better footing, with industrial metals like copper showing price increases, suggesting fewer rate cuts than previously anticipated [2] - High yield bonds showed resilience during market fluctuations, indicating underlying strength in the market despite occasional downturns [3] Economic Indicators - Recent growth forecasts have improved, with expectations for a stronger fourth quarter than initially predicted [5] - The first quarter may see stimulus effects from larger tax refunds, contributing to economic growth [6] - Productivity increased by 4.9% in the third quarter, which is expected to support higher earnings growth and wage increases while capping inflation [8][10] Investment Strategy - A diversified portfolio is recommended, with an emphasis on equities, as small caps have recently outperformed large caps [11][12][13] - The market is not solely driven by a few large stocks; there are positive trends across various sectors, including transportation and regional banks reaching multi-year highs [14] - The current market environment suggests that investors should not be overly concerned about overvaluation, as growth and profit margins continue to rise [7][8]