Earnings will be the biggest S&P driver, says Verdence Capital's Megan Horneman

Market Outlook - Verdens Capital advisors haven't set a specific S&P 500 target for a year, focusing on earnings as the primary driver [3] - The market's continued record highs, despite unresolved tariff issues, make the industry cautious about the second half of the year [6] - Concerns exist regarding the long-term economic impact of global debt exceeding 100% of GDP in many developed economies [8] Inflation and Monetary Policy - The industry notes that the Federal Reserve (Fed) is likely to delay interest rate cuts due to uncertainty regarding the impact of tariffs on inflation [9][10] - The potential September rate cut by the Fed is now viewed as a 50-50 chance, contingent on upcoming data and tariff implications [15] - The Fed's decision-making is complicated by the need to balance concerns about slowing growth and a potentially cracking labor market with the unknown impact of tariffs on inflation [12][13][14] Trade and Tariffs - The market initially reacted negatively to the Trump administration's worst-case tariff scenarios, but rebounded when less severe outcomes materialized [5][6] - The postponement of tariffs to August delays the Fed's ability to assess their impact on inflation [9] - The ultimate impact of tariffs on businesses and consumers remains uncertain, requiring a wait-and-see approach [14]