Jeremiah Buckley: We're optimistic that we'll see positive earnings results

Market Trends & Trade - Higher tariff rates are negative for the market, while trade deals are positive [2] - The market ideally prefers more trade deals and fewer tariff increases [3] Economic Outlook - The economy is strong, and positive earnings are expected in the upcoming earning season [3] - Real wage growth continues to be positive, up 1.5%, which bodes well for discretionary spending [6] - Discretionary spending has grown faster than spending on staples, with experiences outpacing goods [7] Banking Sector - Banks raising dividends indicates confidence in forward growth and capital return ability [4] - Net interest income margins are expected to continue increasing this year and into next year [4] - Signs of deregulation could open banks up to further asset growth [5] - Improved capital market activity, driven by M&A and increased certainty, benefits banks' earnings growth [5] Travel & Lodging - Cruise lines are experiencing amazing bookings through the second half of the year [6] - Demand for travel continues to be positive, with global strength offsetting some softness in the US [7] - Booking Holdings is up 14% year-to-date, demonstrating strong growth in nights booked and exposure outside the US, particularly in Europe [7] Software & AI - Software companies should focus on leading in AI and incorporating it into their products to avoid being cannibalized [8][9] - AI infrastructure demand is expected to continue to be strong [11] - Software companies are benefiting from AI by using it to write more code faster, but they need to continue to be relevant as the environment transforms [11] - A significant percentage of code is being written by machines [12]