'Completely fine' to enter volatile market phase as investors take profits, says Citi's Drew Pettit

Market Outlook - A healthy bull market should experience profit-taking, suggesting a potential volatile phase is normal and could lead to a healthier market setup [2] - The current market situation is earnings-driven by profitable companies, differentiating it from past bubbles where earnings couldn't meet expectations [5] - Strategists suggest buying on dips and selling on strength, which is considered healthy behavior in a bull market [7] Investment Strategy - The firm recommends a barbell strategy, pairing large-cap growth stocks with small-cap stocks for Q4 [10] - Large-cap growth stocks have strong earnings momentum and should be bought on any weakness [8] - Small-cap stocks have been left behind but are showing an inflection out of an earnings growth recession, making them attractive [9][10] Economic Factors - The market's current performance is disconnected from GDP, focusing more on structural factors that are already priced in [7] - The expectation of Fed easing could be a macro catalyst for small-cap growth [10] - Tax tailwinds are offsetting tariff concerns, supporting earnings growth, especially for small-cap companies [12] - Small-cap companies are showing real earnings growth for the first time in more than eight quarters [13]