Jackson Hole Shifts the Tone, Small-Cap Momentum, & Equity Index Annuities

The Money Wise guys are back in the studio with some fresh takes on what’s happening on Wall Street. This week, the markets responded positively to Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell’s much-anticipated Jackson Hole speech. For the week, the Dow rose 686 points (1.5%), the S&P 500 gained 17 points (0.3%), while the NASDAQ slipped 106 points (-0.6%). Year-to-date, the Dow is up 7.3%, the S&P 10%, and the NASDAQ 11.3%.

The discussion focuses on how Powell’s dovish tone signaled the likelihood of an interest rate cut in September, easing fears of more aggressive tightening. His comments also reframed tariffs as a one-time price adjustment rather than a persistent driver of inflation, an important distinction for investors. The guys also touch on the Dow’s relative strength in August, small-cap momentum, and how Wall Street continues to react to shifting economic signals. In the second half, the team explores how Wall Street is pushing a “gambler’s mentality” among younger investors and raised concerns over so-called “educational” seminars that are really veiled pitches for insurance products.

Jackson Hole Shifts the Tone

The highlight of the week was Jay Powell’s speech at the Federal Reserve’s Jackson Hole symposium, where his unexpectedly dovish tone reassured investors. Rather than doubling down on hawkish policy, Powell signaled that rate cuts could come as soon as September, framing tariffs as a one-time price adjustment instead of a long-term inflation driver. Markets responded quickly, with shorts covering and major indexes rallying into Friday, underscoring just how pivotal Jackson Hole remains in shaping Wall Street’s expectations.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys give listenters a peek into what Wall Street Won’t Tell You. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.