As they kick off every week of Money Wise, the guys begin this week’s episode with a recap of a strong week for the markets, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average gaining 1,162 points (2.9%), the S&P 500 rising by 210 points (3.9%), and the NASDAQ up 886 points (5.3%). Year-to-date, the Dow is up 7.9%, the S&P 500 is up 16.4%, and the NASDAQ is up 17.5%. The Money Wise guys discuss how the market has made a complete recovery from the downturn that started in early August, with market sentiment quickly shifting from fear of a hard landing to optimism about a soft landing for the economy. The volatility index (VIX), which measures fear in the market, had spiked dramatically but has since calmed down as economic data improved. The conversation continues on to highlight several key turning points, including better-than-expected initial jobless claims and positive inflation data, particularly with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showing the lowest year-over-year inflation in three years. The hosts believe that this improvement in economic indicators, along with more favorable Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers, helps alleviate fears of a recession or hard landing. The Money Wise guys also discuss how the Federal Reserve is now expected to implement a more modest interest rate cut, possibly 0.25%, rather than the more drastic cuts previously speculated. Overall, they comment that the market's response to the improved data has been positive, driving the strong performance seen throughout the past week. The Volatility Index The Volatility Index, commonly referred to as the VIX, is a key measure of market sentiment that tracks expected market volatility over the next 30 days. Often called the "fear gauge," it rises when investors anticipate higher risk or uncertainty and falls when confidence in the market is stronger. Right now, the VIX is particularly pertinent because recent spikes reflected heightened fear of a potential economic downturn or market correction. However, as economic data has improved, such as better-than-expected jobless claims and easing inflation, the VIX has calmed down, signaling a more optimistic outlook among investors. This reduction in fear has contributed to the recent market rebound. In the second hour today, the Money Wise guys discuss Equity Index Annuities. 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.