<div id="readability-page-1" class="page"><div id="blog-content">Last week's jitters look short-lived on metals... macro and earnings dominate <img height="340" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="600" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_"/> Strength in buying returned on Monday, bringing the S&amp;P 500 to new highs, although selling pressure in the Russell 2000 remains under the surface. We are now pushing back into a period of some strength, as dip-buying continues across the board.The ongoing support from central banks and policy actions has helped steer markets amid concerns about banking reserves, repo issues, and geopolitical tensions. With the Nasdaq pulling back toward equilibrium on risk and reversion possibilities, it’s hard to keep the top performers on the S&amp;P 500 down.The ongoing yo-yo effect of markets has been quick reactions and sharp reversals in specific sectors, followed by theBut I must stress. From a liquidity perspective, the markets appear to be behaving in line with expectations. Speculation around commodities remains rampant, especially when backed by national policy like the new Project Vault initiative.Silver has surged, copper is bouncing on news of Chinese supply building, and the U.S. is now seeking to accelerate its own strategic reserves of rare earths. This will reignite conversations about Greenland and Venezuela.All the while, consumer defensive stocks - which typically start to do well as we move on the backside of these financial cycles - have been the third-best-performing sector over the last three months, outperforming technology and cyclicals, which are typically more aligned with the building of a liquidity cycle. <img height="249" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="700" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_"/>Finviz Just an Update…It’s been a month since we laid out a list of equities for 2026 with strong F scores, low Graham numbers, and the 20-day EMA. It’s been a busy month of analysis… so I will start circling back on those names and this trading strategy this month. Farm Partners (FPI) and Cal-Maine (CALM) have led the charge. If you’re in FPI, just note that the stock has moved into overbought levels… (Click on image to enlarge)<img height="381" src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="700" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_"/><hr/>More By This Author:My Conversation With StockTwits On Gold, Silver, And Monetary Policy... Super Dry Federal Reserve Analysis Charts To Consider This Weekend </div></div>

Optimism is rising on trade deals and Palantir's performance, with the S&P 500 reaching new highs despite underlying selling pressure in the Russell 2000. Central bank support and policy actions are stabilizing markets amid banking and geopolitical concerns. Commodities like silver and copper are gaining traction, while consumer defensive stocks outperform technology and cyclicals. A review of equities for 2026 is underway, with Farm Partners and Cal-Maine leading the way, although FPI is now in overbought territory.

- Recent market jitters were short-lived as strength returned, pushing the S&P 500 to new highs, despite ongoing selling pressure in the Russell 2000.  
- Central banks' support and policy actions have aided market stability amid various concerns, while commodities like silver and copper showed significant movements, influenced by both national policies and supply dynamics.  
- Consumer defensive stocks have outperformed technology and cyclicals recently, and a summary of strong equity candidates for 2026 is underway, with Farm Partners and Cal-Maine showing notable performance.

Optimism Builds On Trade Deal And Palantir Beat