Market Commentary | March 23rd, 2026
The U.S./Israel conflict with Iran has continued to cause significant volatility within markets, and given this, we felt it was important to provide an additional update.
The U.S./Israel conflict with Iran has continued to cause significant volatility within markets, and given this, we felt it was important to provide an additional update.
Last week delivered a concentrated set of U.S. economic data that helped refine expectations around growth, inflation, and the Federal Reserve’s policy path. While housing data showed tentative improvement, inflation measures and revised growth figures reinforced a cautious macro backdrop.
Last week delivered many important macroeconomic releases, giving investors insight into an evolving U.S. economic landscape. In addition, the conflict in Iran has escalated dramatically, adding significant economic concerns.
Last week’s economic data began on Tuesday with the Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rising to 91.2, up from 89.0 in the prior release.
Last week’s data provided investors with a clearer sense of an economy that is still progressing but slowing at the margins, with steady activity in some areas and renewed caution in others.
Last week’s data reinforced a familiar theme: inflation is cooling, the labor market is stabilizing, and the consumer is becoming more selective.