Uncertainty over President Trump's new tariff policies almost knocked stocks into a bear market a year ago. While growth stocks suffered the most, value stocks also declined. Even bond prices were lower amid the confusion. Stocks have since recovered and the bull market that began in 2022 remains intact. But inflation is still an issue and now the Federal Reserve's treasured and valuable independence may be in question. Is a correction in the offing, given the high level of stock prices? Taking into account all the variables, is it time for investors to cash in their chips? As the market fluctuates between bull and bear, we note that investors exit equities at their own peril. So what's a potential equity strategy for investors amid all the uncertainty? Argus believes that Min Vol is an all-weather strategy that is timely in any investing climate.

Procter & Gamble, with headquarters in Cincinnati and sales in over 180 countries, manufactures daily-use household, personal care, food, and paper products. The company's major brands include Tide, Gillette, Pampers, Bounty, Crest, Ivory, Head & Shoulders, Scope, Oral-B, Swiffer, Tampax, and Charmin. It has approximately 109,000 employees. The shares are a component of the S&P 500.

The Fed meeting and 'big tech' earnings will be in focus this week. Last week, stocks were volatile following the World Economic Forum meetings in Davos and the many headlines about the future of Greenland. Last week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.5%, the S&P 500 was down 0.3%, and the Nasdaq was flat. So far in 2026, the Dow has gained 2% and the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq are both up 1%. On the earnings calendar, UnitedHealth Group, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, UPS, and General Motors report on Tuesday; Microsoft, Meta Platforms, Tesla, IBM, AT&T, and Starbucks on Wednesday; Apple, Visa, Mastercard, Caterpillar, and Lockheed Martin on Thursday; and Exxon Mobil, Chevron, American Express, and Verizon on Friday. Only 13% of S&P 500 companies have reported so far during this earnings round, mostly banks. This earnings season follows 3Q profits for S&P 500 companies that were up a hefty 15% year over year, 2Q EPS that were up 13%, and 1Q EPS that were up 14%, according to LSEG I/B/E/S. On the economic calendar, the Federal Reserve will announce its next interest-rate decision on Wednesday. No change in rates is expected. As always, Chairman Powell's press conference will receive much attention. Meanwhile, data on durable goods orders is due out on Monday; on consumer confidence on Tuesday; on the U.S. trade deficit on Thursday; and on producer prices (PPI) on Friday. Elsewhere, the Atlanta Fed GDPNow forecast has jumped to 5.4% growth in the fourth quarter. The Cleveland Fed Inflation Nowcast calls for a rate of 2.4% in January (compared to the December print of 2.7%). Mortgage rates ticked up by three basis points last week, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage now at 6.09%, according to FreddieMac. Gas prices went up two cents and are now average $2.80 per gallon for regular gas. Looking ahead, the next Federal Open Market Committee meeting is on March 18. Assuming there is no rate cut this week, the odds for a 25-basis-point cut in March are at 16%, according to the CME FedWatch rate tool. After that, the next meetings are on April 29 and then on June 17. The June meeting will be the first with a new Fed chairman, as Jerome Powell's term expires on May 15. Taking a deeper dive into year-to-date performance in 2026, a leading industrialized global stock market index, the ETF EFA, is up 4%, while the leading emerging market ETF EEM is up 8%. U.S. growth stocks are down 2% year to date looking at ETF IWF, while value stocks (ETF IWD) are higher by 3%. In other asset classes for the year to date, AGG bonds are flat, gold is up 14%, crude oil is up 5%, and Bitcoin is up 3%. The U.S. dollar is down 1%, tracking DXY. The VIX Volatility Index settled Friday at about 16, down from a high of 26 in late November. Turning to sectors so far for 2026, Industrials (+7.6%), Materials (+7.2%), Energy (+6.8%), and Consumer Staples (+5.7%) are the top performers. In the middle are Real Estate (+4.5%), Consumer Discretionary (+2.5%), and Utilities (1.6%). Communication Services, (+0.4%), Financials (-0.8%), Information Technology (-0.6), and Healthcare (+0.5%) are dancing around the flat line.

Since its founding in 1837, Procter & Gamble has become one of the world's largest consumer product manufacturers, with annual sales of nearly $85 billion. It operates with a lineup of leading brands, including more than 20 that generate north of $1 billion each in annual global sales, such as Tide laundry detergent, Charmin toilet paper, Pantene shampoo, and Pampers diapers. Sales outside its home turf represent just more than half of the firm's consolidated total.