Options indicate an 8-10% likelihood of a stock market crash in '26, but keep an eye on the Misery Index.
Market Probability of Decline: The options market indicates an 8-10% chance of a 30% or greater decline in the S&P 500 by 2026, aligning with historical averages of market crashes occurring approximately every 12.5 years.
Frequency of Market Crashes: Market declines tend to occur in streaks, with a notable increase in crashes from 1966 to 1982 compared to fewer occurrences from 1982 to 2019, influenced by the misery index, which has recently risen.
Impact of the Gig Economy: The gig economy is providing a buffer for job losses, as many workers are turning to gig jobs that offer better pay than unemployment benefits, contributing to a rise in self-employment and multiple jobholders.
Equity Market Valuation Concerns: Despite a backdrop of economic stress and a rising misery index, the equity market is considered overvalued, with caution advised against the consensus view of stronger growth and inflation leading into 2026.
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U.S.-Iran Talks: U.S. Vice President Pence played a crucial role in facilitating upcoming U.S.-Iran talks set to begin in Islamabad, Pakistan, with expectations of several days of negotiations to finalize a ceasefire agreement.
Pakistan's Involvement: Pakistani officials are advocating for Pence to extend his stay in Pakistan to assist in the negotiation efforts.
Iran's Distrust: A senior official from the Gulf region revealed that Iran has minimal trust in U.S. President Trump's envoy, Witkoff, who has previously led multiple rounds of talks with Iran that were disrupted by U.S. military strikes.
Witkoff's Role: Witkoff is part of the U.S. delegation participating in the talks in Islamabad, indicating ongoing diplomatic efforts despite past tensions.

Iran's Response to U.S. Proposal: Iran has officially sent its response to a U.S. proposal consisting of 15 items through intermediaries.
Awaiting Other Party's Reaction: Tehran is now waiting for the other party's response regarding its stance on the U.S. proposal.
Siri App Development: Apple is reportedly testing a dedicated Siri app for its devices, aiming to replace the existing Spotlight search system with enhanced features and a modernized interface.
Delayed Overhaul: The overhaul of Siri has faced delays, with Apple initially announcing plans for an update during its WWDC event in 2024, but it has not yet been released.
New Features: The updated Siri will include a fresh look and a chatbot-like experience, with a new feature called "Ask Siri" that integrates across Apple's software platforms.
Retail Sentiment: Retail sentiment around Apple has turned bearish, with shares falling 7.7% in 2026 amid concerns over the company's ability to attract users to its in-house AI platform.
- U.S. Military Operations: The U.S. has initiated significant military operations in Iran recently.
- Strategic Importance: These operations are part of a broader strategy to address concerns regarding Iran's activities in the region.

Trump's Stance on Iran: President Trump expressed dissatisfaction with Iran's negotiation approach, indicating that they are not willing to compromise significantly.
Concerns Over Enrichment: Trump emphasized that there should be no enrichment of uranium by Iran, reiterating a hardline stance on nuclear negotiations.
Frustration with Current Negotiations: He conveyed that the current state of negotiations with Iran is unsatisfactory and does not meet U.S. expectations.
Overall Sentiment: Trump's comments reflect a broader frustration with Iran's actions and the ongoing diplomatic efforts surrounding their nuclear program.

Internal Review Findings: Capital Watch revealed that an internal review found insufficient independent verification processes related to the Court of Bordeaux's judgment, leading to erroneous associations with Hao Tang.
Retraction of Allegations: Capital Watch has formally retracted its claims of financial crimes against Hao Tang and other individuals, acknowledging inaccuracies in earlier reports regarding direct connections to alleged illicit activities.
Continued Analysis: Despite the retraction, Capital Watch maintains its stance on the complexity of AppLovin's financial structure and will continue to independently analyze public market data related to the firm.
Market Reaction: Following the retraction, shares of AppLovin experienced volatility, initially dropping but later gaining over 21% in the past year, reflecting mixed sentiment among investors.







