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📊 This Week in Finance
Markets are starting the week on edge. Weekend peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran broke down, sending futures on the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq all lower by more than 1% heading into Monday's open. TRADING ECONOMICS The tentative ceasefire that briefly lifted markets last week is now in question, and the Strait of Hormuz remains a flashpoint.
What to Watch:
Big bank earnings dominate the week, with Goldman Sachs, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, and Bank of America all reporting. Netflix, BlackRock, and Johnson & Johnson are among other notable names on the earnings calendar. CNBC It's the first real test of how corporate America weathered the energy shock, and Wall Street will be listening closely to guidance on the rest of the year.
The Fed: Market participants aren't expecting a rate hike or cut this year, at least not until more is known about the trajectory of oil prices and the duration of the Iran conflict. The probability of a Fed cut doesn't rise above 65% until July of next year. Charles Schwab
The bigger picture: Many advisors recommend treading carefully, arguing that volatility from the U.S.-Iran war isn't over yet, but that a strong earnings season could give investors the good news they've been missing for six weeks. CNBC A key date to keep in mind: the current ceasefire is set to expire April 21, with President Trump warning that renewed military strikes are on the table if talks fail. Edward Jones
Why it matters to you: Earnings season and ceasefire headlines will likely move markets in opposite directions this week. Stay the course; one week of noise does not change your long-term plan.
Market Snapshot:
$AAPL ( ▲ 2.94% ) $DJI ( ▼ 0.15% ) $NDAQ ( ▲ 2.12% ) $QQQ ( ▲ 1.4% ) $GOLD ( ▲ 1.08% ) $BTC ( ▲ 0.47% ) $NVDA ( ▲ 1.2% )
📌Did You Know?
Tax season is wrapping up, and this year's refund numbers tell an interesting story. The average IRS tax refund is up 10.9% compared to last year CNBC, which is welcome news for many households. But here's the catch: higher gas prices tied to the ongoing Iran conflict could effectively offset those bigger refunds, CNBC, before they ever make it to savings.
Meanwhile, if you're one of the millions still sitting on cash in a traditional savings account, you're likely leaving money on the table. As of this week, the best high-yield savings accounts are offering up to 4% APY, a rate that won't last forever if the Fed eventually resumes cutting.
Bottom line: A bigger refund means nothing if it quietly gets absorbed by rising costs. Have a plan for it, pay down high-interest debt, top off your emergency fund, or move it into a high-yield account before it disappears into everyday expenses.
🌱 Money & Life: "We Got Our Refund. Now What?"
It's that time of year. The refund hits the account, and suddenly there's a group text: Should we finally do that trip? Upgrade the car? Put it toward the house?
It's a great problem to have, but it's still a problem if you don't have a plan.
Here's a simple framework before you spend a dollar of it:
Ask yourself three questions:
Do I have high-interest debt? If yes, that refund has one job.
Is my emergency fund under 3 months of expenses? If yes, that's your next priority.
Am I on track with retirement contributions for the year? If no, an IRA deposit now beats scrambling in April.
If you can check all three boxes, then you've earned the trip.
A refund isn't a bonus; it's money you already earned that the government held onto. Treat it like the paycheck it is.
💡Financial Move of the Week: Put Your Tax Refund to Work Before It Disappears.
Check what rising gas prices are actually costing you, then adjust.
The average refund is up nearly 11% this year, which means many households have a rare lump sum sitting in their checking accounts right now. The question isn't whether you got the money. It's whether you'll still have it in 30 days.
Here's how to make it count:
Pay down high-interest debt first. If you're carrying a credit card balance at 20%+, every dollar you put toward it is an instant, guaranteed return. No investment beats that risk-free.
Move the rest into a high-yield savings account. Top HYSAs are still paying up to 4% APY. That's free money sitting on the table, don't leave it in a checking account earning nothing.
If you're debt-free, consider a mid-year IRA contribution. Most people wait until April to fund last year's IRA. Get ahead by starting 2026's contributions now; monthly automation beats a year-end scramble.
The refund feels like a windfall. Treat it like a tool.
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✍️ Final Word
Three topics came up a lot in conversations with clients this week: "Do I have the right life insurance?" "Why did my credit score drop?" "Where is all my money going?"
Different questions. Same root cause, most of us are making financial decisions on autopilot.
The good news is that none of this is complicated. A budget that actually works doesn't require a spreadsheet degree. Protecting your credit score comes down to a handful of habits. And the right life insurance policy is simply the one that matches where you are in life right now, not the one someone sold you ten years ago.
You don't need a financial overhaul. You need a few intentional decisions, made consistently.
That's what planning looks like in practice.
Until next week — Plan with purpose. Prosper with confidence.
— Emmanuel S. Desmolieres,
Founder, Plan & Prosper LLC operating as Planning and Prospering