Webinar
October 21, 2026 03:00 PM US/Central
Under the Surface: What Today’s Market Is Really Telling Us
Four Forces Shaping the Market Right Now
What looks strong on the surface may be telling a very different story underneath.
📅 Date: Wednesday, October 21
⏰ Time: 4 PM Eastern | 3 PM Central | 1 PM Pacific
The market appears strong right now. Major indexes remain near record highs.
But about 60% of S&P 500 companies were trading more than 20% below their respective all-time highs.*
That contrast is one reason our Investment Committee believes this is an important moment to take a closer look at the forces shaping today’s market.
In our view, four interconnected factors deserve particular attention right now:
Inflation. Interest rates. Valuations. AI.
Together, they are influencing where we see opportunity, where we believe caution is warranted, and how we think about positioning portfolios through the remainder of Q4.
On Wednesday, October 21, the Meristead Investment Committee will go live to discuss:
- How higher rates and persistent inflation are reshaping the investment landscape
- What elevated asset prices could mean for investors
- How AI is changing where we see both upside potential and risk
- Why the major indexes may not be telling the full story
We’ll also share how we’re thinking about growth, income, and protection in the current environment.
Join us for a timely conversation about what we believe matters most in the market right now and what we’re watching from here.
*Source: Morningstar, September 21, 2026.
Austin Root
Austin Root is the Chief Investment Officer of Meristead Wealth, where he leads the firm’s investment strategy and portfolio management. With experience across public and private markets, Austin brings a disciplined, research-driven approach to navigating changing market environments and managing risk across client portfolios.
Before joining Meristead, Austin held senior investment roles at leading firms including Blackstone, SAC Capital Advisors, and Stansberry Research, and co-founded a hedge fund backed by Tiger Management. He holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business and a BS in Commerce from the University of Virginia—experience that informs Meristead’s focus on thoughtful decision-making, diversification, and long-term capital preservation.
Michael Joseph
Michael is a Portfolio Manager and Deputy Chief Investment Officer at Meristead Wealth. He is responsible for sourcing investment opportunities, conducting ongoing due diligence, and managing Meristead's Income and Tactical Select strategies.
Before joining Meristead in 2017, Michael worked closely with high-net-worth clients at the largest independent wealth management firm in the U.S. and served as a senior analyst at a leading investment-grade bond manager. His investment perspectives have been featured in national financial publications, and he is the author of A Dollar for Fifty Cents. Michael holds an MBA from the University of California, Davis, a BA from San Francisco State University, and earned the CFA charter in 2017.