Liz Ann Sonders shares her perspective on the U.S. stock market and economy in this monthly Market Snapshot video.

Fear around the future of Social Security payments is understandable, but it should not solely drive decisions on when to claim benefits.

Earnings from PepsiCo today and Delta tomorrow precede big banks and key chip names reporting next week. Oil and yields are elevated after the most recent Middle East skirmishes.

Stocks are higher across the board despite overnight attacks in the Strait of Hormuz. Chip stocks are seeing follow-through buying as the SOX bounces off its 50-day SMA.

Crude oil prices surged more than 7% Wednesday after President Trump announced that the ceasefire with Iran was over.

Though overnight strikes in the Strait of Hormuz kept the market on edge, chips kept gaining early today. PepsiCo's earnings appeared to disappoint but jobless claims were subdued.

The swift move out of chips Tuesday could reflect market fatigue and precedes key chip company earnings next week. Fed minutes are today's highlight amid inflation concerns.

The Great Moderation has given way to a more volatile era, where inflation shocks and market dispersion favor flexibility and diversification.

Trump Accounts launch with new guidance, the Supreme Court reinforces Fed independence, and an affordable housing bill moves toward becoming law.