Weekend Listen: Q1 Recap: Market swings, mayhem and Trump

In this Q1 2026 recap episode of 'The Big Story,' host Mike Eppel dives into the turbulent first quarter marked by extreme market volatility, geopolitical tensions, and the unprecedented influence of social media on financial markets. With the U.S. president’s Truth Social posts moving stock prices in real time, and events like the war in the Middle East, AI sector corrections, and oil price spikes driving market swings, Eppel is joined by Colin White and Josh Schellack of Veracan Capital Management to unpack the chaos. The guests emphasize that while the environment feels unprecedented due to the omnipresence of social media, the core dynamics of news-driven market movements are not new—just more amplified. They stress the importance of long-term investing, disciplined diversification, and avoiding emotional reactions to headlines, warning against betting on short-term trends like the 'taco trade' or speculative assets like Bitcoin. Despite economic headwinds—declining populations, inflation risks, and consumer strain—the experts argue that a well-structured, diversified portfolio aligned with one’s risk tolerance and time horizon remains the most reliable strategy in uncertain times.