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Higher Inflation, Contained Expectations

June 16, 2026

Time to Read: 2 minutes

Inflation has jumped since the Strait of Hormuz closed, squeezing consumers through higher gas and utility bills and pressuring businesses with higher freight and operating costs. Yet, longer-term inflation expectations remain contained, suggesting this looks more like a temporary energy shock than a lasting inflation upswing.

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Inflation has risen since the start of the Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, driven largely by higher energy costs. Consumers are feeling it through higher gasoline and utility bills, while business owners are facing higher freight, utility and operating costs.

Since February, annual inflation has increased to 4.2% from 2.4%. Yet, longer-term inflation expectations have stayed well anchored, suggesting households and markets still view this as an energy-driven shock rather than the start of a lasting inflation upswing. We share this view, and believe Middle East tensions should ease sooner rather than later given the pending peace deal, which will allow energy prices to normalize over time. Still, we could see higher inflation prints over the next several months, which, combined with a resilient economy, should keep the Federal Reserve on hold.

While near-term volatility is possible, we remain constructive on U.S. equities over the long term. Resilient earnings, solid capital spending and a stabilizing labor market support our view.

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Muni Yields Are Attractive

The war in Iran has increased volatility across fixed income markets, pushing municipal bond yields higher as investors reassess inflation risk, energy costs and the path of Federal Reserve policy. Even so, historically elevated municipal bond yields present a compelling opportunity for tax-sensitive investors.

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Sizing Up Small Caps

Small caps have outperformed this year despite the threat of higher interest rates, suggesting the rally is being driven by more than just diversification away from large cap tech stocks. Improving earnings expectations and a resilient U.S. economy support our view that small caps have further upside from here.

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Signs from Sales

Year-to-date stock market returns have been driven by robust earnings growth. But when assessing the equity outlook, it’s important to ask what’s supporting the strong earnings trend.

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U.S. Resilience Is a Historical Trend

The S&P 500’s history shows that despite recessions, wars, inflation, and corrections, the market’s long-term trajectory has remained upward. As the U.S. marks 250 years of resilience, the lesson for investors is clear: wealth is built through patience, discipline and staying invested.

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