Amid the uncertainty swirling from the Middle East crisis, several forces are pushing and pulling on stock markets. Bouts of intense volatility are likely

Oil prices threaten $100+ per barrel while S&P 500 valuations face mounting pressure. RBC Capital Markets examines conflict duration scenarios, energy market disruptions, and equity implications.

The AI investment cycle still has more runway ahead, but the prospect of a narrative shift toward monetization, return on investment, and enterprise applications strengthens the case for diversifying both within and beyond Big Tech to capture a broader set of opportunities.

Long-term economic trends have left the U.S. economy increasingly reliant on spending by upper-income households. We unpack the potential implications for economic stability and Federal Reserve policymaking.