Rotation Toward Quality and Theme Unwinds

Michael Reinking, Senior Market Strategist at the NYSE, recaps a week marked by the end of a record 43-day government shutdown and fading AI euphoria. Markets wrestled with delayed data and Fed caution on rate cuts as volatility ticked higher. AI stocks cooled after bubble warnings and bearish bets, while investors rotated toward quality and large caps. Crypto weakness and rising VIX added to risk-off signals. The week closed steady, with eyes on earnings, global PMIs, and fresh economic data ahead.