Financial Focus – February 18th, 2026
This week on Financial Focus, Nate Kreinbrink walks through key Social Security updates, including how the new senior deduction works and what to know if you’ve misplaced your 1099. He also explains why the timing of when you claim benefits should be a coordinated retirement decision, not just something you do the day you stop working.
Fun Flows
An ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is a “basket” investment that holds many different assets, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities, commonly with a similar theme or strategy. David Nelson shares how ETF’s continue to grow in popularity primarily because it provides investors instant diversification.
Risk Premium
OVERVIEW Markets leaned more risk-off last week, with pressure concentrated in large-cap growth. The S&P 500 fell 1.39%, the Dow Jones Industrials lost 1.23%, and the NASDAQ dropped 2.10%. The damage was most visible in mega-cap names, as the S&P 100...