It's-a Gonna Be Okay! Mario's Guide to Surviving the Tariff Troubles and Reaching the 2026 High Score!

Mama Mia! Tariff Troubles?

It's a me Mario! Lately I've a been hearing whispers about... *tariffs*. Sounds like a complicated Piranha Plant eh? The smart folks at Wells Fargo Investment Institute are saying that these tariffs thanks to President Trump are making the stock market a little... *wobbly*. Like trying to run on a chocolate coin! They say it's squeezing those poor corporate earnings making profits shrink faster than Luigi when he sees a ghost! But don't you worry I've faced bigger baddies than this before!

Wa hoo! Light at the End of the Pipe!

But a wait! There's a hope! Like finding a hidden 1 Up there's good news on the horizon. These Wells Fargo guys especially a fella named Darrell Cronk they think by next year things will start to look brighter. Tax cuts lower interest rates and even cheaper oil could be like a Super Star giving the economy a boost! They believe these positive forces will help us dodge a full blown recession. It's like when you just know you're about to be crushed by a Thwomp but you somehow squeeze through in time! Phew!

VIX? Sounds Like a New Enemy!

Now there's this thing called the VIX Index. Apparently it's like a measure of how scared everyone is about the stock market. These Wells Fargo folks noticed that when the VIX goes super high (over 40!) the market usually bounces back pretty strong after about a year and a half. Like when I take a hit I might be stunned for a moment but I always get back up right? The VIX hit over 50 during that April selloff – that was a doozy! But it's cooling down now which is good news!

History Repeats Itself! (Hopefully!)

Mr. Cronk says that history teaches us a lesson. Even when things seem uncertain – like when Bowser's got Peach locked up AGAIN – people adjust and things eventually get better. Remember that time I had to jump over all those barrels Donkey Kong threw? Seemed impossible at first but I made it! So even though these tariffs are a pain in the pasta don't lose hope! It's a just a temporary roadblock on the way to the princess or in this case a healthy portfolio!

Jump into Equities! Smart Investing Like Mario!

So what's a Mario to do? Well these investment wizards are saying we should "lean into equities". That means buy stocks! Especially the good quality ones. They like the big American companies and the medium sized ones too. They believe America is still the best like a Super Mushroom making you big and strong! They also suggest looking at other developed countries but maybe skip the emerging markets for now. It's a like choosing between a clear path and a course full of Goombas – easy choice!

2026: The Year of the High Score!

The bottom line? These Wells Fargo experts think that any dips in the market are a chance to buy more stocks and get ready for big gains by 2026. That's the year they think we'll reach a new high score! So don't panic! Just like a me Mario we need to be brave strategic and ready to jump when the time is right. 'Here we go!' to 2026! Wahoo!