What began as a seemingly calm period ended with a familiar pattern: sharp political rhetoric, renewed trade tensions and an abrupt sell-off in major equity indices. A fresh round of threats aimed at a key trading partner rattled markets already unsettled by an unresolved budget deadlock. Yet it took just a few reassuring social media posts to reverse much of the damage as futures turned higher and talk of compromise resurfaced. With the flow of official economic data restricted, the start of a new earnings season takes on added importance. Company results and outlooks may provide the clearest clues about demand, pricing power and investment plans. For now, investors are forced to navigate a landscape where sentiment can flip in hours, while fundamentals move at a slower, more stubborn pace.