February 21, 2026: AI Expectations, Investor Bias, and the Future of Saving

It may feel like an uninspiring start to the year, but the S&P 500 is still positive year-to-date. In this week’s market update, we look beneath the surface at a rotation away from the mega-cap leaders toward broader participation across the market. We’ll also examine why parts of the technology sector—particularly software—have come under pressure as expectations around AI spending and growth continue to evolve.

Private markets were once the domain of pension funds and institutions writing $25 million checks. That’s changing. We explore how private equity, real estate, and infrastructure are becoming more accessible to individual investors through interval and evergreen funds, digital platforms, and evolving regulations that are widening the door. What does this democratization really mean—and where should investors be cautious?

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, a twentysomething recently said she feels her money is safer in the stock market than in a house. That raises an important question: Are we conditioning a generation to believe markets only go up? We step back and discuss how lived experience shapes investment behavior—from Boomers who remember double-digit inflation, to Gen X and the dot-com bust, to Millennials and the housing crash, and Gen Z’s era of rapid recoveries and tech-driven growth.

And finally, if you’re saving 18% into your 401(k) and thoughtfully splitting between traditional and Roth, you’re doing a lot right. But when does it make sense to add an IRA — and should that ever come at the expense of your 401(k)? We break down contribution limits, tax diversification, investment flexibility, and fees, and how an IRA can complement a workplace plan.

Join hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, and Kelly-Lynne Scalice, a seasoned communicator and host, on Henssler Money Talks as they explore key financial strategies to help investors navigate market uncertainty.

Henssler Money Talks — February 21, 2026 | Season 40, Episode 8

Timestamps and Chapters

6:57: AI Expectations and the Software Slowdown
21:20: Bull Markets, Bear Memories, and Generational Bias
37:20: Democratizing Private Markets: Opportunity or Overreach?
52:01: Is More Always Better? Adding an IRA to the Mix

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Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.

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