Market Update: Where We Closed + What to Watch (Jan 21)
Aurea Market Update
Overnight Analysis + Today's Prep
Previous Close: Wednesday, Jan 21, 2026 at 3:00 PM CT
Market Analysis
Markets closed lower (-1.21%) yesterday.
Market Environment: Normal market conditions. VIX closed at 16.1—balanced sentiment. Neither panic nor excessive calm. A neutral environment.
Where Money Moved: Relative strength in small caps. Small companies (Russell 2000) beat large companies (S&P 500) by 3.67%—but the broad market still fell. Watch whether this divergence continues.
Commodity Signals: Gold rallied 5.2% while copper fell 1.1%—a warning sign. Investors buying safety (gold) while industrial demand weakens (copper). This pattern showed up before 2008, 2020, and 2022 slowdowns.
What to Watch Today: Small companies leading is a good sign. When small caps beat large caps, it means investors feel confident about growth. Watch whether this continues for multiple days—sustained small-cap strength needs an improving economy.
Educational Analysis: Observable patterns only. Not personalized advice. Past ≠ future.
{{segmentedCTA}}
Here's how yesterday's close broke down across major asset classes.
US Equity Indices
| Index | Prev Close | Change |
|---|---|---|
| SPY (S&P 500) | 685 | -1.21% |
| QQQ (NASDAQ) | 616 | -1.59% |
| IWM (Russell 2000) | 268 | +2.46% |
| VIX (Volatility) | 16.09 | +1.45% |
Commodities
| Commodity | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|
| WTI Crude Oil | $59.50/bbl | +0.10% |
| Gold (GLD) | $444 | +5.21% |
| Copper | $5.73/lb | -1.05% |
Know someone who'd find this useful?
Forward this email to a friend or colleague who cares about their portfolio.
Forward to a Friend →Aurea Investments, LLC
342 N Water St, Suite 600
Milwaukee, WI 53202
(414) 236-6960 ext. 800
Investment advisory services offered through Aurea Investments, LLC, a state-registered investment advisor. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. All investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. This email is for educational purposes only.