Published on October 08, 2026

Weekly Strategy Perspectives - Q3 Earnings Watch: Scaling the Wall of Worry

Despite a wall of uncertainty, strong corporate fundamentals have kept U.S. and Canadian stock markets near record highs, setting the stage for a critical Q3 earnings season.

Written by Carol Schleif, CFA, SASB-FSA

Weekly Strategy Perspectives - Q3 Earnings Watch: Scaling the Wall of Worry

"Hope is not a strategy. Luck is not a factor. Fear is not an option.”

– James Cameron, filmmaker and explorer

The Through Line: Stock market indexes in the U.S. and Canada remain near all-time highs despite an abundance of thorny issues. They’ve accomplished this feat by building solid fundamentals – not through hope or luck. For company leaders, moving fearlessly forward in an uncertain environment has paid off with toned muscle memory for how to survive repeated challenges and thrive on the other side. The bar is set high for more of the same when Q3 earnings are released in coming weeks. We discuss whether we agree – or not – and what the focus of our attention should be.

Click to read: Weekly Strategy Perspectives - Q3 Earnings Watch: Scaling the Wall of Worry