AAII Austin/San Antonio Chapter – May 2026 Newsletter
In April, we held our first face-to-face meeting. Based on feedback from the meeting, we are moving our WhatsApp group to Facebook, which is used by more people. Members are welcome to join, share day-to-day thoughts and comments on the market and their trades, and interact with each other.
Please click this link to join the group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1474013407551978/
We plan to have another face-to-face meeting on May 24. The location is to be determined.
Recording of April presentation is posted at chapter website: https://www.aaiiaustinsanantonio.com/archives
Please reply to this email if you have any questions. If you need a quick response, please text me at 512-350-8447.
Main Event Highlight
AAII Chapter Meeting – Wednesday May 20th, 2026, 5.30pm CT
Topic: Select ETFs for Mature Investors
Matt Kaufman - Calamos Investments
Matt Kaufman serves as SVP, Head of ETFs at Calamos Investments, where he leads the firm's ETF business.
Prior to Calamos, Matt spent more than a decade at Milliman, Inc., where he served as President of the firm's broker/dealer (Milliman Investment Management Services LLC) and as a principal of the firm's $170b RIA (Milliman Financial Risk Management LLC). Matt also draws from his prior experience at PowerShares ETFs, where he helped the firm grow during the formative years of the ETF ecosystem.
Matt earned a B.A. in Public Administration and Economics from Cedarville University and maintains Certified ETF Advisor (CETF®) and Professional Certified Marketer® designations through The ETF Institute and American Marketing Association, respectively. He also holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 24 and CFTC Series 3 licenses.
Why you should Join this Meeting to Learn
Join the co-hosted session by the New York & Houston Chapters, in an educational session where Hans will bring us two new innovative ETF categories:
(1) Auto Callable Income ETFs (CAGE, CAIE & CAIQ): Structured to generate high income with defined risk parameters, these funds offer an alternative to chasing yield in volatile markets. CAIE currently yields approximately 14% and has already attracted over $700 million in assets.
(2) Structured Protection Equity ETFs including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq-100 Series: Designed to participate in market upside while providing predictable downside buffers thus generating attractive income returns.
(3) This session gives long term investors the new tools they need to evaluate a new generation of ETFs designed to balance both income and capital preservation.
Register Link: TBD. I will post it in reminder.
In This Issue
Other AAII Chapter Events
Below are selected AAII chapter events listed on the AAII community calendar for May 2026. Please use the event links to confirm details and registration information before attending. Full calendar: https://community.aaii.com/events/calendar
The Future of Emerging Markets & The Rise of Digital India - by Kevin Carter
When: May 9, 2026 from 10:00 to 12:00 (ET)
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_niNiuNwUS36LPnItaP_5GA
Community: AAII Research Triangle Chapter
How to Profit in this Incredible Earnings Environment
When: May 16, 2026 from 10:00 to 14:00 (MT)
Register: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/2Hfaw3-7TTqLj7q4s2DSLA
Community: AAII Phoenix Chapter
AAII Cleveland - Essential Investing Principles and Strategies
When: May 18, 2026 from 18:30 to 21:00 (ET)
Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/aaiis-essential-investing-principles-and-strategies-with-ray-rondeu-tickets-1987855934612
Community: AAII Cleveland Chapter
Curated Investing Content (May Picks from members)
How Bonds Quietly Rule Everything?
Options Trading Lecture - Master Class from Yale Economics professor
Most Retirees Don't Know This Roth Conversion Window Closes in 2028
Portfolio Visualizer
Market Highlights – What Moved Markets This Month
April was a strong month for U.S. stocks. The S&P 500 rose about 10.4%, its best monthly gain since November 2020, while the Nasdaq also posted one of its strongest monthly gains in years. All 11 S&P 500 sectors finished the month higher, with communication services and technology leading the rally.
Technology and AI remained the market's main engine. Semiconductor stocks were especially strong, and investors continued to focus on AI infrastructure spending, large technology earnings, and whether the AI boom can keep supporting market leadership.
Corporate earnings helped calm investor worries. Strong results from major companies helped the market look past some near-term concerns. By the end of April, major indexes were moving higher again, with the S&P 500 closing at a record high and finishing its best month in more than five years.
Oil and geopolitical risk stayed in focus. Tensions in the Middle East pushed crude oil prices higher during the month and raised concerns about inflation, growth, and central-bank policy. Later in the month, oil prices eased, helping investors regain confidence.
The Federal Reserve remained important for market direction. Investors watched the Fed's interest-rate decision, inflation signals, and economic data. The Fed held its key interest rate steady in late April, while markets continued to weigh the balance between healthy economic growth, oil-driven inflation risk, and corporate earnings strength.
Bottom line: April's market rally was driven by strong earnings, renewed enthusiasm for AI and technology stocks, and investor confidence that the economy remains resilient. However, oil volatility, geopolitical risk, high technology valuations, and interest-rate uncertainty remain key risks to watch going into May.
Market Movers – What Went Up and Down
| Area |
Direction |
What Happened |
| Communication Services |
Up |
Strongest sector; helped by large internet and media companies |
| Technology |
Up |
Benefited from AI, software, and large-cap tech strength |
| Semiconductors |
Up |
One of the strongest groups, driven by AI infrastructure demand |
| Growth / Momentum Stocks |
Up |
Investors favored higher-growth and risk-on areas |
| Utilities / Consumer Staples |
Lagged |
Defensive sectors rose less than growth areas |
| Health Care |
Lagged / Mixed |
Some companies were pressured by earnings or product-specific issues |
| Energy |
Mixed / Weaker late month |
Oil volatility helped early but weighed on the group later |
| Selected Consumer Stocks |
Down / Lagged |
Some names fell after weak earnings or cautious outlooks |
Member Resources
Members are encouraged to share useful articles, videos, and tools that may benefit the broader community.
Volunteer Opportunities
Our chapter thrives thanks to our dedicated volunteers. We are currently seeking:
Programming Lead
In-Person Social Lead
Treasurer
Volunteers to assist with in-person meeting logistics and A/V support
If you are interested in getting involved or would like more information, please contact:
Bill Hawes – bhawes70@gmail.com
Robert Luedtke – rluedtke@gmail.com
Closing
In markets like these, clarity rarely comes from short-term signals but from maintaining a disciplined and consistent approach over time.
While uncertainty remains part of the investing landscape, it also reinforces the importance of focusing on long-term goals, continuing to learn, and engaging with a community of thoughtful investors.
We look forward to continuing that journey together.
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WU ZHENG
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