Stock market bulls are facing a critical moment in early 2026: earnings season colliding with escalating geopolitical tensions and murky economic forecasts. It's a make-or-break period. Corporate results will reveal whether growth momentum can sustain amid rising uncertainty—or if cracks start showing. The backdrop is messy: international conflicts intensifying, central bank policy still in flux, consumer spending potentially cooling. These quarterly numbers won't just move equities; they'll ripple through risk assets broadly, including crypto markets sensitive to broader financial sentiment. Investors are bracing for volatility. Every earnings beat or miss becomes magnified in this climate. The real question: can fundamentals hold their ground, or will macro headwinds override company-level performance? Spring 2026 will tell.