On the ROI podcast, we discuss some of the most important questions facing investment professionals today, ranging from macroeconomic views, to perspectives on the equity and fixed income markets, to insights on practice management. We aim to cut through the noise, examine the data, and provide fresh insights to investment professionals as they help their clients find better ways to invest…seeking to generate attractive returns on their investments.
Brian Wesbury shares his views on why the Trump Administration is upending global trade, why tariffs may be an insufficient cure for problems created by big government, and where the US economy is headed for the rest of 2025.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Bob Stein provides perspective on likely economic outcomes that may result from the evolving policy mix of the new Trump Administration. Plus…Bob shares an early peak at potential contenders for the 2028 US Presidential election.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Bill Housey explores how fixed income investors can navigate rising uncertainty—from trade policies to inflation and beyond—in this deep dive into the bond market's shifting dynamics.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Amid a sharp drawdown in US equities, Dave McGarel highlights the risks and opportunities that may lie on the horizon.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Gibson Smith, founder and CEO of Smith Capital, discusses some of the unique challenges—and opportunities—facing fixed income investors today.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Electricity demand is poised to soar after decades of slow growth, driven by AI, reshoring, and EVs. Jim Murchie, CEO and portfolio manager at Energy Income Partners, unpacks how natural gas, nuclear power, and renewables will fuel this surge, as utilities scramble to keep up.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Brian Wesbury explains why cutting government spending could be painful in the near-term but boost longer-term economic growth, similarities and difference between Trump and Reagan, and how he thinks about investing in an overvalued market.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Mandeep Singh, Global Head of Technology Research at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins the podcast to explore how massive investments in artificial intelligence made over the past few years could drive future innovations and profits. From humanoid robots to self-driving vehicles, Mandeep shares his expert analysis on the potential impact of these technologies in the years to come.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Companies are investing billions to build out artificial intelligence capabilities. Ryan shares First Trust's perspective on various investment themes that may benefit—either directly or indirectly—in the years ahead.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Paul Black and Mike Trigg are portfolio managers and co-CEOs at WCM Investment Management. They join the podcast to discuss WCM's unique path to becoming a leading global equity manager, highlighting WCM's unconventional approach for identifying investment opportunities, including why a company's culture matters and the important of economic moat trajectory.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Richard Bernstein provides his perspective on key investment themes to watch in the year ahead, including overlooked opportunities, potential pitfalls, and the value of seeking “maximum diversification”.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Dave Rutherford has been a Navy SEAL, a contractor for Blackwater and the CIA, and performance coach. In this episode, he shares insights and strategies for pursuing excellence and overcoming fear in high-pressure environments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
In this episode, Brian Wesbury discusses the implications of Trump's recent election victory. Recorded the day after Election Day, Brian explores potential changes in economic and tax policies, providing insights into the future economic landscape.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Bob Stein — As Election Day looms, Bob analyzes the probabilities of different election scenarios. Additionally, we explore how tariffs and other tax policies might affect the economy, discuss the implications of government spending, and consider if advancements in AI might pave the way for universal basic income initiatives.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Bill Housey discusses recent dynamics in the bond market, including why longer-term interest rates have increased since the Fed began cutting rates, where we are in the economic cycle, and implications for fixed income investors.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Dave McGarel provides insights on what sort of stocks are poised for long-term outperformance in light of Fed rate cuts, valuation gaps, and factor analysis.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Ryan talks with Bob Carey about the implications of a falling interest rate environment for equity markets.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel
Brian Comiskey, Senior Director at the Consumer Technology Association, joins the podcast to discuss how recent trends in technology are reshaping the spending priorities of businesses, consumers, and governments around the world.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
Bob Stein joins the podcast to discusses how the nomination of Kamala Harris will impact the upcoming presidential election, his thoughts on each candidate's choice of running mate, and how elections results may impact the economy in the years ahead.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, Ryan talks to Chris Jeppesen, Chief of the Advisor Practice group at First Trust Chief of Advisor Consulting about what sets financial professionals apart from their peers.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, Ryan looks back at the first half of 2024, highlighting some of the key insights provided by guests of the podcast—including Bob Stein, Brian Wesbury, Jim Murchie, and Richard Bernstein. He also reveals plans for the second half of the year.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
Jeff Chang, President and Co-founder of Vest Financial, discusses the growth of buffered investments over the past few years. Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
On this episode of the podcast, Ryan asks Brian Wesbury about the impact of government spending on economic growth, the upcoming presidential election, and whether or not tariffs are an effective policy tool.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
Richard Bernstein, CEO/CIO of Richard Bernstein Advisors, discusses deglobalization, the reindustrialization of America, and how most investors are ignoring one of the most powerful secular growth opportunities today.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
Brian Wesbury joins the ROI Podcast for a wide ranging discussion about the state of the US economy, why government spending suppresses growth, and what factors could ultimately prevent an economic recession.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, Dave McGarel, Chief Investment Officer at First Trust shares his perspective on the risks and opportunities that may lie ahead for equities. Dave shares why First Trust believes low volatility stocks are growing more attractive, why the technology sector has been the secular growth story of our lifetimes, and which data points investment professional should pay close attention to for the rest of 2024.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, we explore why more and more investment professionals are allocating to call-writing funds, long/short strategies, and commodities.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
Ryan discusses factor investing with Chris Bush, portfolio manager at First Trust, as well as risk and opportunities for various industries and themes, including artificial intelligence, regional banks, and more.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, Ryan is joined by Jay Gragnani, Senior Market Strategist at Nasdaq Dorsey Wright for a discussion about how financial professionals are utilizing technical analysis and Dorsey Wright's research as an objective input for their decision-making process.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan is joined by Bill Housey, Managing Director of Fixed Income at First Trust for a discussion about the US economy, the Federal Reserve, interest rates, and why Bill believes that an asymmetry between risk and return has shifted in favor of bond investors.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan speaks with Jon DiGiovanni, Managing Director of Direct Indexing and Separate Managed Accounts at First Trust, about some of the reasons that Direct Indexing has quietly been one of the fastest growing innovations in the financial services industry. Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan is joined by Jim Murchie, co-founder of Energy Income Partners for a deep dive into the energy industry, discussing incentives and opportunities that lie on the horizon.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, Ryan speaks with Bob Stein, Deputy Chief Economist at First Trust about why a US recession didn't materialize in 2023, why it may still be coming in 2024, and implications for the upcoming elections in November. Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, Ryan talks to Rob Biddinger, managing director at First Trust Capital Solutions, about the growing popularity of alternative investments, how institutional investors have historically utilized these strategies, and why the democratization of alternatives is under way. Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
For the first episode of the podcast in 2024, Ryan is joined by Bob Carey, Chief Market Strategist at First Trust. After an unexpected rally for the stock market in 2023, Ryan and Bob discuss expectations for 2024. Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, Ryan talks to Jackie Wilke from the Advisor Consulting Group at First Trust about serving female investors, the need to build multi-generational relationships, and the importance of uncovering what's truly important to investors. Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, Ryan speaks with Leonardo Da Costa, portfolio manager at First Trust Global Portfolios, about why returns for many international investments have been muted in recent years, why US investors shouldn't ignore international allocations, and what catalysts may provide a boost over the next few years. Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, Ryan is joined by Scott Friske, head of new product development at First Trust for a discussion about where great ideas come from and where the next generation of investment products is headed. Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode, Ryan is joined by Jim Bowen, CEO of First Trust for a discussion about the importance of intellectual freedom, service to others, and challenging the narrative…all key hallmarks of the firm he's led for over 30 years.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan talks with Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist at First Trust about his expectations for the US economy, inflation, and the Fed. Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan is joined by Dave McGarel, Chief Investment Officer at First Trust. Ryan and Dave discuss parallels between the current environment and previous recessions, why investors should pay close attention to valuations, and why some of the best long-term opportunities may come from smaller stocks. Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
Bob Stein, Deputy Chief Economist at First Trust, spent several years working in Washington D.C. before coming to First Trust in 2006, including as chief economist for the Senate Budget Committee and as Assistant Secretary of Economic Policy at the US Treasury Department. In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan and Bob discuss:Why many are underestimating the likelihood of a US recessionHow the Federal government will “eventually” address irresponsible budget deficits (just not yet)Why the economy may play an outsized role in determining the next US presidentReach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan talks with Jeff Chang, President of CBOE Vest, about two areas of the ETF industry that have seen robust growth over the past few years: Buffered ETFs and Call-writing ETFs.Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
Historically, an inverted yield curve has often preceded economic recessions, and many investment professionals view the current inversion as a troubling sign for what may lie ahead for the US economy. However, the 10-year US Treasury yield has been lower than the 2-year US Treasury yield for over a year, and a recession has (apparently) not yet begun. In this episode of the ROI podcast, Ryan and Bill Housey discuss:Is the inverted US Treasury yield curve a broken signal today or is a recession still coming?Are investors too optimistic about “soft landing” (or “no landing”) scenarios for the US economy?What's lies ahead for Fed policy?How should investment professionals think about risk and positioning fixed income portfolios for what lies ahead?Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
Why are stocks up this year…and can the rally continue?On the heels of the worst year for stocks since 2008, pessimism dominated most forecasts coming into 2023. In this episode of the ROI podcast, Ryan and Bob discuss some of the most common questions investment professionals and their clients are asking, including:Why have stocks defied expectations so far in 2023?Will returns continue to be driven by a small number of stocks, or will markets broaden out?Will international stocks outpace domestic stocks?Perhaps most importantly, can the stock market rally continue?Reach us at https://www.ftportfolios.com/Connect with us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/first-trust/Follow us on 'X' @ftportfolios
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