The Financial Exchange Show

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss how the breakeven threshold reveals a more robust labor landscape than stats show. Why shifting away from rigid quarterly filings could free up companies and provide better long-term insights for investors. The inside scoop on Luckin's bold U.S. expansion strategy and how it's challenging the coffee giant's dominance with aggressive pricing and tech-driven growth. Americans can't stop buying cars they don't need.

In this episode, Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane unpack the latest economic headlines shaping markets. From robust retail sales defying slowdown fears to pivotal Federal Reserve updates, we dive deep into what's driving the economy. What's on the table?Retail Sales Surge in August – Consumers keep spending, but is it sustainable?Fed Governor Drama – Appeals Court denies Trump's bid to remove Lisa Cook, while Stephen Miran joins the Fed Board.Lower Rates & Stocks – A quick take on what cheaper borrowing means for equity investors.Fed Strategy – Why the Fed needs to tread carefully and avoid bold promises.Massachusetts' Economic Woes – A closer look at the state's struggles amid national resilience.Tune in for sharp insights and actionable analysis to navigate today's economic landscape. Subscribe now for more! #Economy #FederalReserve #Investing #RetailSales #MarketInsights

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Elon Musk purchasing $1B worth of Tesla stock. Tesla's chair says only Musk can lead Tesla's next phase. 'Underwater' car trade-ins are at a 4-year high. More Americans are stuck with the jobs they can get, not the ones they want. How to build a million-dollar future for your kids.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the Fed meeting this week to set interest rates. Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan see stock rally stalling after Fed rate cut. China says Nvidia violated antitrust law. Whirlpool tells US authorities its rivals could be evading tariffs. Gold hasn't rallied this much since 1979. Is turning to ChatGPT for financial advice wise?

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane are joined by CNBC's Michael Santoli to recap what we saw in terms of inflation data this week and why we are likely to see a 25 bps interest cut at next week's Fed meeting, as opposed to 50 bps. Plus, with the cost of healthcare continuing to climb, should employers be seeing more blame as they pass along some of the impact to their employees through payroll deductions? Barron's Paul LaMonica also hopped on to speak with the guys about Oracle's massive stock rally this week.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss firm inflation and soft jobs data pull the Fed in opposing directions. Economists see Fed rate cut next week and at least one more in 2025. Mortgage rates are at an 11-month low. Will that save this housing market? Labor hoarding looks close to painful end.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss incomes rose and poverty fell last year. So why do so many Americans feel trapped? Homeowners dash to refinance as mortgage rates dive. Fewer people think that retirement will take a miracle. But inflation worries persist. Bond yields are falling. Where can retirees still find 5% yeilds? FTC opens probe into Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, xAI, and Snap over chatbot safety for kids.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss consumer prices rose at annual rate of 2.9% in August and jobless claims that are nearing a four-year high. What are the expectations for next week's Fed meeting? Oracle may be having its Nvidia moment. Or it could be a repeat of 1999. IPO mania is back. Or is it the dot-com bubble all over again?

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Christopher Waller emerging as one of three serious contenders for Fed Chair. Tripp Mickle (NYTimes -Tech Reporter) joins the show to share his highlights from the recent Apple Event. Stocks bull market nears 3-year anniversary. Oracle shares surge most since 1992 on Cloud contracts win. Jaguar's rebrand caused an uproar. Its boss has no plans to u-turn. Health insurance costs for businesses to rise by most in 15 years.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the PPI data unexpectedly dropping 0.1% instead of the predicted rise of 0.3%. The Fed easing too much is a massive gamble. Jamie Dimon says the US economy is weakening after record BLS revision. Judge blocks Trump from removing Fed Gov Lisa Cook. Todd Lutsky joins the show to explain how to limit estate tax exposure.

This week, Todd Lutsky breaks down how to limit your beneficiaries exposure to estate taxes, where assets go after a spouse dies with a irrevocable trust, and changing the owner of an account in a trust.

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss the Fed likely cutting rates next week, but what if inflation data points to no cut? What would a half percent rate cut mean for markets? Hyundai-LG immigration raid sparks alarm at foreign companies in the US. A renewed bid to end quarterly earnings reports. Is Nvidia's 'WOW' factor fading? 

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss job growth revised down by 911,000 through March, signaling economy on shakier footing than realized. American workers are losing confidence. US consumer borrowing rises to most in three months. Are lumber prices flashing a warning sign? Big Oil slashes jobs and investments as low crude prices bite. Hasbro will move its headquarters to Boston's Seaport. It's a big loss for Pawtucket.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss America's 'buy now, pay later' economy is nothing new. Ted Rossman (Bankrate) joins the show to chat about holiday shopping concerns. Tesla's US market share drops to the lowest level since 2017 as competition heats up. Apple's plan B for AI is actually pretty great. Lego is about to test the Force of nostalgia.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss another big week in markets and another jobs markdown sets the stage for Fed cuts. Why the Fed should not cut rates now. Bessents Fed critique misses the big picture. What if Congress takes over some of the Fed's mandates? South Boston emerges as a hot spot for move-out day debris.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the current state of the housing market and what it means if the government declares a national housing emergency. Luke Kawa (Sherwood News) joins the show to chat about surging Broadcom. World meat prices reach new highs as consumers clamor for beef. Paul LaMonica (Barron's) stops by to talk about DraftKings and FanDuel's recent struggles.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong dive into the August payroll data that came in below expectations. What does the jobs data tell us about a September rate cut? Electricity costs are rising twice as fast as inflation. Why is the jobs market so sluggish right now?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss McDonald's excalting the restaurant industry's tipping fight. What jobs will be included under Trump's 'no tax on tips?' Mark Voner, Founder and CEO - Veterans Development Corporation, joins the show to chat about how his company works with the VA, why his company maintains deep connections to the military, and why DAV is so important to him. Are low-cost airlines in a nose dive? Does Musk have a new vision for Tesla?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong dive into this morning's data releases that focus in on the labor market. Is the data raising any alarms? Why is Massachusetts's unemployment numbers much higher than the rest of New England? Is the Fed seeing little to no growth across the country? Google's recent loss-yet-victory in court is frustrating for Chuck. What are precious metals saying about the economy right now?

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss how Google lost its antitrust case but came away with no penalties and likely stronger. Gen Z is expected to slow down holiday spending. Retirees are told to 'work longer' to make ends meet. But what if jobs disappear. GM had a record month of EV sales. Is a collapse coming? How Hollywood missed its mark this summer. The new Blue Apron makes flexibility the star ingredient.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the latest jobs data pointing to fewer and fewer available jobs for US workers. US treasury yields brush with 5% as global borrowing costs mount. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains why you should name your estate an IRA beneficiary, how that impacts planning for long-term care, and spending requirements for an inherited 401(k).

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss why a good economy can feel so bad. US stocks are now pricier than they were in the lead-up to the Dot-Com bubble pop. How bad could the fallout be from an AI bubble pop? What is the ultimate goal of the tariffs? A band of retail investors are beginning to flex their muscle. Musk now claims Tesla's profits will largely come from robots.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the historic trends that show September being a horrible month for investors. What should we expect from this Friday's jobs report? What happens now that a court struck down some of Trump's tariffs? Companies re having major issues pricing items. How the Fed losing its independence could affect Americans' everyday lives.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss how the future of the Fed came to rest on Lisa Cook. Alibaba creates AI chip to help China fill Nvidia void. Why the S&P 500 could be at risk of a 10% to 20% pullback if ether falls behind bitcoin again. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat Salesforce's difficult year. Zuckerberg's AI hires disrupt Meta with swift exits and threats to leave.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss core inflation rose to 2.9% in July, highest since February. Does this change the Fed's September rate cut decision? Rate cuts will be good for stocks. But would the Fed be stimulating an economy that doesn't need it? Economists see slow US growth and stubborn inflation well into 2026. Higher prices are coming for household staples. 

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the biggest problems the housing market is facing right now. After years of pain, are the riskiest stocks finally seeing some momentum? Big changes are coming to charitable giving. OpenAI is updating ChatGPT to better support users in mental distress.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Nvidia predicting cooler growth after sales record. Is China getting closer to finding its own Nvidia? US weekly jobless claims fall amid layoffs. Q2 GDP revised to show stronger growth. Why the market doesn't care much about Trump firing Fed's Cook. Mexico to raise tariffs on imports from China after US push. Who's to blame for your higher power bill?

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Nvidia's earnings coming up and how China risks are making investors nervous. S&P 500 index investors have been rewarded so far in 2025. Is it time to diversify? Why Boomers have more money than everyone else. AI skilled 20-somethings are making hundreds of thousands per year. Why fast-casual is losing out to Chili's.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Fed bank presidents face risk of removal on Trump's maneuvers. Will the Fed lose its independence? India braces for the pain of Trump's stiff tariffs. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains why naming beneficiaries in a trust is a better path than direct naming on accounts. Todd also explains some of the biggest problems people run into when starting the estate planning process.

Mike and Marc offer follow-up thoughts to the potential fring of Lisa Cook and the importance of Fed independence. Plus, does the cost of home insurance continue to remain elevated? Has it plateued? Or could it they go higher? A discussion about Roth IRA vs Roth 401(k) contributions. AI data centers continue to cause concerns about the supply of electricity. And, Stack Roulette.

Mike and Marc react to the news of President Trump ordering the firing of Fed Governor Lisa Cook and what could possibly follow in the days ahead. Given the sitaution, the guys discuss why the independence of the Fed is so pivotal when it comes to inflation and the economy. Plus, does it matter that there are more ETF's than individual stocks? And why is the Massachusetts biotech industry seeing a rare job decline?

Chuck and Mike discuss recent commentary surrounding the technology sector and if its recent rally is fizzling out. But, are we even seeing evidence in the numbers? Plus, the guys give their takes on the government officially taking a 10% stake in struggling chipmaker Intel. Also, should the retirement age be lower? Are auto makers facing larger obstacles today than in the past? And sleeping over at a home before buying? 

Chuck and Mike preview market mover events for the week ahead, including Nvidia and another inflation reading. Are overall AI revenue expectations overblown and unrealistic? Also, the guys have follow-up thoughts about Jackson Hole and the rising risks to the labor market. And, what could make the Fed potentially wrong?

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane believe Millennials are now at the consumer culture epicenter. Ernie Tedeschi, Director of Economics - Yale Budget Lab, joins the show to share his insight into tariffs impacts on the economy. Why did US tourism fail to slump like so many expected. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat QXO and Brad Jacobs.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss Jerome Powell's speech at Jackson Hole and highlight key sections that point towards a possible September rate cut. Markets soar off Powell's comments. The big retailers are thriving in the tariff economy. Nvidia asks suppliers to half production of H20 chips. How to maximize your Roth IRA. Chili's pays staff big bonuses after record sales.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss which entity is more important to the stock market, the Fed of Nvidia. America's housing crisis is a job for congress. Some retirees are too frugal. CME teams with Fanduel to launch betting on financial markets. Landline phones are making a comeback, thanks to kids.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane chat Walmart slumping after rare profit miss, cites higher claims as culprit. the EU and US lay out next steps on tariffs to rebalance trade ties. Fed minutes reveal broad support for holding rates steady. Powell's big gamble in final Jackson Hole speech. Boston landlords are frustrating with the local government over valuations. Chipotle teams up with Zipline for drone burrito delivery.

This week, Todd Lutsky discusses the multiple options you have when deciding on an irrevocable trust and how irrevocable life insurance trusts work.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss how the Fed should deal with US stagflation risks. Lowe's beats on quarterly earnings and buys home pros business for $8.8B. Newbie investors are taking more risks than experienced ones. Why the Russell 2000 has a real chance to beat the S&P 500 - finally. Chipotle aims news rewards programs at college students.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss a big pullback in stocks that many expected has yet to arrive. Target shares tumble after retailer names new CEO to steer turnaround. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd. This week, Todd explains how an irrevocable life insurance trusts work.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the under-the-radar number that's a huge red flag for America's job market. Sarah Foster, Bankrate.com, joins the show to share the latest wage vs inflation index numbers. What is causing the casual-dinning boom? Is a prediction market just a gambling workaround? Big business came prepared for this White House.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane dive into Home Depot's earnings that missed revenue but showed improvement in a key area. Home builders boost sales incentives to 5-year high as they struggle to sell newly built homes. We should the government invest in Intel over other chip manufacturers? Economic data has taken a dark turn. That doesn't mean a crash is near. S&P affirms U.S. credit rating as tariff revenue expected to plug fiscal leaks.

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss why America can't shake off inflation. Walmart and rivals report earnings this week and we might see more tariff impacts. Inflation on new cars is a problem for US automakers. Why many suggest a hands-off investing approach. Americans 401(k)s are more tied to stocks than ever. Is the government right to limit your investment choices?

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti preview Jerome Powell's upcoming speech at Jackson Hole. Strong crop of earnings ease 'investors' economic concerns. Data zigzags make Powell's upcoming speech hard to predict. Housing market craters with 56% of homes selling below asking. Experts warn of a further fall. Americans pull back from an epic credit-card binge.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss potential Fed chair David Zervos backs aggressive interest rate cuts. What is ahead for the 10-year treasury rate after Fed rate cuts? The US is discussing taking a stake in Intel. SpaceX gets billions from the government. It gives nothing back in taxes. The reason is obvious. Consumers are losing patience with $17 salads. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat about Otis.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the July retail sales data that rose despite tariff uncertainty. Consumer sentiment falls as inflation expectations climb. Can anything save Target from becoming the next Macy's? Now we know who is paying for tariffs. Who? Goldman researchers warn of an unfriendly asymmetry.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the feelings of FOMO many are having during the recent stock market surge. Amazon launches same-day delivery of meat, eggs, and produce in more than 1,000 cities. What is a 'safe' savings withdrawal rate in retirement? Those who run AI chatbot companies are dangerous. Are parents really ditching minivans for e-bikes?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss jobless claims edging lower last week and wholesale prices surged. Is the data starting to show the impacts from tariffs? Blue states hunt for ways to wring more taxes from the wealthy. Big Pharma has a vision for selling drugs and it involves mattresses. Google faces loss of Chrome as Perplexity bid adds drama to looming break up decision.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss companies spending billions on AI without results to back up the spend yet. Social Security's COLA may be 2.7% in 2026. Trump has 11 names to replace Powell at the Fed. Americans are getting priced out of homeownership at record rates.