The Financial Exchange Show

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss inflation eating away at the labor market because gains might just be a mirage. Ted Rossman, Bankrate, joins the show to share the results of a recent side hustle survey. How Volkswagen's electric bus went from American flagship to flop. Tech platforms are struggling to indentify AI generated pictures. 

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Trump's 50% tariff on Brazil might actually be a shot at China. Trump says 50% levy on copper imports to take effect August 1st. Fresh tariff games are leaving small businesses dazed. Fed says most policymakers see risks tariffs will cause persistent infaltion. 

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss two Kevins battling to be the next Fed Chair. Home sellers have gotten tired of cutting prices. Many are yanking their houses of the market. Americans are eating cheaper. What does that mean for the economy? Why carmakers need to bring back buttons. Trump sends more letters dictating high tariff rates around the world.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Trump proclaiming there will no more extensions for tariffs and threatens hightened tariffs on copper and pharma. Short-term inflation expectations tick down while household financial expectations improve. Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his insight on determining medicaid eligibility.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains the process and qualifications to determine medicaid eligibility, when to get the clock started, changes coming to medicaid, and state-to-state differences.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss markets not taking Trump's tariff threats seriously anymore. 'Big beautiful bill' may help some seniors on Social Security. But it doesn't eliminate taxes on benefits. Bad policy keeps getting in the way of economic progress. Which workers will AI hurt the most? Amazon turns prime day into prime week.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Trump's new tariff threats set off a global scramble to avoid tariffs. What if this time really is different for investors? The Trump administration wants lower rates but is going about it the wrong way.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss Trump sets August 1st as the tariff start date. Want to know where the economy is heading? Don't trust those who have the answers. Why some see the dollar's drop as a sign America is losing its financial might. Late-career job losses are blurring what retirement looks like. Homeowners who gambled on lower rates are paying the price. Elon Musk is running out of road in China.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti explain how Trump's megabill will and won't change your taxes. How does the megabill impact the deficit? Trump faces crucial week for reaching trade deals. The job market is humming? Is this as good as it gets?

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss markets getting an unexpected boost from the monthly jobs report. Why the dollars value has declined by 10% this year. CEOs start saying the quiet part out loud: AI will wipe out jobs. What is in your 401(k)? Why you really should know. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat about Robinhood.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the monthy jobs report that came in much better than expected and send markets higher to start the day. Why is the labor force shrinking? Markets are breathing a sigh of relief. Trump megabill back in the hands of the House. Trump's Vietnam deal shows China tariffs won't fall much further. Tesla's global vehicle deliveries plunged in the second quarter.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti preview tomorrow's jobs report. Joseph Yoon, Edmunds Consumer Analyst, joins the show to discuss the car market pushing Americans to the limit. Hertz customers outraged over AI-powered scanner that detects small marks, charges hundreds — including $440 for one-inch scuff. Trump announces Vietnam trade deal, 20% tariff on its imports to U.S. Trump said trade deals would come easy. Japan is proving him wrong. Lululemon sues Costco over alleged knockoff activewear. 

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss traders rotating big-to-small to start the second half of the year. What the Senate Republican tax-and-spending bill means for your money. Powell confirms his position on tariffs delaying rate cuts. 

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss how debt is influencing how job seekers are searching for new positions. Corey Adams, Robert Half, joins the show to chat about the hiring slowdown. Do earnings need to justify how expensive stocks are? The dollar is off the its worst start since 1973. Amazon is nearly at the point of having more robots than employees.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss how markets kept calm through all the noise in the first half of the year. What are some of the concerns for the second half of the year. How is Trump's megabill helping the wealthy and hurting the everday American? US job openings unexpectedly rise in May, hiring falls. Powell confirms that the Fed would have cut by now were it not for tariffs. Homes are taking longer to sell in once hot markets.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss a shrinking housing could mean upheavel for buyers. Are summer jobs for teens fading away? Why are those in the 10% of earners still not feeling rich? Can a baby bonus really make Americans have more kids? Is Gen Z actually proving to be good at saving for retirement already?

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss Republicans fight it out on Trump's tax megabill. Economists still don't like Trump's tax bill. How the tax bill gets passed is more important than the bill itself. Canada drops digital tax that infuriated Trump to restart trade talks. Fed versus Trump on tariffs impact will soon be put to the test. 

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss Fed driven bond rally stalling. Greg McBride, Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst, joins the show to chat about American recognizing but unable to act upon poor emergency savings. Student loan borrowers face ‘default cliff' as late payments climb, report finds. Ted Cruz has a solution to fix the Fed. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, stops by to talk about Constellation Brands.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss May PCE inflation data coming in higher than expected. The US and China reach a trade deal but questions still remain. Is Nike starting to correct course? Why investors should be cautious of buy-the-dip strategies.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss why presidents shouldn't interfere with the Fed and push for lower rates. How vibes became a nearly undefeated economic indicator. BlackRock deepens push into private investments for the masses. SPACs are back. What could go wrong this time? Fears over US debt load and inflation ignite exodus from long-term bonds.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the recent revision to GDP data coming in lower as consumer spending wanes. Jobless claims coming in lower than expected but unemployment rolls swell. Trump considers naming next Fed Chair early in bid to undermine Powell. College graduates face toughest job market in more than a decade as hiring slows. China is still choking exports of rare earths despite pact with U.S..

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss the S&P 500 nearing a new record high but trouble could be brewing under the surface. More Americans tap 401(k)s for emergencies according to Vanguard.Student loan delinquencies hit record as late payments pile up. A shrinking housing market means upheaval for buyers. Tesla's EU sales slumped in May despite EV market growth. BP shares jump 8% on report it is in early-stage talks to be acquired by Shell.

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss Powell remaining steadfast in his wait-and-see approach to cutting rates. Is this time different for the economy? Bond investors remain hopeful despite deficits. Trump sends out a warning to the GOP on megabill. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains the process and benefits of putting your assets, including your property, into an irrevocable medicaid trust. Todd also explains the process of selling property in a trust.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss Trump putting Jerome Powell in a lose-lose scenario. Businesses face rising inflation due to tariffs. Will consumers get hit next? Annemarie Conte, Writer - Wirecutter, joins the show to chat about where companies are rising prices due to tariffs and why frontrunning prices has been a bad idea. Compass sues to stop Zillow ban. Gen Z has many reasons why they are financially illiterate.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the latest truce agreement between Israel and Iran after Trump lashes out at both sides. Powell remains steadfast in fight against ongoing inflation. US oil frackers make the correct call. An unsteady economy hasn't shaken retail investors' optimism about the stock market. Home sales rose in May but remain sluggish.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane wonder if ordinary investors are starting to sour on Big Tech. Mark Zuckerberg leads AI recruitment blitz armed with $100M pay packages. 401(k)s weren't built for the Gen Z economy. How high costs are ending America's love affair with cars. Will stablecoins dramatically impact the credit card business?

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane explain why it isn't too surprising that markets are not dropping and infact are rising after a weekend of conflict in the Middle East. Oil markets are worried about a potential closure of the Straight of Hormuz. Fed Governor calls for rate cut as soon as July. Don't be fooled by treasury yields. Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' gets slimmed down in the Senate. Buy Now, Pay Later will starting impacting your credit score.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the US preparing action to target allies chip plants in China. Social Security's finances erode further, risking benefits cuts. Auto tariffs could raise the price of vehicles up by nealy $2,000 per. Waymo wants to bring its Robotaxis to New York City. Rice prices skyrocket in May. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat about Capital One and the rising fees on credit cards.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the Fed seeing higher inflation and slower growth ahead. While the Fed holds rates steady, Credit Card ARPs are still rising, why? What are stablecoins and why is congress pushing the Genius Act? US tariff spike hits China's small parcels. Masa Son pitches $1T US AI hub to TSMC and Trump.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the S&P 500 nearing a record. The biggest companies across America are cutting workforces. What are 'stupid' earnings reports and why are companies using them? Americans are passing by restaurants at levels similar to 2023. U.S. Steel ceases trading on the NYSE as Japan's Nippon finalizes takeover.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the possible next phase of the Israel-Iran conflict and how the oil market is in a difficult position. The Fed is in a tricky spot managing rate cuts and expectations from Trump. Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his expertise on irrevocable trusts.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains how an irrevocable trust protects your money from nursing homes, are there any changes coming in the new tax bill, how often a trust should be reviewed, and the downsides of irrevocable trusts.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss young college graduates are facing an employment crisis. Mark Hamrick, Bankate, joins the show to share the results from a recent personal finance survey that looked at how tariffs are impacting them. How to draw down your retirement savings when the markets are gyrating. Credit scores for millions of student loan borrowers cratered. How the $1,000 'Trump accounts' would compare to other savings plans.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss May retail sales dropping more than expected. Trump plays down Iran-Israel truce as he leaves G-7 early. Why the Fed isn't cutting rates despite cool inflation. What does the Federal Reserve actually do? Senate trims SALT, cuts more Medicaid in proposed changes to Trump megabill.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the confusion surround price increases and where the blame really lies. Joanna Stavins, Economist and Policy Advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, joins the show to chat about credit card delinquencies. New real estate math: half a million more sellers than buyers. A family of four needs how much money to live comfortably?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and how the energy sector is under focus. Are supply chains in danger of cracking again? The Fed on hold leaves Wall Street asking what it will take to cut interest rates. Red vs Blue is dividing stock portfolios like never before. Nations head to the G-7 hoping to reach trade deals with Trump.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss where the inflation is from tariffs and why ecnomists are saying to just wait. The South is beating inflation, but not housing. Why is there an unexpected surge in people claiming Social Security? You electric bill is rising faster than inflation. Walmart and Amazon are exploring issuing their own stablecoins.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss stocks retreating as havens rally after Iran strike. US crude oil jumps more than 8% on the heelds of Israeli strikes. Consumer sentiment reading rebounds to much higher level than expected. The case for rate cuts is growing.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss a ‘shadow' Fed chair could be coming. Who it could be and how markets might react? Mark Spindel, author of The Myth of Independence: How Congress Governs the Federal Reserve, joins the show to chat about the Fed's independence. Are bond vigilantes taking a nap? Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to talk about Chime's IPO.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the PPI report that showed an increase less than forecasted. Why has inflation come down over the past two years? Luck? Can the Fed claim victory over inflation now? Yes, but they shouldn't. The number of Americans filing for jobless claims last week remains at the highest level in 8 months. Trump says again he'll set unilateral tariffs in two weeks. Supply chains become new battleground in the global trade war. Boeing crash in India likely killed all 242 on board, authorities say.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the idea that Scott Bessent could be next in line to replace Jerome Powell as the head of the Federal Reserve. Entry-level worker confidence is lower than ever. Why younger Americans trust stocks and bonds over homes to build wealth. Is the US ready to go nuclear?

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the latest CPI report that showed inflation rises less than expected. Is the threat of run away inflation over? US and China officials agree on plan that awaits approval from Xi and Trump. Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his insight into estate planning.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains how an irrevocable trust protects your assets from nursing homes and why it might be the best estate planning path for you.

Mike Armstrong and Paul LAne discuss Apple's AI takes a back seat to design, iPad revamp at WWDC event. Zuckerberg is personally recruiting new ‘Superintelligence' AI team at Meta. News sites are getting crushed by Google's new AI tools. The canned-food aisle Is getting squeezed by rising steel tariffs. Shoppers are wary of digital shelf labels, but a study found they don't lead to price surges.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss U.S. and China try to undo devastating trade curbs. Inflation expectations declined across all horizons, NY Fed says. Lawmakers traded stocks heavily as Trump rolled out ‘Liberation Day' tariffs. Moody's sounds alarm on private funds for individuals. A college degree is no longer a risk-free investment.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the landmark House vs NCAA settlement approved by a judge, allowing college to pay athletes. How will this impact college sports? Forgotten 401(k) account fees can cost workers thousands in lost retirement savings. Get ready for inflation to matter in markets again. Movie props are hitting the auction blocks.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the US and China resuming trade talks with the focus on rare earth materials. Is the US economy headed toward an uncomfortable summer? Republicans and economists are at odds over whether the megabill will spur a growth boom. Will America's unblanaced trade doom the dollar?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss college grads having an extremely difficult time finding work in this job market. Michael Santoli joins the show to chat about the jobs report, the Fed's possible response, and Trump vs Musk. Millennials need to stop complaining about recessions. Paul LaMonica stops by to talk about Circle's IPO.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the strong monthly jobs report and the hidden signs of weakness. Trump presses Powell for a full-point interest rate cut despite strong jobs report. Can we trust a jobs report from the Trump administration? Yes. The day that Trump and Musk torched their partnership. You want income in retirement, but soaring bond yields can be risky. What should you do?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss big investors shifting away from US markets. Americans are finally saving almost what they're supposed to for retirement. 3 mistakes to avoid when investing for retirement. How airline fees have turned baggage into billions. Ted Rossman, Bankrate, joins the show to share the results from a recent tipping survey.