The Financial Exchange Show

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.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss bets on outsized Fed cut gains steam as CPI data backs doves. Is the Fed ok with inflation being at 3%? Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains the best way to take advantage of tax exemptions, crypto in your estate plan, protect money in IRAs, and credit sherlter trusts.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti explain why the Fed could cut rates in September and it comes down to employment data. Trump to nominate BLS critic to lead the agency. The era of big raises for low-paid workers is over. Do Roth IRA conversions still make sense with the passage of the GOP tax bill? Trump's BLS nominee already making questionable comments about the agency's future.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the release of July's CPI data that came in less than expected and what that means for the Fed when they have to decide on interest rates in September. Tariff promises on both sides have been wildly overblown. Nvidia CEO buys his way out of the trade battle. China urges firms to avoid Nvidia's H20 chips. Trump softens stance on Intel CEO after demanding resignation. Elon Musk threatens to sue Apple over app store rankings.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss timing a new home purchase and why now might be a good time. Dot-com parallel leads to fear of what's next for this record-breaking stock market. When to ditch web search for deep research. Target has a frustrated workforce amidst the search for a new CEO.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Nvidia and AMD agreeing to pay 15% to the US on every chip they sell in China. What if China opts out of Nvidia chips? What are US automakers saying about Trump's changing EV policies? Small US businesses are getting slammed by tariffs. Is Walmart too big to fail?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the BLS not being able to be replaced by the private sector. Las Veags sees drop in tourism, hinting at broader economic woes facing the US. Summer concert season off to a booming start. Paul LaMonica, Barrons, joins the show to chat about Broadcom's fantastic start to the year and why they aren't included in the Magnificent Seven.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the Nasdaq reaching new highs. Markets shrug off poor employment data. Trump's surprise pick buys him time on chair selection. What is the biggest economic threat to Trump? 'Stagflation is coming to the US' what does that mean for your dollars, bonds, and stocks?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss mega cap companies continuing to hold up markets are their backs. Luke Kawa, Sherwood News, joins the show to continue the conversation about mega cap dominance. Peloton posts surprise profit but announces 6% layoffs anyway. Draft Kings profit doubles ex[ectations as people are betting and losing more. 

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss how markets continue to brush aside tariffs and potential tariff impacts, why? The auto industry takes a $12B hit from the trade war. Three Fed officials voice fresh concerns over the US labor market. Are you ready for private assets and crypto in your 401(k)? Youth is losing to experience in this labor market.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss credit card debt reaching a new record of $1.21T. Housing to remain the weakest part of the economy. McDonald's sales rebounds but something scary is beneath the numbers. Disney forecasts stronger streaming numbers and parks growth. Uber's rally loses steam even as bookings exceed expectations. Can Kohl's turn its Meme moment into something more?

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss Trump ramping up his tariff blitz on India, Pharma, and chips. The tariff effect: billions in revenue but no economic earthquake. AMD logs higher profit and sales yet stock drops over 7%. SMC tempers sales outlook as results disappoint. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.

This week, Todd explains what a nominee realty trust is and how it benefits those who utilize it. Todd also takes calls from the audience about putting property in trusts.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss Trump's decision to fire the BLS chief and how Wall Street views the move. Why does it matter that Trump fired the BLS chief? Is LA dooming itself if it enacts a $30 minimun wage? Selling Stocks in a Market Downturn Is a Big Mistake. 5 Strategies to ‘Panic Prudently.' Is Musk the most important CEO in the world?

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti tariff impacts showing up in earnings reports. Is there a case against a September rate cut? The EU continues to look for a tariff exemption on wines and spirits. Is Trump's tax bill actually helping blue states more than red?

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane preview the important earnings reports this week that could potentially answer some crucial questions for the direction of economic sectors. Rebecca Risk, Robert Half, joins the show to chat about worker mobility trends. Millennials are richer but can't stop worrying. Apple's CEO tells employees that AI is 'ours to grab.'  Is buy-now pay-later just a new debt tool for a younger generation? Delta is getting blowback for latest pricing strategy. 

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss recent economic data releases are pointing to a slowing US economy. What are the ramifications of Trump firing the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics? Trump is set to name a new Fed Governor. The stock market got a sobering reality check. Berkshire Hathaway operating earnings dip 4% as conglomerate braces for tariff impact.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong recap the market sell-off and are joined by CNBC's Michael Santoli to run through his takeaways and insight from the busiest week of the year. Plus, why did Amazon's stock take such a big hit following its earnings report? Apple saw its devices sales jump due to consumers wanting to get ahead of potential price increases. And, Paul LaMonica of Barron's discusses recent IPO Figma.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong react to today's market sell-off, driven by Thursday's late tariff announcement from President Trump on several countries to begin on August 7. And, could courts overturn Trump's tariffs? Plus, the July jobs report disappointed, leading to a tumble in treasury yields. Is the economy starting to see more signs of trouble under the hood?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong recap an interesting press conference from Fed Chairman Jerome Powell at the conclusion of the central bank's meeting, which ultiamtely kept rates steady. Why did two Fed governors dissent and back an interest rate cut? And what does that mean for the rest of Powell's term? Plus, Ford is seeing pain from tariffs. Starbucks eliminates mobile-order only stores to get back to its roots. China's warning to the US and Nviida. And could autonomus trucking lead to massive job loss down the line?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong take a deep dive into the impressive second quarter earnings from Meta and Microsoft, led by their AI initiatives. Why does AI continue to push markets higher? And is AI also helping boost the economy? Should the Magnificent 7 stocks be revised? Plus, a preview of more tech earnings from Apple and Amazon.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss what the Federal Reserve actually does, why dissent matters, and how it will determine the rate cut decision. Companies from A-Z are starting to complain that tariffs will cost them millions. Why stimulus checks to pay for tariffs is a bad idea. Joseph Yoon, Edmunds, joins the show to chat about car loans crushing buyers. Buying crypto with your credit card is a terrible idea.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti dive into the Q2 GDP data that showed a nice surprise even as Trump's tariffs hit. With a strong GDP does that mean the economy is doing better than expected? Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd. This week Todd shares the first step to take if you failed to plan for medicaid till the last minute.

This week, Todd Lustky explains the first steps when planning for last minute nursing home care. Todd also explains why trusts are often too complicated, the value of putting vehicles in a trust, and why you want more than just a will.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss Trump's fragile trade deals. Inflation vs Unemployment. Which do Americans fear more? Even top earners are falling behind on credit card and car loan payments. Soaring energy costs related to the AI boom are becoming concerning.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti break down the numbers in the latest JOLTS report. A divided Fed eyes future rate cuts but not likely this week. Companies are starting to complain about consumer stress levels. Trump is winning his trade war.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the latest bragging point for CEOs is shrinking their companies headcounts. Inflation is outpacing wage growth for nearly half of Americans. Americans view their 401(k) as more than just a nest egg. ‘Quishing' scams dupe millions of Americans as cybercriminals turn the QR code bad.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong preview a very busy week for economic data. Is the US-EU trade deal the least bad outcome? How long can the US economy defy expectations? The Fed hasn't been this divided in 30 years. Are things really changing for the better at Boeing under the new CEO?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss airlines not named Delta or United are having a very difficult year. Airbnb is looking to redefince travel again. McDonald's has lost its way when it comes to value. Can the golden arches recapture value focused customers? What will it take for robotaxis to go global?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the S&P500 and Nasdaq Composite hitting new record highs. Trump says he won't fire Powell despite bout of bickering over renovation costs. Intel to layoff 15% of workers and cancel billions in projects in bid for rebound. Wall Street is challenging the low cost investing revolution. Microsoft CEO says job cuts have been weighing on him.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss home prices hitting a new record in June, dragging down sales. Ted Rossman, Bankrate, joins the show to share the results of a recent back-to-school shopping survey. Trump to tour Federal Reserve, ramping up pressure on Powell. What most Americans get wrong about Social Security. Thousands of workers feel reduced burnout after four day work week trial.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Trump's new trade standard taking shape with 15% tariff deal. Tesla braces for 'rough' quarters as US ends incentives. Google revenue soars on AI boom. Nvidia and AMD CEOs rally behind Trump's AI 'action plan.' 

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the magnificent seven companies needing to answer certain questions in their earnings reports. Markets are again abuzz about Meme stocks. Full return to office now required for majority of Fortune 100 desk workers. AI demand drives record electricity supply costs in largest US markets. The billion dollar question looming over college sports.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the US and Japan reaching a trade deal. EU readies no-deal plan to match US's 30% tariff. What should the tariffs rates be? Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd. This week, Todd explains how to protect retirement accounts from long-term care.

This week on Ask Todd, Todd Lutsky explains how to protect retirement accounts from long-term care, moving brokerages accounts into a trust, and trust planning vs long-term care insurance.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss why stocks are up and why it is such a mystery right now. Corporate America keeps calling consumers 'resilient.' Consumers beg to differ. Banks hate 'buy now, pay later' and may penalize its users. Meme stock frenzy is back. Alphabet earnings optimism outweighs looming anti trust risks. California's $20 minimum wage at fast-food chains has hit employment.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss GM's profit falling as Trump tariffs add $1.1B in costs. Coca-Cola beats estimates but feels slightly meh. Bessent says review of Feds building renovations is needed. BlackRock restricts use of company devices for China travel. Does Europe have a secret weapon to use in negotiations with Trump? Canada's boycott of US liquor hits domestic alcohol sales.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss Bessent making the case to Trump against firing Fed Chair Powell. Is the US riskier than emerging markets? Social Security needs a fix more than ever after the big bill. Could the Big Beautiful Bill prove to be contractionary? After pledging to keep prices low, Amazon hiked them on hundreds of essentials. Will 'smart' restrooms fix America's public bathroom crisis?

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the busy week for earnings that started off with the ever reliable Verizon. Is the US economy regaining its swagger? How the Fed has learned from previous mistakes. Europe prepares for a US trade fight. What does a late career layoff look like in America? Wall Street want to make private markets a little more public.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss American Express expenses grow amid investments to keep customers spending. Where are Walmart prices are changing — and staying the same — as Trump's tariffs hit? Carmakers face uncertainty as tariffs and earnings collide. GE Aerospace investors are unsure of the potential. 

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss housing starts gain but still lag from last year. Consumer sentiment rises in July despite Trump's latest tariff threats. Upbeat earnings send S&P and Nasdaq to new highs. Why does Netflix keep dominating the streaming space? Trump set to open US retirement market to crypto investments.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss pump prices not being the problem, plug prices are. Tough job market got college grads is worrying for the economy. Why the Fed keeps holding rates steady while waiting to see on tariffs. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat about Tesla and JPMorgan still short.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the Fed building renovation at the heart of Trump's efforts to oust Powell. Bank CEOs are coming out fighting for Fed independence. US jobless claims fell last week. Retail sales came in strong in June but could be hiding something important. The bond market won't let America be irresponsible forever.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss big bank earnings, with the exception of Wells Fargo, keep coming in solid. Tripp Mickle, New York Times, joins the show to chat about Nvidia's staggering growth and future prospects. White House officials believe Trump will fire Jerome Powell soon. How will markets react? 

This week, Todd Lutsky explains how to ensure your property is protected when detirmining medicaid eligibility. Todd also shares his insight on selling rental property in a trust, swapping properties in a trust, and purchasing a home with cash.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the released PPI report that came in mostly as expected but some areas are showing signs of impacts from tariffs. Despite dire warnings, the economy is holding up. Can it last? Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.