The Financial Exchange Show

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss AI data centers sending power bills soaring. What are the benefits of having a data center near you? Jess Bezos says AI is in an industrial bubble but society will get 'gigantic' benefits from the tech. Boeing likely to record billions in charges over 777X debut delay. Paul LaMonica (Barron's) joins the show to chat about pest control company that is AI proof.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the lack of a weekly jobs report so they turn to AI to get the answers they are looking for. How long with the government shutdown last? Behind job weakness are hints of a productivity revival. Why the stock market keeps going up - even during a government shutdown. Maybe the Fed shouldn't be cutting interest rates. LA's entertainment economy is looking like a disaster movie.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong are concerned there is not being enough attention paid to the collapse of First Brands, why the company found itself in its current mess, and if this is a bigger problem brewing. Luke Kawa (Sherwood News) joins the show to share what is driving the recent market rally. Taiwan rejects U.S. proposal for '50-50′ chip production, says trade talks focused on tariffs. 

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the different causes of the labor market flattening out. Is Baby Boomer spending the only thing keeping up the economy? What happens to the economy if asset prices are the consumer driver? OpenAI is will be either a trillion dollar company or nothing. Student loan debt is strangling Gen X.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the US dollar losing its safehaven status as governments gobble up gold. How Nvidia's Jensen Huang became AI's global salesman. Meta launches Vibes: a new way to discover and create terrible AI videos. AI is not killing jobs, US study finds. Boeing's 737 Max replacement will be make-or-break.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss what to expect from the latest government shutdown. How do markets trend during government shutdowns? Shotdown puts a divided Fed in a perilous position. Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his expertise on making the most of gifting assets.

Todd Lutsky shares his expertise on making the most of gifting assets, understanding the different ways of gifting, and deciding which assets should be gifted.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane explain why your electric keeps rising. Jessica Caldwell, Head of Insights at Edmunds, joins the show to share the Q3 new car sales forecast. Why GM boss Mary Barra is slamming the brakes on lofty EV ambitions. Investors are fretting that the stock market rally is on borrowed time. McDonald's is bringing back Monopoly after a decade.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the release of the JOLTS report that showed job openings slightly exceeded forecasts. How government shutdowns affect the US economy. US economy will only get murkier if key data is delayed in shutdown. Rise of 'accidental landlords' is bad news for investors who bet big on rentals. Exxon to cut 2,000 jobs in global restructuring. Gen X is about to face the biggest Social Security decision.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss Walmart's CEO's comments about AI changing literally every job. Corey Adams (Robert Half) joins the show to chat about the company's 2026 salary guide. Debt is fueling the next wave of the AI boom. The fastest-selling cars in America are used EVs.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss why this week's most important data release is the jobs report. Rate cuts might not cure what ails the job market. Recession seems far off. The economy is also far from trouble. Why a small auto parts maker in the MidWest going bankrupt has massive ramifications. 

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane disucss why millions of Americans are becoming economically invisibile. Mike Simonsen, Chief Economist at Compass, joins the show to chat about the state of the housing market and where interest rates need to be to get things moving again. Costco tops earnings and revenue estimates as warehouse club gains more members. Starbucks is in a big mess. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat how O'Reilly Auto Parts set themselves apart from other national autoparts retailers.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the core inflation rate coming as expected. Trump imposing new tariffs on pharma and big trucks. Will the massive spending on AI ever pay off? How many Americans actually have a financial plan written down?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the White House going all-in on Argentina. It may not work. Intel is seeking an investment from Apple as part of its comeback bid. Amazon agrees to settle US lawsuit that it 'tricked' people into Prime. A diminished Social Security workforce, and its customers, feel the strain. Delta replaces engine units in effor to address toxic-fume surge on planes. Higher electricity prices aren't all good for utilities.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss initial jobless claims tumble for second consecutive week. US economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter. Too many still don't understand the tax ramifications of the Big, Beautiful Bill. CarMax sees unexpected drop in used-car sales. White House to pursue mass firings if government shuts down. How the H1B visa fee could reshape workforces.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss more trouble ahead on the US job front. The Fed's rate path is too cautious to fix housing. Is Nvidia's investment in OpenAI a bad sign for the tech market? Is the diversified portfolio dead? the NFL says is could renegotiate media deals as soon as 2026.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Powell describing rates as 'modestly restrictive,' keeping the door open to cuts. Do Stephen Miran's rate-cut arguments add up? US stocks resist S&P500 drops of 2% or more in best run in over a year. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd. This week, Todd explains to best way to leave property to your heirs.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss how Argentina's Javier Milei lost the markets and is turning to the US. Are H1B visas crucial to American productivity? Stocks are expensive. Does earnings growth mean that doesn't matter? Is the age of value investing over? Regional US casinos cash in as gamblers shun prices Vegas trips.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the often asked question if the stock market is overvalued. Miran is contradicting himself on the case for big rate cuts. China floods the world with cheap exports after Trump's tariffs. Nvidia to invest up to $100B in OpenAI. Spirit Airlines furloughing one-third of its flight attendants.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss inflation being the lesser evil. Many Americans can't buy houses, get jobs, or move in a stuck economy. The rush to return to the office is stalling. Cardboard box demand is slumping. Why that's bad news for the economy. Millennials are stuck in an old and lazy story.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Trump's $100,000 visa targets a $280B India success story. Will the $100,000 visa help American workers? American colleges are going all out to hold to international students. Why it might be time to repeal the Fed's dual mandate.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss which areas of the country are being hit the hardest by unemployment. Grocery prices have jumped up. Is it actually the grocery stores to blame? Eversource gas customers face 13 percent rate increase this winter. Reasons why getting rid of quarterly reports helps markets and companies. Paul LaMonica ( Barron's) joins the show chat about the recent IPOs including StubHub.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the Fed losing its independence and what that means for inflation. Why the Fed's recent rate cut might be the only one of 2025 despite predictions. Why the Fed can't ease the government's debt problem. Trade relations with China as Xi and Trump talk TikTok and rare earth materials. Nvidia is walking a tightrope between the US and China. 

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the recent $5B investment by Nvidia into Intel. Chuck wonders how long till Nvidia just buys up Intel altogether. Huawei unveils AI chip roadmap to challenge Nvidia's lead. Congress has no good excuse to keep trading stocks. Start practicing retirement now. It'll make the switch that much easier. Home Insurance as you know it is doomed. You're not ready.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong break down the Fed's rate cut decision and claim of two more possibly coming this year. Powell and the rest of the Fed have no clue how the economy will look next year. US initial jobless claims drop by most in almost four years. How to handle a job market that's worse than it looks. American Express unveils refreshed Platinum card with $895 annual fee.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss China banning tech companies from buying Nvidia's AI chips. AI is going to consumer a lot of energy. Can it help us save energy? US mortgage rates fall to 2024 levels, fueling refinancing surge. LimeWire is back and buying the Fyre Festival.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane explain why interest rates aren't the most important aspect of the economy. The two-speed economy is back as low-income Americans give up gains. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd. This week, Todd explains beneficiary designations on IRAs.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains the process and benefits of naming beneficiaries on IRAs and how income taxes are paid when the estate is the beneficiary.

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.