The Financial Exchange Show

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.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the recent labor market data releases and if they are showing signs of weakness. Tomorrow's jobs report might put the Fed in an ever trickier position. Economists raise questions about the quality of US inflation data. Procter and Gamble to cut 7,000 jobs. America's summer hot spots wonder if the tourists will show up this year.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss global investors have a new reason to pull back from US debt. Stocks keep ignoring all the bad news. They can't ignore this big test. House SALT deal will to change, Senate leader says. Many young people are clueless about money. Older folks aren't much better. Americans are finally saving enough for retirement.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Trump saying China's Xi is 'extremely hard to make a deal with' and why that matters. How can the US resolve its trade deficits? Automakers race to find a workaround to China's stranglehold on rare-earth magnets. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd. This week Todd explores irrevocable medicaid trusts.

This week, Todd Lutsky shares his insight into the power of irrevocable medicaid trusts, how much control you give up, how to qualify, and if states can challenge the trust.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss consumers financing groceries and what that says about the economy. Private credit could 'amplify' the next financial crisis. What is Google just broke itself up? Nuclear power giant's stock surges on 20-year deal with Meta. Walmart is supercharging revenue but with fewer workers.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss economists believe Trump tariffs are hurting the US and global economy. US job openings rose to 7.4M in April. China's new trade negotiator is ready to play hardball. Trump's tax bill heads to the Senate. Bond viglantes are waiting. Americans are 'revenge saving' after years of splurging. Disney is set to lay off hundreds.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why the stock market continues to hold up in the face of uncertain trade policy. Why Nvidia can't just quit China. Why retirees need to tune out the noise when filing for Social Security. Child tax credit debate could get' really interesting' as the Senate weighs Trump's mega-bill. Its summer vacation time. Tourists are saying NO to America. Can Gen Z save chain restaurants?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the recently released ISM data that dipped further for the month. Is there a major problem on the horizon in the labor market? China hits back against Trump claims that it broke trade truce. US dependence on China for rare earth magnets is causing shortages. Bessent says US will never default as Congress faces endgame. The Federal Reserve's demanding next months.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong want people to stop making up words to replace already commonly used ones. Are side hustles taking up too much time for workers? Lower income Americans are having a difficult time in the current economic conditions. Zuckerberg is trying everything he can to make Meta a thing. Non-alcoholic beer projected to overtake ale as the second-largest beer category worldwide this year. 

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss economists cautiously cheering the court ruling striking down tariffs but then an appeals court says not so fast. Trade talks between the US and China stall again. US core PCE inflation softens to 2.5% in April as forecast. Are wealthy Americans in for a shock in the GOP tax bill? 

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss jobless claims jump to 5-week high — but not because layoffs in the U.S. are rising. Elon Musk steps down from Trump administration. How can retirees get over the guilt from spending their money? Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat about Nvidia's strong earnings and how other chip makers are holding up. Are too many retirees focusing on the wrong thing?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss a trade court shutting down Trump's tariffs. Trump still has some tariff cards to play. Who really benefits from the United and JetBlue partnership? Nvidia's business is booming despite being shut out of China. Is the fragile trade truce between China and the US about to get worse? The Fed forecasts stagflation.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss Tim Cook and Apple's difficult first half of the year. What is the real benefit of being first in AI? US-yields continue to yo-yo. Why do we still care about Macy's earnings? Cheating with ChatGPT has become a huge problem for colleges.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss Wall Street betting that the worst of the trade war is already behind us. Are tariffs already creeping into the economy? Waiting on Nvidia is the hardest part. Americans are urging businesses to take AI slow and get it right first. Home building and sales continue to slump. Used-cars are getting very expensive again.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the upcoming Fed rate decision that is likely to remain the same. Consumer confidence for May was much stronger than expected on optimism for trade deals. The silver tsunami is keeping the economy afloat. What to do if you feel like you have too much money in one stock. How will the student-loan crisis show up in the economy? Are you ready to have your doctor consult with AI?

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the decision by President Trump to delay the deadline for tariffs on the EU. Why is negotiating with the EU so difficult? How a growing US deficit could impact American households. Earnings season is coming to a close after surprisingly good results. Tesla is getting its butt kicked in Europe.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the markets reaction to the latest threat of tariffs from Trump. Dan Griggs, OceanFirst Bank Regional President, shares his insight into how the summer travel season is setting up for New England. Gas and electric bills in Massachusetts just keep going up. The Supreme Court lets Trump fire agency officials, but moves to protec the Fed. The penny is almost no longer. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat about IBM's resurgence as an AI trade.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss Trump threatening Apple with tariffs if the company fails to bring production back to the US. Is the stock market ready to ignore Trump's policy swings? Are investors shying sway from the bond market because of Trump? Tesla has a big CyberTruck problem on its hands. How does the GOP tax bill impact your deductions? Is sports betting getting out of control in the US?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong give their thoughts on news of OpenAI's Sam Altman linking up with former Apple diesigner Jony Ive to develop a new, secretive AI product that reportedly doesn't have a screen. So what could it actually be? Speaking of Apple, where do they currently stand in pursuit of strengthening their AI? Also, how do you know if a Roth conversion is right for you? Plus, more on the desperate need for more housing in this country and how to accomplish it.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong dissect yesterday's market sell-off, driven by climbing treasury yields over concerns of the deficit. Why are bond investors worried about the outcome of the tax bill? Plus, news from more retailers including Nike's return to Amazon, and if they will hike prices due to tariffs. Plus, more on the oil market and how different New England is from an energy perspective compared to other parts of the country.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Google taking aim at AI firms challenging its AI dominance. Home sellers are dropping prices, but buyers aren't budging. Nvidia chief Jensen Huang condemns US chip curbs on China as 'a failure'. Toyota redesigns America's top-selling RAV4 to exclusively be a hybrid. CVS offers bonuses and pizza parties as perks to boost vaccine sales.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss bond investors raising concerns over Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax bill. Is Target in danger of becoming the latest big box store to fade away? Lowe's sales beat expectations, bucking volatility from tariffs. Todd Lutsky joins the show to chat about planning your estate even if you don't think you have enough.

Todd Lutsky explains why an estate doesn't need to be extensive in order to plan to leave assets to beneficiaries. Todd also takes calls from the audience about gifting assets, deciding when you have enough to retire, avoiding capital gains tax.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the next great job churn is already underway. Fed officials signal rates likely to stay on hold until at least September. A feared tsunami of cargo from China looks more like a swell. Used-car buyers are being charged an average of $640 in surprise fees. Elon Musk announces a step back from politics.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss America's fiscal situation threatening the good mood on Wall Street. Will Trump's tariff climbdown save the US from recession? Home Depot plans to keep prices steady despite tariffs. Trump's 'big, beautiful' tax bill heightens concerns over US debt. Trump wants to fulfill his 'no tax on tips' promise.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Americans travel plans are more lowkey than in years past, as Europe gets passed over in favor of road trips. Are big oil companies prepared for a prolonged market downturn? Why are so many retirees filing for Social Security earlier? GM is pushing hard to tank California's EV mandate. Some student loan borrowers see credit scores plummet by over 100 points.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss treasuries and the dollar falling on the news that Moody's downgrades US debt. Bessent calls Moody's as a 'lagging indicator' of US fiscal health. The GOP tax plan doesn't address cutting the deficit. Trump attacks Walmart for tariff-related price increases. Why are we as a country trying to spend our way out of debt?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstong chat with Jenny Tang, VP and Economist Boston Federal Reserve Bank, about how the Fed approaches researching and creating models on inflation, how important consumer expectations are, and the balance between large and small businesses. Gen X's biggest retirement worry isn't money. Travelers are trying their hardest to avoid Newark. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat about Coinbase's wild week.