The Investor Professor Podcast

In this episode of The Investor Professor Podcast, Dr. Ryan Peckham and Cameron dive into the headline-grabbing feud between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, complete with AI-generated tweets and rumors swirling around SpaceX contracts. They unpack the deeper implications of founder-led companies, how personal behavior from high-profile CEOs impacts stock prices, and what the market's recent “melt-up” tells us in the face of escalating tariff drama. The duo also reflects on Warren Buffett's decision to step down, what it means for Berkshire Hathaway, and why his timeless investing principles still matter more than ever.But it's not all market chaos—Ryan and Cameron also get tactical, breaking down what young investors should do first to set themselves up for long-term financial success. From paying off high-interest debt to maximizing retirement accounts and understanding the power of long time horizons, this episode serves up real-world advice grounded in behavioral finance. They even highlight why AirPods alone make Apple a juggernaut and how companies evolve across decades. It's a blend of market insights, personal finance fundamentals, and classic Investor Professor banter.*This podcast contains general information that may not be suitable for everyone. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast will come to pass. Investing in the stock market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. Information presented herein is subject to change without notice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Rydar Equities, Inc. does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

On this episode of The Investor Professor Podcast, Dr. Ryan Peckham sits down with licensed mortgage broker Ashley Marx for a comprehensive and candid conversation about buying your first home or commercial property. Ashley, who helped Ryan purchase his first commercial building, breaks down the myths around down payments, closing costs, and how debt-to-income ratios really shape your buying power. They explore why many young buyers hit “analysis paralysis” by assuming they need 20% down and how alternative loan options—like down payment assistance programs—can open doors earlier than expected. From tips on preparing your credit score to real stories from the 2008 housing crash, Ashley shares eye-opening insights for buyers at every stage. The two discuss how real estate trends are shifting, what people get wrong about mortgage approvals, and why now might be smarter than waiting for rates to drop. Whether you're thinking about your first home, rental property, or retirement planning, this episode lays out the essentials in an approachable, honest way.Ashley Marx - E Mortgage Capital949-603-2833amarx@emortgagecapital.com#RealEstateTips #MortgageAdvice #FirstTimeHomeBuyer #InvestorProfessor #FinancialPlanning #RealEstateInvesting #CreditScore #DownPaymentHelp #BuyingAHome #PersonalFinance* This podcast contains general information that may not be suitable for everyone. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast will come to pass. Investing in the stock market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. Information presented herein is subject to change without notice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Rydar Equities, Inc. does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

Fresh off the finish line, Dr. Ryan Peckham and Cameron return from the London Marathon with stories of triumph, pain, and everything in between. In this episode, they break down the highs and lows of race day—from the grueling “pain cave” of mile 20 to the electrifying energy of the London crowds. Whether it's your first marathon or a major life goal, they explore how meaningful it is to chase something difficult—and why the feeling of crossing the finish line is worth every ounce of discomfort.This isn't just a race recap—it's a conversation about commitment, mindset, and how achieving something big can reset your momentum for the rest of the year. Ryan and Cameron share what surprised them most about the experience, what they learned along the way, and how the discipline of marathon training parallels investing, goal-setting, and life itself. As always, get your mind right—and maybe get inspired to take on your own marathon, whatever that looks like.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:55 London Marathon Experience01:23 Challenges and Triumphs of the Marathon05:01 Crowd Support and Marathon Atmosphere08:47 Post-Marathon Reflections and Future Goals09:52 Marketing Genius and Brand Impact13:50 Setting and Achieving Long-Term Goals15:58 Acting on Momentum16:15 The Importance of Setting Goals16:41 Overcoming Negative Thoughts17:37 Taking the Plunge18:31 Cherishing the Experience20:21 Lessons from the Marathon27:07 Market Insights and Predictions29:06 Final Thoughts and Encouragement33:06 Disclaimer and Legal Information*This podcast contains general information that may not be suitable for everyone. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast will come to pass. Investing in the stock market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. Information presented herein is subject to change without notice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Rydar Equities, Inc. does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

With recession fears back in the headlines, this episode is all about how to recession-proof your portfolio—no panic, just smart preparation. We'll break down leading and lagging economic indicators, explore how different asset classes behave during downturns, and show you how to use market volatility to your advantage, whether you're just starting or nearing retirement.Plus, we'll cover which sectors to lean into, how to think about dividend stocks and defensive positioning, and why moments like this are prime opportunities to upgrade your portfolio. No episode next week—I'm headed to the London Marathon—but in the meantime, let's get your game plan ready. Get your mind right, and let's get to work.*This podcast contains general information that may not be suitable for everyone. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast will come to pass. Investing in the stock market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. Information presented herein is subject to change without notice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Rydar Equities, Inc. does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult a professional regarding your individual circumstances.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

In this action-packed episode, Dr. Ryan Peckham and Cameron break down an historic two-week stretch in the markets defined by Trump's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement, ensuing market turmoil, and an emotional rebound. The S&P 500 just experienced its worst four-day drop since 2008, only to be followed by one of the strongest one-day rallies in decades. From investor psychology and margin calls to scalpel-style buying and finding dividend-paying stalwarts like Waste Management, Meta, and Valero—this episode is a masterclass in staying rational when the market isn't.The team digs deep into strategy during uncertain times—balancing patience with opportunity, trimming and buying when it hurts, and re-evaluating old price targets amid fast-moving political risk. From oil stocks to Nike, from Buffett quotes to the Restoration Hardware earnings call debacle, this episode is about managing fear, recognizing value, and playing the long game when volatility reigns. **This podcast contains general information that may not be suitable for everyone. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast will come to pass. Investing in the stock market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. Information presented herein is subject to change without notice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Rydar Equities, Inc. does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

In this episode of the Investor Professor Podcast, Dr. Ryan Peckham and co-host Cameron break down the volatile first quarter of 2025, noting declines across major indexes like the NASDAQ, S&P 500, and Dow Jones. They discuss the market's reaction to new tariffs on foreign automobile components and how these policy changes may impact manufacturing, consumer sentiment, and, ultimately, earnings. The duo explores whether the current 10% market drop is a normal correction or the start of a deeper recession, analyzing early indicators from companies like American Airlines and DoorDash. Consumer behavior, rising debt, and the oddity of installment plans for fast food all serve as signals of economic uncertainty and shifting priorities.Despite the negativity, the hosts offer cautious optimism by identifying potential buying opportunities for long-term investors. They highlight stocks like Nvidia and Amazon, which have seen significant pullbacks, suggesting that disciplined investing during downturns can yield long-term benefits. The conversation also touches on the return of IPOs, notably CoreWeave, and the importance of sticking to a consistent investing strategy amid market noise. Peckham and Cameron emphasize the power of habits, delayed gratification, and staying focused on fundamentals, such as reinvesting dividends and balancing risk with a barbell strategy. They close with thoughts on market psychology, the rise of zero-day options, and maintaining perspective through discipline, all while getting ready for their upcoming marathon in London.*This podcast contains general information that may not be suitable for everyone. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast will come to pass. Investing in the stock market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. Information presented herein is subject to change without notice and should not be considered as a solicitation to buy or sell any security. Rydar Equities, Inc. does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstance.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

The market is in flux, and uncertainty is at an all-time high—political shifts, tariffs, and the potential for 24-hour trading are all shaking up investor sentiment. Dr. Ryan Peckham and Cameron break down what's happening, why emotions drive market moves, and how investor behavior evolves across generations. With the NASDAQ in correction territory and the Magnificent Seven stocks feeling the pressure, is now the time to buy, hold, or sit tight?We also dive into the hidden costs of trading, the impact of tariffs on major companies, and why understanding your portfolio's exposure is more critical than ever. Plus, a surprising strategy that could help long-term investors stay ahead, even in a turbulent market.Get your mind right—let's get to work!

In this episode of The Investor Professor Podcast, we break down February's unpredictable market movements, highlighting the NASDAQ's decline, the S&P 500's struggles, and the Dow's relative strength. We explore key factors driving volatility, including earnings reports, political uncertainty, and shifting investor sentiment. Dr. Peckham also introduces the Relative Strength Index (RSI) as a valuable tool for assessing stock momentum and making informed trading decisions.To help investors manage risk, he discusses strategies like diversification, dollar-cost averaging, and reallocating funds to defensive assets such as dividend-paying stocks and fixed-income investments. He examines the market's shift away from high-risk momentum stocks like Nvidia toward more stable options like AT&T, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective. Whether you're adjusting your portfolio or looking for ways to navigate uncertain conditions, this episode offers practical insights for staying ahead in a choppy market.Disclaimer: This podcast contains general information that may not be suitable for everyone. The information contained herein should not be construed as personalized investment advice. There is no guarantee that the views and opinions expressed in this podcast will come to pass. Investing in the stock market involves gains and losses and may not be suitable for all investors. Information presented herein is subject to change without notice and should not be considered a solicitation to buy or sell any security.  Rydar Equities, Inc. does not offer legal or tax advice. Please consult the appropriate professional regarding your individual circumstances.  Past performance is no guarantee of future results.

We're in for a big week with earnings reports and the Federal Reserve meeting. Many big names will report this week, including AAPL, META, TSLA, and NOW. With the market having two good years back to back, you must start to think about the valuations of the companies you're investing in. Today, we illustrate this with $AAPL and discuss its P/E ratio. The P/E ratio stands for Price/ Earnings and helps us begin our valuation process. We step through this example through the episode. Remember, you also have until April 15th to make your IRA contributions for 2024. Although this deadline is a couple of months away, getting ahead of it is always a good idea. 

January 10th was National Quitter's Day! Wait... Huh? This is when most Americans will give up on their New Year's resolutions and goals for the year! We can't even make it 10 days. We are not here at The Investor Professor; we are just getting started in 2025. We also discuss this sloshy January the market is having and what to do when the market is trading sideways. How is your investment thesis in the companies you're invested in? Would you invest more if they dropped? Now is a great time to review your investments and ask these questions. 2025 is just starting, and you must assemble your list of companies you're interested in investing in. $PLTR and $RCAT are discussed in this episode. 

Let's talk about 2024! The markets were again on fire in 2024!. Cameron and I discuss the events of 2024 and look ahead to 2025. Predictions are not our style but themes we can do. What are some themes that we need to be on the lookout for in the coming year? TRUMP 2.0, AI, and inflation will be front and center. We also discuss our goals and how we can be more prepared and productive heading into 2025. As always, a new year brings new challenges and opportunities. We want to close out 2024 with gratitude and thanks for all the twists and turns it provided, and of course, thank you, our listeners, for your support the entire year!

Cameron joins me again this week as we discuss all the happenings since our last episode together in September. It's incredible how fast time goes. We discuss the market, the election, and our plans for next year. We also discuss the Guy Spier interview and how it all transpired. 

This is a special episode for us this week as I sit down with famed value investor Guy Spier. I first learned about Guy from his book The Education of a Value Investor. (It's an excellent book if you haven't read it before.)  After reading this book, Guy became a mentor of mine, albeit he wasn't aware of it, and I had never met him before. However, many mentors can come to us from books and other sources without us ever passing next to them. Fortunately for me, I did get to meet Guy in person and thank him for being such a good steward to the finance community. Guy is well known for winning a charity lunch with Warren Buffett that changed the trajectory of his life. In the same spirit, he now hosts his own charity lunch that I was lucky enough to win. This is a full-circle moment for me as I remember reading his book and dreaming of what could be ten years ago. Ten years later, I'm sitting across from one of my mentors, asking questions and conversing about life, finance, and everything in between. I hope you enjoy listening in on our conversation. 

Donald Trump is now President-elect for a second time and the first United States president to serve non-consecutive terms since Grover Cleveland. The stock market has reacted incredibly favorably to this news. So happy was the market that we had our largest post-election rally in history!As we enter what is historically the best time of the year for stocks, we look around, and everything is quite rosy. There is optimism all around and an expectation that government policy will be different for the next four years. We don't disagree that things will, in fact, be different, but everything has a price, and how much will get priced in before Trump takes office? That is the million-dollar question we are asking ourselves. As Buffett says, be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful. This is not to say that we are not excited about the market having such great years back to back but to remind ourselves that we have to remain disciplined when evaluating prices and valuations. If you don't trim at the top, you'll have nothing to invest when the market turns the other way. 

Episode 151 brings us the October spookies with Halloween upon us. We discuss the presidential election and the fear surrounding the outcome. How will the market react? How should you react? We remind listeners of the cognitive bias called "Loss Aversion," which says we perceive losses as more psychologically damaging than gains of the same size. By a factor of 2 to 1, in fact. Remember this when you see all the political ads trying to keep you glued by informing you of all the horrible things the "other" candidate will do. Our investment thesis for Rivian "$RIVN" is also discussed. Listen, research, and then decide if it could be an investment you'd be interested in. 

Not only is it our 150th episode, but it's also the second anniversary of the latest bull market. The latest stock market low happened on October 22nd, 2022! We discuss how long the average Bull market lasts and by what percentage the market typically rises. We also discuss takeaways from 150 episodes of our little podcast and what I have learned. If you have something you've been wanting to try in your life, take the plunge.

In this episode, we explore the stock market's performance through the third quarter. Here's a hint: It's done very well! The S&P just had its best performance through the third quarter since 1997!!! Malcolm Gladwell just released his new book, Revenge of the Tipping Point. We discuss some of its themes and also look back at the original, published in 2000. In the original book "Tipping Point," Gladwell explored how tipping points happen, and we relate that to our personal lives. How much work do you need to put into yourself mentally, physically, and financially to get to where you want to be? It can be a grind, but we all must endure, and our older version of ourselves will be very thankful. AI is already impacting us as we prepare for our Guy Spier interview next month. This week's update will share how we can use it on our podcast. 

The Federal Reserve finally blinked and lowered interest rates by .50 basis points. As I said in the last podcast, it would only take three days for me to be wrong, as I thought they would lower them by .25. Cameron and I sit down in this episode and discuss why we think the Fed lowered by 50, the timing, the decision, and the repercussions that could be on the horizon for the market. We also discuss the Fed's dual mandate and why so much technology is rolling out without being complete... The download is coming soon, as they call it.  

The past two weeks have been quite dramatic in the stock market. Two weeks ago, the Nasdaq fell 5.8% and then gained 6% over the past week. The S&P & Dow also had their episodes of whiplash over the same period. Election cycles are complex for everyone's emotions, especially the stock market. In this episode, we discuss how you can use these swings to improve the cost basis of your shares if you're feeling like you bought some too high. $PLTR and $DELL will join the S&P 500 Index on Sept. 23rd, and we discuss the criteria required for inclusion. Sports gambling is a BIG business that continues to grow. In particular, young men continue to gamble in higher numbers and more often. Access to gambling sites from our phones makes it too easy to participate. How could this impact savings in the future? What is the difference in your portfolio if you start saving at 25 vs 35? We take a look at a classic example during this episode. 

Happy Labor Day weekend! What a great time to sit down and reassess where you are with your goals heading into the end of the year. So many will coast into the end of the year and say I'll worry about that in 2025, but there is still 1/3 of the year to go. Don't be like the others when you can get ahead by keeping your foot on the accelerator. This episode also discusses the upcoming jobs report and how it could impact the Fed's rate drop decision and $NVDA. $NVDA reported earnings on Thursday so we break down their quarter, their valuation, and if right now might be an appropriate time to add them to your portfolio. 

In today's episode, Cameron and I break down the fed's Jackson Hole symposium, where Jerome Powell signals to the world that they are ready to start cutting interest rates.The day has finally come for interest rate drops, and we discuss how this can impact your portfolio and what changes you should make, if any. Also in the news is Starbucks $SBUX hiring a new CEO and leaving Chipotle $CMG looking for a new one. We also discuss Howard Mark's Memo. Howard Marks is the co-founder of Oak Tree Capital out of Chicago and does an incredible job of explaining complex market concepts with ease. The memo we discuss can be found here:Howard Marks Memo

Bad days are not fun for any of us, especially bad days in the stock market. But what if we could use bad days to our advantage to improve our portfolios or positions within our portfolio? August 5th was such a day. TThe Japanese carry trade imploded and caused Japan's stock market to have its worst day since 1987 (down 12.5%), which cascaded over the oceans, causing the US market to have a horrible open. Most importantly, the market didn't close lower than it opened, and if you were a buyer on this bad morning, you are happy you were brave. I'm saying this to you as much as I'm saying it to me: we all need to be reminded that most of the market's good days happen within two weeks of the worst. Knowing this is not enough; you must have some cash on the sidelines to take advantage of market volatility. Strategies for raising cash are imperative to your portfolio's success, and we discuss them in this week's episode. I also discuss how I am starting to use AI to help with stock research. 

In this week's episode, Cameron and I break down a tremendous amount of economic data that surfaced last week. Not only did we have earnings from $MSFT, $AMZN, $META, $AAPL, $MELI, and others, but there was also a Fed meeting as well as job numbers. The Fed held interest rates steady but signaled for a September cut. The market initially rallied on this news, but that was quickly taken away once the jobs numbers came out. Unemployment has crept up to 4.3%. It used to be that bad economic news was good for the stock market as it signaled the Fed would cut rates, but now that appears to be changing. The market is starting to believe the Fed has waited too long to cut rates just like they waited too long to raise them.What is an investor to do? Tune in to find out. 

The Mega-Cap Stocks (Think $NVDA, $AAPL, $MSFT, $AMZN) have taken a bit of a breather in the last two weeks. Some of them are even having a healthy pullback. Investment funds have been flowing into Small-Cap Stocks, but will this continue? What are small, mid, large, and mega caps, anyway? In this episode, we also discuss capitalization. Earnings are incredibly busy this week. $MSFT, $AMZN, $META, $AAPL, $MELI, $MCD, and $SUBX all report this week, along with many others within the S&P 500. If that wasn't enough, the Federal Reserve will also discuss interest rates on Wednesday. 

Finance at 26 can be complicated! That's why we have Cameron to help us discuss the challenges and solutions for young people to succeed in this tricky financial environment. We discuss investing, saving for a house, and buying your first new car! We also recorded this in person together, a first on the podcast. We hope you like it. The CPI numbers came in lower than expected, so we detail what parts of the market should be impacted. 

The first half of 2024 is in the books! How did the market do? All three major indexes are up for the year with quite a strong showing. We discuss the year's themes so far and how to adjust your financial goals. This is an excellent time to reflect on your goals for the year, specifically your financial goals. What has done well? What needs to be adjusted? Years rarely go as we plan, but small adjustments along the way can have a significant impact. Remember, it's the boring and mundane that few see that makes the largest impact long term. We also discuss a recent study that shows the difference in investing styles between younger and older wealthy investors. Hint: Crypto and alternative assets are key points. 

Financial advisors are constantly asked, "Where should I be financially" at this age? It should be evident that this question is incredibly subjective. However, the people of Forbes this week came out with numbers for where average 401k's are based on generation. We will discuss some surprises in these numbers. Also, if you're listening to this podcast, we want you to be WAY above average. This week's episode also includes Elon's pay package, the Federal Reserve meeting, Inside Out, and the importance of goal stacking!  

Starting tomorrow (6/10/2024), $NVDA will begin trading on an after-split basis. Since our last episode $NVDA is up almost 200 dollars!! Can you still invest after the split? What should your strategy be? Tune In. We also discuss Roaring Kitty's first live stream in three years and how $GME performed during his show. The main topic today is progress over perfection. Too often, we do not make a decision because we are waiting for the perfect moment, waiting for everything to be "just" right before we take the first step. Whether it involves our health and working out, starting a business, changing jobs, or starting an investment portfolio, we impede our progress before it even begins. We are six months into the year, and it's time to self-reflect and assess our progress toward the goals we set for the year. We want to ensure that we don't limit our progress by striving for perfection. 

This week, Nvidia $NVDA did it again: It posted astounding earnings, with revenue growing 262% above the same quarter last year. They were able to beat even the highest of analyst expectations. They also pleased the market by offering a 10 for 1 stock split that will happen on June 7th. $NVDA started and continues to lead the AI charge from the front of the pack. In this episode, we discuss $NVDA, but more than that, we discuss their impact on other companies. Who are the different companies that will profit from this new industrial revolution? Who is helping Nvidia to make all this happen? How can these companies impact your portfolio? Tune in! 

There is much to get to this week. The Dow hit 40,000, and the S&P 500 cleared 5,300. My oh my, how far we have come since 2022. But wait? How does the market keep going up with so much negative information? How do we keep climbing the wall of worry? Let's discussIs Rawring Kitty back? He tweeted for the first time in three years this week as Gamestop $GME and $AMC shot back to life for a little bit. Is this a one-time phenomenon or the beginning of another retail vs. hedge fund movement?  

In this week's episode, we discuss the 2024 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting in Omaha. This year was a bit different as Warren Buffett's long-time partner, Charlie Munger, was absent. Charlie passed away at the end of 2023. As always, the BRK meeting celebrates value investing for investors worldwide. This year, I attended #ValueX for the first time, which was a fantastic experience. #ValueX is organized by Guy Spier, who runs the Aquamarine hedge fund. They streamed the event for the first time this year, which you can see below. We also highlight the difference between dividends and buybacks as $AAPL announced its new 110 Billion dollar share buyback program. They have already repurchased 658 Billion in stock over the past 10 years. ValueX 2024Buffett on Charlie

One week, we are talking about how well the market did in the 1st quarter, and a couple of weeks later, weakness has entered the market. How quickly the tides can shift. Geopolitical issues and interest rates again spooked the markets this week. Pullbacks are normal throughout an investing year and shouldn't cause too much concern with your overall portfolio strategy. You can, however, use these pullbacks to start new positions or put funds back to work if you trimmed while the markets were higher. According to the S&P oscillator, the market is currently oversold. It's important to remember that most of the market's best days occur within two weeks of the worst days.  

This past week, I closed on my first commercial real estate property. I thought it could be helpful to discuss how this came about, how the deal was structured, and why I thought it would be a good investment. Commercial real estate is not where I primarily invest, so even though it was new, I didn't want it to deter me from a great opportunity. Like everyone else, my rate was higher than I wanted, and the deal didn't look perfect, but over the long term, I believe it will still work in my favor. Unfortunately, we also discuss inflation, interest rates, and the Federal Reserve. I'm as tired of talking about this as I am sure you're tired of listening to it. Just like the real estate deal I discuss, interest rates can be a part of your decision but they shouldn't be the only thing you consider. The same goes for investing in stocks.  

The end of the Q1 is in the books. What a quarter it was, with the S&P 500 finishing up 10%. The last time the market finished up 10% in the first quarter was in 2019. There is chatter that the market has moved too far, too fast, and it's due for a pullback. Perhaps this is true, but history says that momentum can be a strong signal that pushes the market higher. As we have discussed, many investors sold out during 2022 and have not invested their money back into the market. It doesn't take much for FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) to take hold and pull investors back in. This week, we look at some of the main themes powering the market higher in 2024 and what we can expect moving forward. It should come as no surprise that the biggest story of 2024 so far is AI. The expectations and implementation of AI will both be major themes for the rest of 2024. 

Boring stocks! While they don't get press like the magnificent 7, they can and often play a pivotal role within your portfolio. This week, we focus on some boring stocks that have outperformed the market over the past three and five years, with many also increasing their dividends at an impressive rate. $WM, $RSG, $AZO, $UNP, $TSCO, $CARR, $OTIS, $PGR, and $NUE are some of the stocks covered. We also discuss this coming week's Fed decision on Wednesday and Nvidia's GTC conference.  

This past week we had news from Wendys ($WEN), Apple ($AAPL), and Kroger ($KR). Wendy's gets push back for dynamic pricing, Apple cancels plans for a car, and the FTC blocks Kroger's merger with Albertsons. We also discuss signs to look for when it comes to trimming stocks within your portfolio that have had a big gain. Has the thesis changed? Has the gain overweighted your portfolio? Did they report poor or bad guidance? All on this week's show.

NVDA powered the markets higher this past week as their AI boom was supported with STRONG quarterly numbers! Their chips are doing well, and their data centers are growing at over 400%. It's impressive to watch... this doesn't happen very often. Warren Buffett's letter to shareholders came out yesterday, and we discuss the little morsels of insight that have historically been woven throughout. Finally, we have been doing this little podcast for a while now, and we have seen a full market circle together from peak to trough and back to peak again. This is quite the accomplishment for every new investor and you should be proud of yourself. We take a look back in this week's episode.

The S&P 500 hit 5,000 for the first time this week! The American economy has been a growth and compound machine unlike any the world has ever seen. Seriously, at the bottom of the financial crisis in 2008, the S&P 500 was at 735! Another important topic we discuss is the rules surrounding Traditional and Roth IRAs. You have until April 15th to finish your 2023 contributions. So, if you've been thinking about starting one of these, you can contribute for 2023, allowing yourself a whole year to make your 2024 contribution. Contribution Limits:The maximum total annual contribution for all your IRAs combined is Tax Year 2023 - $6,500 if you're under age 50 / $7,500 if you're age 50 or older. Tax Year 2024 - $7,000 if you're under age 50 / $8,000 if you're age 50 or older.

Robert A. Caro has written 6 books and won 2 Pulitzer prizes. The quality of his work is second to none. The dedication and determination to complete these books is nothing short of amazing. He's not done yet; at 88, he is still working to complete the 5th and final volume of his Lyndon B. Johnson series. In this episode, we discuss his coverage of Robert Moses of New York and President LBJ. Not being literary experts here at Investor Professor, we highlight a person (Robert A. Caro) as someone we admire for being dedicated to their craft. It's admirable and hard to find those who have so dedicated themselves to a single purpose that you should take the time to acknowledge it when you find one. Robert Caro's books are about gaining and using power, but his writing has also provided a masterclass in determination, grit, and the personal sacrifice it takes to be excellent. Turn Every Page DocumentaryRobert Caro BooksLiverpool Cathedral

What a week! Earnings galore from $AAPL, $META, $MSFT, $AMZN, and $GOOGL. A Federal Reserve meeting was also mixed in. The story of the week had to be $META adding 20% to its market cap on Friday, which is the largest single-day gain ever at 197 billion dollars! More than earnings, we discuss what makes a great business. What numbers should we look at? What questions about a business should we ask? What actions do we take when we find a great business to invest in? Hint: LEAN IN.

Earnings session rolls on! We discuss the big earnings of the past week, including $TSLA, $AXP, and $MMM, and we discuss all the big earnings coming out this week. $AMZN, $AAPL, $MSFT, $GOOGL and other all report this coming week. How do we determine when to invest in a stock? What's a way to find ENTRY POINTS? We use $MSFT in this week's episode to discuss this very thing. As always, we want a consistent method and disciplined approach, just like we used when the market was down. You could argue it is more critical when the market is high.

After a bumpy start to 2024, the market appears to be back on track. The S&P 500 hit a new all-time high this week, leaving the Nasdaq as the only major index left trying to surpass its high from 2021. It's been a long road back, but hopefully, our listeners invested and have enjoyed the return from the bear market. Driving the market back, especially this past week has been A.I and the future that it holds. Semiconductor stocks went crazy this week after Taiwan Semiconductors' $TSM earnings release. We discuss $TSM, $AMD, $NVDA, $SOXX, $QQQ, $MELI, and other companies within this episode. We also discuss chasing the market and ensuring we keep our cool as the market returns to all-time highs.

The first episode of 2024! In this episode, we look at themes on the horizon for 2024. These include federal reserve rate cutes, AI, weight loss, and the 2024 presidential election. We also discuss strategies for paying off credit card debt. Our number 1 episode of 2023 was about managing financial stress, so we will continue to discuss personal finance strategies to help you get on the right financial footing. Having your personal debt in check is paramount for being able to build a solid investment portfolio.

Let's talk about 2023! The markets were on fire in 2023, and not many expected it. We discuss events of 2023 and look ahead to 2024. Predictions are not our style but themes we can do. What are some themes that we need to be on the lookout for in the coming year? Inflation and the upcoming presidential election are sure to be front and center. As always, a new year brings new challenges but also opportunities. We want to close out 2023 with gratitude and thanks for all the twists and turns it provided, and of course, thank you, our listeners, for your support the entire year!

We overestimate what we can do in 1 year and underestimate what we can do in 10! As we approach the end of 2023 and look to 2024, we want you to think not just about the year ahead but 10 years out. At the end of 2033, where do you want to be? What goals do you want to have accomplished? You're likely going to make it to 2034, but the discipline and daily habits you bring to each day will determine whether you get to where you want to go or simply arrive where life takes you. In this episode, we discuss what choices you'll need to make to ensure your compass is pointed in the right direction for your next 10 years.

2024 is right around the corner, meaning experts are coming out with their top stock picks. Does it even matter? What is the track record for them? How do we take this and use it to our advantage? We discuss all of this and more in this episode. The Federal Reserve also met this past week and kept interest rates steady. They also hinted that they might lower rates next year, which sent stocks higher. With a lot of money still on the sideline, this could be a great indication for stocks to go higher in 2024, but it's not guaranteed. If consumers and businesses ramp up spending, inflation could come back, and the fed hands will be forced again. It will be a continuing story for all of 2024.

This past week, Charlie Munger, Warren Buffet's friend and business partner, passed away at the age of 99. We reflect on his life, legacy, and wisdom. More importantly, we say "Thank You" for always being true to himself, honest, and so open to sharing all he knew with the rest of the world.

The stock market had a shortened holiday week, but no worries, OpenAI and Binance's soap operas anchor our podcast this week. We figured last week's episode would be out of date quickly, but maybe not as quickly as it was. Sam Altman is back at OpenAI, and CZ is out at Binance. We discuss both in detail. Also, from the early indication Black Friday seems to be retailer success in the U.S. with 9.8 Billion purchased. Most of these purchases came via phone shopping. Great for companies such as $AAPL, $AMZN, $SHOP, $MA, $V, and others, but maybe not so good for J. Powell and the Fed trying to cool down the economy.

OpenAI's board abruptly let go of their co-founder and CEO Sam Altman on Friday in a shock to the investment and tech world. OpenAI is still a private company but its reach is far and wide as its best-known product (Chatgpt) has created an AI arms race for many of the world's most important companies. As with much we discuss on this show this is happening in real time but the repercussions could alter the AI space. There are talks that he could rejoin the firm or even start another so we will all have to wait and see what develops. One of the metrics we follow is RSI (Relative Strength Index). It helps us know whether a particular stock is overbought or oversold. Many of the names we follow are overbought and we discuss how to use this tool to determine when you should think about taking profits as an investor.