The W.I.P.

May's inflation report was positive and changed expectations on interest rates. How will the Fed react? Many American adults are financially illiterate. Why is this a growing concern? Finally, this month's question debates stocks vs. bonds right now. Which is better?

A tariff on steel and aluminum went into effect this week. How will consumers be impacted? Trade talks between the US and China are in danger of stalling. What can help break the impasse? Finally, May's jobs report was surprising. Why is last month's labor market making headlines?

America's credit rating has been downgraded. How does this downgrade effect your money? Bond vigilantes around the world are hard at work. Why do these market participants play a crucial role in global finance? Finally, this month's question is about investing for children. What is the best option for kids?

United Health Group stock is in freewill. What is going on at the insurance giant? Walmart has weighed in on tariffs. How is the world's biggest retailer responding to trade policy? Finally, Warren Buffett is stepping aside in the new year and his replacement is getting more attention. Who is Greg Abel?

AI is coming for your favorite search engine. Why is searching as we've known it a thing of the past? The Fed is keeping interest rates steady. With rates in a holding pattern, what comments from the Fed are worth noting? Finally, Warren Buffett made a shock announcement at the Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting. How did Buffet surprise investors?

The debate about where the economy is headed rages on. How does an economic downturn get labeled? McDonald's announced earnings this week. What do The Golden Arches's results say about the current economic landscape? Finally, a mountain of economic data was dropped this week. Why can all the data points be distilled?

The Securities and Exchange Commission is understaffed. Why is Wall street's Watchdog losing its bite? Apple is making a pivot toward India. How is Apple changing its manufacturing plans? Finally, companies are shutting down their earnings guidance. What is causing uncertainty for corporate America?

Jerome Powell spoke in Chicago this week. Why did markets react to the Fed Chair's comments? The first bit of hard tariff data just arrived, but maybe not in the way that you were expecting. What can we learn from the recent data drop? Finally, this week's question asks when we will see a break in market volatility.

Financial markets road a rollercoaster this week. What makes this week's volatility unique? The U.S. bond market reacted to this week's volatility in a way not seen before. Why is this worth noting? Finally, banks have started to announce their quarterly earnings and outlook. How are America's biggest banks feeling about the economy?

Market turmoil due to Trade Policy was in full effect this week. How are Tariffs impacting the stock market? Small cap stocks are in a bear market. When will the shares of smaller companies see a turnaround? Finally, March's jobs report was released today. What did we learn from the latest employment numbers?

Tariffs on foreign automakers were confirmed this week. What are the consequences of tariffs on both automakers and consumers? Genetic testing company 23andMe has entered bankruptcy, putting the data of its customers at risk. How can you protect yourself? Finally, this months' question is about who can give investment advice and why that matters for you.

This week we drop an interview. Our guest, Domenico Musumeci, is a farmer and winemaker. We discuss farming in western Michigan, storytelling, and much much more.

This week we drop a quarterly market outlook. Our guest, Mike Ochoa, is currently an investment advisor who works with individuals, institutions, businesses, and not for profits. We discuss Q1 talking points such as The Fed, interest rates, tariffs, and inflation. Later on, we talk through what risks investors should be aware of right now as well as tips for investing in a less predictable market.

AI bellwether Nvidia posted earnings this week. Why does the company have an expectations problem? The number of 401(k) Millionaires is on the rise. How do you join their ranks? Finally, the Federal Reserves's preferred gauge of inflation was released today. What does January's PCE report tell us about the cost of living?

Berkshire Hathaways disclosed it most recent stock buys and sells. Where does Warren Buffet see value in today's market? Walmart released earnings this week. Why does the retail giant always make headlines when it reports? Finally, companies that make and design computer chips are in the news. What does the landscape look like for semiconductor companies?

The price of coffee is on the rise. Why does it cost more for your caffeine fix? Debt delinquency in the US is showing troubling signs. What do recent trends in consumer debt tell us? Finally, this month's question is about market corrections and what to do about them.

US consumer sentiment is moving lower. What has people feeling less confident about their finances? Industrial conglomerate Honeywell announced a split. Why is a demerger popular right now? Finally, January's jobs report has dropped. How is 2025's labor market starting off?

AI Startup DeepSeek is creating unease in markets. What should investors be worried about? The Fed met this week in their first meeting of 2025. Why did the Fed press the pause button on cutting rates? Finally, Big Tech released earnings this week. Who reported the good, the bad, and the ugly?

AI investment in the US could be ramping up. What is Stargate? Canada is in the tariff crosshairs. Why is our northern neighbor being targeted? Finally, TikTok's US ban goes into effect on Sunday. How can the platform resist being blocked for good? Finally, this month's question is about short sellers. How does Hindenburg Research closing down impact the investment world?

The biggest banks are reporting year end results. Why was last year a great moment for the giant's of banking? The stocks prices of mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mack have been on a tear. What is going on with the nations biggest lenders? Finally, TikTok's US ban goes into effect on Sunday. How can the platform resist being blocked for good?

The Social Security Fairness Act will impact millions of people on Social Security. Who benefits from this new law? Fed officials are cooling on future rate cuts. Why are rates likely to hold steady for now? Finally, mortgage rates jumped this week. What is leading to higher financing costs to buy a home?

This week we preview what is NEW on the pod in 2025.

This week we review the major investment stories of 2024. What moved the market this year? We also look ahead to 2025. Where is investment opportunity in the new year? Finally, the W.I.P. hit some major milestones this year!

TikTok's day of reckoning is approaching fast. What survival options does the popular App have? The US dollar is gaining strength. Who are the winner and losers from a surgingGreenback? Finally, the Fed released its economic projections for 2025. Where does the Fed see the economy headed next year?

Inflation is on a bump path. What were the highs and lows from this week's CPI data? SpaceX is staying private for now. Why are some companies following this trend? Finally, we answer one of your questions.

Sports gambling is booming right now. Who really wins from this phenomenon? Eli Lilly is continuing to invest big into weight loss. Why is the drugmaker ramping up production? Finally, the Federal Reserve's final rate adjustment of 2024 takes place later this month. How will rates move when they meet?

Tariffs are a hot topic right now. How would tariffs affect your money? This week starts the busiest shopping period of the year. What are the latest Black Friday trends? The market has had great returns this year. Why is it time to rebalance?

Inflation remains sticky. How will the Fed's interest rate policy react? Bitcoin's price is surging. Why is the crypto currency making headlines? Corporate earnings season is coming to a close. What do the results tell us?

The Fed continues to cut interest rates. What was the big takeaway from their latest meeting? The IRS set new contribution limits for some retirement plans. How are limits changing in 2025? Big Tech is making big investments into artificial intelligence. When will these investments pay off?

Jarrett Clem is a Trustee and chairman of the investment committee for both the IBEW NECA Pension Trust Fund and Welfare Trust Fund. Those funds combined manage almost $2B in assets. Jarrett discuss the institutional investment process, assest allocation, and much much more.

Arkansas potentially has an enormous amount of lithium. How could this be a game changer for the EV revolution? Boeing's machinists are on strike and rejected the most recent contract offer. When will the strike end? The IRS announced changes to 2025's tax brackets. Why are 2025's brackets different from 2024's?

The DOJ has threatened to break up Google. What are the implications for the tech giant? Third quarter bank earnings are rolling in. How did some of the biggest banks perform? September's economic data has dropped. Why do last month's numbers impact the Fed's rate policy?

ChatGPT's parent company OpenAI raised funds that value the company at over $150B. What does this say about the future of AI investing? Oil prices increased this week due to heightened tensions in the Middle East. How do higher oil prices effect your money? This month's questions is regarding investing for a short-term goal. Why makes planning for a short-term goal so unique?

Second quarter GDP growth was revised up. Where were the bright spots for the US economy? China enacted its biggest stimulus package since the pandemic. How will the financial support impact the short and long term? The Fed made a super sized reduction in rates. What does this mean for your money?

Business manager of UA Local 149 Matt Kelly discusses Pension vs. 401(k) and much much more.

The Fed is going to lower rates next week. How does the Fed determine the path ahead? Social Security benefits get an annual cost of living adjustment. Why will 2025's increase be lower than in recent years? The yield curve is normalizing. What does this mean for your money?

August's jobs report was little like the story of Goldilocks. Is employment too hot, too cold, or just right? The two-month countdown to the election has begun. What does history tell us about the stock market's performance just prior to an election? Annuities are one way to create income for retirement. Why should you be skeptical of them?

Consumer confidence ticked up this month, but consumers have one concern. What is the state of the US consumer? Ultra Beauty released disappointing earnings. Why is the cosmetics maker making headlines? Nvidia is dominating the AI chip race, but investor sentiment is down. How hard is it to please Nvidia's investors?

Jerome Powell speaks in Jackson Hole, WY today. Why could the market be in for a surprise? Homeowners insurance is going up in price. What is leading to higher costs? Our question this week is regarding market timing. How should you time the market?

July's CPI data showed more progress in the fight against inflation. What does this mean for interest rate policy? Drug prices are coming down for Medicare recipients due to a historic negotiation. How much will be saved? Warren Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway has $277B in cash. Where will that money be spent?

Volatility returned in a rollercoaster week for stock. What contributed the bumpy ride? Mortgage rates hit a one-year low. Who benefits from lower borrowing costs? Back to school is big business. How are consumers spending in 2024?

A handful of Big Tech companies reported earnings this week and AI spending was front and center. Who is winning the AI race? The Fed gave its clearest indication of where rates are headed next. What did The Fed say? July saw a big increase in market volatility. Why the sudden rollercoaster for stocks?

Born in Detroit, cars are in Ty Newell's blood. Ty's stories about early adoption of the technology as well as his insights into where he thinks the industry is headed are not to be missed.

Sustainability expert Ty Newell discusses the economic benefits of cleaner air and much much more.

Inflation in June was lower than expected. How is inflation changing? Big Tech stocks sold off this week in favor of other another area of the market. Where are investors putting their money now? This month's questions is about market indexes. What are their differences and which one is the best?

New jobs data was released suggesting a changing landscape. How is the labor market doing? Walgreens stock had a very bad week. What is going on with the pharmacy retailer? We are at the halfway point in the year and market are near all time highs. Why is this worth paying attention to?

The S&P500 and Nasdaq hit all time highs this week. What is powering the market higher? Small cap stocks have lagged their large cap piers for a decade. Why could small caps make a turnaround? This month's questions is about Roth conversions. When does a Roth conversion make sense?

The Fed updated their rate cut expectations for this year and next year. Where are rates headed? Producer prices decreased unexpectedly last month.What prices decreased the most? Elon Musk was awarded a $45 billion pay package. How do executive payouts impact CEO performance?

May's jobs report far exceeded expectations. How will the Fed react? The ECB cut interest rates. Where is rate policy in Europe headed? The yield curve has been inverted for almost two years. Why hasn't there been a recession yet?

Mining giant BHP is looking to buy rival Anglo American. Why is this deal important? LifeNation, the owner of Ticketmaster, is being sued by the US Department of Justice. Will ticket prices go down? Preferred stock has characteristics of both a bond and a stock. How does this investment work?

April's CPI was lower than expected, bucking the recent trend. Where is inflation headed? Visa is making major changes to debit and credit cards. How will you be impacted? Our question of the month is about Gen Z. Why does this generation have a lot to be happy about?