Podcasts about consumer sentiment

We sat down with Chris Hodge, Chief U.S. Economist at Natixis Corporate & Investment Bank Americas, for his outlook on monetary policy in the current rate cycle. Chris joins host Mark Gatto, co-Founder and co-CEO of CION Investments, to discuss whether recent economic data prints point to a disinflationary trend, and how AI capex is bolstering what Chris calls a "three-speed economy" amid flattened consumer spending and declining wage growth.

Iranian-backed militants seize a crucial island and a major shipping route. Now, Saudi Arabia is shutting down a critical oil pipeline. Plus, an AI kill switch. Could it be part of the answer to the fears that AI could kill all of humanity?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remarkable Retail Episode 311 welcomes guest co-host and longtime friend of the pod Anne Mezzenga, Founder & CEO of Retail Field Report, joining Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc on mic and on camera.Anne opens with her new venture, launched in March as an evolution of the work she built at Omni Talk Retail with co-founder Chris Walton. Retail Field Report takes a journalist's lens rather than an analyst's — working shifts in stores, interviewing executives and walking floors to learn what's actually happening inside retail organizations, not what the headlines claim.The news opens on a shaky macro backdrop: diesel at a four-year high, the priciest Labor Day gas in a year, worse still across Europe, and a Fed narrative that has flipped from cuts to a 62% market-implied probability of at least two hikes by year-end. Michael adds the Canadian view — reciprocal tariffs, shelved US liquor and a tourism reversal after June's 5% bump in cross-border travel. Anne reports from the field: once fuel, healthcare and food are covered, the discretionary spending big-box retailers count on is running dry.On earnings, Steve unpacks Five Below's five straight quarters of double-digit comps, 23% revenue growth, its move past 2,000 stores and a rare guidance raise. Victoria's Secret posts a 9% comp; Anne credits store consistency, omnichannel execution and strength in PINK and beauty, and the pair explore whether GLP-1s — increasingly prescribed alongside hormone replacement therapy — are quietly reshaping apparel and beauty demand. Lululemon disappoints, with comps down 9% and the Americas down 12% as Heidi O'Neill steps in as CEO; Anne argues the brand needs a sharper point of view and less rinse-and-repeat product. At Kohl's, Steve flags a second straight quarter of Sephora underperforming the rest of the store.The centerpiece is Anne's work as a flex retail associate, booking shifts through the Reflex app in cities across the US: point-of-sale systems so intuitive that training is nearly obsolete, twelve strangers running a warehouse sale that moved 3,000 customers in a single shift, and hospitality-only roles at Longchamp in Boston and Sézane in San Francisco, evidence that mid-tier retailers are putting real P&L dollars into the welcome.The trio then debates Anthropic's open-source Claude Commerce Agents — throttled assortments in agentic pilots, returns exposure, and grocery shoppers splitting weekly lists across banners by price. Anne walks Target stores with executives and lands bullish on the Bullseye, while Steve sizes up Shein's Hong Kong listing at roughly $27 billion against its one-time $100 billion valuation.On the radar screens: Quince's rumored raise and brick-and-mortar ambitions (Steve's skeptical the assortment translates), and Michael on JBS, the world's biggest meat processor, Brazilian beef imports, and whether beef can price itself out of the grocery basket for good. Registration is open for a special webinar featuring Steve in conversation with Placer AI's Head of Analytical Research RJ Hottovy. From changing shopping patterns to emerging market opportunities, shifting consumer demand continues to reshape the industry. So don't miss this data-driven session unpacking the most important trends defining today's marketplace and the strategies leading brands are using to win retail's future. It's all brought to you by Placer.AI and It all happens on Tuesday September 29 at 1pm ET..Register here today:https://www.placer.ai/discover-events/discover-shifting-consumer-demand About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail, The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2026 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

Consumer spending fell in early August, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan's survey. July retail sales were down, and the average price of gas is nearing a record high for August. In today's episode, we look at how consumers could be cutting discretionary spending as a result. Also, we'll look at why China's economy may be in trouble, the value of GDP as a statistic, fake business registrations in Colorado, Reddit joining the S&P 500, and the global plastics industry.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories in today's episode:Is the consumer engine of the economy starting to slow down?Is China's economy in trouble?Why we still use GDP to measure economic growthGetting weird mail? In Colorado, it could be business fraudPopular online forum Reddit is joining the S&P 500Middle East conflict raises U.S. plastic industry's sinking ship

Consumer spending fell in early August, according to preliminary results from the University of Michigan's survey. July retail sales were down, and the average price of gas is nearing a record high for August. In today's episode, we look at how consumers could be cutting discretionary spending as a result. Also, we'll look at why China's economy may be in trouble, the value of GDP as a statistic, fake business registrations in Colorado, Reddit joining the S&P 500, and the global plastics industry.Every story has an economic angle. Want some in your inbox? Subscribe to our daily or weekly newsletter.Marketplace is more than a radio show. Check out our original reporting and financial literacy content at marketplace.org — and consider making an investment in our future.Read the stories in today's episode:Is the consumer engine of the economy starting to slow down?Is China's economy in trouble?Why we still use GDP to measure economic growthGetting weird mail? In Colorado, it could be business fraudPopular online forum Reddit is joining the S&P 500Middle East conflict raises U.S. plastic industry's sinking ship

Shutterstock Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI Kia ora. Welcome to Monday's Economy Watch where we follow the economic events and trends that affect Aotearoa/New Zealand. I'm David Chaston and this is the international edition from interest.co.nz. Today we lead with news the US economy is starting to show signs of exhaustion - just as the Chinese economy looks like it can't actually transition to one where internal demand replaces their industrial exports engine, as they were planning. But locally this week it will be all about how July retail sales turned out, and an update on our June population. And there will be a rush of earnings reports out this week from listed companies. In Australia we will get their July labour market update, and both the August Westpac consumer confidence survey results, along with an update of inflation expectations. Globally. te ongoing standstill between Iran and the US should continue to dictate energy prices and influence global interest rates. Rates will also take the spotlight with minutes from the last divisive meeting of the Federal Reserve, which included three dissents. More US data is expected to confirm their slowing economy. In Japan there will be a raft of data updates for the world's fourth largest economy, including for GDP, exports, inflation, machinery orders and flash PMI data. Indonesia and Sweden will review policy rates and settings this week. In China, July data released this week will include industrial production, retail sales, house prices, fixed asset investment and their unemployment rate. The People's Bank of China is also widely expected to leave its one- and five-year loan prime rates unchanged at 3% and 3.5%, respectively This will come even though they have surprised with their bank lending actually contracting in July, only the third time ever this has happened and by far the largest retreat. Net new yuan loans fell by -¥340 bln in July when a weak no-change was expected (actually a minor +¥45 bln). July is often a lowish month for new bank lending but this latest data represents some real weaknesses. A slowing economy and poor consumer sentiment, particularly for housing, limited the demand for loans. About -¥460 bln of this fall was for consumer debt. But the swing also reflects the downturn for the traditional business sectors of the economy. Their tech sector commonly raises cash in the bond market instead of bank loans. So within this result there may be evidence of a structural shift. Taiwan said its economic activity came in +12.9% higher in Q2-2026 from a year ago, lower than the +15.4% rise in Q1-2026.GDP. It was still the second-best growth pace they have recorded in almost 50 years. Malaysia said its economic activity expanded +6.0% in Q2-2026, a rise from the +5.4% in Q1-2026 and better than the expected +5.7%. In India, the bank lending impulse has the taps open fully, with lending up more than +19% at the end of July from the same point a year ago. This is a new modern record rise rate, and to record levels. Across the Pacific, US retail sales took an unexpected dip in July from June. They fell -0.6% on that basis when a +0.1% rise to compliment June's rise was expected. This is a big miss and was the first decline since October 2025 and the largest in over a year. Weaker sales at online retailers, car dealers, petrol stations and electronics stores shifted the needle, so it was a broad based dip. From a year ago, these July sales were still up +5.2% from earlier gains. Also dipping was US consumer sentiment, but this is for August, so the dour mood is extending. The widely-watched University of Michigan survey came in back at levels that followed the US attacks on Iran, so the July rise was an anomaly. A small easing was expected, but not one this big. Year-ahead inflation expectations ticked up from 4.2% in July to 4.3% this month. Inflation and inflation expectations are key for the Fed. The new boss Kevin Warsh may not want to talk about the elevated threats, but other regional governors are, some who vote. The Atlanta Fed's boss isn't one of those but she says inflation is too high and risks staying like that and embedding unless the Middle East situation resolves quickly. The Chicago Fed's boss is worried too. Current CPI is 3.4% officially, but the Cleveland Fed nowcasts the PCE measure of inflation and their latest update has it at over 3.7%. These levels are a long way from the mandated 2% policy rate and Warsh is likely to get out-voted when they next meet in Mid-September. Financial markets currently price in one chance in three of a +25 bps rise then. And for the record, current US petrol prices are now +5.7% higher than month-ago levels. Diesel is +11% higher on that same basis. Their inflation threat is not receding. Meanwhile the EU reported that Q2-2026, economic activity rose +0.4% in the euro area and by +0.5% in the overall EU compared with the previous quarter, up +1.0% and +1.2% respectively from a year ago. So recent activity is picking up, although in a way that was broadly anticipated. The UST 10yr yield is now just on 4.70%, up +1 bp from this time Saturday, up +5 bps for the week.  The price of gold is stable, now at US$4376/oz, up just +US$2 from Saturday, up +US$39 from this time last week. Silver has held at just over US$64.50/oz, up a net +US$1 for the week. Oil prices are unchanged from Saturday at just under US$82.50/bbl in the US, while the international Brent price is now just on US$88.50/bbl. A week ago these prices were US$78 and US$83.50/bbl respectively, so a +6% weekly rise.  The Kiwi dollar is little-changed from Saturday at just under 58.9 USc and unchanged for the week. Against the Aussie we are holding at 83.2 AUc. Against the euro we are still at 50.9 euro cents. That all means our TWI-5 starts today at just over 62.5, unchanged from this time Saturday and very similar to a week ago. The bitcoin price starts today at US$63,102and up +0.4% from this time Saturday, down -2.6% for the week. Volatility over the past 24 hours has also been very low at just on +/-0.3%. You can get more news affecting the economy in New Zealand from interest.co.nz. Kia ora. I'm David Chaston and we'll do this again tomorrow. Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI Audio soundtrack opening is licensed from Shutterstock, Track 1219389 Monetization ID TFGEPGEI0LHEIJAI

P.M. Edition for Aug. 14. Money managers have a problem: Clients are holding near-record amounts in cash—by one estimate more than $3 trillion. Miriam Gottfried, a reporter and co-host of WSJ's Take On the Week podcast, explains why this is happening and what financial planners are pushing their clients to do instead. Plus, two pieces of data—July retail sales and the preliminary August reading of the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment survey—came in lower than expected. WSJ economics reporter Matt Grossman says that is painting a picture of a weaker U.S. economy. And AI slop is everywhere, making it hard to know what's real online. We hear from WSJ personal tech columnist Nicole Nguyen about the inspiration for her recent special Tech News Briefing podcast series, “AI and the Blurring of Reality.” Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Friday's new round of economic data disappointed on the macro front, though tech earnings throughout the week from companies like CoreWeave (CRWV), Nebius (NBIS), Super Micro (SMCI), and Lumentum (LITE) added equity muscle. Marley Kayden and Sam Vadas take investors through Friday's top takeaways. ======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day. Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/ About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

CNBC Business News Update with Jessica Ettinger - Markets & Business News With Expert Analysis From Top Business Names. Visit CNBC.com For More. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

US consumer sentiment rose in early July to a five-month high as lower gasoline prices boosted morale. The University of Michigan’s preliminary sentiment index increased to 54.4 in July, from 49.5 in June, topping all estimates in a Bloomberg survey of economists. For more, Bloomberg's Tom Keene and Damian Sassower spoke with Tiffany Wilding, Economist: North America at PIMCOSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite very average economic performance, consumer sentiment remains at extraordinarily low levels. While there are many interesting aspects to this phenomenon, one is of particular relevance to investors. As we show on page 32 of the Guide to the Markets, peaks and troughs in consumer sentiment have, for many years, been powerful contra-indicators of stock market performance over the subsequent 12 months. However, does this relationship still hold, if the reason for weak sentiment is beyond the realm of a rational assessment of broad economic conditions?

Eric Malzone sits down with Eric Bormel, Managing Director at Solomon Partners, for a deep dive into mergers and acquisitions in the fitness and wellness industry — breaking down exactly what it takes for a fitness brand, gym, or health tech company to get acquired, what drives valuation beyond revenue, and how founders can pick the right buyer instead of just the highest bidder. Using the recent Rouvy-to-Zwift acquisition as a real-world case study, Bormel pulls back the curtain on the M&A process from first meeting to closing the deal, explains why connected fitness companies like Peloton are finally stabilizing after the post-pandemic crash, and shares why consumer subscription brands like Strava and Zwift — along with wearables like Whoop and Oura — are currently the hottest categories for investors in the fitness tech space. The conversation also tackles AI's growing role in personalized health, wearables, and gym operations, plus the widening gap between CEO confidence and consumer sentiment in today's economy. Whether you're a gym owner, fitness entrepreneur, or just curious about fitness industry trends and investment activity, this episode is a crash course in fitness M&A, business valuation, and where smart money is heading next in health and wellness. Episode Takeaways:

Sam Vadas breaks down improving consumer sentiment and what it signals for the economy and markets. She also highlights rising memory prices and why Apple (AAPL) is reportedly turning to Chinese suppliers to manage costs and supply chain pressure.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Americans don't feel great about the economy. Consumer Sentiment just hit the lowest reading in roughly 75 years. Ben Carlson over at A Wealth of Common Sense dug into why that might be, and what it means for those of us trying to enjoy a retirement when it always feels like the second shoe is about to drop. In our Listener Question segment, we hear from someone who is sitting on 50x their annual spending - and they can't get their spouse to spend it. Wrapping up the episode we hear from Karen in our "Retire To Something" segment. She's thru-hiking thousands of miles and loving it. Resource: Article by Ben Carlson of A Wealth of Common Sense: The Lowest Consumer Sentiment EVER   Connect with Benjamin Brandt: Subscribe to the This Week in Retirement: http://thisweekinretirement.com Get the Retire-Ready Toolkit: http://retirementstartstodayradio.com Work with Benjamin: https://retirementstartstoday.com/start Get the book!Retirement Starts Today: Your Non-financial Guide to an Even Better Retirement Follow Retirement Starts Today in:Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Amazon Music, or iHeart  

Scott Winship explains the discrepancy between gloomy consumer sentiment and actual financial growth. Despite inflation concerns and high grocery prices, real wages are up. People often perceive the national economy as failing based on social media trends, even when their own personal financial situations remain stable or improve. (4)

LikeFolio's Andy Swan highlights deteriorating consumer sentiment for Kroger (KR), pointing to a sharp drop in proprietary demand signals. He notes that competitors including Dollar General (DG), Maplebear (CART), Costco (COST), Walmart (WMT), and Amazon (AMZN) are seeing stronger trends as shoppers shift behavior. Swan says the recent stock pullback may not fully reflect the weakness, warning there could be further downside.======== Schwab Network ========Empowering every investor and trader, every market day.Subscribe to the Market Minute newsletter - https://schwabnetwork.com/subscribeDownload the iOS app - https://apps.apple.com/us/app/schwab-network/id1460719185Download the Amazon Fire Tv App - https://www.amazon.com/TD-Ameritrade-Network/dp/B07KRD76C7Watch on Sling - https://watch.sling.com/1/asset/191928615bd8d47686f94682aefaa007/watchWatch on Vizio - https://www.vizio.com/en/watchfreeplus-exploreWatch on DistroTV - https://www.distro.tv/live/schwab-network/Follow us on X – https://twitter.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/schwabnetworkFollow us on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/schwab-network/About Schwab Network - https://schwabnetwork.com/about

Episode 304 reunites The Analysts — Remarkable Retail's celebrated panel of Forrester's Sucharita Kodali, Guggenheim's Simeon Siegel, and GlobalData's Neil Saunders — to take stock of retail coming out of earnings season. Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc open on the paradox of 2026: results are largely strong, sentiment is dismal. Simeon argues the link between the two is "tenuous at best" — people talk one way and spend another. Neil has the data: roughly 60% of shoppers who expect the economy to worsen still spent more than a year ago, propped up by spring tax refunds that won't repeat. Then the K-shaped economy. Higher-income households drive most of the real volume growth; middle-income shoppers prop up value growth mainly because prices are higher. Sucharita revisits "peak ambiguity" and the "vibe session," noting record sales barely outrun stubborn inflation. The panel unpacks the standouts — Ross's 17% comp, Victoria's Secret up 15% — and debates GLP-1's role in surging apparel and beauty: wardrobe replacement, new confidence, trading up to statement pieces. On turnarounds, Simeon lands the episode's sharpest thesis: brands "ubiquitize" and peak around $3–4 billion in the US. Lululemon got too big, over-distributed, and over-earning — so the bad sales have to "walk out the door" before the brand can re-elevate, the same lens that frames Nike's long reset. He and Sucharita draw the Gap parallel ahead of Simeon's on-stage interview with Mickey Drexler, noting Old Navy now dwarfs Gap itself. Neil makes the case for Macy's under Tony Spring — basics fixed first, satisfaction and visitation improving — while Steve stays skeptical of the pace. Next, the DTC reckoning. Simeon reframes his old "DTC is not all it's cracked up to be" call as "anti-anti-wholesale": outside high-margin luxury, nearly every brand needs a healthy wholesale business — and stores remain the best channel because "the customer is your employee." Sucharita pushes back on the AI narrative, reminding everyone it's far more than generative hype, as the panel digs into why scaled players — Amazon, Walmart, Costco, off-price — keep compounding through retail media, marketplaces, and flywheel economics. It closes on the wealth effect, trillion-dollar market caps, and whether a market correction could rattle high-end spending — then rapid-fire hot takes: brands to watch (Cozey, Ross Stores, Goyard) and what's on each analyst's radar, from inflation and surging oil prices to a quiet "middle of the doughnut" news lull and an election year's hunt for stability. Join us at the CommerceNext Growth Show in New York June 23rd and 24th with this exclusive discount code for 10% off general admission tickets and FREE retail tickets: Your code is "REMARKABLE" . See you in the Big Apple! About UsSteve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling author of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is a senior retail advisor, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael has delivered keynotes, hosted fire-side discussions hosted senior retail executive on-stage in 1:1 interviews worldwide. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including The Remarkable Retail Podcast, The Voice of Retail The Food Professor, The FEED powered by Loblaw and the Global eCommerce Leaders podcast. He has been recognized by the NRF as a global Top Retail Voice for 2025 and 2025 and continues to be a ReThink Retail Top Retail Expert for the fifth year in a row.

Kevin covers and discusses the following stories: Kevin takes a victory lap; the University of Michigan released their June Survey of Consumer Sentiment; Bryce Mungeon, Director of Legislative Affairs, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), joins the show to discuss OOIDA's position on the Modern, Clean and Safe Trucks Act, which would repeal the 12% Federal Excise Tax on New Tractor Trailers; the National Association of Home Builders/ Wells Fargo released their June Housing Market Index (Homebuilder Sentiment); oil prices react to the announcement that a Memorandum of Understanding to end the war with Iran, gas prices continue to fall; Kevin has the details, digs into the details, puts the information into historical perspective, offers his insights and opinions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BlackRock Global Fixed Income CIO Rick Rieder says that investor demand for new IPOs like SpaceX can accelerate rapidly as portfolios make room for new allocations. Speaking to Scarlet Fu, Katie Greifeld and Eric Balchunas on Bloomberg ETF IQ, he also remarked that the Fed could benefit from providing less forward guidance during an easing period to create animal spirits and spur market momentum.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Credit delinquencies are still rising. The bull case for single family housing. The flood of rental supply, and the death of the pre-sale condo. Bonus episode with Ben Rabidoux of Edge Analytics. Start an investment portfolio that's built to perform with Neighbourhood Holdings! For Mortgage Brokers: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehour-brokersFor Investors and Advisors: https://www.neighbourhood.com/looniehourEdge Analytics – EDGE30 / EDGE330 for $30/month, $330/year: https://www.edgeanalytics.ca✉️ Media & Real Estate Inquiries: steve@stevesaretsky.comStay up to date with our information -

According to the University of Michigan's latest Index of Consumer Sentiment, a record number of Americans have negative views of the economy. This is yet more evidence that the American people are dissatisfied with their economic condition.Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/federal-reserve-why-people-are-unhappy

According to the University of Michigan's latest Index of Consumer Sentiment, a record number of Americans have negative views of the economy. This is yet more evidence that the American people are dissatisfied with their economic condition.Original article: https://mises.org/power-market/federal-reserve-why-people-are-unhappy

The American consumer is being misread. Surveys say people are panicking, but their behavior tells a completely different story. On this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different, we take a page out of The Pirate Street Journal, as Christopher Lochhead, Eddie Yoon, and Bri Clark broke down three forces reshaping the economy through a category design lens. From historic lows in consumer confidence to AI-generated buyers to an entire generation betting on prediction markets, the picture is not one of collapse. It is one of reinvention. You're listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let's go.   Record Low Consumer Sentiment Is a Category Creation Engine The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index dropped to 44.8 in May, the lowest reading ever recorded, following what was already a record low in April. Yet unemployment is near zero, GDP is growing, and the stock market keeps hitting new highs. The numbers do not add up because the survey is measuring something different than economic health. It is measuring the death of an old life script. The linear path of college, marriage, house, promotion, and retirement no longer delivers the meaning it once promised. People are not curling up in a ball. They are buying fewer cars, skipping packaged foods, and trading stuff for experiences. When an old script breaks, people are forced to find meaning on their own terms, and that search is historically the most powerful category creation engine the economy has ever seen.   The Synthetic Customer Will Scale Mediocrity If You Let It Research shows that AI-generated synthetic customers can replicate roughly 90 percent of real conjoint study outcomes, including which features drive choice and early price sensitivity. Companies like Target and US Bank are already testing products on synthetic audiences before launch. The technology is genuinely exciting and could transform how businesses plan, build, and compete. The danger is that most companies will point their synthetic customer tools at the fat part of the bell curve, optimizing for the average buyer and calling it an insight. Eddie Yoon has spent decades proving that the super consumer, roughly 8 to 10 percent of any customer base, can drive up to 90 percent of gross margins. Synthetic customers are only as powerful as the data they are trained on. Train them on average, and you simulate mediocrity at scale. The unlock is running synthetic studies on super consumers first, then non-consumers, and finding where those two extremes could meet. That intersection is where new categories are born. Proprietary data sets and purpose-built AI applications will separate the companies that discover the next wave from the ones that simply made the status quo slightly cheaper to produce.   Gen Z Is Not Irrational, They Are Responding to Real Data Roughly 32 percent of Gen Z investors have played prediction markets, a similar share are in crypto, and about 69 percent of Polymarket accounts have lost money since 2022. On the surface this looks like recklessness. In context, it makes complete sense. This generation grew up through 9/11, the 2008 financial crisis, and Covid, all before they could legally drink. Every institution that promised safety failed at least once during their formative years. The Nasdaq 100 returned roughly 21 percent annually over the last decade. The S&P returned 13 to 14 percent. Sitting still in an index fund would have made them wealthy. But when certainty has detonated repeatedly, patience does not feel safe, it feels naive. The speculation is not stupidity. It is a rational response to a world where the old guarantees proved hollow. The prescription from Eddie Yoon is to hold all three investment buckets at once: a boring cash safety net covering 3 to 18 months of expenses, smart index-based investments with consistent long-term returns, and a smaller speculative position built on genuine expertise and category-level knowledge. Speculation itself is not the enemy. Speculating without a superpower, without real edge, is where the damage gets done. To hear more from the Pirate Street Journal, download and listen to this episode. You can also read more Pirate Street Journal entries in the Category Pirates newsletter.   We hope you enjoyed this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different™! Christopher loves hearing from his listeners. Feel free to email him, connect on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, and subscribe on Apple Podcast / Spotify!

Rates are climbing, carriers are piling on surcharges, and peak season is arriving ahead of schedule. This week Lars Jensen runs the numbers on why the market is where it is and it has everything to do with the Red Sea and almost nothing to do with how consumers are feeling.In this episode, Lars Jensen and Caroline Weaver cover:Why Pacific and Asia-Europe spot rates continue their upward momentum and what the futures curve is signaling for peak season, including a sharp expected pullback as early as SeptemberThe statistical relationship between US consumer sentiment and container volumes: Lars ran the analysis and the correlation coefficient is 0.3. There effectively isn't one.Hormuz update: no deal, drone strikes on Kuwait, a suspected mine in Omani waters, and an MSC 18,000 TEU vessel that went dark for five days and reappeared off West AfricaHow CMA-CGM continues to quietly expand its Suez routing while every other carrier goes around AfricaChina PMI at exactly 50, and why the raw materials sub-index shooting above 60 post-Hormuz is the inflation signal worth watchingGlobal trade imbalances since 2019: full containers up 17%, fleet up 43%, TEU miles up 41% and empty container movements up 102%

Trump says best economy in 250 years. Consumer sentiment just hit an all-time low. Saylor just went underwater on $64B. Pick a story. Kevin Warsh was sworn in as Fed Chair today while the Dow hit a record 50,700 — and Peter Schiff fact-checked virtually every claim Donald Trump made at the ceremony in real time. Trump called it the greatest economy in 250 years of American history; consumer sentiment responded by hitting 44.8, the lowest reading ever recorded. Year-ahead inflation expectations surged to 4.8% and 10-year expectations hit 3.9%, demolishing the Fed's claim that expectations remain "well anchored" at 2%. Gold closed the week at $4,508 with silver at $75.39, both pressured by rising bond yields — with the 30-year still above 5% and the 10-year above 4.5%. Schiff argues these pullbacks are buying opportunities as real rates continue to collapse. Bitcoin dropped below Michael Saylor's $75,700 average cost basis for the first time, meaning five years and $64 billion of buying has produced zero return — while the Stretch preferred stock continues to compound an 11.5% annual obligation regardless. Schiff dissects Trump's lies about job creation, tariff benefits, government spending cuts, and the claim that fired federal workers are now earning double or triple in the private sector.

Gold has been quietly climbing even as oil prices drop on Middle East peace hopes and the dollar drifts lower — a combination that reveals important dynamics about how investors are thinking about risk right now. We unpack what's driving gold higher and what it signals about broader market sentiment.Today's Stocks & Topics: Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AGM), Market Wrap, Starbucks Corporation (SBUX), Gold Is Climbing While Oil and the Dollar Fall — Here's What That Tells Investors, Textron Inc. (TXT), Amplify Cybersecurity ETF (HACK), Spacex (SPCX) Going Public, 3M Company (MMM), Consumer Sentiment.Our Next Wealth Webinar: “Beyond the Yield: How to Invest for Your Income Needs” June 30th, 2026 - 12:00 pmTo sign up: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/5717793889555/WN_XuoDgMVwSv6wZXXurrZTLgOur Sponsors:* Check out Anthropic and use my code Claude.ai/invest for a great deal: https://www.anthropic.com* Check out Plaud AI and use my code INVEST for a great deal: https://plaud.ai* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/invest* Check out Scribe and use my code scribe.how/invest for a great deal: https://scribe.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Discover why record low consumer sentiment is not causing the stock market to decline. Are you on track for financial freedom...or not? Financial freedom is a combination of money, compounding and time (my McT Formula). How well you invest can make the biggest difference to your financial freedom and lifestyle. If you invested well for the long-term, what a difference it would make because the difference between investing $100k and earning 5 percent or 10 percent on your money over 30 years, is the difference between it growing to $432,194 or $1,744,940, an increase of over $1.3 million dollars. Your compounding rate, and how well you invest, matters!  INVESTING IS WHAT THE BE WEALTHY & SMART VIP EXPERIENCE IS ALL ABOUT - Invest in digital assets and stock ETFs for potential high compounding rates - Receive an Asset Allocation model with ticker symbols and what % to invest -Monthly LIVE investment webinars with Linda 10 months per year, with Q & A -Private VIP Facebook group with daily community interaction -Weekly investment commentary -Extra educational wealth classes available -Pay once, have lifetime access! NO recurring membership fees. -US and foreign investors are welcome -No minimum $ amount to invest -Tech Team available for digital assets (for hire per hour) For a limited time, enjoy a 50% savings on my private investing group, the Be Wealthy & Smart VIP Experience. Pay once and enjoy lifetime access without any additional recurring fees. Pay once and you're done! Invest with our successful community for years to come. Enter "SAVE50" to save 50% here: http://tinyurl.com/InvestingVIP Or set up a complimentary conversation to answer your questions about the Be Wealthy & Smart VIP Experience. Request an appointment to talk with Linda here: https://tinyurl.com/TalkWithLinda (yes, you talk to Linda!). SUBSCRIBE TO BE WEALTHY & SMART Click Here to Subscribe Via iTunes Click Here to Subscribe Via Stitcher on an Android Device Click Here to Subscribe Via RSS Feed LINDA'S WEALTH BOOKS 1. Get my book, "3 Steps to Quantum Wealth: The Wealth Heiress' Guide to Financial Freedom by Investing in Cryptocurrencies". 2. Get my book, "You're Already a Wealth Heiress, Now Think and Act Like One: 6 Practical Steps to Make It a Reality Now!" Men love it too! After all, you are Wealth Heirs. :) International buyers (if you live outside of the US) get my book here. WANT MORE FROM LINDA? Check out her programs. Join her on Instagram. WEALTH LIBRARY OF PODCASTS Listen to the full wealth library of podcasts from the beginning.  SPECIAL DEALS #Ad Apply for a Gemini credit card and get FREE XRP back (or any crypto you choose) when you use the card. Charge $3000 in first 90 days and earn $200 in crypto rewards when you use this link to apply and are approved: https://tinyurl.com/geminixrp This is a credit card, NOT a debit card. There are great rewards. Set your choice to EARN FREE XRP! #Ad Protect yourself online with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Get 3 MONTHS FREE when you sign up for a NORD VPN plan here.  #Ad To safely and securely store crypto, I recommend using a Tangem wallet. Get a 10% discount when you purchase here. #Ad If you are looking to simplify your crypto tax reporting, use Koinly. It is highly recommended and so easy for tax reporting. You can save $20, click here. Be Wealthy & Smart,™ is a personal finance show with self-made millionaire Linda P. Jones, America's Wealth Mentor.™ Learn simple steps that make a big difference to your financial freedom.  (This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. There is no additional cost to you.)  

How do you make sense of the fact that consumer sentiment has reached an all-time low yet the stock market continues to surge to all-time highs?

Trump says best economy in 250 years. Consumer sentiment just hit an all-time low. Saylor just went underwater on $64B. Pick a story.Kevin Warsh was sworn in as Fed Chair today while the Dow hit a record 50,700 — and Peter Schiff fact-checked virtually every claim Donald Trump made at the ceremony in real time. Trump called it the greatest economy in 250 years of American history; consumer sentiment responded by hitting 44.8, the lowest reading ever recorded. Year-ahead inflation expectations surged to 4.8% and 10-year expectations hit 3.9%, demolishing the Fed's claim that expectations remain "well anchored" at 2%.Gold closed the week at $4,508 with silver at $75.39, both pressured by rising bond yields — with the 30-year still above 5% and the 10-year above 4.5%. Schiff argues these pullbacks are buying opportunities as real rates continue to collapse. Bitcoin dropped below Michael Saylor's $75,700 average cost basis for the first time, meaning five years and $64 billion of buying has produced zero return — while the Stretch preferred stock continues to compound an 11.5% annual obligation regardless. Schiff dissects Trump's lies about job creation, tariff benefits, government spending cuts, and the claim that fired federal workers are now earning double or triple in the private sector.Chapters:00:00 Warsh Takes the Helm01:38 Dow 50K Hype Check03:42 Gold and Silver Pullback05:12 Yields Mortgages and Oil07:44 Bitcoin Decouples and Strategy Risk11:00 Consumer Sentiment Hits Record Low16:11 Trump Speech Fact Check Begins16:30 Massie Lies and Deficit Hypocrisy21:30 Jobs Numbers Reality Check22:07 Fed Independence Spin23:11 Booms Bubbles and Inflation24:31 Dow Rally Credit Grab26:16 Spending Cuts Claim Debunked26:48 Fired Workers Fairy Tale29:33 Foreign Investment and China Deals32:26 Tariffs and the Mythical Boom33:50 Pessimism vs Trump Prosperity35:43 Crisis Warning and Gold Pitch37:00 Bitcoin Exit and Mining Stocks39:25 Rates Tailwind and Sign OffFollow @peterschiffX: https://twitter.com/peterschiffInstagram: https://instagram.com/peterschiffTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@peterschiffofficialFacebook: https://facebook.com/peterschiffGet more gold & silver now: https://www.schiffgold.com1-888-GOLD-160 (465-3160)Open a T Gold account: https://www.tgold.comOpen a managed account: https://europac.comListen to The Peter Schiff Show: https://schiffradio.comFollow the main channel: https://youtube.com/peterschiffOur Sponsors:* Check out Fast Growing Trees and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://www.fast-growing-trees.com* Check out Plaud AI and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://plaud.ai* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code GOLD20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

After two failed attempts at recording the podcast due to technical issues, the team finally nails it on the third try. In a light data week, the team discusses the wide disparity in sentiment between consumers, stock investors, and business leaders. The team discusses Mark's recent meetings with Brazilian clients, Marisa's trip to Silicon Valley, and Cris's meeting with banking clients and their takeaways about the moods among those audiences. The podcast concludes with a set of thought-provoking listener questions, most of which are related to AI. Hosts: Mark Zandi – Chief Economist, Moody's Analytics, Cris deRitis – Deputy Chief Economist, Moody's Analytics, and Marisa DiNatale – Senior Director - Head of Global Forecasting, Moody's Analytics Follow Mark Zandi on 'X' and BlueSky @MarkZandi, Cris deRitis on LinkedIn, and Marisa DiNatale on LinkedIn Questions or Comments, please email us at InsideEconomics@moodys.com. We would love to hear from you. To stay informed and follow the insights of Moody's Analytics economists, visit Economic View. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sam Vadas says consumer sentiment is at all time low and it's raising concern amongst the younger population for housing security. She also discusses Kevin Warsh sworn in as the new Fed Chair.

Joanne Hsu, director of surveys of consumers at the University of Michigan, talks about the university's latest consumer sentiment print and why it's "very clear" Americans are feeling financial pressure. She walks investors through the report, the dividing lines between political parties, and ways lasting effects the Strait of Hormuz closure continues to hit wallets.

Eddie Yoon breaks down May's consumer sentiment report as it comes in at a record low. Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil supply, paired with the U.S.-Iran War, are key reasons he believes are driving sentiment lower. Eddie also highlights that addiction to doom scrolling and the impact of GLP-1 drugs.Eddie Yoon breaks down May's consumer sentiment report as it comes in at a record low. Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil supply, paired with the U.S.-Iran War, are key reasons he believes are driving sentiment lower. Eddie also highlights that addiction to doom scrolling and the impact of GLP-1 drugs.

Consumer sentiment continues to slide, as Kevin Green points to metrics suggesting Americans are more concerned about their wallets getting pinched by inflation. He turns to the biggest factor driving those concerns: the Strait of Hormuz. KG touches on the disconnect between headlines suggesting peace talks are occurring from a lack of traction in Iran. With Kevin Warsh being sworn in as Fed Chair Friday, KG turns to the bond market's big picture and cautions Warsh needs to take amid heightened inflation. Consumer sentiment continues to slide, as Kevin Green points to metrics suggesting Americans are more concerned about their wallets getting pinched by inflation. He turns to the biggest factor driving those concerns: the Strait of Hormuz. KG touches on the disconnect between headlines suggesting peace talks are occurring from a lack of traction in Iran. With Kevin Warsh being sworn in as Fed Chair Friday, KG turns to the bond market's big picture and cautions Warsh needs to take amid heightened inflation.

Your 60-second money minute. Today's topic: Record Low Consumer Sentiment Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week, we explore the stories behind some of the market's most misunderstood concepts—from the medieval origins of the word “hedge” to the rise of modern hedge funds and the risk-management strategies that still shape Wall Street today. We also break down the often-confused difference between bond coupon rates and yield to maturity, explaining why the price you pay for a bond can matter just as much as the interest it pays.Plus, we discuss an important estate-planning rule that could allow heirs to inherit a home and keep the existing mortgage without being forced to refinance, answer a listener question on whether Water ETFs offer a smart way to invest in long-term water scarcity and AI-driven infrastructure demand, and examine the growing disconnect between weak consumer sentiment and a stock market pushing back toward record highs.Join hosts Nick Antonucci, CVA, CEPA, Director of Research, and Managing Associates K.C. Smith, CFP®, CEPA, and D.J. Barker, CWS®, and Kelly-Lynne Scalice, a seasoned communicator and host, on Henssler Money Talks as they explore key financial strategies to help investors navigate market uncertainty. Henssler Money Talks — May 9, 2026  |  Season 40, Episode 19Timestamps and Chapters8:44: Etymology of “Hedge” in Hedge Fund16:44: Income vs. Return: Understanding Bond Math27:20: The Rule That Lets You Keep the House—and the Loan33:23 Will Water ETFs Make a Good Long-Term Investment?37:31: Why Is Everyone Bearish While the Market Rallies?Follow Henssler:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HensslerFinancial/ YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/c/HensslerFinancial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/henssler-financial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hensslerfinancial/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hensslerfinancial?lang=en X: https://www.x.com/hensslergroup “Henssler Money Talks” is brought to you by Henssler Financial. Sign up for the Money Talks Newsletter: https://www.henssler.com/newsletters/ Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization's initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.See important disclosures at Henssler.com

Consumer confidence continues to decline as Americans express growing concerns about inflation, personal income and global instability. New data from the University of Michigan also points to worries over energy prices and supply chain disruptions tied to tensions involving Iran. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed with the latest news from a leading Black-owned & controlled media company: https://aurn.com/newsletter Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From Wall Street to Main Street, the latest on the markets and what it means for your money. Updated regularly on weekdays, featuring CNBC expert analysis and sound from top business newsmakers. Anchored by CNBC's Jill Schneider. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A.M. Edition for April 29. President Trump instructs aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, to compel the regime to give up its nuclear ambitions. Plus, tech stocks prepare to take center stage during earnings season as AI jitters resurface on Wall Street. And against a backdrop of consumer anxiety, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol says a focus on experience and faster service is luring customers back to its coffee shops. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Correction: Mike Johnson is the House Speaker. An earlier version of this podcast incorrectly referred to him as the House Majority Leader. (Corrected on April 29) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natalie Dillon of Maveron joins Nick to discuss Consumer Retrenchment or Reallocation, AI Impact on GTM and Purchase Decisions, How to Balance Consumer Sentiment vs. Behavior, and Where Smaller Funds Win. In this episode we cover: Investing in the Older Adult Category Challenges for Smaller Funds in Venture Capital Consumer Investing and Market Trends Participation as a Product and Consumer Creators AI's Impact on Venture and Marketplaces Distribution and Go-to-Market Strategies Balancing Portfolio Construction and Ownership Guest Links: Natalie's LinkedIn Natalie's X Maveron's LinkedIn Maveron's Website The host of The Full Ratchet is Nick Moran of New Stack Ventures, a venture capital firm committed to investing in founders outside of the Bay Area. We're proud to partner with Ramp, the modern finance automation platform. Book a demo and get $150—no strings attached.   Want to keep up to date with The Full Ratchet? Follow us on social. You can learn more about New Stack Ventures by visiting our LinkedIn and Twitter.

Citadel Securities is reportedly exploring prediction markets as trading scales up, a development that could fundamentally change how financial markets incorporate real-world event probabilities into prices. We will examine what prediction markets are, how they work, and what their mainstream adoption means for investors.Also in this podcast: INTU - Intuit Inc., AMAT - Applied Materials Inc., BKNG - Booking Holdings Inc., AMD - Advanced Micro Devices Inc.; also, a listener question on 'asset allocation'; plus Luke's MARKET WRAP UP, and his topic talking points: “Consumer Sentiment” and “AI Investment Decisions Warning”; and Luke reviewed treasury rates, metal prices, and oil and gas prices. Our Sponsors:* Check out Anthropic: https://claude.ai/invest* Check out Pebl: https://hipebl.ai* Check out Plaud AI and use my code INVEST for a great deal: https://plaud.ai* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/invest* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code INVEST20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Discover why consumer sentiment hit record lows and what it means for your money. Are you on track for financial freedom...or not? Financial freedom is a combination of money, compounding and time (my McT Formula). How well you invest can make the biggest difference to your financial freedom and lifestyle. If you invested well for the long-term, what a difference it would make because the difference between investing $100k and earning 5 percent or 10 percent on your money over 30 years, is the difference between it growing to $432,194 or $1,744,940, an increase of over $1.3 million dollars. Your compounding rate, and how well you invest, matters!  INVESTING IS WHAT THE BE WEALTHY & SMART VIP EXPERIENCE IS ALL ABOUT - Invest in digital assets and stock ETFs for potential high compounding rates - Receive an Asset Allocation model with ticker symbols and what % to invest -Monthly LIVE investment webinars with Linda 10 months per year, with Q & A -Private VIP Facebook group with daily community interaction -Weekly investment commentary -Extra educational wealth classes available -Pay once, have lifetime access! NO recurring membership fees. -US and foreign investors are welcome -No minimum $ amount to invest -Tech Team available for digital assets (for hire per hour) For a limited time, enjoy a 50% savings on my private investing group, the Be Wealthy & Smart VIP Experience. Pay once and enjoy lifetime access without any additional recurring fees. Pay once and you're done! Invest with our successful community for years to come. Enter "SAVE50" to save 50% here: http://tinyurl.com/InvestingVIP Or set up a complimentary conversation to answer your questions about the Be Wealthy & Smart VIP Experience. Request an appointment to talk with Linda here: https://tinyurl.com/TalkWithLinda (yes, you talk to Linda!). SUBSCRIBE TO BE WEALTHY & SMART Click Here to Subscribe Via iTunes Click Here to Subscribe Via Stitcher on an Android Device Click Here to Subscribe Via RSS Feed LINDA'S WEALTH BOOKS 1. Get my book, "3 Steps to Quantum Wealth: The Wealth Heiress' Guide to Financial Freedom by Investing in Cryptocurrencies". 2. Get my book, "You're Already a Wealth Heiress, Now Think and Act Like One: 6 Practical Steps to Make It a Reality Now!" Men love it too! After all, you are Wealth Heirs. :) International buyers (if you live outside of the US) get my book here. WANT MORE FROM LINDA? Check out her programs. Join her on Instagram. WEALTH LIBRARY OF PODCASTS Listen to the full wealth library of podcasts from the beginning.  SPECIAL DEALS #Ad Apply for a Gemini credit card and get FREE XRP back (or any crypto you choose) when you use the card. Charge $3000 in first 90 days and earn $200 in crypto rewards when you use this link to apply and are approved: https://tinyurl.com/geminixrp This is a credit card, NOT a debit card. There are great rewards. Set your choice to EARN FREE XRP! #Ad Protect yourself online with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Get 3 MONTHS FREE when you sign up for a NORD VPN plan here.  #Ad To safely and securely store crypto, I recommend using a Tangem wallet. Get a 10% discount when you purchase here. #Ad If you are looking to simplify your crypto tax reporting, use Koinly. It is highly recommended and so easy for tax reporting. You can save $20, click here. Be Wealthy & Smart,™ is a personal finance show with self-made millionaire Linda P. Jones, America's Wealth Mentor.™ Learn simple steps that make a big difference to your financial freedom.  (This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. There is no additional cost to you.)  

Mark, Cris and Marisa recap the week's economic news, including the now highly likely confirmation for the Fed Chair nominee, Kevin Warsh, the ongoing conflict in Iran and its impact on energy and related commodities, and the proposed bailout of Spirit Airlines. After the stats game, the team takes a few thought-provoking listener questions about tax policy and tariffs. Email us at InsideEconomics@moodys.com for more info about the Moody's Summit '26 Conference in San Diego Hosts: Mark Zandi – Chief Economist, Moody's Analytics, Cris deRitis – Deputy Chief Economist, Moody's Analytics, and Marisa DiNatale – Senior Director - Head of Global Forecasting, Moody's Analytics Follow Mark Zandi on 'X' and BlueSky @MarkZandi, Cris deRitis on LinkedIn, and Marisa DiNatale on LinkedIn Questions or Comments, please email us at InsideEconomics@moodys.com. We would love to hear from you. To stay informed and follow the insights of Moody's Analytics economists, visit Economic View. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is the American Dream dead? A lot of people seem to think so, and perception is reality in politics. But what do the words and numbers actually say? 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 01:10 NYC Government Grocery Stores and “Fair Prices” 05:26 Why Socialist Grocery Models Break Down 09:27 Money, Markets, and Why the System Works 11:36 Prediction: Empty Shelves and Taxpayer Subsidies 13:29 UK Smoking Ban and Black Market Consequences 18:16 Foolishness of the Week: AI Influencer Scam 21:01 AI Content, OnlyFans, and the Future of Monetization 24:04 Is the American Dream Dead? 27:04 Perception vs Reality in the Economy 29:41 Real Wages, Housing, and Cost of Living 34:03 Why Life Feels More Expensive Today 37:40 Work, Lifestyle Expectations, and Generational Shifts 45:32 Consumer Sentiment, Social Media, and Economic Anxiety 52:12 Recession Fears and Policy Reality 56:33 Closing Remarks and Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Is the American Dream dead? A lot of people seem to think so, and perception is reality in politics. But what do the words and numbers actually say? 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 01:10 NYC Government Grocery Stores and “Fair Prices” 05:26 Why Socialist Grocery Models Break Down 09:27 Money, Markets, and Why the System Works 11:36 Prediction: Empty Shelves and Taxpayer Subsidies 13:29 UK Smoking Ban and Black Market Consequences 18:16 Foolishness of the Week: AI Influencer Scam 21:01 AI Content, OnlyFans, and the Future of Monetization 24:04 Is the American Dream Dead? 27:04 Perception vs Reality in the Economy 29:41 Real Wages, Housing, and Cost of Living 34:03 Why Life Feels More Expensive Today 37:40 Work, Lifestyle Expectations, and Generational Shifts 45:32 Consumer Sentiment, Social Media, and Economic Anxiety 52:12 Recession Fears and Policy Reality 56:33 Closing Remarks and Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let's talk about Trump's record low consumer sentiment....

CPI triples to 0.9%, consumer sentiment hits an all-time low, and the Fed is quietly running QE — stagflation isn't coming, it's here.Gold ended the week at $4,745 with silver at $75.76 and mining stocks up 5%, all buoyed by the Taco Tuesday ceasefire that sent markets surging mid-week. Peter Schiff argues the ceasefire is a win for Iran and that Trump was looking for a way out of threats he could never carry out — but the real story is the inflation data.March CPI came in at 0.9% month-over-month, tripling February's reading and pushing year-over-year inflation to 3.3%. The Fed's balance sheet has quietly expanded by nearly $200 billion in 2026 — quantitative easing in everything but name. Q4 GDP was revised down to 0.5%, making 2025's full-year growth just 2.1% — lower than any year under Biden. Consumer sentiment plunged to 47.6, the lowest reading in the history of the survey. Schiff connects the dots: M2 money supply growing at 5%, a proposed 50% defense budget increase, and a Fed that will be forced to cut rates regardless of inflation all point to a stagflation environment where gold and silver are headed substantially higher.Chapters:00:00 Ceasefire and Market Mood15:20 Inflation Data and Fed QE23:14 Inflation Not The War38:46 Stagflation Bull CaseFollow @peterschiffX: https://twitter.com/peterschiffInstagram: https://instagram.com/peterschiffTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@peterschiffofficialFacebook: https://facebook.com/peterschiffGet more gold & silver now: https://www.schiffgold.com1-888-GOLD-160 (465-3160)Open a T Gold account: https://www.tgold.comOpen a managed account: https://europac.comListen to The Peter Schiff Show: https://schiffradio.comFollow the main channel: https://youtube.com/peterschiff#PeterSchiffShow #Stagflation #GoldInvestingOur Sponsors:* Check out Fast Growing Trees and use my code GOLD for a great deal: https://www.fast-growing-trees.com* Check out GhostBed: https://ghostbed.com/PETER* Check out Grammarly: https://grammarly.com* Check out Quince: https://quince.com/GOLD* Check out TruDiagnostic and use my code GOLD20 for a great deal: https://www.trudiagnostic.comPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

3. Gene Marks: Gene Marks analyzes soaring inflation driven by volatile energy costs and suggests defensive strategies for small businesses. He addresses consumer sentiment versus actual spending and notes that hiring remains resilient despite economic challenges and the emergence of artificial intelligence. (3)1930-45 UNION STATION LAS VEGAS

President Trump's new warning to Iran just one day ahead of peace talks set to begin tomorrow. Plus, one of the most critical moments of the Artemis II mission is just moments away.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Discover the latest economic update. The most recent CPI and Consumer Sentiment data reflects the current economic landscape, or does it? Are you on track for financial freedom...or not? Financial freedom is a combination of money, compounding and time (my McT Formula). How well you invest can make the biggest difference to your financial freedom and lifestyle. If you invested well for the long-term, what a difference it would make because the difference between investing $100k and earning 5 percent or 10 percent on your money over 30 years, is the difference between it growing to $432,194 or $1,744,940, an increase of over $1.3 million dollars. Your compounding rate, and how well you invest, matters!  INVESTING IS WHAT THE BE WEALTHY & SMART VIP EXPERIENCE IS ALL ABOUT - Invest in digital assets and stock ETFs for potential high compounding rates - Receive an Asset Allocation model with ticker symbols and what % to invest -Monthly LIVE investment webinars with Linda 10 months per year, with Q & A -Private VIP Facebook group with daily community interaction -Weekly investment commentary -Extra educational wealth classes available -Pay once, have lifetime access! NO recurring membership fees. -US and foreign investors are welcome -No minimum $ amount to invest -Tech Team available for digital assets (for hire per hour) For a limited time, enjoy a 50% savings on my private investing group, the Be Wealthy & Smart VIP Experience. Pay once and enjoy lifetime access without any recurring fees. Enter "SAVE50" to save 50%here: http://tinyurl.com/InvestingVIP Or set up a complimentary conversation to answer your questions about the Be Wealthy & Smart VIP Experience. Request an appointment to talk with Linda here: https://tinyurl.com/TalkWithLinda (yes, you talk to Linda!). SUBSCRIBE TO BE WEALTHY & SMART Click Here to Subscribe Via iTunes Click Here to Subscribe Via Stitcher on an Android Device Click Here to Subscribe Via RSS Feed LINDA'S WEALTH BOOKS 1. Get my book, "3 Steps to Quantum Wealth: The Wealth Heiress' Guide to Financial Freedom by Investing in Cryptocurrencies". 2. Get my book, "You're Already a Wealth Heiress, Now Think and Act Like One: 6 Practical Steps to Make It a Reality Now!" Men love it too! After all, you are Wealth Heirs. :) International buyers (if you live outside of the US) get my book here. WANT MORE FROM LINDA? Check out her programs. Join her on Instagram. WEALTH LIBRARY OF PODCASTS Listen to the full wealth library of podcasts from the beginning.  SPECIAL DEALS #Ad Apply for a Gemini credit card and get FREE XRP back (or any crypto you choose) when you use the card. Charge $3000 in first 90 days and earn $200 in crypto rewards when you use this link to apply and are approved: https://tinyurl.com/geminixrp This is a credit card, NOT a debit card. There are great rewards. Set your choice to EARN FREE XRP! #Ad Protect yourself online with a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Get 3 MONTHS FREE when you sign up for a NORD VPN plan here.  #Ad To safely and securely store crypto, I recommend using a Tangem wallet. Get a 10% discount when you purchase here. #Ad If you are looking to simplify your crypto tax reporting, use Koinly. It is highly recommended and so easy for tax reporting. You can save $20, click here. Be Wealthy & Smart,™ is a personal finance show with self-made millionaire Linda P. Jones, America's Wealth Mentor.™ Learn simple steps that make a big difference to your financial freedom.  (This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link and make a purchase, I may receive a commission. There is no additional cost to you.)