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Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong explain why many people around the world refuse to trust traditional currency these days. Sarah Foster, Bankrate, joins the show to discuss worker pay not keeping up with inflation. Most Americans don't have good jobs. What does that say about the economy. AI data centers, desperate for electricity, are building their own power plants. What are the hidden costs of downsizing?
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Wall Street scrambling to gauge consumer health without retail sales. Big banks cash in on well-heeled borrowers. How Jefferies found itself at the center of First Brands' collapse. Something stinks in the financial sector.Â
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss China escalating the US trade war with curbs on shipping. JP Morgan profit jumps as business booms on Main Street and Wall Street. Which businesses have the most to lose on continued tariff policies. Silver prices just hit their first record since 1980. Ford cuts production of trucks and SUVs after fire at aluminum plant. New vehicle prices top $50,000.
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the great debasement debate is rippling across world markets. A historic crypto selloff erased over $19B, but two accounts made $160M. Most investors say AI stocks are in a bubble. Why Broadcom's OpenAI bet is a big risk. The shutdown's consuquences for the BLS are dire. Protein is showing up in Doritos, waffles, and Pop Tarts, why?
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the steep market sell-off on Friday and why markets reacting as strongly as they did. China's new export curbs may level a heavy blow world wide. From Tri Color to Saks, bonds are now crashing at breakneak speed. Why the next CPI report is important for Social Security checks, bonds, and 401(k)s. More working-class Americans than ever are investing in the stock market.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss AI juicing the economy but questions remain if workers are actually more productive because of it. Ted Rossman (Bankrate) joins the show to chat about the 2025 Holiday Spending Survey. Squeezing builders isn't the way to lower housing costs. This market is nothing like the dot-com bubble. This might be the dumbest market in history.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss how AI concerns from the media and public have yet to show up in markets. What other areas of the economy are concerning? Government recalls workers to produce key inflation report. Shutdown pain ripples through the US economy with no deal in sight. China's rare-earth escalation threatens trade talks. Is China using a workaround to buy Nvidia chips? Bessent's big gamble on Argentina has a narrow path to pay off.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the stunning drop in markets in reaction to President Trump's tweet about China and canceling a meeting with President Xi. Tripp Mickle (New York Times) joins the show to talk about Intel's big bet. Insurers prepare for wave of First Brands claims. Americans are falling behind on their car payments. Paul LaMonica (Barron's) stops by for a chat about Gemini's first few months on markets.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss financial conditions actually being too tight right now. Q3 earnings are anticipated to show growth of 8%. Fed minutes reveal divide over outlook for interest-rate cuts. First Brands bankruptcy damage spreads to Jefferies, UBS. Is the auto industry going through what the housing market went through in 2007. Who's going to ‘Eat' Tariffs? Not US shoppers. Why carmakers are falling back in love with petrol.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the ongoing government shutdown and how air travel disruptions are adding pressure. AI can transform the economy and still be a bubble. What are the downsides of a 30-year mortgage? Even Tesla fans are slamming the EV makers cheaper models. Startups are staying private longer thanks to alternative capital. Jamie Dimon says there's a 30% chance of a correction: ‘I'm far more worried than others'
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the costs associated with AI projects are soaring. Fed's Mary Daly says AI bubble wouldn't hurt financial stability. Where are we now compared to previous market crashes? A devastating fire at a major Ford supplier is just another dent in the auto industry. US banks missed that warning signs on Tricolor. Massachusetts employer confidence dips again.
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss how AMD came from behind to mount a challenge in the AI chip wars. Reminder: Gold is not a risk-free asset. Earnings are coming. Wall Street hopes strong profits can keep the market rally going. Emerging markets roar back with biggest stock rally in 15 years. Why your S&P 500 index fund might be more risky than the internet bubble.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss OpenAI and AMD announce massive computing deal. Did OpenAI just stab Nvidia in the back? More Americans are warming up to the idea of nuclear power in their community. Why delaying your Social Security benefits may not make sense. 80% of workers say they're making little or no progress saving for retirement. Are we in a recession? Yes, if you live in one of these states. Will 2026 be the year of the used EV?
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the ongoing power shift in the housing market. Where are buyers getting good deals? Amazon's October Prime Days start Tuesday. It's an early test for the holidays. The youth crisis is really about to the rise of the NEETs. Stabucks's roller coaster week of job cuts and store closures.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss AI data centers sending power bills soaring. What are the benefits of having a data center near you? Jess Bezos says AI is in an industrial bubble but society will get 'gigantic' benefits from the tech. Boeing likely to record billions in charges over 777X debut delay. Paul LaMonica (Barron's) joins the show to chat about pest control company that is AI proof.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the lack of a weekly jobs report so they turn to AI to get the answers they are looking for. How long with the government shutdown last? Behind job weakness are hints of a productivity revival. Why the stock market keeps going up - even during a government shutdown. Maybe the Fed shouldn't be cutting interest rates. LA's entertainment economy is looking like a disaster movie.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong are concerned there is not being enough attention paid to the collapse of First Brands, why the company found itself in its current mess, and if this is a bigger problem brewing. Luke Kawa (Sherwood News) joins the show to share what is driving the recent market rally. Taiwan rejects U.S. proposal for '50-50′ chip production, says trade talks focused on tariffs.Â
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the different causes of the labor market flattening out. Is Baby Boomer spending the only thing keeping up the economy? What happens to the economy if asset prices are the consumer driver? OpenAI is will be either a trillion dollar company or nothing. Student loan debt is strangling Gen X.
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane explain why your electric keeps rising. Jessica Caldwell, Head of Insights at Edmunds, joins the show to share the Q3 new car sales forecast. Why GM boss Mary Barra is slamming the brakes on lofty EV ambitions. Investors are fretting that the stock market rally is on borrowed time. McDonald's is bringing back Monopoly after a decade.
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the release of the JOLTS report that showed job openings slightly exceeded forecasts. How government shutdowns affect the US economy. US economy will only get murkier if key data is delayed in shutdown. Rise of 'accidental landlords' is bad news for investors who bet big on rentals. Exxon to cut 2,000 jobs in global restructuring. Gen X is about to face the biggest Social Security decision.
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss why this week's most important data release is the jobs report. Rate cuts might not cure what ails the job market. Recession seems far off. The economy is also far from trouble. Why a small auto parts maker in the MidWest going bankrupt has massive ramifications.Â
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss Walmart's CEO's comments about AI changing literally every job. Corey Adams (Robert Half) joins the show to chat about the company's 2026 salary guide. Debt is fueling the next wave of the AI boom. The fastest-selling cars in America are used EVs.
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane disucss why millions of Americans are becoming economically invisibile. Mike Simonsen, Chief Economist at Compass, joins the show to chat about the state of the housing market and where interest rates need to be to get things moving again. Costco tops earnings and revenue estimates as warehouse club gains more members. Starbucks is in a big mess. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat how O'Reilly Auto Parts set themselves apart from other national autoparts retailers.
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the core inflation rate coming as expected. Trump imposing new tariffs on pharma and big trucks. Will the massive spending on AI ever pay off? How many Americans actually have a financial plan written down?
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the White House going all-in on Argentina. It may not work. Intel is seeking an investment from Apple as part of its comeback bid. Amazon agrees to settle US lawsuit that it 'tricked' people into Prime. A diminished Social Security workforce, and its customers, feel the strain. Delta replaces engine units in effor to address toxic-fume surge on planes. Higher electricity prices aren't all good for utilities.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss initial jobless claims tumble for second consecutive week. US economy grew faster than expected in the second quarter. Too many still don't understand the tax ramifications of the Big, Beautiful Bill. CarMax sees unexpected drop in used-car sales. White House to pursue mass firings if government shuts down. How the H1B visa fee could reshape workforces.
Comedian Mark Klein has traveled near and far to sling jokes for nearly 50 years. His parents were proud of him for 12 minutes.Mark is headlining a special benefit show on Thursday, September 24 at The Caravan in Mid-City Mall. All proceeds go to help brother comedian Mike Armstrong, a longtime performer on the comedy circuit, who is now battling cancer.Come laugh with Mark to help Mike!(part one of two segments on WHAS Radio)
Comedian Mark Klein has traveled near and far to sling jokes for nearly 50 years. His parents were proud of him for 12 minutes.Mark is headlining a special benefit show on Thursday, September 24 at The Caravan in Mid-City Mall. All proceeds go to help brother comedian Mike Armstrong, a longtime performer on the comedy circuit, who is now battling cancer.Come laugh with Mark to help Mike!
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss how Argentina's Javier Milei lost the markets and is turning to the US. Are H1B visas crucial to American productivity? Stocks are expensive. Does earnings growth mean that doesn't matter? Is the age of value investing over? Regional US casinos cash in as gamblers shun prices Vegas trips.
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the often asked question if the stock market is overvalued. Miran is contradicting himself on the case for big rate cuts. China floods the world with cheap exports after Trump's tariffs. Nvidia to invest up to $100B in OpenAI. Spirit Airlines furloughing one-third of its flight attendants.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Trump's $100,000 visa targets a $280B India success story. Will the $100,000 visa help American workers? American colleges are going all out to hold to international students. Why it might be time to repeal the Fed's dual mandate.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss inflation being the lesser evil. Many Americans can't buy houses, get jobs, or move in a stuck economy. The rush to return to the office is stalling. Cardboard box demand is slumping. Why that's bad news for the economy. Millennials are stuck in an old and lazy story.
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the Fed losing its independence and what that means for inflation. Why the Fed's recent rate cut might be the only one of 2025 despite predictions. Why the Fed can't ease the government's debt problem. Trade relations with China as Xi and Trump talk TikTok and rare earth materials. Nvidia is walking a tightrope between the US and China.Â
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss which areas of the country are being hit the hardest by unemployment. Grocery prices have jumped up. Is it actually the grocery stores to blame? Eversource gas customers face 13 percent rate increase this winter. Reasons why getting rid of quarterly reports helps markets and companies. Paul LaMonica ( Barron's) joins the show chat about the recent IPOs including StubHub.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong break down the Fed's rate cut decision and claim of two more possibly coming this year. Powell and the rest of the Fed have no clue how the economy will look next year. US initial jobless claims drop by most in almost four years. How to handle a job market that's worse than it looks. American Express unveils refreshed Platinum card with $895 annual fee.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the recent $5B investment by Nvidia into Intel. Chuck wonders how long till Nvidia just buys up Intel altogether. Huawei unveils AI chip roadmap to challenge Nvidia's lead. Congress has no good excuse to keep trading stocks. Start practicing retirement now. It'll make the switch that much easier. Home Insurance as you know it is doomed. You're not ready.
In this episode, Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane unpack the latest economic headlines shaping markets. From robust retail sales defying slowdown fears to pivotal Federal Reserve updates, we dive deep into what's driving the economy. What's on the table?Retail Sales Surge in August – Consumers keep spending, but is it sustainable?Fed Governor Drama – Appeals Court denies Trump's bid to remove Lisa Cook, while Stephen Miran joins the Fed Board.Lower Rates & Stocks – A quick take on what cheaper borrowing means for equity investors.Fed Strategy – Why the Fed needs to tread carefully and avoid bold promises.Massachusetts' Economic Woes – A closer look at the state's struggles amid national resilience.Tune in for sharp insights and actionable analysis to navigate today's economic landscape. Subscribe now for more! #Economy #FederalReserve #Investing #RetailSales #MarketInsights
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss how the breakeven threshold reveals a more robust labor landscape than stats show. Why shifting away from rigid quarterly filings could free up companies and provide better long-term insights for investors. The inside scoop on Luckin's bold U.S. expansion strategy and how it's challenging the coffee giant's dominance with aggressive pricing and tech-driven growth. Americans can't stop buying cars they don't need.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Elon Musk purchasing $1B worth of Tesla stock. Tesla's chair says only Musk can lead Tesla's next phase. 'Underwater' car trade-ins are at a 4-year high. More Americans are stuck with the jobs they can get, not the ones they want. How to build a million-dollar future for your kids.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the Fed meeting this week to set interest rates. Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan see stock rally stalling after Fed rate cut. China says Nvidia violated antitrust law. Whirlpool tells US authorities its rivals could be evading tariffs. Gold hasn't rallied this much since 1979. Is turning to ChatGPT for financial advice wise?
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane are joined by CNBC's Michael Santoli to recap what we saw in terms of inflation data this week and why we are likely to see a 25 bps interest cut at next week's Fed meeting, as opposed to 50 bps. Plus, with the cost of healthcare continuing to climb, should employers be seeing more blame as they pass along some of the impact to their employees through payroll deductions? Barron's Paul LaMonica also hopped on to speak with the guys about Oracle's massive stock rally this week.
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss firm inflation and soft jobs data pull the Fed in opposing directions. Economists see Fed rate cut next week and at least one more in 2025. Mortgage rates are at an 11-month low. Will that save this housing market? Labor hoarding looks close to painful end.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss consumer prices rose at annual rate of 2.9% in August and jobless claims that are nearing a four-year high. What are the expectations for next week's Fed meeting? Oracle may be having its Nvidia moment. Or it could be a repeat of 1999. IPO mania is back. Or is it the dot-com bubble all over again?
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss incomes rose and poverty fell last year. So why do so many Americans feel trapped? Homeowners dash to refinance as mortgage rates dive. Fewer people think that retirement will take a miracle. But inflation worries persist. Bond yields are falling. Where can retirees still find 5% yeilds? FTC opens probe into Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, xAI, and Snap over chatbot safety for kids.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong dive into the August payroll data that came in below expectations. What does the jobs data tell us about a September rate cut? Electricity costs are rising twice as fast as inflation. Why is the jobs market so sluggish right now?
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the current state of the housing market and what it means if the government declares a national housing emergency. Luke Kawa (Sherwood News) joins the show to chat about surging Broadcom. World meat prices reach new highs as consumers clamor for beef. Paul LaMonica (Barron's) stops by to talk about DraftKings and FanDuel's recent struggles.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong dive into this morning's data releases that focus in on the labor market. Is the data raising any alarms? Why is Massachusetts's unemployment numbers much higher than the rest of New England? Is the Fed seeing little to no growth across the country? Google's recent loss-yet-victory in court is frustrating for Chuck. What are precious metals saying about the economy right now?
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss McDonald's excalting the restaurant industry's tipping fight. What jobs will be included under Trump's 'no tax on tips?' Mark Voner, Founder and CEO - Veterans Development Corporation, joins the show to chat about how his company works with the VA, why his company maintains deep connections to the military, and why DAV is so important to him. Are low-cost airlines in a nose dive? Does Musk have a new vision for Tesla?
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the historic trends that show September being a horrible month for investors. What should we expect from this Friday's jobs report? What happens now that a court struck down some of Trump's tariffs? Companies re having major issues pricing items. How the Fed losing its independence could affect Americans' everyday lives.
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss why a good economy can feel so bad. US stocks are now pricier than they were in the lead-up to the Dot-Com bubble pop. How bad could the fallout be from an AI bubble pop? What is the ultimate goal of the tariffs? A band of retail investors are beginning to flex their muscle. Musk now claims Tesla's profits will largely come from robots.