Podcasts about vettafi

Money Life begins the first of three days of interviews from FinCon 2025, the annual gathering of financial content creators, which this year is in Portland, Ore., and which lets Chuck showcase a wide range of subjects. Today, those subjects include:  — college savings and the changing landscape of consumers paying off college debt with Robert Farrington of TheCollegeInvestor.com.  — crushing medical debt, and an unusual way for consumers to get out from under it with Jared Walker, founder of the non-profit fintech start up Dollar For. — a conversation that Chuck thinks may be the most unusual of his long career with comedian turned financial coach Lauren Baker, who also goes by the    name "Firenze, the friendly FIndom" and whose interview will introduce you to the world of financial domination. — "How Financial Stuff Works," the long-hoped for literacy project of financial adviser Alex Whitehouse. — the changing state of financial content creators, what's dead, what's next and how artificial intelligence will impact it all with FinCon's founder, Philip Taylor of TheCreatorCPA.com. Plus, every Thursday on Money Life starts with the ETF of the Week, and Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, makes a multi-sector bond fund from a veteran fund manager his pick this week.

The Powerball jackpot that went unclaimed on Wednesday night will top $1.7 billion for its next drawing this weekend, and will mark the 13th time in less than a decade that the big prize has been north of $1 billion. Chuck talks about why jackpots have grown this large, how you might use the lottery as a personal finance tool — even if, like him, you never buy a ticket  and why the odds are never in your favor. In the "ETF of the Week," Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, looks to a technology fund that mixes the big names and the tech-adjacent" plays to create an opportunity for investors seeking a growth bost for their portfolio. Natalie Iannello discusses a survey done for FrontDoor which looked at how homeowners were keeping cool under the heat of more extreme water bills this summer. Plus Seth Cogswell, manager of the Running Oak Efficient Growth ETF, brings his disciplined approach to stocks — which focuses at least as much on reasons to sell as it does on opportunities to buy — to the Market Call

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the JPMorgan US Tech Leaders ETF (JTEK) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” Why should you attend Exchange? Exchange gives advisors access to subject matter experts and developmental opportunities across all of the dimensions of their professional portfolio. Invest in your greatest asset – yourself. To learn more visit https://www.exchangeetf.com/registration

 Jeff Clark, head of defined contribution research  at Vanguard, says the firm's latest "How America Saves" report for 2025 shows that consumers are doing a better job of setting money aside for their future, helped by rules that have made it easier for employers to help. The average total savings rate — including both worker contributions plus employer contributions — is now up to 12 percent, a potential target for all investors to try to achieve. Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, turns to the first active bond ETF — a 15-year-old iconic fund from PIMCO — as an ultra-safe alternative to cash with his "ETF of the Week." In the Market Call, Jed Ellerbroek, portfolio manager for Argent Capital and the Argent Large Cap ETF — which launched just as the market was bottoming out after the tariff announcements in April —  discusses looking for enduring business models. Plus, Chuck talks about the Federal Reserve and why its independence is so important to the long-term functioning of the economy and the ability to keep inflation controlled.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the PIMCO Enhanced Short Maturity Active ETF (MINT) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” Why should you attend Exchange? Exchange gives advisors access to subject matter experts and developmental opportunities across all of the dimensions of their professional portfolio. Invest in your greatest asset – yourself. To learn more visit https://www.exchangeetf.com/registration

Financial journalist Allan Sloan, a seven-time winner of business journalism's highest honor, the Loeb Award, says in his latest piece for Barron's that no investment strategy works forever, and that time is now up on the Magnificent Seven stocks. Sloan notes that during the first seven months of 2025, NVidia and Microsoft accounted for more than half of the gain of the entire Standard & Poor's return, but that Apple "was totally rotten and knocked 18 percent off the S&P's return." His point is that most of the seven stocks that have been driving the market for the last few years "are now hitting below their weight," and the top stocks are now losing ground as a group to the index/market itself. Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, makes a high-income fund that invests in options on bitcoin -- and that yields a whopping 27 percent -- his ETF of the Week. The fund is relatively new and just topped $500 million in assets, and Rosenbluth says it can be an allocation choice for investors who might otherwise avoid cryptocurrency because they want investments that produce income. In the Market Call, Cole Smead, portfolio manager at Smead Capital Management, talks about the firm's approach to value investing and what is standing out during a period where he says market leadership is going through a rotation.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the NEOS Bitcoin High Income ETF (BTCI) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.”  Why should you attend Exchange? Exchange gives advisors access to subject matter experts and developmental opportunities across all of the dimensions of their professional portfolio. Invest in your greatest asset – yourself. To learn more visit https://www.exchangeetf.com/registration

Jeff Muhlenkamp, portfolio manager for the Muhlenkamp Fund, says in today's Money Life Market Call that one of his big fears right now is in order to deal with government debt, authorities will de-value the dollar, so he has been adding gold and precious metals names to the portfolio to hedge against that potential. He is also looking at deregulation as a possible driver for future as well, and while he is a value-oriented manager, he noted that there are plenty of ideas that look promising despite a market that is at record highs. David Lau, chief executive officer at DPL Financial, discusses how lifetime income and annuitizing retirement savings has become particularly important now, given uncertainty over the future of Social Security. He notes that investors who are considering annuities may want to be making the purchase before interest rates start to fall, but he also notes that annuity products that promise downside protection against stock market risk are likely to fall into the category of "too good to be true." Plus, in the ETF of the Week, Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, goes for an actively managed international small-cap fund with his ETF of the Week.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the Avantis International Small Cap Value ETF (AVDV) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.”  Why should you attend Exchange? Exchange gives advisors access to subject matter experts and developmental opportunities across all of the dimensions of their professional portfolio. Invest in your greatest asset – yourself. To learn more visit https://www.exchangeetf.com/registration

Jurrien Timmer, director of global macro at Fidelity Investments, says that the market has been dealing with "cross-currents," where concerns about tariffs increasing inflation have been offset by declining oil prices, and where a lack of rate cuts has been countered by record corporate profits. It all combines to create a market that Timmer says can get past the concerns to deliver modest gains moving forward; he makes a case for domestic markets, noting they are not as overvalued as investors might expect after several big years and that they are not facing significant recession or downturn potential.   Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, makes a brand new fund — part of a just-launched suite of funds that use options to generate income off of traditional sector indexes — as his ETF of the Week. Wealth manager Derek Ober of Ober Financial discusses the latest release from the Northwestern Mutual 2025 Planning and Progress Study, which showed that a growing number of Americans plan to leave an inheritance to their heirs, but fewer people expect to receive money from an inheritance. Ober says that a lack of communication between the generations is at the heart of the issue.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the Technology Select Sector SPDR Premium Income Fund (XLKI) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” 

Investors continue to favor market cap weighted indices, but it might be time to consider diversifying after July's fund inflows. Plus, getting tax efficient with ETFs. We examine Astoria's approach with its US Enhanced Core Equity ETF. Todd Rosenbluth, VettaFi director of research, and Bruce Lavine, Astoria Portfolio Advisors head of ETFS and COO, discuss all.

Paul Gruenwald, chief economist at S&P Global Ratings, says he expects a jump in consumer prices to 3.5 percent by the end of the year, and — while he thinks the move will be temporary or a one-time response to resolution of tariff uncertainty — he expects that to make the Federal Reserve more cautious about cutting rates. That's especially true because he expects economic growth to slow from about 3% early in the year to just above 1% by year's end. Despite that damper on growth, he says the economy will avoid a recession, muddling through a period of doldrums. Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, makes the ETF variation of one of the greatest mutual funds of all time his pick for the ETF of the Week, and Chuck tackles Wednesday's news from the Federal Reserve, noting that if rate cuts happen this year — he's been skeptical for months — they will still disappoint investors and economists who now seem certain that the Fed will move at its next meeting in September.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the T. Rowe Price Capital Appreciation Equity ETF (TCAF) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” 

John Silvia, chief executive officer, at Dynamic Economic Strategy, says that anticipated price hikes caused by tariffs haven't happened because the business community didn't want to increase prices until it had some certainty on the taxation levels. Now that the market is approaching clarity, he expects a raft of price increases, and for the economic impacts of the tariffs to hit home, making the economy more sluggish, but not pushing it over the edge into recession. Natalie Trevithick, head of investment grade corporate bonds at Payden & Rygel, discusses the hot areas of corporate and high-yield bonds and whether their stellar performance can continue when the Federal Reserve starts cutting rates, which she is expecting to start soon. Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, makes a multi-factor index fund his #ETFoftheWeek, and Hari Srinivasan, chief executive officer at iCover Insure, discusses why nearly half of Americans don't have life insurance.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the Franklin International Low Volatility High Dividend Index ETF (LVHI) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” 

Doug Roberts, chief investment strategist at the Channel Capital Research Institute — author of Follow the Fed to Investment Success — says he does not believe that President Trump will fire Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell, and that he also thinks Powell will continue to ignore the president's pressure to cut rates. Given recent numbers, Roberts thinks Powell and the Fed can wait longer before making any rate cuts, potentially holding off through both the July and September meetings before making a move. Meanwhile, he says that large-cap stocks will continue to be the play, with small-caps needing a rate cut to get out of the doldrums. In the Market Call, Bill Davis of Stance Capital and the Hennessy Sustainable ETF, talks about how current economic uncertainty is hurting the market, even as it has returned to record-high levels. Plus Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, picks a new, actively managed "dynamic value" fund as his "ETF of the Week."

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the BNY Mellon Dynamic Value ETF (BKDV) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” 

It's a wide-ranging show today, with Ben Cook, portfolio manager for the Hennessy Energy Transition and Hennessy Mid-Stream funds, giving his latest take on the energy sector, noting that the industry is well-positioned to at least not be hurt while tariff policies play out, even as the U.S. has become the world's largest oil-producing nation and the OPEC nations are looking to improve their fortunes. Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, revisits the CoinShares Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF — which he featured as ETF of the Week at the beginning of March and which gained 78 percent during the second quarter of 2025 — noting that miners and spot crypto funds serve different purposes in a portfolio, but that both are poised for more growth now. Melissa Stephenson discusses her research for Sudokubliss.com that looked at the theme parks that provide good value for your money while keeping lines short enough that complaints are few, and Chuck does a deep dive on the so-called "Trump accounts" that were created within the budget bill that was signed into law last week. These accounts give $1,000 to every baby born in the country to U.S. citizens between 2025 through 2028 — including the grandchild Chuck's daughter is expecting in August — and he talks about the benefits of the program (beyond the cash infusion) and compares it to other savings vehicles.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the CoinShares Valkyrie Bitcoin Miners ETF (WGMI) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.”

Jose Torres, senior economist for Interactive Brokers, says that the economy is about to get past tariffs — "the huge negative of the Trump policy mix" — and move to lighter taxation, milder regulations, subdued energy costs, rising factory production and, hopefully, rising employment as well," which creates a bullish outlook for the economy and the stock market into 2026. Torres says he expects the Federal Reserve to begin cutting rates this month and says the central bank has plenty of ammunition to fend off any recessionary pressures left while inflation gets through the initial tariff impacts. Torres noted that IBKR's forecast trader  suggests 25 percent odds that the Fed will trim this month, but he believes that's low and that the Fed has been too tight. Kyle Brown, chief executive officer at Trinity Capital, says government policies have been paying off for business-development companies as the private credit markets have seen a spike in demand as a result of the capital expenditures that American businesses are undertaking in order to achieve the government's near-shoring mandates. He says that private credit providers are well-positioned in the current rate environment, but also could benefit from rate cuts reducing costs. Plus Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, turns to a "dividend dogs" fund as his "ETF of the Week."

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” 

Victory Capital's Lance Humphrey walks through the VictoryShares ETF lineup and shares his perspective on the current market environment.  VettaFi's Kirsten Chang highlights key takeaways from the firm's Mid-Year Market Outlook Symposium, offering insight into how advisors are approaching portfolio...

David Goodsell, executive director of the Natixis Center for Investor Insight, discusses the firm's 2025 Individual Investor Survey, which shows that investors were so satisfied with the 20-plus percent gains of 2023 and '24 that they are expecting less this year, but they have only dropped their expectations from roughly 17 percent down to about 12 percent, and Goodsell notes that financial advisers sugest those numbers aren't realistic or responsible. Goodsell says he believes the market is heading towards "a new age of diminished expectations." Sociologist and author Juliet Schor discusses her latest book, "Four Days a Week: The Life-Changing Solution for Reducing Employee Stress, Improving Well-Being, and Working Smarter, leaning into whether the business community and the government could ever adopt a massive workplace change on a broad scale. Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, leans into current events to examine an advocacy fund with his ETF of the Week, and Chuck answers a listener's question about the "Buy, borrow and die" strategy a financial adviser is pitching to his friend's elderly, wealthy mother.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the JLens 500 Jewish Advocacy U.S. ETF (TOV) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.” 

VettaFi's Todd Rosenbluth joins host Nate Geraci to break down the top ETF stories shaping the first half of 2025. Astoria's Bruce Lavine dives into one of the industry's hottest topics: 351 Exchanges – what they are and why they...

Julia Hermann, global market strategist at New York Life Investments, says she is concerned about market volatility for the remainder of the year, especially as tariff impacts work their way further into the economy and as we see some resolution on their status. While tariffs pose the risk of creating an exogenous shock — precisely what Hermann worried about triggering a recession when she last visited the show in February — she says that recession risk now is actually lower than it was when trade policies were made public in early April. She also discusses the firm's 2025 MegaTrends report, which looks at global debt investing, talking about how deficit spending and other concerns will impact credit markets over the next decade.  Greg McBride, chief financial analyst at Bankrate.com, checks in ahead of today's Fed meeting and announcement on what he expects from central bankers for the remainder of the year and whether cuts — whenever they start — will have the classic result investors are clamoring for. Plus Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, makes a play on the market's recent momentum with his pick for the "ETF of the Week."

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the Invesco S&P 500 Momentum ETF (SPMO) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.”  Join us for our Midyear Market Outlook Symposium, where we'll talk through recent market action and explore opportunities in asset classes, styles, factors, and themes going forward. Register now here: https://www.etftrends.com/webcasts/midyear-market-outlook-symposium-2025/?partnerref=trends_nav

Mike Loukas, CEO of TrueMark Investments, weighs in on the growing debate over buffer products and highlights TrueShares’ innovative structured outcome ETFs.  VettaFi's Roxanna Islam covers a range of topics, including Schwab's fee cuts, Vanguard's multi-share class filing, the rise...

The AI trade is getting increasingly crowded and it's getting harder to sift out the next big winners. Well-known tech analyst Dan Ives, who just recently launched an ETF with his own name on the line, tells us how he's approaching it. Plus, Todd Rosenbluth, Head of Research at Vettafi, discusses how the rest of the ETF industry is slicing AI.    

Mitchel Penn, managing director at Oppenheimer & Co. — interviewed at the Active Investment Company Alliance BDC Forum in New York on Wednesday — says that credit losses for business development companies during the first quarter of 2025 were more than double the level they have been at for the last few years. He says some of that increase could be attributed to the market's reaction to government policies, but that it also could be that interest rates have stayed higher for so long now that they are starting to create credit-quality issues. He said BDCs can still deliver returns in the range of 9% moving forward, though he warned that an increasing number of business-development companies may struggle to earn their dividends, making it important for investors to be avoid simply chasing a high yield. Also from the BDC Forum, Bob Marcotte, president at Gladstone Capital Corp., discussed how government policies are encouraging business investment and capital expenditures which should create outstanding conditions for private credit, and therefore BDCs, to shine. Plus, Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, checks in with a short-duration Treasury fund that uses options to goose its yield as his ETF of the Week, and Chuck discusses the growing threat to investors and the economy from breakdowns and cuts impacting the way the country's economic statistics are tracked and maintained.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the NEOS Enhanced Income 1-3 Month T-Bill ETF (CSHI) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.”  Join us for our Midyear Market Outlook Symposium, where we'll talk through recent market action and explore opportunities in asset classes, styles, factors, and themes going forward. Register now here: https://www.etftrends.com/webcasts/midyear-market-outlook-symposium-2025/?partnerref=trends_nav

Carolyn McPhillips, President of MFDF, sheds light on the evolving role of ETF directors and their growing importance as investment products become more complex – particularly in emerging areas like crypto and private assets.  VettaFi's Zeno Mercer explores artificial intelligence...

Fidelity's Eric Granat and Christine Thorpe spotlight the Fidelity Hedged Equity ETF (FHEQ) and the Fidelity Total Bond ETF (FBND), while VettaFi's Todd Rosenbluth explores the rise of active ETFs, the impending ETF share class structure, and standout success stories...

Andy Wells, chief investment officer at Sanjac Alpha, says that investors might want to put a collar on their enthusiasm, whether that involves a hunger for interest rate cuts or double-digit stock market returns. In a wide-ranging Big Interview, he says that he doesn't expect the Federal Reserve to make rate cuts, notes that he thinks international stocks have profited from turmoil but are less promising for the future, and says that the domestic market — helped by a strong economy — should be able to hold marginal, single-digit gains for this year and have small gains moving forward for the next few years. Meanwhile, he says investors should lean into the money they can earn from bonds, while being cautious about long-duration paper. Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, leans into the strong international markets, picking an actively-managed Fidelity fund as his ETF of the Week. Plus Ted Rossman discusses a BankRate survey showing Americans' increasing disdain for the tipping culture and how they are fighting back against what they perceive as increased pressure to leave tips, and Chuck answers a listener's question about picking a spot bitcoin ETF.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the Fidelity Enhanced International ETF (FENI) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.”  Join us for our Midyear Market Outlook Symposium, where we'll talk through recent market action and explore opportunities in asset classes, styles, factors, and themes going forward. Register now here: https://www.etftrends.com/webcasts/midyear-market-outlook-symposium-2025/?partnerref=trends_nav

John Lekas, president and senior portfolio manager at Leader Capital Corp., says that focusing on the numbers rather than the headlines shows a market that has the potential to gain 5 to 10 percent before year's end, with solid gains in the bond market as well, particularly in collateralized mortgage obligations. Lekas says he's not worried about inflation remaining sticky because stocks often perform well during inflationary times; he thinks the dollar will get 10 percent weaker over the course of the year — and notes that the dollar is his primary worry — but he notes that the dollar's change is not convincing him to invest internationally. He's still sold on the domestic market, and says the currency volatility makes the international picture murkier and less attractive. Kelley Wright, editor at Investment Quality Trends, discusses value stocks for the long haul in the Market Call, and Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, leans into the changing market conditions by picking an active thematic rotation fund for his ETF of the Week.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the iShares US Thematic Rotation Active ETF (THRO) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.”  Join us for our Midyear Market Outlook Symposium, where we'll talk through recent market action and explore opportunities in asset classes, styles, factors, and themes going forward. Register now here: https://www.etftrends.com/webcasts/midyear-market-outlook-symposium-2025/?partnerref=trends_nav

SS&C ALPS Advisors' Paul Baiocchi dives into key ETF trends, from active and alternatively-weighted strategies to international and thematic ETFs.  VettaFi's Cinthia Murphy goes inside the world of S&P 500 ETFs, exploring several unique angles to the industry's flagship products.

Steve Sosnick, chief strategist at Interactive Brokers, says that investors appear divorced from fundamentals, buying dips, chasing rallies and generally hoping for a lot of things to go right as the market climbs "a huge wall of worry" and mostly ignores that earnings growth forecasts of 12 percent entering the year are now being predicted at about 7 percent. Sosnick expects interest rate cuts later this year, but notes that they will be made from a position of economic weakness, and he also thinks the stock market is much more likely to re-test its April lows — right after tariff policies were announced — than to set new record highs, noting that just the conditions that are clear and aren't muddled by uncertainty should make investors think "Buckle in for volatility." Just over a month after making an actively managed commodities fund the ETF of the Week, Todd Rosenbluth head of research at VettaFi, turns his focus back to commodities, this time highlighting an index-based option from Aberdeen Investments. Plus Chuck answers a listener's question about investing in private credit and why he has repeatedly questioned experts about the potential for trouble in that emerging investment arena, which those money managers routinely have downplayed in their answers.

VettaFi's Head of Research Todd Rosenbluth discussed the abrdn Bloomberg All Commodity Strategy K-1 Free ETF (BCI) on this week's “ETF of the Week” podcast with Chuck Jaffe of “Money Life.”  Join us for our Midyear Market Outlook Symposium, where we'll talk through recent market action and explore opportunities in asset classes, styles, factors, and themes going forward. Register now here: https://www.etftrends.com/webcasts/midyear-market-outlook-symposium-2025/?partnerref=trends_nav

Tidal's Mike Venuto discusses the latest in ETF innovation, from 351 conversions and the ETF share class structure to options-based strategies and leveraged products.  VettaFi's Kirsten Chang offers a tour around the world of fixed income ETFs, highlighting recent flows,...

Andrew Foster, chief investment officer at Seafarer Capital Partners — manager of the Seafarer Overseas Growth Fund — says emerging markets are poised to thrive in an environment where the dollar is weakening against not only foreign currencies but gold, Bitcoin and "a bag of Doritos." Foster says that the fundamentals are improving for emerging markets, which are showing the potential for a second consecutive year of 12 percent growth in earnings despite tariff and trade concerns. He says stronger stock profits combined with currencies getting stronger against the dollar is "a good setup" for investors looking to diversify a portfolio. Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, also talks international investing, going abroad — though to developed markets rather than emerging markets — with his pick for the ETF of the Week. Plus, Chuck talks about how investors might want to adjust portfolio fits — and follow the advice from recent guests — now that the market has bounced back and crossed into positive territory for the year, reversing the big drops that occurred when tariff policies were first announced.

Alexandra Levis, Founder & CEO of Arro Financial Communications, provides an in-depth look at how ETF issuers should think about approaching marketing.  VettaFi's Roxanna Islam breaks down some of the year's top-performing ETFs, from international plays to precious metals.

Economist Daniel Altman — who publishes the Daniel Altman's High Yield Economics newsletter — says that the Federal Reserve and its chairman Jerome Powell provided more certainty than the market was expecting on Wednesday by effectively confirming that fighting inflation, rather than unemployment, is Job One. That means interest rates will stay higher for longer, with cuts not occurring until late this year or into 2026. Altman worries about the potential for stagflation and says that the job market may be weaker than the numbers are suggesting, but he does believe the worst-case outcomes can be avoided with appropriate policy decisions. Charlie Ripley, senior investment strategist at Allianz Investment Management, says that the soft economic data like consumer confidence suggests that the economy is headed into a big slowdown, but the hard data isn't validating the biggest worries yet. Ripley says fundamentals remain strong, and that there are some plusses — like falling energy prices — that have been overlooked amid the dire headlines. Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, makes a brand new fund that is focused on hedge-fund activity his "ETF of the Week," noting the fund's potential for diversifying the average portfolio and for running against market trends.

Vanguard's David Sharp marks the firm's 50th anniversary, explores recent investor behavior, and highlights several new fixed income ETFs.  VettaFi's Stacey Morris analyzes the rollercoaster year for energy ETFs.

Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM, returns to Money Life today as the firm introduces the RSM US Recession Monitor — a comprehensive scorecard relying on more than 20 indicators to track the health of the economy — which is showing a 55 percent chance of recession, a danger level that Brusuelas says will go higher if current tariff and trade policies continue as announced. While he is optimistic about potential rollbacks in those policies, Brusuelas says the current conditions would be considered recessionary regardless of the party in power in Washington, but are exacerbated more by policy than they have been during times of recession triggers like an oil price shock.Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, brings a Pimco actively managed multi-sector bond fund back as the ETF of the Week, noting that the fund is a strong diversifier and can goose yields now, at a time when investors are looking for safe havens but might want bond managers to manage into the rapidly changing market conditions. Plus, more from the archives with investment legend Jack Bogle — who founded Vanguard 50 years ago today and who appeared on the show a decade ago talking about the firm's 40th anniversary; today's excerpts, culled from three different appearances on the show, include comments from 2016 on the first Trump Administration that stand up particularly well against the test of time.

Barry Ritholtz, Chairman and Chief Investment Officer of Ritholtz Wealth Management, breaks down the current market environment and discusses key ideas from his latest book, How Not to Invest.  VettaFi's Todd Rosenbluth offers highlights from the 2025 etf.com Awards.

Francisco Bido, senior portfolio manager at F/m Acceleration, brings his quant-active approach to the Market Call, but notes that mixing the numbers — the quantitative approach — with the art of active management leads him to want a well-diversified portfolio filled with well-known names that stay true to his core investment believes, the kind of thing he would be happy to ride with until there is more certainty and confidence in the market. Todd Rosenbluth, head of research at VettaFi, puts a different spin on that, noting that amid the current uncertainty investors may want to make a long-term allocation to ultra-safe funds, which is why he makes a floating rate Treasury fund his ETF of the Week. Plus Chuck talks about the wild day that gold had on Wednesday and what lessons investors can take from it, and Frederick Blue of Wells Fargo Wealth and Investment Management discusses "Guidance for Professional Athletes: Turning Years into Decades," a new white paper the firm produced that discusses how people can turn short-term windfalls into something more permanent and lasting.

BNY's Ben Slavin provides an in-depth look at recent ETF trading and flows, and unpacks the latest on the ETF share class structure and product innovation.  VettaFi's Kirsten Chang highlights five noteworthy ETF launches.