First Trust ROI Podcast

With midterm elections weeks away, First Trust Deputy Chief Economist Bob Stein joins the podcast for his final pre-election check-in.  Bob breaks down how rising populist rhetoric could reshape the midterm outcome, and what that means for markets, fiscal policy, and investors.  Bob also tackles two related topics on every investor’s radar: the political battle over the AI/data center buildout, an...

Gibson Smith, Founder and CIO of Smith Capital Investors, joins the podcast to unpack the forces reshaping fixed income today, including persistent inflation, a new Fed Chair, a shifting geopolitical backdrop, and the rise of debt financing for AI data centers.  Gibson then shares his outlook on the implications for portfolio positioning. -----------------------------------------------------------...

In this episode, Kevin Bishopp, performance coach at First Trust, channels Van Halen’s Best of Both Worlds to make the case that AI is already improving both the productivity of financial professionals and the client experience.  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Websi...

Brian Wesbury discusses the impact that the Trump administration’s immigration and trade policies have had on the economy so far, as well as how Keven Warsh is navigating the early stages of his term as Chairman of the Fed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  F...

In a world increasingly run by algorithms, is human connection still your biggest competitive advantage? Jackie Wilke joins the podcast to explore why authentic relationships remain a financial professional's greatest edge, even as automation reshapes the industry. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast...

Despite an ongoing war and shifting interest rate expectations, equity market performance favored small- and mid-cap stocks during the first half of 2026.  Bob Carey explains some of the reasons this shift has occurred and breaks down the risks and opportunities on the horizon. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI...

Surging electricity demand from AI data centers and industrial reshoring is driving renewed interest in nuclear power.  After years of contraction, the industry may be poised for expansion and reacceleration.  In this episode, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Nikki Hsu and Gabriela Privetera help us unpack some of the opportunities and obstacles that could shape nuclear’s comeback. -----------------------...

With the ongoing IPO market activity, Dr. Josef Schuster joins the podcast to discuss his research on the unique performance dynamics that often follow new listings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First T...

Mandeep Singh, global head of Technology Research at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins the podcast to provide an update on the growing impact of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge innovations. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Portfolios C...

Brian Wesbury discusses the implications of a new Fed Chair, how the conflict in Iran may impact inflation, and whether or not AI can make a pencil. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Fol...

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a disruptive force in the economy, as investors race to identify companies and industries that could be disintermediated.  Brian Murphy, Co-CIO of First Trust Capital Management, breaks down the implications for private credit, including potential risks and opportunities for investors. --------------------------------------------------------------------------...

Investors have been on edge this year, as mounting concerns related to geopolitical risk, interest rate risk, and credit risk have contributed to rising volatility.  Bill Housey provides his prospective on where investors are and are not being adequately compensated for taking risk. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the...

Jim Murchie joins the podcast to break down how the war in Iran may impact the energy sector as well as the misunderstood relationship between AI data centers and consumer utility bills. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Portfolios Connect with us...

Bob Stein discusses the economic impact of the war in Iran, whether high energy prices will cause inflation, and how the upcoming midterm elections are shaping up.  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Tr...

Gibson Smith, founder of Smith Capital Investors, discusses emerging risks and opportunities in the bond market amid heightened geopolitical risk, a new Fed Chair, and a fresh wave of borrowing for the buildout of AI. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First T...

Jackie Wilke discusses how artificial intelligence is being leveraged by financial professionals to improve productivity and “level up” the client experience. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust Li...

On the heels of a strong year for international equities in 2025, Andrew Wiechert, Portfolio Manager at WCM Investment Management, breaks down why developed and emerging markets remain positioned to benefit from attractive valuations and improving fundamentals in 2026 and beyond. He highlights the risks and also some of the potential competitive advantages enjoyed by active managers seeking to nav...

Dave McGarel highlights why sky-high valuations in 2026 are like lingering too long at the summit of Mount Everest oxygen is thin and small mistakes can lead to dire consequences.  He explains the key risks ahead and points to where he sees more attractive, lower altitude opportunities for equity investors. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------...

In this episode, Brian Wesbury discusses his recent testimony on Capitol Hill, First Trust’s economic outlook for 2026, and implications of overvalued markets. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust L...

Will the stock market finally broaden?  Are valuations stretched?  Will momentum stall for AI-related stocks?  Richard Bernstein provides his perspective on these questions and others, laying out risks and opportunities for investors for 2026. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Mar...

At the precipice of a new year, Bob Stein discusses the implications of a probable new Fed Chair, the possibility of a Supreme Court ruling against tariff policies, and the odds for mid-term elections. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Portfolios...

Will AI replace—or empower—financial advisors?  Performance coach Kevin Bishopp shares how financial professionals are already leveraging AI tools, potential risks ahead, and new opportunities to thrive in an AI era. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Tr...

Strider Elass, Senior Economist at First Trust, joins the ROI Podcast to discuss tariff turbulence, DOGE’s spending purge, AI’s productivity potential, and what drove (and dragged) the US economy in 2025. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Portfoli...

Bob Carey discusses some of the biggest questions on the minds of financial professionals heading into the final stretch of 2025, including whether or not investors should be afraid of higher equity valuations. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Po...

In the wake of underperforming municipal bonds this year, portfolio managers Bill Housey and John Wilhelm of First Trust highlight why they believe fresh opportunities for tax-free investors have emerged.  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website:  First Trust Portfol...