Signal or Noise?

Charlie and Peter are joined by noted Wall Street Journal columnist and Creative Planning Director of Education Jonathan Clements to discuss 10 valuable lessons handpicked from his many contributions to the world of personal finance. Plus, learn how you can contribute to Jonathan's charitable Getting Going on Savings Initiative while furthering your own financial education.

On this episode, Charlie and Peter examine how the bill recently passed by the House could further impact the national deficit and why addressing spending patterns is crucial for long-term fiscal health.

With Warren Buffet announcing he’ll be stepping down as the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway at the end of this year, Charlie and Peter discuss seven new lessons we can glean from his legacy. Plus, we’ve seen one of the most significant market rebounds in history since the bear market low in April. Is it a signal or just noise?

With much debate still surrounding whether we’re heading into a recession, Charlie and Peter give their thoughts and share five tips for investing in the face of an economic downturn. Plus, is the international stock surge a signal or just noise?

Tariffs may grab headlines, but what’s the real story for investors? In this episode, Charlie and Peter cut through the noise to dive into the ripple effects of trade tensions on the markets — what investors should watch in both the short and long run. Plus, they discuss the recent slide in the U.S. dollar index and what it could mean for your portfolio.

Amid this week's tariff-induced market volatility, Peter and Charlie share their bear market playbook for long-term investors, addressing market timing, tax-loss harvesting and rebalancing opportunities. 

As markets respond to the administration’s sweeping tariff announcements, Peter and Charlie break down the details. Their discussion covers the basics of how tariffs work, the realities of implementing widespread tariffs, whether tariffs can effectively bring jobs back to the U.S., and potential economic outcomes.

As we endure the 30th market pullback of more than 5% since the March 2009 low, Charlie and Peter take this opportunity to discuss the ins and outs of market corrections and provide you with a checklist of five things to think about each time the market experiences a correction.

On this episode, Charlie and Peter discuss one of the most important fundamentals of investing and the one constant for investors: risk. Without it, there can be no reward. Plus, they explain how corrections are completely normal and how you can go from being a good investor to a great investor by seizing opportunities during times of volatility.

On this episode, Charlie and Peter answer several questions they've received regarding the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), including whether DOGE cuts may tip the U.S. into a recession. Plus, an update on meme coin mania and a good reminder of why a diversified portfolio remains a sound investment strategy.  

When it comes to investing, it’s not just knowing what you own but also why you own it. On this episode of Signal or Noise, Charlie and Peter discuss this and other valuable lessons from investor and philanthropist Peter Lynch, whose common sense investing wisdom should be a foundation of your wealth strategy. Plus, get Charlie and Peter's take on all the tariff talk. Is it a signal or just noise?

On this episode of Signal or Noise, Charlie and Peter discuss five lessons learned from investor and author Howard Marks, whose writings are widely admired in the investment community. They'll share how Mark's lessons are practical advice that should be considered when evaluating your investing strategy, including how there's no such thing as a sure bet. Plus, get Charlie and Peter's take on the r...

On our first episode of 2025, Charlie and Peter discuss five key questions shaping the current economic and financial landscape. Together they offer insights into potential market trends, investment strategies and economic indicators to watch as you navigate the complexities of the new year. They wrap with a Signal or Noise rewind and their thoughts on whether high investor optimism is a signal or...

On the final episode of Signal or Noise for 2024, Charlie and Peter switch things up by sharing 10 lessons from entrepreneur and investor Naval Ravikant on how to get rich without getting lucky. They explore the connections between wealth, money and status and discuss the importance of owning equity to compound wealth — a principle that extends beyond finances. Charlie and Peter also discuss the p...

On this episode of Signal or Noise, Charlie and Peter share seven key lessons from 2024, offering their insights on annual returns, price targets, diversification, the value of time and more. They also have a lively discussion on the new national debt record of $36 trillion. Is it a signal or just noise? 

With the election decided, many are wondering what the results could mean for taxes, government spending, the economy and more. On this episode of Signal or Noise, Peter and Charlie discuss eight major policy areas and what impact they may have on your finances before closing with a review of post-election market moves — are they a signal or just noise?

With the market hitting all-time highs and another round of rate cuts on the horizon, the common denominator is the diminishing value of the dollar. Charlie and Peter discuss this topic before making good on their promise from last episode, sharing their thoughts on how to avert a debt crisis (spoiler alert: the answer isn’t taxes). They close with their perspective on mass media influence and dis...

Baseball playoff banter sets the stage for investment advice from Charlie and Peter, where they outline five critical tips for investors to punch above their weight: starting early, generating tax alpha, owning assets, avoiding trends and extending time horizons. They also discuss the U.S. national debt and the impact of AI before educating viewers on tight credit spreads, ultimately determining w...

In this episode, Charlie and Peter explore the widespread economic ripple effects of the dock strike, which could have cost the U.S. economy up to $4.5 billion per day. The real issue isn't compensation — it's job automation, a disruption that could reshape the industry in the long run. They also dive into the Fed's rate cut, housing market shifts and why America can't sustain a "two-economy" divi...

But has it? This famous quote gets challenged by Charlie and Peter as they discuss the importance of maintaining a diversified portfolio and avoiding attempts to outsmart the market. Plus, with the presidential election looming, they discuss the historical relationship between administrations and market performance, including why it doesn't matter which party wins. The episode wraps up with a look...

Do you know the number one way Americans become millionaires? Charlie Bilello gets Peter Mallouk’s insider take on this topic and on a couple of recent tweets, leading to an economic lesson and a lively discussion about communism, food prices and taxing the wealthy. They conclude by considering the record U.S. household allocation to stocks — is it a signal or just noise?

There’s an elephant in the room that keeps growing — but no one wants to talk about it. On this episode of Signal or Noise, Charlie Bilello and Peter Mallouk discuss the $35 trillion national debt, which Peter views as the biggest threat to the U.S. economy and Western civilization. They also cover concentrated stocks and eliminating taxes on tips and Social Security income before wrapping up with...

With all that’s happening in the market, you’ll want to tune in to this episode of Signal or Noise as Charlie Bilello and Peter Mallouk share how long-term investors can embrace panic. They also cover the impending rate cut, a costly rollover mistake and a new topic to show — love, marriage and bank accounts. They end with a signal or noise you may be familiar with: using bonds as a hedge. 

Is Now a Good Time to Rebalance?

Gaining an awareness of cognitive biases is just the first step. Overcoming these biases is the real challenge — don’t let them negatively impact your investment success! Join Peter Mallouk and Charlie Bilello as they explore these biases as well as their impact, why investors often fall prey to them and practical solutions for overcoming them. Additionally, learn about the latest changes in 401k...