On Investing

In this final episode of 2025, Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones reflect on a year marked by uncertainty and volatility in the markets. They discuss the ping-pong nature of policy changes, the resilience of the economy, and the impact of retail traders on market sentiment. Their analysis also touches on the speculation surrounding the next Fed chair and the mixed signals from recent job data.  On In...

What should investors expect from the U.S. economy next year? What will happen in the equities markets and fixed income markets? On this 2026 Market Outlook episode,  Liz Ann Sonders, Schwab's chief investment strategist, speaks with Kevin Gordon, head of macro research. Liz Ann and Kevin discuss their perspective on the direction of the U.S. economy and stock market. She and Kevin cover the K-sha...

This week Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones discuss the implications of a possible announcement of the next Federal Reserve chair nominee and market reactions to potential interest rate cuts. They also look at the dynamics of global central banks and explore the current state of the stock market, highlighting trends and dispersion among stocks. The discussion also covers upcoming economic data and t...

In this episode, Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss the latest stock market rotations and the Federal Reserve's evolving stance on interest rates. Then, Liz Ann Sonders is joined by  Peter Atwater . She and Peter delve into the concept of the  Confidence Map , exploring how confidence influences decision-making and risk perception in investing. They discuss the role of sentiment in investment...

In this episode, Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss some recent investor' questions involving credit risks, government debt, and the potential for an AI bubble.  Then, Mike Townsend, Schwab's Washington-based political analyst, joins the show to discuss the end of the government shutdown. He and Liz Ann and Kathy cover the provisions within the agreement to reopen the government, including th...

In lieu of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones discuss the latest jobs report from ADP. Liz Ann addresses some recent yips in the equity market related to earnings season, and Kathy speculates on what the latest economic data means for the Fed. They also analyze the shift towards sustainable investments and away from "zombie" companies, reflecting market churn...

Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones discuss this week’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and the latest interest rate cut. They also analyze some of the details of what is driving the Fed’s decisions in light of the government shutdown. Next, Kathy Jones is joined by  David Beckworth . Kathy and David discuss the complexities of the Federal Reserve's balance sheet, the broader implications...

This week, Collin Martin sits in for Liz Ann Sonders. Kathy Jones and Collin discuss the upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) report and the Federal Reserve's anticipated interest rate cut. They analyze the current state of the credit markets, particularly focusing on recent defaults and the implications for high-yield bonds. The discussion also covers the demand dynamics in private-versus-public c...

This week, Kevin Gordon fills in for Kathy Jones. Liz Ann Sonders and Kevin discuss the recent NABE conference and the current state of the markets in light of the government shutdown and recent tariff announcements. They explore the implications for earnings season, the potential impact of AI on productivity, and the challenges facing the labor market. They also cover the importance of upcoming e...

This week, Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones discuss the implications of the ongoing government shutdown and the impact on key economic indicators and market data. They analyze the current state of the bond and equity markets, the reliance on alternative data sources in the absence of government data, and the upcoming earnings season. Their conversation highlights the bifurcations in market performa...

In this episode, Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones begin by discussing the implications of the government shutdown on employment data and the Federal Reserve's dual mandate. They analyze the challenges posed by the potential lack of government data and the reliance on private sector indicators like ADP.  Then, Kathy Jones speaks with Joel Levington, who has more than 25 years’ experience in corporat...

Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders look at the state of the markets a week after the quarter-point Fed rate cut. They also discuss the implications of the lower rate for the broader market, the particular dynamics of the Federal Reserve's economic projections, and the current state of the labor market.  Next, Kathy speaks with  Robin Brooks , senior fellow in the Global Economy and Development Progra...

Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders analyze the market reactions to this week's quarter-point Fed rate cut. They also look at the implications of the lower rate for the broader market, the particular dynamics of the Federal Reserve's economic projections, and the current state of the labor market.  Then, Freya Beamish, chief economist for TS Lombard, joins Liz Ann in a discussion focused on tariffs an...

This week, Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones discuss the recent downward revision in job market statistics, the implications for the economy, and the likelihood of a rate cut next week. They analyze the broader economic context of the job revisions, the importance of indicators like the Producer Price Index, and the impact of global market volatility.  Then, Steven Meier joins the show. He is the De...

In this conversation, Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss the current state of the housing market, the implications of potential Fed policy changes, and the broader economic indicators that could affect market expectations. They explore the complexities of housing affordability, the yield curve, and the potential impact of this week's job reports on both the equity and bond markets. The discus...

This week, Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones discuss the implications of political pressure on the Federal Reserve, particularly regarding the administration's attempts to influence monetary policy. They explore the potential risks of increased political control over the Fed, the current state of the bond and stock markets, and the importance of economic indicators such as labor market reports and i...

Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones discuss the implications of the Federal Reserve's annual Jackson Hole meeting, focusing on monetary policy, labor market dynamics, housing market challenges, and the impact of tariffs on inflation. They explore how these factors influence economic indicators and the Fed's decision-making process moving forward.  Then,  Cooper Howard , director and fixed income strat...

In this episode, Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders dive into the latest economic data and its implications for the Federal Reserve's policy decisions. They analyze the recent Consumer Price Index (CPI) report and assess the risk of latent stagflation. They also examine the Fed's dilemma in considering a September interest rate cut, a possible 50-basis-point reduction, and ongoing labor market and in...

This week, Kevin Gordon fills in for Liz Ann Sonders while she is on vacation. Kevin and Kathy Jones discuss the current state of the markets, focusing on tariff implications, inflation concerns, labor market dynamics, and sector performance.  They explore how these factors influence investment strategies and the overall economic outlook, emphasizing the importance of understanding underlying tren...

On this week's episode, Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss equity earnings season, continuing tariff uncertainty, and the fate of embattled Fed Chair Jerome Powell—emphasizing the importance of an independent Fed to both the stock and bond markets. Then, Kathy Jones and Collin Martin dive into the dynamics of the leveraged loan market, highlighting the recent surge in issuance despite anticip...

In this week's episode, Kathy and Liz Ann discuss the June inflation data, its implications for the market, and the Federal Reserve's policy decisions. They explore the impact of tariffs on inflation, the rise in global yields, and the dynamics of the dollar. The discussion also touches on complacency, the influence of AI on the economy and the challenges facing stagnation in the housing market. ...

On this week's episode, Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss the bond market reaction to the new August 1 tariff deadlines—and what that means for potential Fed policy. They also examine the impact of servicing the national debt after the passage of the "One Big Beautiful Bill." Liz Ann looks at the upcoming earnings season, while also addressing concerns about economic indicators, inflation, a...

On this week's episode, Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss the current state of the markets amid geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the implications for oil prices and overall investor sentiment.   Then, Kathy Jones sits down with  Mike Townsend , Schwab's managing director of legislative and regulatory affairs, to discuss the evolving geopolitical landscape, particularly the U.S. i...

Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss recent unemployment data, the upcoming Fed meeting, and the performance of the Magnificent 7 stocks.  Then, Liz Ann Sonders and  Cameron Dawson , Chief Investment Officer of NewEdge Wealth, discuss the “muddiness” in the current economic data and the overall landscape, focusing on inflation, tariffs, consumer behavior, corporate margins, and the outlook for...

In this week’s episode, Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss the current state of tariffs and the ongoing trade war, the implications of budget bills on the economy, and insights into inflation and the labor market. They explore how tariffs are affecting economic indicators, the challenges in estimating tariff revenue, and the potential impact of upcoming economic reports on Federal Reserve pol...