The Financial Exchange Show

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the sudden jump in oil prices on Trump's Russia sanctions. Tesla profit plunges as Musk turns focus to robot army. Argentina's make-or-break moment. The US struggles to break out from China's grip on rare earths.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains federal and state level estate taxes and how to navigate around them to lower your tax bill. Todd also takes a call from a listener about moving retirement funds to a Roth IRA.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the reasons why the US is getting involved in Argentina and what role China has to play in all this. What are the economic impacts if the shutdown drags on? Why has insurance rates skyrocketed since 1980? The AWS outage had broader impacts on daily life than most believe.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss how American corporations are crushing it and it's not just tech companies. Gold suffers its worst rout in twelve years. Is the rally over? Todd Lutsky (Cushing & Dolan) joins the show to chat about navigating around federal and state level estate taxes.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti explain why you shouldn't trust a publication that has the answers to protecting your portfolio. Apple stock hits new record on report of strong iPhone sales. Understand required minimum distributions. Andrew Ross Sorkin (CNBC, NYTimes, and author of 1929) joins the show to chat about today's economic conditions vs those in the 1920s.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss GM raising their outlook as strong truck demand dulls tariff pain. The day Amazon broke the internet for millions of Americans. US banks are hunting for collateral to back $20B Argentina bailout. If the economy is good, why do some Americans feel like everything is falling apart? Gold slumps most in four years as record-breaking rally cools.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss what US inflation data could show when it is finally released. Annemarie Conte (Wirecutter) joins the show to chat about navigating around tariffs for your holiday shopping. Companies are blaming AI for job cuts. Critics say it’s a ‘good excuse’. When do Roth conversions make sense for older people? Restaurants are pitching water on fine dining menus. The bes...

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the warning signs lurking beneath this record market. Where does this market stack up to the late 90's and late 2010's? AWS outage impacts hundreds of companies. Trump's demands for resumed trade talks with China. What is the killer combo slamming the auto industry?

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss explain why people shouldn't bo overly surprised that markets have so far defied inflation and tariffs. Banks’ strong earnings leave investors digging deeper for trouble spots. Small businesses are being crushed by Trump’s tariffs and economists say it’s a warning for the economy. Honda wants you to teach its new robot lawnmower. Paul LaMonica (Barron's) joins...

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the three ongoing stories that should be concerning for investors.  New credit fraud fears raise more worries about regional banks. Investors warn on leveraged loan risks after First Brands collapse. Most Americans are falling behind in saving for retirement. The auto industry is panicking about another potential chip shortage. Oil prices drop to the lowest lev...

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 do...

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. 

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane share three exaggerations about the US economy right now. ChatGPT will soon allow erotica for verified adults. The rest of the world is following America's retreat on EVs. What are the recession signs to watch for? Netflix jumps into podcasts with Spotify deal.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss China, betting it can with a trade war, is playing hardball with Trump. Powell keeps the Fed on track to lower rates again this year. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd. This week, Todd explains why gifting real estate is almost always a bad idea.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains why gifting real estate is generally a bad idea with few exceptions. Why gifting real estate to beneficiaries will cost them big time.

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?

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.

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 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 sto...

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...

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...

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...

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 c...

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the new Wall Street trade that is powering gold and hitting currencies. Why it doesn't take much for gold to move up. Is it time to brace for a market melt-up? Homeowners are pouning on the tiniest drop in mortgage rates. Is the bankruptcy of First Brands reminding anyone of 2007?

This week, Todd Lutsky explains when it makes sense to include gifting assets in your estate plan. Todd also takes questions from the audience about switching from revocable to irrevocable, withdrawing money from a bank account in a trust, and selling inherited property.