The Financial Exchange Show

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss how markets kept calm through all the noise in the first half of the year. What are some of the concerns for the second half of the year. How is Trump's megabill helping the wealthy and hurting the everday American? US job openings unexpectedly rise in May, hiring falls. Powell confirms that the Fed would have cut by now were it not for tariffs. Homes are takin...

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss a shrinking housing could mean upheavel for buyers. Are summer jobs for teens fading away? Why are those in the 10% of earners still not feeling rich? Can a baby bonus really make Americans have more kids? Is Gen Z actually proving to be good at saving for retirement already?

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss Republicans fight it out on Trump’s tax megabill. Economists still don’t like Trump’s tax bill. How the tax bill gets passed is more important than the bill itself. Canada drops digital tax that infuriated Trump to restart trade talks. Fed versus Trump on tariffs impact will soon be put to the test. 

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss Fed driven bond rally stalling. Greg McBride, Bankrate Chief Financial Analyst, joins the show to chat about American recognizing but unable to act upon poor emergency savings. Student loan borrowers face ‘default cliff’ as late payments climb, report finds. Ted Cruz has a solution to fix the Fed. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, stops by to talk about Constellatio...

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss May PCE inflation data coming in higher than expected. The US and China reach a trade deal but questions still remain. Is Nike starting to correct course? Why investors should be cautious of buy-the-dip strategies.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss why presidents shouldn't interfere with the Fed and push for lower rates. How vibes became a nearly undefeated economic indicator. BlackRock deepens push into private investments for the masses. SPACs are back. What could go wrong this time? Fears over US debt load and inflation ignite exodus from long-term bonds.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the recent revision to GDP data coming in lower as consumer spending wanes. Jobless claims coming in lower than expected but unemployment rolls swell. Trump considers naming next Fed Chair early in bid to undermine Powell. College graduates face toughest job market in more than a decade as hiring slows. China is still choking exports of rare earths despite...

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss the S&P 500 nearing a new record high but trouble could be brewing under the surface. More Americans tap 401(k)s for emergencies according to Vanguard. Student loan delinquencies hit record as late payments pile up. A shrinking housing market means upheaval for buyers. Tesla’s EU sales slumped in May despite EV market growth. BP shares jump 8% on report it i...

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss Powell remaining steadfast in his wait-and-see approach to cutting rates. Is this time different for the economy? Bond investors remain hopeful despite deficits. Trump sends out a warning to the GOP on megabill. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains the process and benefits of putting your assets, including your property, into an irrevocable medicaid trust. Todd also explains the process of selling property in a trust.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss Trump putting Jerome Powell in a lose-lose scenario. Businesses face rising inflation due to tariffs. Will consumers get hit next? Annemarie Conte, Writer - Wirecutter, joins the show to chat about where companies are rising prices due to tariffs and why frontrunning prices has been a bad idea. Compass sues to stop Zillow ban. Gen Z has many reasons why they ar...

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the latest truce agreement between Israel and Iran after Trump lashes out at both sides. Powell remains steadfast in fight against ongoing inflation. US oil frackers make the correct call. An unsteady economy hasn’t shaken retail investors’ optimism about the stock market. Home sales rose in May but remain sluggish.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane wonder if ordinary investors are starting to sour on Big Tech. Mark Zuckerberg leads AI recruitment blitz armed with $100M pay packages. 401(k)s weren't built for the Gen Z economy. How high costs are ending America's love affair with cars. Will stablecoins dramatically impact the credit card business?

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane explain why it isn't too surprising that markets are not dropping and infact are rising after a weekend of conflict in the Middle East. Oil markets are worried about a potential closure of the Straight of Hormuz. Fed Governor calls for rate cut as soon as July. Don't be fooled by treasury yields. Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' gets slimmed down in the Senate. Buy Now, P...

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the US preparing action to target allies chip plants in China. Social Security's finances erode further, risking benefits cuts. Auto tariffs could raise the price of vehicles up by nealy $2,000 per. Waymo wants to bring its Robotaxis to New York City. Rice prices skyrocket in May. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to chat about Capital One and the risin...

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the Fed seeing higher inflation and slower growth ahead. While the Fed holds rates steady, Credit Card ARPs are still rising, why? What are stablecoins and why is congress pushing the Genius Act? US tariff spike hits China's small parcels. Masa Son pitches $1T US AI hub to TSMC and Trump.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the S&P 500 nearing a record. The biggest companies across America are cutting workforces. What are 'stupid' earnings reports and why are companies using them? Americans are passing by restaurants at levels similar to 2023. U.S. Steel ceases trading on the NYSE as Japan’s Nippon finalizes takeover.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the possible next phase of the Israel-Iran conflict and how the oil market is in a difficult position. The Fed is in a tricky spot managing rate cuts and expectations from Trump. Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his expertise on irrevocable trusts.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains how an irrevocable trust protects your money from nursing homes, are there any changes coming in the new tax bill, how often a trust should be reviewed, and the downsides of irrevocable trusts.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss young college graduates are facing an employment crisis. Mark Hamrick, Bankate, joins the show to share the results from a recent personal finance survey that looked at how tariffs are impacting them. How to draw down your retirement savings when the markets are gyrating. Credit scores for millions of student loan borrowers cratered. How the $1,000 'Trump a...

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss May retail sales dropping more than expected. Trump plays down Iran-Israel truce as he leaves G-7 early. Why the Fed isn't cutting rates despite cool inflation. What does the Federal Reserve actually do? Senate trims SALT, cuts more Medicaid in proposed changes to Trump megabill.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the confusion surround price increases and where the blame really lies. Joanna Stavins, Economist and Policy Advisor for the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, joins the show to chat about credit card delinquencies. New real estate math: half a million more sellers than buyers. A family of four needs how much money to live comfortably?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran and how the energy sector is under focus. Are supply chains in danger of cracking again? The Fed on hold leaves Wall Street asking what it will take to cut interest rates. Red vs Blue is dividing stock portfolios like never before. Nations head to the G-7 hoping to reach trade deals with Trump.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss where the inflation is from tariffs and why ecnomists are saying to just wait. The South is beating inflation, but not housing. Why is there an unexpected surge in people claiming Social Security? You electric bill is rising faster than inflation. Walmart and Amazon are exploring issuing their own stablecoins.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss stocks retreating as havens rally after Iran strike. US crude oil jumps more than 8% on the heelds of Israeli strikes. Consumer sentiment reading rebounds to much higher level than expected. The case for rate cuts is growing.