The Financial Exchange Show

This week, Todd Lutsky explains how to set up your estate to protect your beneficiaries after you have passed away. Todd also explains why selling property while still alive is not as helpful as leaving the properties for your beneficiaries.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the latest news on Trump tariffs on automakers, chips, and pharmaceuticals. Trump is scrambling global automakers reliance on America. US homebuilders raise the alarm over tariffs as sentiment falls to 5-month low. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss the world's most important market is sending warning signals. Those who fought for the Social Security Fairness Act are still waiting to see benefit increases. Why is there no relief ahead for high used-car prices? Republicans want lower taxes. The hard part is choosing what to cut. Restaurants warn of a weak first quarter, but say sales will pick up later this...

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss investors spotting signs of market froth during the long bull market. Can the Fed look past Trump's tariffs? With falling US sales, companies are trying to hit the sweet spot for prices. Cisco and IBM show old-school tech names can be AI winners too. What is Warren Buffett doing with his massive cash pile?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong explain why millennials are to blame for the rapid rise in single-family rents. Ted Rossman, Bankrate, stops by to share his insight into rising credit card debt. The jobs are there but America must now create the workers. Paul LaMonica from Barron's joins the show to chat about Palantir.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Trump's reciprocal tariffs and when they might go into affect. Does hot inflation numbers change the math on tariffs? Why did retail sales slump so hard in January? Apple and Google restore TikTok to app stores. How to avoid massive tax bills when raiding your retirement accounts. GameStop is considering investing in bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, source...

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane get into the Valentine's Day mood by wondering if being single is bad for the economy. Amazon is having a difficult time getting workers back to the office. High cost of living is driving residents to move out of Mass. Musk claims he will pull his bid to purchase OpenAI is the company remains a nonprofit. Hot CPI reignites stagflation fears. Here’s why that would be di...

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the Fed needing to do a lot of work to get inflation under control. Wholesale inflation rose 0.4% in January, much hotter than expected. Inflation helped Trump get elected. Now it's his problem to clean up. Federal workers are lucky the layoffs came now instead of last decade. The housing market is seeing more and more homes being pulled from listings. America'...

This week, Todd Lutsky explains why you need to understand the basic documents before beginning your estate planning. Todd also takes questions from listeners about handwritten wills, shared property, and why probate is such a problem.

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss US economic optimism isn't converting into hiring yet. Why are investors ignoring corporate profits beating projections. Is the Magnificent Seven so last year? Has the Dow Jones become useless? Ford's CEO says Trump policies might lead to layoffs. How Dave's Hot Chicken is beating rising labor costs. Chocolate prices are up 20%...happy valentine's!

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti react to the release of the CPI report that show inflation heating up more than expected. How are markets reacting to the hot inflation reading? Is inflation at risk of heating up even more throughout the year? Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss this week's inflation report and why it is especially important. Why fast food could be MAHA's next target. These six mistakes could get you audited by the IRS. China unveils 'silver trains' for aging tourists to keep economy on track. Could aging boomers rekindle the senior-housing market? Wholesale egg prices have 'blown way past' record highs.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the ongoing rivalry between Elon Musk and Sam Altman. Is Musk serious about trying to buy OpenAI? The EU pledges countermeasures against Trump's tariffs on metals. How a Canadian oil tariff would hit America's heartland. What did Jerome Powell tell the Senate at today's hearing about interest rates? China's Xi is building economic fortress against US pressu...

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss a coupel of recent surveys that show Americans willingness to pay higher taxes to save Social Security? Why are US consumers spending less at McDonald's? Transferring your credit card debt won't help pay it off. Even Disney is worried about the high prices of a Disney vacation. Trump wants to manage your investments.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss Trump's latest tariffs, this time a 25% on steel and aluminum. What is China's gameplan for a trade war with the US? Target US tech companies. Inflation is proving to be more sticky than thought. How will Powell answer questions this week on Capitol Hill? 2025 could be a renter’s market — but it won’t last, economists say. Trump tells the treasury to stop m...

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti explain how tariffs could and likely will increase the price you pay for insurance. State Farm was all in on California, until just before the fires hit. Amazon shares fall after sales outlook is weaker than expected. Tesla car sales in China fall over 11% as competition heats up. Bessent calms markets by leaving US dollar and debt plans intact. Paul LaMonica, Barr...

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti react to the job market data that shows the economy added just 143,000 jobs but unemployment fell to 4%. Is the job market weaker than what the data is showing? the University of Michigan sentiment survey shows US consumers feeling worse about inflation and tariffs. Will the job markets performance give the Fed the ammunition it needs to continue the rate cut pause...

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti explain why trying to trade the trade war is not the best idea. Should investors rethink the 'set-it-and-forget-it' strategy? Corey Adams, Regional President at Robert Half, joins the show to share how AI is helping companies hire, but does have its drawbacks. Has the 401(k) taken over too much of Americans retirement plans? Only 40,000 federal workers have accepte...

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss how earnings reports are impact marketing currently. Tesla's sales in Europe are falling fast adding to US troubles. What to look for in tomorrow's jobs report. Treasury Secretary Bessent says Trump wants lower ten-year yields, but not rate cuts. A heated debate breaks out over KFC and Taco Bell. How are Federal Reserve officials feeling about tariffs impac...

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the latest rejection by Nissan to create the world's 3rd largest automaker with Honda. Disney hits it big with Moana 2 and announces Disney+ will be centralized. China is targeting Apple yet again. Americans will spend a record amount of money on this year's Super Bowl. Why are the prices of eggs much higher in the Northeast?

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss why markets have been able to withstand the DeepSeek debut and China tariffs. Google's stock tumbles down off disappointing revenue growth. AMD takes a hit after giving questionable outlook for AI growth. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.

This week, Todd Lutsky explains how to begin your estate planning journey and why you need to understand the basics. Todd also takes questions about inheritance money in a trust and when cost basis comes into the equation.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss how a trade war will tighten the squeeze on the middle-class. Trump promised a cap on credit card interest rates, it seems hes getting some bipartisan support. Renters in these major cities are finally getting some relief. Has Musk gone a step too far? Ford is losing the race for EV dominance. Alphabet earnings could provide answers on AI and cloud concerns.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss China retaliating against the US, intensifying the trade war. How did markets react to the suspension of tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Are markets underestimating the tariff problem? As markets absorb tariff news, it’s a wake-up call for individual investors, or is it? Are millennials underestimating the need to fully prepare for retirement?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong share six key takeaways from a wild week in AI. Will Russia turn the gas back on now that Trump is in office? Mike shares his preview of the upcoming jobs report. What to expect from Scott Bessent as Treasury Secretary. Athletes are now getting endorsement deals before they can vote.