The Financial Exchange Show

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Assad's rule collapsing in Syria. Will this create another power vacuum in the middle east? Why Turkey is the country to watch during the Syrian government's transition. What are some of the most well-known B2B companies? Tik Tok creators are reacting to the potential ban on the app. Nvidia hit with China probe in global tech war escalation.

On the second hour of today's show, Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong recap the news of the day and also bring up recent articles regarding stock market forecasts and how pricey stocks are getting. Should you simply ignore these? Plus, with cars getting older, are repair bills bound to get higher? A retirement expert says...don't retire? Paul LaMonica talks Verizon.

On the first hour of today's show, Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong run through the November jobs report, which came in slightly better-than-expectations. What does this latest labor data point mean for the Fed in December and beyond? Plus, more chatter on the labor market including unemployment, those looking for jobs, and a certain age group raising concerns. And, breaking news regarding a possibl...

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the ongoing battle between Senators and Airlines over the use of junk fees. Sarah Foster from Bankrate joins the show to chat about workers that got raises in 2024. What are the challenges and joys of employing Gen Z workers? How can parents help their boomerang children without derailing their own retirement?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Jerome Powell's comments about the Fed having flexibility on the timing of future rate cuts. Initial jobless claims climb amid holiday volatility. Bitcoin soars past $100,000 on Trump's pro-crypto pick for SEC. DOGE's big ideas include ending remote work and daylight saving changes. France's government collapse does not signal European finicial crisis. Trump...

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane take a look at housing predictions for 2025. Will mortgage rates fall below 6% in 2025? Will home prices crash in 2025? Salesforce hits a record high as the company continues to ride the AI boom. Florida woman who led a nearly $200 million Ponzi scheme sentenced to 20 years in prison.

This week, Todd Lutsky details the current estate tax exemptions and where those exemptions are heading in 2025. Todd also takes questions from listeners about their personal estate planning needs.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss Jerome Powell's upcoming speech that could indicate the near future of rate cuts. Is the economy still inflated? Why you should be paying attention to the situation in South Korea. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss how the construction industry could be impacted by tariffs and deportations. China dials up tensions with the US over precious metals. Can the US ally with other countries upset with China's trade practices? Are Inte's problems too big to fix? Has AT&T finally given up on its media arms?

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the dollar dipping as traders refocus on the Fed's path. More workers are feeling stuck in their job. Can New York City lead the way for a US housing rebound? Is the Social Security Fairness Act irresponsible? Are you in need of Porch Pirate Protection?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong wonder if or when the US jobs market will rebound. The Fed's next big policy rethink needs rethinking. What Trumps next trade war could look like. Payment scams are surging. Banks need help. McDonald's inflation tug of war should worry more companies.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss stocks ending November with a bang. Upcoming economic data to indicate the strength of the US economy. Carlos Tavares steps down as CEO of Stellantis. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger is out. With discounts on offer, shoppers began to bite. Cyber Monday shoppers expected to set a record. As cash fades, small retailers embrace efforts to rein in swipe fees.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Wall Street’s previously most bearish bank now sees the S&P 500 hitting 6,500 in 2025. What Trump’s new tariff threats mean for the U.S. economy. Airlines are padding flight times. It’s not your imagination. Let’s all take a breath and get off the plane like Grown-Ups

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Fed minutes signal more caution on cuts if inflation progress stalls. Fed’s preferred inflation gauge rises to 2.3% annually, meeting expectations Inflation-Battered consumers are going to extreme lengths to nab holiday deals. Todd Lustky joins the show to share the pros and cons of gifting stocks.

This week, Todd Lutsky shares his list of pros and cons for gifting stocks. Todd also takes calls from listeners about their personal estate planning needs.

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss how Trump and Powell can co-exist and make sure they do no harm to the economy. What would need to happen for you to claim economic success for Donald Trump? US Airlines collected more than $12B from seat fees. Michael Santoli, CNBC, joins the show to chat about the current economic conditions. What can we do to make sure teenages have a better grasp of mon...

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss Trump's planned tariffs on Mexico, Canada, and China that could cripple trade. Trump fires salvo on North American trade pact. New home sales plunge 17% in October. Consumer confidence jumps to 16-month high as Americans see economy improving. Bessent will have to fix America's finances. Musk wants $2T of spending cuts.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the predictions that this Thanksgiving will be the busiest travel holiday ever. Airlines are betting on luxury travel for wealthier customers. What was Jaguar thinking with its rebrand? Opening weekends at the box office are starting to matter again. Why is Macy's delaying their earnings? Why Trump and Bernie's credit card plans might not work. 

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Trump's pick for Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, and why Wall Street is a fan of the selection. Republicans’ big tax challenge is fitting all their priorities in one bill. How markets have responded to deficits. Stubborn US inflation set to reinforce Fed’s go-slow approach. Connecticut couple carged in $1 million theft of Lululemon goods.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Fed's John Williams comments about inflation cooling and interest rates coming down. Ted Rossman, Bankrate, joins the show to chat about holiday shopping trends. Will mortgage rates and home prices go down next year? Paul LaMonica, Barron's joins the show to explain why investors love Live Nation even if consumers hate it. 

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss investors still trying to figure out the Trump market. Is Buffett's $325B cash pile a warning sign? Why is nobody listening? Trump has a plan for Treasury Secretary and Fed Chair. Automakes are hoping Trump continues existing policies on EVs. 73% of workers worry Social Security won’t be able to pay retirement benefits.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the idea that the S&P 500 is inflated by 25% because investors forgot about the fundamentals. Ivan Drury from Edmunds.com joins the show to chat about EV incentives. Target’s recent trade imports data tells the real story behind massive earnings miss. How are retirement rules changing under Trump? Thanksgiving meals are expected to be cheaper in 2024 as turkey...

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss Nvidia's earnings and how markets are reacting. Is the Trump stock euphoria starting to fade? Should Google be forced to sell off Chrome browser? Does TikTok get a new lease on life under Trump? According to Paul Lane, art is a scam.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss American companies stocking up to get ahead of Trump's China tariffs. Delta forecasts profit growth thanks to high-end travel and a resilient economy. To get the housing market moving, raise property taxes. What are the best US cities to retire to in 2025? Comcast announces $7B spinoff of NBCUniversal cable channels. Employers get pressure to pay for drugs like We...

This week on Ask Todd, Todd Lutsky explains why timing is very important when planning on gifting assets, issues when gifting property, if gifts are tax deductible, and managing inherited property.