The Financial Exchange Show

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss this week's economic data releases continue to point away from a recession. Mortgage rates were supposed to be coming down, but they're rising instead. Can Netflix keep flexinf its pricing muscle? CVS can't seem to cure what is ailing it.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong explain why some feel like it is getting harder and harder for Americans to join the middle class. Mark Hamrick from Bankrate joins the show to discuss what Americans top economic issues are heading into the election. Key change coming for 401(k) 'max savers' in 2025. Meta fires staff for abusing $25 meal credits. Uber explored takeover bid for Expedia.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong react to the latest economic data, retail sales and jobless claims coming in better than expected. Treasury yields spike after retail sales and jobless data point to strong economy. Holiday online shopping will surge, according to Adobe. Haven't worked at the same place for ten years? You are not alone. Fed stuck on six-week data cycle when investors want a forecast.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss why ASML shares plunged yesterday. Can Nvidia continue to dominate Big Tech's earnings seasons? What the big three banks are telling us about consumer spending. Lower oil prices are good for consumers — but a bad sign for the global economy. How the U.S. economy became so hostile to parents — and who benefits. Savers are already missing those high yields.

Todd Lutsky shares how you can reduce your estate taxes on your assets in retirement accounts. Todd takes questions from listeners about their estate planning needs.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss if the stock market is too expensive right now. Will holiday sales growth rebound in an abnormal year? Would a strong job market stop the Fed from more rate cuts? Todd Lutsky joins the show to chat about reducing estate tax burdens.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss an opinion piece from Bloomberg that explains why Jerome Powell is not the greatest Fed chair ever. Corey Adams from Robert Half joins the show to share the companies 2025 salary guide. The battle between dockworkers and robots isn't over. High home prices force builders to offer mortgage buydowns. Low-cost airlines have one job. They're failing at it.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss Bank of America and Goldman Sachs beat on estimates do to investment banking and stock trading. Can the stock market keep going up? Market watches think so. Long-term treasury yields are rising. Election jitters are working against the Fed's rate cut. Boeing to sell at least $10B in shares to plug cash drain.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss where interest rates could be heading. Homeowners haven’t drained cash out of their houses this fast since 2008. Why are countries finding it so difficult to raise the birthrate? Why is the Apple headset finding it so hard to attract apps? Starbucks tries a new approach under the new CEO.

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss markets looking beyond Big Tech in this earnings season. Soft or hard landing? Bank results are showing a path to no landing. Boeing to cut 10% of workers amid ongoing strike. Why social security matters to young people, not just retirees. Big-cap bull market turns two, leaving small-cap stocks further behind. China keeps the world guessing on the size of stimulus...

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti take a look at the most important question when leading up to an election. Are you better off than you were four years ago? Are you frustrated with your boss? Blame inflation. Tesla's Robotaxi event fails to impress and investors are showing it. Is Boeing is real danger of being downgraded to 'junk'? Why are Linkedin users so desperate? Paul LaMonica joins the show...

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss JPMorgan and other banks reporting earnings with better than expected results. Fed officials seem split on what the latest inflation data means for future rate cuts. The 2-year-old bull market has just done something that shows it has further to run. Why has the election frozen Wall Street?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the latest developments in the Austin and Dallas housing markets. Groceries are more affordable now than in 2019. So why are people still so mad about prices? Social Security Administration announces 2.5% cost-of-living adjustment for 2025, lowest increase since 2021. Own ‘Junk’ in your retirement portfolio? It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Porch Pirates are s...

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong react to the release of the CPI report that came in slightly higher than expectations. US jobless claims jump to 258,000, the most in more than a year. Analysts point to Hurricane Helene. The Federal Reserve’s interest-rate panic is creating a windfall for retirees. Florida begins to assess the devastation from Hurricane Milton. Delta’s guidance misses estimates afte...

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss JPMorgan kicking off bank earnings this week and what we should know as more banks report. The federal deficit hit $1.8T for 2024. Why does congress not care about the deficit? Boeing withdraws contract offer as union talks break down. The battle over robots at US ports is on. Home Depot orders corporate staff to take 8-hour retail shifts.

Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his insight on naming beneficiaries in your IRA. Todd also takes calls from listeners about their estate planning needs.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the potential economic impact of the back-to-back hurricanes hitting Florida. What happens to Google if they are forced to breakup? Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his insight on naming beneficiaries in your IRA. Todd also takes calls from listeners about their estate planning needs.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong wonder if today's tax credits will get more EV adoption in the US. For retirees, here’s what to do with required withdrawals when you don’t need the money. Will the US Gov't be successful in breaking up Google? Why is saving for retirement so difficult for younger generations. Americans are using AI at fairly high rates. What does this mean for the economy?

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong wonder how much longer the bull market can last. Will Fed cuts be more balanced moving forward? The next Social Security COLA increase won’t be enough to solve Florida's crisis. Why is the Tampa area so vulnerable to hurricanes? Fears of a global oil shock rise. Voters in November could set a higher minimum wage for tipped workers in Massachusetts.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the Florida migration being undone. Third-quarter earnings are upon us. So are worries of slower growth. Carrying a credit-card balance has gotten way more expensive. Americans are spending more time at home. A trend that started well before the pandemic.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss America's jobs market entering the twilight zone. Bond traders buckle up for 'no landing' after jobs surprise. How long can the economy's 'goldilocks' moment last? Homeowners hit by Helene are in for an insurance claim shock. The battle over the Halloween craze that won't die.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong explain why retailers have no room for error this holiday season. Why are pandemic-era startups thriving and driving the economy? Why are oil prices not reacting to conflicts in the middle east? Paul LaMonica from Barron's joins the show to discuss AT&T's recent moves away from the tv business.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong breakdown the jobs report that came out this morning which showed much better than expected results. Fed seen slowing rate cut pace after strong US jobs data. Middle-class wages aren’t keeping up. Some economists say policy is suppressing pay growth. US ports reopen after dockworkers end strike.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss OpenAI's eye popping fund raising and valuation. Boeing's frail finances give strikers all the power. Striking dockworkers are top earners...when they work. Private equity will trigger a child care crisis. Lina Khan gets punched back. Boston sets new rules as it prepares to dole out liquor licenses.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the Fed and markets waiting for Friday's jobs report. Former Fed Chair explains how he got his hard landing prediction so wrong. Mortgage rates near 6% are enough to start up a refinancing wave. Why the conflict between Iran and Isreal has raised oil prices modestly.