The Real Investment Show (Full Show)

For decades, the 60/40 portfolio—stocks and bonds—served as the foundation of balanced investing. Lance Roberts and Michael Lebowitz examine the growing global forces reshaping markets. While Wall Street has remained fixated on AI hyperscalers, major developments abroad are increasingly driving returns and risk. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Inflation Report Preview - Where's the Fed's Soft Landing? 3:05 -...

Today’s Q&A Wednesday is driven entirely by live YouTube chat questions, covering the market topics investors are most focused on right now. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff address real-time concerns around market volatility, Federal Reserve policy, interest rates, inflation, portfolio risk, asset allocation, and year-end positioning—without hype or speculation. This interactive session is designed...

As the year comes to a close, young investors have a unique opportunity to make small moves that can compound into meaningful long-term results. In this episode, we walk through a practical, end-of-year checklist designed for early-career investors who want to stay organized, tax-aware, and financially disciplined. Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn cover how to confirm you’re capturing all available e...

Everyone has financial ghosts—old decisions, forgotten expenses, or long-ignored habits that creep back into the present and shape our financial lives. In this episode, we explore three practical strategies to tackle your financial ghosts, reduce money stress, and build a healthier long-term financial foundation. Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty break down how to evaluate your household debt-to-in...

The Federal Reserve cut rates by a quarter point Wednesday, but the real story is the division behind the decision. For the first time since 2021, three Fed governors dissented--an uncommon break in policy unity that raises new questions about inflation progress, economic risk, and the path of monetary policy into 2026. Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz explain why the Fed cut now, what the dissent...

Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff review the growth outlook for the AI sector, the power-cost assumptions built into datacenter models, the economic effects of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and the $125 billion in tariff revenue collected this year—along with what tariffs really contribute to inflation. Additional topics include how to read 2x–3x standard deviations using Bollinger Band concepts, whic...

Debt can reshape a family, fracture relationships, and derail financial goals — especially when fraud or addiction is involved. Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn address the importance of protecting your credit and financial future, and share four “good enough” financial moves to simplify money management without sacrificing results...strategies to cut through the noise and help you stay on track with...

Lance Roberts looks at both sides of the Market Cycle—the bullish liquidity-driven momentum and the bearish fundamental weaknesses. With support and resistance levels tightening around the S&P 500, and the Fed meeting, economic data, and major earnings directly ahead, investors must prepare for a market that could swing in either direction in 2026. 0:00 - INTRO 0:18 - Markets Set up for Santa Clau...

Is the era of Fed groupthink finally coming to an end? For over a decade, the Federal Reserve has operated under a powerful consensus framework—one where dissent has been rare and the Chair’s view has dominated policy outcomes. But shifting politics, rising dissenting votes, and increasing disagreements among FOMC members may signal a new regime change at the Fed. Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz...

What exactly are Trump Accounts, and who qualifies under the new expansion backed by Michael and Susan Dell’s $6.25 billion donation? Lance Roberts and Danny Ratliff break down how the Dell Deal works, which families benefit, and why this initiative could reshape financial planning for millions of children. If you’re a parent, grandparent, or financial planner, this is essential information about...

Welcome to our LIVE Q&A session! Lance Roberts is taking your questions directly from the YouTube live chat—covering markets, investing, retirement planning, inflation, interest rates, the Federal Reserve, portfolio strategy, risk management, and your personal finance questions. No scripts, no agenda—just real-time answers based on data, history, and risk-focused investing principles. 0:00 - INTRO...

Most investors fear bear markets—but history shows they play a critical role in building future returns. In this episode, Lance Roberts explains why market declines are not only normal, but necessary for long-term financial success. We break down how bear markets reset valuations, reduce speculation, improve forward returns, and provide disciplined investors with better long-term outcomes. Instead...

Not all Roth conversions are created equal — and new research shows a clear winner. Richard Rosso breaks down a study that modeled hundreds of thousands of retirement scenarios to determine which Roth conversion strategy performs best over a 10-year period: • Staying in a traditional IRA/401(k) and taking RMDs • A one-time Roth conversion • A gradual, multi-year conversion strategy We examine how...

How does the Federal Reserve actually supply liquidity to the financial system? And why have markets become so dependent on the Fed since 2008? Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz break down the complete Fed liquidity toolkit—from QE and QT to the Standing Repo Facility, IORB, ON RRP, OMO, and the Discount Window—and explain why these tools create the “floor and ceiling” of overnight rates. 0:00 - IN...

Choosing between a company pension and a lump-sum payout is one of the biggest financial decisions many pre-retirees will ever face—especially for workers in industries facing layoffs or restructuring, like the major oil companies in Houston right now. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff break down the key factors to consider when comparing a lifetime pension annuity versus taking a lump-sum distributio...

Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn tackle two of the biggest gaps in financial education: How to actually use RSI, MACD, Money Flow, and MACD Histogram together, and why post-retirement planning (the “decumulation” phase) is so overlooked—yet absolutely critical. Lance and Jon break down the mysteries of indicator interplay, retirement income strategies, and how to evaluate who you can trust with your...

Full market cycles matter more today than at any point in the last 15 years. Lance Roberts breaks down why valuations, history, and market structure all point to a simple truth: Every bull market is only half the story. The other half is the bear. Lance's approach isn’t bullish or bearish. It’s risk-focused. Your job as an investor isn’t to predict the next crash—it’s to avoid catastrophic losses...

Open Enrollment season is here—and it’s one of the most overlooked financial opportunities employees have all year. In this episode, we break down the biggest mistakes people make when reviewing their employer benefits and how to approach your plan as if you were a brand-new hire. Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty tackle the smart way to choose health insurance, whether young workers really need li...

The scent of QE is back. With overnight funding markets flashing early stress and NY Fed President John Williams hinting at “gradual asset purchases,” it’s clear: the liquidity cycle is turning again. But the real question is why markets have become so dependent on the Fed in the first place. Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz break down how the 2008 financial crisis fundamentally rewired market plu...

Most retirement advice focuses on saving and not running out of money — but few talk about how to spend confidently once you’ve achieved financial independence. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff show how to shift from saving mode to living mode without fear or guilt: Why it’s okay to enjoy what you’ve earned How to enjoy your wealth without overspending The emotional side of leaving the “accumulation”...

Generational money lessons never go out of style. In this episode, we revisit Depression-era financial wisdom — simple, hard-earned truths that built resilient families and lasting wealth. From living below your means to marrying a saver and learning practical skills, these principles have guided generations through both prosperity and hardship. We’ll share 12 timeless money lessons that can help...

Markets have rocketed higher for six straight months — but how long can it last? Hedgefund Telemetry founder, Tom Thornton joins Lance Roberts to unpack the forces driving this “Rocket of a Stock Market.” From AI euphoria and sector rotation to passive indexing risks and the Fed’s impact on valuations, we dig into what’s really happening under the surface. 0:18 - INTRO 2:50 - The Rocket of a Stock...

RIA Advisors’ Financial Guardrails are timeless principles for building lasting wealth and protecting your financial future. Richard Rosso, CFP®, shares insights from decades of experience helping investors avoid common pitfalls and build financial wellness that lasts generations. From annuities and debt control to emotional investing and realistic return expectations, these guardrails are designe...

Nvidia just took a $1 billion stake in Nokia—and Nokia plans to spend that money buying Nvidia’s own AI chips. It’s not the first time. Nvidia’s done similar deals with OpenAI, CoreWeave, and xAI, fueling record demand for its GPUs. But is this smart strategy—or circular financing? Some call it vendor financing, others say it’s round-tripping—a tactic that helped inflate the dot-com bubble two dec...

Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) can create unexpected tax burdens and impact your retirement income strategy if you’re not prepared. In this episode, we break down six smart financial moves to make before RMDs begin at age 73, so you can stay in control of your taxes, income, and investment strategy. Whether you’re approaching RMD age or helping a parent prepare, this episode gives you the t...