The Real Investment Show (Full Show)

College planning season is here — and the last quarter of 2025 brings critical deadlines for students and parents. Jonathan Penn and Sarah Buenger break down what you need to know about FAFSA, scholarships, and smart funding strategies for higher education. 🎓 Topics Covered: Applications: Why applying to multiple in-state schools boosts negotiating power. FAFSA 2025–26: Key deadlines, why it’s re...

The Federal Reserve’s latest move has investors asking: Is policy turning more accommodative or staying restrictive? Lance Roberts and Michael Lebowitz decode the Fed’s decision, cut through the jargon, and explain what it means for markets, rates, and your money. We’ll cover: What the Fed actually signaled last week The difference between accommodative and restrictive policy How markets typically...

9-24-25 Strange Recession Signals - What Markets & Odd Indicators are Telling Us by Lance Roberts

Not all financial advisors are created equal. Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn break down the biggest red flags you should watch out for before trusting someone with your financial future. From hidden fees to pushy sales tactics, we’ll show you how to separate the pros from the pretenders. Whether you’re interviewing a new advisor or reviewing your current one, these insights will help you protect yo...

Are markets set to keep climbing, or are we staring down the next pullback? Lance Roberts breaks down the bullish vs. bearish case for stocks, exploring what could fuel the rally—and what risks could trip it up. From the Federal Reserve’s latest moves, to earnings trends, market breadth, and money flows, we’ll cover the key factors driving sentiment. Whether you lean bullish or bearish, this analy...

From the Fed’s next move to the outlook for gold and gold miners, Axel Merk, CEO of Merk Investments, shares with Lance Roberts his take on today’s biggest market risks: The largest jobs revision ever, the Fed’s lagging response, why active management beats passive distortions, and how investors should think about risk, contrarian views, and the role of gold in their portfolios. 0:18 - Introductio...

It’s Fed Day – the most anticipated event for markets this month. The Federal Reserve’s rate decision and Jerome Powell’s press conference could shape the direction for stocks, bonds, and the economy heading into year-end. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff break down: • What the Fed is likely to announce today • The impact on interest rates, inflation, and growth • How markets ($SPY, $QQQ, bonds, gold...

The Federal Reserve cut rates on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 — but the path forward is anything but risk-free. Markets had already priced in much of the move, leaving investors to wonder if Powell’s guidance will calm volatility or spark fresh uncertainty. Lance Roberts and Michael Lebowitz look at what the Fed’s latest decision means for stocks, bonds, and the economy. Why Powell’s words may ma...

Should you invest actively or stick with indexing? Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn break down five different strategies investors use to build wealth, reduce risk, and stay ahead of the market. From active stock picking to index fund simplicity, we’ll explore the pros, cons, and real-world applications of each approach so you can better understand how they fit into your financial plan. 📺 Subscribe...

The jobs market isn’t just about employment—it’s a leading signal for corporate earnings. In this episode, we explore how recent employment data revisions and slowing job growth are flashing caution for corporate profits. Here’s what you’ll learn: Why employment trends often lead earnings results How slowing payroll growth may impact revenue and margins Key sectors most at risk from weaker labor d...

Where should your money go first? Too often, people skip ahead to investing or wealth strategies before laying the right foundation. Richard Rosso and Matt Doyle break down the essential hierarchy of money goals—a clear order of priorities to help you stay on track. From emergency savings and debt reduction to investing, wealth protection, and legacy planning, this framework shows you exactly how...

Markets and the Fed keep talking about inflation, but what’s really happening? Lance Roberts previews the upcoming CPI, PPI reports, and real-world data to explain why the official numbers don’t always match what you're feeling. From wages and rents to energy prices--is inflation is truly under control, or just hiding in plain sight. Discover how “disinflation” differs from “deflation,” why Wall S...

Are we standing at the edge of a recession? Economic data is showing cracks: slowing job growth, weakening consumer spending, and tightening credit conditions. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve’s policies continue to weigh on growth. In this episode, Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff break down the key signals flashing caution, what they could mean for corporate earnings and market performance, and how i...

Thinking about buying Bitcoin but not sure of the best approach? You’re not alone. With so many options—crypto exchanges, ETFs, custodians, and even payment apps—the path can feel overwhelming. In this episode, we break down the smartest ways to buy Bitcoin while considering security, fees, custody, and long-term investing strategy. Should you buy directly on an exchange, use a crypto wallet, or s...

Lance Roberts explores how the rise of passive index funds and ETFs has reshaped markets, leading to higher correlations across asset classes and eroding the traditional benefits of diversification. Once considered the cornerstone of portfolio risk management, diversification now struggles as capital floods into passive vehicles—concentrating money in the same stocks and sectors. He’ll break down:...

Too many people think financial planning is just about picking investments—but it’s much more than that. A great plan is a living, breathing roadmap that evolves as your life changes. Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty uncover what makes the perfect financial planning experience—from getting your head straight, to gathering the right documents, to partnering with a fiduciary advisor who looks beyond...

Stock valuations are at extreme levels — some call it a bubble, while others argue the bull market has more room to run. So, who’s right? And more importantly, what should YOU do as an investor? Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz expose the conflicting market narratives and explain why selling everything may not be the smartest move. Instead, they’ll explore how active investing, technical signals,...

Thinking about retirement? Think again. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff present 10 powerful reasons you shouldn’t retire too soon—from financial stability to maintaining purpose and health. But if you do decide to retire, they’ll also show you exactly what steps to take to protect your money, lifestyle, and long-term security. SEG-1a: How ChatGPT Saved Google in Anti-trust Court SEG-1b: Why the 50-D...

Think you can outsmart the market? Many DIY investors fall into the same traps: chasing hype, trying to time the market, concentrating in one hot sector, or lacking patience. Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn break down five of the biggest mistakes DIY investors make — and why they can derail your financial future. They'll also explore swing trading vs. long-term investing: * How short-term trading ch...

Why do investors struggle when it comes to selling stocks? Richard Rosso & Matt Doyle look at the psychology of investing—exploring concepts like loss aversion, behavioral finance traps, and the emotional biases that make it so hard to hit the sell button. Whether you’re a DIY investor or managing money professionally, understanding why we hold on too long is critical to protecting and growing you...

Nvidia reported earnings with strong overall results, but Wall Street was not impressed. Despite solid forward guidance, a data center revenue miss rattled investors and sent the stock lower. Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz break down Nvidia’s earnings highlights, why guidance failed to wow the bulls, and what this means for tech stocks going forward; the ongoing soap opera that is the Federal Re...

Taylor Swift’s engagement has captured global attention—but does it matter for investors? Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff examine why celebrity headlines dominate financial chatter, what it says about investor psychology, and why distraction often shows up near the peak of speculative markets. ✅ How celebrity news becomes a market “story” ✅ Why investors chase hype instead of fundamentals ✅ The r...

New investors often believe that higher risk equals higher reward—but that’s not always the case. Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn explore why newbie investors take on more risk than experienced ones, the common investing mistakes beginners make, and how risk management strategies can protect long-term wealth. From portfolio allocation to investor psychology, we’ll compare how experienced vs. beginne...

“Buy every dip” has been the mantra of this bull market — and so far, it has rewarded investors. Lance Roberts explains why the buy the dip strategy continues to work in today’s market, even as valuations stretch and risks build beneath the surface. Lance looks at how investors are approaching stock market pullback investing, what history tells us about short-term market trends versus long-term ri...

Raising money-smart kids is one of the most valuable lessons you can give them for life. Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty break down how to teach kids about money, from saving and budgeting to making smart financial decisions early on. You’ll learn practical strategies for financial literacy for children, including: Simple ways to explain money to kids How to teach kids to save money and set goals...