Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss how Google and Microsoft left Meta in their wake with the latest earnings reports. China will pay consumers $1,400 to replace their old cars. How economists could make themselves more useful. With inflation this high, nobody knows what the dollar is worth anymore. Paul LaMonica joins the show to chat about w…

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti react to the release of the Fed's key inflation measure which rose 2.8% year over year. Inflation worries are impacting investors. Should the Fed remail independent from the execuvite branch? Do the GDP and Dow reflect American well-being? The dream of Fed rate cuts in 2024 is slipping away. The thrill is back for r…

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss why the Fed could cause housing to get more expensive. US White-Collar job growth stalls, even in pandemic boomtowns. TikTok ultimatum puts a target on the backs of US companies operating in China. If a sale of TikTok is forced, what will it sell for? About 1 in 4 US adults over 50 say they expect to never retir…

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane react to the GDP rate coming in well below expectations. Does this report show the need for the Fed to raise rates? Why is Meta's stock tanking after posting record revenue? Microsoft and Alphabet have the hopes of the Magnificent Seven on their backs today. Biden issues new rules for airlines to require automatic cash …

Todd Lutsky, Cushing & Dolan, stops by to share his expertise on transfering assets in the event that inheritance plans change. Should you add a safety deposit box to your trust? How can I protect my rental property from divorce? What is Schedule A listing?Di The Financial Exchange Network

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss traders adding bets that the Fed will skip interest rate cuts this year. Visa profit surges 17% as consumer card spending climbs. Ted Rossman, Bankrate.com, joins the show to chat about how many Americans are taking on debt to go on a vacation this summer. What does Boeing need from its next CEO? The FTC bans non…

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss how Big Tech has been leading the recent rally. Tesla accelerates rollout of more-affordable EVs as profit drops sharply. Elon Musk needs cheaper Tesla's to pay for everything else he wants. TikTok isn't going away, at least not yet. Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his expertise on leaving assets for your ben…

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane take a look at why there has been a dramatic shift from the beginning of the year on how investors are viewing where interest rates are headed. Why is the FTC suing to block another merger? Why are 'pay later' lenders feuding with credit bereaus? Is delaying retirement the only way to enjoy? Chipotle keeps raising its p…

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane take a look at what is driving the current market rally. Can Big Tech answer some of the looming AI questions? What is Tesla going to do to dig itself out of its downward spiral? China is taking a page out of the US's playbook on how to save an economy. GM posts a strong first quarter, but is it sustainable? Apple's pro…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss how the latest TikTok ban proposal in the US House is going to get major pushback from China. Tesla and Li Auto cut prices in China as EV competition ramps up. Reversing the real-estate doom loop is possible, just ask Detroit. Americans have a new TV habit. Subscribe, watch, cancel, repeat.…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss how poorly things shaped up to end the week. Can Big Tech's upcoming earnings prop the market back up? How not to invest in the bond market. Is the Fed's forecasting method outdated? Home sellers have given up waiting for favorable rates. Big banks have been pushed aside for giant fund managers.…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss China ordering Apple to remove popular messaging apps. Those who bet against the dollar are paying the price right now. Money-market funds look like a tempting place for your cash. But don't make this mistake. Paul LaMonica joins the show to chat about Tesla's recent slide and why some are still thrilled with …

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the swings the markets have taken over the last 24 hours due to tensions in the Middle East. A Bank of America strategist believes rates jitters are causing the high volume of stock outflows. Tesla's latest issue with the Cybertruck. Netflix password crackdown delivers millions of new customers, yet the stock …

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong dive into Amazon's secret operation to spy on rivals. Americans are sick of 0.01% yields create new dilemma for Wall Street. Are there too many passive investors? Is that actually a thing? The IRS has some new rules that you might need to be aware of.Di The Financial Exchange Network

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why US yields rising off strong data is making the Fed's job much harder. March home sales dropped despite a surge in supply. Nvidia's biggest manufacturer doubles down on AI. The lowest salary Americans will accept at a new job reached a record high. Pension funds are pulling hundreds of billions from stocks.…

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss the top US banks posting better than expected results off the back of strong consumer spending. Biden is seeking higher tariffs on Chinese steel. Tesla delays deliveries of the Cybertruck, further confusing buyers. Tesla is seeking to have Elon Musk's $56B pay package reapproved by investors. Is there already a shi…

On this week's edition of Ask Todd, Todd Lutsky shares the best practices for leaving assets to your beneficiaries, how to change your beneficiaries, and how to protect your assets before leaving them to your beneficiaries.Di The Financial Exchange Network

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane discuss why Jerome Powell is changing his expectations for rate cuts this year. Should the 2% inflation target be updated? How strong is the US dollar right now? Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his expertise on the best practices for leaving your assets to your beneficiaries, how to change beneficiaries, and how to pro…

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss why Wall Street is betting on OPEC keeping oil prices below $100. EV sales are slowing, and Tesla is get beaten down. Why does a $100,000 salary not buy the American dream anymore? Americans believe they need $1.5M to retire, but experts have another idea. When is the best time to buy a house? Iconic Disney char…

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss the impacts on markets if rates stay higher for longer. Does the markets reaction to the Iran/Israel conflict mean they are not in a bubble. Are China's factories driving an economic recovery? Why did Bank of Americas shares drop after the release of its earnings report? Are there overlooked threats to the globa…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why Apple is facing its worst iPhone slump since covid. What does retirement look like for those with less than $1M saved? Why is Hawaii becoming a leader in EV adoption? Samsung gets a $6.4B boost for its Texas chip plant. A huge number of homeowners have mortgage rates too good to give up. Deepfakes are comi…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong react to the retail sales data that came in much hotter than expected. What does higher for longer mean for the stock market? Oil prices are retreating after Iran attacked Israel. Gold is back, and it has a message for us. What are some of the things Chinese economists are watching to see if the rebound is real?…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong share why they believe gold is not a good hedge against inflation and the notion that it is is outdated by a few decades. The US had a chance to lead in chipmaking tech, and missed it. Apple plans to overhaul its entire Mac line with AI-focused M4 chips. Top Amazon executive says it is a 'myth' that robots actually st…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong dive into the earnings from JPMorgan and Wells Fargo. Why did the banks drop when they beat forecasts? Interest rates have investors worried. Profits give them comfort. Home buyers lose hope for lower rates. Renters are enjoying cheap rent, but it won't last. Why car insurance costs are skyrocketing and leading to hig…

Dan Stack, Dept. Adjutant - DAV, joins the show to discuss what the DAV is doing to help disabled veterans in Massachusetts, how volunteers are impacting the lives of those veterans, and how to register for this year's DAV5K on Castle Island, November 9th.Di The Financial Exchange Network

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why the costs of home ownership are skyrocketing. Dan Stack, Dept. Adjutant - DAV, joins the show to talk about the amazing initiatives the organization engages in to make disabled vets lives easier. Dan shares the details to register for this year's DAV5K on Castle Island. You still have time to make an IRA c…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong react to the PPI data that came in better than expected. Fed rate cuts are now a matter of if, not when. We expected multiple rate cuts this year, but we might be getting rate hikes instead. The job-market looks solid, but there are signs of weakness, or are there? Is the boom-or-bust cycle dead?…

Todd Lutsky, Cushing & Dolan, shares his expertise on building a successful gifting strategy in your estate plan and why your beneficiaries need you to have a plan. Todd takes questions from the audience about their personal retirement needs.Di The Financial Exchange Network

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss why there is a widening divergence between the Fed and the ECB. The price of gold, seen as a hedge against inflation, soars to new heights. Wall Street hopes earnings propel defiant stock rally onward. Delta's outlook tops estimates on revival of business travel. Boeing engineer says company used shortcuts to f…

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti react to the March CPI report that came in hotter than expected and sent markets down. What is happening in the bond market post CPI release? Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his opinion on how to build a successful gifting strategy in an estate plan. Todd also takes calls from the audience about their person retire…

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti dive into the Wall Street Journal's list of hottest job markets in the US. Why is Wall Street breathing new life into Bitcoin? How can you know if renting or buying in retirement is right for you? What are the top home renovations that pay off? How did the cost of food delivery get so high?…

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti take a look at how Treasury yields hit a yearly high before the latest CPI report comes out. Commodities rally reflects a better economy but presents inflation risks. What you should know about Gold's curious rally. Is Jamie Dimon right about how impactful AI will be for humanity? What is the trick to becoming a 401…

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss Janet Yellen's ongoing trip to China and respond to her tough talk about trade with China. Elon Musk says Tesla will unveil robotaxis in August. Are you experiencing stock market FOMO? Maybe try FOMU instead. Jamie Dimon warns US might face interest-rate spike. Consumers hate 'price descrimination,' but they…

Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss why doubts are creeping in about a Fed rate cut this year. What is the most important data point to look at when judging inflation. The labor market keeps on truckin. Why the stock market keeps changing its story. Earnings season to test stock-market rally.Di The Financial Exchange Network

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the market finally hitting a real record and why that could be a major problem in the near future. Tesla scaps low-cost car plans amid fierce Chinese EV competition. Apple lays off 614 workers after cancelling car project. Ford slows its push into Electric Vehicles. Paul LaMonica, Barron's, joins the show to t…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong react to the surprising data from the latest jobs report which breezed past expectations. What if the Federal Reserve is wrong? Is the Fed becoming a play-by-play commentator. Oil is hitting its highest level in months, just in time for summer driving season. china shock 2.0 sparks global backlash against flood of che…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Apple's newest project that is touted as the 'Next Big Thing.' What went wrong for Hertz's relationship with Tesla? Is Wall Street wrong about how retirement should work? Amazon's AI stores seemed too good to be true, and they were. Are there ways to lock in lower mortgage rates? Amazon sellers are plagued by …

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong wonder why the disconnect between Americans feelings on the economy and what the data says are so far apart. Jerome Powell says the Fed still sees room for rate cuts before the end of the year. Is the Fed wrong about how low interest rates can go? Is AI hype infecting unrelated stocks? Disney's battle for the board ma…

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane are surprised by how much money a new survey claims you need to retire these days. Jeff Ostrowski, Bankrate.com, joins the show to discuss home affordability in the US and specifically New England. Taiwan earthquake puts the world's most advanced chips at risk. Tesla's sales miss by the most ever in brutal blow to EVs. Jon…

Todd Lutsky shares his expertise on creating robust and long lasting retirement plans. On this week's episode, Todd explains the best ways to leave assets to your beneficiaries without leaving them burdensome tax bills.Di The Financial Exchange Network

Chuck Zodda and Paul Lane dive into the renewed inflation fears and how markets have been reacting to potential rate-cuts further in 2024. Biden warns Xi on aiding Russia's war in Ukraine. Summer travel plans could get messy as United pilots take unpaid leave and Boeing's issues haven't been resolved. Todd Lutsky joins the show to share his insight…

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane try to answer if AI will be able to boost productivity for companies. Brit Vitalius, Vitalius Real Estate Group, joins the show to give his assesment of how the home buying process is going to change this spring. US home insurance premiums may hit a record this year. Americans are buying cheaper cars. Americans will wag…

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane react to the release of the JOLTS report that showed openings rise above expectations. Markets are back to seeing fewer rate cuts than the Fed. How many gig workers are there? It's not so simple. Bitcoin sinks on ebbing Fed rate-cut bets and cooling ETF demand. Is the US on the verge of a major debt catastrophe? What yo…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong wonder if the latest sign of China's economic recovery is the start of a trend. Gen Z has rejected conventional wisdom about education and has picked up the toolbelt instead. Walmart and Chipotle are splitting the wealth of a record stock market in a way they haven't in decades. Those billion-dollar lottery jackpots a…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss the great start to the year for the stock market and take a look at what history says happens next. Powell reiterates Fed doesn't need to be in a hurry to cut rates. A preview of this week's coming data releases. Wobbly jobs data leaves central bankers on shaky ground. The stock markets Magnificent Seven is no…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss where Americans are putting their tax refunds this year, its to cover debt. Giant merger deals are staging a comeback and that might not be good for markets right now. We're working less on Friday's than we used to and that's ok. Restaurants are too loud. Turns out we like them that way. The NFL is set to auct…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong react to the release of the PCE data which rose in line with expectations. The guys wonder if the Fed is aware of the dangerous game they are playing. FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years. 'Shortcuts Everywhere': How Boeing favored speed over quality. Tesla's terrible quarter catches some analysts aslee…

Mike Armstrong chats with Joe Boschulte, Commissioner - USVI Department of Tourism, about Carnival kicking off on St. Thomas, why traveling to the USVI has never been easier, the luxurious vacation rentals on St. John, and shares why the USVI has become the hottest vacation spot in the Caribbean.Di The Financial Exchange Network

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong are shocked that Facebook is snooping on Snapchat users, just shocked. The cost to attend a few universities in New England is eclipsing $90,000 per year. Joe Boschulte, Commissioner - USVI Department of Tourism, joins the show to talk about the amazing travel opportunities you can find on the best islands in the Cari…

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong take a look at why the S&P 500 is off to the best start of a year since 2019. JPMorgan says stocks are so crowded they may crack at any time. When should you collect Social Security? BlackRock CEO calls on baby boomers to fix the retirement crisis. Why are gas prices rising faster than usual this year?…