Markets and Economy

Read our latest market commentary on of-the-moment trends so you can make informed investment decisions

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Bonds

Lower Bond Yields: You Can't Get There From Here

The Federal Reserve may cut rates a couple of times by year-end, but the pace and magnitude of easing in 2026 is unclear. There are still some roadblocks to lower bond yields.

The Housing Market Remains Out of Sync

Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones examine the state of the housing market in terms of real incomes, affordability, and willingness to take on debt.

Take the Long Way Home: Is Housing Bottoming?

The housing market remains out of sync with the broader economy as affordability is depressed, but an improvement in supply and demand dynamics might be on the horizon.

Rate Cut Coming? Sectors to Watch

Kevin Gordon joins the show to discuss Fed independence and the potential impact of rate changes on various sectors of the economy.

Markets and Economy

How to Effectively Read Federal Reserve Minutes

Learning to read the Fed minutes effectively can help traders understand the central bank's policy-making process, sentiment, and rate expectations, all of which can impact markets.

International

Will a Weak Dollar Enhance International Returns?

International stocks have outperformed the broad U.S. stock market so far this year. If the U.S. dollar continues to weaken, it could boost international returns even more.

What's Happening in the Muni Bond Market?

Cooper Howard joins the show to discuss trends and opportunities in the muni bond market.

Markets and Economy

Health Care Sector Struggles as Pharma Tariffs Loom

U.S. health care stocks are having their worst year relative to the S&P 500 in years, and the next blow could be pharma tariffs. Still, some retail investors see opportunity.

Inflation: The Heat Is On?

July inflation data emphasized that tariff-related price pressures are still with us, in addition to some heat in the services sector—making the road to Fed cuts a bit bumpier.

Inflation Edges Up: Analyzing the Fed's Next Move

Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones break down the latest CPI data, consider a potential rate cut, and take a look at concentration in the stock market.

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Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Hedging and protective strategies generally involve additional costs and do not assure a profit or guarantee against loss.

Options carry a high level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Certain requirements must be met to trade options through Schwab. Please read the options disclosure document titled "Characteristics and Risks of Standardized Options" before considering any option transaction. Supporting documentation for any claims or statistical information is available upon request.

With long options, investors may lose 100% of funds invested.

Covered calls provide downside protection only to the extent of premiums received, and prevent any profitability above the strike price of the call.

Cryptocurrency- related products carry a substantial level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Investments in cryptocurrencies are relatively new, highly speculative, and may be subject to extreme price volatility, illiquidity, and increased risk of loss, including your entire investment in the fund. Spot markets on which cryptocurrencies trade are relatively new and largely unregulated, and therefore, may be more exposed to fraud and security breaches than established, regulated exchanges for other financial assets or instruments. Some cryptocurrency-related products use futures contracts to attempt to duplicate the performance of an investment in cryptocurrency, which may result in unpredictable pricing, higher transaction costs, and performance that fails to track the price of the reference cryptocurrency as intended. Please read more about risks of trading cryptocurrency futures here.

Futures, futures options and Forex trading involves substantial risk and is not suitable for all investors. Please read the Risk Disclosure Statement for Futures and Options prior to trading futures products.

Forex trading involves leverage, carries a substantial level of risk, and is not suitable for all investors. Please read the Risk Disclosure for Forex.

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