Stocks Keep Hitting Highs: Here’s What May Be Fueling It

The ETF Boom: AI, Roth Conversions, and Modern Investing

From the explosion of ETFs to the rise of AI-powered investing, the financial world is moving fast—and this episode of the Money Matters Podcast [https://www.yourwealth.com/moneymatters/] helps make sense of it all. Join Wes Moss and Connor Miller for a lively conversation on retirement planning [https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesmoss/2026/02/18/8-planning-strategies-that-can-help-address-retirement-money-fears/], Roth conversions, modern investing trends, and the growing number of financial tools competing for investors’ attention. • Explore how ETFs have grown from simple index funds into a massive universe of leveraged, thematic, covered call, and factor-based strategies. • Examine why ETFs now outnumber publicly traded U.S. stocks while reviewing the risks and tradeoffs tied to leveraged and inverse funds. • Understand the differences between ETFs and mutual funds alongside the growing influence of artificial intelligence and thematic investing trends. • Clarify the difference between financial planning and investment management while comparing resources such as CPAs, estate attorneys, fee-only planners [https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesmoss/2026/05/15/how-fiduciary-advisors-differ-from-commission-based-advisors/], and hourly planning networks. • Review Roth conversion considerations, tax-planning strategies [https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesmoss/2025/11/25/a-hidden-401k-rule-that-could-cut-your-taxes-big-time/], and ideas from Wes’s new book, The Retire Sooner Method [https://retiresoonermethod.com/], on balancing financial preparation with long-term goals and lifestyle priorities. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast [https://www.yourwealth.com/moneymatters/] for more conversations on investing, retirement planning, tax planning, market trends, and navigating today’s economy with a practical long-term perspective.

Travel Booms, IPO Buzz Builds, And Bonds Make Headlines

Travel is booming, IPO activity is heating up, and bonds are back in the news. In this episode of the Money Matters Podcast [https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yourwealth.com%2Fmoneymatters%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C02193e9978bc4898a90b08debac1b538%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639153538285606499%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4p9ezOzNpbCriXZtr4xpjAosT6VjsOi%2FvswrNGziaws%3D&reserved=0], Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd unpack current market conversations—from inflation and investing to retirement planning and the next wave of potential high-profile public companies. • Explore record Memorial Day travel demand, rising airfare prices, and what Americans’ spending habits may be signaling about the economy. • Break down the growing IPO excitement surrounding certain major tech companies while comparing the different risks and tradeoffs tied to stocks, bonds, and Treasuries. • Explain who qualifies as an accredited investor, how investors may gain access after companies go public, and why market excitement can sometimes fuel investor FOMO. • Review updated inflation forecasts, higher bond yields, and why diversification and income-focused investing [https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fwesmoss%2F2024%2F02%2F14%2Fwhat-retirees-need-to-know-about-the-hidden-power-of-dividends%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C02193e9978bc4898a90b08debac1b538%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639153538285496660%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pX8AddkORTfVvUQ8jc%2BpiyMd4NY3f%2BQyoyzAHiZmiUc%3D&reserved=0] continue to remain important considerations in many long-term financial planning conversations. • Discover retirement planning resources and bonus content tied to pre-ordering The Retire Sooner Method [https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fretiresoonermethod.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C02193e9978bc4898a90b08debac1b538%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639153538285553103%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=e%2BleFyxLRKVOHBjkbZgO9K9pQHP8%2FPXaYymeuH7AZLw%3D&reserved=0]. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast [https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.yourwealth.com%2Fmoneymatters%2F&data=05%7C02%7C%7C02193e9978bc4898a90b08debac1b538%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639153538285606499%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=4p9ezOzNpbCriXZtr4xpjAosT6VjsOi%2FvswrNGziaws%3D&reserved=0] for more conversations on investing, retirement planning, market volatility, and navigating today’s economy with a practical long-term perspective.

Stocks Keep Hitting Highs: Here’s What May Be Fueling It

Wall Street highs, stubborn inflation, interest rates, energy markets, and big earnings growth all collide in this episode of the Money Matters Podcast [https://www.yourwealth.com/moneymatters/]with Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd. Tune in as they connect record-setting S&P 500 momentum, Federal Reserve policy, diversification, consumer confidence, and America’s changing energy story in a fast-moving conversation about today’s economy. • Explore why recent S&P 500 highs may have more to do with earnings growth than headlines or market fear. • Analyze how inflation, mortgage rates, CPI data, and Federal Reserve decisions seem to continue influencing households and markets. • Compare diversification strategies, including equal-weight ETFs, as technology stocks increasingly dominate the market. • Learn how America’s expanding energy production continues to reshape conversations around inflation and the global economy. • Enjoy conversations about entrepreneurship [https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesmoss/2026/04/27/business-cash-crunch-2-ways-to-access-retirement-and-brokerage-funds/], financial education, and early details surrounding the upcoming release of The Retire Sooner Method. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast [https://www.yourwealth.com/moneymatters/] for grounded conversations about retirement planning [https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesmoss/2026/04/20/what-steph-curry-can-teach-investors-about-risk-and-retirement/], investing, inflation [https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesmoss/2026/03/31/3-ways-to-stay-ahead-of-inflation-in-retirement/], and the economy.

AI, Oil Prices, and the Future of Work in America

Artificial intelligence, oil prices, the stock market, and the future of work all collide in this fast-moving episode of the Money Matters Podcast [https://www.yourwealth.com/moneymatters/] with Wes Moss and Connor Miller. Follow along as they connect AI growth, savings strategies, labor trends, energy markets, and the economic forces often associated with shaping the U.S. economy in 2026. • Examine how Year Zero Savings Accounts and sovereign wealth-style proposals might encourage long-term saving and broader participation in investing over time. • Explore the “candy tree principle” and Jevons Paradox to see why new technology at times creates more demand and opportunity instead of less. • Track oil prices, Middle East diplomacy, and the global energy trends that may continue influencing markets and consumer spending. • Assess how earnings growth across technology, utilities, communications, and materials may have helped support recent stock market resilience. • Consider how artificial intelligence, massive data center construction, reshoring, and infrastructure spending may continue increasing demand for skilled trades across the country. • Hear perspectives from the Milken Conference on blue-collar job growth, changing white-collar careers, and where the labor market could be heading next. • Reflect on retirement planning [https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesmoss/2025/02/12/5-keys-to-investing-like-a-happy-retiree-and-retiring-sooner/] approaches that may help households create more clarity, flexibility, and long-term financial organization. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast [https://www.yourwealth.com/moneymatters/] with Wes Moss for grounded conversations about investing, artificial intelligence, retirement planning, and the trends often associated with reshaping the economy.

Stock Market Surge Meets Inflation Reality: April Update & Retirement Planning Insights

Big market moves, mixed signals, and a few surprises along the way. This episode of the Money Matters Podcast [https://www.yourwealth.com/moneymatters/] with Wes Moss and Jeff Lloyd pulls it all together into a clear, easy-to-follow conversation. Blending market performance with economic trends and everyday life, this episode is designed to help you stay grounded despite life’s uncertainties. • Break down April’s stock market run and place it alongside geopolitical tension and rising oil prices. Revisit the expression “Sell in May and go away” and consider the tradeoffs of stepping out of the market. • Size up the challenge of market timing and see why consistent, long-term investing has historically been associated with retirement planning. • Follow the Moss family’s unexpected puppy adoption story and think about how real-life decisions may help shape financial priorities. • Connect volunteering [https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesmoss/2024/12/17/the-36-core-pursuits-of-happy-retirees-a-case-for-curiosity/] and fostering to retirement happiness using fresh, survey-based insights on purpose and lifestyle. • Check in on the labor market with low jobless claims and use the prime-age employment ratio to help examine economic conditions. • Look at what may be worrying Americans most, based on data from Gallup [https://news.gallup.com/poll/708905/affordability-dominates-americans-financial-worries.aspx], such as healthcare, housing, energy, and cost of living, and compare that to current consumer sentiment. • Track what’s driving inflation [https://www.forbes.com/sites/wesmoss/2026/03/31/3-ways-to-stay-ahead-of-inflation-in-retirement/], from tech to home goods, while also weighing wage growth, workforce changes, and the growing role of artificial intelligence. • Join the fun with a community apple recipe project and step back to see how markets, money, and everyday life may intersect. For perspective grounded in data and real-world context, not predictions, this episode offers a thoughtful way to stay engaged. Listen and subscribe to the Money Matters Podcast [https://www.yourwealth.com/moneymatters/] for more conversations that aim to help you stay up to date on markets, inflation, and retirement planning.