Money Wise

The Money Wise guys kick off this week’s show with a review of last week’s numbers from Wall Street before diving into a discussion on current political tensions.Markets rallied hard this past week, capping off a strong June with gains across the board. The Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 1,612 points, or 3.8%. The S&P 500 climbed 205 points, a 3.4% jump, and the NASDAQ led the charge, adding 826 points for a 4.2% gain. Year-to-date, the Dow is now up 3%, the S&P 500 is up 5%, and the NASDAQ is also up 5%. This strong week was fueled by investor optimism that several lingering concerns may be moving toward resolution. The team discuss the market’s reaction to easing geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran, with the U.S. stepping in to de-escalate the situation.  Despite some market jitters from new tariff-related headlines, including more trade drama involving China and Canada, the overall tone remained bullish. Comments from Fed officials and Chair Jerome Powell leaned more dovish than expected, suggesting that interest rate cuts could happen sooner than previously thought. A MARKET RALLY ON FED HINTS Markets surged this week in part due to dovish signals from the Federal Reserve. Comments from Fed Governors, including Christopher Waller, suggested a growing openness to interest rate cuts, potentially sooner than previously expected. Fed Chair Jerome Powell reinforced this tone during his testimony before Congress, emphasizing that the Fed is willing to act quickly if economic data warrants it. These remarks fueled optimism among investors who have been eagerly awaiting clarity on monetary policy. The possibility of rate relief sparked a strong rally, with major indexes posting some of their biggest weekly gains of the year. In the second hour, the Money Wise guys discuss Equity Index Annuities. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com [http://davidsoncap.com], where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

This week on Money Wise, the guys recap a flat week on Wall Street, with the Dow and NASDAQ barely budging and the S&P 500 hovering exactly where it was a month ago. Amid geopolitical tension in the Middle East and the looming July 9 tariff deadline, markets appear to be in a holding pattern. The Money Wise guys also preview a deeper discussion in the second half of the hour on how Wall Street continues to churn out new investment products, often more beneficial to sellers than buyers. They urge investors to tread carefully and stay focused on fundamentals while waiting for clarity in the second half of the year. SIDEWAYS MARKETS Markets don’t always move dramatically up or down—sometimes they just drift sideways. That’s been the case lately, with the S&P 500 virtually unchanged for over a month. This kind of flat performance, known as a “sideways market,” often reflects a mix of uncertainty and anticipation. Investors may be waiting for clarity on key issues, like tariff policy or legislative outcomes, before making big moves. While sideways markets can feel uneventful, they can also offer opportunities for strategic rebalancing and positioning for the next potential breakout. In the second hour, the Money Wise guys divulge what Wall Street Won’t Tell You. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com [http://davidsoncap.com], where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

The Money Wise guys kick this week’s episode off with another market review. Last week the markets pulled back, with the Dow down 1.3%, the S&P 500 off by 0.4%, and the NASDAQ falling 0.6%. Despite encouraging inflation data, specifically favorable CPI and PPI readings, geopolitical tension in the Middle East quickly overshadowed the good news. Thursday night’s developments between Israel and Iran led to Friday’s market drop, with investors hesitant to hold positions over the weekend. The guys discuss how these types of events often spark short-term volatility, not long-term shifts, and share insight into recent rebalancing decisions involving oil and gas positions. Later in the show they delve into insurance-based investment products, often favored by legacy firms, but not always in clients’ best interest. INSURANCE-BASED INVESTMENTS Insurance-based investments, like variable annuities and equity-indexed products, are often pitched as safe, reliable options, especially by legacy firms. But behind the promises can lie high fees, long lock-up periods, and limited transparency. As discussed in this week’s episode, these products may serve the salesperson more than the investor, offering hefty commissions without always aligning with a client’s financial goals. It’s essential to look beyond the sales pitch and evaluate whether these tools truly support your long-term strategy. In the second hour, the Money Wise guys explore RIA vs. Broker. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com [http://davidsoncap.com], where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

In the week that just passed, the markets posted another strong week, capping off a resilient stretch that’s pushing all three major indexes back into positive territory for the year. The hosts discussed how the market recovery—initially doubted to be V-shaped—is indeed shaping up like one, with the S&P 500 now within 2% of all-time highs. A better-than-expected jobs report helped fuel Friday’s gains, reinforcing economic strength despite political calls for rate cuts. The conversation also touched on the media drama between President Trump and Elon Musk, whose public fallout briefly rattled Tesla shares before markets recovered. Trump’s pressure on the Fed to slash interest rates by a full percentage point drew skepticism, particularly as economic data doesn't yet justify such a move. The team also speculated that the rhetoric may be more about countering economic weakness overseas—especially in Europe, where corporate insolvencies are on the rise—than it is about domestic fundamentals. GLOBAL ECONOMIC WARNINGS While U.S. markets showed strength last week, concerns abroad cast a longer shadow. Reports from Europe, particularly Germany, pointed to rising corporate bankruptcies and significant job losses—the most since the 2008 financial crisis. With discussions of massive stimulus measures and tax relief overseas, some analysts wonder whether the U.S. is quietly bracing for ripple effects. Although the American economy appears relatively stable for now, global instability could challenge that narrative in the months ahead. In the second hour, the Money Wise guys share The Best Investment Advice Ever . You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com [http://davidsoncap.com], where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

The Money Wise guys kick off this week’s episode with a reflection on last week’s numbers from Wall Street. They report that the markets closed out May on a high note, with all three major indices posting solid weekly gains and even stronger monthly returns. The Dow rose 1.6%, the S&P 500 climbed 1.9%, and the NASDAQ led the charge with a 2% increase. For the month of May, the NASDAQ soared 9.6%, the S&P 500 jumped 6.2%, and the Dow finished up 3.9%. The team goes on to highlight the second revision of Q1 GDP and the latest core PCE reading—formerly the Fed’s go-to inflation gauge. With year-over-year PCE now at 2.1%, the data suggests inflation is nearing the Fed’s 2% target, igniting debate about when rate cuts may finally happen. However, the media continues its gloom-heavy narrative, with financial figures like Jamie Dimon casting shadows of stagflation and looming bond market stress, despite signs of economic resilience. Later in the show, the team does a deep dive into proper portfolio construction, because how your investments are structured can make or break your financial goals.  A GLOOMY WALL STREET Despite the strong performance across the markets in May, Wall Street sentiment remains surprisingly downbeat. Financial media and major voices like Jamie Dimon continue to push cautionary narratives, raising concerns about stagflation, cracks in the bond market, and long-term economic risks. Even as inflation readings like the core PCE show progress toward the Fed’s target, the tone from many in the financial world leans more pessimistic than the data might warrant. It’s a reminder that headlines often lag reality, and that investors need to stay focused on facts, not fear. In the second hour, the Money Wise guys discuss Equity Index Annuities. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com [http://davidsoncap.com], where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.