12-4-24 Time for a Portfolio Reality Check
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Release Date: 12/04/2024
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Markets closed 2025 with strong gains, but the path forward into 2026 is far more nuanced than headline optimism suggests. Lance Roberts reviews what drove 2025’s market performance, why the Santa Claus Rally failed, and how shifting inflation trends, Federal Reserve policy expectations, and valuation levels are shaping market outlooks for 2026.How can investors navigate the New Year with realistic expectations, disciplined risk management, and diversified positioning, recognizing that returns may come with higher volatility than recent years. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Maduro Impact on Oil; What's...
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Markets wrapped up the year with solid gains, finishing roughly 17% higher, but momentum has cooled as stocks consolidate near recent highs. Despite briefly setting a new all-time high in late December, markets spent the final weeks of the year moving sideways, reflecting growing fatigue after an extended rally. In this pre-market update, we review why the market’s two-month consolidation range matters, how staying above the 20-day moving average supports the broader trend, and why recent momentum sell signals do not necessarily signal a major downturn. With markets up eight...
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“Trump Accounts” are being discussed as a new way to help children and young adults invest for the future—but are they a meaningful planning tool or simply clever branding? In this episode, we break down how Trump Accounts are structured, how they differ from traditional retirement and custodial accounts, and why return assumptions deserve careful scrutiny. We also discuss funding mechanics, diversification considerations, and what actually happens when a child reaches age 18. Importantly, we address what these accounts are not designed to do—including education planning, where 529...
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As we begin the new year, this New Year’s Day market outlook takes a balanced, risk-aware look at what 2026 may hold for investors. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff examine the bullish case for markets, including the macro and technical backdrops supporting higher prices, while also addressing the growing risks beneath the surface—particularly stress in credit markets and the potential for lower long-term returns. The discussion explores how elevated valuations, tighter financial conditions, and shifting economic dynamics could impact portfolio outcomes in the year ahead. We also outline...
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Marketing for financial advisors is being reshaped by artificial intelligence, changing search behavior, and tighter compliance constraints. Lance Roberts & Greg Joslyn break down how advisors can adapt their marketing and PR strategies without sacrificing credibility, consistency, or regulatory discipline. We discuss why persistence—not virality—is the true driver of long-term visibility, how AI fits into content creation and search optimization, and why social media works best when it is treated as a conversation rather than a broadcast channel. The discussion also covers optimal...
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In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, Lance Roberts is joined by longtime friend and veteran television reporter Tom Zizka to discuss how media, markets, and economic reality have fundamentally changed over the past two decades. The discussion begins with the evolution of modern media—from the rise of social platforms and the “small screen” revolution to the growing pressures of monetization, speed, and narrative framing. Lance and Tom explore how storytelling has shifted from context-driven reporting to image-driven headlines, and what that means for public perception, trust,...
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The holidays bring families together—but they also create a rare opportunity to talk about something that truly matters: legacy. Richard Rosso & Sarah Buenger explore how thoughtful, well-framed conversations about money, wishes, and values can become one of the greatest gifts you give your family. Research shows that nearly 70% of parents have never discussed inheritance with their children, often leaving confusion, conflict, or unresolved questions behind. Questions lead to stories. Stories lead to understanding. And understanding builds a legacy that lasts beyond the holidays. 0:00 -...
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Our Christmas Day Best-Of episode revisits some of the most important investing and financial planning discussions of the year. Lance Roberts, Danny Ratliff, & Jonathan Penn examine whether the traditional 60/40 portfolio still serves its original purpose of reducing volatility, and what the three legs of investing mean in today’s market environment; whether the Federal Reserve has shifted away from its inflation mandate, how to interpret 2- and 3-standard-deviation market moves using tools like Bollinger Bands, and which economic data truly matters for investors—and where to find it....
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The Federal Reserve is entering a pivotal phase, and the decisions it makes now will define the next era of monetary policy. Lance Roberts and The Fed Guy, Joseph Wang, examine the structural forces putting the Fed at a crossroads—from rate cuts and shifting labor-market dynamics to the long-term impact of AI, tariff-driven inflation, and changes in the Fed’s balance-sheet strategy. We explore why markets appear bullish on economic growth despite weakening employment data, how tariff inflation may be a one-time impulse, and what a redesigned policy framework could look like as banks,...
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In this episode, Lance Roberts sits down with Brent Johnson, CEO of Santiago Capital, to break down what’s really happening with the U.S. dollar, the global monetary system, and why AI is accelerating a geopolitical and economic power shift. If you're looking for big-picture insights on the future of the dollar, geopolitics, AI-driven capital flows, and where long-term investing tailwinds are forming—this is a must-watch. 0:00 - INTRO 0:56 - Dollar Pessimism is Everywhere 3:32 - Why the Dollar Loses Purchasing Power: Inflation 5:08 - How Reserve Currencies Work - Why the Dollar is...
info_outlineRussia just learned of a near-miss from a passing meteorite...TONIGHT! Lance discusses GDP estimates and other economic reports; Retail Sales are "okay," with no tell tale signs of Recession...for the moment. What will revisions to these reports show next year? What will be the impact of cutting government spending? Meanwhile, investors are very, very exuberant. What should investors expect for the rest of the year? Lance and Danny discuss old guy things: Backpain. There's a pullback coming: Time for a portfolio reality check? The challenge of portfolio rebalancing when exuberance is high; should you sell winners and buy losers now? Emerging Markets are not growing; losers are cheap for a reason. The danger of doing rebalancing willy-nilly. On being Contrarian: Markets have not rewarded those so inclined. Yet. Does not necessarily mean to be super-bearish. On being "out of consensus; the current set up is good for recession. What will cause it, we don't know. The potential risks to portfolios of reduced government spending. Lance & Danny review the recent Thanksgiving break with family and the concept of paying your own way; demographic trends, and the evolution of Generation-X as "sandwich parents." Kids coming home for the holidays vs "boomerang" kids; first paychecks and stringing Christmas lights (yeah, we were all over the place today!)
SEG-1: Meteorites, Russia, & Expectations for the Rest of 2204
SEG-2: Backpain & Pullbacks: Portfolio Rebalancing
SEG-3: On Being Contrarian
SEG-4a: Thanksgiving Reminiscing & Paying Your Way
SEG-4b: The Roberts Kids Home for the Holidays
Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Financial Advisor Danny Ratliff, CFP
Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer
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Watch today's show video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ja9_6jy2TkA&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1&t=2423s
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Articles mentioned in this report:
"Leverage And Speculation Are At Extremes"
https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/leverage-and-speculation-are-at-extremes/
"Extreme Speculation Has Returned"
https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/extreme-speculation-has-returned/
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The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, 12-4-24 What to Expect for the Rest of the Year is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixjd2EjcoZw&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1
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Our previous show is here: "What Excessive Leverage Teaches Us"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s95h3jUr3c4&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1&t=2s
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