1-7-25 Open Chat Q&A: Markets, Earnings, Taxes & Portfolio Strategy
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Release Date: 01/07/2026
The Real Investment Show Podcast
The 2026 tax season is shaping up to look very different—especially for retirees, near-retirees, and late-career workers. Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty break down some major tax changes tied to the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and recent retirement legislation that could materially impact your tax planning strategy. From higher standard deductions and new age-based write-offs to expanded SALT limits, auto-loan interest deductions, and larger 401(k) catch-up contributions, these changes create both opportunities and planning traps. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - The Big D in the OBBB 3:52 -...
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Every year, Wall Street rolls out confident forecasts for where the S&P 500 will end the year—and every year those projections are treated as actionable insight. For 2026, analyst expectations cluster around modestly positive returns, even as valuations sit near historical extremes and macro risks continue to build. Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz explain why year-ahead market forecasts are largely an exercise in false precision. Instead of offering a price target with zero confidence, we walk through the key forces that are likely to shape markets in 2026—including stretched...
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Markets pulled back modestly Wednesday after reaching an intraday all-time high, as afternoon selling trimmed gains. While overall market trends remain constructive and prices are well above key moving averages, leadership is beginning to shift beneath the surface. Healthcare—one of the most oversold sectors back in September—has now rotated into the most overbought territory, with standout strength from names like Google and Eli Lilly. Meanwhile, traditionally defensive areas such as Staples, Utilities, and Real Estate are now among the most oversold sectors, suggesting potential...
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Markets are hitting all-time highs, earnings expectations are rising, and investors are navigating everything from oil prices to Roth conversions. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff take live viewer questions and explore the themes investors are most focused on right now. Topics discussed include why earnings may be the primary market driver this year, what recent all-time highs signal for forward returns, and how capital flows are shifting across sectors and asset classes. We also examine oil markets—WTI pricing, energy stocks, Venezuela supply dynamics—and what the “sweet spot” for...
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Markets pushed to a new all-time high after successfully testing the 20-day moving average, with relative strength improving and momentum signals turning positive. However, following yesterday’s strong rally, futures are pointing slightly lower this morning. The Dow is approaching the psychologically important 50,000 level, while ten-year Treasury yields are beginning to ease after a recent surge. That shift could signal early rotation from equity risk back toward bonds. Volatility remains a key indicator to watch—despite November’s spike, the VIX is holding near 15, reflecting elevated...
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More investors—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are treating markets like a casino. Not because they’re reckless, but because the traditional path to financial security feels broken. Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn break down Financial Nihilism vs. Financial Planning: why speculative behavior is rising, and what still works when confidence in long-term investing erodes. Options trading, crypto, meme assets, and betting apps offer fast outcomes in a world where housing is expensive, debt is high, and patience feels unrewarded. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - ISM Index Weaker than Expected 4:25 -...
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Markets are quietly sending important signals beneath the surface. Energy led early gains Monday, but strength broadened into financials as capital continued rotating from growth into value stocks. Over the past several weeks, value has steadily outperformed growth, while leadership has begun shifting away from mega-cap stocks into more underlying areas of the market. Notably, the S&P equal-weighted index reached a new all-time high, even as the cap-weighted index lagged. The performance gap between the two has narrowed from roughly 10% to about 6%, signaling improving market breadth. This...
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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...
info_outlineMarkets are hitting all-time highs, earnings expectations are rising, and investors are navigating everything from oil prices to Roth conversions. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff take live viewer questions and explore the themes investors are most focused on right now.
Topics discussed include why earnings may be the primary market driver this year, what recent all-time highs signal for forward returns, and how capital flows are shifting across sectors and asset classes. We also examine oil markets—WTI pricing, energy stocks, Venezuela supply dynamics—and what the “sweet spot” for oil prices means for the broader economy.
On the planning side, we address Roth IRA advantages and drawbacks, Roth conversions, RMD considerations, and asset allocation questions across different life stages, including retirement-focused portfolios. Additional discussion covers the growing disconnect between GDP and unemployment data, hidden consumer leverage through buy-now-pay-later programs, and how diversification differs from simply owning non-correlated assets.
We also touch on factor rotation, bond ETF structure, metals like gold and silver, and whether certain defensive or out-of-favor sectors may eventually regain investor interest.
0:00 - INTRO
0:18 - Earnings to be The Big Driver this Year
5:45 - Markets Hit All-time Highs
9:23 - Economic Summit Preview & Danny's Holiday Recap
12:25 - WTI, XLE, and Venezuela Oil
17:51 - What is the "Sweet Spot" for Oil Pricing?
21:23 - Tax Advantages - Disadvantages of Roth IRA
24:38 - Where to Look for Capital Flows
27:08 - Roth Conversions & RMD's
28:27 - Commentary - Divergence Between Unemployment & GDP
31:10 - Unrecognized Debt - Buy Now - Pay Later is a Black Box
31:53 - Recommendations for 60-40 Allocations
35:03 - Example of Bond ETF's in SimpleVisor
38:57 - Factor Rotation Portfolio
41:54 - Diversification vs Non-Correlated Assets
44:46 - Silver, Gold, & Other Metals
45:51 - Back Door Roth Conversions
47:30 - Asset Allocations for Septuagenarians
50:18 - Are Packaged Food stocks Ever Coming Back?
Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Investment Advisor, Danny Ratliff, CFP
Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer
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Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGgxAtaZIOI&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1
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The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Sector Rotation Signals Improving Market Breadth," is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8z27km9G1M&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1
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REGISTER for our 2026 Economic Summit, "The Future of Digital Assets, Artificial Intelligence, and Investing:"
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-ria-economic-summit-tickets-1765951641899?aff=oddtdtcreator
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Watch our previous show, "Financial Nihilism vs. Financial Planning," here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1qXRp9gLoc&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1
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