1-7-25 Open Chat Q&A: Markets, Earnings, Taxes & Portfolio Strategy
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Release Date: 01/07/2026
1-29-26 Market Risks Behind Powell’s “Nonrestrictive” Stance
The Real Investment Show Podcast
The Federal Reserve is holding interest rates steady, keeping policy in a 3.5%–3.75% range. Lance Roberts and Michael Lebowitz examine how markets are reacting to Chair Jerome Powell’s message, and break down what the Fed is signaling—and why it could fuel market volatility ahead. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Mega Reports & Fed Fallout 4:31 - Markets Struggle after 7,000 9:33 - Inflation, Truflation, & Labor 14:14 - Chances of Rate Changes Higher or Lower? 16:44 - Current Growth Spurt is Unsustainable 19:10 - No Mention of QT/QE 21:10 - Citadel Securities; Risk-on Indicator 23:14 -...
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1-29-26 Markets Stall at 7,000: Breakout or Bull Trap? | Before the Bell
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Markets are testing the psychologically important 7,000 level—a major round-number threshold for investors. Momentum is turning back to a buy signal, and with no historical resistance above this level, a breakout could open the door toward the Fibonacci extension near 7,100. However, rising speculation and a sharp increase in margin debt signal growing leverage across markets—from equities to metals and miners. While this added leverage can push prices higher in the short term, it also raises downside risk if trades begin to unwind. With bullish trends intact but speculation elevated,...
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1-28-26 Q&A Wednesday, the YouTube Chatroom Free-for-all
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Welcome to Q&A Wednesday: The YouTube Chat Free-for-All — our most interactive show of the week. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff answer real-time questions straight from the YouTube live chat. No scripts. No pre-selected topics. Just timely, unfiltered discussion on the issues investors are wrestling with right now. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Major Mega Cap Earnings After the Bell Today 3:27 - Re-setting the Doomsday Clock 5:59 - Markets Set (Another) All-time High 11:31 - Metals as Assets - Where Are Retail Investors Piling In? 21:14 - Commodities are Just an Asset 22:33 - Dollar's Decline...
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1-28-26 Big Tech Drives Market Highs | Before the Bell
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Markets finished Tuesday at fresh all-time highs as leadership rotated back into mega-cap stocks. After a strong run in small- and mid-caps, those areas are now short-term overbought and nearing sell signals, while the S&P 500 itself is triggering a buy signal at more favorable levels. Earnings expectations are elevated, and upside surprises from mega-cap technology are largely priced in. The market’s reaction will hinge less on reported results and more on forward guidance—particularly outlooks for data center and AI-driven capital expenditures. With futures higher this morning,...
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1-27-26 Work Sucks...or Does It?
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn take a hard look at how Millennials and Gen Z view work, career stability, and success in a rapidly changing economy. From corporate burnout and hustle culture to freelancing, side hustles, and remote work, the rules around employment are shifting fast. 0:00 - INTRO 0:20 - Baylor Hockey & Headphone Parties 3:28 - Fed Week preview 6:57 - Markets' Rally & Earnings Preview 12:55 - The Evolution of Work 15:48 - The Gig Job Economy 16:51 - The Importance of Job Security? 18:40 - Lance & Jon's First Jobs Stories 27:25 - Skill Sets for Success 30:25 -...
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1-27-26 Earnings Determine Market’s Next Move | Before the Bell
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Markets have rallied for four straight sessions and are once again pressing toward all-time highs. With price action improving, markets are close to coming off a momentum sell signal—and if upside follow-through holds, that shift could occur as soon as today. A confirmed breakout would provide much-needed “wind beneath the wings” for investor confidence heading deeper into earnings season. Today’s focus turns to several mega-cap earnings reports, where recent pullbacks have created short-term trading opportunities. Apple reports this week following a notable selloff, leaving the stock...
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1-26-26 Bitcoin: Diversifier or Distraction - The Parker White Interview
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies are once again at the center of investor debate—but for very different reasons than past cycles. Lance Roberts and special guest, DeFi Development Corp's COO, Parker White, examine what’s been happening beneath the surface of the crypto market, including the growing divide between older and younger Bitcoin cohorts and the increasing fractionalization of crypto ownership. Is Bitcoin’s volatility evolving in a way that allows it to function as a portfolio diversifier, especially when compared to traditional hedges, like gold? What is its potential role in an...
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1-23-26 The Hardest Part of Legacy Planning - Starting the Conversation
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Most people think the hardest part of legacy planning is legal documents, estate taxes, or complex strategies. In reality, the most difficult part is much simpler—and more uncomfortable: starting the conversation. Richard Rosso and Jonathan McCarty discuss why these conversations are so difficult, why avoiding them creates greater risk for families...and offer a starting point solution. 0:00 INTRO 0:19 - Punxsutawny Ted Cruz & Texas Winters 1:47 - The Hardest Part About Legacy Planning 3:20 - When You Have Kids... 5:57 - The Basics of Health Directives 7:25 - The Five Wishes process...
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1-22-26 What Kevin Warsh Brings to the Fed
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Betting markets are increasingly pointing to Kevin Warsh as a potential successor to Jerome Powell, with Kevin Hassett expected to remain in his White House role under Donald Trump. Which begs the question: What would a Warsh-led Federal Reserve actually bring to markets? Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz explore the possibilities of a Warsh Fed: Would such likely be more tolerant of volatility, rely less on emergency interventions, and place greater emphasis on valuation, fundamentals, and disciplined policy rules? 0:00 INTRO 0:18 - Earnings, Economics, & Imminent Greenland Deal 2:48 -...
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1-22-26 Markets Stall at Resistance - Volatility Ahead? | Before the Bell
The Real Investment Show Podcast
Markets are continuing to digest the recent break below the rising trendline, which has now turned into overhead resistance. Wednesday’s rally attempt stalled precisely at that level before selling pressure resumed. Momentum remains on a sell signal, suggesting near-term upside could stay limited, and a bit more volatility would not be surprising over the next several sessions. Importantly, buyers are still present, waiting for better entry points. This is why reacting emotionally to a single down day can be costly. Let price action confirm whether there is real follow-through or simply...
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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