12/22/2025 Bob Stein – What Surprises Are Ahead for the US Economy in 2026?

Will the stock market finally broaden? Are valuations stretched? Will momentum stall for AI-related stocks? Richard Bernstein provides his perspective on these questions and others, laying out risks and opportunities for investors for 2026.

Bob Carey discusses some of the biggest questions on the minds of financial professionals heading into the final stretch of 2025, including whether or not investors should be afraid of higher equity valuations.

Brian Wesbury discusses Federal Reserve independence, inflation concerns, government overgrowth, and whether AI will deliver broader economic benefits.

Bob Stein breaks down 2028 presidential contenders, 2026 midterm odds, Trump’s fiscal agenda, tariffs’ impact, and the economic forces shaping America’s political and financial future.

In this episode Jeff Chang breaks down the virtues and risks of Bitcoin, highlighting Bitcoin-linked tools and strategies that aim to generate income and mitigate downside risk.

Jim Murchie discusses recent developments in the energy sector, including the growing bipartisan demand for nuclear power and why the non-cyclical energy industry is an "island in a sea of chaos."

Brian Wesbury discusses why the conventional wisdom on tariffs and inflation is wrong, how the Federal Reserve could save taxpayers $2 trillion over the next decade, and the pros and cons of the "Big, Beautiful Bill."

Richard Bernstein draws on over four decades of investment experience to offer insights on how to navigate risks and opportunities amid soaring economic uncertainty and market volatility.

Bob Carey discusses his long-term outlook for equity markets as the baby boom generation ages. He also weighs in on potential near-term drivers of equity market performance, including tariffs, regulations, and the “one big, beautiful bill”.

Ron Pernick is the founder of Clean Edge, a firm specializing in thematic research surrounding clean energy, transportation, water, and the power grid. In this episode, we discuss the evolution of these themes and how a new administration may impact their continued growth.

Brian Wesbury shares his views on why the Trump Administration is upending global trade, why tariffs may be an insufficient cure for problems created by big government, and where the US economy is headed for the rest of 2025.

Bob Stein provides perspective on likely economic outcomes that may result from the evolving policy mix of the new Trump Administration. Plus…Bob shares an early peak at potential contenders for the 2028 US Presidential election.

Bill Housey explores how fixed income investors can navigate rising uncertainty—from trade policies to inflation and beyond—in this deep dive into the bond market’s shifting dynamics.

Amid a sharp drawdown in US equities, Dave McGarel highlights the risks and opportunities that may lie on the horizon.

Gibson Smith, founder and CEO of Smith Capital, discusses some of the unique challenges—and opportunities—facing fixed income investors today.

After decades of slow growth, electricity demand is poised to surge, driven by AI, reshoring, and EVs. Jim Murchie, CEO and Portfolio Manager at Energy Income Partners, explains how natural gas, nuclear, and renewables will power the surge as utilities scramble to keep up.

Brian Wesbury explains why cutting government spending could be painful in the near-term but boost longer-term economic growth, similarities and difference between Trump and Reagan, and how he thinks about investing in an overvalued market.

From humanoids to self-driving cars, Mandeep Singh, Global Head of Technology Research at Bloomberg Intelligence, explores the future benefits and driving innovation from the massive investments in AI over the past few years. Hear expert analysis of the potential impact of these technologies in the coming years.

Ryan shares First Trust's perspective on how companies are investing in building AI and the various investment themes that could directly or indirectly benefit companies in the coming years.

Richard Bernstein shares his views on key investment themes to watch in the year ahead, including often-overlooked opportunities, potential pitfalls, and the value of striving for "maximum diversification."