5/26/2026 Brian Wesbury - Can AI Make a Pencil?

With the ongoing IPO market activity, Dr. Josef Schuster joins the podcast to discuss his research on the unique performance dynamics that often follow new listings.

Mandeep Singh, global head of Technology Research at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins the podcast to provide an update on the growing impact of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge innovations.

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a disruptive force in the economy, as investors race to identify companies and industries that could be disintermediated. Brian Murphy, Co-CIO of First Trust Capital Management, breaks down the implications for private credit, including potential risks and opportunities for investors.

Investors have been on edge this year, as mounting concerns related to geopolitical risk, interest rate risk, and credit risk have contributed to rising volatility. Bill Housey provides his prospective on where investors are and are not being adequately compensated for taking risk.

Jim Murchie joins the podcast to break down how the war in Iran may impact the energy sector as well as the misunderstood relationship between AI data centers and consumer utility bills.

Bob Stein discusses the economic impact of the war in Iran, whether high energy prices will cause inflation, and how the upcoming midterm elections are shaping up.

Gibson Smith, founder of Smith Capital Investors, discusses emerging risks and opportunities in the bond market amid heightened geopolitical risk, a new Fed Chair, and a fresh wave of borrowing for the buildout of AI.

On the heels of a strong year for international equities in 2025, Andrew Wiechert, Portfolio Manager at WCM Investment Management, breaks down why developed and emerging markets remain positioned to benefit from attractive valuations and improving fundamentals in 2026 and beyond. He highlights the risks and also some of the potential competitive advantages enjoyed by active managers seeking to navigate these opportunities.

Dave McGarel highlights why sky-high valuations in 2026 are like lingering too long at the summit of Mount Everest oxygen is thin and small mistakes can lead to dire consequences. He explains the key risks ahead and points to where he sees more attractive, lower altitude opportunities for equity investors.

In this episode, Brian Wesbury discusses his recent testimony on Capitol Hill, First Trust’s economic outlook for 2026, and implications of overvalued markets.

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.

At the precipice of a new year, Bob Stein discusses the implications of a probable new Fed Chair, the possibility of a Supreme Court ruling against tariff policies, and the odds for mid-term elections.

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”.