This week on Money Wise, the guys recap a flat week on Wall Street, with the Dow and NASDAQ barely budging and the S&P 500 hovering exactly where it was a month ago. Amid geopolitical tension in the Middle East and the looming July 9 tariff deadline, markets appear to be in a holding pattern. The Money Wise guys also preview a deeper discussion in the second half of the hour on how Wall Street continues to churn out new investment products, often more beneficial to sellers than buyers. They urge investors to tread carefully and stay focused on fundamentals while waiting for clarity in the second half of the year.

Markets don’t always move dramatically up or down—sometimes they just drift sideways. That’s been the case lately, with the S&P 500 virtually unchanged for over a month. This kind of flat performance, known as a “sideways market,” often reflects a mix of uncertainty and anticipation. Investors may be waiting for clarity on key issues, like tariff policy or legislative outcomes, before making big moves. While sideways markets can feel uneventful, they can also offer opportunities for strategic rebalancing and positioning for the next potential breakout.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys divulge what Wall Street Won’t Tell You. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

The Money Wise guys kick this week’s episode off with another market review. Last week the markets pulled back, with the Dow down 1.3%, the S&P 500 off by 0.4%, and the NASDAQ falling 0.6%. Despite encouraging inflation data, specifically favorable CPI and PPI readings, geopolitical tension in the Middle East quickly overshadowed the good news. Thursday night’s developments between Israel and Iran led to Friday’s market drop, with investors hesitant to hold positions over the weekend. The guys discuss how these types of events often spark short-term volatility, not long-term shifts, and share insight into recent rebalancing decisions involving oil and gas positions. Later in the show they delve into insurance-based investment products, often favored by legacy firms, but not always in clients’ best interest.

Insurance-based investments, like variable annuities and equity-indexed products, are often pitched as safe, reliable options, especially by legacy firms. But behind the promises can lie high fees, long lock-up periods, and limited transparency. As discussed in this week’s episode, these products may serve the salesperson more than the investor, offering hefty commissions without always aligning with a client’s financial goals. It’s essential to look beyond the sales pitch and evaluate whether these tools truly support your long-term strategy.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys explore RIA vs. Broker. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

In the week that just passed, the markets posted another strong week, capping off a resilient stretch that’s pushing all three major indexes back into positive territory for the year. The hosts discussed how the market recovery—initially doubted to be V-shaped—is indeed shaping up like one, with the S&P 500 now within 2% of all-time highs. A better-than-expected jobs report helped fuel Friday’s gains, reinforcing economic strength despite political calls for rate cuts.

The conversation also touched on the media drama between President Trump and Elon Musk, whose public fallout briefly rattled Tesla shares before markets recovered. Trump’s pressure on the Fed to slash interest rates by a full percentage point drew skepticism, particularly as economic data doesn't yet justify such a move. The team also speculated that the rhetoric may be more about countering economic weakness overseas—especially in Europe, where corporate insolvencies are on the rise—than it is about domestic fundamentals.

While U.S. markets showed strength last week, concerns abroad cast a longer shadow. Reports from Europe, particularly Germany, pointed to rising corporate bankruptcies and significant job losses—the most since the 2008 financial crisis. With discussions of massive stimulus measures and tax relief overseas, some analysts wonder whether the U.S. is quietly bracing for ripple effects. Although the American economy appears relatively stable for now, global instability could challenge that narrative in the months ahead.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys share The Best Investment Advice Ever . You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

The Money Wise guys kick off this week’s episode with a reflection on last week’s numbers from Wall Street. They report that the markets closed out May on a high note, with all three major indices posting solid weekly gains and even stronger monthly returns. The Dow rose 1.6%, the S&P 500 climbed 1.9%, and the NASDAQ led the charge with a 2% increase. For the month of May, the NASDAQ soared 9.6%, the S&P 500 jumped 6.2%, and the Dow finished up 3.9%.

The team goes on to highlight the second revision of Q1 GDP and the latest core PCE reading—formerly the Fed’s go-to inflation gauge. With year-over-year PCE now at 2.1%, the data suggests inflation is nearing the Fed’s 2% target, igniting debate about when rate cuts may finally happen. However, the media continues its gloom-heavy narrative, with financial figures like Jamie Dimon casting shadows of stagflation and looming bond market stress, despite signs of economic resilience. Later in the show, the team does a deep dive into proper portfolio construction, because how your investments are structured can make or break your financial goals.

Despite the strong performance across the markets in May, Wall Street sentiment remains surprisingly downbeat. Financial media and major voices like Jamie Dimon continue to push cautionary narratives, raising concerns about stagflation, cracks in the bond market, and long-term economic risks. Even as inflation readings like the core PCE show progress toward the Fed’s target, the tone from many in the financial world leans more pessimistic than the data might warrant. It’s a reminder that headlines often lag reality, and that investors need to stay focused on facts, not fear.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys discuss Equity Index Annuities. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

Markets took a hit last week as the Dow fell 2.5%, the S&P 500 dropped 2.6%, and the NASDAQ slipped 2.5%. While early-week momentum was positive, the tone shifted sharply after President Trump posted on Truth Social Friday morning, announcing a potential 50% tariff on EU imports and a 25% tariff on foreign-made iPhones—news that sent markets into the red ahead of the long weekend. The Money Wise guys emphasize that unexpected announcements like this, especially during thin trading before holidays, tend to spook investors and contribute to volatility.

They also touch on broader media narratives that resurfaced concerns about the national deficit, potential downgrades to U.S. credit, and Social Security stability—longstanding fears that have persisted for decades. The team reminds listeners that these recurring headlines often stir emotions, but rarely reflect immediate threats to the markets. As always, the guys encourage maintaining a long-term perspective, staying grounded, and tuning out the financial “noise” that distracts from sound investment decisions.

While the broader market slipped heading into the long weekend, tech stood out as a focal point of the conversation. From tariff threats on imported iPhones to questions around Apple's international manufacturing, technology companies found themselves in the political crosshairs once again. But beyond the headlines, it’s clear that tech still plays a critical role in market momentum—both as a driver of volatility and a source of long-term growth potential.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys divulge what Wall Street Won’t Tell You. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

The Money Wise guys kick off this week’s episode by celebrating a strong rally in the markets and declaring the "tariff tantrum" officially over. The Dow surged 1,405 points (3.4%), the S&P 500 gained 298 points (5.3%), and the NASDAQ jumped 1,282 points (7.2%). That brought the Dow and S&P into positive territory for the year—up 0.3% and 1.3% respectively—while the NASDAQ is now down just 0.5% year-to-date. The spark for this surge? Productive trade talks in Switzerland between Treasury Secretary Bessette and Chinese officials, which resulted in a 90-day pause on the harshest proposed tariffs. The guys have long suspected those extreme tariffs would never be implemented, and the market's sharp V-shaped rebound has affirmed that outlook.

They also discuss how the S&P 500 successfully broke through technical resistance at the 200-day moving average, signaling renewed strength in the market’s momentum. Despite ongoing media skepticism and the likelihood of more headline-driven bumps ahead, the team is optimistic that the worst of the tariff-related fear is in the rearview mirror. They note that there's still room for growth, with the S&P 500 about 3% off its February highs and the NASDAQ still 4.5% below its recent peak. As trade tensions ease, attention is beginning to shift toward domestic policy—particularly the proposed “big beautiful tax bill,” which has hit some pushback. While it's a work in progress, the market hasn’t reacted negatively to political debate, another encouraging sign for investors moving forward.

After weeks of uncertainty and technical stagnation, the market finally broke through resistance at the S&P 500’s 200-day moving average, confirming a V-shaped recovery. The Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ all posted major gains on the week, bringing the indexes closer to their previous highs. While there's still ground to cover—the S&P is about 3% off its February peak, and the NASDAQ is 4.5% below its December high—the team emphasized that recovery isn’t just about bouncing back, but continuing to build. With technical strength returning and investor sentiment improving, the foundation is being laid for a new phase of growth.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys explore RIA vs. Broker. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

This week on Money Wise, the “three amigos” take over hosting duties to break down another relatively quiet but technically meaningful week on Wall Street. The Dow dipped slightly by 0.16%, the S&P 500 slipped 0.47%, and the NASDAQ fell just 0.27%. Year-to-date, the major indexes are still in negative territory, with the Dow down 3%, the S&P down 3.8%, and the NASDAQ down 7.2%. Despite the modest weekly moves, the team points to an important technical development: the S&P 500 moved above its 50-day moving average, creating a new level of support, but continues to face resistance at the 200-day moving average. They liken the current market pattern to a “cha-cha” or a truck stuck in the mud, moving sideways until there’s more clarity on trade negotiations—particularly with China.

The Money Wise guys discuss how upcoming meetings between U.S. officials and Chinese trade representatives could play a key role in determining whether the market breaks out of its current range. While headline noise continues, the team believes we may already be past the worst of the negative sentiment. April's market performance—down less than 1% despite volatile news flow—was cited as evidence of resilience. With the S&P 500 still 7.9% off its February highs, the guys emphasize that there's still plenty of room for growth and encourage investors not to assume they’ve “missed” the recovery. Their closing message: stay level-headed, tune out the media spin, and lean on long-term fundamentals.

The Money Wise guys emphasize the significance of upcoming trade negotiations between the U.S. and China, noting that a well-received framework could be the catalyst markets need to break out of their current sideways pattern. With Secretary Bessette expected to meet with Chinese officials, early talks are focusing on de-escalating current tariff measures before diving into a more comprehensive trade plan. The guys believe that a positive outcome—especially one that avoids reinstating the harsher tariffs previously announced—could ease investor anxiety and inject new momentum into the market. While political noise will likely continue, they point out that both economic and political pressures make it unlikely that the full slate of punitive tariffs will be enforced. If meaningful progress is made, it could help the S&P 500 push past its 200-day moving average and reignite broader investor confidence.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys share The Best Investment Advice Ever . You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.

This week on Money Wise, the guys recap another positive stretch for markets as the Dow climbed 1,204 points (3%), the S&P 500 rose 161 points (2.9%), and the NASDAQ jumped 595 points (3.4%). Despite ongoing tariff worries, the indexes continue to recover from earlier declines. Year-to-date, the Dow remains down 2.9%, the S&P 500 is off 3.3%, and the NASDAQ is still down 6.9%. April itself ended with mixed results — while the Dow and S&P were slightly negative, the NASDAQ managed a modest gain, highlighting how quickly sentiment has shifted. The Money Wise guys point to the market’s nine-day winning streak as a reminder of why emotional investing and market timing can be dangerous. Investors who stepped aside during the tariff turmoil likely missed a major rebound, reinforcing the team’s advice to stay disciplined and diversified.

Much of the discussion centers around the ongoing trade situation and its evolving impact on market dynamics. While uncertainty remains, the guys are cautiously optimistic that the harshest tariff measures may never materialize. They emphasize that with 60 days left in the current negotiating window, many global trading partners — especially China — appear motivated to reach deals. Recent headlines, such as China’s willingness to discuss fentanyl trade issues, fueled hopes of progress. The team also acknowledges political considerations, noting that with midterms approaching and tax policy goals on the table, President Trump may be inclined to soften tariff plans to avoid jeopardizing economic momentum. In short, while headline risk remains, the market’s resilience and improving breadth suggest investors should stay focused on fundamentals and avoid reacting emotionally to every twist in the news cycle.

The Money Wise guys spotlight the ongoing 90-day tariff countdown, emphasizing how it continues to hang over the market and shape investor sentiment. While uncertainty remains, they express confidence that the harshest tariff measures announced on April 2 may ultimately never be implemented. With about 60 days left in the negotiation window, key trading partners—especially China—are showing signs of willingness to come to the table, evidenced by recent talks around sensitive issues like fentanyl. The hosts note that political pressures, including upcoming midterm elections and the desire to push tax legislation forward, may further motivate President Trump to ease or delay tariff plans. For now, the countdown keeps markets headline-driven, but the team believes an all-out tariff escalation remains unlikely.

In the second hour, the Money Wise guys discuss Equity Index Annuities. You don’t want to miss the details! Tune in for the full discussion on your favorite podcast provider or at davidsoncap.com, where you can also learn more about the Money Wise guys or take advantage of a portfolio review and analysis with Davidson Capital Management.