
First Trust ROI Podcast
On the ROI podcast, we discuss some of the most important questions facing investment professionals today, ranging from macroeconomic views, to perspectives on the equity and fixed income markets, to insights on practice management. We aim to cut through the noise, examine the data, and provide fresh insights to investment professionals as they help their clients find better ways to invest…seeking to generate attractive returns on their investments.
Latest episodes

Aug 12, 2024 • 59min
EP 27 | Bob Stein | Updated Odds and Scenarios for a Reset Presidential Race | ROI Podcast
Bob Stein joins the podcast to discusses how the nomination of Kamala Harris will impact the upcoming presidential election, his thoughts on each candidate’s choice of running mate, and how elections results may impact the economy in the years ahead.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Jul 29, 2024 • 34min
Ep 26 | Chris Jeppesen | Should Financial Professionals Feel Threatened or Empowered by AI? | ROI Podcast
In this episode, Ryan talks to Chris Jeppesen, Chief of the Advisor Practice group at First Trust Chief of Advisor Consulting about what sets financial professionals apart from their peers.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Jul 15, 2024 • 26min
Ep 25 | Bob Stein | Key Insights from the First Half of 2024 | ROI Podcast
Ryan Issakainen hosts a conversation with financial experts Bob Stein, Brian Wesbury, Jim Murchie, and Richard Bernstein. They analyze the political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections, including the Biden-Trump rematch and its implications. The discussion shifts to energy demands driven by tech like electric vehicles, scrutinizing public policy and infrastructure needs. Lastly, they highlight emerging investment trends, covering significant shifts in ETF markets and the challenges faced by various investment strategies.

Jul 1, 2024 • 37min
Ep 24 | Jeff Chang | What’s Behind the Growth in Buffered ETFs? | ROI Podcast
Jeff Chang, President and Co-founder of Vest Financial, discusses the growth of buffered investments over the past few years. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Jun 17, 2024 • 41min
Ep 23 | Brian Wesbury | Is Government Spending Boosting or Slowing the Economy? | ROI Podcast
On this episode of the podcast, Ryan asks Brian Wesbury about the impact of government spending on economic growth, the upcoming presidential election, and whether or not tariffs are an effective policy tool.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Jun 3, 2024 • 37min
Ep 22 | Richard Bernstein | Are Investors Ignoring a More Powerful Secular Growth Theme than AI? | ROI Podcast
Richard Bernstein, CEO/CIO of Richard Bernstein Advisors, shares insights on pressing economic themes such as deglobalization and reindustrialization. He highlights how investors are overlooking significant growth opportunities beyond AI. Bernstein emphasizes the crucial need for modernization in the U.S. grid infrastructure to meet rising energy demands and forecasts a staggering $14 trillion capital requirement. He also addresses the Federal Reserve's challenges in managing inflation and the evolving landscape of profit growth, urging a long-term investment approach.

May 20, 2024 • 39min
Ep 21 | Brian Wesbury | A Recession is Still Likely…But Here’s Why We Could Be Wrong | ROI Podcast
Brian Wesbury, an expert on the US economy, dives into the effects of government spending on growth and why a recession may still be on the horizon. He discusses the Federal Reserve's challenges with inflation and interest rates while reflecting on the disparity between government job growth and the private sector. Wesbury also shares an optimistic view on economic recovery linked to historical policy shifts and the enduring relevance of Milton Friedman’s insights. Additionally, he touches on the importance of Stoicism in navigating today's chaotic landscape.

May 6, 2024 • 35min
Ep 20 | Dave McGarrel | Will the Stock Market Continue to Defy Expectations? | ROI Podcast
In this episode, Dave McGarel, Chief Investment Officer at First Trust shares his perspective on the risks and opportunities that may lie ahead for equities. Dave shares why First Trust believes low volatility stocks are growing more attractive, why the technology sector has been the secular growth story of our lifetimes, and which data points investment professional should pay close attention to for the rest of 2024.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Apr 22, 2024 • 33min
Ep 19 | John Gambla | Rethinking Diversification: Are Stocks and Bonds Enough? | ROI Podcast
In this episode, we explore why more and more investment professionals are allocating to call-writing funds, long/short strategies, and commodities.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Apr 8, 2024 • 33min
ROI Podcast | Episode 18 | Navigating a Narrow Market | Chris Bush | April 8, 2024
Ryan discusses factor investing with Chris Bush, portfolio manager at First Trust, as well as risk and opportunities for various industries and themes, including artificial intelligence, regional banks, and more.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust PortfoliosConnect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedInFollow us on X: First Trust on XSubscribe to the First Trust YouTube ChannelSubscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel