In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan talks with Brian Wesbury, Chief Economist at First Trust about his expectations for the US economy, inflation, and the Fed.  📚 Suggested Authors to read: Ludwig von Mises & Milton Friedman----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan is joined by Dave McGarel, Chief Investment Officer at First Trust.  Ryan and Dave discuss parallels between the current environment and previous recessions, why investors should pay close attention to valuations, and why some of the best long-term opportunities may come from smaller stocks. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Bob Stein, Deputy Chief Economist at First Trust, spent several years working in Washington D.C. before coming to First Trust in 2006, including as chief economist for the Senate Budget Committee and as Assistant Secretary of Economic Policy at the US Treasury Department.  In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan and Bob discuss:Why many are underestimating the likelihood of a US recessionHow the Federal government will “eventually” address irresponsible budget deficits (just not yet)Why the economy may play an outsized role in determining the next US president📚 Bob Stein's Recommend Reading: Optimally Irrational by Lionel Page----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

In this episode of the First Trust ROI Podcast, Ryan talks with Jeff Chang, President of CBOE Vest, about two areas of the ETF industry that have seen robust growth over the past few years:  Buffered ETFs and Call-writing ETFs.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Historically, an inverted yield curve has often preceded economic recessions, and many investment professionals view the current inversion as a troubling sign for what may lie ahead for the US economy.  However, the 10-year US Treasury yield has been lower than the 2-year US Treasury yield for over a year, and a recession has (apparently) not yet begun.  In this episode of the ROI podcast, Ryan and Bill Housey discuss:Is the inverted US Treasury yield curve a broken signal today or is a recession still coming?Are investors too optimistic about “soft landing” (or “no landing”) scenarios for the US economy?What’s lies ahead for Fed policy?How should investment professionals think about risk and positioning fixed income portfolios for what lies ahead?Read the latest Housey's Income Insights NewsletterFollow on 'X' @BillHousey Connect on LinkedIn ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Why are stocks up this year…and can the rally continue?On the heels of the worst year for stocks since 2008, pessimism dominated most forecasts coming into 2023.  In this episode of the ROI podcast, Ryan and Bob discuss some of the most common questions investment professionals and their clients are asking, including:Why have stocks defied expectations so far in 2023?Will returns continue to be driven by a small number of stocks, or will markets broaden out?Will international stocks outpace domestic stocks?Perhaps most importantly, can the stock market rally continue?Visit the Cash Flow and Carey Blog Follow on X: @bobcareyftaConnect on LinkedIn ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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