
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

Mar 25, 2024 • 33min
ROI Podcast | Episode 17 | How Can Technical Analysis Guide Portfolio Allocations? | Jay Gragnani | March 25, 2024
In this episode, Ryan is joined by Jay Gragnani, Senior Market Strategist at Nasdaq Dorsey Wright for a discussion about how financial professionals are utilizing technical analysis and Dorsey Wright’s research as an objective input for their decision-making process.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Mar 11, 2024 • 35min
ROI Podcast | Episode 16 | Has the Balance between Potential Risks and Returns Shifted in Favor of Bond Investors? | Bill Housey | March 12, 2024
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan is joined by Bill Housey, Managing Director of Fixed Income at First Trust for a discussion about the US economy, the Federal Reserve, interest rates, and why Bill believes that an asymmetry between risk and return has shifted in favor of bond investors.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Feb 26, 2024 • 33min
ROI Podcast | Episode 15 | What Solutions Can Direct Indexing Offer? | Jon DiGiovanni | February 26, 2024
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan speaks with Jon DiGiovanni, Managing Director of Direct Indexing and Separate Managed Accounts at First Trust, about some of the reasons that Direct Indexing has quietly been one of the fastest growing innovations in the financial services industry. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Feb 12, 2024 • 1h 1min
ROI Podcast | Episode 14| Dissecting Incentives and Opportunities in (Traditional and Alternative) Energy | Jim Murchie | February 12, 2024
In this episode of the podcast, Ryan is joined by Jim Murchie, co-founder of Energy Income Partners for a deep dive into the energy industry, discussing incentives and opportunities that lie on the horizon.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Jan 29, 2024 • 44min
Ep 13 - Bob Stein - Handicapping the Odds for a 2024 Recession and Upcoming Elections - ROI Podcast
In this episode, Ryan speaks with Bob Stein, Deputy Chief Economist at First Trust about why a US recession didn’t materialize in 2023, why it may still be coming in 2024, and implications for the upcoming elections in November. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Jan 12, 2024 • 29min
Ep 12 - Rob Biddinger - How are Alternatives Expanding the Traditional Toolbox of Investment Professionals? - ROI Podcast
In this episode, Ryan talks to Rob Biddinger, managing director at First Trust Capital Solutions, about the growing popularity of alternative investments, how institutional investors have historically utilized these strategies, and why the democratization of alternatives is under way. 📚 Rob's Book Recommendations: How I Built This by Guy Raz----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Jan 2, 2024 • 42min
Ep 11 - Bob Carey - Will the Stock Market Rally Continue in 2024? - ROI Podcast
For the first episode of the podcast in 2024, Ryan is joined by Bob Carey, Chief Market Strategist at First Trust. After an unexpected rally for the stock market in 2023, Ryan and Bob discuss expectations for 2024. 📚 Bob's book recommendations: Better Listening by Stranford SlovinThe Ultimate Resource by Julian Simon----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Dec 18, 2023 • 31min
Ep 10 - Jackie Wilke - How Are Elite Teams Serving the Next Generation of Investors? - ROI Podcast
In this episode, Ryan talks to Jackie Wilke from the Advisor Consulting Group at First Trust about serving female investors, the need to build multi-generational relationships, and the importance of uncovering what’s truly important to investors. 📚 Jackie's Book Recommendation: Wealth 3.0: The Future of Wealth Advising----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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

Dec 4, 2023 • 36min
Ep 9 - Leonardo Da Costa - Are There Any Catalysts on the Horizon for Emerging Markets? - ROI Podcast
In this episode, Ryan speaks with Leonardo Da Costa, portfolio manager at First Trust Global Portfolios, about why returns for many international investments have been muted in recent years, why US investors shouldn’t ignore international allocations, and what catalysts may provide a boost over the next 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

Nov 17, 2023 • 25min
Ep 8 - Scott Friske - How to Stay at the Cutting Edge of Asset Management - ROI Podcast
In this episode, Ryan is joined by Scott Friske, head of new product development at First Trust for a discussion about where great ideas come from and where the next generation of investment products is headed. 📚 Scott's Book Recommendations: The Leadership Bookshelf by James Stavridis & Robert AncellEgo is the Enemy By Ryan HolidayThe Hard Things About Hard Things by Ben Horowitz----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------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