

The Dividend Cafe
The Bahnsen Group
The Dividend Cafe is your portal for market perspective that is virtually conflict-free, rooted in deep philosophical commitments about how capital should be managed, and understandable for all sorts of investors. Host David L. Bahnsen is a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, and Fox Business. He is the author of the books, Crisis of Responsibility: Our Cultural Addiction to Blame and How You Can Cure It (Post Hill Press), The Case for Dividend Growth: Investing in a Post-Crisis World (Post Hill Press), and Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life (Post Hill Press).
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 9, 2025 • 10min
Tuesday - December 9, 2025
Market Recap and Insights on Upcoming Fed Decisions
In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group discusses the market activity on December 9th, highlighting slight declines in both the stock and bond markets. He reviews the latest economic indicators, including the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index and the JOLTS job openings report. Szytel also provides insights into the upcoming Federal Reserve FOMC meeting, the potential interest rate changes, and the implications for the labor market. Additionally, he touches on the investment potential in the utility sector and the importance of selecting the right companies within high-growth sectors like AI, using historical examples from the natural gas fracking industry and fiber optics. The episode concludes with a reminder of the importance of bottom-up investment fundamentals and dividend reliability.
00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe
00:16 Market Overview: Stocks and Bonds
00:48 Fed's Interest Rate Decision
01:51 Economic Data Insights
03:10 Labor Market Analysis
04:17 Interest Rates and Balance Sheet
04:50 Investment in Utilities
06:16 Investment Risks and Strategies
08:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Links mentioned in this episode:
DividendCafe.com
TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 8, 2025 • 17min
Monday - December 8, 2025
Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/44NZ88R
Market Volatility, Small Cap Performance, and Corporate Takeovers: A Comprehensive Market Update
In this episode, we cover the Fed's anticipated rate cut, the current state of credit spreads, and the mixed performance of sectors with a focus on semiconductors. We analyze the significant increase in negative earnings within the Russell 2000 Small Cap Index post-financial crisis and highlight the importance of selectivity in small cap investing. We also discuss President Zelensky's visit to London, Netflix's bid to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery, and the White House's concerns about the deal. Other topics include the executive order on AI regulation, China's compliance with new trade agreements, and the state of the U.S. labor market. We provide insights into New York City's office vacancy rates, the Bank of Japan's expected rate hike, and recent fluctuations in oil prices and infrastructure stocks. Additional information is available on DivaidendCafe.com, including a discussion on the yen carry trade and its potential future impact on stocks.
00:00 Market Overview and Rate Cuts
00:30 Equity Volatility and Sector Rotation
01:07 Small Cap Index Performance
02:10 Global News Highlights
02:38 Corporate News and Mergers
03:42 Public Policy and AI Regulation
04:43 Economic Indicators and Trade
05:04 Labor Market Analysis
07:07 Commercial Real Estate Insights
08:00 Global Financial Movements
08:57 Weekly Recap and Closing Remarks
Links mentioned in this episode:
DividendCafe.com
TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 5, 2025 • 29min
Why We Do Not Own Bitcoin (and never will)
Dive into the world of Bitcoin as the discussion uncovers its notorious volatility. Historical price drops highlight its speculative nature, casting doubt on its potential as a stable currency. The contrast between Bitcoin and productive investments emphasizes a strategy focused on long-term wealth. The fascinating sociological factors behind Bitcoin's allure are explored, along with the implications of government regulation. Ultimately, the verdict is clear: Bitcoin remains a speculative vehicle, not aligned with a productive investment philosophy.

Dec 4, 2025 • 8min
Thursday - December 4, 2025
Market Update and Fed Policy Developments - December 2023
In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach provides an update on the market movements and insights into current Federal Reserve policies. The S&P, NASDAQ, and Dow all experienced a relatively flat day with minor fluctuations. Szytel discusses the Federal Reserve's balance sheet reduction from $9 trillion to $6.5 trillion through quantitative tightening and anticipates a possible shift towards quantitative easing due to emerging liquidity stresses. The episode also covers the likelihood of Kevin Hassett being announced as the next Fed Chair, details on labor market metrics, and the recent modest increase in interest rates. With the upcoming December FOMC meeting, further rate cuts are expected.
00:00 Introduction and Market Overview
00:41 Federal Reserve Policies and Speculations
01:16 Quantitative Tightening and Balance Sheet Insights
02:16 Liquidity and Future Projections
04:36 Economic Indicators and Labor Market
05:36 Year-End Market Performance and Conclusion
Links mentioned in this episode:
DividendCafe.com
TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 3, 2025 • 8min
Wednesday - December 3, 2025
Gain insights into stock market performance as major indices see gains with a shift from growth to value sectors. Speculations swirl around the potential nomination of Kevin Hassett as the next Fed Chair, affecting interest rates. Surprising ADP payroll numbers reveal job losses, while a robust ISM services reading signals strength in the economy. The discussion also emphasizes a personalized approach to asset allocation, steering clear of cookie-cutter strategies in favor of a goals-based philosophy.

Dec 2, 2025 • 8min
Tuesday - December 2, 2025
Market Recap and Insights: AI Competition, Private Credit Risks, and Consumer Sentiment
In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach provides a market recap for Tuesday, December 2nd. He discusses recent stock market trends, including the Thanksgiving rally and subsequent fluctuations. Key points include the Fed's quiet period and high likelihood of a rate cut, Bitcoin's volatility, and upcoming economic data releases. Brian also examines consumer sentiment versus actual spending on Black Friday, and the fierce competition between major AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Moreover, he addresses the risks and misconceptions associated with private credit investments, explaining their higher yields and inherent risks compared to traditional fixed-income assets.
00:00 Introduction and Market Recap
00:13 Thanksgiving Week Market Performance
00:43 Current Market Movements and Fed Updates
01:12 Economic Data and Consumer Sentiment
02:05 Artificial Intelligence in the Market
03:29 Private Credit: Risks and Rewards
06:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Links mentioned in this episode:
DividendCafe.com
TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 1, 2025 • 13min
Monday - December 1, 2025
Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Xtosgp
Market Updates, Bitcoin Correlations, and Policy Discussions: Post-Thanksgiving Report
In this edition of Dividend Cafe, we recap the recent market activity and its fluctuations following Thanksgiving. Key points include the Dow's drop of 427 points, mixed performance across major indices, and a significant contrast between top-performing and worst-performing sectors. We also highlight Bitcoin's recent correlation breakdown with the Nasdaq, the potential economic impact of Japanese bond yields on cryptocurrencies, and the ongoing foreign appetite for U.S. financial markets. Additionally, the episode covers updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, Affordable Care Act subsidies, significant upcoming Supreme Court hearings, and notable figures in the Federal Reserve's future. For detailed charts and more information, visit DividendCafe.com.
00:00 Welcome and Market Recap
01:05 Market Indices Performance
02:41 Foreign Appetite for US Securities
03:51 Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Insights
05:51 Geopolitical and Policy Updates
07:40 Economic Indicators and Housing Market
08:38 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates
09:46 Energy Sector and Predictions
10:12 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics
Links mentioned in this episode:
DividendCafe.com
TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 26, 2025 • 23min
Thanksgiving Edition - November 26, 2025
In a heartfelt Thanksgiving reflection, David Bahnsen shares gratitude for his team's hard work across various departments. He praises the content creation crew for their impressive output and highlights the successful growth of the tax and planning teams. David emphasizes the importance of risk management in client service and the efficiency of the operations department. He also honors his late father's legacy and expresses deep appreciation for his wife, Jolene, and their valued clients, making this a touching salute to teamwork and relationships.

Nov 24, 2025 • 14min
Monday - November 24, 2025
Market trends are buzzing with a notable rally, especially in communication services thanks to Google. Consumer staples, however, faced some challenges. Insights on economic policies reveal expectations for Fed rate cuts and a possible resolution in the Ukraine-Russia situation. The Supreme Court's impact on tariffs is analyzed, along with discussions on healthcare stocks and energy market fluctuations. The host even shares a personal highlight from a thrilling Dallas Cowboys victory!

Nov 21, 2025 • 28min
A Check-In on the Economy
Delve into the current economic landscape with insights on job market trends and a softening housing sector. Discover why consumer sentiment isn't the reliable indicator it’s thought to be. Hear about the surprising income divergence affecting lower earners and understand how it shapes spending. Explore the idea that modest price drops in housing could be beneficial and the implications for GDP growth in the coming years. Tune in for a data-driven approach that dissects the nuanced state of the economy!


