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One of the biggest challenges retirees face is balancing the need for portfolio growth with the need to protect hard-earned savings. With markets near record highs, valuations elevated, and investor sentiment increasingly optimistic, when should retirees consider reducing portfolio risk? Lance Roberts discusses the principles of risk management for retirees and why successful investing is often more about protecting capital than maximizing returns. Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 0:50 - End of Quarter - Looking forward to June & July 3:24 - Hurricane Season Fun 4:51 - Easy Market Breeds Investor Complacency - No One Wants Insurance 11:47 - RIA Website...

Investors continue wrestling with uncertainty, frustration, and the fear of making the wrong move in today’s market environment. Jon Penn & Sarah Buenger discuss why waiting for the “perfect” entry point often keeps investors sidelined, how hindsight bias and regret aversion impact decision-making, and why investing does not have to be an all-or-nothing approach Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 0:20 - We Don't Sleep so You Can 4:11 - World of Roth Preview & Market Summary 10:15 - How to Get Money Into Roth 13:39 -The Back Door Roth 17:21 - IRS Strategies & Prorata Rule 18:23 - Regular Roth Conversions 20:34 - Super-loading Roths 24:49 - 457...

Semiconductor stocks continue to dominate market leadership as AI spending, data center demand, and investor enthusiasm push valuations higher. But is the semiconductor trade becoming dangerously overcrowded? Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz examine whether the current AI-driven semiconductor boom is sustainable or if markets are entering another phase of excessive speculation. We discuss narrow market breadth, concentration risk inside major indexes, memory chip pricing, Korea’s growing importance in the global semiconductor supply chain, and whether investor optimism is outrunning economic reality. Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 1:02 - End of Quarter prep; Triton Joins $-Trillion Club 5:59 - Ma...

Markets, retirement, inflation, taxes, the Fed, portfolio risk, and financial planning — nothing is off limits during this week’s Q&A Wednesday. Lance and Danny answer viewer questions live and break down what matters most to investors right now, from market volatility and interest rates to retirement income strategies and long-term wealth planning. Join the conversation and get straightforward insights from real advisors dealing with real-world financial challenges every day. Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 1:09 - Markets Set New Highs, Iran Talks Continue 5:46 - Markets' Rising on One Sector 9:54 - When Will the Market Correct? 15:16 - Infl...

Wall Street still defines a “bear market” as a 20% decline, but does that rule still apply in today’s market environment? Lance Roberts & Jon Penn break down why traditional definitions of corrections and bear markets may be obsolete after 17 years of Fed intervention, massive liquidity injections, and historically elevated valuations. We also answer one of the biggest questions investors are asking right now: how do you balance staying invested while also remaining defensive? We discuss risk management, position sizing, portfolio hedging, and how investors can recognize when it may be time to become more cautious without abandoning long-term investment discipline. Lance...

Qualified Charitable Distributions, or QCDs, can be one of the most tax-efficient strategies available for retirees with IRA assets. But are they always the right move? Richard Rosso and Jonathan McCarty break down the pros and cons of QCDs, including how they interact with Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), adjusted gross income (AGI), Medicare IRMAA surcharges, Social Security taxation, Roth conversions, and estate planning strategies. Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Texas Tree Roaches & Market Commentary 4:08 - AI Data Centers & Anti-AI Mentalities & Other Observations 16:23 - How AI Tools Can Help 19:04 - Qualified Charitable Distributions 21:13 - Falling Into...

The AI economy looks unstoppable on the surface, but what is really happening underneath? Lance Roberts and Michael Lebowitz break down the massive surge in AI infrastructure spending, the role of hyperscaler CapEx in driving GDP growth, and whether AI is creating a stronger economy or masking deeper structural weaknesses. Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 0:53 - NVIDIA, AI, & Streamlining Workforce 5:41 - Market Sell Signals and Chances for Summer Correction 10:10 - Weakness in Economic Data is Transitory 14:53 - Oil Price Economic Impact - When Does it Hit? 16:36 - The AI Economy -Beyond the Hype 19:52 - How Will...

Markets are hitting new highs while volatility, inflation concerns, interest rates, and geopolitical risks continue to pressure investors. Lance Roberts and Danny Ratliff answer your questions about investing, retirement planning, portfolio management, taxes, market risk, Federal Reserve policy, and the economy. From market momentum and valuation risks to retirement income strategies and financial planning mistakes, this is your opportunity to get straightforward answers without Wall Street spin. Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 0:57 - Markets Trying to Sell-off 6:17 - Market Comparisons 11:19 - Not Reading the News is Better 12:08 - Is TLT a Good Buy Now? 15:40 - What...

Narrow market leadership is becoming a growing risk for investors heading into the summer months. While the S&P 500 continues pushing near record highs, a small group of mega-cap technology stocks is carrying most of the market higher as broader participation weakens beneath the surface. Lance Roberts breaks down why concentrated leadership matters, what history says about narrow rallies, and why stretched momentum in semiconductors, AI, and mega-cap growth stocks could leave markets vulnerable to sharper volatility ahead. We’ll review the widening gap between cap-weighted and equal-weight indexes, weakening sector participation, and the growing importance of risk management as ma...

What should you really expect from a financial advisor? Is your advisor acting as a fiduciary, managing risk, helping with taxes, retirement income, estate planning, and behavioral coaching, or just selling products and chasing performance? Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty break down the real role of a financial advisor, what services matter most, how advisors are compensated, and the warning signs investors often miss. We also discuss fiduciary standards, portfolio management, communication expectations, financial planning, and why transparency matters more than promises.. Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 0:18 - Jerome Powell, Kevin Warsh (Janet Yellen) & CPI Review 4:18...

Inflation pressures may be heating up again, and markets are beginning to notice. Rising prices can have major consequences for stocks, bonds, interest rates, and Federal Reserve policy. Lance Roberts & Michael Lebowitz discuss why persistent inflation is dangerous for both investors and the economy, how rising yields pressure bond prices, and why higher rates can challenge stock valuations — especially in high-growth and technology sectors. We also examine whether the recent market rally is underestimating the risk of another inflation wave. Here's a topical rundown of today's show: 0:00 - INTRO 1:04 - Gamma Squeeze & Markets' 7-week Run 5:16 - Market Sectors vs Market Fa...

Q&A Wednesday is back. Markets are pushing record highs while oil prices surge on renewed Iran and Strait of Hormuz tensions, inflation concerns remain elevated, and the AI trade continues to dominate Wall Street headlines. Investors are also watching the Fed, tariffs, interest rates, retirement risks, taxes, and portfolio positioning as volatility quietly builds beneath the surface. Lance Roberts and Danny Ratliff answer your questions, live, with straightforward analysis and no spin. Bring your questions about markets, retirement planning, portfolio management, taxes, risk, the economy, or whatever is on your mind. Questions we answered on today's show include: 0:00...