The Financial Exchange with Barry Armstrong breaks business news first in New England. The longest running business news host in Boston, Barry reports on the latest business developments throughout the country in New England with heavy hitting interviews from CEO’s, analysts and prominent business media professionals.
AI Risk, Bond Signals, and the Housing Reality Check
Diesel Hits $6.50 as Global Supply Pressures Build
A quiet week for economic data is being overshadowed by rising diesel prices, new refinery strikes in Russia, and uncertainty over how long global fuel pressure can last.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why diesel has climbed above $6.50 for the first time, how attacks on Russian refineries and Middle East disruptions are tightening global supply, and why high diesel prices hit the economy differently than high gasoline prices. They also break down the impact on home heating oil, food costs, trucking, and household budgets, plus the Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery merger settlement, U.S.-China talks, and concerns about how DraftKings uses AI to target gamblers most likely to lose.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why diesel has climbed above $6.50 for the first time, how attacks on Russian refineries and Middle East disruptions are tightening global supply, and why high diesel prices hit the economy differently than high gasoline prices. They also break down the impact on home heating oil, food costs, trucking, and household budgets, plus the Paramount and Warner Brothers Discovery merger settlement, U.S.-China talks, and concerns about how DraftKings uses AI to target gamblers most likely to lose.
Can Stocks Handle More Fed Rate Hikes?
Markets are testing whether stocks can keep climbing through another rate hike cycle, especially with AI spending still driving much of the economy’s momentum.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why Wall Street may be able to handle a few more Fed hikes, how AI investment has become the main engine behind the market, and why higher rates may affect housing, small businesses, and consumers very differently than the tech companies leading the rally. They also break down why many Americans lack confidence in meeting future financial needs, how to think about retirement projections, and Paul LaMonica of Barron’s joins to discuss Nike’s struggles, its possible removal from the Dow, and growing competition from On and New Balance.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why Wall Street may be able to handle a few more Fed hikes, how AI investment has become the main engine behind the market, and why higher rates may affect housing, small businesses, and consumers very differently than the tech companies leading the rally. They also break down why many Americans lack confidence in meeting future financial needs, how to think about retirement projections, and Paul LaMonica of Barron’s joins to discuss Nike’s struggles, its possible removal from the Dow, and growing competition from On and New Balance.
Diesel Prices Are Making Almost Everything More Expensive
Diesel has climbed to $6.45 a gallon, and the ripple effects are starting to show up across shipping, food, construction, holiday retail, and home heating costs.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why diesel inflation is different from higher gasoline prices, how rising fuel costs are feeding into interest rates and mortgage rates, and why AI data center spending may be harder to slow than the rest of the economy. They also break down the debate over a possible diesel export ban, why that could lower prices briefly but create bigger problems later, the latest legal trouble for OpenAI and Microsoft in their fight with The New York Times, and Warren Buffett stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why diesel inflation is different from higher gasoline prices, how rising fuel costs are feeding into interest rates and mortgage rates, and why AI data center spending may be harder to slow than the rest of the economy. They also break down the debate over a possible diesel export ban, why that could lower prices briefly but create bigger problems later, the latest legal trouble for OpenAI and Microsoft in their fight with The New York Times, and Warren Buffett stepping down as Berkshire Hathaway chairman.
Fed Hike Calms Markets as Inflation Questions Remain
Stocks and bonds are rallying after the Fed’s first rate hike in three years, but higher fuel prices and stubborn inflation risks are still complicating the path ahead.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why markets are reacting more positively after Kevin Warsh’s latest Fed meeting, why short-term rate hikes do not directly control mortgage rates, and how flows and positioning can drive market moves more than simple headlines. They also break down why diesel prices remain a major economic problem, whether the global economy is running out of supply buffers, why AI spending is still reshaping markets, and how concerns around Anthropic, OpenAI, and AI safety could affect future IPOs.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss why markets are reacting more positively after Kevin Warsh’s latest Fed meeting, why short-term rate hikes do not directly control mortgage rates, and how flows and positioning can drive market moves more than simple headlines. They also break down why diesel prices remain a major economic problem, whether the global economy is running out of supply buffers, why AI spending is still reshaping markets, and how concerns around Anthropic, OpenAI, and AI safety could affect future IPOs.
Fed Rate Hike Leaves Markets Asking What Comes Next
The Fed has raised rates for the first time in three years, but investors may still be underestimating how much more tightening could be ahead.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Kevin Warsh’s post-meeting performance, why the Fed’s dot plot and the rates market are sending different messages, and whether stronger labor data could force additional hikes. They also break down why a Fed rate hike could actually help bring mortgage rates lower, how diesel prices are still pressuring the economy, and why higher rates, labor shortages, and rising input costs are making life harder for home builders.
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Kevin Warsh’s post-meeting performance, why the Fed’s dot plot and the rates market are sending different messages, and whether stronger labor data could force additional hikes. They also break down why a Fed rate hike could actually help bring mortgage rates lower, how diesel prices are still pressuring the economy, and why higher rates, labor shortages, and rising input costs are making life harder for home builders.
Fed Hike Odds Rise as Diesel Prices Keep Climbing
Markets are waiting on the Fed’s 2:00 PM decision, but fuel prices are still moving in the wrong direction as diesel climbs to $6.31 nationally.
Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss why markets are pricing in a 25-basis-point rate hike, what Kevin Warsh needs to signal, and why diesel prices could jump even further in the Midwest and Rockies. They also break down whether the world economy is becoming more wary of the U.S., how rising energy costs are complicating business pricing decisions, why some boomers are tapping retirement savings to help their grandkids, and whether the U.S. can slow down AI development while staying ahead of China.
Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss why markets are pricing in a 25-basis-point rate hike, what Kevin Warsh needs to signal, and why diesel prices could jump even further in the Midwest and Rockies. They also break down whether the world economy is becoming more wary of the U.S., how rising energy costs are complicating business pricing decisions, why some boomers are tapping retirement savings to help their grandkids, and whether the U.S. can slow down AI development while staying ahead of China.
Fed Decision Could Define the Next Era for Bonds
The Fed is set to announce its latest rate decision, but the bigger question may be whether the bond market has entered a new regime.
Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss why today’s Fed meeting matters, what Kevin Warsh needs to prove in his press conference, and how the 10-year Treasury crossing 5% has raised bigger questions about real rates, deficits, and the cost of servicing U.S. debt. They also break down why higher real interest rates could create long-term fiscal pressure, whether a 50-basis-point hike would be too much, and Todd Lutsky joins for Ask Todd to explain probate, trust planning, Medicaid planning, and irrevocable trusts.
Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss why today’s Fed meeting matters, what Kevin Warsh needs to prove in his press conference, and how the 10-year Treasury crossing 5% has raised bigger questions about real rates, deficits, and the cost of servicing U.S. debt. They also break down why higher real interest rates could create long-term fiscal pressure, whether a 50-basis-point hike would be too much, and Todd Lutsky joins for Ask Todd to explain probate, trust planning, Medicaid planning, and irrevocable trusts.
Why 5% Treasury Yields Are Rattling Investors
Markets are selling off as Treasury yields climb, AI concerns grow louder, and Washington’s debt debate adds another layer of uncertainty ahead of the Fed decision.
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss why rising Treasury yields are driving markets, how higher rates affect mortgages, bonds, deficits, and stock valuations, and why AI investment and fiscal concerns may both be contributing to the move. They also break down growing AI safety concerns, whether the AI trade could be vulnerable to a slowdown, why traditional bond investors have struggled, and why a proposed $5,000 “dividend” check could worsen inflation and push rates even higher.
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss why rising Treasury yields are driving markets, how higher rates affect mortgages, bonds, deficits, and stock valuations, and why AI investment and fiscal concerns may both be contributing to the move. They also break down growing AI safety concerns, whether the AI trade could be vulnerable to a slowdown, why traditional bond investors have struggled, and why a proposed $5,000 “dividend” check could worsen inflation and push rates even higher.
Treasury Yields Reach Their Highest Level in Nearly 20 Years
The 10-year Treasury yield is back around 5%, mortgage rates are above 7%, and tomorrow’s Fed decision could determine whether bond investors believe Kevin Warsh is serious about inflation.
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss why rising yields are putting pressure on borrowers, bond investors, and the federal government. They break down why higher rates have hurt existing bondholders, why deficits may be adding to market stress, and why Marc says Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s “grow our way out of it” argument lacks credibility. They also look ahead to the Fed’s three-part decision day, how diesel prices could complicate the inflation fight, and why cheap used cars have become so hard to find.
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss why rising yields are putting pressure on borrowers, bond investors, and the federal government. They break down why higher rates have hurt existing bondholders, why deficits may be adding to market stress, and why Marc says Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s “grow our way out of it” argument lacks credibility. They also look ahead to the Fed’s three-part decision day, how diesel prices could complicate the inflation fight, and why cheap used cars have become so hard to find.