Doc's Investing RX

The S&P 500 hit a record. That doesn’t make your mortgage cheaper or leave you more money after filling the tank.

So what’s the market seeing? And how much longer can companies pass higher costs along before customers start pulling back?

This week on Doc’s Investing Rx, I follow the money. Delta expects a much bigger fuel bill and cut its earnings outlook—even with strong sales. That’s worth understanding whether you own the stock or you’re trying to get your family home for the holidays.

I get into oil, Treasury yields, mortgage rates, and the dollar. I also unpack the OpenAI revenue report, what investors are paying for AI growth, Social Security’s coming adjustment, and what bank earnings and retail sales can tell us about how Americans are holding up.

And yes, I address the crash question. I’ll explain what concerns me, the three developments that would make me more cautious, and what would change my view.

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Market review through October 9, 2026. Educational commentary, not personalized investment advice.

Stocks rallied after a weak jobs report. Treasury yields finished the week higher. The dollar strengthened. Brent oil stayed above $100.

How much relief did we actually get?

This week on Doc’s Investing Rx, I connect the market headlines to your borrowing costs, household budget, and investments and take a hard look at a company I own: Nike.

A familiar brand and a falling stock price can make a turnaround look tempting. But what does the business still have to prove?

In this episode:

• Why stocks celebrated slower hiring and why bond yields deserve attention

• Oil, diesel reserves, and the costs that reach you beyond the gas pump

• What DXY tells us about the dollar and what it doesn’t

• Nike’s earnings outlook, valuation, and the risks of betting on a recovery

• Micron’s growth and the different questions facing AI investors

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Disclosure: I own 500 Nike shares and three $60-strike Nike LEAPS expiring in 2028. My last confirmed Micron disclosure was 244 shares as of September 27, 2026.

Coverage: Week ending October 2, 2026. The $100 oil reference is to Brent crude, not WTI. This episode provides general investing education, not individualized financial advice. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Purchased options can lose the entire premium paid.

You saved more. Your retirement account had a good week. So why does the next big step still feel harder to afford?

This week on Doc’s Investing Rx, Doc follows the gap between a rising stock market and the decisions Americans face at home.

We connect higher financing costs to the AI rally, Meta’s newest products, Micron’s upcoming earnings, and the political developments affecting energy and trade.

The question running through it all: who has the financial flexibility to keep moving forward and what are investors paying for that advantage?

We finish with one question to ask before your next major financial commitment.

Explore The Clinic’s research, education, tools, and membership options at https://www.theinvestingclinic.com. One hundred percent of profits after expenses are donated to charities benefiting children.

Week ending September 27, 2026. Educational commentary, not individualized investment advice. Disclosure: Doc owns Meta call options and 244 Micron shares.

CPI vs PCE, Inflation, and AI StocksDoc opens by admitting he wrongly predicted the Fed would hold rates; the Fed instead unanimously hiked 25 bps to 3.75%–4.0% and signaled more hikes via the dot plot, while the 10-year Treasury rose above 5%. He explains his mistakes: focusing on oil as a supply shock rather than the risk of it spreading into broader prices and expectations, and relying on core CPI instead of the Fed’s target measure, PCE (headline PCE 3.7%, core PCE 3.3%). He breaks down four inflation ideas: inflation measures the rate of change, personal inflation differs by spending basket, core vs headline is about trend, and CPI isn’t PCE. He then covers practical impacts on credit cards, savings rates, mortgages, HELOCs, car loans, and 401(k) behavior. Finally, he analyzes the week’s AI narrative whiplash—calls to slow frontier AI, a chip-stock selloff, and renewed competitive pressure—urging investors to follow capex, orders, and guidance.00:00 Owning the Fed Miss01:44 Wrong Question on Oil02:55 CPI vs PCE Wakeup03:53 Episode Roadmap05:49 Fed Vote and Dot Plot07:52 Bond Yields and Markets09:41 Inflation Speedometer12:59 Personal Inflation Baskets15:38 Core Inflation Explained20:29 Why Fed Hiked Anyway23:26 Policy Risks and Timing24:45 Clinic Plug and Money Impact25:51 Credit Cards Hit First26:29 Credit Card APR Reality27:15 High Yield Savings Checklist28:46 Mortgage Rates Explained30:14 HELOCs and Car Loans31:02 401k Emotions and Process34:10 AI Safety vs Competition37:39 Chip Thesis and Evidence41:56 AI Meets Cost of Money43:15 Mailbag Fed Accountability45:01 Recession Signals to Watch46:09 Key Takeaways Recap48:37 Final Thoughts and Sign Off

Doc previews Wednesday’s 2:00 PM ET Federal Reserve decision, noting futures markets price an 80%+ chance of a hike while he takes a contrarian view that the Fed holds, likely paired with hawkish guidance. He explains the case for hiking—above-target inflation, rising inflation expectations, strong labor data, and the need to protect Fed credibility—then argues for holding because much of current inflation is energy- and war-driven, households are strained by high borrowing costs, financial conditions have already tightened via messaging, and the committee can wait while watching expectations and yields. He urges viewers to focus less on the Fed and more on personal APRs and savings rates, avoid emotional trading, and write down investment theses. He connects rates to AI by highlighting Oracle’s surge in AI cloud demand alongside massive CapEx and the importance of how AI buildouts are funded.00:00 Fed Day Stakes01:22 What Rates Can’t Fix03:10 Show Setup and Plan04:03 Three Camps on Rates05:52 Case for a Hike06:43 Credibility and Expectations10:34 Why Hold Instead12:00 Energy Shock Inflation14:46 Household Stress Signals17:26 Tightening by Talking19:44 Hawkish Hold Scenario22:53 Your Real Rate Problem23:27 APR Math Reality26:00 Fix Savings Yield27:26 What Changes for You28:55 Budget Breathing Room29:16 Car Loans And Debt29:54 Rates Versus Stocks31:10 Tesla Emotion Trap32:32 Marvell Surgical Investing35:32 Time Horizon And Indexing36:22 The Clinic = Charity37:38 AI Boom Funding Costs42:04 Fed And AI Connection45:04 How This Thesis Fails48:05 What To Watch Wednesday50:01 Five Actions To Take52:19 Watch Your Own Numbers54:05 Final Wrap And Disclaimer

Doc and Pablo take a dive into the current market volatility and the key to navigating the unrest heading into midterm elections.

In this episode, Doc is joined by Pablo, as they break down the volatility and how they are positioned for the weeks ahead.

Turn Your First $1,000 into an Automated Money Machine!In this episode of Broke to Wealth, Doc guides you through transforming your first $1,000 into a self-sustaining financial machine.

Learn how to stack up $1,000 quickly with a 30-day playbook, and discover the five essential switches to automate and grow your investments.

Doc also covers a strategic 70-20-10 cash allocation, tips for managing debt and credit, as well as a simple seven-day action sprint to kickstart your journey.

Set everything on autopilot and watch your money grow effortlessly!

00:00 Introduction to Building Wealth

00:51 The $1,000 Sprint Plan

01:39 Week-by-Week Breakdown

04:15 Autopilot Architecture

05:55 The 70-20-10 Power Split

06:53 Debt and Credit Triage

10:31 Doctor's Orders: One Page Plan

13:56 Seven Day Action Sprint

16:42 Q&A Session

21:06 Final Thoughts and Next Steps

In this episode of 'Broke to Wealth,' Doc breaks down the essentials of starting your investment journey with just $100.

Learn why small investments can make a big impact and discover practical steps for putting your money to work through fractional shares, ETFs, and self-improvement.

Doc also shares personal stories and common traps to avoid, ensuring you're set up for financial success.

Don't miss out—start building your wealth today, one dollar at a time!

00:00 Introduction to Broke to Wealth

00:24 The Importance of Investing $100

02:41 Investment Strategies for Beginners

04:22 Step-by-Step Investment Guide

05:46 The Power of Compounding

07:10 Common Investment Traps to Avoid

08:47 Engaging with the Community

09:27 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Paving the Path: Laying the Bricks for Wealth

In this episode of Broke to Wealth, we dive into the critical steps needed to break free from the exhausting cycle of financial struggle.

We begin by understanding why people often get stuck in a pattern of living paycheck to paycheck and explore the significance of building a solid financial foundation.

The episode outlines four essential steps: tracking your expenses daily, starting small with a $500-$1,000 emergency fund, breaking dependency on credit cards, and automating payments and savings.

We talk about how these steps lead to financial stability, allowing you to feel safer and more in control of your finances.

Tune in to learn how to take control of your financial future, one step at a time, and move from a state of being broke to a state of wealth.00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:48 Breaking the Financial Cycle01:22 Understanding the Financial Trap03:23 Building a Financial Foundation05:10 Steps to Financial Stability08:14 Mindset and Motivation09:06 Challenge and Conclusion