1) A Return to Volatility

Stocks were all over the map this week, as traders positioned themselves in front of next week’s Federal Reserve decision on interest rates. Volatility is indeed back on Wall Street, but how did that volatility play out in stocks, bonds and commodities? Find out the week’s tally in today’s leadoff segment. Plus, why there’s now a sign of “distribution” in the market.   

2) The Bond Bull is Coming to an End

Bonds yields are starting to rise, and that’s ignited fears that the bull move in the long end of the bond market is about to end. In today’s second segment, I tell you all about the reasons why I think the bull market in bonds is close to an end. More importantly, I give you a few things to keep in mind so you can prepare for this eventuality. If you own bonds, this segment in a must listen. 

3) The Most Important Step toward Achieving Financial Goals 

In today’s final segment, I tell you about the most important step you can take to get yourself on the path to achieving your financial goals. While the details of those steps are different for everyone, there is one common component to the most important step for everyone… and you would be surprised at how easy it is to incorporate this step into your financial life. Plus, how to get rid of those “pockets of cash.”

1) A Decline in the Wind 

Stocks fell sharply in Friday trade, marking a reversal of the relative calm we’ve seen in markets for the past seven-plus weeks. The traditional September volatility now seems to have come back, but how did it play out in the various asset classes this week? And, what was the catalyst for Friday’s pullback in both stocks and bonds? Find out how it all shook out in today’s leadoff podcast segment. Plus, the S&P 500 just pulled back below the 50-day moving average… should you be worried?

2) Is This the End of the Bond Bull? 

Bonds started to falter this week, and after a big run higher in Treasury prices (and a fall in bond yields) this year, the bond market is showing signs of a turn. In today’s middle segment, we talk about the various ramifications if Treasury bonds now are entering a declining cycle, and what that means for not only income investors, but also for growth investors. Plus, why you should actually be cheering higher bond yields. 

3) Thoughts On Taking More Risk 

When you put money in markets, you want to make price work in your favor. That’s why putting capital at risk when stocks are at all-time highs is not usually a wise choice. If volatility returns, the opportunities to put money to risk will be far better. In today’s final segment, we cover some of the strategies I’m looking at to put money to work if, in fact, we are about to enter a period where taking more risks makes sense. Plus, why a heated election could cause a lot more selling in stocks.

1) A Market in a Holding Pattern

Stocks have been very quiet over the past month, and that was again true in the final week of August. So, what does the current calm in the market mean for equity and bond investors? Is the current calm over, and is volatility about to return? Find out my take on these questions, as well as a rundown of all the major markets over the past week, in today’s leadoff segment. Plus, a few thoughts on the markets and the election. 

2) MoneyShow Musings from San Francisco  

Investors are thirsty for information about exchange-traded funds (ETFs). That was made abundantly clear to me based on the standing-room-only attendance of my San Francisco MoneyShow presentations on the 10 ETFs you MUST know about. In today’s second segment, I talk more about the San Francisco MoneyShow, and I give you details on three unique ETFs that are better than their bigger rivals. Plus, how to get the latest rundown of the entire ETF market on our website, absolutely FREE. 

3) Answering Listener Questions  

I asked for your questions, and you responded! Over the past couple of weeks, podcast listeners have sent in scores of great questions for me about various topics pertaining to investing, including questions about retirement account rollovers, increment purchasing and low-volume ETFs. In today’s final segment, I respond to several of those specific questions, and I show you why I think the answers will enlighten all listeners. Plus, why putting money in the market makes you more attentive.

We depart from our regular three-segment show to bring you a special issue devoted to a subject near and dear to my heart…exchange-traded funds, or ETFs. 

Today, I will be presenting you with a rundown of what I think are the top 10 ETFs that you MUST know about.  

In this presentation, I will talk about five income-oriented ETFs that I love, as well as the five growth-oriented ETFs that I really like at this juncture in the market. 

While some of the ETFs on our list may be familiar to you, I can nearly guarantee that you’ll find out about at least a few new ETFs you probably didn’t know about. 

If you are an ETF investor—and you definitely should be—then today’s special issue is a must listen. 

In addition to the top 10 ETFs, you’ll also find out about a strategy I employ for my clients and my newsletter subscribers known as “increment purchasing.”

1) A Slow Week at Home, A Fast Week in China, Oil

Domestic stocks were largely flat over the past week, as the summer doldrums have definitely put a lid on market activity. But that hasn’t been the case for emerging markets, China and oil. This week, we saw strong performance in these sectors, as the fast money continues to find ways to find more alpha. In today’s leadoff segment, we take a look at all the key markets to see just how the numbers turned out. 

2) The 2 Best Sectors to Invest In  

This week, I went to an investment conference sponsored by Fidelity. At the conference, I heard Jurrien Timmer, Director of Global Macro for Fidelity Investments, talk about the markets at large, and what was the likely next scenario for this current rally. What was particularly interesting to me was where Timmer thought investors should be looking for the biggest upside. In today’s second segment, you’ll find out which two sectors Timmer likes most, and why those sectors should already be familiar to podcast listeners. Plus, who, or what, is TINA? 

3) What Do You Really Want to Do?  

One of the things I love about speaking to clients of my Personal Wealth Coaching program is that I find out what people really want to do with their money. The “what” is as varied as there are people, but the “how to” involves some common goal setting, and some proper planning. In today’s final segment, we talk about the importance of defining what you really want to do, and how to get your money on the path to making what you want a reality.

1) Heading into the Red Zone 

Football season is almost here, and that means teams are about to enter the red zone on their way to a score. In terms of the market, we also are about to enter a “red zone” of sorts. That’s because between mid-August and the end of October, financial markets tend to be highly volatile. Does that mean we are headed for a correction? No, but it does mean we need to approach this market with the utmost caution. In today’s kickoff segment, we cover all of the action in what was a somewhat dull, yet also record-breaking, week in the stock market. Plus, what’s happening with low gas prices and record-low mortgage rates? 

2) Is It Time to Sell Everything?  

The market trading at new, all-time highs is a scary proposition for some, including many of the biggest names in the investment business. In fact, some of the highest-profile names have come right out and said that it is time to sell everything. In today’s middle segment, we take a look at the proposition of whether you should sell everything now, or whether you should take a deep breath and approach things in a more calculated manner. Hint—I am a big fan of deep breaths.

3) The Top Five Action Items for Investors  

I’ve spoken many times about the lessons learned from my Personal Wealth Coaching program. Today, I am going to cover some of the reasons why you might benefit from the personal attention given by the Fabian Personal Wealth Coaching method. I also am going to cover the top five action items investors need to complete if they want to get themselves on the proper path toward financial fitness. Plus, why, “if you’re in your head, you’re dead.”  

1) Is This a Good Spot to Get Long Stocks? 

Sometimes it helps to take a step back and look at what’s happened since the beginning of the year. Doing so helps us gain perspective on the current status of markets, and it also helps give us an answer to the question of whether now is a good time to get long stocks. So, while the market can certainly go higher from here, any new allocation today comes with a significant backdrop of a big run up to all-time highs. In today’s leadoff segment, we step back and look at things from a wide angle—an angle that also can help direct our investment decisions going forward. Plus, your complete rundown on all of the action in the stock, bond, commodity and currency markets. 

2) A Look at International Equities     

While stocks in the U.S. are making new highs, it’s a different story for European and Japanese stocks. Both of these developed markets face stiff headwinds, and both have seen their respective markets tumble. Neither Europe nor Japan looks attractive to me here, but there is one area of the international investing landscape that does look good—emerging markets. In today’s middle segment, we take a look at why emerging markets look good, and why exchange-traded funds are the best way to gain exposure to this outperforming market segment.  

3) An Unusual Life Insurance Strategy

When it comes to solutions for your long-term investment objectives, the choices are nearly endless. Today, investors have all sorts of ways they can put life insurance policies to work for them, and many times in ways that wouldn’t seem common or intuitive. In today’s final segment, I share with you a story from one of my personal wealth coaching clients about how we figured out how to use an unusual life insurance strategy to help him manage the legacy on his wealth. If you’re in search of solutions to your long-term wealth building and investment objectives, this segment is a must listen.

1) Another Sideways Week 

The market has gone virtually nowhere of late, and it was yet another sideways week of trading for the major averages. Will we breakout from here, or will we breakdown? That’s the question we dig into in this week’s leadoff podcast segment. Plus, find out how all of the markets performed during the relatively calm week…and learn why oil prices are down nearly 20% over the past month. 

2) Income Solutions for Your IRA    

Bonds have had a remarkable run in recent years, and this year Treasury bond performance is lapping that of the S&P 500. Yet how far can bonds go, and how much longer can this bond bull last? In today’s second segment, we cover some strategies regarding adding even better total return securities to your income portfolio. These strategies include assets that offer both capital appreciation and high yield, a combination that must be explored if the bond market run is destined to grind to a halt. Plus, find out why incremental purchases are the key to transitioning into better income solutions. 

3) Growth Outside of the United States  

When it comes to equity performance so far in 2016, it’s all about emerging markets. That’s because this year, the best-performing country ETFs are in places that you wouldn’t expect they would be. Here I am talking about countries such as Peru, Brazil, Thailand and even Russia. Yes, when it comes to performance and growth, the best place to look is outside the United States, and in today’s final segment we show you how to do just that. Plus, why time, tools and discipline are the key to becoming a smarter investor.

1) The Post-Brexit Surge

The markets are on a tear, with the Dow and S&P 500 surging to new, all-time highs following the U.K.’s Brexit vote. Psychologically, the market has once again done what nobody expected, and that is rally after the “bad” news. So, how have the rest of the markets performed of late, and what’s going on in safe-haven assets such as bonds and gold? Find out in today’s leadoff segment. 

2) On Starting New Positions  

The market is making new highs, and many investors think it’s too late to put money to work. That’s not the case, however, provided you put your money to work strategically. In today’s second segment, I go back to something my dad, Dick Fabian, taught me about how to start into new positions during bull markets. This strategy is as easy as knowing how to do some simple fractions. If you’ve been wondering how we get long market sectors after a bull run is in place, then this segment is a must. 

3) Tales from the Personal Wealth Coaching Files

When I meet with new Personal Wealth Coaching clients, one of the first things I do is see how much cash they have in their portfolio. Over the past year, I’ve noticed way too many investors coming to me with far too much cash. That’s largely because investors are concerned about a market bubble, and a potential rise in interest rates. Fortunately, there are many ways to allocate to growth and income without being all-in stocks or bonds. In today’s final segment, I cover a few of the alternative ways investors can get long equities and bonds and start putting money to work strategically.

While growth investing isn’t for everyone, most people do want to have some money allocated to stocks and/or targeted segments of the market that can give them a little alpha.

Yet what I’ve discovered is that many of our new clients come to us with a portfolio heavy on cash and light on growth.

The timing of this special, growth-oriented broadcast couldn’t be more perfect, as the major domestic equities now have broken out of their recent trading range and vaulted to new, all-time highs.

This shows that growth is getting back its mojo, and that means now is the time to get up to speed on how to allocate for growth, and which funds are the most attractive as we enter the second half of 2016.

Given the gains in the market over the past five trading sessions, this special growth investing episode now has become a must listen.

Finally, we now have transitioned the podcast publication date from Friday to Saturday. So, instead of getting the podcast midday Friday, you’ll get the full week’s wrap up on the markets early Saturday, so please make a note of that in your calendars.