First Trust ROI Podcast

Jim Murchie, co-founder and portfolio manager at Energy Income Partners, returns to the podcast to discuss whether the nation's power grid can keep pace with surging demand from AI data centers. Jim breaks down why he expects the "bring your own power" trend to continue, and why he thinks the AI buildout will ultimately leave the grid more robust over the long term. He also covers how this infrastructure buildout is being financed, and unpacks the often misunderstood relationship between interest rates utility stocks.

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When Dave McGarel joined the podcast at the start of 2026, he compared high market valuations to a climber that had ascended into Mount Everest’s “death zone” — thin air, high risk, no room for error.  As earnings multiples have declined from those levels, Dave returns to discuss whether the market is on safer ground as valuations have come down.  He shares his outlook on equities heading into Q4, what higher interest rates mean for portfolio positioning, and his take on the ongoing data center and AI infrastructure buildout. 

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With midterm elections weeks away, First Trust Deputy Chief Economist Bob Stein joins the podcast for his final pre-election check-in.  Bob breaks down how rising populist rhetoric could reshape the midterm outcome, and what that means for markets, fiscal policy, and investors.  Bob also tackles two related topics on every investor’s radar: the political battle over the AI/data center buildout, and the long-term solvency of Social Security.  Whatever the outcome in November, Bob outlines what investors should be watching heading into 2027.

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Gibson Smith, Founder and CIO of Smith Capital Investors, joins the podcast to unpack the forces reshaping fixed income today, including persistent inflation, a new Fed Chair, a shifting geopolitical backdrop, and the rise of debt financing for AI data centers.  Gibson then shares his outlook on the implications for portfolio positioning.

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In this episode, Kevin Bishopp, performance coach at First Trust, channels Van Halen’s Best of Both Worlds to make the case that AI is already improving both the productivity of financial professionals and the client experience. 

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Brian Wesbury discusses the impact that the Trump administration’s immigration and trade policies have had on the economy so far, as well as how Keven Warsh is navigating the early stages of his term as Chairman of the Fed.

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In a world increasingly run by algorithms, is human connection still your biggest competitive advantage? Jackie Wilke joins the podcast to explore why authentic relationships remain a financial professional's greatest edge, even as automation reshapes the industry.

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Despite an ongoing war and shifting interest rate expectations, equity market performance favored small- and mid-cap stocks during the first half of 2026.  Bob Carey explains some of the reasons this shift has occurred and breaks down the risks and opportunities on the horizon.

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Surging electricity demand from AI data centers and industrial reshoring is driving renewed interest in nuclear power.  After years of contraction, the industry may be poised for expansion and reacceleration.  In this episode, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Nikki Hsu and Gabriela Privetera help us unpack some of the opportunities and obstacles that could shape nuclear’s comeback.

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Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
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With the ongoing IPO market activity, Dr. Josef Schuster joins the podcast to discuss his research on the unique performance dynamics that often follow new listings.

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Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
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