Gibson Smith, founder of Smith Capital Investors, discusses emerging risks and opportunities in the bond market amid heightened geopolitical risk, a new Fed Chair, and a fresh wave of borrowing for the buildout of AI.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn
Follow us on X: First Trust on X
Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Jackie Wilke discusses how artificial intelligence is being leveraged by financial professionals to improve productivity and “level up” the client experience.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn
Follow us on X: First Trust on X
Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

On the heels of a strong year for international equities in 2025, Andrew Wiechert, Portfolio Manager at WCM Investment Management, breaks down why developed and emerging markets remain positioned to benefit from attractive valuations and improving fundamentals in 2026 and beyond. He highlights the risks and also some of the potential competitive advantages enjoyed by active managers seeking to navigate these opportunities. 

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn
Follow us on X: First Trust on X
Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Dave McGarel highlights why sky-high valuations in 2026 are like lingering too long at the summit of Mount Everest oxygen is thin and small mistakes can lead to dire consequences.  He explains the key risks ahead and points to where he sees more attractive, lower altitude opportunities for equity investors.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn
Follow us on X: First Trust on X
Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

In this episode, Brian Wesbury discusses his recent testimony on Capitol Hill, First Trust’s economic outlook for 2026, and implications of overvalued markets.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn
Follow us on X: First Trust on X
Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Will the stock market finally broaden?  Are valuations stretched?  Will momentum stall for AI-related stocks?  Richard Bernstein provides his perspective on these questions and others, laying out risks and opportunities for investors for 2026.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn
Follow us on X: First Trust on X
Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

At the precipice of a new year, Bob Stein discusses the implications of a probable new Fed Chair, the possibility of a Supreme Court ruling against tariff policies, and the odds for mid-term elections.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn
Follow us on X: First Trust on X
Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Will AI replace—or empower—financial advisors?  Performance coach Kevin Bishopp shares how financial professionals are already leveraging AI tools, potential risks ahead, and new opportunities to thrive in an AI era.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn
Follow us on X: First Trust on X
Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Strider Elass, Senior Economist at First Trust, joins the ROI Podcast to discuss tariff turbulence, DOGE’s spending purge, AI’s productivity potential, and what drove (and dragged) the US economy in 2025.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn
Follow us on X: First Trust on X
Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

Bob Carey discusses some of the biggest questions on the minds of financial professionals heading into the final stretch of 2025, including whether or not investors should be afraid of higher equity valuations.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News
Website:  First Trust Portfolios
Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn
Follow us on X: First Trust on X
Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel
Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel