The stock market is at a crossroads. After the strongest back-to-back years for the S&P 500 since the late 1990s, investors are wondering what to expect in 2025. Will higher productivity, stronger earnings, and D.C. deregulation win out and propel equities higher? Or will higher-for-longer interest rates, geopolitical tensions, and “sticky” inflation hamstring markets? To cut through the fog and get some answers, I spoke with Eric Wallerstein, Chief Markets Strategist at Yardeni Research, for this week’s MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast.

Eric starts by sharing his background, which included stints at the New York Fed’s repo desk and the Wall Street Journal prior to his joining Yardeni Research. We then pivot to a macro-focused discussion, one covering the latest inflation figures, the Federal Reserve’s recent (and potential future) policy moves, and the likely impact of Trump Administration policy on hiring, investment, and capex spending. Next, Eric lays out what could go RIGHT for markets...and what could go WRONG for them...in the new year. But he emphasizes the positives, including what to expect with corporate earnings and GDP growth – and the one “great thing” that the economy has going for it.

We then move on to the bond market’s recent convulsions, a contrarian call he recently made, and the reasons why the U.S. looks poised to outperform other regions. Then we talk about the five market sectors he likes, and his one favorite group – one that has “a lot of runway” for potential gains. Finally, we discuss what he’ll cover at the MoneyShow Masters Symposium Dallas, scheduled for April 4-6 at the Hilton DFW Lakes. Click here to register: https://www.mmsdallas.com/?scode=061246

The best traders “stack” probabilities in their favor – using different types of analysis and multiple trading signals to increase their chances of success. They know how to manage risk. And they don’t dig their heels in when they face the “Right idea, wrong time” dilemma. Those are just a few of the pearls of wisdom shared by Blake Morrow, co-founder of Forex Analytix, in my latest MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast segment.

We begin by discussing Blake’s background in the capital markets, including stints as part-owner of a Dallas brokerage and chief currency strategist for Wizetrade Group and what is now Ally Financial. Blake then shares an overview of Forex Analytix, including the 30+ different markets and currency pairs its analysts track and talk about...and the educational and community-based features it offers.

We move on to trade relations next, discussing the impact of President-elect Trump’s tariff-focused policies, China’s stimulus toolbox and how currency devaluation fits into it, and what key levels to watch when it comes to the yuan. Then we cover the “divergent policies” theme and why it’s so important in the FX and related markets. Blake zeros in on recent policy moves the Bank of Canada, European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, and US Federal Reserve have made – and how traders should play what they do next. He also covers Bitcoin, gold, and why “buying the dips” should work in both asset classes.

Finally, we circle back to tactics and strategies. Blake outlines the five major schools of analysis his firm focuses on, how you can mix and match them to boost your probabilities of success, and the one thing that trips up traders the most – plus how to get past that pitfall. Blake closes with a preview of what he’ll cover at the 2025 MoneyShow/TradersEXPO Las Vegas, scheduled for Feb. 17-19 at the Paris Las Vegas. Click here to register: https://www.lasvegasmoneyshow.com/?scode=061246

S&P 6,000. Nasdaq 20,000. Dow 45,000. And of course, Bitcoin $100,000. We’ve seen a lot of big, round numbers fall in 2024 – and not just in the stock market. But what’s happening BEHIND the curtain? Why should traders embrace “mindful investing” here – and focus on avoiding four “deadly sins?” I spoke with David Keller, President and Chief Strategist at Sierra Alpha Research, to get the answers in this MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast segment.

We begin by discussing Dave’s new venture, Sierra Alpha, and how he’s looking to help both institutional and individual clients succeed more consistently. The conversation then pivots to market conditions in December 2024 – including the recent resurgence in “Big Tech,” the differences between the pre-election and post-election market environments, and the one key sector whose strength bodes well for the future. At the same time, Dave sees signs of waning breadth and reduced participation late in Q4...and explains what would concern him even more if he sees it happen in Q1 2025. As for whether we can notch a THIRD straight year of 20%-plus gains for the S&P? Dave has thoughts as well – and he shares them next, along with his take on what happens next with Bitcoin and gold.

Later, we cover the concept of mindful investing and how it can help center traders in a volatile market filled with potential distractions. He also sheds light on the four deadly sins you should avoid if you want to become a more successful investor, a concept he plans to go deeper into at the 2025 MoneyShow/TradersEXPO Las Vegas, scheduled for Feb. 17-19 at the Paris Las Vegas. Click here to register: https://www.lasvegasmoneyshow.com/?scode=061246

Steve Sosnick is now Chief Strategist at Interactive Brokers, which entails writing about and talking about key developments in financial markets. But his options market experience spans decades, with stints in risk management, market making, trading model development and optimization, and prop trading. In this eye-opening MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast episode, he draws on those experiences to provide critical insights about the current market environment – and how traders and investors can best navigate it.

We start by discussing Steve’s history in the options market, and how he transitioned from an in-the-trenches to public-facing role at what is now called Interactive Brokers. Next, he shares his observations about this market – including what’s causing it to “slouch”...why for some time it has been “going up because it’s going up”...and how the only debate left is whether stocks are “phenomenally expensive, bubbleicious expensive, or just plain old expensive.” That said, Steve characterizes himself as more cautious than fearful – and advocates INSURING against the tape rather than FIGHTING it.

We move on to discuss how to accomplish that, including one simple step you can take – and a more involved strategy that uses options. Regarding the latter, Steve says that once you figure out how much “insurance” you need, you should consider a couple of different tactics to combat time decay, sidestep the need for constant re-hedging, and otherwise avoid being “pushed into a decision” by market developments. We end with a discussion of what else Steve will cover at the 2024 MoneyShow/TradersEXPO Las Vegas, scheduled for Feb. 17-19 at the Paris Las Vegas. Click here to register: https://www.lasvegasmoneyshow.com/?scode=061246

A pro-crypto president. A pro-crypto Congress. A pro-crypto SEC. That’s what the cryptocurrency industry will soon benefit from in this “Gamechanger” moment, according to Matt Hougan, Chief Investment Officer at Bitwise Asset Management. That, in turn, has enormous implications for investors in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, which Matt and I explore in this week’s MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast.

Our chat begins with a primer on Matt’s background and an overview of Bitwise, one of the largest crypto-focused investment management firms, with $11 billion in client assets across ETFs, funds, staking services, and active strategies. Next, we discuss the seismic shift in the industry’s future growth potential and institutional acceptance driven by the election results, as well as the wildly successful roll out of Bitcoin (and other) ETFs and what it means for investors and traders. The conversation then pivots to sector innovations and developments fueled by cryptocurrencies, including those that are “very serious and very fun.” They include the growth in election prediction markets that garnered so much attention this fall...the use of crypto-enabled stablecoins for B2B payments in developing markets…and the use of blockchain technology to validate ownership and transfer of video game perks and upgrades.

We also cover how Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies can and should be used in investor portfolios, how Bitcoin measures up against gold, and what new investors in the asset class need to keep in mind. Finally, Matt previews what he’ll cover at the 2024 MoneyShow/TradersEXPO Las Vegas, scheduled for Feb. 17-19 at the Paris Las Vegas. Click here to register: https://www.lasvegasmoneyshow.com/?scode=061246

If you’re a trader, you’re constantly doing battle with ONE enemy. An adversary who can make things more complicated than they need to be...who can be distracted by narratives, politics, and irrelevant earnings trends...who can commit serious “chart crimes”...and more. The enemy? Yourself. That’s what Brian Lund, Publisher of The Lund Loop, warns about in this week’s MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast episode.

A retail trader who began trading stocks in 1985, Brian now helps educate fellow traders online. He begins by discussing why “Trading isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be complicated”...and laying out the three-step process he uses before entering any position. The key to long-term success in his view? Figuring out your methodology and then doing it “over and over and over again.” We then discuss the benefit of participating in trading communities and discussion groups, as well as one potential drawback to keep in mind. Brian also covers his preferred technical indicators and favorite trading timeframe, which he believes offers the best profit opportunities while also allowing you to avoid having to micromanage positions.

Next, we pivot to a discussion of current market conditions – including why the post-election surge in stocks could mark a short-term top in a longer-term uptrend. We also discuss Bitcoin’s big run and what to keep in mind as it nears $100,000...one AI stock he finds particularly attractive...and what the interplay between financials and other sectors could tell us about where equity markets go from here. Lastly, Brian previews what he’ll cover at the 2025 MoneyShow/TradersEXPO Las Vegas, scheduled for Feb. 17-19 at the Paris Las Vegas. Click here to register: https://www.lasvegasmoneyshow.com/?scode=061246

In this episode of the Money Masters Podcast, we bring you highlights from a recent X Space featuring top financial experts discussing market trends, investment strategies, and upcoming MoneyShow events.Host Mike Larson, Editor-in-Chief at MoneyShow, previews the Sarasota MoneyShow Masters Symposium (Dec 5-7), sharing insights on the economy, interest rates, and alternative investments. Guest speakers Jim Bianco, Carely Garner, and Jason Bodner dive into the bond market, small-cap opportunities, commodities, and more. Key topics include:

• The largest short positions in bonds and their implications.
• Seasonality trends in stocks and commodities.
• Insights on Bitcoin and its evolving role in the financial system.
• Actionable investment strategies for 2024.

Whether you're a seasoned investor or a curious trader, this episode is packed with expert guidance to help you navigate the markets. Plus, don’t miss details on the next big event: MoneyShow Traders Expo, Las Vegas, February 2025.Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring top financial minds. Follow MoneyShow (@MoneyShow) for more investing content.

Yes, you should believe in the bull market...even if no one ELSE does! That’s the take Brian Belski, Chief Investment Strategist at BMO Capital Markets, shared with me in this week’s MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast. If there’s anyone whose track record speaks for itself, it’s his. Already one of Wall Street’s most ardent bulls, he raised his 2024 year-end S&P 500 target to 6,100 in September (from 5,600 before). Some scoffed. But earlier this week, the S&P closed above 6,000 for the first time!

Brian begins the conversation by discussing why he made that move – and how things have panned out since. His key point? The “stock market is a market of stocks.” By being “resolute” (rather than stubborn) and utilizing a consistent process and discipline, he and his firm have been able to get things right. We then discuss how we’ve shifted from a “Mag 7 Market” to one where “Own a little bit of everything” is working well. Brian also talks about the election, and how a lot of what you hear is “nothing but noise” you need to tune out as an investor. That said, he notes that if the Trump Administration does one thing in particular, investors will be thrilled.

We then touch briefly on the Fed, the monetary policy outlook, and what interest rate futures markets may be getting wrong. Finally, Brian rattles off several promising sectors, investing styles, and stocks that investors should consider here – and he previews what he’ll cover at the 2024 MoneyShow Masters Symposium Sarasota, scheduled for Dec. 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Click here to register: https://sarasotamms.com/?scode=061246

The fight for the White House is over. The fight for your portfolio is just beginning. Now that Donald Trump has won the 2024 presidential election, and Republicans may end up controlling both branches of Congress, markets are reacting swiftly and strongly – and new leaders (and laggards) are emerging. In this week’s MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast, Jim Bianco, President and Macro Strategist at Bianco Research, and Jeff Hirsch, Editor-in-Chief of The Stock Trader’s Almanac and Almanac Investor, explain what is happening, why it’s happening, and what you can do to adapt and profit as an investor.

We start with a discussion of the just-completed election, including why we saw an effective “red sweep,” how betting markets “got things right” ahead of pollsters, and what that means for future election cycles. The conversation next covers the massive moves in equities, Treasury yields, the US dollar, gold, and Bitcoin – as well as why select market sectors and small cap stocks are cheering a Trump win. Jeff weighs in on what past presidential election cycles say about the likelihood of this post-election rally continuing into 2025, while Jim brings up the biggest fly in the ointment that could derail the bullish train.

We then pivot to Fed policy and what to expect at the next few meetings...how the epic battle between Chairman Jay Powell and the bond market vigilantes will unfold...and what fixed-income strategies make the most sense for investors. Jeff also shares some of his favorite sectors and stocks, as well as which asset class he’s most bullish on in a new Trump administration. Lastly, Jim and Jeff preview they’ll cover at the 2024 MoneyShow Masters Symposium Sarasota, scheduled for Dec. 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Click here to register: https://sarasotamms.com/?scode=061246

If you come across a rattlesnake in the woods, don’t pick it up. Sounds obvious, right? But many traders fail to understand how that principle applies to their “buys” and “sells.” So says John Carter – founder of Simpler Trading, long-time market educator, and author of Mastering the Trade – in this week’s MoneyShow MoneyMasters Podcast.

We begin by discussing John’s quarter-century in the business, including how he got started trading, what important lesson he learned about asymmetrical risk early on, and why you can’t get trapped by “your own emotions or dopamine addictions” if you want to achieve long-term success. He then explains why having a “human AI-based community” behind you can help you “protect yourself from yourself” – not to mention stay focused on the most important trade, which is always the NEXT one. The conversation next pivots to a key mistake John sees traders making today and how to avoid it...why options trade “structuring” is so important...and what “final piece of the puzzle” you should learn to appreciate. Plus, he covers why and how you should stay away from those charting “rattlesnakes”!

In the remainder of our conversation, John elaborates on his favorite trading tactic, the “Squeeze”...the impact 0DTE options are having on markets and how retail traders can adapt...and what he thinks about the stock market, interest rates, the bull run in gold, and the trading environment heading into the new year. Finally, John previews what he’ll talk about at the 2024 MoneyShow Masters Symposium Sarasota, scheduled for Dec. 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency Sarasota. Click here to register: https://sarasotamms.com/?scode=061246