Noon Business Lunch

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the S&P reaching an all-time high, the possibility of a government shutdown, earnings continuing to be strong, what will likely happen with the Fed and interest rates, and why consumer confidence is so low. Also joining Terry and John today is Erik Norland, Executive Director and Senior Economist of CME Group, who gives us all the details about the price of gold.

Segment 1: Mitch Petterson, GM Emergency Services Outreach Leader, joins John to give us the ABC’s of winter driving safety.

Segment 2: Phillip Shaw, CFP, Senior Advisor, Goldstone Financial Group, joins John Williams to talk about what he expects the Fed to do with interest rates this week, his general outlook for interest rate cuts this year, why he’s watching tech earnings, the great GDP numbers we have seen recently, why gold is rising right now, and the great negotiating tool that tariffs have been so far.

Segment 1: Paul Nolte, Senior Wealth Advisor and Market Strategist, Murphy & Sylvest, joins John to talk about the numbers he is looking at this week, if he expects there will be any move on interest rates this week, his thoughts on the price of gold, the status of tariffs, and the sectors he’s most positive on moving forward.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about how weather sometimes impacts Chicago’s ability to raise VC funding, and a software platform for equipment rental business raising $9 million, and a new pediatric provider startup continuing to grow.

Segment 3: Mark Sotelino, Partner, Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba!, tells John about the beloved restaurant celebrating 40 years in business in Chicago!

Segment 1: Steven Esposito, President of Yellowstone Wealth Management in Lake Forest, joins John Williams to talk about the highs and lows of the stock market this week, why it’s healthy to see a market pullback from time to time, what he expects to happen with interest rates in 2026, how taxes are impacted the economy, what is going on with the housing market, and his concern over the amount of debt we are carrying.

Segment 2: Emily Stewart, Senior Correspondent, Business Insider, joins John to talk about people using the job market social app LinkedIn to look up exes and screen potential romantic interests.

Segment 3: Jeff Marquard, Show Manager, Discover Boating Chicago Boat Show®, joins John Williams to tell us everything you nee to know about next week’s Chicago Boat Show! Click here for tickets.

Segment 1: Michael Edwards, President and CEO, Chicago Loop Alliance, talks to John about Chicago Loop Alliance’s State of the Loop quarterly report details for the 4th quarter of 2025. 

Segment 2:  Scott Stein, Editor at Large, CNET, tells John about how Apple may be making an AI wearable pin for 2027, and why Starlink expansion is raising concerns.

Segment 3: Michael Miller, Economics Professor, Western Washington University and Professor Emeritus at DePaul University, joins John to talk about President Trump continuing to use tariffs as a negotiating tool, how effective the tariffs have been, and the relationship between AI and GDP growth.

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about President Trump’s speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, how Trump’s remarks about Greenland has impacted the stock market, what’s going on with the price of gold, and her recommendations for your portfolio.

Segment 1: Tom Gimbel, job expert and founder of LaSalle Network, joins John to tell us his final thoughts on the Bears season, the leadership that Ben Johnson showed throughout the year, and what you should know if you are negotiating for a new job.

Segment 2:  Phillippe Weiss, President, Seyfarth at Work, joins John Williams to talk about the importance of good leaders holding themselves accountable for their own oversights and missteps.

Segment 3: Jack Ablin, Founding Partner & Chief Investment Strategist, Cresset Capital, talks to John about what investors need to paying attention to this week including trade policy uncertainty, President Trump’s economic speech in Davos, Fed independence, Supreme Court ruling on tariffs, inflation and GDP data coming out later this week. Jack also gives us his market outlook for 2026.

Segment 4: Jeff Ostrowski, Analyst, Bankrate, joins John to explain why home prices remain stuck at record highs.

Segment 1: Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to explain why he believes 2026 will be a good year for the market, the attacks on Fed independence, the streak of positive economic data, the importance of a diversified portfolio, and what he’s telling his clients right now.

Segment 2: Carl Prouty, “The Technologist” at Abt Electronics in Glenview, talks to John about the latest technology and gadgets that will help keep you on track so you can reach your fitness goals.

Segment 1: Steven Esposito, President of Yellowstone Wealth Management in Lake Forest, joins John Williams to talk about the green on the market screen today, why he’s encouraged that the market is broadening out, the numbers on the economy being positive, and the importance of diversifying your portfolio.

Segment 2: Scott Stein, Editor at Large, CNET, tells John about Google and Apple partnering on AI, and the status of X’s Grok AI.

Segment 3: Heather Haddon, Reporter, The Wall Street Journal, joins John to tell us why a $500 steak dinner only yields a $25 profit.

Segment 4: Mike Spriggs, Head of Consumer Insights at Fiserv, joins John Williams to break down Fiserv’s December Small Business Index. 

Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the economy and the market expectations for 2026. Terry and John are joined by the always engaging money expert Dr. Bob Froehlich, who gives his annual prediction for where he predicts the Dow will close at the end of the year. Dr. Bob also shares his thoughts on inflation, interest rates, spending, the overreaction regarding tariffs, the general health of the economy, and where he predicts the Dow will close at the end of the year.