The Opening Bell

When people think of entrepreneurs, thoughts about tech companies and startups might flood the mind, but the Naperville based Stenger family is an example of the old school entrepreneurship that helped build this country. Steve Grzanich sat down with Ron Stenger and his son, Nick Stenger to learn about the generational entrepreneurship that helped the family thrive back in the late 1800’s and today. Abha Bhattarai (Retail Reporter at The Washington Post) then shared the new details about the number […]

On September 9th, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares the day’s potential market drivers: The July Consumer Credit Charge is out today (measuring the balance of American consumer credit) The U.K. reports on their monthly GDP and industrial production Apple is scheduled to hold a product event tomorrow with many expecting the announcement of their latest phone.

Back to school shopping is an important time of year for retailers and small shops in the U.S. but more and more schools across the country are requiring uniforms for students, which impacts the bottom line of these stores. Steve Grzanich and Abha Bhattarai (Retail Reporter at The Washington Post) discussed the trend that is reaching students as young as toddlers and what retailers are doing to try to keep customers purchasing clothing in addition to the newly required uniforms. […]

The jobs report is out later today with but the other focus on the day will be the see-saw trade relations between the U.S. and China. Steve Grzanich and Paul Nolte (SVP & Sr. Portfolio Manager at Kingsview Asset Management) previewed the two economic pillars on the day along with why one of the most profitable companies in the world is selling bonds and looking for extra cash. Madhu Unnikrishnan (Editor at Skift Airline Weekly) then wrapped up the week […]

Hawaiian Airlines has reaped the benefits of consumers flocking to Hawaii as the island’s established airliner, but the competition is inching into the space. Steve Grzanich and Madhu Unnikrishnan (Editor at Skift Airline Weekly) discussed the small island’s big business along with a number of other stories including Emirates speaking out about the quality of Airbus an Boeing, and the retiring of the classic MD-80 Airplane.  

On September 6th, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares the day’s potential market drivers: The Jobs Report is out today (expecting 150,00-170,000 jobs created) Details on August hourly wages are out today Federal Reserve Chairman, Jerome Powell is scheduled to speak today

Brexit, Argentinian currency fluctuations and negative interest rates are keeping Don Lloyd (SVP of Capital Markets – Foreign Exchange and Derivatives at Associated Bank) on his toes, but he explained to Steve Grzanich during this week’s Associated Bank Thought Leader conversation about the reality of negative interest rates coming to the United States. (At 18:57) Jim Mintert (Director of The Center For Commercial Agriculture at Purdue University) then shed some light on the agricultural economic situation here in the U.S. […]

The jailing system in the U.S. has been a large point of contention for years because our country has one of the highest incarceration rates in the entire world. Steve Grzanich reviewed a new study with Emma Coleman (Associated Editor at Route Fifty) and her recent article that showed the underlying issue of this unfortunate cycle and how it’s rooted in fixing mental health resources for those offenders. The conversation then shifted to the travel industry as Roger Dow (CEO […]

On September 4th, 2019 Steve Grzanich shares the day’s potential market drivers: The U.S. International Trade Balance is out today (expecting the deficit narrowing slightly) Details on import/export prices for July are out today The Beige Book and a number of Federal Reserve Speakers are out today The Mortgage Bankers Association shares the weekly mortgage applications

The United States of America has always been an international powerhouse, but as geopolitical issues rise, the brand can get hurt. Steve Grzanich discussed the efforts that Roger Dow (CEO of the United States Travel Association) is spearheading to help rebrand our country. The Brand USA effort looks to bring international community to visit the U.S. which would in turn spur economic activity.