Trends with Benefits

Explore what stood out at Future Proof 2026, from advisor skepticism about AI's real client value, to the rising case for fixed income and real assets, and why human connection remains the edge no algorithm can replicate, with VanEck's Ed Lopez.

00:00 Introduction to Future Proof Conference 02:46 AI's Impact on Financial Advisory 06:01 The Human Element in Financial Advisory 08:54 Fixed Income and Real Assets

Explore CNBC's Bob Pisani's reflections on 40-plus years of finance journalism, how he navigated the information overload of modern markets, what he learned from the NYSE trading floor, and what life looks like after leaving one of the most recognizable roles in financial media.

00:00 Introduction 09:39 The Art of Storytelling in Finance 12:28 Reflections on Career and Life Choices 18:32 Curiosity: An Innate Trait or Learned Skill? 23:13 Wealth Inequality and Market Participation 32:19 The Reality of Market Volatility 51:20 Active vs. Passive Investment Strategies 53:51 Market Concentration and Indexing Concerns 56:36 Inflation and Bond Market Dynamics 58:05 Real Assets and Alternative Investments 01:05:23 The Future of Work in an AI-Driven World

Explore the case for hard assets over paper, the pension system's growing private credit exposure, and why deglobalization may reshape financial markets for a generation, with Macro Mavens founder Steph Pomboy.

00:00 Introduction

03:04 AI, leverage, and the dot-com parallel

05:54 The competition for capital in 2026

08:48 The $15 trillion capital problem nobody is talking about

09:51 The triple B debt crisis and corporate balance sheet risk

22:25 The Fed as buyer of last resort for treasuries

28:24 The private credit boom and the pension problem

39:27 The upside of deglobalization and reshoring

44:52 Trend or Fad?

Explore the growing divide between top and bottom earners, the wealth effect driving consumer spending, inflation's staying power, and what AI may mean for jobs and the economy, with Moody's Analytics Chief Economist Mark Zandi.

00:00 Introduction

02:01 Divergence Between Economy and Markets

12:03 Consumer Spending Dynamics

18:04 Wealth Effect and Its Implications

23:56 Equity Valuations and Market Concerns

30:46 Globalization, Inflation, and Economic Outlook

35:55 Interest Rates and Economic Outlook

36:38 Consumer Spending and Recession Risks

39:43 Job Losses and AI Impact

44:01 Policymaking in the Age of AI

50:15 Trend or Fad?

From the Wealth Management Edge conference floor: VanEck's Head of Product Management Ed Lopez explores what advisors are asking about, from AI and AEO to private markets, real assets, and the three macro themes shaping portfolios.

00:00 Conference Overview and Key Themes

02:04 EDGE Conference evolution

05:28 Christian Munafo's session on private markets

07:20 AEO: Making your business searchable on AI

08:40 Ed Lopez sits on Women in ETFs panel

15:15 Ed's EDGE Takeaways

Explore why the S&P may be mispricing geopolitical risk, the case for India, the dollar's decline, and gold as a trade (not a strategy), with Mercer Advisors CIO Don Calcagni.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:57 Changes in Asset Allocation and Private Markets

04:01 US and International Equity Diversification

07:11 Market Concentration and Diversification Benefits

11:14 Geopolitical Risks and Global Market Drivers

16:57 US Political Risks and Domestic Instability

17:53 India's Growth and Investment Potential

24:20 Gold as a Strategic Asset and Trade

29:33 Private Markets and Current Valuations, Access and Risks

35:23 Private Equity and IPO Strategies

40:46 Market Mispricing and Geopolitical Risks

44:14 Long-term Trends and AI Innovation

47:59 Trend or Fad

AI is creating 'zombie companies' and the next wave of winners may never go public. VanEck's Head of Private Growth Strategies Christian Munafo reveals how to find them, why IPOs are still stalled, and what the SpaceX listing could unlock.

Explore the origin story of VanEck's first ETF, the bullish case for gold, and where the ETF industry may be headed next, with VanEck CEO Jan van Eck and COO Adam Phillips.

Explore the dynamics of the gold market, supply constraints, technological innovations, gold as a currency, and technology in mining efficiency, with Agnico Eagle Mines CEO Ammar Al-Joundi.

00:00 Introduction

03:30 Drivers of Gold Prices

14:38 Challenges to Gold's Bullish Outlook

17:24 Supply Constraints in Gold Mining

21:33 Advantages of Operating in Developed Markets

25:56 Investor Perspectives on Gold Mining

32:38 Leveraging Technology for Efficiency

42:05 Trend or Fad?

Explore the biggest tax planning changes of 2026, the One Big Beautiful Act, Roth conversion pitfalls, and how AI is reshaping wealth management, with Wealth.com Senior Tax Strategist Shane Ball.

00:00 Introduction

08:28 The Role of Technology in Tax Planning

17:08 Common Tax Mistakes and Best Practices

17:56 Navigating State and Federal Tax Provisions

18:28 Understanding Roth Conversions

25:09 Integrating Estate and Tax Planning

27:17 The Future of Tax Policy

31:46 Investment Trends and Insights

34:24 Trend or Fad?