The economy has been behaving rather interestingly ahead of the November presidential election. On the one hand, the jobs market continues to moderate. Yet, major companies have begun to announce fresh layoffs – blaming AI in some cases. Despite inflation cooling, gold prices have soared. The Federal Reserve has kicked off what’s likely to be a prolonged period of interest rate cuts. While that has been well-received by investors, there are pros warning the Fed’s actions are signaling a sharp economic slowdown in 2025. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi talks with economist and one-time nominee by former President Trump to join the Federal Reserve board in 2020, Judy Shelton. Shelton thinks the Fed has backed itself into a corner by beginning to cut interest rates. At the same time, Shelton shares her concerns about the economy after the election and her outlook for gold prices.

Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.

Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.

Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected].

00:00-Judy Shelton joins Opening Bid

05:15-In the apocalypse, buy gold

10:45-Is Jerome Powell the problem?

17:00-Why Judy likes Elon in government

20:00-Shelton: 'Harris copied no taxes on tips'

Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.

Judy Shelton is a Senior Fellow at the Independent Institute. Former Chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy and former U.S. Director of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, she has testified before the U.S. Senate Banking, Senate Foreign Relations, House Banking, House Foreign Affairs, and Joint Economic Committee.

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