Episodes

14h ago

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4pUysvR Final Dividend Cafe of 2025: Year-End Market Recap and Outlook for 2026 In this final Dividend Cafe of 2025, David Bahnsen reviews key economic data points and market trends, including the performance of major indices and sector highlights. The discussion covers the lack of seasonality in market movements, updates on bond yields, and the significance of periodic portfolio rebalancing. The episode also touches on public policy issues related to data centers and provides insights on midstream energy sectors. David announces the upcoming annual 'year behind, year ahead' white paper and his ongoing book project on dividend growth investing. The session concludes with a look ahead to the first Dividend Cafe of 2026 and encourages listeners to read further on topics like gold as an inflation hedge. 00:00 Welcome to the Final Dividend Cafe of 2025 00:43 Recap of the Year and Upcoming Plans 02:44 Market Updates and Trends 06:29 Public Policy and The Fed 07:28 Energy Sector Insights 08:39 Looking Ahead to 2026 Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

3d ago

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4p4y8t8 Reflecting on 25 Years of Market Lessons in the Final Friday Dividend Cafe of 2025 In the final Friday Dividend Cafe of 2025, the speaker reflects on the major market events and financial lessons from the first 25 years of the new century and millennium. From the Y2K fears and dot-com bubble burst, through the 9/11 attacks, the 2008 financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic, this episode covers significant economic and geopolitical events that shaped the markets. The speaker emphasizes the normality of instability in markets and the importance of staying invested despite turbulent times. The primary takeaway is that long-term investment in profit-making enterprises, especially via dividend growth investing, has proven resilient and rewarding. The episode closes with an encouragement to appreciate the lessons learned and look forward to the future with a disciplined investment approach. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:15 Reflecting on the First 25 Years 02:51 The Dotcom Bubble and Y2K 09:58 9/11 and Market Reactions 14:19 The Financial Crisis of 2008 18:15 The Recovery Decade 20:33 The COVID-19 Pandemic 24:15 Lessons from 25 Years of Market Instability 31:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

4d ago

Market Recap: Thursday, December 18 - Modest Gains and Inflation Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel provides an update on the market movements for Thursday, December 18. The DOW closed with a modest gain of 65 points (0.14%), S&P increased by 0.8%, and NASDAQ saw a tech-led rally with a 1.38% rise. Despite a rebound, the week is expected to end negatively for stocks overall. A key focus is the release of the latest CPI print, which showed a surprisingly low inflation rate of 2.7% versus the expected 3.1%, but the numbers are questionable due to a government shutdown affecting data collection. Initial jobless claims came in line with consensus at 224,000, while continuing claims were slightly below expectations. The Philly Fed Index reported a weaker-than-expected manufacturing number at -10 versus the expected +3. Brian also discusses the interplay between inflation rates and the role of the Fed, emphasizing that market forces and money supply are critical factors. He wraps up with light-hearted remarks about holiday shopping and extends holiday greetings to viewers. 00:00 Market Update: December 18th 00:10 Stock and Bond Performance 00:59 CPI Report Analysis 02:01 Economic Calendar Highlights 02:45 Inflation and The Fed's Role 04:24 Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

5d ago

Market Declines, Fed Policy, and Strategic Dividend Investing - Dividend Cafe Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the recent downturn in the stock market, particularly in AI-related stocks and cryptocurrencies. Financial volatility and credit default swaps in major names are highlighted. Szytel also reviews ongoing discussions about the next Federal Reserve chair and the implications of potential rate cuts and balance sheet actions. He provides insights on dividend investing strategy, emphasizing yield sustainability and growth. Upcoming economic data releases are previewed, including initial claims, November CPI, December Philly Fed manufacturing, consumer sentiment, and existing home sales. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:21 AI and Cryptocurrency Market Trends 01:12 Federal Reserve and Economic Policies 03:27 Impact of Rate Cuts and Economic Stimulus 05:04 Dividend Income Strategies 06:59 Upcoming Economic Data and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

6d ago

Market Movements, Economic Indicators, and AI vs Dot-Com Era Analysis In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel provides a daily market recap for Tuesday, December 16th, detailing a mixed day with NASDAQ slightly positive, and declines in DOW and S&P indices. He discusses the impact of new economic data including better-than-expected non-farm payrolls and a rise in unemployment rates from 4.4% to 4.6%. Szytel also covers flash readings on services and manufacturing PMI which were below consensus. Additionally, he compares the dot-com era of the 90s with today's AI paradigm, highlighting the ongoing capital expenditure needs for AI technologies. Lastly, he addresses a Q&A about potentially creating a financial terminology booklet to help demystify investment jargon. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:41 Economic Data Breakdown 03:13 Comparing Dot-Com Era to AI Boom 05:36 Q&A Session and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 15

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3MvD1Ot Monday Market Recap and Reflections on Recent Events In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen discusses various market trends and policy issues from the New York City office. He reflects on the significant news events over the weekend, including the Brown University shooting, attacks in Australia and Syria, and the murder of filmmaker Rob Reiner and his wife. David analyzes stock market behaviors, including sector performances and reactions to AI infrastructure stocks, and provides insights into bond yields and the housing market. He also touches on Supreme Court cases affecting tariffs and forecasts potential policy moves regarding the Affordable Care Act subsidies. Lastly, he speaks about the tragic death of Rob Reiner, highlighting the impact of his films. 00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Schedule 02:13 Reflecting on a Tragic News Weekend 03:41 Market Overview and Key Observations 04:50 AI Sector Performance and Market Rotation 06:47 Bond Yields and Financial Sector Insights 09:31 Policy Updates and Supreme Court Predictions 12:08 Economic Data and Trade Deficit Analysis 13:14 Housing Market Trends and Builder Sentiment 16:17 Federal Reserve Actions and Interest Rates 19:28 Tribute to Rob Reiner and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 12

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4aK1R6X Honoring a Legacy: Greg Bahnsen's Influence on Investment Philosophy In this special edition of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen reflects on the legacy of his father, Greg Bahnsen, commemorating the 30th anniversary of his passing. David explores the significant influence his father had on his work at The Bahnsen Group, particularly in investment philosophy and financial advisory. Through personal anecdotes, David discusses his father's dedication to hard work, commitment to first principles, and disdain for relativism, which have all deeply shaped his approach to investment management. He also touches on modern medical innovations and their importance, driven by the context of his father's health challenges. David concludes by highlighting the vital role of intellectual contribution and behavioral management in wealth management, drawing from his father's academic work on self-deception. 00:00 Introduction to the Friday Edition 00:19 Remembering Greg Bahnsen 01:50 Greg Bahnsen's Medical Journey 05:29 Reflections on Medical Innovations 08:10 The Legacy of Hard Work 10:56 Philosophical Foundations in Investment 16:43 Self-Deception and Investment Management 20:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 11

Market Overview and Insights on Private Credit – December 11, 2025 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an update on the financial markets from the Newport Beach office of The Bahnsen Group. The DOW closed up by 646 points, while the S&P had modest gains and NASDAQ saw a slight decline. Szytel discusses the rotation from growth to value sectors, the recent actions of the Federal Reserve, and their impacts on the market. He also covers upcoming deregulatory changes and tax cuts, a weakening labor market, and concerns about overstated employment numbers. Additionally, he answers a listener question about payment-in-kind (PIK) in private credit, explaining the risks and how such loans are typically managed. He concludes by emphasizing the past three years' market performance and the potential for slower growth ahead. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:14 Stock Market Performance 01:13 Bond Market Insights 01:35 Federal Reserve Actions and Economic Impact 03:15 Corporate Profits and Economic Outlook 04:10 Private Credit and Payment in Kind (PIK) 06:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 10

Post-FOMC Meeting Market Reaction and Economic Outlook - December 10, 2023 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group in Newport Beach discusses the market's reactions to the Federal Reserve's recent actions. On December 10th, 2023, the Federal Reserve concluded its FOMC meeting, cutting rates by 25 basis points and adding to its balance sheet, which boosted both the stock and bond markets. The Dow closed up 497 points, with the S&P and Nasdaq also showing gains. Szytel explains the significance of the steepening yield curve, which signals positive economic growth, and reviews the Federal Reserve's future interest rate expectations, unemployment, inflation, and GDP projections. The episode also addresses an op-ed by Muhammad Al Arian regarding the restructuring of The Fed. Overall, the episode provides an optimistic outlook on short-term risk assets and the economy. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:16 Federal Reserve Meeting Insights 00:48 Market Reactions and Performance 01:25 Understanding Yield Curves 03:28 Economic Projections and Fed Actions 04:30 Op-Ed Discussion and Final Thoughts 05:17 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 9

Market Recap and Insights on Upcoming Fed Decisions In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group discusses the market activity on December 9th, highlighting slight declines in both the stock and bond markets. He reviews the latest economic indicators, including the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index and the JOLTS job openings report. Szytel also provides insights into the upcoming Federal Reserve FOMC meeting, the potential interest rate changes, and the implications for the labor market. Additionally, he touches on the investment potential in the utility sector and the importance of selecting the right companies within high-growth sectors like AI, using historical examples from the natural gas fracking industry and fiber optics. The episode concludes with a reminder of the importance of bottom-up investment fundamentals and dividend reliability. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:16 Market Overview: Stocks and Bonds 00:48 Fed's Interest Rate Decision 01:51 Economic Data Insights 03:10 Labor Market Analysis 04:17 Interest Rates and Balance Sheet 04:50 Investment in Utilities 06:16 Investment Risks and Strategies 08:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 8

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/44NZ88R Market Volatility, Small Cap Performance, and Corporate Takeovers: A Comprehensive Market Update In this episode, we cover the Fed's anticipated rate cut, the current state of credit spreads, and the mixed performance of sectors with a focus on semiconductors. We analyze the significant increase in negative earnings within the Russell 2000 Small Cap Index post-financial crisis and highlight the importance of selectivity in small cap investing. We also discuss President Zelensky's visit to London, Netflix's bid to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery, and the White House's concerns about the deal. Other topics include the executive order on AI regulation, China's compliance with new trade agreements, and the state of the U.S. labor market. We provide insights into New York City's office vacancy rates, the Bank of Japan's expected rate hike, and recent fluctuations in oil prices and infrastructure stocks. Additional information is available on DivaidendCafe.com, including a discussion on the yen carry trade and its potential future impact on stocks. 00:00 Market Overview and Rate Cuts 00:30 Equity Volatility and Sector Rotation 01:07 Small Cap Index Performance 02:10 Global News Highlights 02:38 Corporate News and Mergers 03:42 Public Policy and AI Regulation 04:43 Economic Indicators and Trade 05:04 Labor Market Analysis 07:07 Commercial Real Estate Insights 08:00 Global Financial Movements 08:57 Weekly Recap and Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 5

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48ZY57l Bitcoin Analysis: The Bahnsen Group's Perspective on Cryptocurrency Investing David Bahnsen hosts the latest episode of Dividend Cafe, where he takes a deep dive into Bitcoin and cryptocurrency investments. Bahnsen discusses the historical volatility of Bitcoin, citing various significant drops over the past decade and its speculative nature. He argues that Bitcoin's extreme fluctuations make it unsuitable as a medium of exchange or a stable store of value. Bahnsen compares Bitcoin to productive assets, explaining why The Bahnsen Group focuses on investments rooted in inherent productivity and usefulness. He emphasizes that while Bitcoin may serve as a trading and speculative vehicle for some, it does not align with The Bahnsen Group’s investment philosophy aimed at long-term wealth creation. 00:00 Introduction to Today's Topic: Bitcoin 01:18 Historical Context and Stability Issues 02:54 Bitcoin's Volatility and Market Behavior 04:27 Comparing Bitcoin to Traditional Investments 07:18 The Sociological Phenomenon of Bitcoin 17:50 Blockchain Technology vs. Bitcoin 19:16 Government Regulation and Bitcoin's Future 22:21 The Bahnsen Group's Investment Philosophy 26:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 4

Market Update and Fed Policy Developments - December 2023 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach provides an update on the market movements and insights into current Federal Reserve policies. The S&P, NASDAQ, and Dow all experienced a relatively flat day with minor fluctuations. Szytel discusses the Federal Reserve's balance sheet reduction from $9 trillion to $6.5 trillion through quantitative tightening and anticipates a possible shift towards quantitative easing due to emerging liquidity stresses. The episode also covers the likelihood of Kevin Hassett being announced as the next Fed Chair, details on labor market metrics, and the recent modest increase in interest rates. With the upcoming December FOMC meeting, further rate cuts are expected. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:41 Federal Reserve Policies and Speculations 01:16 Quantitative Tightening and Balance Sheet Insights 02:16 Liquidity and Future Projections 04:36 Economic Indicators and Labor Market 05:36 Year-End Market Performance and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 3

Dividend Cafe: December 3rd Market Update and Economic Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group provides an update on stock market performance, noting gains in major indices and a rotation from growth sectors to value-oriented sectors. He discusses the impact of a Wall Street Journal article about the potential nomination of Kevin Hassett as the next Fed Chair, current Fed policies, and interest rate expectations. The episode also covers recent economic data, including a significant miss in ADP payroll numbers and better-than-expected ISM services data. Brian answers a listener question about asset allocation and rebalancing, emphasizing a customized, goals-based approach over a one-size-fits-all strategy. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:42 Fed Chair Speculations and Market Reactions 02:20 Economic Indicators and Market Impact 03:53 Ask TBG: Asset Allocation Insights 05:45 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 2

Market Recap and Insights: AI Competition, Private Credit Risks, and Consumer Sentiment In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach provides a market recap for Tuesday, December 2nd. He discusses recent stock market trends, including the Thanksgiving rally and subsequent fluctuations. Key points include the Fed's quiet period and high likelihood of a rate cut, Bitcoin's volatility, and upcoming economic data releases. Brian also examines consumer sentiment versus actual spending on Black Friday, and the fierce competition between major AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Moreover, he addresses the risks and misconceptions associated with private credit investments, explaining their higher yields and inherent risks compared to traditional fixed-income assets. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:13 Thanksgiving Week Market Performance 00:43 Current Market Movements and Fed Updates 01:12 Economic Data and Consumer Sentiment 02:05 Artificial Intelligence in the Market 03:29 Private Credit: Risks and Rewards 06:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 1

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Xtosgp Market Updates, Bitcoin Correlations, and Policy Discussions: Post-Thanksgiving Report In this edition of Dividend Cafe, we recap the recent market activity and its fluctuations following Thanksgiving. Key points include the Dow's drop of 427 points, mixed performance across major indices, and a significant contrast between top-performing and worst-performing sectors. We also highlight Bitcoin's recent correlation breakdown with the Nasdaq, the potential economic impact of Japanese bond yields on cryptocurrencies, and the ongoing foreign appetite for U.S. financial markets. Additionally, the episode covers updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, Affordable Care Act subsidies, significant upcoming Supreme Court hearings, and notable figures in the Federal Reserve's future. For detailed charts and more information, visit DividendCafe.com. 00:00 Welcome and Market Recap 01:05 Market Indices Performance 02:41 Foreign Appetite for US Securities 03:51 Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Insights 05:51 Geopolitical and Policy Updates 07:40 Economic Indicators and Housing Market 08:38 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates 09:46 Energy Sector and Predictions 10:12 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 26

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48jNR1e Thanksgiving Reflections: A Heartfelt Tribute to The Bahnsen Group In this special Thanksgiving edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Managing Partner of The Bahnsen Group, shares his gratitude for the various teams and individuals who contribute to the firm's success. Bahnsen highlights the hard work of the content department, the growth and achievements of the tax, planning, risk, and operations departments, and the essential role of the leadership team. He also expresses deep personal thanks to his wife Jolene, the legacy of his late father, and the trust of their valued clients. The episode serves as a heartfelt reflection on the dedication and commitment of The Bahnsen Group during this season of gratitude. 00:00 Welcome to the Thanksgiving Edition 01:12 Personal Reflections on Thanksgiving 02:08 Content Creation and Media Team 04:04 Growth of the Tax Department 05:35 Planning and Risk Management 07:58 Business Administration and Operations 10:35 Investment Solutions Department 13:20 Leadership and Personal Gratitude 16:35 Honoring My Father's Legacy 17:56 Gratitude for Our Clients 19:36 Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 24

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4oXqLUW Monday Dividend Cafe: Market Rally and Upcoming Thanksgiving Special In this episode of 'Monday Dividend Cafe,' we cover the market's uptick amid a holiday-shortened week, highlighting a strong performance in sectors like communication services driven by Google, and less favorable outcomes for consumer staples. The bond market also continued its rally despite risks in equities. The discussion includes updates on economic policies, including anticipated Fed rate cuts, a potential Ukraine-Russia settlement, and the state of healthcare stocks. Additionally, there's chatter around the Supreme Court's ruling on tariffs and President Trump's hints about its potential outcome. David briefly touches on energy sector dynamics and concludes with a personal moment recounting a memorable Dallas Cowboys victory. 00:00 Introduction and Housekeeping 00:42 Market Recap: A Positive Day 01:55 Sector Performance Highlights 02:25 Risk Assets and Valuation Concerns 06:18 High Yield and Technicals 06:49 Top News Stories: Russia-Ukraine Deal 07:28 Public Policy Updates 09:03 Economic Indicators and Fed Talk 10:57 Energy Sector Overview 11:16 Conclusion and Thanksgiving Preview Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 21

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4oSvRlk Broad Economic Overview: Key Insights on Jobs, Housing, and Consumer Spending In this edition of the Friday Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen delves into a comprehensive analysis of macroeconomic factors, exploring the current state of the job market, housing sector, and consumer spending. David emphasizes the importance of objective and apolitical economic analysis by discussing the recent trends in job creation, a softening housing market, and consumer spending patterns. The episode also critiques the use of consumer confidence as an economic indicator and underscores the importance of production in driving economic growth. Several data points and charts are presented, providing a nuanced view of an economy that is not strongly growing but also not on the brink of collapse. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:20 The AI Bubble and Investment Markets 01:22 Macroeconomic Commentary 04:49 Jobs Market Analysis 12:21 Housing Market Insights 18:26 Consumer Spending and Sentiment 21:56 GDP Growth and Economic Outlook 25:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 20

Market Reflections and Sector Analysis: November 20 Edition In today's episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Sztyel from Newport Beach, California, provides insights from a down day in the markets despite an initially strong opening. He discusses anticipated earnings reports from major AI chip manufacturers and tech companies, highlighting the market reaction and investor sentiment. Brian explains the observed rotation from growth to value stocks and the current low weighting of defensives. He also addresses questions about the private credit market, noting its significant growth and some stresses, but reassures that systemic risk appears minimal. Economic updates include better than expected non-farm payroll data, an uptick in the unemployment rate to 4.4%, and positive figures from the Philly Fed Index and existing home sales. Brian concludes by encouraging listeners to reach out with questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:04 AI and Technology Sector Insights 00:58 Growth vs. Value Stocks 02:25 Private Credit Market Analysis 04:08 Economic Data Highlights 05:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 19

Market Recap and Insights: AI Chip Earnings and Economic Data Delays In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group provides a market update for November 19th. After four negative trading days, the markets saw slight gains with notable attention on the largest AI chip company's positive earnings report. Concerns are discussed about the sustainability of high capital expenditures among trillion-dollar market cap companies amidst stretched valuations. Limited economic data due to government delays is also addressed, along with comments on the FOMC minutes and the unlikelihood of a December rate cut. Brian clarifies The Bahnsen Group's stance on market seasonality, emphasizing a focus on fundamentals over time-of-year influences. The episode wraps up with a look forward to upcoming economic data reports. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:26 AI Chip Company Earnings and Market Impact 01:36 Economic Calendar and Fed Decisions 02:45 Market Seasonality and Investment Strategy 03:30 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Data Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 18

Market Decline and Economic Data Updates - November 18, 2023 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from Newport Beach, California, on a market downturn with the DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq all experiencing declines. He discusses the ongoing shift from growth to value stocks and highlights the significant market valuations of some major companies. Despite poor economic data reporting due to government delays, there is a noted cooling in the labor market and mixed signals in housing market confidence. Fed officials continue to focus on inflation concerns, reducing the likelihood of a rate cut in December. Brian also explains valuation metrics like revenue multiples and PE ratios to help understand market valuations. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:43 High Valuation Concerns 01:46 Economic Data and Labor Market 02:43 Home Builder Confidence and Fed Updates 03:41 Understanding Financial Terminology 05:08 Conclusion and Sign Off- Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 17

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3JTHQ36 Monday Market Recap and Economic Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel steps in for David, who is attending meetings in Boston. Brian provides a detailed market recap for Monday, November 17th. The DOW fell 557 points, while the Nasdaq and S&P both dropped about 0.8 to 0.9%. He discusses market shifts towards defensive stocks, notable dips in sectors like cryptocurrencies and quantum computing, and the overall volatility levels. He also touches on tariffs' impacts, proposed easing of capital requirements for banks, and better-than-expected Empire State Manufacturing Index numbers. Brian emphasizes the focus on bottom-up fundamentals in investment strategies amidst unpredictable macroeconomic conditions and notes upcoming economic data releases. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:52 Sector Performance and Market Trends 02:31 Impact of Tariffs and Economic Policies 03:37 Federal Reserve and Economic Indicators 05:11 AI Narrative and Investment Strategy 07:07 Upcoming Economic Data and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 14

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3LGaAg6 AI Investing Bubble: Unpacking the Risks and Realities In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen discusses the potential investment bubble surrounding artificial intelligence (AI). Bahnsen explores the phenomenon that started with the rise of ChatGPT in late 2022 and analyzes its implications for investors. He cautions against the euphoria-driven market, emphasizing the risks of high volatility and speculative investments in AI companies like Nvidia and Oracle. Bahnsen underscores the importance of adhering to sound investment principles and avoiding the pitfalls of chasing short-term gains in the overheated AI sector. 00:00 Introduction to This Week's Topic 01:06 The AI Bubble: A Growing Concern 06:37 Mathematical Fundamentals and Market Volatility 13:34 Historical Context and Future Implications 28:02 Conclusion and Investment Principles Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 13

Market Downturn and Fed Uncertainty: Analyzing the Financial Trends In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the significant downturn in both stocks and bonds on November 13th, with major indices and the 10-year yield showing notable movements. Brian analyzes the influence of hawkish comments from multiple Federal Reserve speakers and the implications of the recent government shutdown's end on market behavior. He also touches on the rotation from growth to value stocks, the potential impacts of tax refunds, and the importance of investing in intrinsic value. Additionally, Brian addresses concerns about AI fakes and stock market manipulation, reassuring that despite the presence of bad actors, the market remains investible and efficient. 00:00 Market Overview: A Down Day 00:33 Federal Reserve's Hawkish Stance 01:24 Government Shutdown and Market Reaction 02:24 Rotation from Growth to Value 03:39 Tax Policy and Economic Stimulus 04:50 AI Fakes and Market Efficiency 05:46 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 12

Daily Market Recap: November 12 - Tech to Value Rotation Continues In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a daily market recap for Wednesday, November 12. He discusses the recent trends in the stock market, noting a continued rotation from tech and AI growth stocks to more value-oriented sectors. The DOW experienced its third consecutive day of gains, while the S&P also slightly increased, and the Nasdaq declined. Brian highlights the outperformance of the equal-weighted S&P over the market cap-weighted version. He also compares the performance of the 20-year Treasury ETF (TLT) with Bitcoin since the previous year. Additionally, Sitel touches on the likelihood of upcoming interest rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, with some officials advocating for a 50 basis point cut. He concludes by addressing the minimal market impact of the recent government shutdown and answering viewer questions regarding its potential effects on various sectors. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:27 Sector Performance and Investment Strategies 02:13 Economic Data and Government Updates 03:16 Federal Reserve Insights 04:36 Impact of Government Shutdown 05:53 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 11

Market Recap and Economic Insights - November 11, 2025 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian zyitel reviews the market performance and key economic updates for Tuesday, November 11, 2025. The Dow closed up 559 points, driven by positive sentiment around the impending government reopening. Brian discusses the historical impact of government shutdowns on the market and the expected release of crucial economic data like CPI and jobless claims. He addresses a question about evaluating growth stocks against benchmarks and emphasizes the importance of long-term planning over short-term performance. The episode also includes a note on Veterans Day and the bond market closure. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:34 Government Reopening and Market Implications 01:32 Economic Data and Market Predictions 03:37 Q&A: Benchmarking Growth Stocks 05:02 Closing Remarks and Veterans Day Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 10

Today's Post - https://sqdc.st/s/TtvWulc Monday Market Insights: Government Shutdown, Market Rally, and Policy Updates In this Monday edition of the Dividend Cafe, the discussion centers around the potential end of the government shutdown, with eight Democrats crossing the aisle to vote with Republicans. The NASDAQ experienced a significant rally, recovering losses from the previous week's downturn. Various market sectors' performances are analyzed, including the notable decline in consumer staples and defensive sectors. Key public policy updates include the Senate's vote to end the shutdown, a proposed 50-year mortgage backed by the government, and potential equity stakes by Fannie and Freddie in tech companies. President Trump's suggestion of a $2,000 stimulus check and significant job cuts in October are also covered. The episode concludes with insights from the Bahnsen Group's offsite and upcoming speaking engagements. 00:00 Introduction and Government Shutdown Update 01:15 Market Rally and Sector Performance 03:03 Earnings and Market Disparities 05:36 Senate Vote and Public Policy 08:54 Supreme Court and Tariffs 10:28 Housing and Mortgage Updates 11:55 Economic Indicators and Fed Outlook 16:03 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 7

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47ogHOD US-China Trade Deal Updates & Insights from The Bahnsen Group Annual Retreat In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen reports from The Bahnsen Group's annual retreat in Dallas, Texas. He highlights the team's dedication to client experience and shares updates on the significant US-China trade deal. The discussion covers recent agreements between the two nations, including tariff reductions, market commitments, and cooperation plans. Bahnsen reflects on how market discipline has influenced policy decisions and gives insights on the potential economic impacts. Looking ahead, he hints at a forthcoming evaluation of the AI CapEx bubble burst in the next episode. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:06 The Importance of Our Annual Retreat 01:41 US-China Trade Deal Overview 05:06 Key Elements of the Trade Agreement 10:18 Implications and Future Prospects 18:43 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 3

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/43Ga1ZR **** Monday Market Recap and Historical Insights - Dividend Cafe with David Bahnsen In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen covers a variety of market topics. Bahnsen urges viewers to check out the Friday edition of Dividend Cafe for an in-depth analysis of private markets. He then discusses the day's market fluctuations, highlighting significant movements in the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq. A fascinating chart on market cap and AI CapEx is recommended for further insights. Bahnsen also shares a historical market trend, noting that positive first 10 months often lead to favorable outcomes in the final two months of the year. Key news includes Kimberly Clark's $48.7 billion acquisition of Ken View amid controversy involving Tylenol and autism. Bahnsen briefly touches on public policy matters, upcoming Supreme Court hearings on tariffs, and off-cycle election indicators. He announces no podcasts during the week due to an offsite team meeting in Dallas, but daily blurbs will continue. The episode concludes with a quick overview of market performance, including the 10-year bond yield and sector highlights. 00:00 Introduction and Friday Recap 00:27 Today's Market Overview 01:35 AI CapEx and Market Valuations 03:30 Historical Market Trends 04:53 Sector Performance and Big News 06:53 Public Policy and Upcoming Events 08:53 Upcoming Schedule and Conclusion Kimberly-Clark buys Kenvue - https://apnews.com/article/kimberly-clark-kenvue-tylenol-98d5fd39c12b25524e3188da2e840436 NVIDIA/WSJ Chart Mention - https://www.wsj.com/finance/stocks/global-stocks-markets-dow-news-11-03-2025-83c207f7 Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 31

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4qxLxMp Demystifying Private Markets: Risks, Rewards, and Systemic Implications In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer at The Bahnsen Group, delves into the complexities of private markets, focusing on private credit and private equity. Bahnsen addresses the widespread discussions around the potential opportunities and risks in these markets, arguing that both extreme optimism and pessimism are misguided. He explains the inherent risks associated with higher returns and emphasizes the importance of understanding these investments' systemic implications, even for those not directly invested. Bahnsen also explores the historical growth of private markets, the exit bottleneck in private equity, and the potential for systemic risk. Emphasizing the necessity of prudence in investment and manager selection, he advocates for awareness of liquidity issues and proper diversification. This episode aims to provide a nuanced perspective on private markets, debunking myths and highlighting the real stakes involved. 00:00 Introduction to This Week's Dividend Cafe 00:40 Understanding Private Markets: Credit and Equity 03:07 The Risks and Realities of Private Credit 07:18 Private Credit vs. Traditional Banking 12:13 The Growth of Private Equity 18:53 Current Challenges in Private Markets 29:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 30

Market Recap: Market Decline and In-Depth Analysis of Financial Trends In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market recap for October 30th, detailing a downturn with the Dow closing down 109 points, the S&P down 1%, and the Nasdaq down 1.5%. Key factors include interest rate increases post-Fed meeting and disappointing earnings from some social media companies. Brian discusses benchmarks for investment performance, advocating for goal-based evaluation over market comparison. He also covers the midstream energy sector, emphasizing a strategic approach using active ETFs to optimize returns and tax efficiency. Additionally, Brian touches on a temporary trade truce between the US and China, projecting long-term benefits for both economies through gradual decoupling. The episode concludes with a brief on market headwinds due to earnings reports and rising interest rates. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:30 Interest Rates and Fed Policy 01:26 Choosing the Right Benchmark 03:20 Midstream Energy Investments 05:20 US-China Trade Agreement 06:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 29

Market Reactions to Fed Announcement & The Rise of 401(k) Plans In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the market's reaction to the Federal Reserve's recent interest rate cut and the end of the quantitative tightening program. Despite an initial market gain, comments from Fed Chair Powell about a December rate cut not being guaranteed led to a sell-off. Szytel provides insights into the likelihood of future rate cuts and the current state of economic data amid a government shutdown. Additionally, Sitel addresses a viewer question about the relationship between the rise of 401(k) plans and the popularity of index funds, explaining that while they are related, the primary reason for the shift from pension plans to 401(k) plans is corporate governance. The episode closes with an overview of the day's market volatility and encourages listeners to continue submitting questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:11 Fed's Interest Rate Cut and Market Reaction 02:04 Economic Data and Fed's Decision Details 02:52 The Rise of 401(k) Plans and Index Funds 05:07 Conclusion and Upcoming Updates Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 28

Market Recap and Key Economic Catalysts – October 28th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel provides a market recap, noting positive performance with the Dow closing up 161 points, S&P up by a quarter percent, and Nasdaq up eight-tenths of a percent. Key drivers include the US-China trade deal, expectations of a 25 basis point rate cut by the FOMC, potential end to quantitative tightening, a government shutdown, and strong earnings reports. Brian also addresses an 'Ask TBG' question about investment decision mistakes, emphasizing continuous learning and client goal achievement. Finally, he highlights economic indicators like improved consumer confidence, Richmond Fed Index, and better-than-expected Case-Shiller home price index. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:40 Key Market Drivers 01:06 US-China Trade Deal Insights 01:34 Federal Reserve and Economic Indicators 02:33 Government Shutdown Impact 03:12 Earnings Season Highlights 03:51 Stimulus and Tax Package Effects 04:50 Investment Committee Reflections 06:28 Economic Calendar Updates 07:12 Conclusion and Listener Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 27

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49mduQP Dividend Cafe: Market Recap and Economic Insights - Monday Edition In the Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen provides a thorough market recap from their Newport Beach studio. He highlights key market movements, with the DOW closing up 337 points, the S&P rising by 1.25%, and the NASDAQ up 1.75%. Boson also discusses the potential China trade deal and its impacts on the market, as well as the recent CPI report showing inflation metrics. Additionally, he touches on public policy developments concerning tariffs with Canada and Mexico and explores the implications of growing U.S. stock market capitalization. The episode wraps up with insights into housing market trends, mortgage rates, and Federal Reserve actions expected later in the week. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe Monday Edition 00:51 Market Recap: A Positive Day on Wall Street 02:20 Economic Insights: CPI Report Analysis 04:20 Public Policy and Trade Updates 04:57 US Stock Market Growth 06:25 Housing and Mortgage Market Trends 08:27 Federal Reserve and Oil Market Update 08:55 Against Doomsday: Positive Economic Indicators 09:54 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 24

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47Ly2Ab Understanding Index Funds and Their Evolution: A Comprehensive Analysis In this episode of the Friday Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, delves into the topic of index funds and their evolution over the years. He discusses the impact of index funds on the investment landscape, comparing their performance and risk profile to other investment approaches like dividend growth investing. David examines the significant growth in index fund ownership, changes in the composition of the S&P 500, and the implications of market capitalization-weighted indices. He also addresses common concerns, such as market liquidity, valuation risks, and the role of financial advisors in tailoring portfolios to individual needs. The discussion is aimed at providing a deeper understanding of the current dynamics in indexing and its relevance to both investors and financial advisors. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:17 The Evolution of Indexing 00:59 Indexing vs. Dividend Growth Investing 03:39 Understanding Market Beta 07:27 The Role of Advisors and Fees 13:06 The Growth of S&P 500 Index Funds 22:35 Systemic Risks and Market Dynamics 31:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 23

Market Updates and Global Economic Impacts - October 23rd In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an update on market movements, including modest gains in the DOW, S&P, and NASDAQ. The episode discusses the impact of US sanctions on Russian oil companies and the EU's ban on LNG imports from Russia, aimed at limiting funding for Russia's war efforts in Ukraine. The volatility in the energy markets and a slight increase in US treasury yields are also covered. Additionally, Brian addresses concerns about China's selling of US treasuries, its gold purchases, and the implications for the dollar's value. The episode concludes with a brief mention of upcoming economic reports, particularly the CPI report and initial jobless claims. 00:00 Market Update: October 23rd 00:25 Impact of Sanctions on Russian Oil Companies 01:46 China's Financial Moves: Selling US Treasuries and Buying Gold 03:32 The Dollar's Stability and Global Currency Dynamics 04:59 Upcoming Economic Reports and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 22

Market Recap and Economic Insights - October 22, 2025 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from West Palm Beach, FL, on a downturn in the markets. The Dow closed down 0.7%, S&P down 0.6%, and Nasdaq down about 1%, largely driven by missed earnings in tech. Gold saw another decline following a significant drop the previous day. Key topics include US-China trade tensions, the overvaluation of certain stocks, and the stable but uninspiring economic indicators like oil prices and 10-year Treasury yields. Brian discusses potential market reactions to upcoming trade negotiations and questions the historical constancy of AI-driven productivity gains. Additionally, he touches on recent data regarding architectural billings and previews upcoming economic reports, including existing home sales and jobless claims. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:53 US-China Trade Relations Impact 01:20 Market Valuations and Predictions 02:10 Oil and Energy Market Insights 03:43 Economic Indicators and AI Discussion 05:25 Upcoming Economic Data 05:57 Conclusion and Recap Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 21

Market Insights and AI Speculations: October 21st Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach offers a market recap for October 21st, noting a mixed day with the DOW closing at a record high. He delves into the performance of various indices, and discusses significant movements in gold and crypto prices, highlighting a notable 6% drop in gold. Seitel also shares insights on artificial intelligence, echoing caution by comparing current AI investment exuberance to the 1990s internet bubble. Additionally, he critiques optimistic revenue projections for OpenAI and their dependencies on capital markets for funding. Concluding with commentary on the Federal Reserve's interest rate policies, Szytel emphasizes the importance of market-adjusted rates over static ones. He encourages listeners to reach out with questions and stay informed with future updates from Dividend Cafe. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:44 Gold and Crypto Market Insights 01:18 Artificial Intelligence: Expectations vs. Reality 02:48 OpenAI's Lofty Promises and Financial Realities 04:53 Investment Strategies and Market Perspectives 05:53 The Fed and Interest Rate Discussion 06:52 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 20

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4htuMxK Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 17

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4nbfO0v Understanding the Impact of AI on Jobs: A Deep Dive In this Friday edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, managing partner at The Bahnsen Group, explores the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on jobs and the economy. Recording live from New York City before heading to Nashville, Bahnsen reflects on the intensive research and writing process for this episode. He addresses both the historical precedents set by the Industrial and Digital Revolutions and dispels fears about AI-induced mass job displacements. Instead, he emphasizes that AI will augment human labor by creating new job opportunities and enhancing productivity. Bahnsen argues for the importance of human-centric skills like decision-making, wisdom, and empathy, which cannot be replaced by machines. This episode offers a nuanced perspective on the future of work in the AI era, ultimately promoting an optimistic outlook on technological advancements and their potential benefits. 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Update 00:20 The Writing Process of Dividend Cafe 01:32 Impact of AI on Jobs 04:39 AI's Current and Future Job Displacement 11:53 Historical Context: Industrial and Digital Revolutions 20:10 Economic Principles and Human Needs 26:02 The Irreplaceable Human Element 31:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 16

Join Brian Szytel on today's Thursday Dividend Cafe as he navigates a modestly down day in the market. The DOW closed down 301 points, S&P by six-tenths of a percent, and Nasdaq by 50 basis points. With rising volatility back to May levels, Brian explains the factors behind the recent market movements, including larger bankruptcies and regional bank charge-offs. Despite mixed manufacturing data, real estate showed better-than-expected performance. Learn about the importance of credit spreads and their relevance to market stability, and get insights on upcoming Supreme Court discussions on tariffs. This episode provides comprehensive analysis to enhance your understanding of economic life and dividends in your portfolio. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:22 Market Recap: Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq Performance 00:38 Interest Rates and Volatility Insights 01:40 Economic Calendar Highlights 02:19 Real Estate Market Update 03:21 Understanding Credit Spreads 05:45 US-China Trade Relations Impact 06:10 Tariffs and Supreme Court Discussion 07:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 07:14 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 15

Market Recap & Insights on AI Investing - October 15 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian provides a market recap for October 15, noting slight changes in major indices and highlighting strong earnings in the financial sector. A positive trend in the yield curve is discussed alongside economic updates, including a stronger-than-expected Empire State Manufacturing Index and a stable Beige Book report from The Fed. Additionally, the episode explores the political influence on private sector companies, particularly defense contractors, and differentiates between the current AI investment situation and the 2008 financial crisis. Listeners are encouraged to read the latest Dividend Cafe for deeper insights into investment strategies. 00:00 Introduction and Tax Filing Reminder 00:23 Market Recap: Daily Performance 01:22 Economic Indicators and Reports 02:24 Government and Private Sector Dynamics 03:47 Artificial Intelligence: Bubble or Not? 05:05 Investment Wisdom and Strategies 06:18 Current Market Sentiments and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 14

Tuesday Midweek Market Update: US-China Trade Tensions and Earnings Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a midweek market update for Tuesday, October 14th. The day saw sideways trading following a significant sell-off on Friday and a rally on Monday, predominantly driven by ongoing US-China trade negotiations concerning China's export controls on rare earth minerals. Brian discusses China's dominance in rare earth minerals and the potential long-term response from the US, including strategic reserves and new mining developments. He also touches on Jerome Powell's comments on inflation and job markets, noting little change from the last FOMC meeting. Additionally, Brian highlights strong Q2 earnings reports, especially from major banks, as a positive market signal. He concludes with a perspective on gold as an inflation hedge versus the S&P 500, emphasizing the latter's superior long-term performance. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:17 US-China Trade Tensions and Rare Earth Minerals 02:12 Jerome Powell's Comments on Inflation and Jobs 02:31 Q2 Earnings Reports and Market Reactions 02:56 Small Business Optimism and Gold Market Insights 04:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 13

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4q8nNy3 In this week's Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen dives into the latest market movements on a somewhat irregular Columbus Day with both stock market rallies and bank closures. Key highlights include the release of Israeli hostages held since October 2023, President Trump's upcoming meeting with China's President Xi, and the nuances of U.S.-China trade relations. David also breaks down the latest market performances, discuss the bond market, and preview the upcoming earnings season. Additionally, David touchs on the consistency and preferences in delivering Dividend Cafe content across different mediums. Get ready for a detailed wrap-up of today's economic events and market reactions. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:51 Market Summary and Key Events 01:00 Global Political Developments 01:33 US-China Trade Relations 05:37 Market Performance Recap 07:30 Federal Reserve and Economic Indicators 08:55 Personal Preferences and Media Formats 10:47 Upcoming Events and Closing Remarks 12:05 Legal Disclaimers and Notices Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 10

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3KCGbir Unpacking the AI Revolution: Investment Philosophies and Realities In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer at The Bahnsen Group, explores the current excitement surrounding AI investments. Bahnsen contrasts contrasting perspectives from investment experts and delves into the cyclical nature of AI-driven market trends. He emphasizes the importance of adhering to a disciplined investment philosophy, particularly dividend growth investing, even amid the AI craze. Through an analysis of market dynamics and speculative risks, David outlines three potential scenarios for AI investments and underscores the need for consistency and prudence in managing client capital. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:05 Contrasting Views on AI Revolution 02:56 Current AI Market Dynamics 04:41 The Circularity Problem in AI Investments 06:00 Soros' Reflexivity Theory and AI 14:56 Three Potential Outcomes for AI Investments 19:58 The Bahnsen Group's Investment Philosophy 27:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 9

Market Update: Earnings Shifts Focus from Political Headlines In this episode of Dividend Cafe on Thursday, October 9th, Brian Szytel provides a market update. The DOW dropped by 243 points, the S&P fell by a quarter of a percent, while the Nasdaq remained mostly flat. The 10-year yield increased slightly by a basis point. The episode highlights the impact of delayed economic data due to the ongoing government shutdown. Brian discusses the encouraging shift in focus from political to earnings reports, with notable companies showing strong earnings. He emphasizes the importance of fundamental analysis and contextualizes current market performance by comparing it to historical rebounds. Brian also touches on the health of municipal pensions and the attractiveness of municipal bonds in high tax brackets. He concludes by encouraging listener questions and wishing them a good weekend. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:31 Economic Data and Government Shutdown 00:49 Earnings Reports and Market Fundamentals 02:02 Historical Market Context and Predictions 03:04 Focus on Cash Flows and Dividend Income 04:22 Municipal Bond Market Insights 05:46 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 8

Market Recap and Insights: Midstream Energy and Fed Policy In this October 8th episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market update, noting that the Dow was flat, while the S&P and Nasdaq showed gains. Key takeaways include the release of the September FOMC meeting minutes, indicating a general consensus on rate cuts despite some divergence in opinion. The episode also delves into the resurgence of M&A activity, IPOs, and positive earning sentiments as significant market drivers. There's a discussion on the midstream energy sector, highlighting its strong performance and the impact of recent tax reforms. Lastly, Sitel addresses a viewer question regarding the seeming contradiction between declining job numbers and a well-performing economy. 00:00 Welcome and Market Overview 00:45 FOMC Meeting Insights 02:08 Market Drivers and Trends 04:06 Midstream Energy Sector Analysis 05:12 Natural Gas and Data Centers 08:58 Economic Indicators and Job Market 10:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 7

Market Update and Geopolitical Insights: October 7th Analysis In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an update on the financial markets as of Tuesday, October 7th. He covers the recent performance of the DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq, highlighting a moderate sell-off in technology and value names. He also discusses the recent government shutdown impacting economic data release and provides insights on various Fed governors' positions on inflation and monetary policy. Additionally, the episode delves into significant geopolitical topics, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict's impact on energy prices, evolving US-China relations, and the increasing risks related to maritime shipments. Lastly, Brian addresses a listener's question regarding the health and implications of companies going private. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:09 Federal Reserve Updates 02:51 Geopolitical Insights 03:43 US-China Relations and Global Trade 05:36 Private Companies and Market Liquidity 06:28 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 6

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4mVyUro Market Analysis and Economic Insights: The Monday Edition David Bahnsen, host from Newport Beach, California, presents the Monday edition of Dividend Cafe. He starts with a brief mention of sports events, then discusses market activity, noting minor changes in the DOW and gains in the S&P 500 and Nasdaq. David highlights the fifth consecutive month of market gains since September and evaluates historical performance of the S&P 500 after such streaks, concluding there's no clear prediction for the sixth month. He further examines market volatility in midterm election years, correlations with political events, and economic indicators like 10-year bond yields, ISM services sector performance, auto sales, and the Case Shiller home price index. David also reports on optimistic developments in Gaza and Japan's election of its first female Prime Minister. He concludes by touching on the impact of U.S. tariff decisions on the pharmaceutical sector, aid for soybean farmers, and anticipated actions from the Federal Reserve. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:26 Historical Market Trends and Midterm Election Insights 04:53 Sector Performance and Global News 08:54 Economic Indicators and Federal Reserve Updates 11:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 3

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3IQOTsJ Insights and Takeaways from a Week of Meetings in NYC In this week's Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, managing partner and CIO at The Bahnsen Group, recaps key insights from a week of high-level meetings with asset management partners, hedge funds, and private market managers in New York City. Reflecting on the history of these annual gatherings, David discusses the intense debates about AI, the nuances of private market investing, the low conviction on the state of the economy, and the implications of tight credit spreads. Additionally, he delves into the interconnectedness of the data center theme and its broad economic impact. These themes will inspire future discussions in upcoming Dividend Cafe episodes. David also mentions potential portfolio adjustments based on these insights. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:27 Recap of New York City Meetings 01:53 Historical Context and Evolution 05:45 Insights from Recent Meetings 10:34 Key Themes and Takeaways 17:35 Conclusion and Future Outlook Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 2

Daily Market Recap and Job Data Insights - October Update David Bahnsen provides a daily recap of the Dividend Cafe, highlighting that the market was up with the Dow gaining 79 points, the S&P up slightly by 4 points, and the NASDAQ increasing by 18 points. He mentions the bond market's rise with the 10-year yield down 2 basis points. Sector performances show materials leading while energy declines. Due to the government shutdown, key job reports were missing, but alternative data sources like the Chicago Federal Reserve jobless level and the Challenger Gray and Christmas report offer insights. The report indicates a 24% rise in layoffs year-to-date compared to 2024 and a low level of new hirings. David teases the upcoming Dividend Cafe episode with takeaways from the week's meetings and ends with a mention of supporting the Yankees. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:03 Sector Performance and Government Shutdown Impact 01:21 Job Market Data and Analysis 03:25 Upcoming Reports and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 30

Market Highlights and Insights: September 30th Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group office in New York City provides a concise market overview for Tuesday, September 30th. Despite a negative start, the market ended slightly positive with the DOW up by 82 points, S&P up by 27 points, and Nasdaq up by a third of a percent. Key economic updates include a slight increase in the Case-Shiller Home Price Index and better-than-expected new job openings, reflecting a balanced labor market. Brian also discusses the implications of current trade margins, tax rates, and capital expenditure focus on artificial intelligence. Additionally, he addresses a viewer question about proxy voting in index investments and the proactive approach The Bahnsen Group employs to ensure proper company stewardship. Brian wraps up by promising more economic insights in the next day’s episode. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:38 Economic Calendar Highlights 00:59 Labor Market Insights 01:33 Consumer Confidence and Manager Meetings 01:59 Focus on Market Margins 02:50 Artificial Intelligence and Productivity 03:16 Proxy Voting and Index Investing 04:36 Conclusion and Next Steps Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 29

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3IxLuPt Dividend Cafe: Market Insights and Key Themes from Money Manager Week In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, the host discusses the extensive agenda of the first day of Money Manager Week. The conversation includes insights from several meetings with portfolio managers and asset management partners. The host shares an outlook on recent market movements, including the Dow's marginal increase, changes in bond yields, and performance in various stock sectors. Key points include discussions on market returns driven by earnings growth and multiple expansion, and the U.S.’s new tariff threats. Additionally, updates are provided on significant economic indicators like PCE inflation data, personal income, durable goods orders, and the housing market. The host also touches upon public policy topics such as potential government shutdowns and international trade deals. Lastly, the episode previews topics to be covered in the upcoming Friday edition of Dividend Cafe. 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Overview 01:45 Market Performance Recap 03:13 Sector Highlights and Oil Prices 04:07 Political and Economic News 06:44 Inflation and Economic Indicators 09:08 Housing Market Update 09:32 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates 10:34 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 26

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4muX6jX Analyzing America's Labor Market: Cyclical vs. Structural Issues In this week's Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen discusses the United States labor market, emphasizing the distinction between cyclical and structural challenges. He explores the unemployment data, noting historically low rates yet a significant rise in labor inactivity among prime working-age men. David highlights the supply-side issues in the labor market, including potential cultural factors and the impact of social safety nets, particularly disability benefits. He stresses the need for structural solutions and their implications on economic policy and the broader society. The episode concludes with a preview of next week's meetings with money management partners in New York. 00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Events 01:04 Current State of the Labor Market 02:59 Cyclical vs. Structural Economic Challenges 05:23 Unemployment Trends and Historical Context 06:28 The Supply Problem in the Labor Market 08:39 Inactivity Rates and Labor Participation 13:23 Cultural and Policy Factors Affecting Employment 20:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 24

Market Recap and Economic Insights: Tariffs, Corporate Taxes, and Housing Trends In this episode of Dividend Cafe, dated Wednesday, September 24, host Brian Szytel provides a market recap from Newport Beach, California. The DOW dropped 171 points, S&P and Nasdaq declined by approximately 0.3%, and there was a minor increase in 10-year bond yields. Szytel shifts focus from daily market movements to broader economic themes, discussing the ongoing impacts of tariffs on the economy, corporate earnings, and tax revenues. He notes a $96 billion increase in tariff-related revenues but a $108 billion decrease in corporate tax receipts due to recent legislation. Additionally, there's an anticipated $150 billion in tax refunds, which could boost the economy. Szytel also addresses the performance disparity between U.S. and Canadian midstream energy stocks and the influence of corporate structures on investment returns. Finally, he reports a significant rise in new home sales and median home prices for August, while annual growth remains below inflation levels. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:58 The Impact of Tariffs on the Economy 02:51 Corporate Tax Revenue and Consumer Impact 04:29 Midstream Energy Stocks Analysis 06:04 Housing Market Update 06:42 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 23

Market Insights and Economic Updates - Sep 23, 2025 On this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from Newport Beach, covering down markets with the DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq all experiencing declines. There was a notable rotation between growth technology and value names, with interest rates moving lower. Flash PMI numbers for manufacturing and services were discussed, both indicating expansion but with slight drops from the previous month. The Richmond Fed Index saw a significant decline. The episode also delves into the AI investment story and its impact on valuations. Looking ahead, several economic indicators are expected, including new home sales data, durable goods, wholesale inventories, GDP estimates, and initial jobless claims. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:35 Interest Rates and Fed Expectations 01:38 Economic Indicators and PMI Numbers 02:33 AI Investment and Market Valuations 03:27 Passive Investing and Market Dynamics 04:23 Upcoming Economic Calendar 04:49 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 22

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4n9Rw7O Market Recap and Policy Insights: Navigating Nuances in the Economy In this episode of the Monday Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen provides a detailed analysis of the market activities and public policy updates. Broadcasting from Newport Beach, David discusses his recent travels and highlights from Dividend Cafe's special issue on The Fed. The episode delves into market movements, noting a tech sector surge led by Nvidia and the rare divergence of communication services. Other topics include a notable drop in rent prices, impacts of new tariffs on American businesses, and updates on public policy announcements such as the H1B visa fee and the U.S.-China TikTok deal. David also covers the anticipated government shutdown and its potential market implications, along with other significant economic indicators like oil prices and bond yields. The show wraps up with insights on the intertwining of monetary policy and government debt. 00:00 Introduction and Recent Travels 00:42 Market Recap: A Mixed Monday 01:54 Technology and Communication Services Performance 03:42 Small Cap vs. Large Cap Earnings Growth 06:12 Public Policy Updates: H1B Visas and TikTok Deal 09:10 Government Shutdown and Tariff Revenue 11:08 Housing Market Insights and Fed Policy 14:52 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 19

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4nEivIn Friday Dividend Cafe: Analyzing the Latest Fed Rate Cut In this episode of Friday Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen delves into the recent Federal Reserve rate cut announced on Wednesday. He discusses the implications of the quarter-point reduction, detailing how the Fed’s decision impacts the market and the broader economy. David also touches on quantitative tightening, job market conditions, and the debate over future rate cuts. Additionally, he addresses the drama surrounding Fed appointments, the potential for overheated financial markets, and the importance of maintaining a balanced investment approach amidst economic uncertainties. Tune in for an in-depth breakdown and insightful commentary on current financial events and their broader implications. 00:00 Introduction to the Friday Dividend Cafe 01:35 The Fed's Recent Rate Cut Explained 02:08 Quantitative Easing and Balance Sheet Insights 03:39 Analyzing the Fed's Announcement and Market Reactions 05:16 Impact on Jobs and Economic Indicators 06:24 Bond Yields and Mortgage Rates Discussion 09:19 Stock Market Reactions and Predictions 11:15 Reasons Behind the Fed's Rate Cut 15:08 Drama and Speculations within the Fed 21:28 Future Predictions and Investment Strategies 23:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 18

Market Update and Fed Rate Impact Discussion - September 18 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group gives a market update on September 18th, detailing the DOW's performance with a rise of 124 points following the Federal Reserve's interest rate cut of 25 basis points. He highlights the positive movements in the S&P and NASDAQ, and discusses the implications of rising 10-year yields. Sitel provides insights into the historical impacts of rate cuts on the stock market, explaining how short-term and long-term rates affect small caps and Main Street respectively. Additionally, he addresses the complex dynamics of the Fed's balance sheet and its broader economic implications. He concludes with key economic data, including a substantial Philly Fed Manufacturing survey and improved jobless claims, reflecting a positive market sentiment. Viewers are encouraged to reach out with questions and to look forward to another detailed analysis in the next Dividend Cafe episode. 00:00 Introduction and Market Update 02:19 Impact of Interest Rate Cuts 03:15 Fed Balance Sheet and Economic Indicators 04:44 Economic Data Highlights 05:20 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 17

Fed Rate Cut Analysis and Market Reactions - Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the latest Federal Reserve rate cut by 25 basis points, bringing the Fed funds rate to a range of 4 to 4.25%. He reviews the Fed’s dual mandate shift from inflation concerns to labor market softening, the unanimous vote except for one dissent favoring a larger cut, and projections for additional rate cuts by year-end. Brian evaluates the Fed’s upgrade of GDP growth projections and the sustained inflation rate around 3%. He examines market reactions, interest rate trends, and potential impacts on credit spreads, small caps, and money markets. Lastly, he explores the implications of substantial funds in money market accounts and uses a Eurozone case study to contextualize interest rate impacts. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:08 Fed's Policy Rate Decision 01:59 Market Reactions and Analysis 03:04 Credit Spreads and Interest Rates 04:03 Money Market Funds Discussion 06:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 16

Market Recap and FOMC Meeting Preview - September 16th, Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel covers the market performance on a fairly uneventful trading day, with the DOW closing down 125 points, and both the S&P and Nasdaq seeing minor declines. The discussion shifts to the upcoming FOMC meeting, highlighting the high probability of a 25 basis point rate cut, potential dissents from new appointee Governor Steven Miran and others, and the implications for future Fed policy. Retail sales and industrial production data show stronger-than-expected performance, despite a softening labor market. Brian also touches on the Home Builder Confidence Survey and its correlation with interest rates and the housing market. The episode ends with a reminder to tune in for the next update and reach out with questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:28 FOMC Meeting and Rate Policy Expectations 01:01 Potential Dissents and Fed Dynamics 01:43 Understanding the Taylor Rule 03:16 Current Economic Indicators 04:10 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 15

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3K56sWb Market Trends, Geopolitical Insights, and Economic Outlook - Dividend Cafe September 15th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, guest host Brian Szytel covers the day's market activity, noting minor gains in the DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq. He discusses the current cyclical versus defensive stock imbalance, historical trends in high yield bond spreads, and an uptick in small cap performance. Brian addresses geopolitical issues with key insights into U.S. and NATO sanctions on Russia, and the impact of ongoing inflation on consumer goods. Additionally, he explores labor market shifts post-COVID, anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts, and the potential changes in corporate earnings reporting frequency. The show concludes with a preview of upcoming meetings with asset managers in New York City, offering a glimpse into the strategies and analyses shaping future investment decisions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:50 Market Cyclicals and Defensives Analysis 02:14 Credit Market Insights 03:27 Geopolitical and Public Policy Discussion 06:09 Inflation and Employment Market Update 08:12 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates 09:01 Energy Sector Highlights 09:49 SEC Reporting Changes 10:55 Annual Manager Meetings in New York 12:05 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 12

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3VhbwZZ Unveiling the Economic Impact and Symbolism of 9/11 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, airing on September 12, David L. Bahnsen delves into a unique discussion on the economic intentions behind the 9/11 attacks, emphasizing the attackers' desire to undermine American financial markets by targeting the World Trade Center. The episode explores the symbolic and literal significance of the attacks, draws on historical quotes from Osama Bin Laden and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, and highlights America’s resilience and the importance of defending robust capital markets. Key points include the historical context of the World Trade Center, the immediate financial aftermath of the attacks, and the enduring strength of America's economic system. David also ties this discussion into the broader narrative of American exceptionalism and the philosophical importance of free enterprise. 00:00 Introduction and Theme Announcement 00:44 Reflecting on 9/11's Economic Impact 04:33 Historical Context of the World Trade Center 05:58 Financial Institutions in the World Trade Center 08:37 The Jihadist Economic Agenda 14:35 Resilience of American Financial Markets 17:33 American Exceptionalism and Capital Markets 21:50 Conclusion and Gratitude Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 11

Equities and Bonds Rally Amid CPI and Employment Data; Reflecting on September 11 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from West Palm Beach, Florida on the positive movements in equity and bond markets, with the DOW, S&P, and NASDAQ showing significant gains. He also covers recent economic data, including the CPI and jobless claims, and their implications for Fed rate adjustments. Additionally, Brian shares a personal reflection on the 24th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, highlighting the collective memory and tribute to those affected. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:15 Equity and Bond Market Rally 00:47 Inflation and Employment Data Insights 01:33 Federal Reserve Rate Expectations 01:57 Jobless Claims and Fed Policy 03:05 Valuations and Market Sentiment 03:51 Reflecting on September 11th 05:04 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 10

Market Volatility and Inflation Insights: A Mid-Week Market Recap In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from West Palm Beach, Florida, with a mid-week market update recorded on Wednesday, September 10. The recap highlights mixed performance across markets as a result of the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers, which showed a surprising decline of 0.1% against the expected 0.3% increase. The DOW fell by 0.5%, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq registered minor gains and flat performance, respectively. The segment also delves into the significant decrease in year-over-year inflation rates and previews upcoming key economic data, including the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and initial jobless claims. Additionally, the script addresses concerns regarding high market valuations and the prudent approach to market exposure. Brian also references historical market behavior to caution against rash decisions based on short-term indicators. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:56 Producer Price Index and Market Reactions 02:13 Upcoming Economic Indicators 02:25 Labor Market Insights 03:07 Valuations and Market Strategies 05:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 9

Daily Market Update: Record Closes and Economic Revisions In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the record-high closes on the DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq, noting a significant boost in the last 30 minutes of trading. He reviews year-to-date market performance and the recent revision in non-farm payroll numbers, which saw a considerable downward adjustment. The episode also covers the unusual yield curve movements, expectations for potential Fed rate cuts, and upcoming economic indicators such as the PPI and CPI numbers. Additionally, small business optimism has ticked up, reflecting a more confident outlook. The bond market's reaction, particularly the decline in 10-year yields, is analyzed, indicating potential continued strength in long-duration investments. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:02 Employment Data and Revisions 02:24 Yield Curve and Interest Rates 03:20 Economic Indicators and Small Business Sentiment 03:59 Bond Market and Long Duration Investments 04:40 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 8

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47uuMdO Monday Market Update: Analyzing Housing, Jobs, and Fed Policies In this Monday edition of the Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen discusses the latest market movements, job figures, and housing market dynamics. He highlights the Fed's anticipated rate cut decisions, sector performances, and policy updates. Boson also provides insights into nominal GDP expectations and the impact of tariffs on various sectors. Listeners are encouraged to visit DividendCafe.com for detailed analyses and a philosophical discussion on the U.S. free market economy from last Friday's special edition. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 02:13 Market Recap and Insights 04:02 Public Policy Updates 05:58 Economic Indicators and Job Market 08:21 Housing Market Analysis 10:56 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates 12:25 Oil Market and Health Statistics 13:47 Closing Remarks and Special Mentions Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 5

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42ckcVf Embracing Risk for Economic Prosperity in the United States In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer at The Bahnsen Group, discusses the crucial role of risk-taking and free enterprise in driving the unparalleled economic growth and prosperity of the United States. Drawing on his experience teaching honors economics at Pacifica Christian High School, David emphasizes the importance of defending the competitive advantages and principles that have historically given the U.S. a leading investment edge. He warns against the trend of moving away from these foundational economic principles and advocates for maintaining a system that values individual dignity, robust capital markets, and entrepreneurial innovation. David concludes by urging investors to focus on these strengths to ensure long-term success. 00:00 Introduction and Host Background 00:25 Connecting Economics to Investment 04:04 The Importance of Free Enterprise 07:26 Risk Taking and Economic Growth 11:15 American Economic Exceptionalism 19:59 Challenges and Future Outlook 23:00 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 4

In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel breaks down the latest economic data releases and their impact on the markets. He discusses the paradox of "bad news is good news" in the current market environment, analyzes labor market trends, and explains how Federal Reserve policy and interest rates are influencing investor sentiment. The episode also features a thoughtful exploration of the Fed's expanding powers, the risks of market intervention, and a lighthearted close with NFL season excitement. 00:00 – Introduction & Market Overview 00:24 – Anticipation for Non-Farm Payroll Report 00:46 – The “Bad News is Good News” Paradox 01:03 – Economic Data Recap 01:48 – ISM Services & Jobless Claims 02:43 – Q2 Productivity & Market Performance 03:27 – The Federal Reserve’s Role 04:42 – Expansion of Fed Powers 06:00 – Risks of Market Distortion 06:36 – Final Thoughts & NFL Kickoff Have questions or want to hear more on a specific topic? Reach out to the show! Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 3

Market Wrap-Up and Economic Insights: September 3rd Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel provides a market update for September 3rd. The DOW closed slightly down, while the S&P and NASDAQ were up. Key drivers included positive legal news for major tech companies and weaker-than-expected job numbers, leading to lower interest rates. Discussions also covered factory orders, labor market conditions, and the nuances of monetary policy's impact on inflation. Brian emphasized the strength of consumer balance sheets due to resilient mortgage rates. The episode concluded with a shoutout to a recent salmon fishing trip in British Columbia. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:24 Tech Sector and Job Numbers Impact 01:08 Economic News and Fed Futures 02:13 Inflation and Interest Rates Discussion 02:52 Consumer Balance Sheets and Housing Market 04:23 Concluding Remarks and Personal Note Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 2

Market Performance, Tariffs, and Economic Indicators: A Post-Labor Day Analysis In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on Tuesday, September 2nd, Brian Szytel reviews the market performance following Labor Day weekend. The DOW closed down 249 points, the S&P dropped by 0.7%, and the Nasdaq fell by 0.8%, with notable rotation from growth to value stocks. The episode discusses the current and future status of tariffs under the IEEPA and Section 301, as well as recent economic indicators such as ISM and PMI manufacturing numbers and construction spending data. Furthermore, Brian addresses the implications of the CHIPS Act and government stakes in private companies, highlighting concerns over government intervention in private enterprise. The episode concludes with observations on volatility and the performance of dollar-sensitive securities. 00:00 Welcome and Market Recap 01:02 Tariffs and Legal Battles 02:13 Economic Indicators and Manufacturing Data 03:25 Government Stake in Intel and CHIPS Act 05:47 Market Volatility and Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 29

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3HXUdtL Evaluating Government Equity Ownership: Implications for Investors In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, the host dives into the contentious topic of the U.S. federal government's recent equity ownership stake in Intel. The discussion highlights the political and economic ramifications of the government taking a 9.9% stake in the company, as well as plans for similar acquisitions in other sectors. The host explores issues of fiscal prudence, the potential hazards of government involvement in private markets, and the adverse impacts on capital allocation. The episode emphasizes the importance of maintaining market-based investment strategies to ensure optimal resource allocation and economic growth, making a case against government intervention in the private sector. The analysis concludes with concerns about the negative implications for dividend growth investors. Tune in to understand the risks and what this means for your investment strategy. 00:00 Introduction and Disclaimer 02:11 Government's Equity Stake in Intel 05:34 Funding and Fiscal Prudence 08:54 Comparison with Other Sovereign Wealth Funds 14:07 Risks and Misallocation of Capital 19:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 28

Daily Market Recap: Mixed Market Movements and Bond Market Rally In today's Dividend Cafe daily recap, David Bahnsen covers the day's market activity with the DOW closing up 72 points, the S&P up 20 points, and Nasdaq up over half a percent. Despite Nvidia's slight decline, the overall market saw gains, especially in technology and communication services sectors. The bond market also saw a rally with the 10-year yield sitting at 4.2%. Defensive sectors like utilities and healthcare were in negative territory. Tune in tomorrow for a deeper dive into the private economy and the federal government's role as a shareholder. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:11 Stock Market Performance 00:47 Bond Market Update 01:18 Sector Performance 01:58 Conclusion and Upcoming Insights Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 27

Market Trends and Insights - August 27 Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an update from Martin Newport Beach, California. He discusses the current positive market conditions in stocks and bonds. Brian highlights the importance of the PCE data release scheduled for Friday and analyses indicators from various market sectors like commodities, financials, and home builders. Additionally, he addresses the debate between private and public capital markets, explaining the growing volume and attraction of private capital over the past decade. He concludes by mentioning recent trends in IPOs and public financing, suggesting continued growth in these areas. Brian reminds listeners to tune in for more economic insights and encourages questions from the audience. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:40 Economic Data and Market Indicators 01:06 Market Sentiment and Cyclical Sectors 02:00 Global Economy and Market Expansion 02:33 Investment Strategies and Valuations 02:58 Private Capital vs. Public Markets 04:51 Conclusion and Upcoming Updates Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 26

Mixed Market Day and Economic Insights – August 26 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an update from The Bahnsen Group's Newport Beach headquarters on a quiet market day with moderate gains in the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq. Despite negative durable goods orders, results were better than expected. The episode also discusses mixed data from the Dallas and New York manufacturing surveys, the impact of federal economic policies, the Federal Reserve's role in buying securities, and slight declines in home prices and consumer confidence. Key upcoming data includes the PCE inflation gauge set to be released on Friday. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:36 Economic Data Highlights 01:47 Federal Reserve and Inflation Discussion 02:50 Housing Market Update 03:29 Consumer Confidence and Market Takeaways 03:51 Upcoming Economic Events 04:09 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 25

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4mqPbFc Dividend Cafe: Market Updates, Fed Insights, and Public Policy Developments In this Monday edition of the Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen covers a range of topics including market performance, recent movements by the Federal Reserve, and significant public policy announcements. The DOW and other major indices experienced declines after a notable rally on Friday following Chairman Powell's speech at Jackson Hole. Public policy highlights include the U.S. government's equity interest in Intel and plans for future investments, as well as new tariffs on imported furniture. The housing market shows signs of trouble with declining permits and new home sales. The episode discusses the potential implications of Fed Governor Lisa Cook's investigation and offers insights into crude oil prices and midstream energy sectors. Finally, it reiterates the resilience of dividend growth investing amidst economic and policy uncertainties and previews Nvidia's forthcoming earnings report. 00:00 Introduction to the Monday Edition 00:20 Market Recap: A Look at Recent Trends 03:02 Public Policy Updates and Government Actions 06:00 Housing Market Insights 08:17 Federal Reserve and Economic Policies 11:08 Energy Sector and Investment Strategies 13:30 Conclusion and Upcoming Highlights Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 22

Today's Post - Analyzing the Fed's Balance Sheet: Quantitative Easing and Tightening Explored In this week's Dividend Cafe, host David Boson, Chief Investment Officer at The Bahnsen Group, dives deep into the Federal Reserve's balance sheet, covering the concepts of quantitative easing (QE) and quantitative tightening (QT). With historical context dating back to the 2008 financial crisis, Boson discusses the evolution of the Fed's monetary policy tools, the implications of rate cuts, and the future outlook for financial markets. Key topics include the effects of QE on financial stability, comparisons to Japan's monetary policies, and how today's economic environment shapes future Fed actions. Boson also speculates on the potential impacts of the upcoming Jackson Hole speech by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell and what it means for market expectations. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:37 Current Market Expectations and Fed Rate Cuts 03:15 Understanding the Fed's Balance Sheet 03:57 History of Quantitative Easing (QE) 06:52 The Impact of QE on Financial Markets 14:21 Quantitative Tightening (QT) and Its Challenges 20:10 The Future of Fed Policies and Market Implications 27:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 21

Market Overview and Economic Data Insights - August 21 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel discusses the modest market downturn experienced on Thursday, August 21, with all indices down by roughly a third of a percent. The episode covers a range of economic data, including higher-than-expected jobless claims, mixed manufacturing numbers, and better-than-expected home sales. Key focus is placed on the upcoming Jackson Hole speech by Chairman Powell, which is anticipated to hint at future policy decisions. Brian emphasizes the disparity between high-valuation tech stocks and more value-oriented sectors like healthcare, materials, and energy. He concludes with a thoughtful reflection on market fundamentals and how they will prevail in the long run. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:22 Economic Data Highlights 01:10 Manufacturing and Services Insights 02:11 Housing Market Update 02:52 Federal Reserve and Market Sensitivity 03:24 Sector Performance and Fundamentals 05:02 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 20

Market Update and Housing Sector Insights: August 20th In this episode of Dividend Cafe on August 20th, host Brian Szytel discusses the day's market performance, noting slight gains in the DOW and declines in the S&P and Nasdaq. He highlights a continued rotation from growth to value stocks, particularly in the AI sector, and stable interest rates. Brian also addresses the recently released hawkish minutes from the July Fed meeting, the impact of the non-farm payroll report, and speculates on the potential outcomes of Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's upcoming speech at Jackson Hole. Shifting focus to the housing market, Brian explains the current challenges faced by home builders, including low sentiment and high sales incentives, despite an apparent rise in home builder stocks. He concludes by discussing the distinctions between nominal and real returns, emphasizing the broader market context and biases in financial reporting. The episode wraps up with a preview of upcoming economic data releases, including jobless claims and existing home sales. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:44 Fed Meeting Insights and Market Reactions 01:20 Housing Market Analysis 02:13 Home Builder Sentiment and Stock Performance 03:31 Inflation Adjusted Returns Discussion 04:41 Conclusion and Upcoming Data Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 19

Market Update and Economic Insights on Dividend Cafe - August 19 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel provides an update on the market activities of Tuesday, August 19. He discusses the mixed performance of major indices, with the DOW closing slightly up, while the S&P and Nasdaq experienced declines. Brian highlights a notable sell-off in technology stocks and mentions how value stocks outperformed. He also covers economic news, particularly around housing starts, and the complicated sentiment among home builders due to interest rates and affordability concerns. Additionally, he answers questions on the Federal Reserve's balance sheet and its impact on inflation, and the role of money supply and velocity in measuring inflation. Brian concludes with a recap of stronger-than-expected Q2 earnings, discusses expectations for Q3, and mentions the anticipated focus on employment figures and potential Fed interest rate cuts in September. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:59 Housing Market Insights 02:24 Inflation and The Fed's Balance Sheet 04:16 Q2 Earnings Recap 04:56 Looking Ahead: Employment and Fed Actions 05:05 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 18

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/45lNva0 Analyzing a Flat Market and the Impacts of International Events In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, the host discusses the relatively stagnant state of the DOW, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, attributing this to ongoing events such as the meeting between President Trump, European leaders, and Ukrainian President Zelensky, and the upcoming Jackson Hole meeting with Chairman Powell. The episode delves into metrics like the earning yields and price-to-book ratios of the S&P 500, highlighting historically low real earnings yield due to high stock prices despite high earnings and moderate inflation expectations. David also explores foreign investments in U.S. stocks, particularly a record $163 billion purchase in June, insights into tariff impacts and court rulings related to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and the uncertainty surrounding upcoming Fed rate cuts. On the energy front, updates include WTI closing at $62.63 and midstream energy sector trends discussed at a recent Las Vegas conference. The episode concludes with an overview of the supply-side effects of monetary and fiscal policy, touching upon tariff implications and monetary supply growth. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:38 Inflation Insights and Market Metrics 03:35 Valuation Indicators and Market Analysis 05:33 Foreign Investments and Geopolitical Updates 07:30 Tariffs and Legal Challenges 11:07 Economic Indicators and Sector Performance 13:21 Energy Sector Deep Dive 15:52 Monetary Policy and Supply Side Economics 17:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 15

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/46SKFKO Understanding Inflation: Beyond the Headlines In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen dives deep into the topic of inflation. He discusses the impact of tariffs on the economy, the misunderstanding about inflation, and its broader economic implications. Bahnsen revisits the last 25 years of inflation data, highlighting the differences in price changes across various sectors, such as housing, healthcare, and higher education. He explains how government subsidies have influenced these sectors and emphasizes the importance of understanding economic fundamentals over short-term political narratives. Bahnsen provides a comprehensive economic analysis, differentiating between price increases and monetary inflation, and stresses the importance of responsible money supply growth relative to the production of goods and services. 00:00 Introduction to the Dividend Cafe 00:15 Recent Economic Assessments 02:14 Understanding Inflation 03:37 The Truth About Prices Over 25 Years 06:52 Impact of Federal Subsidies on Prices 08:00 Post-COVID Price Dynamics 10:04 Economic Theories on Inflation 14:15 Tariffs and Their Economic Impact 21:31 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 14

Market Update and PPI Data Insights - Dividend Cafe Daily Recap Host David Bahnsen fills in for Brian Szytel to deliver a daily market update. Despite some intraday movements, the market indices closed flat, with the DOW, S&P, and NASDAQ showing negligible changes. The 10-year yield rose to 4.28%, driven by a surprising 0.9% increase in the Producer Price Index (PPI) for the month. Goods prices remained low, while services saw more significant movement. The episode teases a deeper analysis on inflation and related data points, set to be discussed in the weekly Dividend Cafe commentary. Additional updates include a 2% rise in oil prices and stable initial jobless claims at 224,000. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:17 Market Indices Performance 00:40 Bond Market and PPI Impact 01:58 Upcoming Dividend Cafe Insights 02:41 Additional Data Points 03:18 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 13

Market Insights: Follow-Through, Treasury Secretary Speaks, and Housing Resurgence In this August 13th episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group provides a detailed market update from Newport Beach, California. He discusses recent market trends, including significant market breadth with a six-to-one advance-decline ratio. Brian also covers Treasury Secretary Bessant's comments on a potential Fed rate cut and the search for new Fed candidates. He highlights the resurgence in the small-cap sector and notes an uptick in housing activity despite affordability challenges. Brian addresses a common query about The Bahnsen Group's ability to manage assets for international clients and previews forthcoming economic data releases, such as the Producer Price Index, retail sales, and consumer sentiment. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:47 Treasury Secretary's Comments on Fed Policy 01:46 Small Cap Sector Insights 02:29 Housing Market Trends 04:35 International Client Queries 06:01 Upcoming Economic Data 06:53 Conclusion and Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 12

Market Rally and Economic Indicators: August 12th Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel discusses the significant market rally on August 12th, with the Dow closing 483 points up and the S&P and Nasdaq also seeing gains. The episode covers a fresh Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showing minimal change in inflation, which has led to increased expectations for the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates. Sitel also discusses predictions for future rate cuts, the upcoming Jackson Hole symposium, and the anticipated September non-farm payroll report. Additionally, recession odds have decreased significantly, now less than 20%. Finally, a better-than-expected small business optimism survey is highlighted. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:55 Inflation and CPI Data Analysis 01:36 Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Predictions 02:43 Upcoming Economic Reports and Market Sentiment 03:04 Recession Odds and Data Sources 04:16 Small Business Optimism and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 11

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4lkaas5 Monday Market Rundown & Economic Insights - Dividend Cafe with David Bahnsen In this Monday edition of the Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen from The Bahnsen Group provides a comprehensive market update and economic analysis. Key topics include Nvidia's significant market impact, President Trump's upcoming meeting with Vladimir Putin, and developments in the semiconductor tariffs with China. The episode also covers the overall performance of major market indices, notable policy changes, and the state of the housing market and Federal Reserve actions. Additionally, Boson addresses recent market dynamics, including the tariff delays on China and potential privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. A discussion on Steven Miran's nomination to the Federal Reserve and the likelihood of upcoming interest rate cuts rounds out the update. Boson concludes by sharing insights into his favorite economists in response to viewer questions. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:18 Market Rundown and Economic Analysis 01:40 Nvidia and Semiconductor News 02:52 Market Performance and Indices 06:16 Policy Announcements and Tariffs 07:55 Housing Sector and Federal Reserve 10:57 Conclusion and Favorite Economists Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 8

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4lnsaSr The Futility of Economic Forecasting and the Current State of the Economy In this week's Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer at The Bahnsen Group, discusses the limitations and challenges of economic forecasting, especially for investors. He underscores the difficulty of making accurate economic predictions and linking them to investment outcomes. Bahnsen critiques economic forecasting through various perspectives, including a quote from economist John Kenneth Galbraith, and highlights the complexities of interpreting present economic conditions, such as jobs data, trade levels, and corporate profits. The discussion touches on current challenges such as the impact of trade tariffs and the mixed signals from various economic indicators. Bahnsen aims to provide a clearer understanding of the present economic landscape without making bold predictions about the future. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:38 The Futility of Economic Forecasting 03:13 Current Economic Conditions 07:49 The Jobs Market Analysis 14:30 Trade and Tariff Impacts 21:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 7

Mixed Market Movements and Economic Indicators on August 7 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the mixed movements in the stock market on August 7, with the DOW down 224 points, S&P flat, and Nasdaq down slightly. The 10-year yield rose by two basis points to 4.24%. Brian reviews initial jobless claims, noting a higher than expected number and a rise in continuing claims, suggesting a softening labor market. Despite this, the likelihood of a recession remains low at less than 20%, down from 60% in April, partially due to a de-escalation of U.S.-China tariffs. Additionally, Brian discusses the historical context of market performance in September and October, advising against short-term market timing. He underscores the importance of focusing on long-term returns, dividend growth, and compounding benefits. 00:00 Market Overview: A Mixed Day 00:41 Economic Indicators: Jobless Claims and Productivity 01:53 Recession Odds and Tariffs Impact 05:09 Historical Market Trends: September and October 07:08 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 6

Midweek Market Update and Earnings Insights for August 6th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market update for Wednesday, August 6th, highlighting a marginally positive day bifurcated between value and growth. Key topics include positive big tech earnings, a quiet day on the economic front, and ongoing tariff issues with India. Brian also discusses market multiples, the performance of top tech companies, and the importance of being selective in investments. Additionally, he answers questions about the real returns on cash investments and adjustments in job statistics by the BLS. He concludes by previewing upcoming economic data. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:59 Earnings Season Insights 01:19 Valuation Analysis 02:39 Investment Strategies and Market Sentiment 03:08 Addressing Viewer Questions 05:32 Concluding Remarks and Upcoming Data Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 5

Economic and Market Analysis - August 5th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a comprehensive analysis of the market and economic conditions as of August 5th. He discusses the marginal declines in the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq, and a noteworthy shift from growth to value stocks. Sitel delves into the ISM Services index slightly missing expectations for July and touches upon PMI numbers. He explains the correlation between current Fed policies, interest rates, and foreign investment. The episode also highlights earnings season progress, with revenue and earnings growth showing positive year-over-year trends. A significant focus is placed on market valuations, the role of artificial intelligence investments, and the overall economic outlook. Finally, Brian answers a viewer question regarding interest rates and Fed policy. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:28 Economic News and Indicators 02:22 Interest Rates and Fed Policy 04:29 Earnings Season Insights 05:33 Market Valuations and Future Outlook 06:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 4

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47cWpYw Volatility and Market Movements in Early August In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, the host discusses the high volatility observed at the start of August, noting significant market movements influenced by a poor jobs report and Federal Reserve rate cut expectations. The video examines the impacts of volatile earnings reports, trade deals, and changes in bond yields. Additionally, the host revisits topics from the previous episode, such as tariffs and trade deals, and provides insights into recent job market data and public policy developments, including the controversial firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics head. The episode concludes with a look at sector performance, particularly the communication services sector, and anticipates more earnings reports in the upcoming week. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:22 Volatility and Market Reactions 01:41 Earnings and Trade Deals 02:45 Market Performance and Asset Classes 04:44 Bond Market Movements 05:10 Sector Performance and Seasonal Trends 06:37 Public Policy and Employment Data 09:11 Trade Policies and Tariffs 11:58 Federal Reserve and Rate Cuts 13:49 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 1

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4fr9T5i Analyzing Trump Tariffs and Their Economic Impact David Bahnsen, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, delves into the Trump tariffs in this episode of Dividend Cafe. He explores the complexity and ambiguity surrounding the tariffs, their impact on the economy, and the real-time media and political narratives that shape public opinion. Emphasizing objective economic analysis, Bahnsen discusses the uncertainties in market reactions, potential declines in corporate profits, and the long-term economic outcomes of these trade policies. He stresses the importance of evaluating total trade volume, foreign investment, and the overall growth impact to provide a comprehensive understanding of the real consequences of tariffs. Bahnsen's approach underscores the necessity of looking beyond immediate political rhetoric to grasp the broader economic picture. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:03 Overview of Trump Tariffs 01:37 Market Reactions and Policy Changes 02:57 Framework of New Trade Deals 05:18 Economic Analysis and Predictions 10:09 Impact on Corporate Profits and Growth 18:17 Foreign Investment and Trade Volume 26:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 31

Market Recap and Economic Data Insights: July 31st Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel recaps the market performance on July 31st, noting a modest downturn despite positive tech earnings. Key economic data discussed includes initial jobless claims, PCE inflation data, and a stronger-than-expected Chicago PMI number. The host also dives into how inflation and rate of return assumptions impact financial planning. The episode concludes with insights on the energy sector's reduced volatility and improved balance sheets, emphasizing the sector's potential for dividend growth. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:53 Economic Data Highlights 02:42 Inflation and Financial Planning Assumptions 04:22 Energy Sector Insights 06:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 30

Fed Decision and Market Reactions - July 30th Recap In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel recaps the outcomes of the recent Federal Reserve meeting held over the past two days. The Fed decided to maintain interest rates between 4.25% and 4.5%, which led to mixed reactions in the market. Despite initial market rallies, comments by Fed Chairman Jerome Powell led to a reversal, resulting in a net loss for the DOW and modest movements in the S&P and Nasdaq. Significant data discussed includes the better-than-expected Q2 GDP figures and fluctuating private payroll and housing sales data. Brian also touches on the historical context of industrial production and productivity growth post-2008 financial crisis. The episode closes with a Q&A segment, addressing the broader economic trends and their implications. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:08 Fed Meeting Insights and Market Reactions 01:51 Economic Calendar Highlights 04:11 Industrial Production and Productivity Post-Financial Crisis 05:30 Q&A and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 29

Market Recap: Modest Moves and Economic Indicators - July 29th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an update on market movements for Tuesday, July 29th. The S&P 500 ended its six-day winning streak with a slight decline while the Dow and Nasdaq saw modest changes. The bond market experienced a decrease in 10-year yields, and there are emerging expectations for a potential Fed rate cut in September. The episode also covers recent economic updates including better-than-expected consumer confidence, in-line job openings, and a slight dip in the Case-Shiller home price index. Brian also discusses the topic of corporate trustees in estate planning and the upcoming FOMC meeting and employment data releases. The day was relatively quiet overall, with marginal market movements. Listeners are encouraged to reach out with questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:41 Economic Indicators and Predictions 01:14 Consumer Confidence and Job Market 02:03 Housing Market Update 02:39 Corporate Trustee Discussion 03:18 Upcoming Events and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 28

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4m0KxNO Market Update & European Union Trade Deal - Dividend Cafe In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer of The Bahnsen Group, discusses a range of market updates and economic observations from his office in New York City. He highlights the flat performance of major indices amidst the European Union trade deal news, the surprising low volatility, and the record number of S&P 500 companies above their 200-day moving average. Bahnsen also touches on upcoming earnings reports from major tech firms, bond market movements, and significant sector performances. Additionally, he offers his perspectives on durable goods orders, initial jobless claims, and existing home sales figures. The episode includes insights on the latest trade deals and how they may impact markets long-term, along with a personal anecdote about walking through a movie set in the intense summer heat. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:57 Unexpected Encounter on the Way to Fox Business 02:08 Market Performance and Key Indicators 04:06 European Union Trade Deal Insights 07:20 Economic Data and Predictions 08:57 Housing Market Trends 09:45 Potential Policy Changes and The Fed's Meeting 10:50 Midstream Companies and Dividend Growth 11:37 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 25

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3GV6kYc The Complex Landscape of American Manufacturing: Jobs, Economy, and Policy In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen delves into the multifaceted issue of manufacturing in America, exploring its economic significance and impact on investors. David examines the common misconceptions surrounding manufacturing jobs and productivity, highlighting how advances in technology and efficiency have reshaped the sector. He discusses the interplay between tariffs, economic policies, and the labor market, and critically evaluates the notion that economic growth should necessarily aim to maximize manufacturing employment. With a series of charts and data points, Bahnsen underscores the importance of understanding the nuanced realities of the manufacturing sector, advocating for market-driven approaches over government intervention. The episode emphasizes the significance of individual choice, technological progress, and the need for a well-rounded perspective in economic policy-making. 00:00 Introduction to Manufacturing in America 01:04 The Interconnection of Tariffs and Manufacturing 03:51 The State of US Manufacturing 07:19 Economic and Policy Implications 10:36 Technological Impact on Manufacturing Jobs 15:25 The Role of Market Forces and Human Preferences 25:15 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 24

Market Insights: July 24th Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from New York to West Palm Beach, Florida on a mixed day in the financial markets. The DOW was down, while the NASDAQ saw slight gains. The key discussion points include the volatility index hitting low levels akin to pre-February 2020 peaks, signaling a bullish sentiment. Positive trade rhetoric, declining interest rates, and strong US economic resilience are painted as reasons for the market's favorable outlook. Additionally, the episode dives into the Japanese and European market disparities linked to demographic and economic factors. The municipal bond market is analyzed with insights provided on its recent performance and future potential. The episode concludes with updates on economic indicators such as the flash PMI and initial jobless claims, highlighting improvements and ongoing challenges in various sectors. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:14 Equity Market Performance 00:40 Volatility and Market Sentiment 01:38 International Market Insights 03:08 Municipal Bond Market Analysis 07:05 Economic Indicators and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 23

Global Market Rally and US-Japan Trade Deal Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from The Bahnsen Group's New York City office on a broad-based market rally occurring on July 23rd. Key highlights include the positive impact of finalized trade deals between the US and Japan, and the US and EU. US markets experienced a nearly 1% increase, while Japan's Nikkei saw a 3.5% rise. Fixed income prices dipped slightly as yields rose. The Atlanta Fed's business inflation expectations decreased marginally, while existing home sales in the US fell 2.7% for June. The US-Japan trade deal, featuring a 15% tariff rate and a substantial investment from Japan, is seen as a significant achievement. The episode concludes with insights on ongoing market valuations and upcoming economic indicators. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:20 Global Market Rally 00:27 US-Japan Trade Deal 01:19 Economic Calendar Highlights 02:48 US-Japan Market Discount Analysis 04:03 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 22

Market Analysis and Federal Reserve Insights - Dividend Cafe, July 22nd In this Dividend Cafe episode, Brian Szytel from TBG New York City headquarters provides a comprehensive market update for July 22nd. He discusses the mixed market with the DOW rising, S&P staying flat, and Nasdaq falling. Factors affecting this trend include earnings reports and sector pricing. The 10-year interest rate dropped slightly, and there were movements in the dollar and gold prices. Brian also highlights international trade agreements, Federal Reserve discussions featuring past chairs, and the celebrity status of the current Fed Chair Jerome Powell. Additionally, Brian covers the upcoming economic calendar with existing home sales and initial jobless claims. He answers questions about the effect of treasury supply on yields and the role of preferred stocks in dividend growth portfolios. Finally, Brian signs off from New York, mentioning an upcoming client dinner in the city. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:45 Interest Rates and Economic Indicators 01:17 Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy 02:49 Upcoming Economic Data 03:06 Viewer Questions: Treasury Yields and Preferred Stocks 05:13 Conclusion and Personal Notes Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 21

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/414n2Lt Market Overview and Economic Insights: Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel stands in for David to provide a comprehensive update on market activities and economic indicators. Despite a quiet day, the Dow closed down 19 points, contrasting with record closes for the S&P and Nasdaq. Interest rates saw a decrease, influenced partly by political events in Japan. Earnings are generally positive with a 5.6% EPS growth, and 83% of reporting S&P 500 companies beating earnings estimates. Economic activity remains resilient with balanced labor markets and upcoming economic reports on jobless claims, PMI data, new home sales, and durable goods orders. Key political and economic developments in Japan, housing market dynamics, and potential Federal Reserve actions are also discussed. Lastly, insights on oil, energy, and the impact of tariffs on inflationary measures are shared. Brian encourages audience engagement through questions and looks forward to upcoming episodes. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:17 Market Performance and Earnings 00:41 Economic Indicators and Interest Rates 02:19 Sector Analysis and Valuations 03:37 Economic Calendar and Labor Market 04:15 Global Political Events and Currency Movements 06:00 Housing Market Insights 06:40 Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Speculations 07:37 Oil and Energy Sector Update 08:07 Inflation and Tariff Impacts 09:10 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 18

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4f3mRWM Lessons from the AOL-Time Warner Merger: A Historical Business Failure In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen explores the infamous AOL-Time Warner merger of 2000, marking its 25-year anniversary. He delves into the history of both companies, the circumstances leading to the merger, and the reasons behind its failure. David underscores the importance of learning from past mistakes in the investment world and highlights the dangers of overlooking fundamentals and the human factors in business decisions. Drawing from his personal experience and extensive reading, David sheds light on the impact of corporate egotism, inflated valuations, and the lack of strategic alignment in this monumental $200 billion business disaster. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:03 The Importance of Learning from History 00:59 The AOL-Time Warner Merger: A Historical Overview 03:56 The Rise and Fall of AOL 05:30 The Complex History of Time Warner 07:53 The Merger: A Recipe for Disaster 11:09 The Human Element in Mergers and Acquisitions 16:04 Financial Missteps and Overvaluation 19:12 The Aftermath and Lessons Learned 23:54 Conclusion: Principles for Future Investments Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 17

Positive Economic Indicators and Market Insights - July 17th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the record close of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, along with positive performances from the DOW. The market rally was driven by encouraging economic data including improved retail sales, jobless claims, manufacturing data, home builder sentiment, and lower than expected import prices. Seitel emphasizes the robust health of U.S. consumers, given the low unemployment rate and wage growth outpacing inflation. He also discusses market multiples, the risk in volatile investments like crypto and AI, and the importance of long-term asset management. Additionally, Szytel addresses questions about government spending's role in GDP and the growth of the money supply. 00:00 Welcome and Market Overview 00:25 Positive Economic Data Highlights 00:49 Consumer Strength and Employment 01:41 Manufacturing and Housing Insights 02:15 Market Sentiment and Risks 03:39 Government Spending and GDP 04:41 Money Supply Growth Discussion 05:15 Q&A and Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 16

Positive Market Trends and Economic Indicators Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, hosted by Brian Szytel on Wednesday, July 16th, the positive movements in the financial markets are highlighted, including a rise in the DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq, and a drop in the 10-year yield. The episode discusses the significantly cooler than expected Producer Price Index (PPI) for June, which aligns with favorable inflation targets and hints at potential reductions in consumer prices. Other positive economic signals include an increase in industrial production and optimistic comments in the Fed's latest page book. Additionally, Brian addresses viewer questions about the stability of New York City bonds amidst a potential declining tax base and the feasibility of replacing income tax with a consumption tax, providing detailed insights into these financial concerns. The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming economic data releases for the remainder of the week. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:08 Market Overview: A Positive Day 00:34 Producer Price Index Insights 01:50 Industrial Production and Economic Activity 02:31 Financial Sector Highlights 03:12 Q&A: New York City Bonds and Tariffs 05:19 Upcoming Economic Indicators 05:36 Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 15

Market Movements Update & Q2 Earnings Overview - July 15th Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the market performance on Tuesday, July 15th, including a mixed day with bonds selling off and the DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq showing varied results. He delves into the impact of the latest CPI inflation data, noting a cooler-than-expected core inflation for the fourth consecutive month. Brian also touches on the starting of Q2 earnings season, emphasizing the reports from major banks and their mixed impact on the market. Additionally, he answers viewer questions about the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' and the dollar vs. Euro exchange rate, elaborating on its steady range since 2021. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:51 Earnings Season Kicks Off 01:58 Inflation and CPI Insights 02:58 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates 04:03 Q&A: OBBB and Currency Movements 05:09 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 14

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3GM1axv Monday Market Updates and Public Policy Insights In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, the presenter covers key developments in the market and public policy. Topics include the new tax and spending bill, market reactions to tariffs, potential trade deals, and the upcoming earnings season. Specific insights are shared on copper tariffs, the possibility of a second reconciliation bill in the Senate, and the president's position on Ukraine. The session also discusses the S&P 500's top companies' market cap and earnings contributions, and speculation about potential changes at the Federal Reserve. The episode concludes with a Q&A on the impact of tax cuts and recession on national debt, and a teaser for an upcoming special Dividend Cafe. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:58 Market Overview and Public Policy 01:35 Tariff Impacts and Market Reactions 03:54 Copper Prices and Industrial Impact 05:52 Potential Second Reconciliation Bill 07:09 Shift in U.S. Policy on Ukraine 07:54 Earnings Season and Market Trends 08:59 The Dominance of Top S&P 500 Companies 11:03 Federal Reserve and Rate Cut Speculations 12:26 Tax Cuts and National Debt Debate 14:26 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 10

Market Recap and Earnings Outlook: Fundamentals Return to Focus In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on Thursday, July 10, Brian Szytel discusses recent market movements and economic updates. After two days of market declines, the DOW Jones, S&P, and Nasdaq saw positive increases. The 10-year bond yield remained stable, while jobless claims data showed better-than-expected initial claims, although continuing claims edged higher. Brian highlights the shift back to earnings fundamentals, upcoming CPI data, and the onset of earnings season as key market drivers. He also discusses the bearish sentiment on the US dollar and precious metals. Additionally, Brian answers a question about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) for those turning 73 and provides a sneak peek of the long-form Dividend Cafe episode focused on a major legislative bill and its impacts. Tune in for a detailed market analysis and strategic insights. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:35 Economic Calendar and Jobless Claims 01:09 Earnings Season and Market Sentiment 02:08 Precious Metals and US Dollar Sentiment 02:47 Interest Rates and Earnings Expectations 03:46 Fundamentals and Market Sentiment 03:57 RMD Guidelines and Tax Implications 05:00 Upcoming Long Form Dividend Cafe 05:25 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 11

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/44Cuq1w Analyzing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act: Tax and Spending Implications In this week's Dividend Cafe, David delves into the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' an omnibus tax and spending bill recently signed into law. The episode covers its investment and market ramifications, debunks myths surrounding the bill, and offers both praise and criticism for its various provisions. The discussion emphasizes the bill's five major components: the extension of prior tax cuts, new campaign tax changes, pro-growth business tax changes, spending cuts, and an increase in the debt ceiling. David provides an objective analysis while acknowledging his personal political biases, stressing the importance of a non-uniform approach to investing and policy assessment. Additionally, the episode underscores the negative and positive impacts of the bill on different economic sectors, with a particular focus on its long-term fiscal implications. 00:00 Introduction to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act 01:35 The Political Landscape and Personal Views 05:50 Breaking Down the Bill: Five Major Categories 12:23 Debunking Myths About the Bill 19:43 Pro-Growth and Non-Growth Elements 28:53 Final Thoughts and Market Implications Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 9

Market Recovery and Economic Indicators: Analyzing July 9th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel updates listeners on the financial markets for July 9th, with the Dow rising 217 points and other major indices showing gains. He discusses trends such as tight credit spreads, high equity flows, and low volatility. Brian delves into the implications of economic data like mortgage applications and wholesale inventories. Additionally, he reflects on recent Fed minutes, and shares a comprehensive response from David addressing concerns about the long-term sustainability of market growth, emphasizing a tailored, long-term investment strategy. 00:00 Market Recap: July 9th 00:54 Economic Indicators and Market Sentiment 01:31 Tariffs and Market Desensitization 02:48 Fed Minutes and Mortgage Applications 03:29 Wholesale Inventories and Consumer Sales 04:14 Q&A: Market Predictions and Portfolio Strategy 06:18 Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 8

Market Reaction to Triple B Bill and Upcoming Economic Indicators In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel covers the market downturn dated July 8th, following the passage of the 'Triple B' bill in Congress. Despite the bill's passage, markets experienced a sell-off due to pre-existing pricing anticipations. The episode discusses ongoing tariff talks and the extension of deadlines related to these discussions. Key financial index performances are reviewed, stating that the Dow Jones and S&P 500 saw minimal declines, while NASDAQ and the 10-year Treasury yield remained relatively steady. Important economic indicators such as the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index and New York Fed's consumer expectations survey are highlighted, showing slight declines in small business optimism and inflation forecasts respectively. Brian also touches on the resilience of the US macroeconomy and the subdued growth expectations for the upcoming Q2 earning season. The Q&A segment addresses the role of Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserve in interest rate decisions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:12 Impact of the Triple B Bill 00:53 Market Performance and Economic Calendar 01:27 Inflation and Economic Expectations 02:33 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates 03:19 Closing Remarks and Q&A Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 7

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/45XWcrO Market Reactions and the Impact of New Tax Legislation In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David recaps the past week's market activity, the impact of recent tariff threats, and the passing of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act' tax legislation. The DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq experienced volatility, primarily due to trade war-related announcements. Despite recent fluctuations, market internals remain healthy. Discussion includes the contrarian sentiment in investor behavior, and upcoming detailed coverage of the new tax bill. Other topics include economic data such as job numbers and ISM services index, alongside updates on federal student loans and oil exports. 00:00 Introduction and Weekend Recap 00:53 Market Overview and Volatility 03:49 Sentiment and Indicators 05:04 New Tax Bill Insights 07:45 Public Policy and Trade Tariffs 08:47 Economic Data Highlights 11:27 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 2

July 2nd Market Overview and Employment Insights Brian Szytel reviews July 2nd's market performance, highlighting a slight positive shift in equities with record closes for the S&P and Nasdaq despite a flat day for the DOW. He discusses bond market movements and the release of the ADP private payroll number, marking the first negative figure in over two years. Brian delves into labor market trends, noting slight increases in weekly and continuing claims, and a balanced employment situation. He addresses Fed's patient approach to rate changes, anticipates tomorrow's non-farm payroll report, and comments on the Secure Act 2.0 implications for retirement savers. The episode concludes with a Q&A session covering term premiums and lending rates by Fed officials, and holiday well-wishes to the audience. 00:00 Market Overview: July 2nd 00:32 Economic Data Insights: ADP Private Payroll 01:18 Labor Market Analysis 02:17 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates 02:58 Secure Act 2.0: Retirement Contributions 04:12 Q&A and Market Sentiment 04:25 Closing Remarks and Holiday Wishes Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 3

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TlA3MA Navigating Investment Bubbles and Market Psychology In this special episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Boson delves into the critical topic of investment bubbles and their potential impact on investors. Released ahead of the July 4th holiday, David explores the complexity of identifying bubbles and the often overlooked influence of human psychology on market behavior. Drawing on historical examples including the dot-com bubble, the 2008 housing crisis, and the Beanie Baby craze, he underscores the importance of prudence and valuation in investment decisions. While examining the current state of technology stocks and AI, he questions the sustainability of their valuations and highlights the significance of learning from past market excesses. David concludes with seven key takeaways to guide investors through today's financial landscape, emphasizing the need for caution and fundamental analysis. 00:00 Introduction and Special Release Announcement 00:25 Understanding Investment Bubbles 04:09 Historical Examples of Bubbles 11:02 Modern Context: The Mag Seven and AI 24:38 Concluding Thoughts and Caution Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 1

Market Insights During a Choppy Pre-Holiday Week In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an update on the market activities on July 1st, during a shortened week leading up to the 4th of July holiday. The DOW showed significant gains despite a generally choppy market, with some large healthcare stocks contributing to its performance. The S&P and Nasdaq experienced minor declines. Key economic indicators such as the ISM and S&P Manufacturing Index were discussed, along with better-than-expected job opening numbers from the Jolts report. Upcoming economic data releases, including ADP private payroll and non-farm payroll, are also highlighted. The episode concludes with insights into recent legislation developments and the impartiality of Jerome Powell's decisions at the Federal Reserve. Brian encourages listeners to stay tuned for further updates and to reach out with questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:52 Economic Data Highlights 02:20 Upcoming Economic Events 02:54 Legislative Updates 03:41 Federal Reserve and Politics 05:16 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 30

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4nsTzUY Market Comeback and Legislative Insights: A Mid-Year Review In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, we reflect on the historic market rebound in the first half of 2025, breaking a record previously set in 1998. Host David Bahnsen discusses the recent dramatic market fluctuations and the unpredictability of events like the US-Israel-Iran situation and trade tariffs. He also highlights upcoming reports for clients, including portfolio summaries and insights from the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting. The episode covers recent legislative developments, including a significant bill expected to be signed by President Trump, and discusses various economic indicators such as bond market performance, housing market trends, and inflation data. Additionally, public policy updates from the EU and G7 countries are reviewed, emphasizing their impact on trade and tariffs. The episode closes with thoughts on the Federal Reserve's rate decisions and previews the upcoming discussion on market bubbles. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:54 Historical Market Comeback 02:16 Unpredictability of Market Events 03:39 Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting Insights 04:16 Market Performance and Sector Highlights 05:39 Legislative Updates and Political Maneuvering 10:21 Global Trade and Tariff Developments 12:33 Economic Indicators and Housing Market 16:11 Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Speculations 18:09 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 27

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4keWgqq Middle East Geopolitical Tensions and Market Unpredictability In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen discusses the recent geopolitical events in the Middle East, particularly Israel's and the US's actions against Iran's nuclear capabilities. Despite predictions of market volatility, equity markets have risen, and oil prices have fallen, illustrating the inherent unpredictability of market responses. Bahnsen emphasizes the importance of maintaining an objective investment philosophy, specifically dividend growth investing, amidst such unpredictable events. He argues against trying to time the market based on geopolitical developments and underscores the need for a consistent investment approach to avoid significant mistakes and drive long-term success. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:43 Shifting Focus: From Bubbles to Geopolitical Tensions 02:43 Market Reactions to Middle East Conflicts 07:27 Unpredictability in Markets 09:33 Historical Context of Middle East Tensions 15:14 Investment Philosophy Amidst Geopolitical Events 18:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 25

Market Update: June 25, 2023 - Wall Street's Flat Day & Economic Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from the Grand Rapids office in Michigan on a relatively flat day in the financial markets. The DOW fell slightly by 106 points, S&P remained unchanged, and Nasdaq increased by 0.3%. Changes in oil prices and a ceasefire between Israel and Iran were also highlighted. Key economic updates include the potential for future tax legislation, upcoming tariff deadlines, and the Fed's possible rate cuts. Seitel also discusses how to position different assets in traditional IRAs versus Roth IRAs and delves into the recent decrease in new home sales. Upcoming economic calendar events include wholesale inventory numbers, durable goods orders, Q1 GDP revision, and pending home sales data. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:10 Market Movements and Economic Indicators 02:46 Investment Strategies for Different Accounts 04:27 Housing Market Insights 05:28 Upcoming Economic Events and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 24

Market Recap and Investment Wisdom from the Dividend Cafe In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen fills in for Brian Szytel to provide a comprehensive market update. The major market indices, including the Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ, all saw significant gains, while the bond market experienced slight increases. The technology sector led the gains with a 1.6% rise, followed closely by financials, whereas the energy sector lagged behind. A notable drop in oil prices was observed, attributed to geopolitical factors involving a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. David concludes with a critical piece of investment advice: timing the market based on current events is futile and can lead to significant losses. 00:00 Introduction and Host Change 00:35 Market Recap: Major Indices Surge 00:55 Bond Market Movements 01:20 Sector Performance Highlights 01:42 Oil Price Plunge: Geopolitical Factors 02:16 Ceasefire Impact on Markets 02:42 Investment Wisdom: Avoid Market Timing 03:58 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 23

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3FPqMt6 Market Reactions to U.S. Attack on Iranian Nuclear Sites and Geopolitical Implications In this Monday edition of the Dividend Cafe, the host discusses recent market reactions to the U.S. military strike on Iranian nuclear sites over the weekend. The discussion covers muted responses in equity markets, fluctuating oil prices, and subsequent rallies in bond markets. The geopolitical implications of the strike, including potential de-escalation by Iran and the impact on U.S.-China trade war negotiations, are explored. Additionally, the episode touches on the current U.S. legislative process concerning tax policies, the economic impact of AI on businesses, existing home sales, and upcoming political events. The host also pays tribute to Fred Smith, the late founder of Federal Express. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:23 US-Iran Tensions and Market Reactions 02:34 Market Analysis and Reactions 06:27 Long-term Implications of US-Iran Conflict 10:30 Public Policy Updates 12:59 Economic Indicators and Predictions 16:13 Closing Remarks and Tribute to Fred Smith Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 18

In this Dividend Cafe episode, Brian Szytel reviews the day’s market performance, noting minimal movement across indices and bonds despite it being a Fed day. Key topics include unchanged interest rates, a downgrade in U.S. GDP growth by the Fed, and a focus on housing market weaknesses and their economic implications. Brian discusses the significant Treasury maturities upcoming and the potential for expedited rate cuts. Legislative updates include the passage of a major bill making the 2017 TCJA tax cuts permanent and addressing other taxation issues. The episode concludes with jobless claims data and an outlook on future employment rates, alongside reminders about market closures for the Juneteenth holiday. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:16 Market Overview and Fed Report 01:33 Housing Market Insights 02:22 Treasury and Interest Rates 03:05 Legislative Updates 04:37 Investment Strategies and Economic Calendar 05:55 Closing Remarks and Disclaimers Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 17

Market Commentary: Volatility and Sector Valuations – June 17 Update In this week's edition of Dividend Cafe, Brian Syztel provides a comprehensive overview of the current market landscape as of June 17, discussing recent geopolitical tensions affecting oil prices and stock market performance. Key points include a detailed analysis of the impact on various indexes such as the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and Nasdaq. Brian emphasizes the significance of sector valuations, highlighting defensive sectors and their historical performance compared to growth stocks. Additional economic indicators, including retail sales, industrial production, and the NAHB Housing Market Index, are also reviewed. The episode concludes with a look ahead to upcoming jobless claims and the FOMC decision. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:21 Market Update: Middle East Tensions and Market Reactions 01:03 Valuations and Defensive Sectors 02:08 Growth vs. Value Stocks 03:28 Economic Calendar and Housing Market 04:22 Upcoming Events and Conclusion 04:39 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 16

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Tphtmu In this week's Dividend Cafe commentary, Brian Szytel steps in for David to do the usual around the horn market commentary. The episode covers a variety of market updates, including a brief recap of recent fluctuations in major indices such as DOW, S&P, and NASDAQ. Brian discusses the ongoing Middle Eastern conflict between Israel and Iran and its impact on the markets. The episode also touches on oil price movements, sector performance, and the implications of the weakening US dollar. Brian delves into the current state of the housing market, details the recent Fed meeting's outcome on interest rates, and explores the potential effects of the new tax bill. The segment wraps up with a mention of Opportunity Zones and other investment opportunities, encouraging listeners to stay engaged and reach out with questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:57 Middle Eastern Geopolitical Tensions 02:25 Energy Market Movements 03:23 Sector Performance and Interest Rates 03:55 US Dollar and Global Economic Insights 06:31 Government Receipts and Spending 07:54 G7 Meeting and Global Trade 10:18 Real Estate Market Analysis 11:35 Federal Reserve and Economic Indicators 12:48 Investment Opportunities and Taxation 14:07 Conclusion and Disclaimers Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 20

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3FKivXl What Happens If We Do Nothing About National Debt? In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, the host revisits the topic of national debt and explores what might happen if no actions are taken to address it. The discussion moves from hypothetical solutions proposed in a previous episode to real-life economic implications of inaction. With national debt at around $37 trillion, annual deficits continue to grow, adding to economic instability. David outlines various potential outcomes, including financial repression, higher taxes, recalibration of Social Security and Medicare benefits, and federal asset sales, emphasizing that painful solutions are inevitable. The episode stresses a decline in growth due to excessive governmental debt and advocates for an investment approach focused on quality amidst these challenges. 00:00 Introduction and Recap of Dave Land 01:38 The Reality of National Debt 03:34 Uncertainty and Economic Predictions 08:40 Potential Responses to National Debt 09:56 Financial Repression and Debt Monetization 11:31 Debt Default and Social Security Recalibration 13:36 Higher Taxes and Federal Asset Sales 17:20 Conclusion and Investment Philosophy Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 13

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4n1XYOG Understanding Value vs. Growth Investing: Insights from Dividend Cafe In this week's Dividend Cafe, the focus is on value investing, contrasted against growth investing. David delves into current investor mentalities, reinforcing time-tested investing principles with a historical context to understand risk and reward. Citing a verse from Proverbs, the discussion highlights the importance of valuation and the common missteps in modern investing. The talk explores various outcomes based on initial valuations, using examples like Apple, Google, and Peloton. The emphasis is on the need to avoid overpaying for 'hot' stocks and the pitfalls of following the crowd. The episode concludes by advocating for a balanced approach that integrates both value and growth strategies, stressing that valuation is a critical factor in investment success. 00:00 Introduction to Value Investing 01:10 Biblical Insights on Investing 02:02 The Psychology of Buying Investments 03:42 The Risks of Overpriced Investments 06:07 Historical Examples and Lessons 10:51 Valuation and Operating Performance 13:22 The Essence of Economic Thinking 15:05 Supply, Demand, and FOMO 16:50 Value vs. Growth Investing 23:21 Potential Catalysts and Risks 26:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 12

Positive Market Performance and Key Economic Indicators - June 12th Edition In this edition of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the positive performance across major indices with the Dow up 101 points, the S&P rising 0.38%, and the Nasdaq up a quarter percent. Treasury yields showed weakness, and a lower-than-expected PPI number contributed to falling interest rates and a slightly weaker dollar. Initial jobless claims showed a slight increase for the fourth consecutive week, signaling a softening labor market, similar to levels seen in the summer of 2023. Brian also touches on the US-China trade talks, the significance of rare earth minerals and technology exports, and the current state of private real estate investment trusts, like Starwood and Blackstone. He concludes by urging viewers to send in questions and announces upcoming content for the week. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:22 Treasury Yields and Dollar Movement 00:34 Producer Price Index and Inflation 01:14 Jobless Claims and Labor Market Insights 01:56 US-China Trade Talks 03:22 Real Estate Market Analysis 04:28 Conclusion and Upcoming Updates Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 11

Market Recap and Economic Insights: June 11 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the market performance on a flat trading day, noting minor declines in the S&P 500, Nasdaq, and Dow. Key economic updates include the release of CPI numbers, global growth forecasts cut by the World Bank, and ongoing US-China trade talks. Despite lower-than-expected CPI growth, concerns about inflation from tariffs have not materialized yet. Brian also provides insights on US growth projections, emphasizing the oscillatory nature of the World Bank's estimates and expressing optimism based on real-time data from the Atlanta Fed. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:37 CPI Numbers and Inflation Insights 01:33 US-China Trade Talks Update 02:02 World Bank Global Growth Forecast 03:06 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 10

Market Updates and Strategic Investment Insights - June 10th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market update for Tuesday, June 10th. Key highlights include modest gains in the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq, and discussions on U.S.-China trade talks, particularly regarding export controls and natural resources. Brian analyzes market valuations, noting they are on the expensive side, and recommends a focus on selective investment in dividend growth stocks. He also discusses the attractiveness of sectors like Staples, Financials, and Energy. Additionally, Brian touches on the tax implications of different dividend income sources and reiterates a focus on fundamental analysis over market sentiment. He encourages listener questions and outlines plans for future episodes. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:26 US-China Trade Talks 01:03 Inflation and Market Sentiment 01:54 Valuation Concerns 03:35 Investment Strategies and Sectors 05:55 Qualified Dividend Income 07:03 Conclusion and Upcoming Updates Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 9

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4dVYgCC Market Rundown and Insights on Policy, Valuation, and Small Cap Opportunities In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, the host provides a comprehensive market analysis, noting flat to modestly positive performance across major indices and sector performance. Key topics include public policy developments, valuation metrics, and the impact of trade tariffs. The episode also highlights long-term investment lessons with reference to top-performing S&P companies and offers insights into small cap vs. large cap dynamics. Updates are provided on U.S. Senate's work on the significant bill, employment trends, and economic data from both the U.S. and China. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming topics and encourages viewers to access further resources on the Dividend Cafe homepage. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:24 Market Performance and Sector Highlights 01:17 Encouragement and Resources 02:18 Valuation Metrics and Market Analysis 05:03 Small Cap vs. Large Cap Performance 06:07 Trade Tariffs and Company Strategies 06:58 Interest Rates and Employment Trends 08:03 Currency Movements and Market Leaders 10:14 Public Policy and Legislative Updates 14:16 Economic Indicators and Housing Market 15:56 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links to mentions of Apple and Amgen: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/us/apple-stock-drops-1-5-after-wwdc-2025-keynotedid-apples-big-ai-reveal-and-siri-upgrade-fail-to-meet-investor-expectations/articleshow/121734860.cms?from=mdr https://www.barchart.com/story/news/32784272/how-is-amgen-s-stock-performance-compared-to-other-pharmaceuticals-stocks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 6

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4kXcW6M Timeless Financial Advice for Graduates and Beyond In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, the host offers a special update on a previous popular episode focused on financial advice for high school graduates. Emphasizing the importance of this transitional stage from late teens to mid-twenties, the discussion spans across a variety of topics including the dangers of credit card debt, the principles of home ownership, and effective investing strategies. Key advice includes avoiding unnecessary debt, the value of delayed gratification, and the benefits of dividend growth investing. Additionally, the episode touches on the allure and risks of cryptocurrency investments, highlighting the importance of understanding one’s investments. The speaker concludes with broader cultural and economic philosophies, encouraging virtue, productivity, and optimism as core values for a fulfilling life. 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of This Week's Dividend Cafe 02:49 Financial Advice for Young Adults 03:45 The Dangers of Credit Card Debt 09:09 Principles of Home Ownership 15:00 Investment Behavior and Wealth Management 22:02 Skepticism Towards Cryptocurrency 25:51 The Importance of Optimism and Virtue 29:54 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 5

Market Recap and Upcoming Economic Indicators - June 5th Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel from Newport Beach TBG HQ discusses the market's downturn on June 5, with the DOW closing down 108 points, the S&P down half a percent, and the Nasdaq down eight-tenths of a percent. Bond yields slightly rose, with the 10-year yield up three basis points to 4.39%. The episode examines recent economic data, including higher-than-expected initial jobless claims and a decline in Q1 productivity, attributing some of the economic softening to tariffs and trade balance shifts. Brian also touches on the complexities of international trade deals and the implications of Treasury bonds on financial institutions like Silicon Valley Bank. He wraps up by discussing the anticipated non-farm payroll numbers coming out soon. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:45 Economic Indicators and Employment Data 01:37 Trade Balance and GDP Insights 03:13 Treasuries and Interest Rates Discussion 04:29 Intergovernmental Debt Explanation 05:12 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 4

Midweek Market Insights and Legislative Updates In this episode of Dividend Cafe on June 4th, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group provides a market overview, discussing the uneventful day in equities, with minor movements in the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq. He explains the rally in the bond market caused by private payroll numbers missing estimates significantly. Brian also reviews the mixed economic indicators from the May ISM services index and services PMI, noting one indicator in contraction and the other in expansion. He addresses the fiscal impact and revisions of a significant legislative bill, emphasizing the need for reduced spending, especially on entitlements. Additionally, he answers a question about section 899 of the proposed bill regarding tax rates for foreign investors in U.S. assets. He concludes by previewing upcoming data releases for the week, including initial jobless claims, productivity numbers, trade deficit, and employment figures. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:38 Economic Indicators and Employment Data 01:53 Fiscal Policy and Deficit Concerns 03:06 Foreign Investment Tax Proposal 04:19 Upcoming Economic Data and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 3

Positive Market Updates and Key Economic Indicators - June 3rd Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from the Newport Beach office of The Bahnsen Group on the market's positive performance on June 3rd, despite initially lower futures. The DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq all saw gains. There was a minor decline in bond prices with a slight rise in yields. Key economic updates included an optimistic report on new job openings, which exceeded expectations, indicating employer confidence despite recent volatility. Conversely, factory orders fell slightly more than expected. The episode also touches on Elon Musk's criticism of a congressional spending bill and outlines the implications for government spending and debt. Upcoming employment reports are highlighted as significant data points to watch. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:37 Economic Indicators and Job Market Insights 01:26 Factory Orders and Economic News 01:53 Elon Musk's Reaction to Congressional Spending Bill 02:59 Debt to GDP Ratio Discussion 04:13 Upcoming Employment Data and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 2

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/43GC76x Monday Market Insights and Major Developments: June 2nd Edition In this edition of Dividend Cafe, David begins by discussing significant market movements on June 2nd, including the DOW's recovery and the broader stock market performance. Key highlights include a major Ukrainian drone attack on Russian bombers, potential talks between Trump and President Xi, and a terror attack in Boulder, Colorado. The episode also covers market details like the performance of various sectors, trade tariff rulings, upcoming potential economic actions by The Fed, and recent Broadway financial successes. David concludes with a preview of an upcoming special edition addressing advice for new graduates, and a reflection on ideas to tackle national debt and deficit issues. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:01 Global News Highlights 02:43 Market Performance and Analysis 06:38 Trade Tariffs and Legal Rulings 09:20 Economic Data and Predictions 13:15 Energy Sector Insights 14:33 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 30

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/45rMSvR Addressing the National Debt Crisis: Solutions from Dave Land In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded from Louisville, Kentucky, the host addresses solutions to the United States' national debt crisis. Responding to frequent inquiries about his views on economic growth, government spending, and national debt, he presents a conceptual framework through the lens of 'Dave Land'—an idealized society. The discussion covers the importance of the debt-to-GDP ratio, the implications of high government spending, and the need for policy reforms. Proposed solutions include a balanced budget amendment, entitlement reforms, tax policy changes, deregulation, and energy independence. David underscores the complexity of implementing these ideas within the political realm but emphasizes the necessity of addressing the spending and growth conundrum for the nation's economic health. 00:00 Introduction and Context 02:13 The Debt Crisis: A Two-Sided Coin 05:20 Historical Perspective on Government Spending 09:03 The Post-COVID Fiscal Landscape 12:26 Dave Land Solutions: Balanced Budget Amendment 16:11 Dave Land Solutions: Entitlement Reforms 20:25 Dave Land Solutions: Tax and Regulatory Reforms 25:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 29

Market Updates, Tariffs Overruling, and Economic Indicators In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from the West Palm Beach, Florida office discusses the day's positive market movements and notable economic events. Key topics include the overruling of tariffs by the US International Trade Court, revisions to Q1 GDP, jobless claims, and pending home sales data. The episode also addresses questions about high-frequency trading and rising treasury yields, emphasizing the potential deflationary impact of global indebtedness and market dynamics. Brian provides insights into the factors affecting market volatility and offers a preview of upcoming inflation data. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:35 Impact of US Trade Court Ruling on Tariffs 01:41 Economic Indicators and Employment Data 03:01 High Frequency Trading and Market Volatility 03:46 Rising Treasury Yields and Global Debt 06:33 Conclusion and Upcoming Insights Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 28

Market Insights and Sovereign Debt Discussion - Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the recent market movements following a significant rise due to a delay in tariffs on the EU. He covers the Richmond Fed survey results, FOMC meeting minutes, and the implications of long-term sovereign debt yields, particularly from Japan. Brian also breaks down the ownership of US Treasury debt and the impact of foreign investments. Looking ahead, he previews upcoming economic data releases, including Q1 GDP, jobless claims, pending home sales, and PCE data. Listeners are briefed on the market's current status and forthcoming economic indicators. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:35 Economic Calendar and Market Sentiment 00:51 Impact of Trade Announcements 01:55 Sovereign Debt and Treasury Holdings 03:46 Japan's Debt and Yield Curve Control 05:43 Upcoming Economic Data and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 27

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/44RFWIg Tuesday Special: Market Recap and Policy Updates In this special Tuesday edition of Dividend Cafe, we cover key market movements from Memorial Day, including a notable rise in stock market indices and a drop in bond yields. Discussion includes the impact of the president's tariff announcements on market performance, current bond market trends, and developments in durable goods orders and housing sales. The episode also touches on public policy changes, such as the reversal on the acquisition of US Steel by Nippon Steel and potential re-privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Finally, a preview of upcoming topics is provided, including plans for addressing the national debt. 00:00 Introduction and Memorial Day Market Closure 00:47 Bond Yields and Market Movements 01:54 Credit Spreads and Economic Indicators 02:57 Market Rally and Tariff Announcements 04:04 US Steel Acquisition and China Negotiations 05:24 Geopolitical Dynamics and Durable Goods Orders 06:56 Housing Market Trends and Policy Changes 08:15 Bank Capital Requirements and Treasury Holdings 08:55 Dividend Growth and Investment Strategies 09:43 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 23

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4dyfLZt Understanding the Big, Beautiful Bond Market and National Debt In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, the discussion centers around the passage of a significant bill through the House and its implications on the national debt, bond market, and broader economy. The episode delves into misconceptions about financial market reactions, providing historical context and analyzing current bond yields. It emphasizes the impact of government spending on debt and economic growth, critiques aspects of the new tax and spending bill, and discusses the necessity of fiscal restraint. The episode concludes with the speaker's insights into investment strategies in the face of economic pressures and future outlooks. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:50 Market Reactions to Political Events 01:36 Understanding the National Debt 02:34 Debunking Financial Media Narratives 03:42 Bond Market Realities 05:39 Nominal GDP and Bond Yields 12:42 Impact of Tax Policies on Revenue 16:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 22

Market Updates and Economic Perspectives: May 22nd Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel provides a market update for May 22nd, recording shortly before market close. He discusses the positive market movements with the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq all up, and explains the decline in interest rates following a poorly received 20-year auction. Brian sheds light on the recent reconciliation tax bill progress in the House of Representatives, highlighting the SALT deduction cap increase and other tweaks. He addresses misconceptions around treasury auctions and stresses historical treasury rate averages. The episode also examines the US debt situation, potential economic solutions, and the strong labor market evidenced by better-than-expected jobless claims. Brian concludes by honoring Memorial Day and welcoming audience questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Update 00:51 Tax Bill and Legislative Updates 01:31 Treasury Auction Insights 03:09 Debt and Economic Strategies 06:11 Memorial Day Tribute and Economic News 07:38 Conclusion and Farewell Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 21

Market Decline and Bond Yield Surge Analysis - May 21st In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the significant market drop on May 21st, highlighting the Dow's 816-point decline and the movements in S&P and Nasdaq. He explains the rise in bond yields, specifically in 10-year and 30-year notes, and the impact of a lackluster 20-year bond auction following a credit downgrade. Additionally, he covers the unusual drop in the dollar amidst rising interest rates, the influence of downbeat retailer earnings, and geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran. The episode wraps up with a preview of upcoming economic data releases including jobless claims, PMI numbers, and home sales. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:27 Bond Yields and Auctions 01:53 Year-to-Date Market Performance 02:11 Global Market Reactions 02:50 Geopolitical and Economic Factors 03:25 Conclusion and Upcoming Data Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 20

Dividend Cafe: Market Update and Economic Insights - May 20 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel discusses the current state of the markets on a quiet economic day. After a six-day positive streak, the S&P 500 saw a slight decline, along with the Dow and NASDAQ. Key economic indicators such as the 10-year yield, which closed at 4.48%, and the yield curve spread are examined. Sitel dives into impressive Q1 earnings growth, better-than-expected guidance, and the implications of policy and populist sentiment on markets. Additionally, he addresses the wealth divide exacerbated by rising asset values and the role of the Fed in market stability, emphasizing its significant impact on monetary policy and capital markets efficiency. Viewer questions about the relevance of Fed Futures and market speculation are also explored. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:10 Earnings and Economic Sentiment 02:33 Wealth Divide and Economic Disparity 04:37 Fed Futures and Monetary Policy 06:29 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 19

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4doM7FT Monday Market Updates: From Moody's Downgrade to Japan's Economy In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, the discussion covers a wide range of market updates and economic indicators. Key points include Moody's recent downgrade of U.S. debt, which the market largely ignored, and the mixed market performance with the Dow Jones closing up 137 points. The episode also highlights the ongoing U.S.-Japan trade negotiations and recent conversations between President Trump and Vladimir Putin about Ukraine. Furthermore, the script discusses new house budget bill developments and recent economic data such as the Producer Price Index, retail sales, and housing starts. The episode concludes by inviting listeners to get more insights on Warren Buffet's investment success from Friday's edition at dividendcafe.com. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:38 Warren Buffett's Investment Success 01:07 Market Performance and Moody's Downgrade 04:07 Sector Performance and Trade Issues 05:44 US Political Developments 09:20 Economic Data and Fed Expectations 13:00 Energy Market Update 13:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 16

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3SDnED9 The Timeless Lessons of Warren Buffett In this episode of Dividend Café, host David Bahnsen discusses his admiration for Warren Buffett's approach to investing and business. David emphasizes the power of compounding, disciplined fundamentals, and the importance of being a voracious reader. Additionally, he highlights the significance of building strong relationships and leveraging social capital as part of Buffett's lasting legacy. This episode steers clear of current market issues and instead focuses on timeless principles that have contributed to Buffett's monumental success. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:04 Escaping Market Necessities 02:05 Warren Buffett's Legacy 05:06 The Power of Compounding 07:51 Buffett's Fundamental Principles 10:45 The Importance of Reading 13:43 Social Capital and Relationships 18:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 15

Market Update and Economic Insights - May 15th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach, Florida, covers the latest market trends and economic data for May 15th. He highlights the Dow's rise of 271 points, a slight decline in Nasdaq, and a modest gain in the S&P. The conversation delves into the unexpected drop in the Producer Price Index, implications on inflation and interest rates, and their impact on different economic sectors. Additionally, Brian discusses recent retail sales, jobless claims, and manufacturing indices, providing a broad look at current economic health. The episode also addresses trade negotiations, geopolitical developments, and their potential effects on the global economy. Brian ends with a note on anticipating future economic conditions and wishes the audience a pleasant weekend. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:31 Inflation and Economic Data Insights 03:11 Impact of Tariffs and Trade Negotiations 03:48 Viewer Question on Trade Negotiations 05:13 Conclusion and Upcoming Updates Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 14

Market Update: Resurgent AI, Market Movements, and Crypto Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach discusses recent market trends on a quiet trading day. The S&P 500 saw modest gains, while the Dow was down slightly. Key points include an uptick in AI sector activity driven by policy shifts and supply chain dynamics, significant M&A activity in the utility sector, and a cautious perspective on pharmaceutical pricing changes due to the MFN executive order. Brian also addresses an audience question about cryptocurrency investments, advising on its volatility and practicality in portfolios. Looking ahead, he previews an action-packed economic calendar for the following day. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:06 AI Sector Resurgence and Policy Shifts 02:10 Utility Sector and Power Generation 02:58 Trade Policies and Sector Impacts 03:29 Pharmaceutical Industry Disruptions 05:27 Upcoming Economic Data and Events 06:02 Cryptocurrency Investment Considerations 08:15 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 13

Market Update and Economic Indicators Review - May 13th In this episode of 'Dividend Cafe' from May 13th, Brian Szytel provides a detailed market update and economic analysis. The S&P 500 showed positive trends, closing up 0.7% for the day, and the Nasdaq increased by 1.6%. Despite a decline in the Dow by 269 points due to a drop in a significant healthcare stock, the overall market shows signs of recovery, currently only 4% off its February highs. The improvement is attributed to the de-escalation in U.S.-China trade tariffs. Additionally, inflation rates came in cooler than expected for April, with Core and Headline CPI both at 0.2%, improving annual core inflation to 2.8%. Furthermore, the NFIB Small Business Optimism Index indicated sentiment below its long-term average, while recession odds have decreased, leading to an optimistic adjustment in S&P 500 targets. Brian emphasizes patience during this period, reassures clients, and previews a light economic calendar for the following day. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:13 Stock Market Performance 01:29 Inflation and Economic Indicators 02:34 Treasury Yields and Fed Policy 03:08 Small Business Optimism and Recession Odds 03:58 Earnings and Forward Guidance 04:28 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 12

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3SvJ30X Dramatic Market Movements and Major Economic Updates In this special Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David discusses a significant market rally, with the Dow up over 1,000 points, the NASDAQ up 4%, and the S&P up 3.25%. The episode covers four major stories influencing the market: unexpected progress in US-China trade talks, the release of a draft tax bill by the House, upcoming peace talks between Putin and Zelensky in Turkey, and President Trump's executive order on pharmaceutical price fixing. Each story's potential impact on the market and the economy is explored, including detailed analysis of the tax bill provisions and expected changes. David also mentions additional insights and further extensive coverage to come. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:50 Unexpected Good News from US-China Trade Talks 03:20 House Releases First Draft of Tax Bill 04:33 Geopolitical Developments: Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks 05:23 Trump's Major Announcement on Pharmaceutical Prices 06:22 Market Reactions and Economic Implications 07:18 Details on the China Deal and Future Projections 09:35 Tax Bill Highlights and Potential Changes 12:37 Pharmaceutical Sector Reactions and Future Research 14:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 9

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4dasMZ5 Friday's Dividend Cafe: Market Recaps, Trade Deals, and Future Forecasts In this episode of Dividend Cafe, the host discusses various market updates, including the relatively calm market movements of the week compared to previous weeks. Key topics include the announced trade deal with the United Kingdom, which includes changes on tariffs for steel, aluminum, and automobiles, and agreements on agricultural and industrial products. The host also explores the implications of a potential budget reconciliation tax bill in the US, and updates on trade negotiations between US and China. Additionally, the host examines the role of currency valuations, particularly the strength of the US dollar, and private equity activities in current market conditions. The episode concludes with a discussion on market uncertainties and potential forecast scenarios, advising against market timing due to high variability. The host also teases an upcoming special episode on Warren Buffett's investment legacy. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:02 US-UK Trade Deal Insights 03:23 Budget Reconciliation and Tax Bill 05:34 US-China Trade Negotiations 08:53 Currency and Emerging Markets 10:56 Private Equity and M&A Activity 12:00 Market Scenarios and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 8

In this episode of 'Dividend Cafe,' hosted by Brian Szytel, the focus is on the recent positive movement in the markets driven by trade developments between the US and the UK. Key indexes like the DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq saw notable increases, while the 10-year bond yield also rose. Significant economic indicators such as jobless claims and productivity data are discussed, noting their implications on the overall economy. The episode also delves into central bank actions, highlighting interest rate cuts by the Bank of England and extensive monetary stimulus measures by the People's Bank of China. The episode closes by emphasizing the resilience and ongoing attractiveness of US markets despite short-term fluctuations. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:20 Market Performance Overview 00:43 Trade Developments and Their Impact 01:27 Economic Indicators and Employment Data 02:22 Central Bank Actions and Global Implications 04:23 US Market Capitalization and Investment Insights 05:46 Conclusion and Upcoming Events 06:18 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 7

In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a weekly market commentary focused on dividend investment and economic understanding. He details the market's performance, highlighting a choppy trading session that resulted in gains for the DOW, S&P, and Nasdaq despite volatility. Key factors include the recent Federal Reserve meeting, which left interest rates unchanged, and discussions around tariffs, inflation, and employment risks. Technology sector concerns are addressed, particularly the impact of artificial intelligence on search engines. The role of the dollar as the global reserve currency is also explored, with considerations on how changes in its status could affect asset prices and the overall U.S. economy. The episode concludes with a reminder of upcoming economic news and a disclaimer about investment risks and market commentary. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:19 Market Update: A Choppy Session 01:02 Federal Reserve Meeting Insights 02:07 Technology Sector Developments 02:50 Dollar as the Reserve Currency 03:51 Conclusion and Upcoming Updates 04:07 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 6

Welcome to the latest edition of the Dividend Cafe Weekly Market Commentary! In this episode, Brian Szytel covers the recent downturn in the markets following nine consecutive positive trading sessions. He discusses key economic data, including the widening trade deficit and its implications for GDP, and analyzes recent movements in the bond market. Brian also provides insights into Federal Reserve policies and their potential impact on interest rates and inflation. Stay tuned for more updates on financial markets and investment strategies. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:19 Market Recap: Two Days of Decline 00:43 Treasury Market Insights 01:36 Trade Deficit and GDP Calculation 02:28 Inflation and Tariffs Discussion 03:08 Upcoming Economic Data and Fed Meeting 04:27 Conclusion and Contact Information 04:36 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 5

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4jB7wxX Market Movements, Bear Market Rallies, and the Bond Yield Curve | Dividend Cafe Weekly Market Commentary In this episode, David discusses the latest market movements, including the DOW, S&P, and NASDAQ performance, and explores the concept of technical analysis with skepticism. He delves into the ongoing debate about bear market rallies, highlights public policy updates from the Trump administration, and provides insights into the bond yield curve. Touching on various economic data points, including job creation and housing market trends, David offers his perspectives on dividend growth investing in range-bound markets. For more detailed analysis and additional resources, visit DividendCafe.com. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:56 Market Overview and Analysis 01:52 Technical Analysis Skepticism 03:21 Understanding Market Labels 07:10 Bond Market Insights 10:27 Public Policy Updates 14:18 Housing and Mortgage Rates 15:47 Conclusion and Disclaimers Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 2

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3YrZrDi Navigating Economic Uncertainty and Market Volatility In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen, managing partner and chief investment officer at The Bahnsen Group, discusses the latest market volatility and economic data. David delves into the nuances of the S&P 500's performance in April, the implications of the Bureau of Labor Statistics' labor report, and the complexities of GDP measurements. He provides insights on the potential for a recession in Q2, implications of U.S.-China trade relations, and the broader economic impact of tariffs. David emphasizes the importance of understanding the various components of economic indicators to grasp the overall economic trends. 00:00 Introduction and Context 01:41 Market Volatility in April 04:55 Understanding Q1 GDP 14:06 Impact of Trade and Tariffs 20:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 1

Dividend Cafe: Market Updates, Earnings Highlights, and Economic Indicators In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Seitel provides an update on the market, noting that the DOW, S&P 500, and NASDAQ all saw gains with positive earnings from key technology companies. He highlights the unpredictability of market trends and discusses potential positive economic developments, such as the Federal Reserve possibly lowering interest rates and a new tax bill. The episode also covers recent employment data, manufacturing indices, and the impact of market sell-offs on liquidity and deleveraging. Brian concludes by addressing listeners' questions about where money goes during market downturns and previews upcoming non-farm payroll data. 00:00 Market Update: May 1st Overview 00:17 Earnings and Forward Guidance 00:40 Market Predictions and Trends 01:17 Federal Reserve and Economic Policies 02:13 Unemployment and Jobless Claims 03:12 Manufacturing and Economic Indicators 03:38 Market Dynamics During Sell-Offs 05:43 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 30

April Market Insights: GDP Fears and Volatility In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the significant market volatility experienced on April 30th. The DOW initially dropped 700 points before closing up by 141 points, while the S&P saw minor gains. Key topics include the unexpectedly small GDP contraction, weak private payrolls, stable inflation rates, and a rise in consumer spending. Brian addresses concerns about potential recession risks and emphasizes the importance of focusing on fundamental investments and long-term strategies amidst market fluctuations. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:39 GDP and Economic Indicators 01:42 Employment and Inflation Insights 02:18 Consumer Spending and Credit Health 03:00 Market Volatility and Predictions 03:47 Recession Possibilities and Personal Observations 05:11 Investment Strategies and Market Behavior 06:14 Conclusion and Looking Ahead Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 29

Market Dynamics Update: Consumer Sentiment and Tariff Changes In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group's Newport Beach headquarters reviews the market's performance on April 29th. Key highlights include a rebound in markets following an auto tariff easement announcement from the White House, a six-day rise in the S&P 500, and a detailed analysis of current treasury yields and interest rate expectations. Brian also discusses consumer sentiment, which has hit its lowest since early 2020, analyzing its implications for market behavior. Additional updates cover job openings, specifically the Jolts number, the Case-Shiller housing index, and expectations for upcoming economic data releases, including core PCE data, private payroll numbers, and Q1 GDP preliminaries. Lastly, there's a focus on earnings reports, emphasizing the forward guidance amidst trade uncertainties. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:47 Market Sentiment and Economic Indicators 01:53 Auto Tariff Updates and Economic Calendar 02:35 Consumer Confidence and Job Openings 04:22 Housing Market and Upcoming Data 05:02 Earnings Season Insights 06:03 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 28

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4lSzNBG Monday Dividend Cafe: Market Recap, Energy Updates, and Economic Insights In this episode of the Monday Dividend Cafe, David provides a comprehensive market recap, including recent stock market fluctuations and sector performance. The discussion covers the Federal Reserve, the economy, energy sector updates, and public policy developments. Key topics include President Trump's tariff policies, potential market impacts of international trade deals, budget reconciliation prospects, trucking activity declines, housing and mortgage trends, and oil supply dynamics. The episode closes with a preview of an important earnings week and an encouragement to revisit the content from the previous Friday's episode for further insights. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 02:23 Market Recap and Analysis 04:01 Policy and Economic Updates 07:19 Global Affairs and Public Policy 10:52 Energy Sector Insights 13:03 Midstream Energy Explained 14:49 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 25

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4jTpxYb Understanding the Trump Market Put, Key Market Focus Areas, and End-of-the-World Fears In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded from Tucson, Arizona, David reflects on a busy week of travel and meetings across various cities. The episode dives into three major sections: 1) The 'psychology of the president' and the concept of the Trump market put, examining how President Trump's policies and market interventions affect financial markets; 2) Five key themes for market focus including valuations, AI CapEx, tariffs, the tax bill, and monetary policy, providing an updated outlook as 2023 progresses; 3) Addressing 'end-of-the-world' fears by sharing insights and principles borrowed from Howard Marks, emphasizing the irrationality and impracticality of preparing for market catastrophes. The episode aims to offer a comprehensive analysis of current economic conditions and investor psychology. 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap 00:40 The Psychology of the President and Market Impact 01:14 Five Key Market Focus Areas 09:28 Valuations and AI CapEx 12:51 Tariffs and Economic Impact 15:17 Tax Bill and Monetary Policy 18:06 End of the World Fears and Investment Principles 20:26 Conclusion and Farewell Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 24

Dividend Cafe: Market Gains, Trade Negotiations, and Treasury Revenue Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach discusses the impressive three-day market gains, highlighting positive earnings reports and improved market sentiment. He analyzes the impact of trade negotiations and tariff revenues on market trends and the U.S. budget, noting significant increases in treasury revenue and budget surplus. Brian answers viewer questions about the Federal Reserve's balance sheet strategy and the limited efficacy of universal tariffs on specific issues like fentanyl trafficking. Additionally, he provides updates on economic indicators such as durable goods orders, jobless claims, and home sales. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:14 Market Sentiment and Positioning 02:08 Trade Negotiations and Tariffs Impact 02:51 Economic Indicators and Revenue 03:46 Spending and Budget Deficit 04:39 Economic Data Highlights 05:17 Q&A Session 06:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 23

Market Trends and Economic Indicators - April 23rd In today's episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market update from the West Palm Beach office on April 23rd, highlighting two consecutive positive days in the markets. Key drivers include easing rhetoric on tariffs with China and the retraction of statements about ousting Fed Chair Jerome Powell. The episode discusses the impact of these events on major indices like the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq, as well as the performance of the dollar and interest rates. Additionally, Seitel emphasizes the importance of sticking to fundamentals amid market volatility, especially as earnings season progresses with significant corporations reporting positive results despite tariff pressures. He also touches on the major upcoming focus on tax legislation, an unexpectedly strong new home sales report, and a bland Beige Book from the Fed. The episode concludes with responses to audience questions about the implications of firing the Fed Chair and the potential impact of tariffs on the budget deficit. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:31 Impact of Presidential Actions on Markets 01:48 Earnings Season Insights 02:37 Sector-Specific Performance 04:02 Economic Indicators and Data 04:51 Ask TBG: Market Reactions and Tariffs 06:37 Conclusion and Upcoming Data Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 22

Market Bounce Back: Analyzing Key Market Movements and Tariff Impacts In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from West Palm Beach, FL, providing an update on the stock market's recent performance. Following several negative sessions, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq have broken their losing streaks with significant gains, driven by a lack of new negative news. The episode delves into the impacts of tariffs on the economy, noting that they can affect short-term prices but are neither inherently inflationary nor deflationary. Additionally, Brian touches on the potential geopolitical impact of a China-Taiwan conflict and provides a brief overview of the day's economic data and market analyst predictions for corporate earnings. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:37 Trade Developments and Market Reactions 01:14 Currency and Bond Market Insights 03:02 Earnings Season and Corporate Guidance 04:11 Impact of Tariffs on Manufacturing 05:15 Inflation and Tariffs Discussion 06:00 China-Taiwan Relations and Economic Calendar 07:00 Conclusion and Upcoming Data Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 21

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/43YcP5F Market Turmoil Amid Presidential Threats and Tariff Tensions In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, recorded the day after Easter, the host reflects on recent market movements and significant factors influencing them. Despite the lingering concerns surrounding tariffs, the primary driver of market uncertainty today includes President’s hints about potentially firing Federal Reserve Chairman Jay Powell and requesting emergency rate cuts. This has fueled concerns about the politicization of monetary policy. The market saw significant declines with the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq all dropping around 2.5%. Additionally, credit spreads have widened, indicating potential recession fears, and freight and shipping have been impacted due to the trade war. The segment also briefly touches on Pope Francis's death at age 88 and the upcoming selection of a new Pope by the Catholic Church. 00:00 Introduction and Weekend Recap 00:16 Tariffs and Tax Policies 01:53 Market Reactions and Federal Reserve Concerns 04:11 Market Performance Overview 06:00 Economic Indicators and Credit Spreads 09:31 Housing Market and Tariff Impacts 10:33 Federal Reserve Rate Cuts and Oil Prices 11:17 Energy Infrastructure and Tariff Definitions 12:30 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 18

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3S0zaIl Good Friday: Market Insights and Economic Updates In this Good Friday edition of Dividend Cafe, David discusses the state of the stock, bond, and banking markets as they close for the Easter weekend. The episode covers multiple topics including the impact of tariffs, the US bond market, and Chinese trade relations. It delves into the bond yield fluctuations, debunks the notion that foreign countries like China are manipulating the US bond market, and explains the human nature behind policy exemptions like those seen in the tech sector. David also touches on market valuations, the ongoing trade war with China, and the economic implications of potential tax policy changes. With a focus on providing clarity and perspective, the episode aims to address investor concerns amidst a volatile market environment. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:11 US Bond Market Insights 05:16 Tariffs and Trade Policies 07:07 Valuation and Market Trends 08:48 China Trade Relations 15:05 Economic Policy and Tax Objectives 18:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 17

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com Market Recap: UnitedHealthcare’s Impact on the DOW | Dividend Cafe Thursday In this episode of Dividend Cafe Weekly, David Bahnsen provides a detailed market recap, focusing on the significant influence of UnitedHealthcare's stock drop on the DOW. Despite the DOW's 500-point decline, Bahnsen explains that the market was essentially flat, with other indices like the S&P 500 and NASDAQ experiencing minimal changes. He also defends the DOW as a better broad-based market indicator compared to the S&P, highlighting the distortive nature of price-weighted and market cap-weighted indices. Additionally, he mentions the bond market's slight movement and the early closure of financial markets for Good Friday. The episode concludes with a reminder about the forthcoming Dividend Cafe update and a note on investment risk disclosures. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:31 Market Recap: S&P, NASDAQ, and DOW 00:49 Understanding the DOW's Performance 02:29 Bond Market Update 02:47 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content 03:14 Disclaimer and Legal Information

Apr 16

Market Reactions to Trade Tariffs and Economic Indicators In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the market downturn on April 16, highlighting the NASDAQ's 1.8% drop and the DOW's 700-point decline. Key factors include the impact of tariffs on the largest AI chipmaker, leading to broad market concerns about earnings season, forward guidance, and PE ratios. Despite the selloff, energy stocks closed up by 0.8%, with WTI rising 2%. Retail sales unexpectedly rose by 1.4%, while industrial production saw a slight decline. Federal Reserve Chairman Powell's comments on tariffs further fueled market uncertainty. The episode concludes with a discussion on tariffs' economic effects, including potential shifts in manufacturing jobs and the broader implications on the U.S. economy. Brian also addresses audience questions about inflation and the potential return of manufacturing jobs to the U.S., emphasizes the interconnected nature of global trade, and previews upcoming episodes. 00:00 Market Overview and Opening Remarks 00:31 Impact of Trade and Tariffs 01:30 Sector Performance and Economic Indicators 02:33 Federal Reserve Comments and Market Reactions 03:26 Q&A: Tariffs and Economic Implications 05:28 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 15

Market Analysis Post-Tax Deadline and Economic Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a comprehensive market analysis for Tuesday, April 15th. Key topics include the minor decline in major indices (DOW, S&P, NASDAQ), stable 10-year treasury yields, stalled negotiations between the EU and US on trade, and slight changes in US import prices for March. Brian also discusses the New York Fed Empire State Manufacturing Index and its better-than-expected, though still negative, April results. Additional commentary covers the effect of tariffs on import prices, the dollar and bond market trends, and the potential resumption of quantitative easing. The discussion concludes with an in-depth look at cyclical versus structural recessions, emphasizing the current structural volatility and its real impact on the economy. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:09 Economic Indicators and Market Reactions 01:56 Discussion on Dollar and Bonds 03:03 Quantitative Easing and Market Expectations 04:01 Recessions: Cyclical vs Structural 05:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 14

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/43O87az Market Volatility Insights: Analyzing Recent Financial Turbulence and Trade Policy Impacts In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, the speaker recaps significant recent market events and provides analysis on the current state of various financial markets, including stocks, bonds, and currencies. The discussion covers the dramatic market reactions to the President's April 2nd announcement on trade policy changes and subsequent tariff suspensions. Notably, the episode highlights the notable market volatility with large up and down swings, considerations of bond market dynamics, and the implications of potential de-leveraging by hedge funds. The episode also touches on recent legislative developments with implications for future budget frameworks and tax policies. Overall, there's an emphasis on the ongoing uncertainty and volatility in financial markets and the economic implications thereof. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:59 Market Recap: A Rollercoaster Week 04:09 Bond Market Insights 05:11 Historical Market Volatility 07:10 Trade Policy and Market Reactions 13:22 Reconciliation Bill and Market Implications 14:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 11

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42qYsnP Navigating Severe Market Volatility: Insights from Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, the host delves into strategies for handling severe market volatility amidst four-digit market declines triggered by the Trump administration's trade announcements. The host explains the significance of the VIX index in measuring market fear and discusses historical market recoveries post-high VIX levels. Emphasizing the psychological aspects of market movements, the episode covers recent volatility spurred by tariff reversals and global de-leveraging. Key topics include the impact of bond market dynamics, shifts in treasury yields, and the influence of global events on financial markets. The episode closes with reflections on dividend growth investing and its resilience through market turbulence. 00:00 Introduction to This Week's Dividend Cafe 00:03 Handling Severe Market Volatility 01:59 Understanding the VIX and Market Fear 04:24 Trump's Trade Announcements and Market Reactions 08:28 Bond Market Dynamics and Global De-leveraging 11:23 Trade Deals and Political Implications 15:13 The Importance of Dividend Growth Investing 17:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 10

Market Volatility and Trade Tensions: April 10 Edition of Dividend Cafe In the April 10th episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the market's volatility following a historic rally and subsequent downturn driven by increased US tariffs on China. Topics include fluctuating VIX levels, deflation in CPI, positive movement on tax bills, rising bond yields, and widening high yield credit spreads. Szytel also addresses key questions regarding the impact of tariffs on the Chinese yuan, recession indicators, and the importance of sticking to long-term investment strategies despite market turbulence. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:24 Impact of Tariffs on US-China Trade 00:37 Volatility and Economic Indicators 02:01 Bond Market and Credit Spreads 02:57 Recession Concerns and Jobless Claims 03:44 US-China Trade Imbalance 06:09 Investment Strategy and Long-Term Planning 08:09 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 9

Historic Market Surge and Trade Developments on April 9th In this episode, host Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group's Newport Beach office discusses a remarkable market upturn on April 9th. The Dow Jones, S&P 500, and NASDAQ all saw significant gains, breaking a four-day decline and setting historic records. Szytel highlights the highest trading volume in Wall Street history, driven by easing trade tension talks between the US and China. He addresses the stability and dominance of the US Treasury market, downplays concerns about alternative global financial leaders, and provides insights into consumer spending indicators. Szytel advises viewers to maintain a long-term investment perspective amidst the volatility and focus on personal priorities. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:40 Historic Market Movements 01:39 Trade and Tariff Impacts 02:41 US Treasury Market Insights 03:34 Economic Indicators and Consumer Sentiment 04:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 8

Navigating Volatility: Market Update and Dividend Strategy In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group provides an update on the current market conditions amidst ongoing volatility due to trade tensions between the US and China. He discusses the recent performance of major indexes, including a significant downturn in the S&P and NASDAQ, and the increase in yields on 10-year notes. Brian emphasizes the importance of a dividend growth approach and asset diversification during turbulent times. He also reflects on historical parallels and reassures viewers about long-term returns and their investment strategies. The session closes with a call for viewers to reach out with any questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:55 US-China Trade Tensions 01:52 Investment Strategies During Volatility 02:23 Economic Indicators and Market Sentiment 04:10 Historical Comparisons and Current Context 05:07 Conclusion and Advisor Contact Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 7

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cjJgxq Monday Market Turmoil: Navigating Violent Sell-offs and Volatility In this special edition of the Monday Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer at The Bahnsen Group, discusses the recent market turmoil caused by unexpected White House tariff announcements. He explains the subsequent violent sell-offs and significant volatility in markets, diving into the effects on various indexes, sector performances, and global markets. Bahnsen also touches on the lack of clarity in government messaging and its impact on market stability. Lastly, he offers insights on the importance of patience and prudence in managing investments during such tumultuous times. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:37 Market Turmoil and Volatility 01:02 Impact of Tariff Announcements 01:36 Sunday Night Futures and Market Reactions 02:10 Bear Market Indicators 02:46 Intraday Market Movements 03:11 Sector Performance and Selling Trends 04:43 Global Market Volatility 05:09 Mixed Messaging from the White House 06:49 Bond Market Reactions 08:45 Earnings Revisions and Market Sentiment 10:21 Trade Wars and Economic Impact 13:04 Tax Plan Vulnerabilities 13:51 Interest Rate Cuts and Economic Projections 14:39 Conclusion and Client Communication Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 4

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3RxoTDn Market Turmoil and Tariff Troubles: A Different Liberation Day In this episode of Dividend Cafe, we reflect on a turbulent week in the markets overshadowing The Bahnsen Group's 10th anniversary celebration. Host David Bahnsen discusses unexpected economic challenges, including severe market volatility and newly announced tariffs by the Trump administration. The episode details how these tariffs, intended to address trade imbalances, could significantly harm the U.S. economy, potentially leading to a recession. Bahnsen provides an in-depth analysis of these tariffs' potential impacts on various sectors, emphasizing the uncertainty and market risks that lie ahead. The episode closes with a heartfelt acknowledgment of The Bahnsen Group's journey and appreciation for its clients and team. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:13 The Bahnsen Group's 10-Year Anniversary 00:57 Unexpected Market Challenges 02:14 Details of the New Tariffs 07:13 Economic and Market Implications 11:02 Business Owner's Perspective 12:39 Future Market Uncertainties 18:19 Conclusion and Anniversary Reflections Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 3

Market Meltdown: Analysis of the Worst Day Since 2020 David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer at The Bahnsen Group, discusses the significant market downturn experienced on April 2nd, marked as the worst day since the COVID-19 pandemic's initiation. The episode addresses the impact of recent announcements from the White House that led to substantial market drops: Dow down nearly 1700 points, S&P 500 down almost 5%, and Nasdaq down 6%. Bahnsen explores potential future scenarios, including the imposition or relaxation of tariffs and their economic implications, predicting either a certain recession or a midyear mild recession based on current policy trajectories. Further insights and comprehensive analysis will be provided in the upcoming Dividend Cafe episode. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:39 Market Carnage and Key Statistics 01:03 Potential Scenarios and Economic Implications 01:56 Uncertainty and Predictions 02:55 Conclusion and Upcoming Analysis Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 2

Daily Recap: Market Updates and Trump's Announcement In today's Daily Recap, David Bahnsen fills in for Brian Szytel to discuss key market movements and President Trump's significant announcement. The Dow rose by 235 points, the S&P increased by 0.66%, and the NASDAQ climbed nearly 1%. Treasury yields showed mixed performance, with the two-year yield up slightly. Consumer discretionary was the top sector performer, while consumer staples lagged. Crude oil prices also saw an uptick. President Trump's address from the Rose Garden introduced a 10% baseline tariff and a 50% reciprocal tariff, with details remaining ambiguous. The speech ended with a strong push for his tax cut bill, amid promises of no cuts to Medicare, Social Security, or Medicaid. More detailed analysis is expected in the coming days. 00:00 Introduction and Host Update 00:24 Market Performance Recap 01:31 President Trump's Announcement 01:37 Analysis of Tariff Policies 02:29 Political Implications and Tax Cuts 04:11 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 1

Markets and Tariffs: Daily Recap and Economic Updates In today's episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel provides an overview of market activity on April 1st. Despite a mixed day with the Dow slightly down due to a significant drop in a major healthcare stock, the S&P and Nasdaq saw gains. Interest rates on the 10-year and 2-year treasuries fell, and there’s a high expectation for rate cuts in 2025. Economic indicators like manufacturing PMI and construction spending showed positive trends. The episode also covered the complexities of tariff impacts, tax legislation, and the potential market volatility stemming from political developments. The host concluded with a cautious outlook on forthcoming reciprocal tariffs and their implications. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:05 Interest Rates and Economic Indicators 01:27 Market Volatility and Tariffs 02:34 Manufacturing and Construction Insights 03:21 Labor Market and Employment Data 03:42 Q&A: Tax Bill and Deficit Concerns 05:30 Tariff Implications and Future Outlook 06:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 31

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3QVjOoi Monday Dividend Cafe - Q1 Market Review and Implications In this episode of Monday Dividend Cafe, we conclude the first quarter of the year with a high-level market review. The Dow closed the quarter down by 1.3%, the S&P by 4.6%, and the Nasdaq by 10.4%. We discuss the intra-quarter performance, noting a significant fall for Nasdaq and S&P since mid-February. Consumer discretionary and tech were the hardest-hit sectors. We also explore the historical performance of markets during midterm elections, the impact of tariffs on the economy, and potential future policy developments. Additionally, a detailed explanation of the put-call ratio is provided, offering insights into market sentiment. We close the discussion with a look at housing market expectations and the energy sector's outlook. Celebrating The Bahnsen Group's 10-year anniversary, we preview upcoming content focused on lessons learned over the decade. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:15 Quarterly Market Performance 01:46 Daily Market Movements 03:40 Understanding the Put-Call Ratio 06:29 March Madness Bracket Highlight 07:12 Policy and Economic Insights 12:41 Housing Market and Future Predictions 14:11 Oil Market Analysis 15:35 Tariffs and Global Trade 16:47 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 28

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4c6NW9L Navigating Market Uncertainty: Tariffs, Trade, and Economic Impacts In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen returns to the Newport Beach studio after six weeks and tackles the persistent market volatility caused by tariff announcements and trade uncertainty. David analyzes the economic impacts of the administration's impending April 2nd 'Liberation Day,' questioning its potential clarity and significance for market actors. He discusses rising prices in vital industrial metals and how current market reactions reflect the chaotic tariff environment. David also critiques President Trump's recent statements on tariffs, explores the implications for US and European markets, and evaluates the potential effects on various sectors such as manufacturing and the auto industry. The episode offers a cautious outlook on upcoming economic and political developments, emphasizing the inherent unpredictability of the situation and advocating for well-constructed portfolios to navigate the ongoing market saga. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:16 Market Volatility and Tariff Uncertainty 00:54 Upcoming Tariff Announcements 02:15 Economic Vulnerabilities and Market Reactions 02:43 President Trump's Tariff Statements 03:15 Reciprocal Tariffs and Market Implications 05:19 Uncertainty in Trade Policies 07:10 Impact on American Industries 09:54 Economic Indicators and Predictions 13:40 Dallas Fed Survey Insights 16:14 Concluding Thoughts on Tariffs and Tax Reform 23:59 Final Remarks and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 27

Navigating Market Reactions and Trade Policies In this episode of Dividend Cafe dated March 27th, Brian Szytel discusses the market's modest downturn amidst a choppy trading session, with most indices falling by roughly a third of a percent. He highlights the impact of President Trump's enacted 25% tariffs on the automotive industry, particularly affecting imports from Mexico and Canada, and speculates on potential leniency in global reciprocal tariffs set for April 2nd. Szytel also explores the long-term economic implications of these tariffs, compares current market conditions to historical trade policies, and emphasizes the significance of the financial sector's resilience. Additionally, he addresses a question about transitioning from corporate tax to wealth management, emphasizing the importance of people-centered service in the field. The episode concludes with a brief overview of recent positive economic indicators including Q4 GDP revisions, jobless claims, and housing market strength. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:42 Impact of Tariffs on the Automotive Industry 01:39 Historical Context and Economic Implications 02:59 Financial Sector Performance 05:12 Wealth Management Insights 07:47 Economic Calendar and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 26

Market Update: Growth to Value Rotation, Economic Indicators, and Warren Buffet's Cash Position In this episode of Dividend Cafe from March 26, host Brian Szytel provides a market update from West Palm Beach, Florida. He discusses the market's downtrend, with a notable rotation from growth to value stocks, and highlights strong performance in defensive sectors like healthcare and staples. Economic indicators include better-than-expected durable goods orders. He also touches on potential auto tariffs and volatility in the market. A key point of discussion is Warren Buffet's unusually high cash reserves in Berkshire Hathaway, explaining that it aligns with a prudent investment approach. Brian concludes with insights on the Federal Reserve's likely path on interest rates and the current state of the lending environment. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:49 Economic Indicators and Market Reactions 02:14 Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Policies 04:18 Warren Buffet's Cash Reserves: Should We Be Worried? 06:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 25

Market Update and Economic Insights - March 25 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, hosted by Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach, Florida, the focus is on the recent positive momentum of the S&P 500 and the economic factors influencing the market. Key topics include tariff implementations, consumer confidence reaching a four-year low, steady new home sales, and the relationship between currency and trade policies. The episode emphasizes the interconnectedness of economic factors and the importance of understanding diverse perspectives in financial decision-making. Sitel concludes with a brief Q&A and an overview of current market performance. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:49 Economic Indicators and Consumer Confidence 02:01 Real Estate Market Update 02:53 Trade Policy and Currency Discussion 05:03 Q&A and Market Wrap-Up 06:09 Conclusion and Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 24

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/421P9e4 Market Movements and Insights from Washington DC - Dividend Cafe Monday Edition In the Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, the host reflects on the five-year anniversary of the 2020 market bottom. He discusses the significant market rally since then, recapping the market's recent performance with the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq all posting gains. The episode shares insights from the host's recent meetings in Washington DC, providing takeaways on tariff policy, potential conflicts between the Treasury and Commerce Departments, and the focus on making the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent. Other topics include total shareholder yield, asset allocation trends, and the varying influences on market behaviors. The host also shares a quote on learning from crises and highlights the importance of asset allocation strategy in current market conditions. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:13 Market Recap and Anniversary Reflection 01:55 Current Market Trends and Insights 03:39 Shareholder Yields and Sector Performance 06:58 Global Asset Allocation and Market Sentiment 10:26 Insights from the Treasury Department 12:41 Tariff Policies and Economic Implications 14:18 Tax Reform and Financial Deregulation 21:10 Federal Reserve Policies and Market Impact 24:06 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 21

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3DRejE6 Reflections on the Five-Year Anniversary of Covid Market Crash In this special episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded live from Washington D.C., the speaker reflects on the five-year anniversary of the dramatic market movements in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He recounts key events from the early days of the pandemic, including the significant market drops and the unique responses from the Federal Reserve and policymakers. The episode also delves into the broader social, economic, and political ramifications of COVID-19, the resiliency of markets, and the key lessons learned from that period. Emphasizing market behavior during panic, the importance of pre-existing principles, and the inevitability of market volatility, the speaker provides a rich analysis for investors to consider. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:33 Reflecting on the COVID-19 Market Impact 01:59 The Initial Market Reactions 02:37 The Week of March 8th, 2020 04:21 The Market's Worst Days 09:46 The Turning Point: March 23rd 14:26 The Federal Reserve's Response 22:17 Lessons Learned from the Crisis 29:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 20

Navigating Economic Indicators and Tax Efficient Investing In this episode of Dividend Cafe, dated March 20th, Brian Szytel provides an overview of the day's market activity, noting minor declines across the Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ following a positive morning. He discusses several key economic indicators, including the Philly Fed manufacturing survey, jobless claims, existing home sales, and leading economic indicators, highlighting overall economic resilience. Szytell emphasizes the importance of staying invested during volatile times and avoiding market timing strategies. He concludes by answering a client question about the tax implications of withdrawing funds from a $10 million portfolio, offering insights into investment income and tax efficiency for different account types and allocation strategies. Szytel also wishes listeners good luck with their March Madness brackets, cheekily supporting Duke. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:31 Economic Indicators and Their Impact 02:12 Volatility and Market Timing 03:11 Investment Strategies for Volatile Markets 04:17 Tax Efficiency in Investment Portfolios 07:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 19

March 19 Market Update: Stocks Rally on Federal Reserve Announcements In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses notable market movements for March 19, including gains in stocks and bonds, influenced by the Federal Reserve's recent decisions. Key points include the Fed's decision to maintain interest rates while reducing the Treasury runoff in their quantitative tightening program, causing stocks to rally. Brian covers the expectation of reciprocal tariffs in April, a recovery trend in U.S. markets, and changes in fund manager positioning. He also explores the performance differences between U.S. and European markets, highlighting value over growth trends and potential investment opportunities in European dividend stocks with favorable valuation metrics. The episode concludes with advice on the importance of a bottom-up approach when considering top-down investment themes. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:24 Federal Reserve Meeting Insights 01:04 Market Reactions and Trends 03:00 Global Market Analysis 04:08 Investment Opportunities in Europe 05:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 18

Market Update: Mixed Economic Data and Market Volatility - March 18th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel recaps the market happenings of Tuesday, March 18th. Following two days of gains, the market experienced a pullback with the Dow down 260 points, representing a 2.25% decline for the year. The S&P and NASDAQ also recorded losses. Szyte discusses a continued rotation from growth to value stocks and the impact of geopolitical issues. Key economic indicators such as housing starts, building permits, import prices, and industrial production are examined, illustrating a mixed economic outlook. The episode also addresses the U.S. trade deficit and its implications, along with insights from research analyst Rene Aninao on hedge funds and market correlations. Upcoming Federal Reserve talks and potential tariff announcements are anticipated for the week ahead. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:58 Economic Indicators and Housing Data 02:47 Trade Deficit and Fiscal Policy 03:29 Global Currency and Investment Dynamics 04:08 Hedge Funds and Market Correlation 05:41 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 17

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3XVR6aw Monday Market Recap, Fed Policy Insights, and Housing Sentiments In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David discusses a brief market rally despite ongoing volatility. Key points include a mixed performance among major indices, with defensive sectors showing strength. Insights on the Fed's policies, housing market sentiment, and credit spreads are also provided. The show highlights the significance of constructing a well-founded investment plan and sticking to it through market volatility. Additionally, recent public policy developments and economic projections are discussed. The episode concludes with practical advice for investors on managing market downsides. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:46 Monday Market Recap 02:34 Technical Market Analysis 07:00 Public Policy Updates 08:58 Housing Market Insights 13:23 Ask TBG: Investment Strategies 16:21 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 14

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/41JhZzx Evaluating the Trump Market Put: Implications and Investor Insights Recording from Palm Beach, David Bahnsen discusses the current market volatility, particularly focusing on the perception of President Trump's influence over financial markets. The episode examines whether the 'Trump market put'—the belief that Trump backstops markets due to his vested interest in their performance—is still relevant. Key topics include tariff policies, market assumptions about Trump's economic strategies, and the potential impacts on investors. The host stresses the importance of evaluating investment strategies amidst uncertainty and market dynamics, while maintaining focus on deregulation, corporate tax rates, and economic growth. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:23 Market Assumptions Under Trump 02:15 Investor Objectivity and Market Beliefs 03:22 Trump's First Term Market Impact 06:45 Current Market Volatility and Tariff Policies 18:51 Small Business Uncertainty 26:46 Investor Strategies Amidst Uncertainty 28:46 Conclusion and Future Outlook Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 13

Navigating Market Volatility and Economic Fundamentals In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the ongoing market volatility and significant drawdowns, with the Dow closing down 537 points and other major indices also experiencing declines. Despite a better-than-expected Producer Price Index (PPI) report, market concerns have shifted to foreign policy, fiscal policy, trade, and tariffs. Brian explores whether these fluctuations could lead to a recession, noting the continuing strength in employment and resilient economic fundamentals. He also examines the impact of tariffs, particularly compared to the first Trump presidency, and advises listeners to focus on long-term goals rather than daily market movements. Closing thoughts emphasize the benefits of buying shares at lower prices during market corrections and maintaining a long-term investment perspective. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:30 Economic Indicators and Market Reactions 01:39 Interest Rates and Housing Market 02:37 Impact of Tariffs and Trade Policies 04:12 Market Corrections and Investment Advice 05:33 Final Thoughts and Client Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 12

Market Overview and Insights on Inflation, Interest Rates, and Mortgage Dynamics—March 12th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel reports from West Palm Beach, Florida, detailing the latest market movements. Despite some volatility in the past weeks, March 12 sees a slight improvement with minor fluctuations in the Dow, S&P 500, and NASDAQ. Key highlights include a new inflation read showing better-than-expected CPI numbers for February, and a discussion on why transferring mortgages at historical rates distorts free market dynamics. Szytel also touches on upcoming Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers and wraps up with an update on office activities and events. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:54 Inflation and CPI Report 02:25 Mortgage Market Insights 03:15 Free Market vs. Controlled Economies 05:16 Upcoming Events and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 11

March 11th, 2025 Market Volatility and Trade Tariff Updates In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a detailed commentary on the volatility of the stock market, influenced by recent trade tariff headlines involving the U.S. and Canada. He discusses the market fluctuations experienced during the day, with the S&P 500 and Dow showing significant losses, while the NASDAQ saw lesser declines. Sitel highlights the complexity and unpredictability of the markets due to ongoing trade negotiations and emphasizes the importance of focusing on fundamentals rather than reacting to hourly news. He also touches on the impact of tariffs on housing affordability and mortgage interest rates. The episode concludes with a reminder about the advisory services provided by The Bahnsen Group and legal disclaimers. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:21 Market Volatility and Tariff Impacts 02:54 Sector Performance and Valuations 04:38 Housing Market and Interest Rates 05:39 Conclusion and Disclaimers Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 10

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/41SXNwl Market Volatility, Tariff Impacts, and Bitcoin Speculation: A Deep Dive In this episode of Monday Dividend Cafe, the host explores the recent market activity characterized by significant sell-offs, especially in the NASDAQ and S&P 500, and highlights the decline in the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Discussions include the impacts of tariffs and their economic implications, the fluctuating bond market, and notable occurrences in specific sectors like technology and utilities. The episode also addresses Bitcoin's volatility in response to new federal policies, reviews the latest jobs report, and evaluates changes in the housing and mortgage markets. Insights are provided into public policy and its intersection with market movements, emphasizing the role of asset allocation, market sentiment, and economic data trends. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:12 Market Activity and Sector Performance 01:54 Bond Market and Yield Curve Analysis 02:47 Public Policy and Federal Reserve Insights 04:45 Technical Analysis and Market Sentiment 06:20 Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency Discussion 08:35 Tariff Impacts and Economic Outlook 09:59 Federal Budget and Tax Legislation 17:00 Economic Indicators and Housing Market 19:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 7

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3FdIiXi Navigating Market Volatility Amid Uncertain Tariff Policies In this episode of Dividend Cafe, we explore the recent turbulent market activity fueled by uncertainties in trade policy and tariff discussions. Hosted from New York City, the episode delves into the market's reaction to the volatility over the past week, focusing on the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq indices. The key topic is the unpredictable trade and tariff policies under President Trump, specifically addressing the proposed reciprocal tariffs and their potential implementation issues. The episode also examines the divide within the Trump administration between traditional economic advisors and protectionist camps, highlighting the discretionary nature of current tariff policies and their adverse impact on market stability. Moreover, the discussion covers the bond market's indicators and expectations for nominal GDP growth, emphasizing the negative economic implications of trade disturbances. Finally, the episode speculates on whether market pressures might ultimately avert a global trade war, while stressing the need for clarity and resilience in the face of ongoing uncertainty. 00:00 Introduction to This Week's Dividend Cafe 00:02 Market Volatility Recap 01:26 Understanding the Tariff Turmoil 02:39 The Complexity of Tariff Policies 07:09 Economic Advisors and Internal Divides 10:57 Bond Market Insights 14:36 Global Trade War Concerns 20:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 6

Navigating Market Volatility and Economic Indicators In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the recent significant market volatility driven by uncertainties surrounding tariffs and trade policies. The Dow experienced multiple drawdowns and rebounds, with the S&P 500 fluctuating over six consecutive days—something not seen since November 2020. Economic updates include better-than-expected jobless claims and productivity numbers, but a dramatic increase in the trade deficit due to anticipated tariff changes. Brian also touches on the interconnectedness of trade, interest rates, and currencies while advising against timing the market, advocating instead for a balanced, income-generating investment strategy. Listeners are encouraged to revisit their asset allocations and stay engaged with ongoing market developments. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:12 Recent Market Volatility 01:00 Economic Indicators and Trade Deficit 02:02 Impact of Tariffs and Currency on Trade 04:11 Investment Strategies in Volatile Markets 05:38 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 5

Market Reactions and Economic Insights Post Trump's Congress Address In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from West Palm Beach, Florida, discussing the recent fluctuations and overall recovery in the markets following President Trump's address to Congress. He covers various economic indicators, including interest rates, job data, and ISM services performance, highlighting both positive signs for growth and concerns over inflation. The episode also delves into the topic of deflation, explaining why it can stifle economic growth and innovation, and how it impacts savings and debt. Future discussions on tariffs and market responses are teased for the next episode. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:24 Trump's Address and Market Reaction 01:10 Economic Indicators and Job Data 02:09 Q&A: Understanding Deflation 03:31 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 4

Understanding Market Reactions: March 4th Recap and Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel provides a detailed recap of the market performance on March 4th, highlighting significant drops in the Dow and S&P, with the Nasdaq faring slightly better. Szytel attributes the market movements to factors such as tariffs, interest rates, and growth expectations, noting a meaningful drop in interest rates and implications for future Fed rate adjustments. He discusses the potential impact on the housing market and the rotation from growth to value investing. Szytel also touches on upcoming economic data releases and promises a deeper dive into the implications of new tariffs in an upcoming write-up. The episode concludes with a brief mention of the day's sparse economic calendar and encourages listeners to send in their questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:45 Factors Driving the Market 00:51 Interest Rates and Economic Outlook 02:50 Recession Concerns and Market Sentiment 03:03 Housing Market and Price Discovery 04:04 Inflation, Tariffs, and Bond Yields 05:44 Upcoming Economic Data 06:15 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 3

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/43msk74 Market Rundown and Tariff Impacts: Dividend Cafe Monday Edition In this Monday edition of the Dividend Cafe, the host provides a late recording with a detailed rundown of the day's market craziness and discusses specific topics that are significant for investors. The Dow dropped 650 points, mirroring a similar gain on Friday, largely due to President Trump's announcement of 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico. Further discussion covers sector performance, with defensive sectors like consumer staples and healthcare performing well, while cyclicals and tech took a hit. The script also touches on Bitcoin's instability, recent bond market movements, and the geopolitical situation involving Ukraine and Russia. Additional news includes an announcement from the FDIC on big bank mergers and the confirmation of Trump's Labor Secretary nominee Lori Chavez DeRammer. The host emphasizes the importance of context and cautious analysis, especially involving economic policies like tax reform and tariffs. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:59 Tariff Turmoil and Market Reactions 03:40 Sector Performance and Bitcoin Instability 04:49 Treasury Bonds and Economic Indicators 05:32 Political Developments and Corporate Sentiment 07:38 Labor Market and Manufacturing Insights 08:25 Crude Oil Production and Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 28

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4blxIsZ Navigating Market Valuations and Key Economic Issues In this week's Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Managing Partner of the Bahnsen Group, delves into five critical themes that dominate current market and investor discussions. These themes include market valuations, concentration risks, AI investments, tariff policies, and tax reforms. David explores why these issues matter and offers insights into their potential impacts on investments, while also discussing why some concerns may be overblown. He emphasizes the importance of principle-driven investment strategies that transcend headlines and unpredictable events. Tune in for a thorough analysis aimed at making you a smarter and calmer investor. 00:00 Introduction to This Week's Dividend Cafe 00:02 Overview of the Five Key Topics 03:38 Market Valuations and Historical Context 11:41 Concentration in the Market 13:35 AI Capital Expenditures and Their Impact 16:49 The Role of Tariffs and Tax Cuts 19:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 27

Market Decline and Economic Data Analysis In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel covers the market's downturn on February 27th, noting significant declines in the NASDAQ, S&P, and Dow indexes with a shift from growth to value stocks. Key economic data discussed includes a steady Q4 GDP growth at 2.3%, better-than-expected durable goods orders, and initial jobless claims at 242,000. He also addresses the impracticality of returning to the gold standard, the nuances of inflation control, and the broader implications for economic stability and growth. The episode concludes with insights into the housing market's current stagnation and a look at central bank roles in economic regulation. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:51 Economic Data Insights 02:10 Housing Market Update 02:40 Discussion on Gold Standard and Inflation 04:15 Central Banks and Economic Stability 05:10 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 26

Market Reactions and Legislative Updates - February 26th In the February 26th edition of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the mixed trading day, noting the Dow's decline, the S&P's flat performance, and the NASDAQ's modest increase. He explains how initial market optimism waned following the House passing a budget reconciliation resolution, which includes significant spending cuts and debt limit increases. Szytel also addresses a viewer's question about the Mar-a-Lago accord and its impact on investors, clarifying it as a negotiation tool for currency rates. Lastly, he touches on the disappointing new home sales data for January, attributing the decline to high interest rates. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:56 House Resolution and Market Reactions 01:30 Details of the Resolution 02:02 Ask TPG: Mar-a-Lago Accord 03:11 Economic Calendar and Housing Market 03:58 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 25

Market Shift and Consumer Confidence: Insights from Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the mixed performance in the markets on February 25th. The Dow closed positive while the S&P and Nasdaq saw declines due to significant rotation out of overvalued tech stocks. He highlights a notable drop in the 10-year Treasury yield and a decline in consumer confidence for the third consecutive month. The episode also touches on the Case Shiller Home Price Index and a discussion on government spending and its potential impact on the economy. Seitel concludes with a note about upcoming House votes and invites listeners to reach out with questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:09 Market Volatility and Sector Performance 00:52 Interest Rates and Economic Indicators 01:15 Consumer Confidence and Housing Market 02:15 Government Spending and Economic Impact 04:18 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 24

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4hQ3QHD Market Insights and Economic Updates: Monday Edition of Dividend Cafe In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, recorded from the Bahnsen Group's downtown Nashville office, the host discusses essential market movements and economic updates. Key topics include the impacts of AI and NVIDIA on the market, recent fluctuations in the Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P indices, and an in-depth look at concentration in U.S and non-U.S. investments. The script delves into healthcare gains, bond market movements, and the outlook for S&P 500 earnings. It also touches on Germany’s recent election results, U.S. policy changes regarding Medicaid, and the ongoing complexities in the housing market. Additionally, the host provides insights on the Fed’s likely shift in monetary policy and the current state of the midstream oil sector. Tune in every day this week for more updates, culminating in a special edition on Friday. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:58 NVIDIA and Tech Sector Insights 02:17 Market Performance and Trends 04:11 Concentration in U.S. Markets 05:47 German Election Results 06:34 U.S. Public Policy and Spending Cuts 07:54 Housing Market Update 09:01 Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy 10:07 Midstream Oil Sector and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 21

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3XeLSqd Understanding Inflation: Political vs. Economic Perspectives in Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen discusses the complexities of inflation, distinguishing between its political and economic aspects. Broadcasting from a hotel in Orlando, he shares insights from his study of inflation's impact on economic growth and policy, citing influences like Milton Friedman and Japan's economic strategies. Bahnsen explains the difference between politically sensitive items like gas and housing prices, and broader economic inflation driven by money supply. He touches on the role of tariffs, interest rates, and the Federal Reserve in shaping inflation expectations, and emphasizes deregulation and tax reform as potential solutions. Despite the political challenges, Bahnsen stresses the importance of understanding these issues for informed portfolio management. 00:00 Introduction and Host's Travel Update 00:40 Understanding Inflation: A Deep Dive 02:33 Political vs. Economic Inflation 09:09 Impact of Tariffs on Inflation 11:25 Market Valuations and Inflation Expectations 13:37 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 20

Market Volatility and Economic Updates with Brian Szytel Brian Szytel provides an update from Newport Beach on recent market activities. He highlights an increase in volatility compared to earlier in the week, with the Dow down 1%, S&P down 0.4%, and NASDAQ down 0.4%. Despite minor economic data releases, there were no significant market movers. Initial jobless claims remain stable at 219, while manufacturing indexes show positive trends. The VIX is low at 15, suggesting overall market stability. Brian also addresses common questions about their service offerings and the difficulty in providing a uniform track record for portfolios due to their customized nature. He emphasizes the holistic approach of their business, which includes tax planning, estate planning, and financial advice beyond mere investments. 00:00 Market Volatility Update 00:47 Economic Indicators and Jobless Claims 01:12 Manufacturing and Market Sentiment 01:42 Current Market Trends and Metrics 02:49 Understanding Custom Portfolios 03:51 The Importance of Personalized Financial Services 04:39 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Plans Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 19

Market Insights and Global Oil Trade Dynamics - February 19, 2025 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from the West Palm Beach office discusses the day's market performance, including the Dow's 71-point rise, the S&P's quarter-percent increase, and Nasdaq's flat close. He addresses ongoing tariff talks, U.S.-Russia/Ukraine conflict negotiations, and their potential impact on energy markets. Brian explains the global oil trade dynamics with Russia's supply to Asia and its effects on oil prices. He also covers international client considerations for U.S. investments and touches on the day's economic data, including FOMC minutes and housing starts. Audience questions are welcomed and encouraged. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:21 Tariffs and Geopolitical Tensions 01:26 Energy Market Dynamics 03:34 International Client Considerations 04:44 Economic Calendar Highlights 05:23 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 17

Dividend Cafe: Market Insights and Tax Reform Impacts In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from the West Palm Beach, Florida office on February 18. He discusses the day's market performance, noting minimal changes in the Dow and NASDAQ, a slight increase in the S&P, and a rise in the 10-year Treasury rate. Highlights include an improvement in the Empire State Fed Manufacturing Survey after two months of declines and a weaker-than-expected NHAB Home Builder Survey due to tariff impacts. Brian also explores the diversification in market sectors for 2025, focusing on the stability of conservative sectors like energy, materials, and financials, compared to the volatility in technology sectors. The episode concludes with a discussion about carried interest tax treatment, highlighting its political implications and potential effects on private equity manager compensation. Brian mentions his upcoming travel to California for meetings but assures listeners of continued updates from Palm Beach. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:35 Economic Calendar Highlights 01:19 Sector Performance Analysis 02:32 Carried Interest Tax Discussion 03:57 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 14

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/40TtKTI The Dividend Cafe: Market Reactions to Tariffs and Taxes In this episode of The Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen provides an update from Phoenix, Arizona, discussing a busy week involving team meetings and client engagements. Highlights include his recovery from illness, travel between New York and California, and expansion plans for the Phoenix office. David dives deep into market reactions to recent tariff announcements by the Trump administration and the lack of actual tariff implementations. He also explores the complexities of fair trade and its economic implications. Lastly, David discusses the progress and hurdles facing the House Budget Committee on a significant tax and spending bill, detailing the political intricacies and potential impacts on the economy. Tune in for insights on tariffs, taxes, and their market effects. 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Recap 01:24 Market Reactions to Tariff Announcements 04:20 Analyzing the Impact of Tariffs 07:30 Debunking Free Trade Myths 11:55 Updates on the Tax Bill 17:49 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 13

Analyzing Market Movements and Inflation Impact In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach, Florida, discusses the market's performance on February 13th, highlighting a positive day for stocks and a significant drop in bond yields. The conversation focuses on recent inflation data, specifically the producer price index (PPI) and its effect on market behavior. Brian emphasizes the importance of observing longer-term fundamentals rather than reacting to short-term market fluctuations. He also shares his thoughts on gold as an investment, pointing out its unpredictability and lack of cash flow production. He concludes by encouraging a long-term view and inviting audience engagement with questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:45 Inflation and Interest Rates Analysis 02:07 Long-Term Investment Strategy 03:09 Gold Investment Insights 04:33 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 12

Mid-Week Market Insights: CPI Report & Federal Reserve Review - Feb 12 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on February 12th, host Brian Szytel covers the day's market activities influenced by the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. The Dow dropped 225 points, the S&P was down by a quarter of a percent, while the Nasdaq saw a minor gain. The CPI numbers showed a monthly increase of 0.5%, higher than the expected 0.3%, marking a yearly CPI of 3%. The core CPI excluding food and energy also surpassed expectations. Energy and food prices along with the shelter component significantly impacted the CPI. Szytel discusses the Federal Reserve's ongoing efforts to manage inflation, noting the bond market's reaction and Fed Chairman Powell's testimony. The role of the Fed, particularly its expanded balance sheet since the Great Financial Crisis and COVID-19, is critiqued. Szytel concludes with a forward-looking perspective and invites viewers to tune in the next day for more updates. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:32 Inflation Report Breakdown 01:15 Impact on Energy and Food Prices 01:26 Shelter Component Analysis 02:05 Market Reactions and Predictions 03:21 Federal Reserve's Role and Actions 04:51 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 11

Market Confidence and Capital Activity Boosts: Feb 11th Update Brian Szytel provides a market update on a directionless trading day where the Dow closed up 123 points, S&P remained flat, and Nasdaq fell by a third of a percent. 10-year Treasury yields rose to 454 basis points, and small business confidence remains above historical averages, indicating robust economic health. Discussions covered the increase in capital expenditures, IPO market, and mergers and acquisitions activity. Brian critiques SPACs while noting a positive resurgence in capital market activities. He also comments on Jerome Powell's testimony regarding interest rates and inflation. Financials emerge strong in the market, contrasting with weaker performance in semiconductors. 00:00 Market Overview and Key Indices 00:28 Small Business Confidence and Economic Impact 01:30 Corporate Activity and Capital Markets 02:08 SPACs and Financial Sector Insights 03:38 Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy 04:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 10

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4jKvUh0 Market Insights and Policy Updates: February Market Review In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen discusses recent market trends and significant policy updates while preparing to travel from New York to California. Highlights include President Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs announced during the Super Bowl, market reactions, and the upward movement in shares of domestic steel and aluminum companies. The host also celebrates the nomination of Jason Trennert for Assistant Secretary for the Treasury for Financial Markets. Key statistics include a 167-point rise in the Dow, strong earnings reports from 9 out of 11 S&P 500 sectors, and changes in bond yield and financial sector performance. The episode wraps up with updates on tax reforms, the federal deficit, and speculation about Federal Reserve rate changes for the upcoming months. 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Overview 00:34 Market Reactions to Tariff Announcements 01:58 Highlight: Jason Trennert's Nomination 03:36 Market Performance and Earnings Season Update 05:51 Tax Policy and Budget Reconciliation 09:15 Economic Indicators and Federal Updates 09:54 Conclusion and Additional Resources Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 7

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4hrygzX Deconstructing Tariffs: Economic Impacts and Investor Insights In this episode of The Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen, managing partner at The Bahnsen Group, delves into the complex topic of tariffs. Exhausted by the politicization and ambiguity surrounding tariffs, Bahnsen aims to deconstruct the economic impact of recent tariff actions and the risks for investors. He discusses the events of the past week, including the latest announcements of tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, and their market implications. Highlighting the conflicting messages from the U.S. administration, Bahnsen outlines four key takeaways that explain the current stance on tariffs, their potential costs, and the resulting market volatility. He also touches on the broader macroeconomic and philosophical aspects of tariffs and calls for a balanced understanding of their impacts. Listeners are encouraged to consider the real-world economic trade-offs and market responses as Bahnsen offers insights into navigating the current investment landscape. 00:00 Welcome to The Dividend Cafe 00:42 The Complexity of Tariffs 01:05 Deconstructing the Political Noise 03:26 Recap of the Week's Events 05:48 Evaluating the Impact of Tariffs 07:12 Conflicting Messages on Tariffs 08:44 Four Key Takeaways 12:36 Sector-Specific Impacts 14:51 The Cost of Tariffs 22:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 6

Market Updates and Economic Insights - February 6th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel covers the mixed day in the market with the Dow down by 125 points but gains in the S&P and Nasdaq. He discusses interest rates, which have come down across the curve, and the progress of the current earnings season, highlighting a 15.5% year-over-year growth rate. Notable sectors include technology and consumer-led sectors like retail and consumer staples. Additionally, Szytel reviews the U.S. Treasury's stance on not influencing Fed rate decisions, the implications of energy production on inflation, and the potential end of quantitative tightening. Other economic indicators such as jobless claims and productivity numbers are also discussed. He concludes by wishing listeners an enjoyable Super Bowl weekend. 00:00 Market Overview and Earnings Update 01:39 Interest Rates and Treasury Insights 04:13 Economic Calendar and Jobless Claims 04:55 Super Bowl Weekend Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 5

Market Updates and Economic Insights - February 5, 2025 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the positive market performance on February 5, 2025, with major indices like the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq closing higher. Key points include Google's earnings miss impacting Nasdaq, significant intraday movement in 10-year Treasury rates, and a weaker U.S. dollar due to lower interest rates. The economic update covers a better-than-expected ADP payroll number, a balanced labor market with positive wage growth, and a mixed report on ISM services and manufacturing. Additionally, the episode addresses a reader's question about the feasibility of wood as an energy resource, concluding that natural gas is a better option. Lastly, it highlights a significant trade deficit in December 2022, reflecting the second-largest annual deficit in history. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:36 Interest Rates and Currency Movements 01:13 Labor Market and Economic Indicators 02:07 Ask TBG: Energy Resources 02:52 Economic Data and Trade Deficit 03:48 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 4

Market Recap and Tariff Discussions - February 4, 2025 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, hosted on February 4, 2025, Brian Szytel from the West Palm Beach office covers the market recovery following recent pullbacks related to tariff discussions and earnings reports. He provides updates on market indices, the bond market, and commodities like oil and gold. Szytel discusses recent tariff movements involving the US, Canada, Mexico, and China, as well as the potential implications of these tariffs. He also touches on a Q&A session regarding Trump's announcement of a sovereign wealth fund and the pros and cons of such a fund for the US. Finally, the episode includes a brief overview of recent job openings and upcoming employment data releases. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:10 Tariff Talks and Market Reactions 00:56 Tariff Implications and Negotiations 01:55 Q&A: Trump's Sovereign Wealth Fund 03:00 Economic Calendar and Employment Data 03:35 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 3

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42GZ7TT Tariff Monday: Analyzing Recent Tariff Developments In this special 'Tariff Monday' episode of the Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen discusses the recent escalation in tariff declarations by President Trump. The episode covers the impact of these announcements on the stock market, including significant drops in the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq. Bahnsen explains the invocation of the International Economic Emergency Powers Act for imposing tariffs on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China. He also delves into the economic implications and potential legal challenges surrounding these tariffs, while urging listeners to focus on the broader economic impact rather than political opinions. Bahnsen announces plans for a more in-depth exploration of tariffs in the upcoming Friday episode. 00:00 Introduction to Tariff Monday 00:29 Market Reactions to Tariff Announcements 00:53 President Trump's Tariff Strategy 03:08 Economic Implications of Tariffs 06:14 Market Summary and Analysis 11:31 Future Outlook and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 31

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4gCSaa5 Navigating January Market Waves: AI, China, and Fed Policies In this week's Dividend Cafe, David reflects on the eventful month of January and discusses the challenges of choosing the right topics for the newsletter. The episode covers several high-level subjects, including crypto skepticism, tariffs, and U.S.-China economic relations. Key highlights of the week include the NASDAQ's performance, the Fed's FOMC meeting outcomes, and the implications of recent AI developments involving China. David examines the vulnerabilities in U.S. AI capabilities, the impact of high AI capital expenditures, and their potential long-term effects. Additional topics such as S&P valuations and government pensions also feature in the discussion. The episode emphasizes a commitment to truthful analysis in economic and market matters. 00:00 Introduction and Reflections on January 00:15 Challenges in Writing Dividend Cafe 01:41 Upcoming Topics and Current Events 03:31 Market Reactions and Federal Reserve Updates 09:10 AI and China: A Deep Dive 18:07 Concluding Thoughts and Additional Resources Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 30

Economic Insights and Market Movements: A Deep Dive In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on Thursday, January 30th, Brian Szytel discusses the day's positive market movements with the Dow up 168 points, Nasdaq slightly up, and S&P slightly up in percentage terms. He delves into the mixed yet ultimately positive release of fourth-quarter GDP data, highlighting a surge in consumption by 4.2%. Szytel attributes this to increased disposable income and wage growth, along with a decline in savings rate. Additionally, he addresses the Jevons Paradox and its implications for energy efficiency and consumption, using Microsoft's recent experience with AI technology as an example. He concludes with thoughts on the importance of competition and the potential future of AI and natural gas as significant energy sources. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:21 Economic Data Insights 00:51 Consumer Spending Trends 01:25 Wage Growth and Disposable Income 02:11 The Jevin Paradox Explained 02:45 AI and Market Competition 03:43 Energy and Technological Efficiency 04:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 29

Market Reactions to Fed Policy Announcement In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the market reactions following the Federal Reserve's policy announcement on January 29th. The episode addresses the modest sell-off in the Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ, and the flat interest rates. Brian highlights the Fed's decision to maintain the interest rate and shift focus to employment risks over inflation. He argues that the positive correlation between interest rates and economic growth is currently balanced. The episode also touches on the record $1.2 trillion goods deficit in 2024 and provides insight into comprehensive wealth management services offered by Brian's firm. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:20 Federal Reserve Meeting Insights 00:49 Economic Indicators and Market Reactions 02:35 Trade Deficit and Economic Health 03:15 Q&A: Beyond Dividend Growth 03:34 Comprehensive Wealth Management Services 04:05 Conclusion and Contact Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 28

Market Updates and Economic Insights - January 28 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reviews the market's recent performance, highlighting fluctuations in the Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P indices. He discusses the impact of a sell-off related to DeepSeek, economic indicators such as durable goods orders and the K Shiller 20 city home price index, and consumer confidence data. Brian also touches on potential Fed rate changes and market rotations from growth to value sectors. He concludes by encouraging viewers to reach out with questions, promising further insights in the next episode. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:59 Economic Indicators and Housing Market 02:14 Consumer Confidence and Upcoming Reports 02:58 Market Rotation and Sector Performance 03:25 Conclusion and Farewell Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 27

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3PX2z5a NVIDIA news: https://www.investors.com/news/technology/deepseek-ai-stocks-nvidia-artificial-intelligence-capital-spending/ Market Volatility and AI Rivalry: Deep Dive into NVIDIA's Impact In this episode of Monday Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen discusses a highly volatile day in the market, marked by a significant dip in NASDAQ despite a Dow Jones increase. Central to the discussion is the introduction of China's DeepSeek AI tool, which challenges the dominance of NVIDIA's high-end chips, raising questions about the future of AI chip investments. Bahnsen also covers market reactions, sector performances, and economic indicators, emphasizing the vulnerability in valuations and the implications for earnings season. Additional topics include U.S.-Colombia tariff considerations, jobless claims data, home sales trends, and the upcoming Federal Reserve meeting. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:27 NVIDIA and the AI Market Impact 03:29 Market Reactions and Sector Performance 04:51 Tech Sector Vulnerabilities 05:21 Earnings Season and Future Projections 07:41 Trump's Tariff Tactics and Job Market Update 09:30 Housing Market and Fed Meeting Insights 10:03 Energy Sector and LNG Exports 10:51 Understanding Dividends and Yields 11:19 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 24

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3PKDFpp The top-performing sector throughout the entire Biden Presidency? ENERGY The weight of the entire energy sector right now in the entire S&P 500? 3.2% The weight of Apple in the S&P 500? 7.6% The weight of Microsoft in the S&P 500? 6.3% So every energy company put together in the S&P 500 is worth well less than half of Apple and basically right at half of Microsoft. And this comes AFTER Energy was up +284% over the last four years, compared to the second place +120% performance in Technology. Source: *Factset January 22, 2025 President Trump announced via a splashy news conference Tuesday night that OpenAI, Oracle, and Softbank are creating a joint venture called Stargate: Source: https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/tech-leaders-pledge-up-to-500-billion-in-ai-investment-in-u-s-da506cd4?mod=latest_headlines Navigating Market Impacts Under the New Administration In this week's Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen discusses the fast-paced events of the week, recorded amidst his team's offsite retreat. The focus shifts to the first days of President Trump's 2.0 administration, unpacking the economic implications of several executive orders. Bahnsen examines key policy changes around energy, DEI programs in federal agencies, and the temporary halt of the TikTok ban. He emphasizes the market implications of these orders while noting the more organized approach of the administration compared to 2017. 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Overview 00:36 Inauguration and Executive Orders 06:32 Market-Sensitive Policies 09:10 Energy and Trade Policies 15:10 Key Takeaways and Market Tidbits 22:04 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 22

In this Dividend Cafe commentary, recorded on January 22nd from Newport Beach, Brian Szytel discusses the recent market movements, highlighting an intraday breach of the S&P 500 closing high and closing disparities led by the technology sector. He also addresses recent economic data, including a weaker leading economic indicator. Seitel responds to a question about the bond market's recovery post-2022's downturn, advising against expecting a significant rebound but emphasizing the value of high-grade fixed income yields and portfolio diversification. The episode concludes with an invitation for further questions and consultations. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:23 Market Performance Overview 01:36 Economic Indicators and Market Sentiment 02:16 Bond Market Analysis and Insights 04:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 04:24 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 21

Market Updates and Team Meetings: Insights from Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, hosted by Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group's Newport Beach office, the discussion covers market activity following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Key points include a significant rebound in the Dow Jones, S&P 500, and NASDAQ indices, observations on corporate margins, particularly in the financial sector, and the impact of potential policy changes on the market. The episode also highlights a quiet economic week, leading economic indicators to be discussed later, and The Bahnsen Group's annual team meeting aimed at enhancing team culture and business efficiency. A long-form Dividend Cafe installment is expected on Friday. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:10 Corporate Margins and Sector Performance 02:36 Animal Spirits and Market Sentiment 03:14 Upcoming Economic Indicators 03:37 The Bahnsen Group Annual Team Meeting 04:21 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 17

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4jiEHqh Market Insights: Scott Bessent's Impact as Incoming Treasury Secretary and Recent Market Trends In this episode of Friday Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen discusses the imminent arrival of Scott Bessent as the next U.S. Treasury Secretary and the implications of his policy perspectives on market realities. Recorded on January 17th, 2025, Bahnsen highlights the week's significant market fluctuations, the importance of the 10-year bond yield, and the nuanced role of tariffs and currency in trade talks. He also addresses fiscal policies, including debt ceiling discussions and tax cut priorities. Bahnsen reflects on the impact of foreign debt buyers and provides insights on household debt to asset ratios. As the new administration approaches, he emphasizes the need for investors to remain disciplined amidst market volatility. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:06 Scott Besson's Appointment and Market Implications 04:09 Market Volatility and Bond Yields 10:08 Treasury Secretary's Testimony and Policy Insights 22:04 Foreign Debt Appetite and Economic Indicators 25:44 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 16

Market Trends and Earnings Season Insights - January 16 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from the West Palm Beach office discusses recent market movements, noting a significant surge followed by a quieter day. Key factors influencing the market include a pullback in interest rates and weaker-than-expected inflation. Szytel delves into Q4 earnings season, highlighting strong performance in financials and industrials sectors, and the ongoing growth in technology earnings. He also mentions economic indicators like initial jobless claims and the Philly Fed Survey. The episode concludes with a preview of an upcoming longer form episode and well wishes for the holiday weekend. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:00 Earnings Season Insights 01:42 Sector Performance Highlights 03:39 Economic Indicators and Predictions 04:21 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 15

Market Surge: Analyzing a Strong Day in Equities and Bonds In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from West Palm Beach, Florida, on January 15th. He highlights a significant uptick in the equity markets, with The Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq seeing notable gains. The bond market also experienced a rally, with a drop in the 10-year yield. Szytel analyzes the factors behind these movements, including better-than-expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) and Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers, and offers insights into the impact of these inflation indicators on market behavior. Additionally, he discusses the Empire State Manufacturing Index, the Fed's Beige Book, and the positive results from big banks' trading revenues. Szytel also addresses a viewer's question about the potential for 10-year yields to surpass 5%, emphasizing the importance of fixed income investments in portfolios amid fluctuating interest rates. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:36 Inflation and Economic Indicators 01:48 Empire State Manufacturing Index and Beige Book Insights 02:49 Q&A: Interest Rates and Treasury Yields 05:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 14

Market Updates and Economic Insights - January 14th, 2025 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides market updates from West Palm Beach, Florida, covering the mixed yet positive performance of major stock indices. The Dow Jones rose 221 points, S&P 500 saw a slight increase, while NASDAQ declined by about a quarter of a percent. Interest rates remained flat with a notable steepening of the yield curve, indicating positive economic signals. Highlights include a lower-than-expected Producer Price Index (PPI) and a significantly strong NFIB Small Business Survey reading. Comparisons were drawn between current economic conditions and those of the early 1980s. Listeners are encouraged to tune in for tomorrow's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:48 Inflation and Yield Curve Insights 01:52 Small Business Sentiment 02:40 Historical Economic Comparisons 03:39 Market Recap and Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 13

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4ai49bd Monday Market Insights with David Bahnsen In this episode of Monday Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Managing Partner at The Bahnsen Group, discusses the volatile market conditions one week before the inauguration of Trump's second term. Key topics include the recent market sell-off, sector performance, bond yields, and economic indicators. Bahnsen also delves into the potential impact of public policy changes, including tax alterations and the proposed Department of Government Efficiency. Additionally, he addresses the challenges of bipartisan legislation, updates on job creation, and the implications of rising mortgage rates. Finally, Bahnsen concludes with insights into midstream energy performance and the importance of capital expenditures in driving economic growth. 00:00 Welcome to Monday Dividend Cafe 00:18 Market Volatility and Post-Election Rally 01:19 Today's Market Action 03:05 Bond Yields and Inflation Expectations 04:49 Earnings Season and Market Valuation 06:27 International Diversification and U.S. Markets 08:48 Public Policy Updates 13:01 Economic Data and Indicators 15:07 Oil Prices and Midstream Energy 16:13 Capital Expenditures and Economic Growth 17:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 9

Market Closure, Payroll Data & Investment Insights - January 9th Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the market closure in observance of President Carter's funeral and offers condolences to those affected by California wildfires. Brian highlights the anticipation around non-farm payroll data, expected unemployment rates, and wage growth stats. He also introduces David's annual white paper summarizing the investment outlook and reflections on past predictions. Brian emphasizes the value of reading macro-related research but cautions against overly relying on it for portfolio strategies. The focus remains on bottom-up fundamentals for security selection and asset allocation. He concludes with a nod to the upcoming wildcard weekend in sports. 00:00 Introduction and Market Closure 00:51 Upcoming Economic Data 01:34 Dividend Cafe Annual White Paper 02:18 Macro Research Insights 03:02 Investment Strategy and Philosophy 04:29 Conclusion and Weekend Plans Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 10

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/408hG0t Dividend Cafe: Reflections on 2024 and Forecasts for 2025 David Bahnsen, managing partner of The Bahnsen Group, presents The Dividend Cafe annual year behind, year ahead white paper. He reviews the major economic events of 2024, including market performance, the Federal Reserve's actions, and the impact of political changes. The discussion includes an evaluation of predictions made for 2024 and offers insights and forecasts for the economic themes and market trends expected in 2025. Bahnsen underscores the importance of key factors such as tariff volatility, tax policy changes, and potential improvements in U.S.-China relations. Additionally, he emphasizes the significance of the 10-year bond yield as a crucial metric for financial markets in the upcoming year. 00:00 Introduction to the Annual White Paper 00:52 The Genesis of Dividend Cafe 01:48 Market Surprises and Realities of 2024 05:34 Performance Highlights and Market Trends 18:06 Sector Analysis and Economic Indicators 24:06 Review of 2024 Themes and Projections 36:34 Looking Ahead: Themes for 2025 51:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 8

Market Recap and Fed Insights - January 8th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a comprehensive market recap for January 8th. The Dow closed above fair value with a gain of 106 points, while the S&P edged slightly higher and the NASDAQ remained flat. The U.S. dollar strengthened amidst currency weakness in the UK. Fed Governor Waller discussed potential rate cuts in 2025, noting core PCE inflation was below 2% over the past year. The FOMC minutes from December indicated elevated inflation and a cautious approach to rate cuts. On the economic front, ADP private payrolls fell short of expectations, but the labor market remains strong with initial jobless claims lower than anticipated. Additionally, Waller remarked that Trump tariffs would likely have minimal impact on inflation. The episode concludes with a brief Q&A on Trump's comments about Canada, Greenland, and Panama, and a look ahead to the non-farm payroll report on Friday. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:27 Currency and Fed Policy Updates 02:03 Economic Data Insights 02:40 Q&A Session Highlights 03:14 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 7

Market Overview and Yield Curve Insights - January 7th, 2025 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an analysis of the market movements on January 7th, 2025. He discusses the day's overall market decline with the Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ all down, especially in technology sectors. Szytel highlights a positive shift in the yield curve, indicating economic stability, and mentions higher than expected job openings along with a balanced labor market. He also addresses a viewer's question about the importance of dividends, emphasizing that while dividends are a sign of good corporate stewardship and management, other factors should also be considered. The episode concludes with encouragement to reach out with questions and a promise to return the next day. 00:00 Welcome Back to Dividend Cafe 00:23 Market Performance Overview 00:53 Economic Indicators and Yield Curve Analysis 02:18 Job Market and Labor Trends 03:03 Services Report and Interest Rates 03:29 The Importance of Dividends 04:39 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Updates Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 6

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/40m6YEQ Kickoff to 2025: Market Updates, Budget Reconciliation, and Key Economic Insights In the first Monday Dividend Cafe of 2025, host David Bahnsen delves into the latest market fluctuations, the complexities of the budget reconciliation bill, and key economic updates. Important highlights include President Trump’s preference for a single omnibus bill, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson’s appointment, and the surprising resignation of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The episode also discusses the stock market's performance, including sector-specific movements, the yield curve, and various valuation metrics. Additional topics include President Biden's rejection of the Nippon Steel purchase, credit card debt trends, and expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts in 2025. Tune in for an in-depth look at these developments and more. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:27 Market Updates and Economic Data 01:44 Public Policy Discussion: Budget Reconciliation 07:33 Market Reactions and Analysis 09:38 Public Policy News and Economic Insights 13:00 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 3

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4fEhs76 Navigating Market Dynamics and Political Impacts: A 2025 Kickoff In this inaugural 2025 episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Managing Partner at The Bahnsen Group, discusses several key topics, including the challenges posed by macro-driven market calls and the complexities of the U.S. House Speaker situation with a potential market impact. David also critiques the bipartisan opposition to the Nippon Steel–U.S. Steel deal, reflecting on the broader implications for American capital markets. The episode sets the stage for the upcoming Year Behind, Year Ahead White Paper, highlighting past themes and future forecasts. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 2025 03:34 The Speaker of the House and Market Implications 07:56 Challenges of Market Calls and Investment Themes 14:36 Bipartisan Criticism on U.S. Steel Deal 17:33 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 30, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/40bB1Px Final Dividend Cafe of 2024: Market Updates, Policy Insights, and Year-End Reflections In the final Dividend Cafe of 2024, David discusses the volatile market activity of the day, including significant fluctuations and end-of-year rebalancing. He provides a brief update on President Trump's policies, including endorsements, H-1B visa debates, and efforts to delay the TikTok shutdown. The episode also touches on former President Jimmy Carter's passing, China's economic decline, New York City's record-high hotel prices, and potential changes to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac under a future Trump administration. David reflects on the year gone by and sets the stage for the annual year behind-year ahead white paper to be published next week. 00:00 Introduction and Year-End Reflections 01:02 Market Recap and Analysis 04:14 Policy Updates and Political Commentary 08:01 Economic Indicators and Predictions 11:52 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Plans Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 23, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/407yd5Z Market Recap and Insights Before the Holidays In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the market activity as of December 23, just before Christmas. The episode covers various topics including recent market movements, interest rate changes, major inflows into ETFs, credit spreads, the state of household versus government debt, public policy updates, inflation data, durable goods, and housing market trends. Brian also touches on the Federal Reserve's policies and their impact on asset prices. Listeners are reminded of the upcoming schedule and seasonal wishes are extended to all. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:14 Market Overview and Recent Trends 01:15 Interest Rates and Economic Momentum 01:59 Credit Spreads and Risk Complacency 03:18 Household Debt and Financial Health 04:35 Public Policy and Government Debt 05:20 Economic Indicators and Market Reactions 07:53 Federal Reserve and Asset Prices 09:50 Holiday Season and Upcoming Reports 10:30 Final Thoughts and Holiday Wishes Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 20, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4gLnPpU End-of-Year Market Insights and Political Implications - Dividend Cafe In this special episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on Friday, December 20th, David discusses the market's recent volatility, reflecting on 11 consecutive days of market downturns followed by a significant rebound. The episode highlights the irrationality of market reactions and emphasizes the importance of focusing on long-term investment strategies and the health of underlying businesses rather than short-term market fluctuations. David also addresses the political landscape, particularly the challenges faced by the incoming administration and its potential impact on policy and markets. Listeners are provided with reassurances about portfolio management amidst market noise and given a realistic perspective on political and economic developments. 00:00 Introduction and Year-End Reflections 00:44 Market Recap and Current Trends 01:52 Volatility and Market Sentiment 03:11 Investment Philosophy and Noise 07:14 Federal Reserve and Market Reactions 13:19 Political Landscape and Market Implications 18:32 Final Thoughts and Takeaways Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 18, 2024

Market Reactions and Real Estate Insights: December 18 Analysis In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the market downturn on December 18 from the New York City office. He provides an overview of the two-day Fed meeting, which resulted in a 25 basis point cut in interest rates to a range of 4.25% to 4.5%. The market reaction was majorly influenced by the revised dot plots and press conference, leading to a significant selloff, particularly in the Dow, S&P 500, and Nasdaq, as interest rates shifted higher. Additionally, Brian touches upon real estate market trends, noting a decline in housing starts and a rise in new permits, and offers insights into handling real estate investments. He assures listeners that despite market volatility, the fundamentals of well-allocated investment portfolios remain sound. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:14 Federal Reserve Meeting Insights 00:33 Market Reactions and Analysis 02:15 Investment Strategies and Portfolio Advice 03:11 Real Estate Market Discussion 04:13 Economic Indicators and Housing Data 04:48 Conclusion and Next Steps Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 17, 2024

Dividend Cafe: Market Recap and Insights on December 17, 2024 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a midday market recap for Tuesday, December 17, 2024. The Dow has experienced a significant losing streak, down around 300 points, marking its ninth consecutive negative day. The S&P and Nasdaq also closed lower. The Federal Reserve's meeting is anticipated to conclude with a 25 basis point rate cut, and Brian discusses its impact on bond markets. Additionally, Brian comments on China's budget release, capital outflows, and the devaluing Yuan. He briefly touches on the topic of moving IRA balances to 401(k) plans for Roth contributions and ends with a call for listener questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:10 Federal Reserve Meeting Insights 01:38 Bond Market Analysis 02:59 China's Economic Strategies 04:20 Investment Advice and Q&A 05:20 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 16, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/41DntgN Market Trends, Policy Insights, and Financial Updates - 1000th Episode Special In this special 1000th episode of The Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, managing partner of The Bahnsen Group, covers recent market movements, including an eight-day market selloff and insights on various indices. He discusses recent appearances and interviews, including one on Fox Business about President Trump's negotiations with the Longshoremen's Union. The episode also delves into the impact of potential tax policy changes, specifically the SALT deduction cap, and updates on regulatory developments from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Bahnsen also provides an overview of the recent and expected performance of various economic indicators, commodities, and market sentiment leading into the new year. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:43 Market Performance and Key Indicators 03:34 Commodity Market Insights 05:10 Public Policy and Taxation 08:14 Banking Regulations and Financial Services 13:27 Sentiment and Investment Strategies 15:15 Upcoming Events and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 13, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4fktJ0n Exploring Market Optimism Amid Economic Trends and Forecasts In this edition of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen discusses the current optimism in small and large businesses as captured by the NFIB small business index and other indicators. He delves into the impacts of the Trump 2.0 administration's deregulatory and tax policies on market sentiment. David also touches on Nvidia's market valuation, the significance of financial deregulation, IPO activity, and the relationship between CPI and PPI in the context of inflation. The episode concludes with market history insights and a preview of topics for the upcoming weeks. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:49 Today's Focus: Optimism in the Market 03:19 Small Business Optimism and Trump Administration 04:30 Big Business Sentiments and Market Implications 11:12 Nvidia's Market Cap and Financial Deregulation 14:18 CPI, PPI, and Market History 15:29 Conclusion and Upcoming Plans Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 12, 2024

Market Overview and Utility Sector Insights – December 12th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the latest market movements and economic indicators. Key topics include the Producer Price Index (PPI) numbers, which recorded a slight increase, leading to a minor sell-off in stocks and bonds. Szytel provides an analysis of initial jobless claims, emphasizing the importance of employment data. Additionally, he addresses the attractiveness of the utility sector, highlighting its evolving role from a defensive sector to one benefiting from rising demand and limited supply. The episode concludes with a focus on dividend growth and the potential for increased supply to meet higher demand in the utility sector. 00:00 Market Overview and PPI Numbers 01:18 Employment Data Insights 01:42 Mixed Market Reactions 01:58 Utility Sector Analysis 03:23 Future Outlook and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 11, 2024

Market Updates and Inflation Insights - December 11th Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an overview of the market's performance on December 11th, highlighting the overall positive day with specific gains in the S&P and Nasdaq, despite a minor drop in the Dow. The core discussion centers around new CPI data indicating a consistent inflation rate, with headline CPI at 2.7% and core CPI at 3.3%, still above the Fed's 2% target. Szytel explains the impact of shelter costs on these figures and the anticipated future convergence that may align with Fed targets. Additionally, he discusses the upcoming FOMC meeting with a likely 25 basis point rate cut and the speculation about future rate cuts in the coming year. He also offers insights on inflation-protected treasuries, advising they may be a safe investment but without significant upside in the current climate. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:25 Inflation Insights and CPI Data 01:44 Economic Growth and Spending Trends 02:30 Upcoming FOMC Meeting and Rate Cuts 03:23 Inflation Protected Treasuries Discussion 04:10 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 10, 2024

Daily Market Recap and Economic Insights - December 10th Welcome to The Dividend Cafe for Tuesday, December 10th! Brian Szytel of The Bahnsen Group provides a comprehensive commentary on the day's market performance. The Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq saw slight declines, while the 10-year Treasury yield rose slightly. The NFIB small business survey indicated a positive trend, rising above its historical average. There was also a positive result in the non-farm labor productivity for Q3. Brian emphasizes caution despite current market confidence, urging proper portfolio management to weather potential market pullbacks. Tune in for detailed insights and upcoming economic indicators. 00:00 Introduction to The Dividend Cafe 00:14 Market Overview: December 10th 00:47 Economic Indicators and Market Sentiment 01:18 Small Business and Productivity Surveys 02:26 Volatility and Market Positioning 03:46 Final Thoughts and Contact Information 04:01 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 9, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49t7mo8 Market Insights and Key Investment Principles - Monday Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen discusses recent market events, highlighting the impact of policy changes, geopolitical developments, and sector performances. He provides an analysis of stock and bond market movements with specific attention to the differing performances within the MAG7 stocks. David also elaborates on the importance of understanding market euphoria and valuations, offering tailored advice for clients and general insights for non-clients. Additionally, the episode covers significant news events, including the removal of Bashar al-Assad, economic updates such as job numbers and office leasing stats in NYC, and the evolving situation with the Federal Reserve and TikTok legislation. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:10 Market Performance and Sector Analysis 04:45 Investment Principles and Market Sentiment 08:05 Global News and Political Updates 12:40 Economic Indicators and Policy Insights 16:25 Energy Sector and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 6, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4glLb5A Election Updates, Economic Appointments, and Market Analysis In this episode of The Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen discusses recent economic appointments in the Trump administration, their potential impacts on markets and regulations, and compares current and potential future policies on trade, tariffs, and taxes. Notable mentions include Paul Atkins’ appointment to the SEC, Kelly Loeffler heading the SBA, and David Perdue as U.S. Ambassador to China. Bahnsen also analyzes market trends, bond yields, and economic indicators for the upcoming year. 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Update 01:48 Economic Appointments and Their Impact 06:37 Trade and Tariff Policies 10:39 Market Reactions and Predictions 12:10 Tax Policy Insights 13:45 Global Economic Events 14:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 5, 2024

Market Recap & Investment Strategies: December 5th Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on December 5th, Brian Szytel discusses the day's market activity, noting a modest downturn with the Dow closing down 248 points. He reviews key economic data, including the U.S. trade deficit and initial jobless claims, and highlights positive overall economic sentiment. Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell's comments on interest rates are explored, alongside implications for different investment sectors. Szytel also addresses questions about the tax efficiency of dividend growth portfolios, providing insights into optimal placement of various asset classes in different types of accounts. Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for the long-form edition and to reach out with further questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:51 Economic Indicators and Job Market 01:56 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates 02:38 Impact on Various Sectors 03:35 Dividend Growth Portfolio Strategies 05:36 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 4, 2024

Market Rally and Housing Insights - December 4th Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a comprehensive overview of the market's performance on December 4th from West Palm Beach, Florida. He highlights the 11th positive market day out of the last 12, with the Dow Jones up 308 points, S&P 500 up 0.6%, and NASDAQ up 1.3%. Economic data discussed include the ADP private payroll number, ISM services index, and dovish comments from Federal Reserve governors impacting interest rates. Additionally, Brian offers an in-depth analysis of the current housing market, highlighting high mortgage rates, low supply, and the effects of demographic factors. He concludes by noting the impactful trends and encouraging listeners to reach out with questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:31 Economic Indicators and Market Reactions 01:55 Interest Rates and Housing Market Insights 03:08 Housing Market Trends and Demographics 04:40 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 3, 2024

Daily Market Recap and Economic Insights - December 3 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from West Palm Beach, Florida, delivers a daily market recap for December 3. The Dow closed down 76 points, while S&P and NASDAQ ended in positive territory. The ten-year yield rose by three basis points, and the October JOLTS report indicated an increase in job openings. Several Federal Reserve governors spoke, signaling a likely December rate cut, boosting market optimism. The episode also previewed upcoming employment reports, predicting that data dependency will drive future economic policies. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:30 Economic Indicators and Job Market 01:27 Federal Reserve Updates 01:58 Upcoming Employment Reports 02:08 Fed Governors' Statements 03:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 2, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4iiTYHk Market Reactions, Economic Updates, and Policy Implications: December Kickoff In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen reflects on a successful Thanksgiving weekend and assesses the recent positive trends in the market, particularly in November. He explains the impact of the election, economic optimism, and the Federal Reserve’s stance on the market's performance. Bahnsen also provides insights into various sectors, including technology, financials, and utilities, and notes the impressive breadth of the market. He previews his upcoming year-end white paper. The episode also discusses changes in the bond market, emerging market performance, and addresses a question on Bitcoin's speculative nature. Additionally, there is a focus on current economic data, policy changes, and potential future market impacts. The episode concludes with a tribute to the late Art Cashin, a legendary figure on Wall Street. 00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Reflections 00:28 Market Performance in November 01:15 Year-End Research and White Paper Preparation 02:25 Daily Market Recap 03:10 Sector Performance and Market Breadth 04:50 Emerging Markets and Bitcoin Insights 06:21 Policy Updates and Economic Data 13:32 Housing Market and Fed Expectations 15:23 Bitcoin Speculation and Final Thoughts 17:40 Tribute to Art Cashin Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 27, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/498COrs Thanksgiving Reflections at Dividend Cafe In this special Thanksgiving edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, managing partner and founder of The Bahnsen Group, shares his gratitude for clients and team members. He highlights the unique culture and growth of the organization, thanking key leaders and departments for their hard work and dedication. Bahnsen also reflects on the intellectual journey of creating content and emphasizes the importance of client-centric values. He concludes with personal thanks and well wishes for a happy Thanksgiving. 00:00 Welcome to the Thanksgiving Edition of Dividend Cafe 00:55 The Joy of Creating Content 01:31 Thanksgiving Reflections: Gratitude for Clients 03:14 Celebrating the Bahnsen Group's Growth 04:09 Acknowledging the Team's Hard Work 05:57 The Vital Role of Operations and Administration 07:21 The Planning and Risk Management Departments 08:46 Investment Solutions and Content Creation 10:57 The Success of the Tax Department 11:38 Final Words of Gratitude Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 26, 2024

Market Recovery, Fed Minutes, and Holiday Preparations - Dividend Cafe Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, airing on Tuesday, November 26th, Brian Szytel discusses the day's market activity, including a morning sell-off that transformed into a positive momentum by the end of the trading session. Key topics include the Federal Reserve's minutes and expectations on rate cuts, significant drops in October's new home sales, and consumer confidence statistics. Additional discussions cover potential new tariffs announced by the Trump administration and developments in biotech concerning GLP-1 treatments. As the year-end approaches, Brian also addresses actions like required minimum distributions and tax loss harvesting, while wishing viewers a happy Thanksgiving. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:45 Federal Reserve Insights 01:51 Housing Market Update 02:18 Consumer Confidence and Inflation 02:37 Tariffs and Trade Policies 03:12 Pharmaceutical News and Investments 04:06 Year-End Financial Planning 04:34 Conclusion and Thanksgiving Wishes Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 25, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4eLbosP Thanksgiving Week Market Recap and Key Economic Updates In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, managing partner at The Bahnsen Group, presents a market breakdown and discusses significant economic events. The Dow sees a noteworthy rise of 440 points while the bond market experiences a significant drop in rates. Bahnsen also shares insights on sector performances, the positive sentiment in U.S. households regarding stock returns, and Scott Bessing's nomination as the next treasury secretary. Other appointments and economic policies are examined, along with market sentiment surveys and housing loan statistics. The episode concludes with personal reflections on Thanksgiving week and sports victories. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:37 Stock Market Highlights 01:45 Bond Market Insights 02:52 Economic Sentiment Analysis 03:56 Treasury Secretary Announcement 05:55 Policy Objectives and Economic Goals 07:37 Additional Appointments and Speculations 08:33 Financial Regulation Updates 09:15 HELOC Balances and Mortgage Rates 10:29 Thanksgiving Dinner Costs and Doomsdayism 11:30 Closing Remarks and Personal Updates Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 22, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/491vGxa Thanksgiving Special: Index Investing and Its Impact In this episode of The Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Managing Partner at The Bahnsen Group, discusses the implications of index investing on non-index investors, especially those following a philosophy of active investment focusing on dividend growth stocks. Bahnsen explores the mathematical realities of index investing, how its growing concentration affects market volatility and liquidity, and why it poses both challenges and opportunities for active managers. Additionally, he touches on current economic updates, the rationale behind Gen Z's financial perspectives, and the latest from the Trump administration regarding economic cabinet roles. 00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Plans 00:54 Election Aftermath and Policy Expectations 01:50 Index Investing and Its Impact 04:21 Liquidity and Volatility in Markets 11:25 Understanding Investment Spreads 15:10 Economic Sentiments and Housing 17:56 Administration's Economic Plans 20:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 21, 2024

Market Recap and Economic Insights - November 21 Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the positive performance of the equity markets on November 21st, highlighting a 461-point rise in the Dow, a modest increase in the S&P, and a flat Nasdaq. He covers the economic side, including better-than-expected initial unemployment claims, a contraction in the Philly Fed manufacturing index, and strong existing home sales. Szytel also provides insights into future market expectations, emphasizing realistic expectations for index returns and a focus on dividend income given current valuations. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming content for the holiday week. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:44 Economic Indicators and Labor Market Insights 01:17 Manufacturing and Housing Market Update 01:47 Market Expectations and Valuation Analysis 03:32 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 20, 2024

Market Recap and Insights: November 20th Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the mixed market performance for Wednesday, November 20th, with the Dow down 120 points, S&P down 0.1%, and Nasdaq down 0.25%. He provides updates on the 10-year yield, which increased by 2 basis points, resulting in a slightly positive yield curve. Brian also touches on large-cap tech earnings, potential U.S. Treasury Secretary candidate Mark Rowan, and the market's response to previous and potential future Trump administration policies. He highlights upcoming economic data releases, including initial claims, Philly Fed manufacturing data, existing home sales, and University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment PMI data. Lastly, comments from Fed Governors Cook and Bowman on interest rates and inflation are mentioned. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:47 Economic Data and Earnings Reports 01:06 Political Developments and Market Implications 02:35 Interest Rates and Economic Cycles 03:25 Corporate Tax Rates and Future Outlook 04:25 Upcoming Economic Data 04:42 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 19, 2024

Market Update: Positive Earnings Amid Geopolitical Tensions - November 19 In today's episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel recaps a generally positive day in the market despite geopolitical tensions involving Ukraine and Russia. The bond market saw slight increases, with the 10-year yield closing at 4.40%. The Dow ended down 120 points but recovered significantly from a 500-point drop earlier in the day, driven by positive earnings reports from major companies. Economic news highlighted disappointing new housing starts and building permits, likely affected by hurricanes and rising interest rates. The episode also touches on the ongoing selection of Trump's administrative team. Overall, it was a relatively quiet day with low volatility and no major economic announcements expected in the immediate future. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:22 Geopolitical Tensions and Market Reactions 01:00 Economic Data: Housing Starts and Permits 01:41 Upcoming Economic News and Market Sentiment 02:04 Political Updates and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 18, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4fUvrpK Monday Market Recap and Current Economic Updates In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen delivers a comprehensive summary of the market's current state, noting that the Dow closed the day down by 55 points while the S&P and NASDAQ saw slight gains. The segment highlights the top-performing energy sector and provides details on bond yields, including the noteworthy un-inversion of the yield curve for the first time in two years. David touches on the financial influence of the 'Magnificent Seven' companies on the S&P 500, and discusses disparities within the semiconductor sector. Additionally, various political updates are given, including the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court's ruling on illegal ballots and President Biden's decision regarding Ukraine's use of long-range missiles. The episode also covers Trump transition team appointments, particularly in economic and energy sectors. Industrial production stats, retail sales data, and Fed rate expectations are reviewed, along with a resilience in midstream energy assets despite fluctuating oil prices. David concludes by pointing to further reading and engagement through Dividend Cafe and anticipates additional updates throughout the week. 00:00 Introduction and Market Summary 00:48 Market Performance and Sector Highlights 01:23 Bond Yields and Yield Curve Inversion 02:10 MAG 7 and Semiconductor Sector Analysis 03:42 Electoral News and Ukraine Update 04:38 Trump Transition and Key Appointments 07:41 Economic Indicators and Fed Expectations 09:59 Energy Sector and Midstream Performance 12:18 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 15, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3CrSyd5 A Comprehensive Post-Election Analysis and Market Implications In this special episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Managing Partner at The Bahnsen Group, delivers an in-depth post-election recap and its market implications. David analyzes the recent election results, focusing on the anti-incumbency trend, significant political appointments, and their potential impacts on various sectors, including energy and pharmaceuticals. He discusses key expected legislative priorities, such as tax reforms and regulatory changes, and evaluates their probable effects on the market. The episode concludes with insights into the economic backdrop and valuation realities for investors. 00:00 Introduction and Post-Election Recap 03:09 Analyzing the Election Results 05:47 Impact of Personnel on Policy 09:38 Key Appointments and Market Implications 12:10 Government Efficiency and Deregulation 14:44 Legislative Priorities and Tax Reforms 19:07 Social Security and Healthcare 22:02 Market Outlook and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 14, 2024

Market Recap and Economic Insights: November 14th Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market recap for Thursday, November 14th. Stocks had a generally negative day with the Dow down 207 points and the S&P and Nasdaq down around six-tenths of a percent. The bond market remained flat. Comments from Jay Powell suggesting a cautious approach to cutting rates contributed to some late-day selling pressure. Economic updates included inflation figures with the PPI showing a 2.4% year-over-year increase and initial jobless claims at 217,000. The episode also discusses the impact of shelter costs on CPI and touches on property tax assessment issues relevant to California residents. Tune in for more insights and stay informed about the economic landscape. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:30 Federal Reserve and Interest Rates 01:02 Economic Indicators and Inflation 01:43 Job Market and Economic Growth 02:05 Shelter Costs and CPI Calculation 03:32 California Property Tax Assessment 04:11 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 13, 2024

Market Insights and Investment Strategies on Dividend Cafe In this November 13th episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group provides a comprehensive update on the current market dynamics from their Newport Beach headquarters. He discusses the relatively flat market performance with slight gains in the Dow, S&P, and minimal change in NASDAQ, alongside a decrease in volatility and an uptick in the 10-year yield. The episode covers the alignment of CPI with expectations, easing inflation concerns, improved third-quarter earnings, and fiscal and monetary policy's impact on market conditions. Brian emphasizes the importance of revisiting asset allocation, advocating for selective investment strategies over momentum chasing, and incorporating bonds and alternative assets into the portfolio. Ultimately, he reassures listeners about the potential value in the current market and encourages them to stay engaged with thoughtful and diversified investment choices. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:27 Inflation and Market Reactions 01:31 Market Performance and Bond Yields 03:36 Investment Strategies and Recommendations 05:08 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 12, 2024

Market Update and Economic Insights - November 12th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from The Bahnsen Group provides a comprehensive market update from their Newport Beach office. The Dow Jones fell 382 points, the S&P 500 dropped 0.3%, and Nasdaq remained flat. Key points discussed include the recent fluctuations in the market following the post-election rally, the notable rise in interest rates with the 10-year Treasury yield closing at 4.43%, and the impact of better-than-expected growth numbers. Brian also touches on the strengthening dollar, the shifting political landscape in Congress, and upcoming economic data releases, including the anticipated CPI report. Federal Reserve comments on restrictive Fed funds and inflation are also highlighted. The session concludes with an acknowledgment of the market as a discounting mechanism and a reminder to consider the difference between policy announcements and actual implementations. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:14 Market Overview: A Day in Stocks 00:51 Interest Rates and Treasury Yields 01:27 Political Landscape and Market Impact 02:39 Economic Data and Surveys 03:32 Federal Reserve Insights 03:46 Inflation Expectations and Market Predictions 05:26 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 11, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3YHm5qE Market Insights on Veterans Day: Stock Movements, Credit Confidence, and Policy Updates In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, recorded at the New York office, David discusses the unique market conditions on Veterans Day, where stock markets are open, but bond markets and banks are closed. Key topics include the stock market performance, with the Dow rising by over 300 points while big tech sectors fell. The conversation touches on the ongoing market breadth, low volatility as indicated by the VIX, and tightening credit spreads, suggesting both bullish indicators and potential market complacency. Additionally, upcoming policy changes under the new administration are reviewed, along with oil price fluctuations and potential long-term debt issuance by the Treasury. The episode concludes with a note on upcoming meetings between Presidents Biden and Trump and encourages the audience to send their questions to be addressed in future episodes. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 01:04 Stock Market Performance on Veterans Day 01:28 Sector Analysis and Market Breadth 03:00 Credit Markets and Economic Indicators 04:42 Valuations and Investment Strategies 06:56 Public Policy and Election Ramifications 09:19 Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Policy 12:32 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 8, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3NZ3m4H Post-Election Analysis: Market Implications and Policy Expectations In this post-election edition of Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen, managing partner at The Bahnsen Group, delves into the election results and their potential impacts on markets and policies. Bahnsen discusses the anticipated appointments in the Trump administration, the importance of personnel in shaping policy, and the likely economic outcomes such as tax policies, deregulation, and energy sector changes. He also touches on foreign policy issues like Ukraine, the stability of financial markets, and the role of regulatory bodies. Throughout, Bahnsen maintains a focus on objective analysis, despite recognizing the polarizing political landscape. 00:00 Introduction and Post-Election Overview 00:30 Election Results and Market Implications 01:33 Personnel Announcements and Policy Expectations 03:29 Political Beliefs and Market Objectivity 07:06 Market Reactions and Economic Growth 13:24 Energy Policies and Production Insights 15:42 Foreign Policy and Rebuilding Ukraine 17:22 Federal Reserve and Key Appointments 19:10 Odds and Ends: TikTok, Crypto, and More 19:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 7, 2024

Market Follow-Through and FOMC Rate Cut Analysis In this episode of Dividend Cafe, hosted by Brian Szytel on November 7, key financial market movements are discussed, including a flat Dow after the previous day's significant 3.5% rise, and modest gains in the S&P and NASDAQ. The podcast details the Federal Reserve's latest FOMC meeting, which resulted in a 25 basis point interest rate cut, bringing the range to 4.5%-4.75%. The host highlights the day's market dynamics, with previously leading sectors falling back and tech companies rebounding, driven by changes in bond yields. Employment data remained consistent with expectations, and the volatility index (VIX) saw a substantial drop, signaling market optimism. Listeners are encouraged to stay tuned for more in-depth analysis in the upcoming long-form episode. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:28 Sector Performance Analysis 00:55 Federal Reserve Meeting Insights 02:09 Employment Data and Market Sentiment 02:31 Volatility and Market Outlook 02:54 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 6, 2024

Market Surge Post-Election: Analyzing a Historic Day In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports on a significant market surge following the presidential election on November 6th. The Dow rose by 1,508 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq also saw considerable gains. This increase occurred due to a strong turnout on the Republican side, with Donald Trump winning the Electoral College and potentially securing the 47th presidency. The market saw sectors like financials and industrials flourish, whereas interest-rate-sensitive sectors lagged. Brian also previews upcoming economic data and FOMC meeting outcomes expected to influence the market. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:23 Election Results Impact on Markets 01:41 Sector Performance Analysis 02:17 Upcoming Economic Events 02:59 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 5, 2024

Election Day Market Update: Positive Movements and Economic Insights On Tuesday, November 5th, Brian Szytel provides a market update from West Palm Beach, Florida. Despite the busyness of election day, the markets showed positive movement, with the Dow rising 427 points, the S&P up 1.25%, and the Nasdaq up 1.4%. Bond yields also saw a slight drop. An anecdote features a sighting of Trump's motorcade. Economic highlights include a strong ISM services number for October, the highest in two years, and a notable increase in the trade deficit for September. The mix of higher growth and lower inflation figures contributed to the day's market optimism. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:40 Election Day Anecdote 01:14 Economic Data Highlights 01:51 Trade Deficit Insights 02:23 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 4, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Ao6vbh Market Insights & Election Uncertainty: Navigating the Week Ahead In this episode of Monday's Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at The Bahnsen Group, discusses market activity, public policy, the Federal Reserve, housing, and economic data ahead of the upcoming election. He highlights market volatility and the uncertainty surrounding closely contested elections, with battleground states showing tight polling results. He addresses current economic indicators such as job creation, bond yields, and the performance of different market sectors. Bahnsen also comments on China’s housing market, the expected Fed rate cut, and the contrasting perspectives in economic growth between the U.S. and Europe. The episode concludes with an invitation for listener questions and a note on potential election-related updates later in the week. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:38 Election Impact on Markets 02:06 Market Volatility and Polling Analysis 08:20 Jobs Report and Economic Indicators 09:35 Federal Reserve and Energy Sector Update 10:17 GDP Growth and International Exposure 11:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 1, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3UxOxda Election and Economic Insights: November Dividend Cafe with David Bahnsen In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Managing Partner at The Bahnsen Group, discusses key topics as the U.S. approaches the 2024 election. From his New York City office, David addresses the outlook of the election, the future role of tariffs, and the influence of the Federal Trade Commission and its Commissioner, Lina Khan. He explores potential impacts on monetary policy and the Federal Reserve's actions, commercial real estate loans, and the implications of a Trump or Harris administration on market dynamics. David also touches on the volatility of the yen and concludes with insights on the proportion of the S&P 500 represented by a small number of companies. Stay tuned for Monday's Dividend Cafe episode on economic data and housing updates. 00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene 00:30 Election and Tariff Talk 04:04 Federal Trade Commission and Regulatory Insights 06:47 Federal Reserve and Monetary Policy Speculations 10:35 Commercial Real Estate and Corporate Credit Outlook 15:28 Currency Dynamics and Market Volatility 18:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 31, 2024

Market Recap and Investment Strategies - October 31st Edition In this Halloween edition of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the down day in the markets, highlighting a 2.76% drop in the NASDAQ and a 378 point drop in the Dow. Key economic updates include a flat interest rate, PCE inflation numbers aligning with the Fed's targets, and lower than expected jobless claims. Brian also elaborates on the investment methodology, focusing on a blend of quantitative screens and in-depth fundamental analysis. Additionally, he emphasizes the undervalued utility sector, which is poised for growth due to increased electricity demands from data centers. He concludes with a personal note on Halloween festivities. 00:00 Market Recap: Halloween Edition 00:45 Economic Indicators and Inflation Insights 01:18 Employment and Wage Trends 02:12 Investment Methodology Explained 03:55 Utilities: The Underappreciated Sector 05:06 Closing Thoughts and Halloween Wishes Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 30, 2024

Market Recap: Earnings, Payrolls, and Economic Data In today's Dividend Cafe episode from October 30th, Brian Szytel provides an overview of the current market trends from West Palm Beach, Florida. The day saw a slight market downturn despite positive data on earnings and economic indicators. The ADP private payroll report exceeded expectations, with new private payroll gains at 233 compared to the expected 113. Interest rates slightly increased, closing up three basis points on the 10-year note. There was also better-than-expected preliminary third-quarter GDP growth at 2.8%, driven by consumer spending. Brian discussed market sensitivity to interest rates and the upcoming PCE inflation read and non-farm payroll report. The episode also addressed the complexities of trading around the election and a question on energy rig counts and productivity. Looking ahead, Brian will return to discuss the implications of the PCE data on the economy and markets. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:18 Economic Data Highlights 00:40 Interest Rates and Market Reactions 01:11 Upcoming Economic Reports 01:24 GDP and Consumer Spending Insights 01:58 Election Trading Strategies 02:43 Energy Sector Update 03:05 Conclusion and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 29, 2024

Market Update and Earnings Insights: October 29 Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel presents an overview of the market conditions on October 29, 2023, reporting mixed results with the Dow down 154 points, the S&P slightly positive, and the NASDAQ up by 0.7%. Key topics include the impact of earnings reports from major companies, the movement in 10-year bond yields, and job openings data. Brian also addresses a viewer question on the merits of index ETFs versus actively managed funds in the municipal bond space, emphasizing the importance of active management. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming economic data releases. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:47 Bond Yields and Job Market Insights 01:43 Upcoming Economic Events and Market Impact 02:06 Investment Strategies: Active vs. Passive Management 03:30 Conclusion and Upcoming Reports Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 28, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4hkQJOZ In this episode, David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer at The Bahnsen Group, provides a detailed market recap, highlighting the recent rise in the Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ, and increases in bond yields. He mentions NVIDIA's impressive market cap and sector performances, noting financials' gains amid declines in energy. Bahnsen also shares insights into the upcoming U.S. election, drawing parallels with Japan's parliamentary changes, and discusses global public policy, economic data, and energy production. Additionally, the episode covers significant health advancements, including malaria eradication in Egypt, and discusses the broader economic implications of past budget deficits, especially during Ronald Reagan's presidency. The episode concludes by touching on the current earnings season and hinting at a forthcoming significant event.1 00:00 Welcome to Monday Dividend Cafe 01:03 Market Overview and Key Highlights 01:43 Tech Sector Insights and Trivia 02:15 Bond Yields and Market Reactions 03:31 Sector Performance and Oil Price Dynamics 04:18 U.S. Election and Voter Sentiments 04:51 Turnout vs. Persuasion in Elections 05:12 Japan's Political Shift 05:45 Election Polls and Predictions 06:42 Economic Indicators and Market Trends 07:18 Energy Production Insights 07:55 Electricity Demand and Data Centers 09:06 Global Health Milestones 09:35 Historical Budget Deficits 10:22 Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 25, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3UiSoe3 Navigating Market Dynamics Amidst the 2024 Election: Insights and Strategies In this special edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen delves into the 2024 election's potential market impacts, answering viewer questions about various outcomes, such as a Trump or Harris win with a Republican Senate. The discussion highlights the difficulty of predicting market reactions to election results, touching on speculative sectors like crypto and private prisons, and advising against short-term trading based on predictions. The episode also explores the economic implications of tariffs, the interplay between gas prices and elections, and the influence of national debt on growth. Bahnsen underscores the significant role of public opinion in driving fiscal policy changes, emphasizing the electorate's responsibility in addressing the U.S. debt situation. Throughout, there's a focus on market sentiment, economic expectations, and anticipating sector-specific movements in response to election outcomes. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:49 Election 2024: Key Questions and Context 03:10 Market Implications of Senate Control 06:35 Analyzing the Presidential Race 10:07 Speculative Trades and Market Reactions 12:42 Potential Advisors and Cabinet Members 15:37 Speculations on a Second Trump Term 16:40 Market Expectations Leading Up to the Election 18:03 The Impact of Tariffs on the Economy 19:33 Political Dysfunction and Financial Assets 21:49 Gas Prices and Election Correlation 23:05 Fracking and Energy Policies 24:38 Emerging Markets and the Election 25:56 National Debt and Economic Growth 27:09 Catalysts for Addressing U.S. Debt 28:02 Final Thoughts and Viewer Questions Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 24, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3UiSoe3 Market Overview and Economic Data Insights - October 24th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the mixed performance in the markets on October 24th, with the S&P 500 up 0.21%, Nasdaq up 0.76%, and the Dow down 140 points. He highlights a decline in interest rates driven by economic data, including better-than-expected initial jobless claims and mixed PMI data showing services outperforming manufacturing. Szytel notes a significant drop in prices paid in the services sector, suggesting potential disinflationary trends. He also touches on new home sales and the implications of rising interest rates amid expanding debts and deficits. The episode concludes with a mention of NVIDIA's market cap comparison to G7 countries and the performance of defensive equity portfolios. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:26 Economic Data Insights 01:23 PMI Data Analysis 02:22 Interest Rates and Fiscal Policy 03:14 NVIDIA Market Cap Commentary 03:40 Client Portfolio Performance 04:18 Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 23, 2024

Market Downturns and Rising Interest Rates: Insights from Dividend Cafe In this October 23rd episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel discusses the latest downward trends in the equity market, with the Dow down 409 points, the S&P down nine-tenths of a percent, and the Nasdaq down 1.6 percent. The primary factors contributing to this are rising bond market yields, now at 4.25% for 10-year bonds. The episode explores the impact of these changes on various sectors including housing, where existing home sales have declined by 1%, hitting numbers last seen in September 2010. Additionally, the Beige Book Survey indicates flat or slightly declining economic activity in nine out of twelve precincts, and the Bank of Canada has cut rates by 50 basis points. Brian also anticipates upcoming economic reports on initial claims, flash PMI data, and new home sales. 00:00 Market Overview and Key Indices Performance 00:21 Impact of Rising Bond Yields 01:05 Housing Market Analysis 02:28 Personal Anecdote on Real Estate 02:58 Current Real Estate Market Dynamics 04:14 Economic Indicators and Predictions 04:51 Upcoming Economic Data and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 22, 2024

Market Insights and Economic Outlook - October 22nd Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an analysis of the day's market performance, noting minimal changes in major indices with the Dow down by six points, S&P slightly negative, and Nasdaq slightly positive. He discusses the rise in 10-year Treasury yields and attributes stock market movements to fundamental factors including positive earnings and economic growth, rather than political speculation. Szytel also addresses elevated volatility and political uncertainty, emphasizing the importance of focusing on fundamentals. Additional updates include comments from San Francisco Fed President Daley on interest rates and upcoming economic data releases. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:19 Interest Rates and Bond Market Insights 00:38 Political Influence on Markets 02:27 Focus on Fundamentals 02:36 Economic News and Upcoming Data 03:26 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 21, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4hfQk0k Dividend Cafe: Market Movements, Economic Indicators & Financial Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David provides an in-depth analysis of current market dynamics, including stock market movements, bond yields, and economic indicators as the election approaches. Detailed discussions cover shifts in global GDP from major economies such as the U.S., China, and Japan, as well as updates on the housing market with a focus on housing starts and mortgage applications. The episode also reviews the recent performance of energy markets, particularly oil and natural gas pipeline companies, and explores the concept of a neutral interest rate's impact on economic stability. The episode concludes with a preview of upcoming content, including a special Q&A session. 00:00 Welcome to the Monday Edition of Dividend Cafe 01:06 Market Recap: Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ Performance 03:49 Historical Economic Insights: US, China, and Japan 06:11 India's Economic Growth and Future Projections 06:46 Bitcoin and NASDAQ Correlation 07:19 Election Insights and Market Implications 08:22 Economic Overview: Retail Sales and Unemployment 09:01 Housing Market Insights: Declining Starts and Sentiment 10:27 Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Predictions 10:55 Energy Sector Update: Oil and Natural Gas 11:42 Addressing Doomsdayism and Modern Farming 12:08 Interest Rates: Finding the Sweet Spot 15:06 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 18, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48eT1eh Navigating Market Valuations and Strategic Investments Amid Election Outcomes In this week's Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen from The Bahnsen Group examines the complexities of market valuations, focusing on the significance of the price to earnings ratio and the importance of sector-specific valuations. He discusses the implications of holding heavily weighted indexes like the S&P 500, emphasizing the need for understanding one's investment strategy, especially in the context of market-wide and sector-specific overvaluation. The episode also explores the concept of dividend growth investing and differentiates between valuation and volatility, stressing the long-term risks of high valuations. David explains his system to avoid overvalued assets and shares insights on government debt, supported by a chart on average returns based on forward valuations. Viewers are invited to submit questions for an upcoming special episode on the economic impact of the election. 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of Dividend Cafe 00:42 Election Impact and Viewer Questions 03:57 Valuations and Market Multiples Explained 08:28 Sector Valuations and Market Concentration 11:36 Investment Philosophy and Strategic Allocation 11:58 Understanding Market Overvaluation 12:55 Strategies for Dealing with Overvaluation 13:24 The Role of Investor Behavior 14:24 Valuation Across Asset Classes 15:51 Volatility vs. Overvaluation 17:33 The Fear of Permanent Loss 19:07 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 17, 2024

In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel delivers a market and economic update for October 17th. The Dow showed a positive gain of 161 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq remained flat. Interest rates saw a slight increase, with the 10-year Treasury note rising 7 basis points to 4.09%. Brian reviewed the latest economic news, including initial jobless claims at 241,000—below expectations, positive retail sales, and the Philadelphia Fed Manufacturing Index showing improvement. Across the Atlantic, the European Central Bank cut rates by 25 basis points to 3.25%, citing slow, yet non-recessionary growth. Inflation in Europe has fallen to 1.8%, while unemployment stands at a historically low 6.4%. Brian also discussed the Phillips Curve's relevance and addressed a reader's question on credit card fees and their impact on inflation. He wrapped up with a reminder about forthcoming housing market data and the Long Form Dividend Cafe report. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:43 Economic Data and Job Market Insights 01:25 Retail Sales and Manufacturing Updates 01:55 European Economic Conditions 02:25 Inflation and Unemployment Analysis 03:40 Credit Card Debt and Inflation 04:48 Conclusion and Upcoming Reports Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 16, 2024

Market Update and Economic Insights: October 16th In this Dividend Cafe episode, Brian Szytel from the Bahnsen Group provides a comprehensive market update from their Newport Beach headquarters. Highlights include a positive day for all three major indices, with the Dow up 337 points, S&P rising by 0.5%, and NASDAQ increasing by 0.28%. Interest rates saw a minor dip, while sectors such as financials, real estate, and utilities experienced significant gains. Import prices dropped more than expected, largely due to a fall in fuel prices. Mortgage rates increased by 16 basis points, and a slight steepening of the yield curve was observed. Upcoming economic data includes initial jobless claims, retail sales, the Philly Fed manufacturing index, and industrial production. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:50 Economic Indicators and Import Prices 01:26 Mortgage Rates and Yield Curve Analysis 02:35 Upcoming Economic Reports 03:01 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 15, 2024

In this episode, recorded on October 15th, host Brian Szytel reports on a generally down day in the markets. The Dow dropped 324 points, the S&P 500 fell by 0.75%, and the NASDAQ decreased by over 1%. He discusses the weaker-than-expected New York Fed Empire State Manufacturing Index and its ramifications. Additionally, he touches on comments from the San Francisco Fed President on interest rates and inflation. Brian highlights recent market activities, including a slight rally in bonds and considerations for small cap exposures in growth equity portfolios. Recommendations for asset allocation and insights from the recent annual asset manager week are also shared, emphasizing the importance of active selectivity and defensiveness. He wraps up with a note on the upcoming election and answers a question about adding a small cap sleeve to the portfolio. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:29 Manufacturing Index and Fed Updates 01:26 Bond Market and Small Cap Exposure 01:45 Asset Allocation Insights 03:09 Small Cap Portfolio Strategy 03:55 Conclusion and Q&A Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 14, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Y9gI2S In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David provides an analysis of the latest market and economic trends. The discussion begins with the unusual trading day where the stock market was open but the bond market remained closed, highlighting a 200-point rise in the Dow and strong performances in the technology and utilities sectors. Attention is given to Broadway's return to pre-COVID attendance levels amidst high ticket prices. David explores the importance of Treasury Department personnel, U.S. debt structure, and its ramifications, along with insights into the producer price index and household debt levels. The housing market remains stagnant, with predictions of mortgage rates staying around 5% until early 2026 and minor Fed rate cuts expected soon. Additionally, there is a focus on the dip in oil prices despite OPEC's reduced demand forecast and the performance of energy stocks. Listeners are advised to visit DividendCafe.com for more detailed analyses on the yield curve, recessions, and the critique of doomsday predictions. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:27 Market Observations and Insights 01:34 Daily Market Performance 02:49 Sector Performance Highlights 03:12 Public Policy and Economic Data 03:42 Treasury Department's Role in Debt Management 05:04 Understanding Treasury Notes and Federal Debt 05:53 Impact of Fed Rate Cuts on Deficit 06:30 Political Tribalization and Election Trends 07:44 Producer Prices and Household Debt Insights 09:07 Broadway Show Attendance and Housing Market 10:24 Fed Rate Cut Expectations and Oil Market 11:15 Final Thoughts and Resources Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 11, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Y5HlWw Strategic Acquisitions and Private Markets: Insights from Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, managing partner at the Bahnsen Group, discusses various financial and investment themes. He covers the importance of his firm's week-long meetings with portfolio managers in New York, where they engaged in portfolio introspection, macroeconomic discussions, and considered potential opportunities and risks. Major topics include inflation, subdued growth expectations due to 'Japanification', and rich stock market valuations with concentrated sector impacts. The focus then shifts to strategic acquisitions in private markets, especially public companies acquiring private firms to address a backlog of unsold businesses, which could result in significant M&A activity. David also highlights the role of private credit in funding leveraged buyouts, emphasizing the robustness and low systemic risk within the private credit market. Listeners are encouraged to explore additional insights and charts on DividendCafe.com. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:33 Portfolio Management Insights 02:00 Macroeconomic Considerations 04:32 Inflation and Growth Expectations 05:52 Valuations and Market Dynamics 06:38 China's Structural Challenges 07:09 Private Markets and Strategic Acquisitions 13:44 The Role of Private Credit 16:54 Conclusion and Additional Resources Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 10, 2024

Market Update and Economic Insights - October 10th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on October 10th, host Brian Szytel discusses the day's quiet market activity, with slight decreases in both the Dow and S&P indices and an unchanged bond market. The CPI report showed a slight increase in inflation, driven primarily by shelter and food costs. Initial jobless claims were higher than expected, partly due to a Boeing strike and Hurricane Helene. The episode also features a Q&A about the potential deflationary environment and its challenges. Listeners are encouraged to reach out with questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:27 Inflation Data Insights 00:53 Jobless Claims and Economic Impact 01:28 Q&A on Inflation and Deflation 01:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 9, 2024

Market Update and Economic Insights Amidst Hurricane Threat The October 9th edition of Dividend Cafe discusses the positive trends in the stock market, with the Dow rising 431 points and the S&P and NASDAQ also seeing gains. The video highlights a slight increase in interest rates due to favorable economic data and the FOMC's leaning towards a 50 basis point rate cut, focusing more on employment than inflation, which appears to be subsiding. Meanwhile, Hurricane Milton's impact on Florida and its potential effects on oil production are noted, leading to fluctuations in the energy market with heightened volatility and bullish sentiment in oil prices. The episode also addresses the concept of money velocity post-financial crisis and its implications on economic demand. Viewers are encouraged to reach out with questions and are offered thoughts and prayers for those in the Gulf amid the hurricane threat. 00:00 Market Overview and Positive Day Recap 00:41 Federal Reserve Meeting Insights 01:14 Hurricane Milton and Market Impact 01:48 Energy Market Volatility 03:11 Understanding Money Supply and Velocity 04:23 Closing Remarks and Well Wishes Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 8, 2024

Market Updates and Economic Concerns on October 8th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an overview of the financial markets on October 8th. The Dow closed up by about 126 points, and the S&P and NASDAQ showed positive returns as well. Interest rates showed a slight downward movement, and a bond auction did not meet expectations. The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index rose marginally, but remains lower than the historical average. Concerns loom over the upcoming election and its effects on taxes and inflation. Market concerns also focus on Hurricane Milton, which has been downgraded to a category four storm but still poses a significant threat to central Florida. The U.S. trade deficit was slightly lower than expected, due to increased oil exports. The host extends thoughts and prayers to those affected in Florida and invites listener questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:08 Economic Calendar and Market Performance 00:44 Small Business Optimism and Economic Concerns 01:23 Hurricane Milton Update 02:01 Trade Data Insights Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 7, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4dAvbL5 Dividend Cafe: Market Insights and Global Events Impact On this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer of the Bahnsen Group, discusses significant market trends and global events affecting the economy. He covers various topics including the recent jobs report, market performance, especially in tech stocks and IPO activity, and the dynamics of monetary policy with a focus on upcoming Fed rate decisions. The episode delves into dividend growth investing, highlighting the evolving role of dividends and stock buybacks in total returns and dives into geopolitical tensions, particularly the aftermath of the Hamas attack on Israel. The discussion ends with notable economic stories such as Argentina's public policy shift on rent control. Bahnsen invites financial advisors to engage directly with him for specialized content and closes by promoting additional content available on the Dividend Cafe platform. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:44 Housekeeping and Announcements 03:27 Market Recap and Analysis 10:06 Geopolitical Tensions and Impacts 12:32 Economic Data and Housing Market 15:02 Energy Sector Insights 16:07 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 4, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4gJcvvo China's Market Shift and Economic Challenges In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen discusses recent developments concerning China's economy and market performance. Bahnsen highlights China's underperformance in comparison to the S&P 500 and the subsequent market rally triggered by policy interventions from the Chinese government. Key issues in China include declining GDP growth, high youth unemployment, and a housing market crisis affecting economic stability. The Chinese government is addressing these challenges with monetary policy changes, including rate reductions and increased public debt. Bahnsen explains how these measures draw parallels to past economic bubbles in the U.S. and Japan. Despite the short-term market rally, Bahnsen is cautious about the long-term impact, emphasizing potential global economic repercussions and trade dynamics influenced by upcoming U.S. elections. The episode underscores a prudent investment approach, advocating for consistent philosophy amidst volatile market conditions. 00:00 Introduction and Recent Meetings Recap 00:55 China's Market Performance and Sentiment Shift 03:00 Economic Challenges in China 04:45 Policy Responses and Measures 07:15 Comparative Analysis and Historical Context 10:19 Investment Implications and Future Outlook 14:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 3, 2024

Market Updates and Dividend Strategies: October 3rd In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market update from New York City, noting a decrease in the Dow and S&P and a slight increase in the 10-year yield. Key economic indicators include above-expectation initial jobless claims and a positive Services PMI. Dividend reinvestment strategies are discussed, highlighting customization based on client needs. The episode also examines the relative performance of the US dollar amid geopolitical tensions and global monetary policies, emphasizing its role as a safe haven in times of unrest. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:31 Economic Indicators and Jobless Claims 01:23 Dividends and Portfolio Management 02:29 Currency and Dollar Dynamics 04:20 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 2, 2024

Market Updates and Economic Insights: October 2nd Edition In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel reports from New York City during his annual asset manager trip. He provides a market update for October 2nd, noting a quiet day for stocks with minor movements in the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq. Szytel also discusses economic data, including better-than-expected ADP private payroll numbers, and looks ahead to upcoming jobless claims and non-farm payroll reports. Additionally, he delves into China's market trends and the strategy of focusing on individual business fundamentals in the emerging world. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:22 Market Recap: A Quiet Day 00:48 Economic Updates: Payrolls and Job Openings 01:46 China Market Insights 02:38 Investment Strategy and Emerging Markets 03:13 Upcoming Economic Data and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 1, 2024

Economic Update and Market Insights: October 1st Summary In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel provides a market update from New York City on October 1st. He discusses the day's negative market performance influenced by Middle East tension between Iran and Israel, which led to increased oil prices and slight declines in stocks. Key economic data points include unchanged ISA manufacturing data for August and a rise in job openings as per the JOLTS report, indicating a balanced labor market. Szytel also addresses a viewer question on evaluating stock prices and dividends, emphasizing the importance of fundamental analysis over high yields. Overall, the episode delivers a blend of market analysis and economic news with a cautionary note on ongoing geopolitical tensions. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:10 Market Overview and Middle East Tensions 00:42 Economic Calendar Updates 00:57 Labor Market Insights 01:57 Geopolitical Tensions and Market Impact 02:04 Ask TBG: Stock Analysis 02:41 Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 27, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/480e8kF Election 2024: Market Implications and Historical Insights In this week's special edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, managing partner of the Bahnsen Group, provides in-depth political and market commentary ahead of the 2024 election. He discusses the historical implications of different political parties on market performance, the impact of potential election outcomes, and his insights as a lifelong conservative. David emphasizes the resilience of markets regardless of political control, the importance of gridlock, and the nuanced effects on various sectors such as energy and financials. He also highlights the significance of governmental debt, tax policies, and the critical role of personnel in shaping economic policies. For more detailed analysis, charts, and historical data, David directs listeners to the written version available at DividendCafe.com. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 01:05 Historical Context of Elections and Markets 03:54 Partisan Perspectives and Market Impacts 07:55 Market Trends and Political Gridlock 12:25 Sector-Specific Analysis 17:10 Tax Policies and Economic Implications 20:32 Tariffs and Trade Policies 22:49 Debt, Spending, and Long-Term Economic Growth 25:06 Energy Policies and Market Outcomes 27:30 The Importance of Personnel in Policy 30:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 26, 2024

Market Recap and China's Economic Stimulus In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from West Palm Beach, Florida on a generally positive market day. He discusses recent stimuli enacted by the People's Bank of China to spur economic growth, including lowering mortgage and deposit rates. China faces deflation with PPI at -1.8% and significant real estate declines. Despite market weaknesses, global GDP remains relatively stable at 3%. U.S. jobless claims slightly beat expectations, third-quarter GDP remains unchanged at 3%, and durable goods orders exceeded expectations. Chinese stock performance and its impact on U.S. markets are also examined. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:24 China's Economic Stimulus and Its Impact 00:43 Detailed Analysis of China's Economic Indicators 01:46 Global Market Reactions and Future Outlook 02:22 US Economic Data and Market Performance 02:57 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 25, 2024

Market Recap and Insights on Private Credit - September 25th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a comprehensive market recap for September 25th, including fluctuating market figures with the Dow decreasing by 293 points and the S&P down by 0.2%. He discusses the steepening yield curve and a stronger dollar. Further insights include housing market data with new home sales down 4.7%, building permits, and mortgage rates dropping to a two-year low. Brian also addresses questions about private credit and its risks compared to the bond market. Tune in for more economic data updates expected tomorrow, including initial jobless claims, durable goods, GDP revision, and pending home sales. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:57 Market Recap and Economic Data 01:04 Private Credit Market Insights 01:50 Housing Market Update 02:53 Upcoming Economic Data 03:18 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 24, 2024

Market Update & China's Economic Stimulus Analysis - September 24 In today's episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel offers a market overview for September 24. The Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq showed incremental gains, reaching record highs for the year. Significant highlights include a detailed analysis of China's robust economic stimulus measures aimed at revitalizing its sluggish economy, which has prompted rallies in Chinese and commodity stocks. Additionally, the episode covers U.S. consumer sentiment, showing lower than expected figures, and updates on the Richmond manufacturing index and Case-Shiller home price index, exposing a slower rate of home price appreciation. Tune in for more insights and upcoming real estate data. 00:00 Welcome and Market Overview 00:57 Chinese Market Stimulus 03:02 US Consumer Sentiment and Economic Indicators 04:02 Upcoming Data and Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 23, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3MTHck3 Monday Market Recap and Economic Insights: A Dive into Wall Street, the Fed, and Public Policy In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bonson provides a broad overview of market activities and economic insights. The discussion includes the market's performance, the Fed's recent actions, and notable movements in sectors such as energy and healthcare. Commentary on the semiconductor and technology sectors' diverse outcomes is provided, along with a critique of the 'shiny objects' investment trend. Bonson also explores the shifting landscape of corporate debt origination, the escalating geopolitical situation between Israel and Hezbollah, and public policy updates, including U.S. legislative measures and election speculations. The episode concludes with thoughts on the coherence of labor market and economic health indicators, recent housing market statistics, and the potential paths for future Fed rate adjustments. 00:00 Introduction to Monday's Dividend Cafe 00:48 Market Recap: Uneventful Day 01:20 Sector Performance and Tech Analysis 02:58 Shiny Objects and Investment Lessons 05:49 Bond Yields and Corporate Debt 06:26 Private Credit Market Insights 07:26 Geopolitical News and Public Policy 09:33 Presidential Campaign Updates 13:03 Economic Indicators and Housing Market 15:35 Fed's Future Moves and Investment Decisions 17:44 Conclusion and Upcoming Special Issue Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 20, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47CEQzA Understanding Recent Developments in Monetary Policy with Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David dives deep into the intricacies of monetary policy, recording the session after the market closed on Thursday. The discussion covers significant changes in monetary policy over the past 15 years, starting from the financial crisis in 2008 to the current policies in 2023. David explains the impact of interest rates and quantitative tightening on financial markets and the broader economy. Key topics include the actions of the Federal Reserve, the balance between short-term and long-term interest rates, and the implications for various investment strategies. David humorously downplays the idea of finding a 'hot trade' but emphasizes understanding the broader economic context. As the episode concludes, listeners are encouraged to subscribe and look out for the upcoming special election issue of Dividend Cafe. 00:00 Introduction and Overview 01:27 The Importance of Monetary Policy 02:55 A Quick History of Monetary Policy 05:57 Recent Developments and Rate Changes 08:43 Quantitative Tightening Explained 11:29 The Fed's Diverging Policies 16:44 Impact on Markets and Future Outlook 24:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 19, 2024

Market Reaction to Fed's 50 Basis Point Rate Cut In this episode of Dividend Cafe, dated Thursday, September 19th, Brian Szytel reviews the market's positive response to the Federal Reserve's 50 basis point interest rate cut. The Dow rose by over 500 points, and both the S&P and NASDAQ saw significant gains. Despite the rally in risk assets, the 10-year bond yield remained unchanged. Fed Chair Jerome Powell indicated that future rate cuts might not match this recent one as the Fed responds to evolving economic data. Employment data showed signs of softening, but jobless claims beat expectations. Housing numbers were weaker than expected, though prices increased slightly. Manufacturing showed modest improvement, and volatility for the day was lower. The episode concludes with a reminder to tune in for tomorrow's long-form edition and an invitation for viewer questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:08 Fed Rate Cut and Market Reaction 01:04 Employment and Labor Market Insights 01:29 Interest Rates and Economic Indicators 02:25 Housing and Manufacturing Data 02:57 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 18, 2024

Fed Interest Rate Cuts and Market Reactions – September 18 Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from Newport Beach office at TBG headquarters discusses the Federal Reserve's decision to reduce interest rates by 50 basis points, forecasting another 100 basis point cut by the end of 2025. He gives a detailed analysis of the interest rate trajectory, market reactions including Dow's closing, and bond market trends. He also highlights the August housing starts, which exceeded expectations, and upcoming economic indicators like jobless claims and manufacturing data. Brian invites questions and looks forward to the next update. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:11 Federal Reserve Meeting Summary 01:32 Market Reactions and Analysis 02:19 Housing Market Updates 02:47 Upcoming Economic Data 02:59 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 17, 2024

Market Insights Ahead of Fed Decision - September 17 Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market update from the Newport Beach office on Tuesday, September 17. The day saw relatively quiet trading with slight fluctuations as the market anticipates the Federal Reserve's decision on interest rate policy. Key points discussed include better-than-expected retail sales and significant improvements in industrial production, particularly influenced by the auto sector. The bond market and potential Federal Reserve rate cuts are also analyzed, highlighting concerns about market pricing and corporate earnings expectations. The episode concludes with a look ahead to the Fed's upcoming policy meeting. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:30 Retail Sales and Industrial Production Insights 01:08 Bond Market and Fed Expectations 02:11 Market Pricing and Future Outlook 02:45 Conclusion and Upcoming Fed Meeting Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 16, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4eJ46qf Monday Market Update: Fed Policies, US Steel Deal, and Economic Trends In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David provides an update on the current state of the market, touching on various topics including public policy, the Federal Reserve, housing, and the economy. Key highlights include the proposed acquisition of US Steel by Nippon Steel and the Biden administration's stance on blocking the deal. Market performance is discussed, with the Dow Jones hitting an all-time high, while tech stocks underperform. The host also covers trends in bond yields, foreign investment in US Treasury debt, and current US corporate earnings projections. Additional topics include the New York Manufacturing Index, the rising number of 401k plan participants, and mortgage-free homes in the US. The episode wraps up with thoughts on the state of the office market, particularly in Singapore, and Amazon's policy change requiring office staff to return full-time. Other subjects include the Fed's upcoming meeting, the global reduction in abject poverty, and the role of venture capital in contrast to dividend growth investing. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:24 U.S. Steel Acquisition Controversy 01:45 Market Performance and Fed Updates 03:06 Bond Yields and Foreign Investment 06:28 Economic Indicators and Housing Market 08:08 Office Market Insights 10:01 Fed Meeting and Rate Cut Speculations 10:49 Global Poverty Reduction 11:36 Dividend Growth vs. Venture Capital 13:09 Conclusion and Upcoming Updates Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 13, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3XqVRYF Navigating the Investor Mindset: The Challenge of Mainstream Versus Conviction-Based Investing In this week's episode of 'Dividend Cafe,' David Bahnsen, the managing partner of The Bahnsen Group, discusses the philosophical and practical challenges of growth investing in tech-heavy markets. He recounts a conversation with Rajiv, a seasoned growth manager, who argues against the mentality of 'closet indexing' and stresses the importance of sticking to one's investment convictions. David further elaborates on the impact of tech sector weighting on market performance, the historical context of homeownership rates, and current economic trends including asset prices and wage growth. He emphasizes the need for prudence over popularity in investment strategies and hints at an upcoming in-depth political analysis for investors. 00:00 Introduction to This Week's Dividend Cafe 01:06 Meeting with a Prominent Growth Manager 03:07 The Philosophy of Indexing and Outperformance 07:48 Moral and Practical Considerations in Investment 12:43 Current Market Analysis and Predictions 14:30 Home Ownership Trends Across Generations 19:10 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Topics Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 12, 2024

Market Gains and Disinflationary Signs on Dividend Cafe In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the positive movements in the markets on September 12th, with the Dow gaining 235 points, the S&P rising for the fourth straight day, and minor gains in the NASDAQ and 10-year Treasury note. The focus is on the latest Producer Price Index (PPI) data showing a disinflationary trend with a year-over-year number under 2%, reinforcing the Federal Reserve's shift from inflation to employment and economic growth concerns. Revised July PPI figures indicate deflation. Initial jobless claims align with expectations, supporting the 'soft landing' economic narrative. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:37 Inflation Data Insights 01:23 Federal Reserve and Bond Market Dynamics 02:24 Revised PPI Numbers and Jobless Claims 03:05 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 11, 2024

September 11 Market Update and Inflation Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel begins with a somber remembrance of the September 11 terrorist attacks, offering thoughts and prayers to those affected. He proceeds with market commentary, noting an initial drop and subsequent recovery, likely influenced by the recent debate between former President Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. Szytel discusses key inflation data, highlighting that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers are in line with Federal Reserve targets. He also touches on the implications for upcoming interest rate decisions and the balance sheet. Finally, Seitel provides a preview of forthcoming economic data, including initial jobless claims and the Producer Price Index (PPI). 00:00 Introduction and Remembrance of 9/11 00:33 Market Opening and Debate Impact 01:05 Market Performance and Analysis 01:51 Inflation Data and Federal Reserve Expectations 03:34 Upcoming Economic Indicators and Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 10, 2024

Market Update and Economic Insights - September 10th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market update for Tuesday, September 10th. He discusses the mixed performance of the Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ, along with a decrease in the 10-year Treasury yield. Key economic insights include the NFIB small business survey results, inflation concerns, upcoming CPI data, and banking regulation updates from the Fed. Additionally, there's an analysis on dividend yields relative to stock price appreciation and a brief mention of the Fed's quantitative tightening efforts. The episode concludes with a note on the evening's Harris-Trump debate. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:48 Economic Indicators and Surveys 01:55 Banking Sector Updates 02:46 Upcoming Economic Data 02:57 Dividend Yield Discussion 04:03 Federal Reserve and Quantitative Tightening 04:46 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 9, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4dWntMb In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel steps in for David to discuss recent market trends and the current economic landscape as of September 9th. Brian highlights a significant market rebound following last week's downturn and analyzes recent employment reports and their market impacts. He also covers the Fed's monetary policy direction, market internals, and inflation rates in the US and China. Additional discussion points include Boeing's labor deal , consumer credit and wholesale inventory data, housing market conditions, and various relevant news items such as the Google antitrust case and upcoming political debates. The episode concludes with energy market updates and an ongoing lawsuit involving the Dakota pipeline and Greenpeace. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:49 Employment Reports and Market Reactions 01:38 Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Speculations 03:05 Sector Performance and Company News 03:55 Global Economic Indicators 07:07 US Housing Market Update 09:04 Energy Sector Insights 11:20 Upcoming Economic Events and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 5, 2024

Market Updates and Economic Insights: September 5th Edition In today's episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from West Palm Beach, Florida, sharing a mixed day in the markets. The Dow closed down by 219 points and the S&P fell by a third of a percent, though the NASDAQ saw a slight increase. The 10-year yield dropped 3 basis points, while the yield curve remains flat. Employment numbers showed weaker-than-expected private payroll growth for August, continuing a five-month trend of declining numbers. Other indicators such as ISM services and initial jobless claims were slightly better than expected. Looking ahead, non-farm payrolls are due tomorrow, and market expectations indicate potential rate cuts by the Fed through the end of 2025. Seitel wraps up with cautious optimism and invites audience questions. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:40 Employment Numbers and Economic Indicators 01:58 Federal Reserve and Interest Rate Expectations 03:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 6, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cOxt92 Understanding Single Stock ETFs and the Demand-Side Dynamics in Investing In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, recording from New York City, delves into the concept of single stock ETFs. Despite not recommending such financial products, the discussion highlights the importance of understanding them from a philosophical perspective about investing, human nature, and the intersection of supply and demand. David criticizes these products as tools for high-risk, intraday speculation but argues against banning them, focusing instead on the demand side as a solution to financial recklessness. The episode also covers the inversion of the yield curve, its implications for sectors like healthcare and consumer staples, and the negative multiplier effect of government debt on GDP growth. 00:00 Introduction and Personal Update 00:56 The New Financial Product: Single Stock ETFs 04:28 Philosophical Insights on Financial Products 09:42 Market Commentary: Yield Curve and Recession Predictions 12:15 The Negative Multiplier Effect and Government Debt 14:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 4, 2024

Market Analysis and Economic Indicators: September 4th Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market update from Palm Beach, Florida, on September 4th. The discussion covers the aftermath of a significant market drawdown driven by weak manufacturing data and a sell-off in the technology sector, particularly semiconductors. Notably, the yield curve, which had been inverted for over two years, has now become flat, raising discussions about potential economic contractions. Szytel also highlights the sectors likely to perform well in the current economic cycle, such as staples, healthcare, and energy, and notes a trend towards dividend growth in these sectors. Additional economic indicators discussed include the lower-than-expected new job openings (JOLTS report), unchanged layoffs, increased factory orders, and mixed regional economic activity from the Fed's Beige Book. Upcoming data releases, like the ADP employment number, initial jobless claims, ISM services numbers, and the nonfarm payroll number, are also anticipated. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:46 Yield Curve Dynamics 02:40 Economic Indicators and Sector Performance 03:40 Job Market and Upcoming Data Releases 05:02 Conclusion and Viewer Engagement Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Sep 3, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cXvPC2 https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/03/nvidia-tumbles-leading-chip-stocks-lower.html Market Recap: Tech Sell-off and Economic Data Analysis In this edition of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer at the Bahnsen Group, provides an update on market performance for the Tuesday, September 3rd, following the Labor Day holiday. Bahnsen discusses the significant downturn in the major indexes with the S&P 500 down 2.1%, NASDAQ down 3.25%, and the Dow Jones down 1.5% due to a tech-driven sell-off led by semiconductor stocks like NVIDIA. He also covers the mixed economic data, including the fifth month of contraction in ISM manufacturing numbers and the upward revision of the Q2 real GDP. Additionally, Bahnsen touches on NVIDIA's financial metrics, the broader distribution trends in market sectors, and current geopolitical events. The episode concludes with a discussion on bond yields, midstream energy sector performance, and expected Federal Reserve rate hikes. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:19 USC Game Recap 00:59 Market Summary and Tech Sell-Off 01:57 Economic Data and Market Highlights 04:27 NVIDIA Analysis 05:56 News Highlights 06:58 Economic and Market Updates 08:43 Energy Sector Insights 09:39 Conclusion and Upcoming Updates Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 30, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Mopc0V Market Reflections and Fall Excitement: Insights from The Bahnsen Group In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Managing Partner at The Bahnsen Group, reflects on 16 years of delivering market insights and the significance of the upcoming September. Bahnsen discusses the end of summer, the start of USC football, and significant market movements throughout August, including the surprising resilience of defensive sectors. He explores the broader economic context, the impact of potential Fed rate cuts, and the looming concerns of national debt. Bahnsen also previews his upcoming election white paper, emphasizing the lack of focus on federal debt in the current political landscape. The episode is rich with financial analysis and historical context, offering viewers a comprehensive understanding of current market conditions and future outlooks. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 01:30 Market Overview and Recent Trends 02:49 Sector Performance and Market Breadth 05:45 Economic Conditions and Fed Policies 12:21 Election Insights and Economic Implications 15:58 Debt Concerns and Treasury Insights 18:46 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 29, 2024

Market Update and Economic Insights - August 29 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, an update on the market performance for Thursday, August 29th is provided. Key points discussed include the Dow's gain of 243 points, the NASDAQ's loss of over one percent, and stability in bond yields. The script highlights the decline in initial jobless claims, a revised upward GDP for Q2 driven by consumer spending, and corporate profits at an all-time high. The episode emphasizes the importance of vigilance in portfolio management despite market complacency and previews upcoming inflation data. Closing remarks include well wishes for Labor Day weekend and success in fantasy football drafts. 00:00 Introduction and Market Update 00:52 Economic Indicators and Employment 01:16 GDP and Consumer Spending Insights 01:56 Corporate Profits and Market Valuations 02:23 Risk Management and Vigilance 02:55 Upcoming Data and Weekend Wishes Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 28, 2024

Midweek Market Recap and NVIDIA Earnings Breakdown - August 28, 2023 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the performance of the stock market on a relatively uneventful day, with the Dow dropping 159 points, the S&P 500 down by 0.6%, and the NASDAQ falling by 1.12%. Bonds remained unchanged, while the dollar showed slight strength. The highlight of the day was NVIDIA's anticipated earnings, which surpassed expectations but resulted in a stock drop due to high valuations. Looking ahead, Brian previews key data releases for the next day, including initial jobless claims, trade and inventory data, a revision of Q2 GDP, and pending home sales. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:54 NVIDIA Earnings Report 01:18 Upcoming Economic Data 01:59 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 27, 2024

Market Update and Debt Concerns - August 27 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the current state of the markets on a particularly quiet day. He covers key economic events to watch for, such as the upcoming PCE and nonfarm payrolls reports. The episode details the performance of major indexes, the state of the bond market, and the inversion of the yield curve. Brian also addresses concerns related to U.S. debt, the strong demand for two-year treasury notes, and the interconnected nature of global debt markets. Additionally, he explains the differences between securities-based loans and margin loans, highlighting their respective advantages and risks. Listeners are encouraged to reach out with questions and look forward to more insights in the next episode. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:59 Economic Indicators and Treasury Demand 01:19 Debt Concerns and Market Dynamics 02:43 Securities-Based Loans vs. Margin Loans 04:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 26, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/476p1Rs Market Insights: August Market Dynamics & Key Economic Indicators In this episode of 'Monday Dividend Cafe,' David reviews the market activity for the final Monday in August, highlighting significant trends observed over the summer. Key points include the Dow closing at an all-time high, a notable disparity in performance between energy and technology sectors, and significant market breadth on Friday. The script also touches on sentiment indicators, the 10-year bond yield, and the weakening U.S. dollar. Additionally, key policy updates are discussed, featuring the FTC's legal challenges and labor market dynamics. Economic indicators, such as durable goods orders and home sales data, are analyzed, alongside Chairman Powell's announcement on rate cuts. David wraps up with an invitation to check out Friday's Dividend Cafe for additional insights. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 02:10 Tech Sector Struggles and Market Sentiment 05:35 Policy and Regulatory Updates 06:29 Economic Indicators and Housing Market 08:31 Federal Reserve and Energy Market Insights 09:27 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 23, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3ACbF38 Insights from Jackson Hole and Behavioral Finance: This Week’s Dividend Cafe In this week’s episode of Dividend Cafe, David discusses the Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell's recent speech from Jackson Hole, Wyoming, focusing on future rate policies and economic outlook. David highlights the change in focus from price stability to labor markets in Powell’s speech and discusses the likelihood of future rate hikes or cuts based on upcoming economic data. The episode also dives into behavioral finance, emphasizing the importance of avoiding common investment mistakes and the value of behavioral modification for clients. Additionally, David shares statistical insights on GDP growth, corporate profits, and stock market volatility, and compares the performance of gold, inflation, and the S&P 500 over the last few decades. The discussion wraps up with an analysis of inflation data and rental market trends. 00:00 Welcome and Market Overview 01:02 Fed Chair Jay Powell's Speech at Jackson Hole 01:33 Understanding Rate Policy and Market Reactions 05:11 Behavioral Modification in Financial Services 09:14 Statistical Insights from Howard Marks 12:34 Inflation and Investment Strategies 17:05 Wrapping Up and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 20, 2024

Market Insights Amidst a Quiet Day: Economic Data and Upcoming Events In today's episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel reviews the quiet market day, noting the slight downturn after an 8-day positive streak for both the S&P 500 and NASDAQ. He discusses the 10-year yield drop and increased volatility indicated by the VIX. Seitel also highlights upcoming key economic events, including jobless claims and the FOMC minutes, as well as Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell's anticipated speech at Jackson Hole. The episode provides a general overview of the current economy, touching on unemployment, GDP estimates, corporate earnings growth, and a positive 35-page economic report from Apollo, while advising on the importance of economic data in market movements and portfolio design. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:57 Economic Indicators and Employment 01:19 Corporate Earnings and Economic Activity 02:14 Market Valuation and Investment Strategy 03:08 Upcoming Economic Events 03:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 19, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4dQg4Og Monday Market Insights from Dividend Cafe's New NYC Office In this special edition of Dividend Cafe, recorded for the first time in the new office on Sixth Avenue, New York City, David discusses recent market performance, including a rally in all 11 sectors of the S&P 500, interest rate movements, and the behavior of the dollar. The video also touches on Bitcoin's price stability over the past three years, a critical analysis of recent economic policies and market indices, and insights into the housing market's current state. Additionally, there's a link to an article by Matthew Gregory on recent IRS rulings and Secure Act changes. The episode wraps up with an overview of Fed rate expectations and a preview of Chairman Powell's upcoming speech at the Jackson Hole symposium. 00:00 Welcome to the New Office 01:02 Market Rally Overview 02:00 Dollar Dynamics and Market Impact 03:35 Bitcoin's Volatility 04:22 Retirement Account Updates 05:26 Policy Proposals and Economic Insights 06:23 Housing Market Trends 07:02 Fed Rate Cut Speculations 07:55 Jackson Hole Symposium Preview 08:13 Ask TBG and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 16, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TfUkDJ Market Volatility and the Principles of Dividend Growth Investing In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, host David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer and Managing Partner at The Bahnsen Group, discusses recent market volatility, emphasizing the importance of adhering to sound investment principles amid market fluctuations. Bahnsen reflects on a significant 6% drop and subsequent recovery in the market within a week, underlining the unpredictability of market movements. He advocates for dividend growth investing as a resilient strategy that benefits from market volatility through disciplined reinvestment. Bahnsen also briefly touches on economic and geopolitical factors, as well as policy proposals from presidential candidate Kamala Harris, concluding with an outlook for future discussions. The episode highlights the steadfast approach of Dividend Cafe towards long-term investment strategies over short-term market timing. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 02:22 Market Movements and Volatility 06:53 The Importance of Dividend Growth Investing 13:16 Policy Proposals and Economic Opinions 16:17 Conclusion and Upcoming Updates Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 15, 2024

Market Rally Insights: Cooler Inflation and Strong Consumer Data Fuel Optimism In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on Thursday, August 15th, Brian Szytel reports from Palm Beach, Florida, detailing a notable market rally with the Dow rising over 500 points. Despite a slight bond market sell-off, key economic indicators, including cooler-than-expected PPI and CPI numbers, and robust July retail sales led to this positive movement. The episode also touches on stronger-than-expected initial jobless claims and the impact of a cyber attack on the auto sector. Seitel discusses the potential benefits of adding bonds to portfolios amid declining interest rates and previews upcoming consumer sentiment and building permits data. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:30 Inflation and Growth Numbers 01:11 Employment Data Insights 01:49 Federal Reserve's Influence 02:11 Portfolio Diversification with Bonds 02:53 Upcoming Economic Indicators 03:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 14, 2024

Mid-August Market Update and Tax Efficient Portfolios In this edition of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel offers a market update broadcasted from the new West Palm Beach office. The Dow closed up 242 points, S&P up by a third percent, and Nasdaq flat. The 10-year bond yield is slightly down. Key discussion points include the recent CPI data showing disinflationary trends, market expectations of a September rate cut, and inflation rates over the past three and six months. Brian also addresses strategies for tax-efficient portfolios, emphasizing tax-exempt interest, qualified dividend income, real estate positions, and loss harvesting. The episode wraps up with Brian planning a team dinner and announcing David's return for the next session. 00:00 Introduction and Market Update 00:35 Inflation Data Insights 01:18 Federal Reserve Rate Cut Predictions 01:55 Analyzing Recent Inflation Trends 02:57 Tax Efficient Investment Strategies 04:05 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 13, 2024

Market Rally Fueled by Lower Inflation Numbers - August 13 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel reports from New York City on a positive day in the markets on Tuesday, August 13th. The Dow rose by 408 points, the S&P surpassed 5,400, and the Nasdaq increased by 2.25%. Bond yields also fell, with the 10-year closing at 3.85%. Lower than expected producer price index numbers and positive small business optimism contributed to the market rally. Brian anticipates the CPI numbers to be released tomorrow and encourages listeners to stay tuned for further analysis. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:54 Inflation and Economic Indicators 01:42 Small Business Optimism 02:10 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 12, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3M5kPrn Dividend Cafe: Market Stability Amid Geopolitical and Economic Uncertainty In this Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David recaps a relatively calm week in the financial markets, highlighting a flat S&P 500, minor tech sector gains, and fluctuations in the Dow and Nasdaq. The discussion touches on the absence of speculative shorts in the yen-dollar trade and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Politically, the focus shifts to the U.S. presidential race and Senate seat contests, emphasizing how market expectations are influenced by current odds. Economic forecasts include upcoming CPI, PPI, and retail sales data, along with an exploration of disinflationary trends. The episode concludes with insights into Treasury bill holdings by Berkshire Hathaway versus the Federal Reserve, emphasizing different financial strategies and objectives. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:39 Market Performance Recap 01:30 Sector Highlights and Bond Market 01:48 Currency and Valuation Insights 03:13 Geopolitical Concerns 04:21 Political Landscape and Market Implications 08:21 Economic Data and Inflation Trends 09:47 Federal Reserve and Housing Market 12:51 Midstream Energy and Treasury Bills 15:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 9, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3WFB835 Ringing the NYSE Bell & Analyzing the Yen Carry Trade In this week's episode of Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen, Chief Investment Officer at Bahnsen Group, shares his firsthand experience of ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange. David discusses the week's significant market movements, including the impact of the yen carry trade and the resulting volatility across global markets. He explains the complex financial mechanisms behind the yen carry trade and its ramifications on market behaviors. David also stresses the importance of understanding one’s temperament in market fluctuations and not panicking during short-term volatility. He concludes by reflecting on the importance of American financial markets for human flourishing and how high-quality investments can ensure stability amidst market chaos. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:16 Ringing the NYSE Bell 01:20 Market Recap: A Week of Volatility 03:16 Understanding the Yen Carry Trade 06:56 Market Corrections and Investor Temperament 09:02 Leveraged Finance and Forced Selling 12:26 Investment Philosophy: Dividend Growth 14:29 Gratitude and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 7, 2024

Market Volatility and Economic Indicators Update - August 7th In today's episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the market's downward trend following a previous day's uptick, with the VIX closing at 28. He provides an analysis of key indices, including the Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ, and gives insights into the bond market, highlighting the yield curve and credit spreads. Additionally, Seitel touches on the impacts of election cycles on market volatility, shares his views on option income strategies, and discusses recent consumer credit and trade deficit data. The episode emphasizes the importance of understanding market swings and maintaining a balanced investment approach. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:45 Market Volatility and Historical Context 01:41 Bond Market Movements 02:18 Credit Spreads and Market Health 02:50 Election Impact on Volatility 03:39 Option Strategies and Portfolio Management 04:20 Consumer Credit and Trade Deficit 04:39 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 6, 2024

Market Recap and Insights – Tuesday Analysis David Bahnsen presents the Tuesday Daily Recap, recommending listeners to check out the recent Monday and Friday Dividend Cafe sessions for insights into last week's market volatility. David discusses the market's partial recovery, with the Dow closing up 300 points, despite losing some momentum in the final trading hours. He attributes this volatility to pre-emptive caution towards overnight financial activity and external market influences, such as the yen carry trade concern. David also touches on bond market movements, with yields rising and discusses potential future yield curve inversion. He concludes by emphasizing the importance of their financial role during these turbulent times and looks forward to discussing levered finance in the upcoming Friday Dividend Cafe. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:21 Today's Market Recovery 00:53 End-of-Day Market Dynamics 01:33 Volatility and After-Hours Trading 02:51 Oil and Bond Market Update 04:07 Upcoming Topics in Dividend Cafe 04:41 Final Thoughts and Engagement 05:07 Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 5, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3yu2UHE In this special Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, David discusses the extraordinary market volatility and the factors driving it. He dives into the unwinding of the yen carry trade, U.S. market valuation concerns, and the economic fundamentals at play. David also highlights the impacts on major tech stocks, the bond market's reaction, and other key financial insights. 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Market Overview and Recent Volatility 01:48 Global Market Influences 03:13 Three Key Issues Impacting the Market 05:21 Economic Fundamentals and Market Reactions 09:02 Asset Allocation Insights 10:47 Market Tidbits and Final Thoughts 12:30 Conclusion and Encouragement 14:52 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 2, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Sv9rsw Understanding Market Volatility and Valuation Sensitivity In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, David discusses the recent market volatility, particularly significant declines in the Dow, Nasdaq, and tech sectors. The main focus is on the relationship between price and value in investing, arguing that market prices often reflect overly optimistic future growth, which can be misleading. The episode explains the importance of valuation by examining past examples like Cisco in 1999 and emphasizes using a three-pronged test to assess investments. David also highlights the benefits of dividend growth investing to avoid overvaluation risks. The episode concludes with a reminder to watch the upcoming event of the host and their partners ringing the NYSE opening bell. 00:00 Introduction to the Dividend Cafe 00:02 Current Market Volatility 01:57 Understanding Valuation and Price 04:50 Three Rules of Thumb for Valuation 07:06 Market Valuation Metrics 09:29 Sector-Specific Valuations 11:04 The Three-Pronged Test for High Valuations 15:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Aug 1, 2024

Market Volatility and Economic Data Insights – August 1st Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from the Newport Beach office discusses the substantial market movements on August 1st. Following a significant rally, there was a notable sell-off with the Dow down 494 points, S&P falling by 1.3%, and NASDAQ declining by 2.3%. The 10-year yield dropped below 4%, and the VIX rose to 19, indicating increased market volatility. Seitel highlights recent economic data, including weaker-than-expected ISM manufacturing data and high jobless claims, portraying a cooling employment market. He also previews upcoming non-farm payrolls and emphasized the importance of understanding daily market fluctuations in the context of broader economic trends. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:24 Market Reversal and Bond Yields 01:13 Economic Data and Market Reaction 02:01 Employment Data and Fed's Mandate 02:49 Conclusion and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 31, 2024

FOMC Meeting Updates and Market Rally on July 31st In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel from Newport Beach discusses the positive market response on July 31st, highlighting gains across various sectors following the FOMC meeting. Although the Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at 5.25-5.5%, their balanced view on the risks to the economy, including a weakening employment market and declining inflation, boosted market confidence. Additionally, the episode covers the impact of the lower-than-expected ADP private payroll numbers and employer cost index on the market rally. The discussion also touches on putting money to work in the current market, upcoming initial jobless claims, and manufacturing data, as well as the anticipated employment report. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:20 FOMC Meeting Insights 01:14 Market Reactions and Rally 01:36 Economic Data and Fed Narrative 01:59 Investment Strategy and Upcoming Data 02:30 Conclusion and Sign Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 30, 2024

Market Rotation and Economic Updates - July 30, 2019 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel analyzes the mixed market performance on July 30, 2019, highlighting the Dow's rise by 203 points, while the S&P 500 and NASDAQ saw declines. Seitel discusses market rotation, noting the narrowing performance gap between different market segments and comparing the current situation to the year 2000. He also provides updates on economic indicators, such as consumer confidence and job openings, and anticipates the outcomes of upcoming ADP payroll numbers and the FOMC meeting, where expectations for a September rate cut are high. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:21 Market Rotation and Performance Analysis 01:59 Economic Indicators and Consumer Confidence 02:49 Upcoming Economic Events and Expectations 03:21 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 29, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Sux849 Monday Dividend Cafe: Market Recap, Election Insights, and Economic Data Analysis In this episode of the Monday Dividend Cafe, David provides a comprehensive overview of recent market activities, including notable observations about the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq movements. He elaborates on the performance of various sectors like banks, healthcare, and homebuilders, and reviews bond market trends. The host also delves into the political landscape, discussing President Biden's removal from the race, Vice President Harris's electoral strategy, and former President Trump's campaign prospects. Additionally, he touches upon key economic indicators, such as the PCE inflation data, restaurant reservations, travel statistics, and housing market trends.David concludes with insights into the upcoming Federal Reserve and international central bank meetings. 00:00 Introduction and Market Recap 00:54 July Market Movements and Sector Performance 03:37 Global Political Updates: Venezuela 04:25 US Election Insights and Predictions 11:37 Economic Data Highlights 13:25 Housing Market Trends 15:29 Upcoming Fed and Global Central Bank Decisions 16:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 26, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3SqEZ2G Balancing Logic and Emotion in Investment Decisions In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded from Newport Beach, the discussion revolves around the impact of human psychology on investment decisions. David delves into the importance of balancing logic (logos) and emotion (pathos) in managing a diverse investment portfolio, touching on systematic and non-systematic risks. The conversation also covers recent market dynamics and geopolitical events, emphasizing that current market behaviors are more about valuation than geopolitical tensions. The episode concludes with speculative insights on the economic implications of the Ukraine conflict and potential investment opportunities in rebuilding efforts. Listeners are encouraged to check out accompanying charts and additional insights available in the written Dividend Cafe. 00:00 Introduction to This Week's Dividend Cafe 00:28 Balancing Logic and Emotion in Investing 03:04 Understanding Systematic and Non-Systematic Risk 05:50 The Challenges of Portfolio Diversification 09:01 Current Market Conditions and Geopolitical Impact 13:42 Potential Economic Implications of the Ukraine Conflict 17:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 25, 2024

Market Volatility and Economic Indicators: Insights from Dividend Cafe – July 25 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the volatile market activity on July 25th, where the Dow saw significant fluctuations before closing up 81 points, while NASDAQ and S&P ended the day lower. Key economic updates include a much stronger than expected preliminary GDP at 2.8%, stable jobless claims, and mixed durable goods orders. The session highlights a continued rotation from high-valuation sectors to value sectors like energy and financials. Listeners are advised to anticipate upcoming PCE data and reminded of the need for personalized investment advice. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:19 Market Volatility Recap 01:23 Economic Data Highlights 02:21 Durable Goods Orders Analysis 03:05 Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Data 03:31 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 24, 2024

Market Analysis and Sector Performance on July 24th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel analyzes the market performance for July 24th from West Palm Beach, Florida. The Dow closed 504 points lower, the S&P fell by 2.31%, and the NASDAQ dropped by 3.64%. Significant declines in Google and Tesla stocks driven by earnings misses led to the NASDAQ's poor performance. Despite the downturn, sectors such as energy, staples, utilities, and healthcare saw positive results. Interest rates slightly increased, with the 10-year yield up by three basis points. Brian discusses the yield curve changes and the economic indicators, including slight misses in new home sales and positive PMI report. Looking ahead, the episode mentions upcoming PCE data and the Fed meeting next week, followed by expectations for Q2 GDP revisions and durable goods orders. The VIX index spiked by 22% indicating heightened market volatility. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:54 Sector Performance and Interest Rates 01:56 Economic Data Highlights 02:39 Upcoming Economic Events 03:15 Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 23, 2024

Market Updates and Economic Insights from Dividend Cafe - July 23rd In this episode of Dividend Cafe, host Brian Szytel checks in from the newly opened West Palm Beach, Florida office, starting with a thank you to Jolene and Mina for their hard work. Brian reviews the day's flat market activities with minor declines in the Dow, S&P, NASDAQ, and 10-year treasury yields. He discusses important upcoming economic events such as PCE data and a Fed meeting, and highlights notable earnings season trends, particularly the strong performance in the financial sector. Additionally, Brian comments on political factors, real estate market conditions, including a low in existing home sales, and mixed manufacturing data from the Richmond Fed. He concludes with a preview of upcoming economic reports and invites viewers to reach out with questions. Tune in tomorrow for more insights from Florida. 00:00 Welcome to the New Office 00:33 Market Overview: A Flat Day 01:01 Earnings Season Insights 01:28 Financial Sector Performance 02:30 Economic Indicators and Real Estate 03:21 Upcoming Economic Data 03:33 Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 22, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3y4VVVt Impact of Biden's Withdrawal on Market Volatility and Political Projections In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David explores the significant impact of President Joe Biden's unexpected withdrawal from the 2024 re-election campaign on the market and political landscape. The discussion examines historical parallels, potential outcomes of a Trump vs. Kamala Harris presidential race, and implications for Senate and House races. The episode also delves into the potential market volatility anticipated during the uncertain political period leading up to the election, and its potential effects on fiscal, trade, and regulatory policies impacting investors. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:12 Special Monday Edition: Political and Economic Insights 01:55 Historical Context: Biden's Withdrawal and Market Implications 05:08 Senate Races and Political Dynamics 08:15 Market Volatility and Election Predictions 10:45 In-Depth Political Analysis and Predictions 22:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 19, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Ws09Qk Analyzing Inflation: The Complex Factors Beyond Headlines In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded from East Hampton, David discusses the recent political and economic turmoil, including significant events like the assassination attempt and the Republican convention. Shifting focus to the topic of inflation, the host diverges from common narratives and delves into a broader, long-term macroeconomic perspective. By examining various factors such as deglobalization, demographics, populist politics, war, environmentalism, and technology, the episode challenges conventional views on what drives inflation. Utilizing an outline by Keynesian economist Anatoly Koletsky, the host critiques these factors and refutes their presumed inflationary impacts, emphasizing the nuanced and complex nature of inflation. The episode also touches on the bond market's outlook and its implications for nominal GDP growth and inflation predictions. 00:00 Introduction and Upcoming Events 00:27 Current Events and Market Overview 01:45 Deep Dive into Inflation 08:41 Factors Influencing Inflation 11:56 Debunking Inflationary Myths 19:53 The Role of Technology and Politics 22:03 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 18, 2024

Market Volatility Analysis and Economic Updates - July 18 In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the continued market volatility as the Dow drops 533 points, closing almost at its daily low. The S&P and NASDAQ also decline by about 0.7 to 0.8 percent, while the 10-year yield increases by four basis points to 420. Despite the market's turbulence, political developments such as increased tariffs on China and their impact on technology, especially semiconductors, are highlighted. Brian reflects on the significant shifts in trade dynamics over the past decade, noting a reduced reliance between the U.S. and China. Additionally, the episode covers initial jobless claims and a significant positive surprise in the Philly Fed Manufacturing Index. With a quiet economic calendar ahead, the episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming longer-form Dividend Cafe newsletter. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:46 Impact of Tariffs on China and Global Trade 01:47 Economic Indicators and Job Market Update 02:21 Upcoming Events and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 17, 2024

Today's Dividend Cafe discusses the mixed outcomes in the market, focusing on the performance of the Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ. Key topics include technological sell-offs due to tariff talks, outperformance of value stocks, and updates on economic indicators such as housing starts, building permits, and industrial production. Additionally, Brian provides insights into what to expect from tomorrow's economic releases and Fed speakers. 00:00 Introduction 00:06 Market Performance 00:32 Technology Sector 00:58 Value Stocks and Small Caps 01:46 Housing and Industrial Production Updates 02:59 Upcoming Economic Indicators 03:14 Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 16, 2024

Market Rally and Economic Updates: July 16 Edition On this episode of Dividend Cafe, hosted by Brian Szytel, markets showed a positive trend across stocks and bonds, with notable index disparities. The discussion highlights a rally in small-cap stocks and changes in interest rate expectations. Key economic updates include retail sales beating expectations despite a cyber attack in the auto industry, and flat import prices for June. The episode also addresses the role of small-cap stocks in dividend and growth portfolios. Upcoming economic indicators such as housing starts, building permits, and the Federal Reserve's Beige Book are also mentioned. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:13 Stock and Bond Market Rally 00:45 Sector Performance and Market Rotation 01:25 Economic Indicators and Retail Sales 02:12 Small Caps and Portfolio Strategy 02:56 Upcoming Economic Events 03:11 Conclusion and Recap Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 15, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cWEcOw Surreal Weekend, Market Insights, and Political Developments In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David reflects on a surreal weekend that included a failed assassination attempt and delves into the current political climate as the Republican convention kicks off. The announcement of JD Vance as former President Trump's running mate and President Biden's internal party challenges are discussed. The episode explores the implications of the upcoming presidential election on U.S.-China relations and the regulatory environment. Market updates cover the Dow hitting an all-time high, bond market trends, and sector performance. Key developments also include a federal judge dismissing a classified documents case against Trump. Other topics include foreclosures, potential Fed rate cuts, and the impact of technology-driven employment growth. The host concludes with a deep dive into inflation theories and monetary policy, highlighting the importance of a rules-based approach. 00:00 Introduction and Weekend Recap 00:49 Political Landscape and Market Implications 04:46 Market Performance and Analysis 07:53 Economic Indicators and Reports 10:59 Inflation and Monetary Policy Discussion 14:39 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 12, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3S4efVq Market Dynamics and Economic Growth: Analyzing Cap-Weighted vs. Even-Weighted Indices In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David delves into recent market phenomena, specifically comparing cap-weighted and even-weighted S&P 500 indices. The discussion highlights an unprecedented 11% year-to-date difference between the two, exploring implications for market concentration and economic growth. The episode covers daily market fluctuations, Fed rate cut expectations, and offers insights into global economic indicators, contrasting Germany and Switzerland's market values to Apple. Key factors for productivity and economic growth such as education, rule of law, military capacity, entrepreneurial culture, ecosystems, and capital formation are emphasized. The host concludes by stressing the importance of understanding market and economic dynamics for better investment perspectives. 00:00 Introduction to This Week's Market Insights 01:50 Understanding Market Top Heaviness 03:34 Analyzing the S&P 500 Performance 07:04 Impact of Fed Rate Cuts on the Market 09:20 Global Market Comparisons: Germany and Switzerland 11:51 The Importance of Economic Growth 13:46 Key Factors for Productivity Growth 16:29 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 11, 2024

Dividend Cafe: Market Commentary and Economic Updates - July 11th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides an insightful overview of the market activities on Thursday, July 11th. Key highlights include a mixed market performance with the Dow closing up by 32 points, while technology-heavy indices like the S&P and NASDAQ experienced declines. The CPI data released showed cooler than expected inflation, indicating positive trends for the economy and aligned with the Federal Reserve's goals. Bond yields have also rallied, reflecting these changes. Additionally, initial jobless claims were slightly better than anticipated. Szytel explains the day's performance, attributing the technology sell-off to a 'buy the rumor, sell the news' reaction. He also provides a brief outlook for the upcoming PPI index release. The episode concludes with a reminder about the weekly Dividend Cafe longer format soon to be available. 00:16 Market Overview: Mixed Day in the Markets 00:42 Inflation and CPI Data Analysis 01:43 Interest Rates and Bond Market Movements 02:36 Technology Sector Sell-Off 02:51 Upcoming Economic Reports and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 10, 2024

Market Updates & Economic Insights — July 10, 2023 In the latest episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel discusses the positive performance in the stock markets, with the Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P all up by over 1%. The episode covers the seventh consecutive session of gains for the S&P and NASDAQ, and touches on bond market updates including a positive 10-year auction. Key economic events include Jerome Powell's testimony on inflation, wholesale inventories data, and upcoming CPI figures. The episode also delves into Japan's unique monetary policy approach and its economic implications. Looking ahead, the focus will be on initial jobless claims and the new CPI data release. 00:00 Market Update: July 10th 00:32 Positive Trends in Stocks and Bonds 00:45 Federal Reserve Insights and Economic Indicators 01:42 Anticipation for CPI Data 02:04 Japan's Unique Monetary Experiment 03:56 Looking Ahead: Jobless Claims and CPI 04:01 Closing Remarks Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 9, 2024

Dividend Cafe: Market Commentary and Economic Updates, July 9th In this week's Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market commentary from New York. The Dow closed down 52 points, while the NASDAQ and S&P 500 remained slightly positive. A significant topic discussed was Federal Reserve Chair Jay Powell's comments to the Senate finance committee about the potential economic risks if interest rates are not cut soon. The likelihood of a September rate cut has increased to 70%. Brian highlights concerns about the economic data, slowing growth, and its impact on earnings per share for the S&P 500. Upcoming economic indicators and more Fed comments are anticipated this week. The Bonson Group emphasizes the importance of due diligence and consulting with professional advisors. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:23 Market Overview and Economic Data 00:41 Federal Reserve Insights 01:30 Economic Predictions and Market Expectations 02:29 Upcoming Economic Events 02:51 Closing Remarks 03:01 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 3, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3XNIiUU Mid-Year Market Report: In this special Dividend Cafe episode, released ahead of the 4th of July weekend, David delivers a comprehensive mid-year market update. Key points include strong performance in major indices such as the S&P 500 and NASDAQ, uneven sector returns led by technology, and resilience in international markets. The episode also discusses the minimal impact of Fed policies on market momentum, the complexities of de-globalization and its economic impact, and the significant themes for 2024. Volatility has been low despite predictions, and the episode concludes with a reflection on the diverse economic indicators, housing market anomalies, and anticipation of future market dynamics. 00:00 Welcome and Mid-Year Check-In 01:10 Market Performance Overview 02:26 Sector and International Market Analysis 03:40 Bond and Commodity Market Insights 05:20 Volatility and Market Breadth 07:38 Economic Indicators and Mixed Signals 10:35 Credit Market and Forecast Review 11:44 Key Themes and Predictions for 2024 20:19 Final Thoughts and 4th of July Message Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 2, 2024

Market Update and Economic Insights Ahead of July 4th Holiday In this episode of Dividend Cafe, Brian Szytel provides a market update for Tuesday, July 2nd. With a quiet day in the markets leading up to the 4th of July holiday, key highlights include a slight yield drop on tens, robust performance in the consumer discretionary sector, and job openings exceeding expectations, indicating labor market resilience. Fed Chair Powell's remarks on disinflation progress at the Sentra conference in Portugal were also discussed. Additionally, the episode delves into the dynamics between private credit and investment-grade credit, highlighting expansion trends and credit risk considerations. Brian also previews the upcoming economic data releases for the next day, such as ADP private payrolls, jobless claims, and factory orders, and announces the release of a detailed Dividend Cafe newsletter. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:27 Economic Indicators and Labor Market 01:02 Federal Reserve and Fixed Income Insights 01:39 Investment Grade Credit and Private Credit 02:56 Upcoming Economic Events and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jul 1, 2024

Dividend Cafe: Market Updates, Supreme Court Rulings, and Mid-Year Market Overview In this special Monday edition of Dividend Cafe, listeners are treated to a packed episode covering a range of topics. David provides market performance updates, highlighting the fluctuations and gains in the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq. Significant attention is given to recent public policy events, notably Supreme Court rulings affecting President Trump's legal situation and regulatory powers of government agencies. David also previews a forthcoming special mid-year market review edition to be released on Wednesday, July 3rd, instead of the usual Friday. Additional coverage includes updates on housing market trends, insights into potential policy impacts on various sectors, and reflections on pessimism in economic discourse. Tune in for comprehensive updates and analyses to stay informed on market movements and policy implications. 00:00 Introduction and Weekly Overview 01:32 Market Recap: Monday's Movements 04:38 Supreme Court Rulings and Political Updates 05:52 European Politics and Market Implications 07:14 Debate Aftermath and Election Predictions 10:35 Supreme Court's Chevron Ruling and Regulatory Impact 12:06 IRS Ruling on Pass-Through Entities 13:11 Housing Market Trends and Fed Expectations 16:06 Energy Sector Performance and Market Trends 17:09 Laws of Pessimism and Human Nature 18:12 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 28, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3zvzPeU Navigating Market Realities and Counter-Cultural Investing In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded in Dallas, Texas, David Bahnsen discusses his recent travels to various cities before heading back to New York City. The main focus is on the pitfalls within the money management industry, highlighting issues like index hugging and career-centric over fiduciary-centric decision-making. The script delves into the moral and practical shortcomings of passive and active management practices, especially in the face of market overvaluations and sector disparities. Additionally, it touches on energy sector trends, the implications of U.S. oil production, and the impact of various 'shiny object' investment trends like Nvidia's growth and the struggles of sectors such as cannabis and clean energy. The episode promises a mid-year market and economic check-in next week. 00:00 Introduction and Travel Update 01:02 Mid-Year Market Check-In Preview 01:30 The Reality of Money Management 06:13 Countercultural Investment Philosophy 10:07 Energy Sector Insights 13:26 Market Tidbits and Final Thoughts 15:24 Conclusion and Upcoming Content Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 27, 2024

Market Recap: Equities, Bonds, and Economic Indicators In this episode, David, managing partner at the Bahnsen Group, provides a recap of the latest market activities. Broadcasting from Dallas, Texas, he shares insights on slight movements in the Dow, S&P, and NASDAQ indices, with real estate being the top performing sector. He also discusses minor changes in bond yields and notes that oil prices have remained steady. On the economic front, durable goods orders and housing starts showed underwhelming results. Upcoming is the PCE inflation report, which is significant as it is closely watched by the Fed. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:29 Equity and Bond Market Performance 01:07 Oil Prices and Economic News 01:45 Housing Market Update 02:19 Upcoming Inflation Report Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 26, 2024

Mid-Year Market Update and Economic Insights: Dividend Cafe for June 26th In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on Wednesday, June 26th, Brian provides a mid-year update on the financial markets, highlighting the positive yet quiet trading day and the overall decent performance of the S&P 500 for the year's first half. Key points include a detailed analysis of new home sales, which showed significant declines, and a discussion on sector rotation with energy, industrials, and healthcare showing improved prospects. Additionally, Brian addresses questions on electric vehicle exposure, explaining why certain names like Tesla are not currently compelling for TBG. The episode concludes with an update on the broader exposures in lithium production through large integrated oil companies. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:49 Economic Indicators and Housing Market 01:31 Sector Rotation and Market Support 02:05 Electric Vehicle Market Analysis 03:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 25, 2024

Mixed Market Movements and Resilient Housing Prices in Focus In this episode of Dividend Cafe, market commentary includes a mixed performance across the indices with the Dow down nearly 300 points while the S&P and Nasdaq posted gains. Economic updates reveal all-time high home prices per the Case Shiller Home Price Index and decreased sales of previously owned homes. The episode delves into consumer sentiment, emerging markets strategy, and the implications of refinanced consumer and corporate debt amid current interest rates. Additionally, considerations on geopolitical risk in China and the evolution of the emerging markets landscape are discussed. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:19 Market Overview: A Mixed Day 00:52 Economic News and Housing Market 01:50 Emerging Markets and Consumer Focus 03:19 Debt and Interest Rates Discussion 04:18 Conclusion and Upcoming Events 04:29 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 24, 2024

Monday Market Rundown This episode of the Monday Dividend Cafe, recorded in Grand Rapids, Michigan, covers market updates including top performing sectors and notable changes in technology and cryptocurrencies. David discusses the concept of 'TBG day' where multiple key sectors align positively. The episode also provides an overview of recent AI investment trends, citing a survey showing a slowdown in spending due to various concerns. Additionally, David shares political insights that may affect markets, updates on used car prices, existing home sales data, and predictions regarding Federal Reserve rate cuts. The episode concludes with positive notes on the oil sector and encouragements to access more content on the Dividend Cafe website. 00:00 Welcome to Monday Dividend Cafe 00:45 Market Rundown and TBG Day 03:45 AI Investment Insights 07:53 Political Landscape and Market Implications 11:27 Economic Indicators and Predictions 13:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 21, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3KSRGPp Navigating AI Investments: Lessons from the Dividend Cafe In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, recorded live from Atlanta, Georgia, David discusses the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on investments. He explains why AI hasn't been a major focus of Dividend Cafe, despite its prominence in media and financial conversations. The discussion delves into the distinctions between AI's backbone companies and those utilizing AI, drawing historical parallels to the internet boom of the 1990s. The episode outlines ten principles to understand and navigate AI investments, advocating for a dividend growth framework. The host addresses market concentration risks, historical lessons, and the sustainable approach for investing in AI-related companies. Listeners are encouraged to view informative charts at DividendCafe.com and reflect on a quote from Charles Mackey about collective and individual thinking. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe 00:02 Travel and Speaking Engagements 00:43 AI in Financial Media 03:44 Investment Implications of AI 05:18 10 Key Takeaways on AI 07:39 Historical Context of AI Investments 13:21 Predictions and Pitfalls of AI 17:04 Principles of AI Investing 19:16 AI's Broader Impact on Society 20:53 AI and Dividend Growth Investing 24:59 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 20, 2024

Market Update: Mixed Indices and Economic Indicators In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on Thursday, June 20th, we discuss the mixed performance in the stock market where the Dow closed up nearly 300 points, while the S&P and NASDAQ saw slight declines. Key sector movements included a 2% rise in energy and a 1.4% drop in information technology. Jobless claims were slightly higher than expected at 238,000, and the Philly Fed index showed weaker-than-expected manufacturing numbers. Housing starts fell by 5.5% for the month, alongside disappointing building permit figures, suggesting potential impacts from interest rates and seasonal factors. Upcoming economic data include PMI and existing home sales. The episode wraps up with well wishes and an invitation for audience questions. 00:00 Welcome and Market Overview 00:27 Sector Movements and Jobless Claims 01:04 Economic Indicators and Housing Data 01:39 Upcoming Data and Conclusion Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 18, 2024

Today's Post - Daily Market Recap and Economic Insights - June 18, 2023 In today's episode of Dividend Cafe, David provides a daily market recap, highlighting a 57-point increase in the Dow (0.15%), a 0.25% rise in the S&P, and a stable Nasdaq. The bond market rally continued with the 10-year yield at 4.21%. Financials led the sectors, while communication services performed the worst. Economic updates include slight retail sales growth and an unexpected rise in industrial production. David notes significant market optimism and mentions Juneteenth's market closure. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:12 Daily Market Recap 00:17 Market Performance Highlights 00:46 Sector Performance Overview 01:33 Economic Data Insights 01:56 Fund Manager Survey Insights 02:15 Closing Remarks and Announcements Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 17, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3KSk5VG Dividend Insights: Market Trends, Fed Influence, and Economic Policies In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, David provides a comprehensive commentary on the current market dynamics, including summaries on housing markets, federal policies, corporate taxes, and bond yields. Key topics include the performance of the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq, the impact of public policies on elections, and an insightful analogy comparing market trends to Roger Federer's tennis career. Additional focus is given to European political stability, U.S. corporate tax rates, and commercial real estate metrics. The session concludes with observations on national vacancy rates, Fed rate predictions, and the law of conservation of outrage in human behavior. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:41 Market Summary and Key Highlights 01:42 Stock and Bond Market Correlation 03:22 Market Breadth and Top Heaviness 08:10 Corporate Tax Rates and Economic Impact 11:02 Housing Market Insights 12:54 Commercial Real Estate and Office Vacancies 14:16 Federal Reserve and Oil Market Update 15:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 14, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/45pEwTs Exploring Market Volatility and the Concept of a Minsky Moment In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David discusses the current volatility and directionlessness in the market, delving into the concept of a 'Minsky moment,' where periods of stability can give rise to instability. They differentiate between short-term market concerns rooted in equity valuations and longer-term economic issues tied to government debt. The episode explores the influence of large cap tech stocks within the S&P 500 and the cyclical nature of market dynamics. David also touches on the importance of maintaining a quality, counter-cultural investment portfolio to mitigate risks associated with economic instability and market euphoria. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:25 Understanding the Minsky Moment 03:10 Historical Context and Personal Insights 07:27 Application to Current Market Conditions 09:20 Government Debt and Long-Term Economic Impact 11:34 Cap-Weighted vs. Equal-Weighted Indexes 15:21 Final Thoughts and Father's Day Wishes Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 13, 2024

Market Update and Economic Indicators: A Snapshot Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 12, 2024

This episode delves into the significance and influence of the word 'because'. The discussion explores its role in communication, persuasion, and decision-making processes, highlighting how the simple word can have a powerful effect in various contexts. Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 11, 2024

Dividend Cafe: June 11 Market Commentary and Economic Update In this episode of Dividend Cafe, we cover the market's performance on June 11th, noting that despite a slight overall decline, the S&P 500 and NASDAQ posted gains, while Treasury yields fell due to a strong auction of two-year notes. We also discuss the uptick in the Small Business Optimism Index, reflecting ongoing economic concerns such as interest rates and potential policy changes. Key upcoming events include a core CPI number and the Federal Reserve's interest rate decision. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:16 Market Overview and Performance 00:44 Treasury Auction and Interest Rates 01:09 Small Business Optimism Index 02:04 Upcoming Economic Data Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 10, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4esr4m6 We cover a wide range of market and economic updates. From today's market action, bond market volatility, sector performance, and the top heaviness of the S&P 500, to significant geopolitical events and public policy issues. Also discussed are the implications of the Texas Stock Exchange movement, the recent jobs report, and trends in air travel. The episode concludes with insights into the private versus public company landscape and listener questions. 00:00 Market Overview 01:32 Bond Market Insights 02:26 Sector Performance 03:02 Top Heaviness in the S&P 500 05:35 Geopolitical Events 06:42 Texas Stock Exchange Movement 08:13 Jobs Report 09:14 Air Travel Trends 10:07 Commercial Real Estate Loans 11:21 Federal Reserve's Policies 13:00 Upstream Energy Stock Performance 13:34 Laws of Pessimism 15:04 Decline in Publicly Listed Companies Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 7, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Xd1Npy In this episode of Dividend Cafe, David dives into the top-heavy nature of the current market, focusing on valuations, risk exposures, and the weightings of major stocks. The episode further explores NVIDIA's staggering impact on the market, providing data points and historical context. It also discusses the broader economic scenarios, including insights about China, market volatility, and sector performances. 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Market Valuations and Risks 04:27 NVIDIA's Market Impact 09:29 China's Economic Scenario 11:14 Market Volatility and Predictions 12:46 Sector Yield Insights 13:21 Conclusion and Quote of the Week Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 6, 2024

Market Summary and Economic Insights In this episode of Dividend Cafe, the day saw minor movements in the trading markets with the Dow closing up 78 points, while the S&P and Nasdaq remained nearly unchanged. The 10-year yield also remained stable. Significant economic updates included the European Central Bank and Bank of Canada cutting interest rates. Initial jobless claims were slightly higher than expected but still reflect healthy employment numbers. Productivity and trade deficit data showed slight improvements. Additionally, TSA travel levels for 2024 indicated strong economic activity. The discussion also touched on the preference for goal-oriented benchmarks over traditional market benchmarks. Listeners were reminded about the upcoming non-farm payroll data and the long-form Dividend Cafe newsletter set to release the following day. 00:00 Introduction and Market Overview 00:23 European Central Bank and Interest Rates 01:03 US Economic Indicators 01:41 Travel Trends and Economic Activity 02:30 Benchmarking Dividend Portfolios 03:17 Upcoming Non-Farm Payrolls Report 03:21 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 5, 2024

Exploring the Dynamics of the Dow This episode delves into the intricacies of the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA), commonly referred to as the Dow. The show offers insight into its components, historical significance, how it is calculated, and its role as an economic indicator. Listeners will learn about the major influences on the Dow's movements, its impact on market trends, and why it is closely watched by investors and analysts. Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 4, 2024

Daily Market Recap and Economic Insights - Dividend Cafe In today's daily recap on Dividend Cafe, David Bahnsen discusses the market performance with the Dow closing up 140 points, modest gains in the S&P and NASDAQ, and a continued bond market rally reflected in the 10-year yield drop to 4.33%. Real estate and consumer staples sectors led the day with about 1% gains, while materials and energy sectors saw declines. Oil prices decreased by $1.30 a barrel. The episode also touches on the JOLTS data indicating a drop in job openings and speculates that the labor market data will give the Fed a potential reason to loosen policy by the year's end. David also encourages viewers to check out ongoing questions on DividendCafe.com and concludes with a positive outlook for most asset classes in May. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:12 Daily Market Recap 00:41 Bond Market Rally 01:19 Sector Performance Overview 01:39 Oil Prices and Economic Data 01:54 Labor Market Insights 02:45 Fed's Potential Moves 02:59 Closing Thoughts and Resources 03:54 Legal and Investment Disclaimers Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jun 3, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3X5cdHS Market Movements and Consumer Behavior Insights - The Monday Dividend Cafe In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, David provides a detailed commentary on recent market activities, including significant volatility with a nearly 500-point swing in the Dow. Major sectors are discussed, with technology and healthcare leading gains while energy experiences a sharp decline. Insights into OPEC Plus decisions on production cuts and the impact on oil prices are covered. The narrative also dives into consumer spending habits, the influence of media on market perceptions, and considerations on housing affordability linked to mortgage rates. The episode concludes with highlights on economic indicators, including the performance of utilities, cell phone usage as a proxy for economic activity, and anticipated shifts in Federal Reserve policy on interest rates. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:15 Market Recap: A Volatile Day 00:54 Sector Performance Highlights 01:20 Energy Sector and OPEC+ Update 08:43 Consumer Behavior Insights 11:55 Economic Indicators and Analysis 18:14 Against Doomsdayism: The Speed of Bad News 19:42 Conclusion and Upcoming Reports Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 31, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3R7M9Io Reflecting on 50 Years of Market and Personal Milestones In this special edition of the Dividend Cafe weekly market commentary, David reflects on 50 years of market and economic history coinciding with his 50th birthday. This episode dives into significant economic events, market trends, and personal anecdotes, from the S&P 500’s journey from 89 points at David's birth to its massive growth over the decades. David shares insights from his personal and professional life, highlighting lessons learned and projecting forward for the next 50 years. Tune in for historical retrospection and wisdom on long-term investing and human ingenuity. 00:00 Introduction to This Week's Dividend Cafe 01:02 Reflecting on 50 Years of Investing 01:29 Personal Milestones and Market Parallels 06:15 Economic Challenges and Lessons from the 1970s 08:18 The Booming 1980s and Financial Innovations 12:05 The Digital Revolution and Market Zeal of the 1990s 14:39 Navigating the 2000s: Personal and Professional Growth 16:06 The Financial Crisis and Its Lasting Impact 17:35 Modern Market Dynamics and Future Outlook 21:24 The Power of Dividends and Long-Term Investing 24:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 30, 2024

Market Recap and Economic Indicators for May 8th, 2023 In this episode of the Dividend Cafe, we delve into the recent market events with a focus on the downward trend experienced across major indices such as the Dow, NASDAQ, and S&P. The Dow took a significant hit, largely due to an earnings disappointment from a major software company. The discussion includes updated GDP figures for Q1, showing a decline to 1.3%, and initial jobless claims which remain strong at 219,000. We also address the notable drop in pending home sales, attributed to continuing high mortgage rates. Additionally, there's a segment about the presence of international stock positions in the dividend portfolio and the relevance of foreign tax withholding. As always, the episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to reach out with their questions. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:18 Market Recap: A Down Day 01:00 Economic Indicators Update 01:43 Housing Market Insights 02:24 International Stock Positions 03:12 Conclusion and Sign-Off Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 29, 2024

Welcome to the Dividend Cafe weekly market commentary focused on dividends in your portfolio and economic understanding. On May 29th, the markets saw a significant downturn, with a decrease of over 400 points, attributed to a more hawkish tone from the Federal Reserve and the release of the Fed's Beige Book indicating modest economic expansion. The episode also discusses Q1 earnings, with an 8% beat and a notable future outlook, emphasizing the importance of selective portfolio management. For 2024, an 11% earnings increase is expected. Listen for detailed market insights and forecasts. 00:19 Market Overview: May 29th 00:39 Federal Reserve and Economic Insights 01:42 Earnings and Company Performance 02:26 Future Earnings Projections 02:59 Valuation and Portfolio Strategy 03:11 Closing Remarks and Contact Information 03:23 Disclaimer and Legal Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 28, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3KhwHpc A special Tuesday edition owing to the Memorial Day holiday. The podcast covers a range of topics starting with a market recap, touching on the industrial and healthcare sectors, and explaining the unusual trading patterns in the Dow, Nasdaq, and S&P 500. Financial intricacies such as market breadth and credit spreads are discussed, along with the curious valuation metrics of various sectors. The housing market trends, including mortgage rates and foreclosure statistics, are highlighted. Speculations on future Fed rate cuts are discussed, emphasizing the likelihood of cuts being delayed until after the presidential election. David also explains the firm's approach to utilizing outside money managers for specific asset classes. The episode wraps up with a preview of upcoming segments and content. Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 24, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3UYlHC2 David discusses recent market volatility, highlighting large fluctuations in the Dow over the past few months. He emphasizes the importance of avoiding high-risk trades and the hazards of following market trends blindly. The speaker delves into various investor sentiment indicators, such as credit spreads and the VIX index, suggesting a current market frothiness. The main focus is on the value of diversification, both across asset classes and within them, to mitigate risk. He contrasts widespread index investing with a more concentrated approach that prioritizes dividend growth stocks. The host underscores the importance of conviction over quantity in constructing a portfolio, advocating for a strategy rooted in fundamental investment logic rather than crowd-following. Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 23, 2024

In this episode of Dividend Cafe, the discussion revolves around a significant downturn in the market with the Dow closing over 600 points lower. However, some sectors, especially those related to AI technology, showed positive performance due to favorable earnings results. The episode delves into recent economic indicators, highlighting PMI data showing the economy's accelerated growth in May, with manufacturing and services sectors posting gains. Despite positive economic indicators, concerns remain regarding potential Federal Reserve actions on interest rates. The episode also covers lower-than-expected initial jobless claims and a decline in new home sales, attributed to higher interest rates. A Q&A session discussed dealing with large deficits and government debt, advocating for supply-side economic policies to stimulate growth without excessively raising taxes or increasing regulation. The Bonson Group provided these insights, emphasizing that their advice does not constitute a solicitation for securities and should not replace professional tax or legal consultation. 00:00 Welcome to Dividend Cafe! 00:19 Market Overview: A Down Day in the Markets 00:53 Economic Indicators: PMI Data and Jobless Claims 01:57 Housing Market Insights: New Home Sales Data 02:42 Fiscal Policy Discussion: Deficits, Taxes, and Economic Growth 03:49 Closing Remarks and Contact Information 03:59 Legal and Advisory Disclosures Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 22, 2024

This episode of Dividend Cafe offers a commentary on the recent market downturn, noting a 201 point drop in the Dow and a slight rise in volatility. The Federal Reserve's May meeting minutes are discussed, revealing some disappointment in inflation data but maintaining a medium-term 2 percent inflation target. The episode also covers lower than expected April existing home sales, likely due to tight housing inventory and higher rates, yet notes a 5.7 percent year-over-year price increase. UK inflation rose slightly more than expected to 2.3%, attributed to weaker economic fundamentals compared to the US. China's potential increase in tariffs on large autos from the US and Europe is mentioned, seen as a tit-for-tat move against the Biden administration's tariff raises. Additionally, the episode previews economic indicators to be released the following day, including jobless claims and PMI numbers. The Bonson Group's role as investment professionals and the disclaimer regarding investment risks and advice conclude the commentary. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:18 Market Movements and Federal Reserve Insights 01:16 Housing Market Dynamics 02:10 Global Economic Indicators: UK Inflation and China's Tariff Strategy 02:48 Looking Ahead: Economic Calendar and Closing Thoughts 03:10 Disclaimer and Professional Advice Notice Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 21, 2024

This episode of Dividend Cafe provides a weekly market commentary with a focus on dividends and economic insights. On May 21, the markets saw a slight increase despite the lack of major economic news, with the Dow up by 66 points and both NASDAQ and S&P 500 up by about a quarter of a point. Interest rates were slightly down, with the 10-year treasury dropping three basis points. Fed officials, including Waller, shared diverse views on the economy, generally indicating a cautious approach towards changing interest rates. The episode also discusses the current low market volatility, compares GDP in aggregate versus per capita with Japan as a case study, and looks ahead to the FOMC meeting minutes and existing home sales reports. Lastly, it emphasizes the importance of not becoming complacent due to current positive market conditions. 00:00 Introduction to Dividend Cafe 00:16 Market Overview: A Quiet Summer Day 00:45 Federal Reserve Speakers and Interest Rate Insights 01:22 Market Volatility and Economic Indicators 02:39 GDP Insights and Global Economic Trends 03:21 Looking Ahead: FOMC Meeting and Home Sales 03:34 Closing Remarks and Compliance Information Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 20, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3ypYWzx We recap market activity on Monday, May 20th. The Dow started positively but lost momentum, closing down 196 points. The S&P and NASDAQ saw modest gains. China's market performance may be indicating an upward trend. Additionally, there was news about a helicopter crash in Iran, potential Middle Eastern tensions, and upcoming OPEC meetings. There are possible changes in capital reserve requirements for U.S. banks, the employee retention tax credit, increased tariffs on China, and the impact of these policies. We look at homeowners and renters in the U.S. Lastly, insights into recent Fed speeches and their stance on inflation and rate adjustments Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 17, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3QOLsna The second quarter of 2024 hit its midpoint this week, and markets have continued with what has been a big rally in the month of May. As earnings season has now concluded and the Fed is sidelined for a bit, we might expect things to chill out for a bit, but markets never sleep, so who knows. But this week’s Dividend Cafe does give you a pretty good look at the yield curve and what it predicts (or doesn’t), along with a cogent expectation for inflation, some fascinating things Japan can teach us (or not), some campaign questions for Team Biden, and then ultimately – a real behavioral lesson that may just make or break your success as an investor. So yes, the opportunity inside this week’s Dividend Cafe is serious. Let’s jump in! Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 16, 2024

Market Update and Economic Indicators: A Snapshot In this episode of Dividend Cafe, recorded on Thursday, May 16th, the host provides a summary of the day's market activity, noting a flat day in the markets with a brief touch on 40,000 points on the Dow. Despite a mild decline by the close, bond yields rose slightly, and recent economic indicators including the CPI data, Philly fed and empire state manufacturing indexes, and industrial production, suggest a steady, if not expanding, economy. Brian also points out the positive jobless claims data and the rebound in new home constructions as signs of economic health. Additionally, an increase in real personal income and a 35% rise in the S&P 500 since the pre-pandemic period are highlighted as indicators that do not point towards an immediate recession. The episode concludes with a look forward to the next Dividend Cafe installment and wishes for a good weekend. 00:02 Market Overview: A Flat Yet Positive Day 00:38 Manufacturing and Economic Indicators: Holding Steady 01:05 Employment and Income: Signs of Economic Health 02:25 Housing Market and Inflation: A Positive Outlook 03:05 Closing Thoughts and Look Ahead Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 15, 2024

Market Update: A Positive Turn with Cooler Inflation Numbers This episode of Dividend Cafe provides a financial market update for Wednesday, May 15th, marking a positive trading day with the Dow up by 349 points and a rally in bonds. The episode highlights a cooler than expected Consumer Price Index (CPI) for April at 0.3%, indicating a positive trend in inflation rates. The Producer Price Index (PPI) showed mixed signals with March's deflationary revision and a hotter April. These figures suggest a potential 2.8% year-over-year Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE), which is crucial for Federal Reserve considerations. Despite lower than expected retail sales and a contractionary Empire Manufacturing Survey, the episode suggests these are potentially positive signs for the Fed to lower interest rates. 00:19 Inflation and Economic Indicators Update 01:17 Retail Sales and Manufacturing Insights 01:54 Closing Thoughts and Tomorrow's Preview Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 14, 2024

A daily summary of key market data and economic nuggets. Reach out with questions anytime! questions@thebahnsengroup.com. Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 13, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3UXaYJe Markets opened to the upside and then spent the first half of the day declining (but not by much) and the second half of the day around that declined spot. Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 10, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4afqiVW As I finish up this writing Friday morning the Dow is tracking for its eight consecutive day in positive territory (I have little doubt that my mere typing of that sentence likely jinxed it). The market reversal from April into May can be credited to a combination of: Renewed acknowledgment that regardless of when the Fed begins cutting rates they have made it reasonably clear they are done hiking rates, and Marginally improved financial markets liquidity in the present tense and with a vision to the future around the tapering of quantitative tightening, and A good fundamental backdrop for corporate profits with another earnings season in the books reflective of enduring margins, reasonable forward guidance, and revenue growth in line with expectations It is a bad time to be a market timer. But I don’t think anyone can even time when it is a good time to be a market timer, so maybe I am just repeating myself over and over. Anyways, we know what time it is at The Bahnsen Group … … and it is time to jump into the Dividend Cafe. Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 9, 2024

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May 8, 2024

A daily summary of key market data and economic nuggets. Reach out with questions anytime! Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 7, 2024

A daily summary of key market data and economic nuggets. Reach out with questions anytime! Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 6, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/44ut20E The jobs report Friday was the talk of the town, with 175,000 new jobs being created in April, well below the 240,000 estimate. It was the government sector that most missed expectations, with the private sector representing 167,000 of the new jobs. The unemployment rate ticked up to 3.9%. Wages were only up +0.1% on the month and are now up +3.9% year-over-year. There is a real irony in how this gets digested, because some say, “oh no, wage growth lower than we want is bad” and others say “yay, too much wage growth creates a wage-price inflation spiral so this is good to see as a disinflationary sign. I think both camps have it wrong. 29 million of the roughly 158 million people employed in the United States works for a S&P 500 company (18% or so). Some I have shared this with expressed surprise it wasn’t higher, and some were shocked it was so high. Data is in the eye of the beholder, I guess. The bottom 50% of health care spenders account for a grand total of 3% of total health care costs (less than $390 per year). The top 5%, on the other hand, account for 51% of all health care spending. Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 3, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4bjQ9x6 “Sell in May and go away” became an adage some people love to say in our business, and I really have no idea where it came from. Whenever people ask me if we follow that adage I reply the same as I do about any other “adage” – things that are made up to offer a cute rhyme may not necessarily be the best way to formulate an investment policy. Some months markets go down. Some months really good investment plans see the holdings in a portfolio increase in price, and other times decrease in price, The investment plan is not better or worse in some months than the others – it is all part of the plan presumably put together. Various calendar correlations, almanac tidbits, and nursery rhyme poetry are not investment strategies. They are actually not even good at understanding correlations, let alone causations, as most of these things on their own merits and claims are merely 50/50 propositions. But what is a real investable philosophy is what you can find in the pages of Dividend Cafe. And for a discussion of all those things and more, we start … now … Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

May 2, 2024

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May 1, 2024

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Apr 30, 2024

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Apr 29, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4dd0xsl Economic Front The big economic news last week was the 1.6% annualized real GDP growth for Q1 when +2.5% had been expected. The 3.4% of Q4 (again, all these numbers are annualized, which is just how they get discussed) was not going to repeat itself, but 1.6% vs. 2.5% projected and 2.7% in the Atlanta Fed’s GDPNow model was a big step down. The positive side is that manufacturing appears to be picking up, New Orders are on the rise, and low inventories now mean more manufacturing later. Net exports were the biggest drag (-0.9%), and, as is almost always the case, consumption was the largest contributor (+1.7%). Capex contributed just +0.4%. The Personal Consumption Expenditures (PCE) was up +2.7% year-over-year last month, matching expectations. Personal Income rose +0.5% in March, in line with expectations. 54% of people worked at firms with less than 500 employees in 1980. That number is just over 46% now. The fertility rate in the U.S. dropped to 1.62 last year, the lowest on record. Our fertility rate has been below the 2.1 replacement level for 17 years now. Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 26, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49UmDwH The first thing I will say is that by popular demand, we will be adding back the “What’s on David’s Mind” to the Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday email blasts starting next week for Dividend Cafe subscribers (and on some days, “What’s on Brian’s Mind”). By and large, the feedback to the newly revamped Dividend Cafe has been overwhelmingly positive, and a few knobs turned on the daily programming will continue to fine-tune. Thank you all for your feedback; we are very excited to have one property, one brand, and one medium to deliver the TBG thought leadership to you. This week we are going to look at the history of yields from the market today, the history of market drawdowns, the state of commodities, the future of national debt, some global debt to avoid, expectations for Chinese economic growth, the energy sector, and finally, some Presidential conspiracy theories. That’s a lot to pack into one Friday. No one said this would be easy; we only said it would be fun. Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 25, 2024

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Apr 24, 2024

Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 23, 2024

A daily summary of key market data and economic nuggets. Reach out with questions anytime! Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 22, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3wbacib Welcome to the new and improved Dividend Cafe. What you see today will be a weekly Dividend Cafe each and every Monday from yours truly, complete with a podcast and video. It has come for years now on Monday, once under the umbrella of “COVID & Markets” and after that under “The DC Today.” We are simply incubating it under Dividend Cafe, so there is just one list, one website, and one brand behind it all. You will note on the home page of Dividend Cafe that we are running a daily market recap that will include closing data every day along with key economic indicators. Additionally, we will be running an Ask TBG on that home page, where questions will be answered every day. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, that market recap with the podcast and an Ask TBG will be emailed to subscribers., And then Friday, the same weekly Dividend Cafe article we have always done (see next paragraph) will go, per usual. So check out the new Dividend Cafe, all its bells and whistles, and share feedback with us any time! The Friday Dividend Cafe looked at the subject of contrarian investing, the state of the dollar, and a few thoughts on oil and politics, and the comedy of bitcoin as a “flight to safety” this last Friday. The written version is here (my favorite), the video is here, and the podcast is here. Into the second quarter of 2024, it may be a good time to review our outlook entering 2024 and major themes as we continue through the year. Off we go … Links mentioned in this episode: DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 19, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3JLnpSl It has been an interesting week in the market, but as you will see in the first paragraph below it may seem like nothing happened whatsoever. That is more common than people think. Today we visit the state of the U.S. dollar, the “safe haven” of bitcoin, the politics of oil, the nature of contrarian investing, and more. Just a lot of easy-bite tidbits to edify you this beautiful spring weekend. And before I remind you that a new and improved Dividend Cafe is coming any day, jump on in, to this Dividend Cafe! Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 18, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3w8tK6R Somewhat of a repeat of yesterdays market action with a positive morning failing to hold momentum and falling off into the close in more consolidation in markets around rates. We did eek out a small gain on the Dow, but the SP500 closed slightly lower for the fifth session in a row. The 2-YR Treasury is back to YTD highs at just under 5% and 10-YR was up 5 bps today to 4.63%. For what was on the docket today in the economic calendar, mostly good news. Jobless claims, existing home sales and manufacturing data all modestly ahead of expectations, but it just wasn’t enough to keep the momentum on the day. There isn’t a lot of economic news for the remainder of this week, and most eyes will be on the PCE figures out next Friday. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 17, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TX5X1I What started off as a positive trading morning, slid negative as the day progressed. Powell’s comments yesterday were debated as to whether he took his ‘Pivot’ from October back. Not to worry, because first, I don’t think he did take it back and two rate cuts are still priced in to Fed futures, and second, as I mentioned yesterday there is enough in the economy that is good at this time to withstand a delayed move lower in rates by a few months. The Fed’s beige book out today supported that general positive undertone in the economy which helped us off the lows of the day a few hours before closing as well. Seeing as we all made our tax payments this week, yesterday we saw the US Government take in the most it ever has in tax collections from corporations and non withheld amounts at $155B. The previous high water mark was back in 2022 following a big year prior and reopening after the pandemic when the same April figure was $121B. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is expecting total tax receipts for the full year 2024 to come in right near that record level in 2022 at roughly $4.93T. This is good news for the budget deficit and the growth rate of Treasury bill issuance which is set to decline for the first time in two years, although still won’t put us any where near an actual budget surplus when we are talking about chipping away at a $2T deficit. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 16, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Q5001u A mixed day of trading between positive and negative all morning and right into the market close with the Dow slightly higher and both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq just below fair value. Rates continue their move higher, with the 10-year up 4 bps and now at the 4.66% level. So aside from what so far has been a tougher start to the second quarter, a few things to keep in mind: Rates and Fed futures have reset higher based just as much on stronger-than-expected good things in the economy, such as earnings growth, GDP, and employment, as they have on inflation expectations. We are still only 4% from all-time highs in the S&P 500 when the historical intra-year drawdown is more like 14% on average. So, yes, markets are down a little here, and volatility is up with higher rates, but keep in mind this is pretty run-of-the-mill market consolidation at most at this point. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 15, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Q2J5g8 Against Doomsdayism Where this Iran-Israel atrocity goes from here, what should and should not have been done, what and should not be done, what it will mean for markets and oil prices – all these things notwithstanding, the winner of the weekend appears to be anti-missile defense systems, first pursued by the Reagan administration in the 1980’s. The ability for this technology across multiple mediums to bat nearly a thousand in putting down missiles and drones coming in hot to do unspeakable damage is, well, vindicating. The specifics of the various technologies and strategies are fascinating, but for now, we celebrate those whose vision was to shoot down missiles and missiles, from ground and from air. Such military investment saves lives, and deserves our celebration. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 12, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3JfyXwQ I cannot tell you how much fun it is for me to spend three hours on a Friday morning reading research. Reading when it is dark outside is the single activity that brings me the most joy, and I love the inspiration it fostered for today's Dividend Cafe Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 11, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3JfyXwQ A modestly positive day in markets overall today on some better-than-expected PPI numbers following yesterday’s selloff on CPI. So what one-day taketh, another giveth back (well, not quite). The Producer Price Index numbers showed a gain of just .2% for the month on headline when .3% was expected, and the Core PPI only gained .1% for the month. The takeaway is PPI is just not confirming a reacceleration in inflation on the wholesale side, which is a positive. We unpacked yesterday’s CPI numbers pretty well, I thought, but I am sharing this chart from our friends at Strategas with you below to show you where rate expectations have now moved since. My point here is that while they have moved meaningfully higher, I do believe this to be a good thing, contrary to what some may say. The economy, employment, and the markets have all digested these higher rate expectations and it’s simply far healthier for markets to focus and trade on the actual fundamentals of the economy and earnings versus solely on the hopes of looser monetary policy. Shown below, we came into the year expecting Fed funds at 3.5% by Christmas and have now priced in just two rate cuts and ending this year closer to 4.75%. The bar of Fed expectations has been reset to a level high enough that it is now more supportive for markets than the opposite at this point. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 10, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3PWoA4P A down day in both stocks and bonds today following a disappointment on CPI numbers by one tenth on both Headline and Core, that sent the Dow down XXX points and the 10-year bond yield up .18XXbps. We expected .3% on both and got .4% instead to cause todays action, so on one hand a risk off day as higher rates were priced in on yields, and on the other, the difference of a tenth is far from dramatic in and of itself. I do believe the Federal Reserve is an independent institution adhering to its employment and price stability mandates. I also believe they are aware of the Fiscal paradigm as well however (not driven by, but aware). Do I think a $2T budget deficit when we are at full employment with interest expense now accounting for 17% of tax revenue when our average termed government debt interest rate is only at 3.3% is on their radar in terms of Quantitative Tightening, yes I do. They can’t go until inflation gives them the OK sign (or gets close enough), but they are ready to reduce rates later this year as they’ve telegraphed, and from the Fed minutes released just today my point on reducing QT will come in to play sooner than later. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 9, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4aKgDaL We traded mostly lower the entire day today but then rallied back to fair value the last hour or so of trading. Tomorrow we have CPI out, and with a lack of other meaningful economic data today and right before earnings season heats up later this week, markets were mixed in anticipation. Bonds did rally across the curve giving back some of the back up in rates we have seen the past few sessions with the 10-year down 6bps. With earnings season set to start this Friday, a quick recap of where expectations lie: 3% revenue growth, 5% earnings growth on the quarter with a big up tick in Utility (believe it or not) earnings growth up 18%. For the year we are still looking at roughly $243 per share on the SP500 or about 10% growth from the previous year. Sectors where the bar on expectations is set fairly high at this point are in technology and communications, with Energy and Materials the opposite so it will be interesting to see where markets price the actual results in comparison. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 8, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4aMHEug Economic Front The primary news of the weekend was the 303k new jobs created in March, up by 89k over expectations. A full 232k of that came from the private sector. The two prior months were revised upwards by 22k. The household survey was up huge, as well. The unemployment rate fell to 3.8%. Construction was solid (39k new j obs), and leisure and hospitality led the way, with private education and health care strong as well. The annual gain in wages is +4.1%, and the average hours worked went up to 34.4 (had been 34.3). Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 5, 2024

Today's Post - The stock market dropped this week and it has given me a chance to write a Dividend Cafe about one of my favorite topics – the crucial importance of predicting the future, reading the tea leaves, and all that good stuff. I have strong opinions about people’s talent in such projections and the relevance of such to one’s long-term financial success. So today we are going to just have at it and talk about this week’s market volatility and what it means to you. Some of you are going to be really, really disappointed (if I did my job right). Jump on in, to the Dividend Cafe. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 4, 2024

Today's Post - Our morning rally in stocks turned decisively negative midday. There was geo-political tension with Iran threatening action after Israel’s strike on Syria and then some mixed messaging from different Fed presidents today that seemed to both contribute to today’s decline. That said, there really wasn’t a whole lot to warrant such a large 750-point swing from top to bottom on the day, so some strange market action with volatility picking up. While the overall labor force participation rate has come up recently, it’s still on the lower end of the historical norm at about 62.5%. It’s interesting to see the bifurcation of what’s driving it. The participation rate amongst the largest cohort of working 25-54 year olds is actually the highest it has ever been in this country at 83.5%, while the 54+ is basically at the lowest level it has ever been at about 38.5%. Read into that what you will, but the charts seem to shift just following the pandemic with a greater gap between the two cohorts. Younger folks with fewer assets had less wealth effects from rising prices, while the opposite was more prevalent in the older is my take. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 3, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3U2mBhF A modestly positive trading day today in markets with both stocks a little higher and the VIX lower following a few down days. ADP payroll numbers for March came in quite strong at 184k, although the actual employment report this Friday will get more attention. Powell had comments out today that reiterated their patient approach on lowering rates which is really just more of the same with Fed futures unchanged. Sort of a quiet day really all around. As the office REIT space recovers, earnings revisions for next year have brought the average estimate from -1.8% to now 12.2% for 2025. Healthcare REIT’s have also seen a huge revision from -17.2% to now 6.9% for next year EPS estimates. In fact of all 10 industries in the SP500 with upward revisions for next year, 6 of them are in the REIT space overall. Now, I imagine if interest rates don’t move lower as much as expected the shine may wear off for these analysts, but interesting nonetheless. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 2, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3JnoIqp Although off the lows for the day, stocks closed down for a second day to start off the new quarter. 10-Year yields have now moved back towards the high end of their four-month range at 4.35%, which is about the level where we have seen markets start to pay more attention which is what today was about. Fed futures are still at 50/50 for a June cut and roughly 70% for July, and what’s being repriced into markets is rates that may stay a little higher this year. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Apr 1, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cDHCqg There is a lot of good stuff in the podcast today and, as always, we welcome your questions and curiosities. Dividend Cafe looked at a number of things around the Fed, market valuation, inflation, and more on Friday. We have some very exciting things in the works about our plans for daily and weekly content delivery, with even more additions and refinements coming. Meetings are underway and nothing will be ready to announce imminently but we are excited to bring what we are doing to another level. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 29, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cDi2Sq The first quarter of 2024 is in the history books (both because it is done, so therefore now history – and because it was a big quarter with a lot of surprises for market pundits). As you go into your Easter Weekend and enjoy the market holiday that is Good Friday, take a trip around the horn as we look at history, market valuations, passive investing, credit, money supply, financial conditions, and more. Jump on in to the Dividend Cafe … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 27, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TT4Scl Another generally positive day in markets with today marking the 99th consecutive trading day that the SP500 closed above its 50 day moving average. This has happened many times in history believe it or not, and certainly isn’t even half way to 1995’s run of 257 (back when I was graduating high school), but its impressive none the less. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 26, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TTReFO Markets traded positively for most of the day, although ended up closing slightly down by 31 points. This is the 10th time since 1950 that the SP500 has been up for 5 months in a row, so it certainly has happened enough before, but interesting that when I looked at those time periods 12 months following, they were also all in positive territory as well. All that said, earnings and fundamentals are going to have to pull their weight for that to happen an 11th time from these valuations (see David’s comments below). Historically speaking, it’s also rare to see markets top when there is such broad participation in new 52-week highs. Typically, that internal breadth starts to show cracks before the overall market reaches its cycle peak and turns lower, and that is not what we are seeing today. Energy, by the way, has reaccelerated, with now 80% of the sector at 3-month highs, as that market rotation and broadening of sector returns continues. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 25, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49cizrs Greetings from Dallas, Texas where I am the next two days before then getting to Houston on Wednesday and then to the TBG offices in Austin and doing three events there for a couple of days before returning to NYC on Friday. Today’s DCT is housing-heavy with plenty else in the mix to make it worth your time. Dividend Cafe looked further into the time-tested wisdom of dividend growth investing, the historical factors that involved over the past few decades, and the lay of the land in the years ahead. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 22, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4924jl3 Predictions are fun. They are not, though, at the heart of the investment business. They can be very important in the methodology and process of some speculators, and they can even be marginally additive for some investors. But “predictions” are not quite the same as “calculations,” and they are categorically different from “belief systems.” At the core of all good investors lies a philosophy. I find it an unimprovable joy in life to study the investing philosophies of great investors. I never, ever, ever find one who relies on “feel” or “just has that Midas touch.” That very thinking is for simpletons and know-nothings. Great investors execute well off of a cogent philosophy. Bad investors either fail to execute or have an improperly formed philosophy (or, worst of all, options; they have no discernable philosophy at all). The Bahnsen Group embraces being defined by our investment philosophy, and we embrace being known by the role dividend growth plays within that philosophy. Dividend growth is not new. In fact, what is [relatively] new is NOT viewing the receipt of cash flow from the risk investments you make as a key objective in your investing and a significant part of your anticipated return. In today’s Dividend Cafe, we address the history of investor distraction from dividend monetization and the reorientation that we believe is about to shift the focus back to where it belongs. We are not talking a “new normal” but rather a “return to normal normal.” So jump on in to a very normal Dividend Cafe … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 21, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3vpQejx Markets built on yesterdays rally today closing higher for a third straight session. For the markets, the porridge-is-just-right narrative around the balance of strong economic and employment backdrop combined with disinflation and a Fed that is now talking about slowing QT and accepting PCE at 2.6% this year (vs 2%) before they would begin cutting interest rates. Today we also had jobless claims and existing home sales both positive and supportive of that narrative as well. Keep in mind please, that markets are a forward looking pricing mechanism, and a lot of soft-landing narrative at this point is fully baked in. The question will be on fundamentals keeping up with those higher valuations names from here, and I still suspect there will be the haves vs. have-nots in that regard and the time for being selective here is very important. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 20, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/43pRAau Generally, a pretty market-friendly statement from the Fed, with some upgrading on the economy with GDP estimates moving up from 1.4% to 2.0%, they lowered their unemployment rate forecasts from 4.1% to 4% and raised the Core PCE forecasts by two-tenths to 2.6% for the year (and we are already at 2.8% now mind you). Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 19, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3ViQThg Markets built on gains quite nicely throughout the day today, with the Dow up 320 points, on an uncharacteristically consistent trading day heading into tomorrow’s FOMC decision and statement. The back up in rates we have seen the past two weeks eased a little today as well, with 10s down three basis points, which also supported our generally positive day. We are still in the range I mentioned on the 10-year, just at the higher end of it with 4.35%, the high watermark on the year so far. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 18, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3x6BWVi Ask David “Are tech stocks likely not going to be good dividend growth stocks for the foreseeable future? Given their reliance on good and expensive R&D to keep market share? Seems to be a no-brainer to me. Dividends and more meaningful dividend growth is seemingly better in other sectors. Or am I just underestimating the time it takes for dividends to grow? What will happen to tech stocks if they have poor dividends and stock price growth flattens out? Where would the value for shareholders come from? Or am I missing something or am I just worrying unnecessarily?” ~ Nathan Some tech companies will not pay a dividend, some will, some will grow it, and some will not. Technology is way too broad of a sector to answer in the context of monolithic treatment of dividends. What is constant where there are technology companies that pay consistent and growing dividends is that the company is mature, has recurring cash flows, and management that has exited the ego phase of corporate oversight. Value does not come from dividends – it comes from profits. The value of those profits is realized in dividends. If profits are not returned to shareholders but used to create more profits, that is where value creation could come from. Or, that is where value could be destroyed. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 15, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3IEE4WR Dividend growth investing is counter-cultural. It goes against the grain of “hot dots” and “shiny objects.” It functions outside the fads and fashions of the moment. And it insists that ancient ideas like “cash flow matters” are still relevant today (amongst many other ideas). It seeks performance and productivity but not popularity. It flows from a belief system and not a crowd. It is, indeed, counter-cultural. It also is not always understood correctly. Several misnomers persist that, if better understood, could jeopardize its counter-cultural status. One of my great fears in life is that dividend growth investing recaptures its status as “the known best way to do equity investing.” All things being equal, if dividend growth investing became a consensus understanding of the masses, I still wouldn’t change my belief system one iota, but I prefer running a portfolio at 15.2x forward earnings when the market is trading at 21x … the “non-shininess” of the strategy adds value. Nevertheless, when it comes to the Dividend Cafe, it is my sworn duty to inform, educate, equip, and edify, so clearing up misnomers is not just allowed but required. If enough people read and adopt the truth, I may have to sacrifice the counter-cultural status of dividend growth, but I’ll know I did the world some good. So today, we shall clear up a couple of things and even dig into some recent history. And as is always the case with financial markets, the more you understand the past, the better prepared you will be for the future! Jump on into the Dividend Cafe … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 14, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cjgL2o Markets were lower on the day with some higher than expected Producer Price Index numbers for the month of February that were up .6% versus .3% expected. Keep in mind, the year over year number on that same headline gauge is only at 1.6%, albeit up from the 1% read the month prior. If we annualize the last three months that included some of the higher figures, we get to around 3% year over year. This may not be exactly where we want to be at this point, but as I have mentioned, the path towards our target was just never going to happen in a straight line either. Commercial real estate values have begun to show some recovery in the past few months. The chart below shows both the decline in values we just went through and the beginning of recovery, but more importantly, the 20%+ run up that preceded it. The protective equity during the recent decline in values was hugely inflated leading into it, so when we hear about a looming crisis in something like commercial office loans, from an LTV perspective there was already a larger cushion, and borrows make payments when there is equity. I am not saying there isn’t stress in non class-A office, but if prices are leveling I am not sure it will materialize into more at this point. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 13, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3wTpet0 The Dow eked out a small gain, with both the SP500 and Nasdaq closing modestly lower. Yields drifted a little higher today Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 12, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3wT2REd A positive trading day in stocks with a fresh new read on CPI that was largely in line with expectations, with both Headline and Core up .4% for the month of February. While these are close to the same print we got in January that caused our 1.5% selloff, February’s read was priced in at this point, and if anything, more reaffirmed that the prior month ticking higher was more a one-off than a new longer-term trend. Yields were modestly higher across the curve, and Fed futures are at 60% for a June rate cut at this point. There is plenty of data from now until then, but all things being equal, our disinflation narrative remains intact. A quick state of the US labor force: Total Labor force participation rate total 16+ years at 62% = Not Great Labor force participation rate amongst 25-54 Yr. old’s at 83% = Great Labor force participation rate amongst 55+ at 38% = Abysmal (the chart fell off a cliff in the pandemic and hasn’t recovered) Total US Labor Force at a total of 160MM employed = Good The overall participation rate is still historically low at 62% (67%+ would be cooking with grease). Demographically however, with still positive population growth in the US, compared to declining population numbers in some other parts of the world (i.e. Europe, Japan, China), there is an advantage. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 11, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/43bfaYw Futures opened last night pretty flat and slightly improved into the evening, but this morning, futures pointed to a down -130 point open pre-market. The market opened down 100 points and got down -230 points before rebounding about +300 from there. The Dow closed up 47 points (+0.12%), with the S&P 500 down -0.11% and the Nasdaq down -0.41%. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 8, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49VU9Du It's been a weird week to pick a topic for the Dividend Cafe. I have about six topics mapped out for future Dividend Cafes, yet none of them grabbed me to do this week. I took an Acela to DC from New York on Wednesday late afternoon and felt pretty inspired about one topic, and then felt inspired about another as I took the train back to NYC 24 hours later. I did a panel with David Malpass, recent president of the World Bank and Treasury Department Deputy Secretary for three Presidents, at the Library of Congress yesterday, and when I came off that stage, I had a whole new inspiration for today's Dividend Cafe. I did a podcast with John Mauldin earlier in the week that put many ideas on the table (as all my talks with John always do). We had a State of the Union address last night and experienced "Super Tuesday" just a few days ago. The White House announced plans for credit card fee restrictions this week. And the Fed announced a reversal of plans for onerous new "Basel 3" capital requirements on banks. Do you see what I am saying? I have had one idea, inspiration, or fodder after another for this Dividend Cafe all week, and when it comes time to put pen to paper, the only choice I have is to do …. All of the Above! Jump on into the Dividend Cafe. We have a lot to talk about! Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 7, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3T43 A second positive day in markets and one with a little more conviction than yesterday, with the SP500 notching a new high. Powell gave his second day of testimony to Congress. Lagarde at the ECB held rates unchanged at 4%, although he did tilt the scales more toward assuredness that inflation was lower and June was the base case on when rates start to move lower. I have more conviction in the US waiting until June with growth forecasts in the mid-2 % range than I do the ECB, given GDP forecasts in Germany are a tenth of that at .25%, but we shall see. Higher debt levels lead to lower growth, lead to lower rates – rinse, wash, and repeat. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 6, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3P9T82G After two down days to start the week, we closed higher on the day after Powell’s comments to Congress. He reiterated a peak in rates and a plan to lower rates once he has more data to confirm that 2% path beforehand. We have a more chart-heavy DC Today for you (my favorite), as the information pictorially is too good to pass up. Today, we got ADP payroll numbers largely in line with expectations, and there are reasons employment and, frankly, this market has defied all that doubted it in the wake of this meteoric rise in interest rates. Rising markets, tightening credit spreads, low jobless claims, fiscal deficits at 6% of GDP, and infrastructure spending have all eased financial conditions to become EASIER than where they were BEFORE the Fed began raising interest rates from the zero bound. We have spoken about both consumers’ and corporations’ resilience from rising rates as they locked in lower rates before this cycle, but the financial conditions in green in the chart below show the backdrop of the market’s resilience in light of rates as well. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 5, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3T7Ki6D Markets opened lower and traded that way the remainder of the day in stocks, with bonds catching a bid and rates falling across the curve. We actually had good numbers on both services ISM and PMI numbers, although there may have been some market angst over Powell potentially sounding hawkish tomorrow in front of Congress, and we just gave a little back on the day. Q4 earnings season is basically a wrap at this point, and while the quarter came in great at 9.8%, the earnings per share growth on the entire year was just .5%. Q4 acceleration is expected to last for most of 2024 with earnings expected to be up another 10% and then somewhere closer to 13% in 2025. Margins have also advanced recently up to 16.8%, and while all of these things are of course generally good, this move up we’ve seen the first two months of the year seems to already have taken note. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 4, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4c33Ql2 Manufacturing contracted in February again, coming in at 47.8 in the latest ISM measurement (below 50 is contraction, above 50 expansion). Manufacturing has contracted every month since November 2022. Export orders picked up a bit but the other categories were all negative. However, 8 out of 18 sectors saw expansion this month where last month is was only four. For what it is worth, the states with the highest population growth since 2019 (by %) are Idaho (+10%), Utah (+7%), Montana (+6%), Texas (+5%), and Florida (+5%). Right behind those leaders all tied at +4% is Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. The only states to have negative population growth are California (-1%), West Virginia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Services remain below their pre-COVID share of total consumer spending. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Mar 1, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4cbq1G7 This last week appears to (as of Friday morning’s press time) not been a particularly active one in equity markets. The Fed had no big announcements. Bond yields barely budged. Earnings season is very close to complete, and companies doing reporting of results have become few and far between. We are in a market news cycle lull, which is the perfect time to talk about alternative investments. “Huh?,” you ask. “What does the news cycle have to do with alternative investments like private credit?” All will be revealed. But in the meantime, I guess I should clarify that I never believe Dividend Cafe should be tied to a particular headline or market event. I may choose to do so here and there. But even then, those “ad hoc” news events become relevant to the Dividend Cafe only to the extent the lesson or message itself is a permanently relevant message. Some may be delivered in a more “timely” context than others, but what I want every week’s Dividend Cafe to be is something that can be read any time past, present, or future, and stand up. Day-to-day market reporting and analysis has its place (barely), but the Dividend Cafe is my baby for macro, evergreen truth and perspective. It will be the last thing I ever give up in this full-time endeavor, and by give up, I mean something rather morbid. So I write in today’s Dividend Cafe about something unrelated to the news cycle, the headlines, and big market noise, not merely because it was a quiet week on the western front but because every week should be a topic divorced from noise and focused on substance. Noise is the enemy of investor success. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 29, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3uKcswq A positive day in markets this Leap Year Thursday centered around PCE data that was inline with estimates for the month of January with December being revised lower. Headline year over year PCE rose 2.4%, and removing food and energy, Core PCE increased 2.8% from a year earlier. The dichotomy for 2023 was between goods price deflation of -.5% and services price inflation of 3.9%. So where does this all leave us? T his was the last major inflation data point prior to the FOMC meeting on 3/20, so the Fed is leaving rates unchanged in March, most likely the same (as of now) in May, with about a 50/50 chance for a rate cut in June. The bond market, fed futures, and the Fed’s own dot plots are estimating 75 bps of rate cuts by the end of the year. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 28, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3SZYlea The sectors that have historically performed the best following a rising Real Fed Funds rate in the past have been defensives like Staples, Utilities and Energy. The latter is obviously subject to commodity volatility in WTI, but its worth noting the strong out performance in Q4 results in Staples. We have exposure based on the bottom up fundamentals we like, but if there were also a part of the market to be watched with a contrarian lens as breadth shifts from tech elsewhere, these are on my list. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 27, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TeiRcu A bit of a mixed day in markets with the Dow closing off its lows for the day down 96 points. The treasury raised $46B in seven year paper with a bid to cover ratio in the mid fifteens versus the thirteens where it has been (meaning there more buyers). I suppose if the big news in Asia today was a ‘hotter’ inflation read at 2% in Japan with 10 year government bonds rising to their highest yield since 2011 at an eye popping .165%, its no wonder this auction near 4.32% cleared with more demand. Capital will always flow around the world where it is most rewarded and with attractive economic fundamentals and positive real yields, its why the US Dollar is nearing its 2020 pandemic apex and trading 17% above its historical average versus trading peers. Short term, this can make US exports more expensive which can slow growth, and also further trade imbalance as we already import more things then we export, but its a net positive long term. Tomorrows trade balance figures may reveal more there Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 26, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Iya6nH Financial markets have absorbed the $1.5 trillion (or so) of quantitative tightening thus far quite well, but reverse repos were at high levels, and bank reserves (and money market liquidity) were not challenged. Will the Fed press more QT when RRP’s hit zero? Color me skeptical. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 23, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3uNB8E7 History was made this week, and no, I am not talking about DA Jack McCoy retiring after 400 episodes on Law & Order, but rather the Japanese Nikkei closing at 39,098 on Wednesday night, its highest close in history, surpassing the previous closing high … which was (wait for it) … December 29, 1989. Yes, almost 35 years ago the Nikkei closed at 38,916, and finally re-reached and exceeded that level this week. It gives new meaning to the expression “buy and hold.” But beyond the statistical and numerical takeaways of what may seem like a distant story unrelated to the plight of American investors, the tale of modern finance embedded in the last four decades of Japanese economic life is one for the ages. It has been a mild obsession of mine for many years, and I fully intend to finish a deeper white paper on the entire saga in the years to come. But today is not that white paper, as exciting for your insomnia as that prospect may be. Rather, I want to provide a succinct look at the history of what happened and what a key, if not the key, takeaway of the whole thing is for American investors. Jump on in to the Dividend Cafe, and let’s pretend we left off in the mid-1980’s, in a very different time than we find ourselves today, Yet in many ways, perhaps not that different at all. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 22, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3OUiHEJ A big rally day today across the board, but particularly in technology stocks primarily fueled by AI euphoria. I honestly, can’t remember a time when the point move in the Nasdaq was almost on par with that of the Dow, up X and X respectively in what is more and more feeling like 1999. Japan however, is feeling more and more like 1989, closing at an all time high today surpassing its market peak of 12/12/1989, about a month after the fall of the Berlin wall when instead of trading stocks I was trading baseball cards. You read that right, it has taken the Nikkei 34 years to regain a new height following of the largest asset bubbles in the modern era. Do valuations matter? Yes, indeed they do. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 21, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3T6zpmI We began the day positive at least for the few hours and lost momentum mid day. The Fed minutes released today showed broad agreement in the need for more confidence for inflation moving to a sustained 2% target before decreasing rates. While this wasn’t new information and followed what Powell already revealed in statement and his press conference following the meeting, the minutes showed more Fed constituents citing inflation risks with as their primary concern then overly restrictive rate policy, and that is what saw rates move a little higher this afternoon and stocks lower. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 20, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48o28b5 I love this long-form DC Today and I love writing all the things that go into it. A Monday holiday weekend just gives me even more time and space so hopefully all the things today fill your cup. Dividend Cafe went into the mailbag and provided some key economic definitions, some commentary on the Fed, a better understanding of capital spending, alternative investments, and even a reference to Steve Martin. Lots of great questions with succinct, understandable answers! Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 16, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42K4tM5 Greetings from beautiful Palm Beach, Florida, where by the time you are getting this, I will have left my fourth Floridian city in five days and returned to New York City. It has been a whirlwind of a week in markets, in the data, in the political scene, in the weather, and in Florida speaking. But this week we took a whirlwind of questions covering a lot of topics and did a special “mailbag” Dividend Cafe. As always, the questions cover a lot of topics, and as always, the answers are meant to be succinct, direct, and clear. I love corresponding with your questions and I hope the wide audience of Dividend Cafe finds these questions (and answers) useful. This week we cover some inflation/deflation vocabulary, even bringing back vital words like velocity and Japanification. We evaluate the way the BLS covers the hilarity of social media “influencers.” We look at what the Fed should be doing in the world they have created. And really, so much more! Always feel free to reach out with questions of your own, and in the meantime, jump on into the Dividend Cafe. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 15, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4bySeX3 A consistently positive trading day in markets from start to finish, with the Dow closing at the highs for the day up 348 points. Yields have also settled in the last few sessions, which, as Tuesday’s knee-jerk move higher, gets normalized. Both the Empire and Philadelphia manufacturing index numbers came in meaningfully above expectations, and jobless claims also beat, so a few good data points in economic fundamentals. We did get a second quarter of contracting GDP for Q4 out for both the UK and Japan, indicating recessions in both countries. Japan has now lost its third-place spot on the global GDP stage to Germany, falling to fourth. I mentioned this a few quarters ago, but it will be very difficult for central banks to stick to higher interest rates in slower-growth areas of the world. Stagflation will be something to watch in some of these areas if unemployment rises faster than inflation falls, but either way, rate cuts are soon to follow. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 14, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49ia3bk A more productive day in markets today following yesterdays sell off with with the SP500 regaining the 5,000 level and bond yields giving back some of yesterdays back up in rates. As expected, internals yesterday were quite negative at -13 to 1 on the advance/decline ratio, but without credit spreads even budging, we move on. For what its worth, in a meeting with House members following the inflation release yesterday, Powell mentioned that the CPI data was consistent with what they had expected. Moving back to actual fundamentals that matter more to me, with over two thirds of Q4 earnings season completed we are tracking a 9% growth rate for the SP500 on the year, with a few more percentage points to the upside by the time its all said and done. Hard to see issues in that, and margins are holding in nicely at 16.7% with another 10% of earnings growth expected for 2024. I do think the latter ends up getting revised lower, but it remains a positive backdrop nonetheless. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 13, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49ze1fb The big news today and cause for the market volatility was the latest read on inflation, with both Headline and Core CPI coming in one-tenth higher than expected (you read that right, above expectations by just one-tenth for the month). There were words thrown around like ‘hot’ inflation and a ‘spike’ in treasury yields circulated around the media to sensationalize it, and I am not at all making light of a down 524 point market day, but truth be told, while we are seeing a continued path of disinflation in this country, that path was never going to be a straight line. Keep in mind here as well that we came into today with 14 of the last 15 weeks to the upside by roughly 20% in stocks and a five-handle S&P 500 starting point. That long streak has only happened five times in history since 1928, with the last time being some 52 years ago. Suffice it today, with a complacent VIX coming into today’s number, we were also frankly due for some of this sell-off. As one would have expected, yields moved higher across the curve on the day, with the 10YR closing up 15bps at 4.32%. We did come off the intra-day lows heading into the close, but a lot of this move felt overdone to me (both in yields and stocks. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 12, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42ztxFL Greetings from the sunshine state of Florida, where I will be all week (different cities each day of the week) seeing clients, talking about the new book, and speaking to a very large symposium of fellow financial advisors. And thank you to all of you who gave such helpful feedback and encouragement on the DC Today weekly program! Brian and I both really appreciate it! The Dividend Cafe on Friday looked at the relevance of work to our understanding of economics. It mixed in an updated thought on modern portfolio theory, and it concluded with a comparison of 2024 to 1999. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 9, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42BoynY It’s been a whirlwind of a week, and today is going to be a whirlwind of a Dividend Cafe. I came into my writing this morning with two or three topics to choose between, and I settled on “all of the above, plus several more.” I’ll leave the introduction short so we can get right into it. Between earnings season, a certain crux in the geopolitical moment, potential (likely?) new tax legislation, a modest market re-pricing of revised Fed expectations, some company considerations in our own portfolio management, and a pleading of the case for a “full-time” work mentality, there has been a lot going on at Team Bahnsen, and there is a lot in today’s Dividend Cafe … Let’s jump in! Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 8, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42FOvmj Stocks rose modestly again today as we flirted with a five handle milestone on the SP500 intra day but closed just two points below. We are up 13 of the last 14 weeks, which is technically the longest streak since 1986. Good thing there wasn’t volatility the following October (joking aside 87’ still closed higher on the year believe it or not). All said, earnings have been quite good, the Fed is on hold for now with the next move lower rather than higher, employment and GDP are quite good, and inflation is subsiding, so the path of least resistance has been higher. Elsewhere, with year over year decline in CPI out today the slowdown in China post pandemic has been one that few, if any, predicted. After decades of record economic growth aided by a rapidly expanding population and industrialization, growth has been slowing. There isn’t anything different about this playing out in China as it did in Europe and then the US mind you, it just happened faster because of technology and productivity being more advanced than in previous periods. Demographics in the country have also begun to shift. Today, 18% of the population is over the age of 60, and by the year 2032 over 32% will be, which will surpass that of the US. This isn’t to say there isn’t growth in China, it still grew GDP by 5.2% last year, but would you like to guess what the 30 year annual compounded return in the market has been there? -2.1% per year or about zero including dividends. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 7, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42zrukM A consistently positive trading day in markets today without a lot of new economic data out, but I suppose no news is good news, so we’ll take it. We did have a widening trade deficit data released today roughly in line with expectations but I am intentionally keeping this intro short and sweet today to tee up the more meaty sections in the this podcast. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 6, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4bqijHA Markets traded modestly higher following global markets, particularly China, where broad indices closed higher by over 3%. Markets in China have given up over $7T in market value since peaking in March of 2021, and last night’s move had less to do with actual news than I think it just did with an oversold bounce on potential stimulus. I do suspect there will be more from the government there to stimulate the economy and a severely over-levered real estate market sooner rather than later. Slower growth in China, means less Yuan to recycle back in US Treasuries, as that share of ownership continues to decline. There are still plenty of long-dated liabilities that need to be funded domestically with pensions and insurance companies and the like, but the supply this year will be massive with $8.9T in maturing Treasuries. Add on another $1T or more in deficits, and we will need to see over $10T absorbed in markets this year. This, along with the fact that government interest payments have already doubled from $350B in 2021 to now $700B, just has me skeptical that the Fed will continue to sell $60B a month with QT for a whole lot longer. It was less of a data-driven market day, other than a host of Fed President comments, which I will sum up to effectively ‘…yeah, what he said…’ reiterating Powell’s Fed policy comments last week about more time needed with rates. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 5, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3HOoQy5 I am very excited to announce a few things going on with the DC Today … First, we’ll start with the changes coming to the Monday edition of DC Today: None. I will continue writing and recording the Monday DC Today every week and will continue doing so in the “format” you see below (which follows the template from the old “COVID and Markets” days for you nostalgic types – be safe, be well, be free – and has been the Monday template throughout the history of DC Today). I enjoy doing this. I use a lot of weekend morning time pre-sun to do the writing. And Mondays before our weekly Investment Committee meeting commences don’t have the morning workload other days do. I will continue to make the time Monday afternoons to record the DC Today podcast and video, as well. So Monday stays as is and you’re stuck with me. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 2, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47Xsqk9 The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve met this week for their scheduled meeting and announced that … wait for it … they were not doing anything with interest rates. The market knew this was coming – futures have had a 100% chance of no increase or decrease in the Fed Funds rate at the January meeting for months – but markets went down -300 points after Fed chair, Jerome Powell, gave his customary press conference. The bond market went way up as yields dropped. And sure enough stocks caught up to bonds the very next day as the Dow jumped +370 points. Maybe this sounds to you like a lot of drama for one or two market days when everyone already knew what was going to happen, and you would be right. But the question that many are asking is – if it doesn’t matter, why does it matter? In other words, why is market volatility so high and press attention so high about when the Fed will begin cutting rates? Maybe traders do dumb and speculative things but why do traders care about this so much? Why not focus on more important short term betting odds, like whether or not Travis and Taylor are going to get married? In this week’s Dividend Cafe we explore the question of, “well, does it matter?” And to understand if it matters or not what the Fed does, we may want to understand what they do, exactly. This is a good one. So jump on in to the Dividend Cafe. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Feb 1, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3SoXYtv Welcome to the first day of February, and a 29 day leap year one at that. The Dow completely rebounded from yesterdays sell off in stocks, and the bond market has now had two big day of gains in a row with rates moving significantly lower across the curve. The Fed holding rates unchanged yesterday was expected, but the comments of a March rate cut not being the Feds base case until they see more supportive data is what moved markets. Two quick points: The dot plots of where the FOMC sees rates by year end was unchanged following the meeting and 2-Yr treasury yields moving lower by 17 basis points in two days rather than higher isn’t a vote of confidence from the bond market its buying it at all. The reality is that economic data continues to be stronger than expected which is allowing them to take their time on easing policy, but markets are pricing it in advance anyway (as they always do). Speaking of stronger than expected economic data, there was a fair amount today with both productivity and ISM manufacturing data both beating expectations Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 31, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4bhe01g The Fed today did as expected, which was nothing, leaving rates in tact for what has now become a six-month pause. Chairman Powell reiterated the unlikelihood of a rate cut in March (more on that in a moment). Markets sold off with the Nasdaq especially getting pummeled (but it was already down over -1% on the day before the announcement. BUT, bond yields COLLAPSED, with yields dropping significantly making it a rare day (in the last year or so) where bonds rallied huge and stocks sold off quite a bit. The Fed futures moved down to 35% for a rate cut in March but I have to say that is shocking. I would have thought they would go to 0% (okay, more like 10%) with the Fed Chair kind of saying they are not cutting yet. My best guess is enough actors in the market just believe the inflation data will come in so improved and economic data will come in so questionable between now and March 20 that the Fed will change their minds. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 30, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3HB81Xw A pretty boring day in markets with the Dow up and Nasdaq down. A lot of eyes are on what is coming next in the Middle East after the horrific murder of American lives over the weekend. Oil prices so far are not responding with any panic. Microsoft and Google each release results after hours today. They are big companies, you may have heard. Earnings growth of +4.9% (year-over-year) is expected this earnings season from an expectation of +2.7% y/y revenue growth. We are barely at 25% of companies having reported so far so we will do a better assessment of how this is tracking after each of the next two weeks. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 29, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48OKdeA Ask David “What is the best argument for why the distributed independent decisions of individuals, families, and businesses create more beneficial outcomes for most people than the top-down, centralized decisions of government, especially the federal government?” ~ David K. My argument is one of incentives and one of knowledge. These are two different arguments, even if they do overlap at points. Fundamentally, I believe better outcomes take place when the decision-makers reap benefits from their decisions and when decision-makers feel pain from bad decisions. I do not believe “disinterested third parties” (Thomas Sowell’s term) have the incentives to allocate and adjudicate risk and reward the way those with “skin in the game” do. But beyond the classical incentive argument, I am very much a believer in what Friedrich Hayek referred to as the “knowledge problem.” Knowledge is widely dispersed throughout a society and no central entity possesses the knowledge needed to properly steward the affairs of a diverse economy. I read the masterful essay, The Use of Knowledge in Society, by Friedrich Hayek while in high school. It was the beginning of a lifetime journey for me through Hayekian thought, particularly around Hayek’s thesis of the “fatal conceit” of central planners. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 26, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3OkKhL0 I did something fun today … I just picked random topics from various things on my mind, in my daily reading, or across my research feed – sort of stream of consciousness – and wrote about them. Therefore, I suspect there will be a little something for everyone today. Hopefully, each portion is “bite-sized” enough to make it all succinct and readable, and I certainly appreciate any feedback you have to offer. In fact, I am considering something like this in the daily DC Today (where I would write my own piece every day on whatever topic I am so inspired by that day, and let Brian run with the daily data recap). It's all a work in progress and your comments are welcome. And in the meantime, let's jump into the Dividend Cafe - bite-sized variety and all ... Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 25, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48LulK1 An overall positive trading day without a lot of volatility behind what was a pretty decent batch of economic data. The Dow was up well over 200 points, and the S&P 500 notched a sixth day of gains. We had the first read on Q4 GDP come in significantly higher than expected at 3.3%, with the consumer powering almost two percent of it. Both durable goods orders and jobless claims came in just enough below expectations that bonds also rallied, with the 10 YR down six basis points. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 24, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48MsRiD We experienced positive market sentiment throughout the morning until approximately 10:30 AM, driven by better-than-expected PMI data in both services and manufacturing. It’s noteworthy that typically, indications of economic expansion don’t lead to a decline in stocks. However, despite four days of gains on the Dow, the news of improving economic data led to a loss of some early morning momentum. This occurred on a day of relatively uneventful trading as interest rates edged slightly higher. One key metric closely monitored by the Federal Reserve, The Taylor Rule, suggests that the Fed Funds Rate should currently be approximately 1% lower at 4.5%. Looking ahead, futures indicate a balanced probability for a rate cut in March. However, there is a significant amount of economic data expected between now and then that could influence this outlook. As previously mentioned, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were more discussions in March about the conclusion of Quantitative Tightening (QT), potentially easing financial conditions and essentially resembling a rate cut. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 23, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47R5iUm A short and sweet market recap today as earnings season launches further. Small cap seems to have bounced well since its rough patch to start the year. Bitcoin has dropped -20% since its peak in the midst of ETF approval. I was on set at Fox this morning with the chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, Jason Smith. The 40-3 vote on this tax bill was shocking to me, and it sure seems to foreshadow a comeback of some of the most stimulative parts of the Trump tax bill that previously went away. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 22, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/42bAxYY Earnings seasons gets a lot more intense this week (and next). All the info around the horn on the normal categories is here in today’s DC Today. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 19, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3O8BRpX I love these “question and answer” editions of the Dividend Cafe. I should say that 100% of the questions that appear are always completely real, from actual readers, reflecting different things on your mind across a variety of topics related to markets and the economy. Today, we get to talk about what it means for markets to “price things in,” about gold, about government debt, about dividend growth, and so much more. It is digestible, succinct, easy, comprehensible, and it is about as much fun as one can have in weekend reading. Let’s jump into the Dividend Cafe … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 18, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3vIRb6n A positive morning of trading in markets gave way to losses mid-day, only to gain it all back and then some as we headed towards the close, ending up 200 points. Interestingly, the correlation between rates and stocks today actually moved together with both rising, where the opposite has been the case much of this year. 10’s are moving further into four handle territory up to 4.14% as rates crept back up today with a stronger jobless claim number. We are at about a 54% chance on futures for a March rate cut at this point. We are still early in earnings season, but it has been notable that while 92% of companies reported thus far have exceeded expectations, 58% of them have actually traded lower on the news. A combination of some exuberance over lower rates this year coming out of markets and just some general consolidation after the year-end run-up seems to be at play. I find this consolidation healthy, and with an advance decline ratio only back to -3:1, I doubt we have seen the last of it. More in the link below. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 17, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47HzpgS Markets have stayed in what is pretty much a buyer’s strike this month, as no violent sell-off has been forthcoming, but down days have piled up in advance of the heart of earnings season and with several Fed governors trying to modestly re-frame expectations. Odds of a March rate hike have come down a bit but still remain the most likely view in futures markets. This noise was, if you recall, a highly predictable and overrated theme as discussed in our Year Ahead piece for 2024. China’s economy grew +5.2% annualized in Q4 vs. +5.3% expected. The jobless rate sits around +5.1%. Most importantly, they indicated their third consecutive quarter of consumer price deflation (longest streak in 25 years). Did I mention this, too, was a huge theme in our Year Ahead piece for 2024? I was intrigued to see this morning that about 60% of BB and B+ rated high yield bonds are now trading above par value (it was around 20% just six months ago). That is an extraordinary rally in credit that is clearly a by-product of improved financial conditions (i.e. expectations for greater liquidity and easier access to and cost of capital). Retail sales for December exceeded expectations (shocked!) as core sales jumped +0.8% month-over-month. Online sales closed the year up +7% from the year prior, and across food/beverage/clothing there was meaningful increase on the month and year, even above what had been forecast. I expect the biggest public policy issue over the next thirty days to be a Ukraine deal tied to U.S. border security and likely tied to Israel support funds as well. The challenges to getting this done are immense. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 16, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3vEgA0Y Ask David “What is your view about investing in the Indian economy since it appears to have the potential for considerable growth and is not hampered by the regulations of the CCP?” ~ Al On one hand, India is the highest country allocation in our emerging markets strategy. On the other hand, that is not really “investing in the Indian economy” as much as it is investing in “companies that happen to be based in India.” The domestic market strength is a huge factor, but it is really more of a bottom-up than top-down decision. We are not looking for good countries but rather good companies. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 12, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/48Sg4um Before I get into this week’s wild fun Dividend Cafe on the subject of government debt, I want to make sure I do one final push around the Year Ahead, Year Behind White Paper that we published last Monday. Because of its depth and length, I imagine some of you printed the chart-filled PDF and plan to digest it this weekend. So don’t worry – if today’s Dividend Cafe is coming on top of your white paper reading, I assure you the data I cover this week about our fiscal position in America will not be going stale in the days ahead! But now we re-dive into the standard Friday routine of our weekly Dividend Cafe. And this week’s is a very cheery one, if you are cheered up by massive government spending and debt (hey, “we’re all Keynesians now,” right?). A fundamental component of our macroeconomic view going out ten years and longer is a belief in an internal tension in the American economy – that is, the extraordinary engine of growth and innovation that the greatest Western democracy the world has ever seen is and has been for 250 years, VERSUS the significant headwinds for growth created by excessive government indebtedness. The story is more nuanced than that, and I will get into those nuances and more in this week’s Dividend Cafe. Don’t think of this week’s Dividend Cafe as a position paper on how to solve for the national debt. It is not a policy paper, but rather a reaffirmation presentation of the state of affairs. Let’s jump into the Dividend Cafe! Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 11, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3NYiJuG Volatility came down and markets were flat as a pancake as we got inflation numbers that were in line with Core CPI and then just barely above on Headline by a tenth for the month. Rates moved higher initially but came off during the day with 10’s down six basis points and the curve steepening a little. I have more on CPI below and in the podcast, but markets feeling better or worse over a tenth different than expected on CPI each month is one thing but the trend is so blatantly going in the right direction with annualized CPI over the past three months now below the feds 2% target at 1.77%, I just don’t think it’s material at this point. Fed futures by the way agree and were unchanged on the day still at a 65% chance for a March rate cut. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 10, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4aN8tiB An up day for markets across the board. The drama on the SEC/bitcoin ETF deal moved today. Yesterday it was that they had approved a bitcoin ETF as expected, and bitcoin prices fell. But then they announced that, no, they had not approved it (yet), and the announcement was from a “hack.” Uh-huh. Then the chairman of the SEC took to Twitter to announce that people investing in crypto should “be cautious” due to “serious risks involved.” And today they approved the ETF exactly as had been reported yesterday. I was on Varney this morning talking wealth tax, Wall Street’s view of government spending, and dividend thoughts. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 10, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4aPFc6P Yesterday we released our annual white paper recapping all that was the year behind and all of our perspective and themes for the year ahead. We welcome you to send it far and wide, distributing it anywhere you’d wish. It is an important part of our annual process and I am proud of this year’s product, and grateful to all in my production and design teams who helped make it happen. Because we devoted Monday to this special Dividend Cafe white paper I have run today’s Tuesday edition as if it were Monday, except, you know, with Tuesday market info (I’m not that dumb as to use yesterday’s market data). Off we go … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 8, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/41UHaPl Over the numerous years dedicated to this annual project, it has been a rewarding journey and continues to be one of my most cherished endeavors. I derive great satisfaction from the research, narrative crafting, and the sense of responsibility it instills. I sincerely hope you find value in this year's retrospective and prospective white paper. Brace yourself for an exciting year ahead! Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 4, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Oe52YT Generally positive markets this morning lost momentum throughout the trading day with the Dow closing completely flat and both the S&P 500 and Nasdaq down a pinch. Yields were up on the day, with the 10-year back to just under 4%, and Fed futures starting to show a little less conviction on a rate cut in March (albeit still at a 64% chance). We had some better-than-expected payroll numbers today, and with slightly lower new Job openings yesterday are slowly but surely seeing a supply imbalance normalization in employment. We have roughly 162MM people currently employed in this country, with another 8.8MM new job openings posted, so call about 171MM on the demand side. The current US labor force is roughly 168MM, so while not perfectly matched (still more demand), it is getting there and what the Fed wants to see. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 3, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3RMxbqz A second down day in the new year, and of course two days isn’t a trend but frankly after nine consecutive positive weeks in markets, some consolidation and back filling is healthy and welcome. I do hope you all are feeling as refreshed and recharged after your Holiday time with family and friends as I am, and while there was less Christmas snow in Utah then I would have liked, there is plenty of fresh market data for us to go through today. While 2023 saw an outperformance of growth over value, as it essentially just recouped what it lost the year prior, its interesting to note the recent shift the other way. From the lows of late October, the SP500 rallied 17%, but the equal weighted index outperformed large cap tech by a shocking 5% with a rotation to value. As David mentioned this morning on CNBC, starting point valuations can be critical for investor outcomes. With an average estimate for earnings in 2024 at $244 a share, the SP500 trades at 20X earnings. Equal weighted, you get something closer to 16X and some of this recent rotation appears cognizant of those other sectors offering better relative value. Could this continue? Well, while markets were meaningfully higher last year, the largest flows still went to money market funds at +$1.34T, which now hold a stunning $5.87T of cash (aka dry powder). Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Jan 2, 2024

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3NNxO27 This is a tough DC Today to write because I have to resist every temptation to start doing my “year behind” review or “year ahead” projections now. I am deep into the writing and preparation of that annual endeavor and I am really hopeful that the final product will be informative and profitable for all of you. In the meantime I am back from my Christmas week away with my family and excited that 2024 is here. This annual “white paper” I am in seclusion working on will be out this MONDAY, the 8th, as a special release Dividend Cafe. As I read, research, and write over the next three days in between sessions of hanging upside down in my closet, Brian Szytel will take on the Wednesday and Thursday DC Today task. 2024 started off with more of a 2022 vibe than a 2023 one as the Nasdaq dropped -1.63% and the Dow rose a tad. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 21, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/41AnBfi Markets rallied today after their sell-off yesterday, moving up +322 points on the Dow. Some of yesterday’s heightened downside does appear to be related to zero-day option expirations, something so silly, stupid, and complex that I will spare you all the details. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 22, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/41vu6Qo It is the end of 2023 and we are entering the Christmas weekend. I am off to a land far away with my family and am looking forward to spending the holidays in the snow. The calendar year for markets still has a week to go (with the exception of Christmas Day on Monday), and by this time next week we will have brought 2023 to a close. I will avoid saying anything else due to the never-ending superstition that us money managers live with regarding our ability to make things worse by daring to say something prematurely. Let’s put it this way … I went to the Duke game at Madison Square Garden with my son on Wednesday night and Duke (my college basketball love since 1990) was up by 11 points with eight seconds to go. My 13-year old son was celebrating the win and I scolded him – “it’s not over, son!” You know – that famous 11-point play – what can I say. Better safe than sorry. Anyways, I thought it appropriate as we approach the end of the year to reaffirm some of the truly evergreen realities of dividend growth investing. Not only am I committed to dedicating one Dividend Cafe per quarter to this subject (minimally) but I also believe this final 2023 edition ought to address some really important realities in the present state of markets and our investing philosophy brought to life. It is incomprehensibly fun for me to write on this subject. This subject is embedded in my being. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 20, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47gk0nS A quiet day of trading as markets head towards the Christmas holiday on Monday and things slow down. The US is one of many countries where inflation readings and projections are being reduced. The UK had a much lower-than-expected November inflation reading yesterday at 3.9% y/y versus a 4.3% expected and down from 4.6% the month prior. Not surprisingly, Gilt yields moved dramatically lower, and futures were priced in 150 bps of BOE rate cuts next year. PPI data in Germany today was also below expectations. While the ECB noted it would maintain rates where they were last week, I expect that narrative to change next year if we continue to see numbers like this, especially once the US starts cutting. Global central bank policy, as does trade and currencies, tends to be tethered—this and more in today's video podcast. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 19, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47VBffb Today saw risk assets rally yet again with the Dow closing at another all-time high. It is interesting to see health care as the sector holding the defensives and lower beta names down. Consumer Staples and Real Estate have broken out a bit and Utilities have at least awakened, but Health Care has been the laggard. The Bank of Japan extended its policy of negative interest rates (it has been seven years now, for those counting), though most believe they will hike the policy rate up to 0% in 2024. The Yen remains quite weak against the dollar. Oil is down $20 from where it was in September (note, that was before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7). The VIX is at $12.50, pretty close to the lowest it has been in five years, Credit spreads have tightened by 60 basis points just in the investment grade side, with high yield spreads tightening a full percentage point (and that is basically since Halloween). It would be hard to make up a series of data points that reflect a more favorable sentiment for risk assets than this. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 18, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3NuO33W When one buys stock in the secondary market they are buying from Mr. Jones and Mrs. Smith, and the money is not getting to the company – that is correct. But there is a very important thing being missed when one concludes that therefore no money is being productively deployed. Namely, the existence of a secondary market is why a public market can raise money to begin with for primary productive purposes. When investors buy equity in a company that does go to the company for growth capital, productive use, etc., they do so with the knowledge, intent, and awareness that the money is going into a liquid, secondary market. That reality impacts the attraction of capital and it impacts the valuation of capital. Take away the ability for Mr. Smith to sell to Mrs. Jones, and you take away the marketplace for BIG INVESTOR to invest directly in BIG COMPANY. Supplementally, many times companies are doing secondary offerings in the public market where money is coming straight to the company. And finally, dividends are paid to investors who often do directly productive things with them. Where do these dividends come from? The productive profit-making activities of the underling company. Rinse and repeat. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 15, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3TrUXux I did a Dividend Cafe exactly six months ago about housing, focusing then on the duel economic and cultural reality of what was going on in the housing market. I think another six months gone by is a pretty good amount of time to now re-address this vital subject in American life. Housing is, for some, a crucial part of their economic story. Even for those smart enough not to think of their house as a “retirement asset” it is still a crucial economic consideration. Almost everyone I have ever met needs a place to live, and the ones I met who did not had very odd theories on the JFK assassination. Very few people own an asset with as much leverage attached to it as their home (assuming one puts 20% down they are 4-to-1 levered on the purchase; imagine buying $1 million of stock and only paying $200,000 for it). Housing costs (monthly) from rent or mortgage to property taxes and maintenance and insurance are the highest percentage of the monthly outflow of nearly every single family in America (even many who do not have a mortgage). Beyond the economic reality of housing, from the silly (it is an “investment”) to the practical (it cost money to live somewhere), there is a deeply personal reality to housing, including for yours truly. People make memories in houses, they associate periods of their life with where they live, and they form families and social connectivity around houses. And even with all the suburban model has done in a postmodern culture to undermine community, many people’s “houses” are also part of their “neighborhoods” – a Tocquevillian concept we’d be wise to re-affirm. This subject matters. So today in the Dividend Cafe I want to “check in” on the subject. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 14, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4aigyM6 Well, and there you have it – coming out of a global pandemic where the world shut down and reopened and supply chain disruption and pent-up demand caused 9% inflation, the Fed raised rates 525bps in one year, inflation fell back down without rising unemployment, the economy still grew, and as of yesterday, the Dow closed at an all-time high. I really don’t think, in all humility, there was anyone out there (including yours truly) that would have predicted all that. Now, there is still more time to go before I think you can officially fly the soft landing flags, but we are getting close after yesterday’s Fed meeting and statements. Adding to that narrative, we had some encouraging retail sales and jobless claims data today that had markets higher again. Also, the good ole three handle 10yr is back! We closed below 4% today down another 11 bps at 3.91% on 10’s for the day. Does all this sound too good to be true? I assure you there are still plenty of things in the world to worry about, but my sense at this point, with a dearth of large economic data coming out before the year-end, is that we will head into the holidays feeling a little more merrier than we did last year. =) Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 13, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/46RNNmw This may have been the least anticipated Fed Day in nearly two years, with the futures market serving up a 100% chance of no rate change ever since the last Fed meeting. That said, the Fed chair talking after a rate announcement always has the possibility of moving markets. Today, he moved markets. That he didn’t even remotely push back against market expectations for rate cuts next year was a surprise, but the dot plot actually showing three rate cuts in 2024 was a huge surprise. Now, I have been saying it for months, and fed futures have been forecasting it, so maybe this market response seems overdone – but for Jay Powell to just say it? Today was like reading a future history book. I think it is important to note that the Fed Funds Futures are currently pricing in a 100% chance of a 100 basis point reduction (1%) in the Fed Funds Rate by this time next year. There is a 24% chance of it being down 1.25%, a 37% chance of it being down 1.50%, and a 26% chance of it being down 1.75% – all by next year. The most “hawkish” expectation is a 100 basis point cut. All stock market indexes were up the SAME. And I am pretty much sure this was the biggest bond rally of my career in a single day, as the 2-year yield dropped THIRTY BASIS POINTS and the 10-year dropped EIGHTEEN BASIS POINTS. Ay yi yi. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 12, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Nr4A93 A consistently positive trading day on this inflation-day-Tuesday. Both core and headline CPI came out largely in line with expectations and markets were constructive with stocks modestly higher and built on gains into the close and rates down just a few basis points. These numbers are coming out right in time for the December FOMC meeting to end tomorrow with a rate decision (which is at a 100% chance for a continued pause), Fed statement update and Powell presser following. Continued broadening out in markets with more non mega cap technology names participating. Yesterday by the way, was the first time in over 10 years we had markets up broadly (including a positive Nasdaq) with all seven of the largest technology names (aka Magnificent Seven) all closing lower. Today we had more participation those names, but worth noting the subtle shift in leadership, particularly with Industrials. A positive dynamic we have spoken about for years but particularly post the Russia/Ukraine conflict continues to play out in energy markets. For the month of November, 68% of all US LNG exports were sent to Europe which has now over taken Asia as the number one destination for US LNG exports. Just as tensions between US/China has begun to permanently shift supply chain manufacturing destinations globally, the EU shifting its reliance on Russia for its energy and heating needs isn’t likely to be temporary and is quite positive for the US energy dynamic. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 11, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/41lZfWf Greetings from 29 degree Grand Rapids, Michigan where I have had a day of meetings and recordings and give two different speeches in two different Michigan cities tomorrow. I will be back in the much warmer climate of New York City on Wednesday. In the meantime, the special Monday DC Today awaits you … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 8, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3t62eFN I really do like the SOP for Dividend Cafe (that’s “standard operating procedure” for those of you who have time to say full words instead of acronyms that always require explanation anyways, hence adding triple the time to what could have just been said in long form to begin with). What I mean here is that I have for several years now selected a singular topic for each week’s Dividend Cafe and written a 2,000-3,000 word piece on that topic. There have been a few exceptions where we did a wide array of “Q&A” as our focus, and we will continue doing that once a quarter or so when we get an excessive build-up of “Ask Davids” that the DC Today cannot bear. But for the most part, the Dividend Cafe is, I think, better as a deeper dive week by week into a given topic on my mind and heart. I keep it investment and economy focused, of course, because if I went anywhere my mind and heart went, I would end up doing some Dividend Cafes about my favorite steakhouses in New York City, what is wrong with today’s Republican Party, or what in the world my daughter’s vernacular in our family group text chat means. But Dividend Cafe will stay in its lane, I promise. Focus, David, focus. Anyways, today I am doing the buffet thing, but I didn’t write it throughout the week – I wrote it all at once. I simply had three “mini” topics I wanted to address instead of one “mega” topic. I hope it is cohesive and interesting, but if you hate it, at least you know next week, we will go back to the single-topic norm of the Dividend Cafe – our SOP. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 7, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4abzegh The market opened up a handful of points this morning and slowly built on gains for most of the day. After a big move lower across the curve in yields this week we took a bit of a breather today with a flat 10YR up two basis points at 4.14%. Stay tuned for a three handle on 10’s. We are starting to see this market rally broaden out with the equal weight version of the SP500 breaking away from the market cap weighted index. This is showing the average stock starting to participate more in this rally outside of technology names, which I find constructive. Both large cap and regional banks by the way are back to where they were pre SVB failure earlier in the year. Part as a normalization of stress in the financials and part for a 2024 line up that could favor the banks if we get better net interest margins as the yield curve potentially normalizes with the short end moving down. This is something we have seen before; late cycle rally in financials as the Fed pauses and ultimately cuts the following year (95’/96′ comes to mind). Monthly financial obligations for consumers like auto payments and home payments, as a percentage of household cash, are on the rise and now at 16%. Interesting however that even with such a rise in rates these are still actually below pre-pandemic levels which was closer to 18%. Higher rates just haven’t bit as hard as years past with such a prolonged low rate refinancing period the years preceding it. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 6, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/486oKwS If you’re surprised by how much expectations have turned down for U.S. interest rates and Fed policy in 2024, you should see what those crazy cats in Europe have going. Markets are now fully pricing in SIX rate cuts next year – 1.5% reduction in their lending rate. Bank CEOs testified before the Senate finance committee today, making the case that the planned increase in capital requirements would be detrimental. They specifically pointed to where the cost of such increased capital would come from – customers. A not-unexpected talk. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Bakersfield, CA) announced his resignation from Congress today. I hereby predict he will make more money in 2024 than he did in 2023. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 5, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4a8TMWG As we get ready for a busy week of jobs data a few things stick out: (1) The weekly jobless claims remain very low which seems to indicate a continued healthy employment market (2) The “quits” rate (people voluntarily leaving their job) has been very high, and even as it has come down from early 2022 highs, it remains very elevated historically (3) The number of job openings remains very high (though it fell to 8.7 million this month, still 1.5-2 million higher than pre-COVID average, but well off 2021 highs) (4) The average work week has steadily declined on the margin (from 35 hours, which was above the 15-year average, to 34.25 hours, which is below the average). (5) Several data points have softened in recent months, but not softened to what can be called “weak” conditions – just “less strong” than had been the case previously A few other market tidbits and things that caught my eye today … It is interesting to me that small cap value has outperformed growth since the turn in the middle of the year, but large cap growth has modestly outperformed large cap value. The two are normally correlated. Some of the “big seven” names that have driven a lot of the market this year have not moved at all in six months (well, they have moved up and down, but I mean they currently sit flat from where they were this summer). The broader market has begun playing a little catch-up. 2024 earnings expectations are now up to $246/share in the S&P 500. We are likely going to end at $221 for 2023 so this would mean earnings growth of +11.3% in 2024, rather amazing if it happened. Of course, at that earnings level, the S&P is still trading at an 18.6x multiple (forward projected), and is trading currently at 20.7x. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 4, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3uFMLMZ Ask David “If you are an investor in a passive index fund, exactly what happens to your equity when that fund/index removes a poor performer, and replaces it with a stock that has recently performed much better? While I suspect that your equity may stay the same upon replacement, it seems intuitively like an example of buying high while selling low. Is there any documented study of index fund performance over time due to the survival bias? Do you have any thoughts on the topic?” ~ Dom I think I understand what you are saying but actually in this case the survival bias of the index methodology helps its performance over time, not hurts. What you are suggesting makes sense prima facie – that they are adding companies at high prices and removing others at low prices – but the fact of the matter is that the companies removed from the index is very rare, and almost always only happens after the company is broken. A significant amount of companies that have been removed from market indices over the years no longer exist at all, meaning that path from “a low price” to “zero” was never experienced by the index investor. Of course, there are cases when a company is removed from an index and subsequently rallies from a low valuation, but that is much less frequent than the opposite. And all of it is very rare and inconsequential … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Dec 1, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3GnL8pE Rarely have I hyped up a Dividend Cafe so much and set you all up for such disappointment. The topic I write about today is one that has been on my mind and in my research orbit for a long time, and on a couple occasions I actually teased up that it was coming, only to pull the plug and defer publication to a later date. Well, that later date is today. We know the huge hype around Artificial Intelligence in 2023 – not merely in stock prices, but throughout society. On a daily basis we hear of some reference to how AI may change education or business or politics or, my favorite, farming. And as is always the case, this “hype” has a foundation to it – there is a profoundly interesting evolution in technology playing out that will change the way a lot of things are done. It will involve policy adaptations, cultural pushback, misallocations, great advancements, and, yes, certain negatives. All of these things are par for the course in a world that grows – that is, a world that was created to see human beings innovate around the raw materials they were given. Someone should write a book! But fundamentally, artificial intelligence is a big deal, even if the early years of its introduction will be filled with misunderstanding and wrongly directed reactions. But people do not read Dividend Cafe for my assessment on the technological or even cultural context of new innovations. Rather, our job here is to assess a whole host of subjects for their economic and market impact – particularly for investors (and to be more particular than that, for our investors, that is, clients of our firm – or those of you who will be clients of our firm). The Artificial Intelligence story is an investor story, too, and that requires a sober reflection on a lot of things. Today’s Dividend Cafe is that sober reflection. Let’s jump into the Dividend Cafe … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 30, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/4115jTU A BIG divergence today between the more value oriented DOW which jumped 520 points today, and the more technology heavy Nasdaq down .23% as interest rates broke the trend and rose today. Coincidently, I wrote yesterday about the sensitivity in the part to the market that has had the most multiple expansion tethered to falling rates as having potential for disappointment. Both PCE inflation data coming out in-line with expectations and a stronger growth print in the Chicago PMI’s moved rates up today as much as yesterdays decline in continued bond market volatility. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 29, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3N5Ec4C A mixed but ultimately flat day of trading in stocks following another decent move up in bonds as the 10 Yr came down another 8bps to 4.26%. Hard to believe we were north of 5% just last month. I was actually expecting yields on 10’s to pick back up after a better than expected upward revision to Q3 GDP mid morning, but this bond market is dead set on lower rates in 2024. All eyes will be on the inflation read tomorrow with PCE to see if that changes the narrative. If the seven largest US technology companies were its own sector it would make up 18.2% of the market cap of the MSCI World Index and account for only 10% of the earnings. In comparison, the entire Financials sector in the MSCI World index equates to three precent less at 15.1% by market cap, but makes up over twice the earnings at 21.9%. Valuations may be a poor timing tool short term, but they do matter longer term and the multiple expansion in tech we have just seen can be easily disappointed if lower rates don’t keep pace next year. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 28, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Gl2T9d The market is up over 10% in just twenty trading days, a 99th percentile move if there ever was one. The rally has brought along lower-quality equities and higher-quality ones, and financials, in particular, are surprisingly strong. Defensives are not as strong (consumer staples, utilities) as more cyclical or high beta sectors, but they are hanging in there. The dollar has dropped, and the Yen has rallied in the last few weeks, causing many currency traders to say, “Wait, it wasn’t supposed to do that?” Markets were pretty boring again today (though to the upside), and bond yields continued their decline. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 27, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3sYDwqz Futures opened last night down -40 points or so, worsened a bit throughout the evening, and this morning pointed again to a down -40 point open pre-market. The market opened pretty flat this morning and just stayed in a tight range to the downside throughout the day. The Dow closed down -57 points (-0.16%) with the S&P 500 down -0.20% and the Nasdaq down -0.07%. *CNBC, DJIA, Nov. 27, 2023 As a contrarian, I do not like seeing the put/call ratio and bull/bear sentiment be so tilted towards complacency. Even the VIX at $12.69 is pretty surreal. The ten-year bond yield closed today at 4.39%, down almost -10 basis points on the day as the November bond rally continues Top-performing sector for the day: Real Estate (+0.38%) Bottom-performing sector for the day: Health Care (-0.64%) Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 22, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3SR97oG On this special Wednesday Dividend Cafe, just one day before Thanksgiving and sixty years to the day after John F. Kennedy was assassinated and C.S. Lewis passed into glory, it is my sincere pleasure to bring you the annual Thanksgiving Day edition of the Dividend Cafe! Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 20, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47JhGpJ Futures markets in the fed funds rate now show a 0% chance of any future rate hikes in 2023 or 2024, but then show mixed results around when rate cuts may begin (a 35% chance in March, a 65% chance by early May, an 88% chance by June). Those numbers will all change, but it is where the debate lies entering 2024. The Fed balance sheet sits at $7.8 trillion right now, down $1.2 trillion from its high, but still 88% above pre-COVID levels. Will the Fed’s inevitable cutting of rates be a good thing for markets? I wonder what you think? Let me put it this way … is it even possible to answer that question without any further information? Hint: It is not. Two things have to be known to better answer that question. (1) Was the cut a surprise or well-telegraphed, and (b) What. Was. The. Reason. For. The. Cut. Beware of anyone assuming rate cuts are good without a discussion of that second question. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 17, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3sAWzr1 For the second time in the last couple of months, I am going to call an audible and not publish a Dividend Cafe on the artificial intelligence moment and its relevance for investors, despite having announced I was doing so the prior week. I have actually been assembling and digesting research on this topic for many months and am quite excited for the final product to appear in Dividend Cafe. But it is too important of a topic and an issue I have worked on now too much to publish prematurely. I was in New York City the first two days of this week, Dallas the next two days, and am in California now. Between a massive amount of meetings, events, portfolio activity, flights, and all the things, I was engulfed in a different topic this week instead of finishing my other piece. This week’s topic is pretty darn important, though. In fact, I believe it serves as the macro story of our moment. It brings in some very important history and how to think about the past in the context of the future (not exactly an old or stale topic for those who remember last Friday), but it also allows us to understand what is going on right now in a broader and more extended sense. I think where interest rates go over the next ten years matters (also a fresh topic on our minds). Still, one could argue that everything going on right now has to do with the cycle we are in, had previously been in, and the question around where we ultimately go. So let’s hang tight on artificial intelligence and investing a little longer because this week, we have to cover a tale of two decades. It will take you ten minutes to really appreciate ten years. Let’s jump into the Dividend Cafe … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 16, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/40JB5EW It was a pretty quiet day today, although we were down almost 170 points mid-day following some slower economic numbers to then rally back to just about flat on the day in stocks. Honestly, with the significant move up this week, just seeing markets just hang in and constructively consolidate and stay at these levels (both in stocks and bonds) is a good thing and bodes well. This week, we had lower-than-expected inflation numbers in both CPI and PPI, some weak retail sales, the largest US retailer citing disinflationary pressure, and today, we got a jobless claims number that was higher than expected. Mix all of this in a bowl, bake, and no matter how you slice it, you’ll get an unquestionably cooling economic pie. See what I did there as we head into Thanksgiving week. =) Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 15, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/46gNK3n With over 90% of companies now having reported Q3 earnings, we stand at a 6.3% growth rate and well above Octobers estimate of just 1.6%. Just as I mentioned on CNBC World Monday night, profit growth is exceeding revenue growth as companies with pricing power that raised prices the past year due to inflation are showing margin expansion as some of those input prices ease. Also, for all you wondering, it really was just CPI and not my global television debut that fueled the market rally the following day. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 14, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47wGQI7 Markets rallied huge today as bonds rallied in the aftermath of the CPI report. Interest rates went into total free fall (the 10-year is down a stunning -18 basis points, and the entire 2/10 curve is down 18-21bps in what may be the biggest bond rally of the year and possibly several years) as the CPI number came in at, wait for it, +0% month-over-month (headline inflation). The core number (excluding food and energy) was +0.2% on the month versus +0.3% consensus expectations. Year-over-year, the core CPI was +3.2% versus +3.3% ex-expected. But there’s more. Rent growth is being measured as +6.8% on the year and rent of primary residence +7.2%. Both are down +1% from recent highs but a minimum of 4% too high versus real-life “current market” metrics. That means assuming 3% shelter inflation (I am being very generous) at a 34% weighting, the 1.35% attribution coming off CPI brings headline inflation to 1.85% and core inflation to 2.65%. So, yeah, the Fed is about to take the credit. And the right teed it up for them. Ay yi yi. Money supply (as measured by ODL – Other Deposit Liabilities– the best measure of available money in the system for a lot of reasons) has declined now for three straight years. We know it flew higher post-COVID. We know about lags and monetary aggregates and all that jazz. All excess liquidity created out of COVID has been evaporated from the system. And yet, over $1 trillion of debt next year will mature and be re-borrowed at 3-4% higher in cost (as things stand now). And for those who choose not to roll over debt (many companies, some individuals, zero governments), cash reserves will be used (that, my friends, is what you will call lower velocity). Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 13, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/47aKXKm There are some financial writers who I believe are professional doomsdayers. There are some who are more nuanced. And, yes, there are others who I think are hard to pin down. I suppose it is most fair to treat all people individually, with unique circumstances and particulars around their approach and worldview. For example, I think some are SINCERE but almost always WRONG (and have a business model that depends on scaring people, even if they really believe it). Some professional doomsdayers are, in my opinion, rank charlatans and grifters – though I’d rather not give names here. Hopefully you get the idea … As for how to prepare for various “bad things,” well, that’s pretty much what I write about every week in the Dividend Cafe. In the first such issue this month I wrote the following, and it would apply to the wide array of possible scenarios we face: “Our Operation Magnify is forever committed to active, proactive, intelligible allocation of capital across Dividend Growth companies, in the Boring Bond space needed to preserve capital, in Credit assets where there is opportunity and compensation for risk taken, in areas of both Growth and Income Enhancement, and of course in Alternatives where we can seek to lower the volatility profile of a portfolio and diversify sources of risk and reward. Doing that in an era of high rate volatility, of high ambiguity about monetary policy, and a period where far too many eyes are only on the Fed requires a contrarian bend, a deep commitment to real enterprise (bottom-up company realities that transcend monthly price volatility), and a faithful commitment to the principles that made Magnify what it is. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 10, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3u3NcAi Sir John Templeton could have never known what staying power his famous edict would have when he wrote in 1933, “The investor who says, ‘This time is different,’ when in fact it’s virtually a repeat of an earlier situation, has uttered among the four most costly words in the annals of investing.” He wasn’t wrong, and the vast majority of the time that famous quote is used (mostly via paraphrase), it captures a vital truism – that people assuming certain things about the past are no longer true and investing accordingly generally get their faces ripped off. Today, we unpack what issues are the same, what may be different, and what that all means for an investor in 2023. Lots of things stay the same in this world because the creator of the world is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The law of gravity is still working. Men and women are still different. And UCLA is still a mediocre football program (hey, now!). But some things do change because that same creator made the world to be dynamic and gave the human race agency in its stewardship. And we know human beings can be temperamental. So jump on into the Dividend Cafe, and let’s discuss the permanence in change of being an investor (extra credit to any who remember the second greatest band of my youth, The Alarm). Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 9, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/40yBPwn We started off todays session in another quiet day, until about 1PM ET when we had an abysmal 30-year treasury auction on $24B of notes that moved rates higher across the curve that gave us our first down day in November for the SP500. With an increased supply in new issuance to fund a $2T budget deficit and a dearth of large buyers like our own Federal Reserve and other large Sovereigns it took higher rates to get this auction to close with the lowest bid to cover ratio in weeks. 2’s are back over 5% and 10’s were up 11 bps. Oil was flat on the day but down 7% this week back to pre-war levels, and while energy stocks have given up some gains as well keep in mind that the sector in large remains in an uptrend with 94% of the energy name complex has a 50 day moving average above its 200 day. I am far more focused on fundamentals like the increase in CAPEX in our names recently than technicals like this, but note worthy of its relative strength amongst other sectors nonetheless. Powell’s comments today at the IMF cited that Fed officials were ‘not confident’ they were restrictive enough with rates to bring inflation back to 2%, which added to todays give back in stocks. So, the market tea leaves yesterday read his statement as dovish and today hawkish, and so there you go. I get into why this day-to-day Fed obsession shouldn’t matter to investors, and more in todays video podcast link below. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 8, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3My1KhW Futures were as quiet as could be last night, and markets followed suit in a benign trading range that came off the lows mid day to close slightly higher and extend our November rally at least on the SP500. To be fair, we did come into November with only 17% of the SP500 having a positive three month return so were set up well for a rally and while the market did close higher yesterday the advance decline ratio on the NYSE was a dismal -1.6 to 1, so we are losing some steam here. The top two weightings of the SP500 (one makes Windows and the other the iPhone), now make up 14.6% of the index and each have larger market caps than the entirety the UK FTSE 100, the French CAC and German DAX indices. To say the market remains top heavy in big tech is an understatement. US and Chinese economic dependency on one another (one to make widgets and one to buy them), has continued to decline. The US now imports more from Mexico than from China for the first time since 2003, and China is recycling less of those dollars back into US Treasuries as a result. Both of these tie into why private foreign investors make up a larger piece of Treasury buying and why, in addition to slowing Chinese economic fundamentals, the Yuan has devalued against the dollar this year. All this and more in todays video podcast. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 7, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/46Z4Xj5 This is the longest winning streak (number of up days) for the S&P 500 in two years. One of the least encouraging things? The delta between cap-weighted and equal-weighted results … Top-heavy doesn’t end well. But nevertheless, markets are enjoying a very strong rally over the last week and a half. Oil was hit hard today (down over -4%). Some traders think things will settle in the Middle East. It appears S&P earnings growth year-over-year for this earnings season is going to top +5.7%, with revenue growth of +1.2%. Margin expansion has been something to behold and has a lot to do with market resilience in this challenging rate period. Office behemoth WeWork, officially declared bankruptcy. Shiny objects are painful to watch implode. The ramifications to commercial office space will be notable, but it does appear creditor restructuring has been reasonably pre-negotiated and is not likely to result in huge vacancies hitting the market. For all the weakness in manufacturing and insistence that construction is hurting and (especially) China’s weakness, why is iron ore doing so well and copper basically hanging in there? Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 6, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3SuN9Yy Nothing like the Monday edition of DC Today. I’ll get right into it. Dividend Cafe dealt with the subject of long term interest rates and what it all means for the economy and investors. I think it was a useful way to think about what the long term is supposed to measure, and what current Fed actions mean for that process. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 3, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3tWWLRz It has been a volatile month in markets, to say the least. October represented the third consecutive negative month in all three market indices, coming off of a modest downturn in August and September, as well. October did it in more roller-coaster fashion, starting off the month with a 600-point drop in the first few days of the month, only to see that reverse to a +1,000 point increase from October 6’s low to October 11’s high (that’s a pretty quick comeback), only to then drop -1,500 points (no typo) from mid-month to late-month, only to then yet again rally, being up over +1,100 points from the low of last Friday to the time I am typing this just one week later. But the intra-month volatility and the odd twists and turns of the market throughout the year all speak to a bigger underlying dynamic in markets that I have obsessively covered in these very pages all year – the role of monetary policy, financial conditions, and bond yields in driving investor outcomes in this very short term moment. That entire landscape was the heavy focus of our annual week spent with various money managers, hedge funds, and research partners this year (I covered Fed chair, Jerome Powell, last week). The evolution of our annual “due diligence” week has led to a lot more meetings with managers in private markets, as well (equity and credit). Across private and public markets, we got a chance to see what is most on the minds of asset managers at this stage of 2023, and you will be shocked to know it is not a lot different than the same things on the minds of all investors. And those things are the subject of this week’s Dividend Cafe – the underlying conditions right now creating multiple round trips of a thousand points in the market in just one month. Jump on into the Dividend Cafe … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 2, 2023

Today's Post - Big rally day, with markets posting a very nice fourth day of gains, closing up 564 points and putting us now up almost 5% on the week. While I would love to say it’s off to the races, under the hood, the relative underperformance of the higher beta components of the market just feels less convincing. Another bond market rally day as well, with 10’s coming down another nine bps to now 4.67%, along with continued yield curve volatility. Following a slightly lighter-than-expected Treasury issuance report that was more front-end loaded on the curve and QT, which has removed the largest buyer of the front end, we’ve gone from 18bps inverted yesterday morning to now 30bps. For those citing the historical track record of an inverted curve un-inverting just before a recession starts (looking at you ‘bond king’), the last two days have us in the opposite direction. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Nov 1, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3tYWGgn So the market closed the month of October down -1.35% in the Dow, down -2.2% in the S&P, and -3.4% in the Nasdaq. Let’s just say those numbers got a lot better the last two days, though. And then today was noteworthy as well … Fed Day is the best day, and today the Fed kept rates where they were, as expected. The market was up +100 when Powell began talking, it went up to +200, then gave that back, then went up +250, and closed just a tad below that level. More importantly, bonds rallied viciously – with each maturity from two to ten years on the treasury curve seeing yields drop over 10 basis points. His only comments about quantitative tightening were that they were not, at this time, considering slowing down or ceasing their “run-off” of the balance sheet. The word “run-off” is key because they are not actively selling bonds – they are letting about $80 billion of bonds mature per month and not reinvesting the proceeds. This is a form of tightening, but less aggressive than some have suggested. Bottom line – Powell was pretty clear that they know financial conditions are, themselves, doing their work for them, and while he skirted around QT it is hard to see how anyone could hear what he said today and conclude any additional rate hikes are coming. As mentioned yesterday the rally on Monday saw 2.5 advancers for every 1 decliner, and yesterday it repeated at 2.3 to 1. A year ago when the market bottomed and a nine-month rally began the breadth of the rally was consistently above 5-to-1 and sometimes well above 10-to-1. Market participation is still too thin to feel good about things. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 31, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3QErw6L With half of the companies having reported quarterly results, we now see +4.3% earnings growth year-over-year and +1.4% revenue growth. Of course, half is only half. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 30, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/49hz1aU Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 25, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/45RiZ4B Yesterday’s little market move was pretty weak sauce (not even 2-to-1 advancers to decliners and not even 1% in any index). Yields soared back today, putting downward pressure on the S&P and Nasdaq in a 2022 kind of day. Yesterday, I recorded DC Today in the studio in our Newport Beach offices, had already submitted the final written edition, and then walked down the hallway to my office to eight pop-ups and notifications and alerts that Tom Emmer had removed himself for contention for the House speakership. Five minutes earlier, I had talked about how he was the most recent candidate, but I still didn’t see a path for him to get the votes. Twenty-four hours later, Congressman Mike Johnson of Louisiana is the new Speaker of the House. In one day, our Q3 earnings season theme of divergent results amongst companies was on high profile display as the largest software company and an up-and-comer in cloud applications (Microsoft) posted positive results, while the largest search and advertising revenue firm in the world (Google) posted negative cloud revenue. The S&P earnings yield is still higher than a 10-year treasury yield (total earnings dividend by share price). Of course, that differential is less than it has been in the last twenty years, but it is actually much more historically in line with where it was in the 1980s and 90s. The highest earnings yield in the market? Energy. China increased its tolerance for a deficit to the highest in thirty years last night (above the 3% limit of deficit-to-GDP) and stated that deflationary risk will not be tolerated. President Xi actually made a trip to their central bank (he has never done that). The fiscal side of Japanification seems to be coming. The monetary side is the question mark. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 27, 2023

Today's Post - I closed out our annual “money manager due diligence week” last week with a luncheon put on by the Economic Club of New York with Federal Reserve chair, Jerome Powell. He surprised me by saying some things that I was not expecting, and he also said a lot that I could have predicted verbatim (okay, I did predict verbatim) before the speech. But despite all my earnest desire that the main action in markets let alone the economy not be at the whim of a few unelected academics, the Fed is the major story of markets right now. Their propensity to stay way too loose for way too long followed by a period of being way too tight for way too long is the cyclical and rotational story of our economic and market-oriented experience for 25 years. We met with nearly twenty money managers last week (across a wide variety of asset classes in both private and public markets). We did not meet with a single one who did not bring up the Fed, the state of monetary policy, the potential direction of monetary policy, and its impact on how they think (and in some cases act). So let’s jump into the Dividend Cafe where today is all about the Fed, the rubber chicken, and the radicals who stormed the stage before the speech began. Well, actually, we spend very little time talking about the rubber chicken or the people who stormed the stage and delayed the event for fifteen minutes while security and law enforcement did their thing. Those things really happened and were quite upsetting (especially the chicken). But the Dividend Cafe today is all about the actual words of Jerome Powell and what it all means. Off we go. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 24, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3tLGlvi Markets today rallied a bit (though they closed off their highs) as Treasury yields calmed down and leveled out. Earnings season is not even 20% complete yet, so all projections are quite premature, but thus far, revenue growth is coming in +0.9% year-over-year with earnings growth of +1.2%. There will be more meaty data to chew on in the next week and the week after that, of course. Republicans nominated Tom Emmer as their new potential Speaker of the House, but it is highly doubtful they have the votes in a full vote of the House to get him approved. A fair question – are many people buying Treasuries now not as a non-recession call (yields higher because there is no recession), but rather as a recession call (one will come and right now we get 5%, so buy now and then during a recession Treasuries rally and yields fall). In other words, is it a trade? And if it is one, is it a good one? Time will tell. Was 5% the top in the 10-year? It is obviously way too early to say. It fell pretty quickly below it yesterday and today closed at 4.81%. But the bond market volatility in 2023 doesn’t allow us to read anything whatsoever into 19 basis points or 30 hours. Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 23, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3QqYcRa So the market came into today just 300 points above its intra-day low of Friday the 6th at the beginning of this month, having rallied about a thousand points off of that in the six days that followed, but then selling off three days in a row to end last week. Bill Ackman announced this morning that he had covered his short on U.S. Treasuries (another way of saying this is that he ended his bet on rates going higher). Bonds also rallied on the news as the 10-year yield dropped 17 basis points (from +8 to -9). Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 20, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/46P3YBs Greetings from New York City, where I will be leaving very early Friday morning to head back to California for a week and where I have been in meetings all week with our major money manager partners across every asset class in which we live. I had thought about doing today’s Dividend Cafe as a sort of recap of the week, but I am going to need the plane flight home to better organize 25 pages of notes and more decks than I know what to do with. I am in content overload mode at the moment, which is one of my favorite modes to be in (often times I am in Chinese food overload mode, so “too many charts” about the economy is far healthier than “too much fried rice”). I plan to really clean up my notes and takeaways and allow more organized thoughts to create a deliverable around this week’s findings. Brian Szytel and Kenny Molina are phenomenal Investment Committee partners, and we were all richly blessed by the conversations we enjoyed this week on interest rates, economic projections, housing, credit markets, relative value opportunities, and more. So, for those who want to tag along a bit on the week, stay tuned – more to come. But that does leave me with a Dividend Cafe to write and not a whole lot of margin in which to write it. Luckily for me (and maybe for you??), a robust set of questions has come in that I have been sandbagging, and it seems like a good time to use Dividend Cafe to answer all of your latest and greatest questions. I am quite confident these questions that have come in will reflect things on the minds of many of you, so get ready for some good takes on such subjects as fears about interruption to dividend growth, minimum wage laws, velocity and inflation, dollar strength, China, and more on the Israel/Middle East situation (discussed in last week’s Dividend Cafe). Get ready to jump into the Dividend Cafe … Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com

Oct 19, 2023

Today's Post - https://bahnsen.co/3Q1Ot2c This is Trevor Cummings playing backup quarterback for one more day. As mentioned, David will be back with you tomorrow with his weekly Dividend Cafe. Today is quite a busy one for David, as he will be attending both the Economic Club of New York for Jerome Powell’s speech and then closes out the evening at the National Review Gala. With that said, we’ve got a handful of data and news to keep us busy for the time being. We will tackle initial jobless claims, the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey, existing home sales, Powell’s speech, and Jordan’s persistence. That was a mouthful, now off we go… Links mentioned in this episode: TheDCToday.com DividendCafe.com TheBahnsenGroup.com