On Investing

11h ago

In this final episode of 2025, Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones reflect on a year marked by uncertainty and volatility in the markets. They discuss the ping-pong nature of policy changes, the resilience of the economy, and the impact of retail traders on market sentiment. Their analysis also touches on the speculation surrounding the next Fed chair and the mixed signals from recent job data. On Investing is an original podcast from Charles Schwab . For more on the show, visit schwab.com/OnInvesting . If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts . Important Disclosures This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Performance may be affected by risks associated with non-diversification, including investments in specific countries or sectors. Additional risks may also include, but are not limited to, investments in foreign securities, especially emerging markets, real estate investment trusts (REITs), fixed income, municipal securities including state specific municipal securities, small capitalization securities and commodities. Each individual investor should consider these risks carefully before investing in a particular security or strategy. Currency trading is speculative, very volatile and not suitable for all investors. All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data. The policy analysis provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party. Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses and cannot be invested in directly. For more information on indexes, please see schwab.com/indexdefinitions The book 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the book and makes no representations about its content. (1225-MVBY) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 12

What should investors expect from the U.S. economy next year? What will happen in the equities markets and fixed income markets? On this 2026 Market Outlook episode, Liz Ann Sonders, Schwab's chief investment strategist, speaks with Kevin Gordon, head of macro research. Liz Ann and Kevin discuss their perspective on the direction of the U.S. economy and stock market. She and Kevin cover the K-shaped recovery, inflation trends, the impact of AI on capital expenditure, and the implications of fiscal stimulus on federal debt. Then, Liz Ann Sonders discusses the equities outlook for 2026, focusing on consumer confidence, the impact of the presidential election cycle, and the potential for volatility. Finally, Kathy Jones is joined by Cooper Howard and Collin Martin for the outlook on municipal bonds, corporate bonds, U.S. Treasuries, and the overall fixed income markets. You can read all of Schwab's 2026 Market Outlook reports on our website: Read Cooper Howard's 2026 Municipal Bond Outlook . Read Collin Martin's 2026 Corporate Credit Outlook . Read Kathy Jones's 2026 Treasury Bonds and Fixed Income Outlook . Read Liz Ann Sonders and Kevin Gordon's 2026 Stocks & Economic Outlook . Read Michelle Gibley's 2026 International Stocks & Economy Outlook . On Investing is an original podcast from Charles Schwab. If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts . Important Disclosures This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Performance may be affected by risks associated with non-diversification, including investments in specific countries or sectors. Additional risks may also include, but are not limited to, investments in foreign securities, especially emerging markets, real estate investment trusts (REITs), fixed income, municipal securities including state specific municipal securities, small capitalization securities and commodities. Each individual investor should consider these risks carefully before investing in a particular security or strategy. Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors. Lower rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk. All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. The policy analysis provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party. Preferred securities are a type of hybrid investment that share characteristics of both stock and bonds. They are often callable, meaning the issuing company may redeem the security at a certain price after a certain date. Such call features, and the timing of a call, may affect the security's yield. Preferred securities generally have lower credit ratings and a lower claim to assets than the issuer's individual bonds. Like bonds, prices of preferred securities tend to move inversely with interest rates, so their prices may fall during periods of rising interest rates. Investment value will fluctuate, and preferred securities, when sold before maturity, may be worth more or less than original cost. Preferred securities are subject to various other risks including changes in interest rates and credit quality, default risks, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, deferral risk, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors. Tax-exempt bonds are not necessarily a suitable investment for all persons. Information related to a security's tax-exempt status (federal and in-state) is obtained from third parties, and Schwab Center for Financial Research does not guarantee its accuracy. Tax-exempt income may be subject to the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT). Capital appreciation from bond funds and discounted bonds may be subject to state or local taxes. Capital gains are not exempt from federal income tax. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS) are inflation-linked securities issued by the US Government whose principal value is adjusted periodically in accordance with the rise and fall in the inflation rate. Thus, the dividend amount payable is also impacted by variations in the inflation rate, as it is based upon the principal value of the bond. It may fluctuate up or down. Repayment at maturity is guaranteed by the US Government and may be adjusted for inflation to become the greater of the original face amount at issuance or that face amount plus an adjustment for inflation. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities are guaranteed by the US Government, but inflation-protected bond funds do not provide such a guarantee There are risks associated with investing in dividend paying stocks, including but not limited to the risk that stocks may reduce or stop paying dividends. Bank loans typically have below investment-grade credit ratings and may be subject to more credit risk, including the risk of nonpayment of principal or interest. Most bank loans have floating coupon rates that are tied to short-term reference rates like the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), so substantial increases in interest rates may make it more difficult for issuers to service their debt and cause an increase in loan defaults. A rise in short-term references rates typically result in higher income payments for investors, however. Bank loans are typically secured by collateral posted by the issuer, or guarantees of its affiliates, the value of which may decline and be insufficient to cover repayment of the loan. Many loans are relatively illiquid or are subject to restrictions on resales, have delayed settlement periods, and may be difficult to value. Bank loans are also subject to maturity extension risk and prepayment risk. Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses and cannot be invested in directly. For more information on indexes, please see schwab.com/indexdefinitions. Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data. BLOOMBERG® is a trademark and service mark of Bloomberg Finance L.P. and its affiliates (collectively "Bloomberg"). Bloomberg or Bloomberg's licensors own all proprietary rights in the Bloomberg Indices. Neither Bloomberg nor Bloomberg's licensors approves or endorses this material or guarantees the accuracy or completeness of any information herein, or makes any warranty, express or implied, as to the results to be obtained therefrom and, to the maximum extent allowed by law, neither shall have any liability or responsibility for injury or damages arising in connection therewith. Diversification strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets. (1225-KGJB) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dec 5

This week Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones discuss the implications of a possible announcement of the next Federal Reserve chair nominee and market reactions to potential interest rate cuts. They also look at the dynamics of global central banks and explore the current state of the stock market, highlighting trends and dispersion among stocks. The discussion also covers upcoming economic data and the significance of next week’s Fed meeting, emphasizing the complexities of managing interest rates in a changing economic landscape. On Investing is an original podcast from Charles Schwab . For more on the show, visit schwab.com/OnInvesting . If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts . Important Disclosures This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Performance may be affected by risks associated with non-diversification, including investments in specific countries or sectors. Additional risks may also include, but are not limited to, investments in foreign securities, especially emerging markets, real estate investment trusts (REITs), fixed income, municipal securities including state specific municipal securities, small capitalization securities and commodities. Each individual investor should consider these risks carefully before investing in a particular security or strategy. All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Diversification and rebalancing strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets. Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses and cannot be invested in directly. Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data. The policy analysis provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party. (1225-HB56) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 21

In this episode, Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss the latest stock market rotations and the Federal Reserve's evolving stance on interest rates. Then, Liz Ann Sonders is joined by Peter Atwater . She and Peter delve into the concept of the Confidence Map , exploring how confidence influences decision-making and risk perception in investing. They discuss the role of sentiment in investment decisions, the impact of social media on market behavior, and the importance of portfolio construction that considers investor sentiment. The conversation also touches on the K-shaped economy, highlighting the widening economic divide and its implications for society. Peter Atwater is the author of The Confidence Map: Charting a Path from Chaos to Clarity . On Investing is an original podcast from Charles Schwab . For more on the show, visit schwab.com/OnInvesting . If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts . Important Disclosures This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned may not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. The comments, views, and opinions expressed are those of the speaker and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab. Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors. Lower rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk. All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Diversification and rebalancing strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets. Rebalancing may cause investors to incur transaction costs and, when a non-retirement account is rebalanced, taxable events may be created that may affect your tax liability. Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses and cannot be invested in directly. Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data. The policy analysis provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party. The book The Confidence Map: Charting a Path from Chaos to Clarity is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.). Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (CS&Co.) has not reviewed the books and makes no representations about its content. (1125-CU1A) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 14

In this episode, Kathy Jones and Liz Ann Sonders discuss some recent investor' questions involving credit risks, government debt, and the potential for an AI bubble. Then, Mike Townsend, Schwab's Washington-based political analyst, joins the show to discuss the end of the government shutdown. He and Liz Ann and Kathy cover the provisions within the agreement to reopen the government, including the potential extension of subsidies for the Affordable Care Act. They also discuss the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on tariffs and how the government might take a while to get caught up on data releases involving employment and inflation information. Kathy and Liz Ann routinely answer questions about the effects of government debt and deficits, and they ask Mike Townsend for his thoughts on how and when that issue might be resolved. Finally, they address upcoming changes to the tax code and the political fallout of the shutdown. You can keep up with the latest developments out of Washington—and learn how they might affect investors—by following Mike Townsend on X and LinkedIn . You can also listen to and follow his podcast, WashingtonWise . On Investing is an original podcast from Charles Schwab . For more on the show, visit schwab.com/OnInvesting . If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts . Important Disclosures This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors. Lower rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk. All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. This information is not a specific recommendation, individualized tax or investment advice. Tax laws are subject to change, either prospectively or retroactively. Where specific advice is necessary or appropriate, individuals should contact their own professional tax and investment advisors or other professionals (CPA, Financial Planner, Investment Manager, Estate Attorney) to help answer questions about specific situations or needs prior to taking any action based upon this information. Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses and cannot be invested in directly. Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data. The policy analysis provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party. (1125-9E27) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 7

In lieu of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones discuss the latest jobs report from ADP. Liz Ann addresses some recent yips in the equity market related to earnings season, and Kathy speculates on what the latest economic data means for the Fed. They also analyze the shift towards sustainable investments and away from "zombie" companies, reflecting market churn and rotation. On Investing is an original podcast from Charles Schwab . For more on the show, visit schwab.com/OnInvesting . If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts . Important Disclosures This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors. Lower rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk. Small-cap investments are subject to greater volatility than those in other asset categories. All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses and cannot be invested in directly. Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data. The policy analysis provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party. (1125-690G) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 31

Liz Ann Sonders and Kathy Jones discuss this week’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting and the latest interest rate cut. They also analyze some of the details of what is driving the Fed’s decisions in light of the government shutdown. Next, Kathy Jones is joined by David Beckworth . Kathy and David discuss the complexities of the Federal Reserve's balance sheet, the broader implications of monetary policy, and the emerging landscape of stablecoins and central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). They discuss the challenges the Fed faces in managing its balance sheet, the potential impact of stablecoins on the financial system, and what these developments mean for investors. David outlines three potential steps the Fed could take to downsize the balance sheet: asset swaps, managing the Treasury General Account (TGA), and improving ceiling facilities. You can keep up with David Beckworth by following his podcast, Macro Musings , and his Substack, “ Macroeconomic Policy Nexus .” On Investing is an original podcast from Charles Schwab . For more on the show, visit schwab.com/OnInvesting . If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts . Important Disclosures This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors. Lower rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk. Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets. All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Digital currencies are highly volatile and not backed by any central bank or government. Digital currencies lack many of the regulations and consumer protections that legal-tender currencies and regulated securities have. Due to the high level of risk, investors should view digital currencies as a purely speculative instrument. Cryptocurrency-related products carry a substantial level of risk and are not suitable for all investors. Investments in cryptocurrencies are relatively new, highly speculative, and may be subject to extreme price volatility, illiquidity, and increased risk of loss, including your entire investment in the fund. Spot markets on which cryptocurrencies trade are relatively new and largely unregulated, and therefore, may be more exposed to fraud and security breaches than established, regulated exchanges for other financial assets or instruments. Some cryptocurrency-related products use futures contracts to attempt to duplicate the performance of an investment in cryptocurrency, which may result in unpredictable pricing, higher transaction costs, and performance that fails to track the price of the reference cryptocurrency as intended The comments, views, and opinions expressed in the presentation are those of the speakers and do not necessarily represent the views of Charles Schwab. Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses and cannot be invested in directly. Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data. The policy analysis provided by Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party. (1025-36UZ) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 24

This week, Collin Martin sits in for Liz Ann Sonders. Kathy Jones and Collin discuss the upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) report and the Federal Reserve's anticipated interest rate cut. They analyze the current state of the credit markets, particularly focusing on recent defaults and the implications for high-yield bonds. The discussion also covers the demand dynamics in private-versus-public credit markets and the potential risks associated with high-yield investments. Finally, they look ahead to upcoming economic indicators and the challenges posed by a lack of data. On Investing is an original podcast from Charles Schwab . For more on the show, visit schwab.com/OnInvesting . If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts . Important Disclosures This material is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered an individualized recommendation or personalized investment advice. The investment strategies mentioned are not be suitable for everyone. Each investor needs to review an investment strategy for his or her own particular situation before making any investment decisions. All expressions of opinion are subject to change without notice in reaction to shifting market, economic or political conditions. Data contained herein from third party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Fixed income securities are subject to increased loss of principal during periods of rising interest rates. Fixed income investments are subject to various other risks including changes in credit quality, market valuations, liquidity, prepayments, early redemption, corporate events, tax ramifications, and other factors. Lower rated securities are subject to greater credit risk, default risk, and liquidity risk. High-yield securities and unrated securities of similar credit quality (junk bonds) are subject to greater levels of credit and liquidity risks and may be more volatile than higher-rated securities. High-yield securities are considered predominately speculative with respect to the issuer’s continuing ability to make principal and interest payments. Investing in alternative investments is speculative, not suitable for all clients, and generally intended for experienced and sophisticated investors who are willing and able to bear the high economic risks of the investment. Investors should obtain and carefully read the related prospectus or offering memorandum, which will contain the information needed to help evaluate the potential investment and provide important disclosures regarding risks, fees and expenses. Diversification and asset allocation strategies do not ensure a profit and do not protect against losses in declining markets. All names and market data shown above are for illustrative purposes only and are not a recommendation, offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. Indexes are unmanaged, do not incur management fees, costs, and expenses and cannot be invested in directly. Bloomberg US Corporate High-Yield Bond Index- Measures the performance of the US Dollar-Denominated, high yield, fixed-rate corporate bond market. Securities are classified as high-yield if the middle rating of Moody’s, Fitch, and S&P is Ba1/BB+/BB+ or below. Bonds from issuers with an emerging markets country of risk, based on Bloomberg EM country definition, are excluded. It is a market-value weighted index. Forecasts contained herein are for illustrative purposes only, may be based upon proprietary research and are developed through analysis of historical public data. The policy analysis provided by the Charles Schwab & Co., Inc., does not constitute and should not be interpreted as an endorsement of any political party. (1025-02S5) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.