When it comes to what’s going on in D.C., investors have a lot on their minds. In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor,Mike Townsend addresses seven of the top questions he most frequently hears from investors these days. He offers deep insights on China, the outlook for a bipartisan approach to an infrastructure bill, inflation concerns, Congress’s attitude toward the growing debt and deficit, the future for cryptocurrency, and...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Randy Frederick, Schwab’s vice president for trading and derivatives, joins host Mike Townsend to reflect on a stellar market that broke trading volume records in Q1 and offer insight on the key issues for investors to watch in Q2. They discuss whether the forward momentum is likely to continue or if the market is headed for a pullback, as well as the outlook for the new infrastructure pl...

In this episode of WashingtonWiseInvestor, Mike Townsend is joined by Kathy Jones, Schwab’s chief fixed income strategist, to look into what’s driving up long-term interest rates, the Fed’s outlook on inflation and economic growth, and the impact rising bond yields are having on the equites market. Additionally, Kathy shares her insights on the improving opportunities with municipal bonds.

Mike also considers how Washington is catch...

The pandemic is accelerating political, economic, and cultural changes, but where are we headed? Bruce Mehlman, a political consultant and futurist, joins host Mike Townsend to discuss what history can tell us about the trends that will shape the post-COVID landscape for policymakers and for investors. Bruce explains what a pivot to a “resilience economy” may mean for infrastructure growth opportunities, why a lack of trust in inst...

While it feels like domestic priorities have been in the spotlight for months, global concerns can’t be dismissed. Jeff Kleintop, Schwab’s chief global investment strategist, joins host Mike Townsend to discuss international activity with implications for U.S. markets. From U.S.-China relations to the outlook for President Biden’s relationship with allies across Europe to prospects for emerging markets in 2021, Jeff helps shine a l...

Minus the daily tweets that drove the news cycle for four years, Washington has settled into a different rhythm. In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike Townsend is joined by Liz Ann Sonders, Schwab’s chief investment strategist, to consider what’s driving the markets and what it will take to meet expectations. They also discuss what investors have learned from recent hyper-speculative trading, the impact on the markets sh...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike Townsend looks at President Biden’s picks for five administration posts and offers insights on how their decisions could impact the markets and your finances. He also discusses the mechanics of how a 50-50 Senate will work, examines the effort to balance confirming Cabinet nominees with preparations for the second impeachment trial, and scours for signs of bipartisanship as lawmakers...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike Townsend focuses on the new balance of power in Washington and shares insights on the mechanics of such a narrowly divided Congress. He explores issues that are likely to be at the top of Biden’s policy agenda—from more COVID relief to tax increases—and the likelihood that the necessary consensus can be built to get them approved. 

WashingtonWise Investor is an original podcast from C...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike Townsend takes a look at the various outcomes of the upcoming Georgia Senate runoff election, what they could mean as President-elect Joe Biden works to implement his policy agenda, and how what does—and doesn’t—get through Congress may impact the markets. 

Mike also provides perspective on the sudden momentum on Capitol Hill for another round of economic stimulus; explains what a new...

After an unprecedented election that saw both Joe Biden and Donald Trump receive more votes for president than any other candidates in history, the focus is shifting to how much of his agenda President-elect Biden will be able to enact. 

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike talks to Schwab’s Chief Investment Strategist Liz Ann Sonders about the market reaction to the presumed and actual election results, as well as the p...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike previews what to watch for on Election Night and discusses whether the market cares about the election outcome with Randy Frederick, Schwab’s vice president for trading and derivatives. They also explore what lessons can be learned from market reactions to previous elections, why traders are betting on volatility this November, and why investors should be wary of making big changes b...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike checks in withJeff Kleintop, Schwab’s chief global investment strategist, on myriad topics that could affect international markets—from COVID outbreaks to Brexit to possible outcomes of the U.S. election.

Mike also considers the recent flurry of high-profile news in the capital and whether any of it is actually moving U.S. markets. He also zeroes in on one story that’s flying under th...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Kathy Jones, Schwab’s chief fixed income strategist, joins Mike Townsend to share her insights on what’s behind the Fed’s new strategy to keep interest rates near zero—possibly for years—while the economy recovers, what it means for inflation risk, and why this change is so important to fixed income investors. They also look at what else the Fed can do to respond to the coronavirus crisis...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike Townsend is joined by Brad Bartick—vice president and branch manager of the downtown Denver Schwab branch—to discuss investing in a market that is riding high while the economy, jobs, the election, and the pandemic are all still big causes for concern. They focus on overcoming the behavioral consequences that biases can have on investing in such unprecedented times.

Mike also discusse...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike Townsend considers the tough decisions facing Congress as lawmakers struggle to balance the need for aid to states and municipalities, small businesses, and individuals. He also looks at promising results in trials on coronavirus vaccines, the upcoming vote on two nominees for vacancies at the Fed, and the appropriations bills that must be approved to keep the federal government runn...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike is joined by Amy Walter, national editor of The Cook Political Report, to discuss how the pandemic is impacting the 2020 election, from socially distanced campaigns to the tremendous efforts by states to institute voting by mail and keep polling places open where possible. They also consider the security of voting by mail, what it could mean for voter turnout, and the big changes to ...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Mike Townsend is joined by Liz Ann Sonders, Schwab’s chief investment strategist, to discuss today’s gaping divide between the markets and the economy. They also share what data investors should be watching and why, provide an overview of which sectors may perform better than others, and consider the implications of a growing number of big-name bankruptcies.

Mike also examines the latest d...

In this episode of WashingtonWise Investor, Jeff Kleintop, Schwab’s chief global investment strategist, joins Mike to discuss the heightening tensions between the U.S. and China and what it may all mean for the markets. They discuss long-brewing concerns such as the potential delisting of Chinese companies from the U.S. exchanges and China’s purchase of U.S. debt, as well as more recent issues, including China’s security crackdown ...

In this week’s WashingtonWise Investor, Mike delves into the HEROES Act, the $3 trillion, “phase four” package of emergency spending proposals passed by the House of Representatives. Republicans in the Senate want a smaller package and favor including programs that protect businesses from litigation. With senators on both sides voicing the need for getting more relief soon, watch for some serious compromises to be struck in order t...