What will life be like in the next decade? Our hosts peer into the future and find reason for optimism in the new - and often surprising-trends that could transform the markets, the economy, and our lives in the years ahead.

What will life be like in the next decade? Our hosts peer into the future and find reason for optimism in the new - and often surprising-trends that could transform the markets, the economy, and our lives in the years ahead.

What will life be like in the next decade? Our hosts peer into the future and find reason for optimism in the new—and often surprising—trends that could transform the markets, the economy, and our lives in the years ahead.

The smartphone in your hand is assembled from a universe of rare elements, sophisticated circuits and software—mostly in China. But it's not who puts it together, it's who makes the smartphone "smart" that will drive the future of the global economy. Find out why that matters to all of us.

Your smartphone is assembled from hundreds of sophisticated parts, many of which are made in China. But the key elements—the parts that actually make your smartphone smart—come from just a few factories in the world, none of which are in China.

Could someone alive today actually live to be 1,000 years old? Some researchers believe it's possible, thanks in large part to medical and technological breakthroughs. But living longer—even if it's only to, say, 150—comes with financial implications for how we plan and invest for our futures.

Could someone alive today actually live to be 1,000 years old? Thanks to medical and technological breakthroughs, that could be possible someday. But living longer—even if it's only to, say, 150—comes with financial implications for how we plan and invest for our futures.

From our social media accounts to our medical records, much of our most personal information is readily available online. But who has access to it, and how can we protect ourselves from the growing threat of cyber crime? We explore the challenges and offer guidance for keeping our digital lives safe.

Women have made enormous economic and social gains in recent years. We look at the progress they've made, where there's room for growth and how the unique financial journeys many women travel require a different approach to saving, investing and planning for the future.

The rising cost of college can make it feel more high pressure than ever. In "Getting Schooled," our hosts examine how families can plan and prepare ahead so it doesn't feel so overwhelming, and also look at some potential alternatives to a traditional college degree.

Short audio trailer that highlights the wide range of issues, topics and trends that the new season of Merrill Perspectives will cover; narrated by Candace Browning, head of BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, and featuring audio clips of different people and experts who are part of this next series of episodes.

Short audio trailer that highlights the wide range of issues, topics and trends that the new season of Merrill Perspectives will cover; narrated by Candace Browning, head of BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research, and featuring audio clips of different people and experts who are part of this next series of episodes.

Where are the markets and economy headed? And will there be new opportunities for investors? In this special Outlook podcast, our hosts explore where we've been and where we're going and what it could mean for your financial life.

In many respects the U.S. economy is in the best shape it's been in years--so why is the rest of the world slowing down? We take a trip around the world to look for answers, and also explore global trends that could offer promising opportunities.

In many respects the U.S. economy is in the best shape it's been in years--so why is the rest of the world slowing down? We take a trip around the world to look for answers, and also explore global trends that could offer promising opportunities.

Markets often go through periods when they zoom up and down. But does the volatility we've been experiencing mean a bear market is on the way, and how can investors react?

Markets often go through periods when they zoom up and down. But does the volatility we've been experiencing mean a bear market is on the way, and how can investors react?

Markets often go through periods when they zoom up and down. But does the volatility we've been experiencing mean a bear market is on the way, and how can investors react?

Interest rates are rising, and everything from mortgages to credit card debt and student loans could cost Americans more. We look at what higher rates could mean for the markets, the economy and your financial life.

Interest rates are rising, and everything from mortgages to credit card debt and student loans could cost Americans more. We look at what higher rates could mean for the markets, the economy and your financial life.

Interest rates are rising, and everything from mortgages to credit card debt and student loans could cost Americans more. We look at what higher rates could mean for the markets, the economy and your financial life.

Interest rates are rising, and everything from mortgages to credit card debt and student loans could cost Americans more. We look at what higher rates could mean for the markets, the economy and your financial life.

In "Growth Town, U.S.A.," our hosts examine how recent growth in America's economy has been driven by a surprising source's smaller cities and towns reinventing themselves. What advantages do these places have, and what could this trend say about our country's economic future?