Episodes
With the election decided, many are wondering what the results could mean for taxes, government spending, the economy and more. On this episode of Signal or Noise, Peter and Charlie discuss eight major policy areas and what impact they may have on your finances before closing with a review of post-election market moves — are they a signal or just noise?
Published 11/13/24
With the market hitting all-time highs and another round of rate cuts on the horizon, the common denominator is the diminishing value of the dollar. Charlie and Peter discuss this topic before making good on their promise from last episode, sharing their thoughts on how to avert a debt crisis (spoiler alert: the answer isn’t taxes). They close with their perspective on mass media influence and discuss the election’s potential impact on the market. Is it a signal or just noise?
Published 11/01/24
Published 11/01/24
Baseball playoff banter sets the stage for investment advice from Charlie and Peter, where they outline five critical tips for investors to punch above their weight: starting early, generating tax alpha, owning assets, avoiding trends and extending time horizons. They also discuss the U.S. national debt and the impact of AI before educating viewers on tight credit spreads, ultimately determining whether they’re a signal or just noise.
Published 10/25/24
In this episode, Charlie and Peter explore the widespread economic ripple effects of the dock strike, which could have cost the U.S. economy up to $4.5 billion per day. The real issue isn't compensation — it's job automation, a disruption that could reshape the industry in the long run. They also dive into the Fed's rate cut, housing market shifts and why America can't sustain a "two-economy" divide. They close with insights from the book Die With Zero and tackle the big question of whether...
Published 10/08/24
But has it? This famous quote gets challenged by Charlie and Peter as they discuss the importance of maintaining a diversified portfolio and avoiding attempts to outsmart the market. Plus, with the presidential election looming, they discuss the historical relationship between administrations and market performance, including why it doesn't matter which party wins. The episode wraps up with a look at whether the recently ended longest yield curve inversion in history is a signal or just noise.
Published 09/20/24
Do you know the number one way Americans become millionaires? Charlie Bilello gets Peter Mallouk’s insider take on this topic and on a couple of recent tweets, leading to an economic lesson and a lively discussion about communism, food prices and taxing the wealthy. They conclude by considering the record U.S. household allocation to stocks — is it a signal or just noise?
Published 09/06/24
There’s an elephant in the room that keeps growing — but no one wants to talk about it. On this episode of Signal or Noise, Charlie Bilello and Peter Mallouk discuss the $35 trillion national debt, which Peter views as the biggest threat to the U.S. economy and Western civilization. They also cover concentrated stocks and eliminating taxes on tips and Social Security income before wrapping up with a signal or noise on the VIX.
Published 08/16/24
With all that’s happening in the market, you’ll want to tune in to this episode of Signal or Noise as Charlie Bilello and Peter Mallouk share how long-term investors can embrace panic. They also cover the impending rate cut, a costly rollover mistake and a new topic to show — love, marriage and bank accounts. They end with a signal or noise you may be familiar with: using bonds as a hedge.
Published 08/07/24
Is now a good time to rebalance your portfolio? Tune in to Signal or Noise as Charlie Bilello and Peter Mallouk share their insights. They also cover the allure of upside with little downside (the holy grail of investing), explore why the number of funds continues to go up while the number of stocks continues to go down, and wrap with whether the recent surge in small cap stocks is a signal or just noise.
Published 07/19/24
Gaining an awareness of cognitive biases is just the first step. Overcoming these biases is the real challenge — don’t let them negatively impact your investment success! Join Peter Mallouk and Charlie Bilello as they explore these biases as well as their impact, why investors often fall prey to them and practical solutions for overcoming them. Additionally, learn about the latest changes in 401k savings that could affect your financial planning.
Published 07/12/24
Would you keep a 401k payout if you weren’t the intended beneficiary? Peter and Charlie share the story of a seven-figure signature and the lesson we can all learn from it in this episode of Signal or Noise. They also discuss seven key insights from the pioneer of index fund investing, "Saint" Jack Bogle, and provide data to help you navigate your investments during an election year.
Published 06/14/24
A new survey shows many Americans aren’t feeling positive about the economy, the stock market or employment — but the data tells a different story. Join Peter and Charlie as they discuss why perception and reality aren't matching up. They also explore some recently proposed tax incentives for home buyers and the implications such policies would have on the housing market. Plus, get insights into the resurgence of meme stocks and more in this episode of Signal or Noise.
Published 06/03/24
Warren Buffett earned an estimated $10 billion dollars from investments he made during the global financial crisis in 2008. How did he achieve such remarkable success? Join Peter and Charlie in episode 26 of Signal or Noise as they uncover ten insightful lessons investors can learn from the "Oracle of Omaha." They also explore why negativity often fuels online media consumption and whether "Dr. Copper" reaching an all-time high is a signal or just noise.
Published 05/20/24
With the Federal Reserve signaling a prolonged period of higher interest rates, Peter and Charlie assess the potential ramifications for investors on this episode of Signal or Noise. They also discuss the growing national debt and its impact on taxation policies, delve into the risks associated with long-duration bonds and analyze the unprecedented correlation between stocks and bonds.
Published 05/04/24
The amount of money Americans believe they need for retirement has markedly increased in recent years. Peter and Charlie delve into historical data from the Great Depression to the dot-com bubble, demonstrating that a diversified portfolio can withstand even the most difficult periods of market turbulence. They also explore America's fascination with the lottery, drawing parallels between gambling and risky investments, and share their insights on the recent stock market pullback.
Published 04/26/24
In a soaring market, are we truly in a stock picker’s paradise? Join Peter and Charlie as they discuss the series of all-time market highs we witnessed in quarter one, examining pivotal insights from Tesla’s and Apple’s performance data. They also delve into the Federal Reserve’s potential rate cuts and the looming shadow of national debt. Plus, don’t miss Charlie’s vision to simplify tax returns on episode 23 of Signal or Noise.
Published 04/05/24
You may be surprised to learn that most millionaires come from families with average or below-average income and built their wealth independently. On episode 22 of Signal or Noise, Peter and Charlie discuss five common misconceptions about millionaires that may be keeping you from building wealth. They also share helpful tax tips, provide insights around retirement withdrawals and delve into the National Association of Realtors’ recent settlement. Lastly, they provide perspective on the...
Published 03/23/24
Join Peter and Charlie on Episode 21 of Signal or Noise as they delve into the contentious issue of minimum wage — they may not see eye to eye, but they both agree a $50 per hour minimum wage isn’t the answer. They also discuss lessons investors can take away from Japan’s first all-time market high since 1989 and have a candid discussion around the great retirement wave. Lastly, Peter and Charlie explore record market concentration and consider whether this is a signal or merely a sign of the...
Published 03/01/24
Did you tune in for football, commercials or Taylor Swift this past weekend? Peter and Charlie discuss some interesting financial stats surrounding this year’s big game on episode 20 of Signal or Noise. They also share insights on equity return trends as well as opinions on the outlook for Nvidia and the S&P 500’s positive streak. Lastly, they provide some perspective on purposeful positivity and productivity.
Published 02/16/24
Investing seems complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode, Peter and Charlie break down some of the most important financial concepts from Peter's latest book, "Money, Simplified." These include the fear of new all-time highs, the benefits of passive portfolio engagement and indexing, and the negative impact of confirmation bias. Lastly, they examine three lessons investors can learn from the latest bear market.
Published 02/06/24
While Costco is selling out of gold bars due to persistent fears of an economic apocalypse, Peter and Charlie help listeners understand why gold is unlikely to be the best long-term investment strategy. They also discuss the hidden opportunity cost of cash and debate whether the Federal Reserve should start cutting interest rates in March. Lastly, they examine the intriguing link between government corruption and stock market performance, with a focus on China’s market dynamics.
Published 01/22/24
While many would like to predict what the markets will do in 2024, it’s just not possible. Peter and Charlie suggest ditching predictions and offer four focused resolutions for investors to consider not just in 2024 but for life. They also discuss the importance of building habits in making personal resolutions for the new year and highlight two of their favorite books lately. Lastly, they touch on the growing national debt and explore whether there’s any meaningful signal in the huge market...
Published 01/05/24
Throughout his long life, Charlie Munger gave us invaluable insights and principles that will stand the test of time. Join Peter and Charlie as they explore their top 10 lessons learned from Munger, offering a guide on how to leverage his wisdom to elevate your own success. From unraveling the first rule of compounding to appreciating the pivotal role of luck, don’t miss out on these pearls of wisdom.
Published 12/15/23
The past year in the markets can be boiled down to one phrase: expect the unexpected. Throughout 2023, unforeseen events have unfolded, and Peter and Charlie guide us through the pivotal ones while illustrating the folly of forecasting. Additionally, they discuss Charlie Munger's "secrets to a happy life" and how income and wealth can influence levels of happiness. Lastly, they decipher whether there's any signal in the low consumer sentiment and small-cap underperformance we've seen lately.
Published 12/01/23