The FarrCast : Wealth Strategies

Latest Episodes:

Getting All Dolled Up Oct 15, 2019

Show notes

It's the beginning of earnings season and Michael Farr welcomes Kenny Polcari to talk about what the market sentiment is, and how the investor needs to think about the sudden moves that the computerized trading produces. It's been quite a week in DC, and Dan Mahaffee helps break it down, and reminds us that when the ground shifts beneath the Presidency, it moves quickly. Finally, Michael welcomes special guest Stephanie Link of TIAA/Nuveen. Stephanie talks about what she is looking for in earnings season, and that the trade detente is meaningful for the markets -- things might be getting a little better, but they are at least less bad. It's hard to buy low and sell high, but Stephanie and Michael talk not just about stocks they like, but why they like them.
Always going beyond the headlines to give you a deeper understanding of the markets, the economy, and the broader world, it's The FarrCast: Wall Street, Washington, and The World.

For more information on Headstrong, the charity Kenny Polcari spoke of, go to www.getheadstrong.org

Be Careful for Landsharks Oct 08, 2019

Show notes

Turmoil in Washington, gyrations in the market, and uncertainty in world -- the FarrCast is here to make some sense of it all!

Michael Farr welcomes Kenny Polcari for a talk on markets, a detour into taxation and how it impacts growth, and the forecast ahead. Dan Mahaffee calls in from the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress -- he's had a bit to study lately. He gives his insight into how the China "deal" gets smaller by the day. And special guest Robert Frick from Navy Federal Credit Union joins for wide ranging discussion on interest rates, the job markets, and the limits of supply side hammers for demand side nails. (Plus a Samuel Beckett reference!)

It's the FarrCast! Wall Street, Washington, and The World.

Where Did I Leave My Pitchfork? Oct 01, 2019

Show notes

The end of the quarter sees the markets end up about where they've started -- but the truth is we've had a pretty good year in nine months. Consumer optimism still holds sway.
Michael Farr welcomes regular political analyst Dan Mahaffee from the Center for the Study of the Presidency & Congress and William Reinsch from the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Dan breaks down the week in politics and Bill gives a big picture look at the China conundrum. He's sat across the table with Chinese negotiators in his career, and says while everyone agrees on the diagnosis, the prescription for the problem is not as clear.

For a deeper understanding of the forces shaping our world, listen to the FarrCast: Wall Street, Washington, and The World.

Was There Anything in the News This Week? Sep 25, 2019

Show notes

Boy was there!
Michael Farr talks with Dan Mahaffee to break down the President's approach to Ukraine, the opening of impeachment hearings, and the potential political fallout. Our special guest this week is Heather Long of the Washington Post, the top journalist covering the Federal Reserve in the country and she shares her insights on the decision making engine of the Fed, and thoughts on what comes next.

BUT FIRST! What's repo, and why does it sound scary when they talk about it? Andy Mathes helps Michael break down the credit crunch in the repo markets, why it matters, and how the Fed used their tools to deal with it. Plus -- how to invest in bonds in the low-interest rate universe.

Always bringing you insights from experts and insiders, it's The FarrCast: Wall Street, Washington, and The World.

Looking Behind When They Should Be Looking Ahead Sep 17, 2019

Show notes

Lots of nervousness in the news: Strike at GM, attacks in Saudi Arabia, Fed meeting starting, all the while Brexit and China trade still loom.

Don't be nervous -- listen to The FarrCast!

In this week's podcast, Michael welcomes regular political analyst Dan Mahaffee and long-time investor and blogger, Haven Pell to the show. Dan gives an overview of what we know now about the Saudi attacks -- and that a military response is inevitable. A discussion with Haven Pell on the central banks takes us to questions of leadership. Are politicians of all stripes becoming more cheerleader than coach?

Always bringing you insight into what is happening in the world and what shapes our economy -- it's The FarrCast: Wall Street, Washington, and The World.

For a daily summary of markets, headlines, commodities, and futures before the markets open, subscribe to The FarrCast Three Minute Morning Brief.

Each Friday, Dan Mahaffee and The Center for the Study of The Presidency and Congress writes a summary of the week's news from a Washington insider perspective. To read Dan's (and his colleagues) work, go to: https://www.thepresidency.org/cspc-weekly-news-roundup

Thanks to special guest, Haven Pell for appearing on the FarrCast. His new blog is at www.pundificator.com .

Are We There Yet? Sep 10, 2019

Show notes

The FarrCast is back for Season Three!

Michael tells us a story of what happened over the summer, and where the markets stand. Dan Mahaffee and Les Munson join for a look at Washington and The World, and what may be coming next.
Every week the FarrCast brings you experts and insiders for a view of the economic landscape and the politics and policies that shape it. The FarrCast: Wall Street, Washington, and The World.

Markets in Turmoil -- Investors Shouldn't Be Aug 07, 2019

Show notes

The markets are moving through a summer swoon, and Michael shares his thoughts on what investors should do. And most importantly -- shouldn't do.
It's a summer special FarrFlash -- cool heads are needed in hot times.

FarrFlash -- Your Summer Update from The FarrCast Jul 19, 2019

Show notes

It may be our summer hiatus, but we are bringing you weekly updates from Wall Street, Washington, and The World. Join Michael Farr as he gives his insight into this week's markets movements. We've backed down from the highs, but this is still an expensive market -- but you can still find value. In Washington, the debt ceiling negotiations have begun and the Fed convenes in ten days. Moving on to The World, the tensions in Iran don't seem any closer to resolving.
Michael Farr shares his reflections on the week -- because even though it's summer, the markets don't go to the beach.

This Isn’t Going to Turn into Groundhog Day Is It? Jul 02, 2019

Show notes

It’s a holiday week, but there’s too much going on for the FarrCast to start our summer break just yet! Michael starts with a discussion on the markets with Jim Iuorio. We are at record highs, but there could be danger if we break away from fundamentals. Jim reminds us there is no sure way to time the market – don’t be greedy and rebalance your risk, but remember the markets can stay irrational. Political analyst Dan Mahaffee calls in for a two segments – with the events of the last week there is too much for just one! At the G20, trade negotiations got back on track, but nothing is really any closer to resolution. Dan says we are starting the cycle of negotiations again, but there is too much of a gap between China and the US. The markets are happy for now things are getting worse but the impasse over economic structure, technology transfer, and state control remain. In the third segment, Dan talks about the other big event of the weekend, the President setting foot in North Korea. The event has significant symbolic ramifications that could evolve into very concrete problems. The Iranians may be learning lessons from North Korea that we’d rather not teach. Is there an off-ramp for the Iranians in their confrontation with the US? Bringing you conversations with experts and insiders on the issues that shape our world, it’s The FarrCast: Wall Street, Washington, and The World.

Stephanie Link/TIAA: No Recession in Sight; Ned Davis: Don't Make the BIG Mistake Jun 26, 2019

Show notes

Michael welcomes back Stephanie Link to the FarrCast. She reminds us, you can't get obsessed with the day to day and as a long term investor you have to look at the underlying health of the economy. Interest rates are low and employment is strong, so while the growth is slowing. There are so many moving parts, the narrative is always changing, so look for quality. Dan Mahaffee joins us remotely after a first hand exploration of the struggles of infrastructure on the East Coast. The Iranian situation has seen a climb-down from the President on military retaliation, but a new series of sanctions targeting the shadow economy of the Iranian hierarchy. Dan walks us through the dynamics in Iran -- and how the economic pain in Iran has served to turn some of the rural populace towards the clerics, not away. For our third segment, Michael welcomes Ned Davis, founder of Ned Davis Research -- one of the greats of the business. Ned begins by telling us from his study of crisis events -- news may cause market turmoil but it's usually short-term. It's important to watch fundamentals and ignore the noise. Ned shares his wisdom and insight from his objective, data-driven research. He's cautious, but still thinks the markets have room to run. Every time is different, and Ned tells us what he's watching.