Share Sounds related to Economics - USA

On 11th June UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves presents her Spending Review against the backdrop of a gargantuan public debt liability which is costing the UK taxpayer £111 billion a year in interest. Further tax rises have been ruled out, so she needs to identify achievable, structural reductions in spending. Elon Musk thought he'd done just that as head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but only a small fraction of his planned reductions were achieved. In the UK at least we can break away from welfare universality — but will she do it? She's tried taxation and now she has to tackle spending, but the real elephant in the room is debt: all £2.7 trillion of it. Background music: 'Dark Alley Deals' by Aaron Kenny

When it comes to investing, it's stock markets that regularly hog the headlines but it's government bond markets that really matter. Share prices taking a prolonged tumble is one thing but if bonds take a hammering, the financial world starts to really the notice. A textbook example occurred a few weeks ago when in the aftermath of Donald Trump's introduction of US tariffs, stock markets took a dive and the President refused to budge. But when bond market ructions started to get investors and even central bankers worried, Trump appeared to take heed and introduced his 90-day pause. Georgie Frost, Tanya Jefferies and Simon Lambert discuss government bonds, the basics of how they work, why they matter and what impact they have on ordinary investors and our finances. Plus, the state pension top-up mess that refuses to go away, how to find the best SIPP to invest for retirement, and is a care annuity the answer to our care costs problems or just a treatment for the symptoms? And finally, there's been a mass stampede to Cash ISAs: what's going on — and is the tax-free saving allowance still likely to get chopped?

Fed independence brings stability, and markets love stability. Asit Sharma and Dylan Lewis discuss the Trump Administration’s focus on Fed Chair Jerome Powell, the role of an independent Federal Reserve Bank for the market and investors, and Netflix’s earnings and status as a “recession-proof” stock. Then, 16 minutes in, Anand Chokkavelu hosts Fool Contributors Dan Caplinger and Rick Munarriz for a Scoreboard episode on Shopify. Companies discussed: NFLX, SHOP, AMZN. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Anand Chokkavelu, Dan Caplinger, Rick Munarriz

Donald Trump may think he's a deal-maker, but he's more likely to turn out to be an economy-breaker, putting the U.S. dollar's role as the world's reserve currency at risk. Recession may be the least of our worries — this degree of instant aggression could well bring on a second Great Depression. So while few would disagree that U.S. needs to find a way out of its chronic trade imbalances, a transitional approach to tariffs with cross-party agreement designed to run over at least 2-3 presidential terms — thereby giving time to make the necessary changes — would have made far more sense. Background music: 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home' Cooper Cannell

Today we talk about the economic and market impacts of tariffs, some business partnerships, and a couple of weak earnings reports. Also, Andy Cross talks to Schwab Chief Investment Strategist Liz Ann Sonders. And Asit and Jason share two stocks on their radar. Host - Ron Gross; Guests - Asit Sharma, Jason Moser, Andy Cross, Liz Ann Sonders

The markets are taking a beating on Liberation Day tariff announcements. What do the announcements mean long term? It’s anyone’s guess. Nick Sciple and Ricky Mulvey discuss why markets are reacting so strongly to the reciprocal tariff announcements, how investors can look for opportunities, but “not be a hero” right now, and Match Group’s new artificial intelligence flirting game. Then, 17 minutes in, Rick Munarriz joins Ricky for a conversation about Nintendo’s new Switch 2, and how the device could boost earnings for the video game maker. Companies discussed: WINA, MTCH, OTC: NTDOY. Host - Ricky Mulvey; Guests - Nick Sciple, Rick Munnariz

Two of the most influential voices in the market had something to say this week. Asit Sharma and Jason Moser discuss Fed Chair Powell’s rate outlook, and what Jensen Huant sees coming down the pike for Nvidia chips and quantum computing, what Tesla investors need to know about the headlines around recent accounting concerns, and earnings updates and red market reactions for FedEx, Nike, and Accenture. Then, 19 minutes in, Joe Cutillo, CEO of Sterling Infrastructure, talks Motley Fool CEO Tom Gardner through his company’s work on infrastructure projects, how the tariff picture figures into their outlook, and how to invest like a CEO. Finally, 31 minutes in, Jason and Asit talk about lessons from their favorite college basketball teams and the stocks on their radar this week: BYD and Williams Sonoma. Stocks discussed: NVDA, TSLA, FDX, NKE, ACN, STRL, BYDDY, WSM. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Asit Sharma, Jason Moser, Joe Cutillo, Tom Gardner

Investors this week have been hit by the 'Trump Slump.' Why is the US President rattling markets, and is it the end of the US bull market? Georgie Frost, Simon Lambert and Lee Boyce discuss what you should be doing to make your investments great again. How will the UK handle potential tariffs, should investors be in panic mode and what do experts say you should be doing to navigate the geopolitical turmoil? Pension freedom rules came into play ten years ago — these allowed retirees to take control of their pension savings, shifting away from the obligation to buy an annuity and moving towards flexible drawdown and investment options. So a decade on, how have the class of 2015 fared? Nationwide is handing out more money — £600 million of it — to 12 million eligible members as a 'big thank you' following its acquisition of Virgin Money last year. That’s £50 each. And it’s separate to its Fairer Share Scheme, which will be announced in May. And lastly, what can you do if a neighbour cuts back hedges and trees which have given you privacy for decades?

When uncertainty spikes, our ability to look out into the future shrinks. Emily Flippen and Matt Argersinger discuss how the shifting tariff picture is driving uncertainty across markets, economic forecasts, and investor outlooks, Target’s continuing troubles, and why even Costco can’t escape the retail slowdown, and what’s behind Okta’s 25% post-earnings pop. Then, 19 minutes in and five years from the beginning of the pandemic, Malcolm Gladwell reflects on our COVID response, his past works, and his latest book 'Revenge of the Tipping Point'. Finally. 32 minutes in, Emily and Matt break down two sides of 24-hour trading and what’s on their radar this week: private equity firms and Lovesac. Stocks discussed: TGT, COST, OKTA, BN, BX, KKR, APO, LOVE. Host - Dylan Lewis; Guests - Emily Flippen, Matt Argersinger, Malcolm Gladwell

The Trump administration’s 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico are now in effect. Is this a negotiation tactic? A new long-term reality? Jason Moser and Ricky Mulvey discuss the impacts of tariffs on investors and companies, if Target is a value play, and Okta’s market opportunity in security verification. Then, 17 minutes in, Alison Southwick and Robert Brokamp offer financial planning tips for solopreneurs. Companies discussed: HD, TSM, TGT, OKTA. Host - Ricky Mulvey; Guests - Jason Moser, Alison Southwick, Robert Brokamp