Why do so many Americans feel financially trapped?

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane are joined by CNBC's Michael Santoli to recap what we saw in terms of inflation data this week and why we are likely to see a 25 bps interest cut at next week's Fed meeting, as opposed to 50 bps. Plus, with the cost of healthcare continuing to climb, should employers be seeing more blame as they pass along some of the impact to their employees through payroll deductions? Barron's Paul LaMonica also hopped on to speak with the guys about Oracle's massive stock rally this week.

Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss firm inflation and soft jobs data pull the Fed in opposing directions. Economists see Fed rate cut next week and at least one more in 2025. Mortgage rates are at an 11-month low. Will that save this housing market? Labor hoarding looks close to painful end.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss incomes rose and poverty fell last year. So why do so many Americans feel trapped? Homeowners dash to refinance as mortgage rates dive. Fewer people think that retirement will take a miracle. But inflation worries persist. Bond yields are falling. Where can retirees still find 5% yeilds? FTC opens probe into Alphabet, Meta, OpenAI, xAI, and Snap over chatbot safety for kids.

Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss consumer prices rose at annual rate of 2.9% in August and jobless claims that are nearing a four-year high. What are the expectations for next week's Fed meeting? Oracle may be having its Nvidia moment. Or it could be a repeat of 1999. IPO mania is back. Or is it the dot-com bubble all over again?

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss Christopher Waller emerging as one of three serious contenders for Fed Chair. Tripp Mickle (NYTimes -Tech Reporter) joins the show to share his highlights from the recent Apple Event. Stocks bull market nears 3-year anniversary. Oracle shares surge most since 1992 on Cloud contracts win. Jaguar's rebrand caused an uproar. Its boss has no plans to u-turn. Health insurance costs for businesses to rise by most in 15 years.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss the PPI data unexpectedly dropping 0.1% instead of the predicted rise of 0.3%. The Fed easing too much is a massive gamble. Jamie Dimon says the US economy is weakening after record BLS revision. Judge blocks Trump from removing Fed Gov Lisa Cook. Todd Lutsky joins the show to explain how to limit estate tax exposure.

This week, Todd Lutsky breaks down how to limit your beneficiaries exposure to estate taxes, where assets go after a spouse dies with a irrevocable trust, and changing the owner of an account in a trust.

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss the Fed likely cutting rates next week, but what if inflation data points to no cut? What would a half percent rate cut mean for markets? Hyundai-LG immigration raid sparks alarm at foreign companies in the US. A renewed bid to end quarterly earnings reports. Is Nvidia's 'WOW' factor fading? 

Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss job growth revised down by 911,000 through March, signaling economy on shakier footing than realized. American workers are losing confidence. US consumer borrowing rises to most in three months. Are lumber prices flashing a warning sign? Big Oil slashes jobs and investments as low crude prices bite. Hasbro will move its headquarters to Boston’s Seaport. It’s a big loss for Pawtucket.

Chuck Zodda and Marc Fandetti discuss America's 'buy now, pay later' economy is nothing new. Ted Rossman (Bankrate) joins the show to chat about holiday shopping concerns. Tesla's US market share drops to the lowest level since 2017 as competition heats up. Apple's plan B for AI is actually pretty great. Lego is about to test the Force of nostalgia.