First Trust ROI Podcast

Hosted by First Trust Portfolios

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

On the ROI podcast, we discuss some of the most important questions facing investment professionals today, ranging from macroeconomic views, to perspectives on the equity and fixed income markets, to insights on practice management. We aim to cut through the noise, examine the data, and provide fresh insights to investment professionals as they help their clients find better ways to invest…seeking to generate attractive returns on their investments.

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60 recent

October 13, 2026Episode 8228 min

Ep 82 | Dave McGarel | Has the Market Descended From the “Death Zone”? | ROI Podcast

When Dave McGarel joined the podcast at the start of 2026, he compared high market valuations to a climber that had ascended into Mount Everest’s “death zone” — thin air, high risk, no room for error. As earnings multiples have declined from those levels, Dave returns to discuss whether the market is on safer ground as valuations have come down. He shares his outlook on equities heading into Q4, what higher interest rates mean for portfolio positioning, and his take on the ongoing data center and AI infrastructure buildout. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Follow us on X: First Trust on X Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

September 29, 2026Episode 8140 min

Ep 81 | Bob Stein | Will Populist Politics Upend the 2026 Midterms…and the Economy? | ROI Podcast

With midterm elections weeks away, First Trust Deputy Chief Economist Bob Stein joins the podcast for his final pre-election check-in. Bob breaks down how rising populist rhetoric could reshape the midterm outcome, and what that means for markets, fiscal policy, and investors. Bob also tackles two related topics on every investor’s radar: the political battle over the AI/data center buildout, and the long-term solvency of Social Security. Whatever the outcome in November, Bob outlines what investors should be watching heading into 2027. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Follow us on X: First Trust on X Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

September 14, 2026Episode 8051 min

Ep 80 | Gibson Smith | Why are Interest Rates Climbing Again…and What are the Implications for Bond Investors? | ROI Podcast

Gibson Smith, Founder and CIO of Smith Capital Investors, joins the podcast to unpack the forces reshaping fixed income today, including persistent inflation, a new Fed Chair, a shifting geopolitical backdrop, and the rise of debt financing for AI data centers. Gibson then shares his outlook on the implications for portfolio positioning. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Follow us on X: First Trust on X Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

September 1, 2026Episode 7935 min

Ep 79 | Kevin Bishopp | The Best of Both Worlds: AI’s Opportunity for Financial Professionals | ROI Podcast

In this episode, Kevin Bishopp, performance coach at First Trust, channels Van Halen’s Best of Both Worlds to make the case that AI is already improving both the productivity of financial professionals and the client experience. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Follow us on X: First Trust on X Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

August 17, 2026Episode 7841 min

Ep 78 | Brian Wesbury | How Has the “Chairman in Name Only” Performed so Far? | ROI Podcast

Brian Wesbury discusses the impact that the Trump administration’s immigration and trade policies have had on the economy so far, as well as how Keven Warsh is navigating the early stages of his term as Chairman of the Fed. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Follow us on X: First Trust on X Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

August 3, 2026Episode 7729 min

Ep 77 | Jackie Wilke | The Human Edge in an AI World | ROI Podcast

In a world increasingly run by algorithms, is human connection still your biggest competitive advantage? Jackie Wilke joins the podcast to explore why authentic relationships remain a financial professional's greatest edge, even as automation reshapes the industry. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Follow us on X: First Trust on X Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

July 20, 2026Episode 7631 min

Ep 76 | Bob Carey | New Leadership in Equity Markets…Will It Continue? | ROI Podcast

Despite an ongoing war and shifting interest rate expectations, equity market performance favored small- and mid-cap stocks during the first half of 2026. Bob Carey explains some of the reasons this shift has occurred and breaks down the risks and opportunities on the horizon. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Follow us on X: First Trust on X Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

July 7, 2026Episode 7540 min

Ep 75 | Nikki Hsu & Gabriela Privetera | The Road Back to Nuclear Power: Opportunities and Pitfalls Ahead | ROI Podcast

Surging electricity demand from AI data centers and industrial reshoring is driving renewed interest in nuclear power. After years of contraction, the industry may be poised for expansion and reacceleration. In this episode, Bloomberg Intelligence’s Nikki Hsu and Gabriela Privetera help us unpack some of the opportunities and obstacles that could shape nuclear’s comeback. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Follow us on X: First Trust on X Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

June 23, 2026Episode 7428 min

Ep 74 | Josef Schuster | What Does History Say About Post-IPO Performance Trends? | ROI Podcast

With the ongoing IPO market activity, Dr. Josef Schuster joins the podcast to discuss his research on the unique performance dynamics that often follow new listings. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Follow us on X: First Trust on X Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

June 9, 2026Episode 7339 min

Ep 73 | Mandeep Singh | Is the SaaS-Pocalypse Over, and Where Are We in the AI Capex Cycle? | ROI Podcast

Mandeep Singh, global head of Technology Research at Bloomberg Intelligence, joins the podcast to provide an update on the growing impact of artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge innovations. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subscribe Here to the ROI Podcast & other First Trust Market News Website: First Trust Portfolios Connect with us on LinkedIn: First Trust LinkedIn Follow us on X: First Trust on X Subscribe to the First Trust YouTube Channel Subscribe to the ROI Podcast YouTube Channel

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