The Financial Exchange with Barry Armstrong breaks business news first in New England. The longest running business news host in Boston, Barry reports on the latest business developments throughout the country in New England with heavy hitting interviews from CEO’s, analysts and prominent business media professionals.
Cutting government spending is the only real solution to the affordability crisis
Trump allies fear blowback from Powell investigation
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the December CPI report that shows prices rose less than expected. Trump allies and officials fear blowback from Powell probe. Will Jerome Powell remain at the Fed after his term as Chair concludes? JPMorgan investment-banking fees drop on underwriting miss. Boston has given out 64 free liquor licenses. How does this change the city?
Why a 10% credit card interest rate cap a bad idea
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Trump calling for a 10% cap on credit card interest rates. The dream of Florida retirement is fading for the middle-class. Retiring early is looking more difficult. What is the FIRE movement? The great millennial career crisis. Walmart teams up with Google Gemini on shopping tool.
Is Central Bank independence a good or bad thing?
Chuck Zodda and Mike Armstrong discuss Jerome Powell under investigation over renovations. Is Central Bank independence a good or bad thing? Americans are right to be worried about the labor market. Why do we care so much about jobs data? Magnificent 7's stock market dominance shows signs of cracking. GOP lawmakers back stock trading crackdown.
Why does Trump want Fannie and Freddie to buy $200B of mortgage debt?
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss Trump telling Fannie and Freddie to buy $200B of mortgage debt. Why would he do that? GM takes $6B hit tied to EVs as demand sinks. Meta unveils sweeping nuclear-power plan to fuel its AI ambitions. Tech titans divided over whether to pay billionaire tax or flee California. Paul LaMonica (Barron's) joins the show to chat about Wealthfront's IPO.
Productivity is booming. AI may not be the reason.
Mike Armstrong and Paul Lane discuss US payrolls rising 50,000 in December, less than expected. Unemployment falls to 4.4%. The productivity boom has arrived. AI may not be the reason. The stock market rally isn't just about tech anymore. What happens if the Supreme Court rules against Trump on tariffs? Trump is getting a new Fed. He may not be happy with what it does.
Why does the US want Venezuela's oil?
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss consumers loving cheap gas, but the oil patch will pay the price. The US pumps more crude than anyone else. Why does it want Venezuela's? Warner Brothers board rebuffs Paramount's latest buyout offer. The return of the IPO could spell trouble for private equity. Ford enters the race to offer eyes-off driving tech. New campaign in Massachusetts seeks to end pet discrimination in rentals.
What recent jobs data is telling us about the economy
Mike Armstrong and Marc Fandetti discuss the recent jobs data releases and how it impacts the broader economy. New data points to a 'slow' job market in Massachusetts. Why Trump's proposal to ban corporations from buying single-family houses and why it won't solve anything. Trump says he will not permit dividends and stock buybacks for defense companies. Goldman sees consumer stocks gaining amid AI valuation worries.
Will stocks crash in 2026?
Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti wonder if stocks will crash in 2026. Ted Rossman (Bankrate) joins the show 2026 interest rate forecasts. Emerging markets haven't had the run recently that many expected. OpenAI says AI will free households from chores and boost hidden productivity.
AI fatigue sets in for S&P 500 investors
Paul Lane and Marc Fandetti discuss the ADP report that shows private payrolls gained 41,000 jobs in December and US JOLTS coming in well short of expectations. AI fatigue leaves investors focused on the S&P 500's other 493 stocks. Todd Lutsky joins the show for his weekly segment, Ask Todd. This week, Todd explains how procrastinators can plan for long term care at the last minute.