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It’s the first Saturday of the month, which means it’s time for the next installment of our 2026 Financial Planning Challenge. Since it’s July 4th, we thought it fitting that this month we focus on financial independence – in other words, retirement. How do you know if your retirement plan is on track? And how will you know when you’re financially ready to bid adieu to the working world? Fools Robert Brokamp and Stephanie Marini discuss how to find the answers to those questions, including:-Common rules of thumb like the 50-30-20 rule and ye olde 4% rule (and why it should be 5%)-Age-based retirement savings benchmarks from financial-services firms-Free and premium calculators we use and recommend-Getting a professional second opinion from an experienced financial planner who charges by the hour or project (and where to find such a planner)Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAGuest: Stephanie Marini, CFP®, CRPC®Engineer: Bart Shannon
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Q2 2026 was the best year on Wall Street since 2020 and AI led the way. But the gains weren’t evenly distributed and we discuss what’s sustainable and what’s not in the market. Plus, we discuss Meta becoming a neocloud and look back on the U.S. stocks that defined the past four decades.

Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jason Moser discuss:

- Record Q2 Performance

- How AI Ruled the Day

- Meta the Neocloud?

- What Happened to Compute Constraint?

- History of U.S. Stocks

- Stocks on Our Radar

Companies discussed: Meta Platforms (META), Netflix (NFLX), Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Walmart (WMT), Home Depot (HD), Microsoft (MSFT), Cisco (CSCO), Dell (DELL), GE (GE), Columbia Banking (COLB), Axon (AXON).

Host: Travis Hoium

Guests: Lou Whiteman, Jason Moser

Engineer: Dan Boyd

Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement.

We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode.

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HAve you noticed that more and more companies are finding the Chinese market is a headwind for companies? You’re not alone. Automotive companies, clothing retailers, beauty products, and many more are either losing market share or seeing sales decline. Jon, Matt, and Tyler break down why the Chinese market has been such a challenge for so many companies, who could be the next company to experience this, and how investors can navigate this trend. Plus, the unconventional winners & losers of the S&P 500 and listener questions.

Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss:- S&P 500’s (volatile) winners and losers in 2026 so far- The unexpected winners and losers- The changing Chinese market- Could Apple and memory be the next China market victims?- Mailbag: Navigating fair values for stocks

Companies discussed: CASY, TSCO, GLW, FICO, NKE, LVMH, AAPL, SBUX, DECK, CAT, MSFT,

Host: Tyler CroweGuests: Matt Frankel, Jon QuastEngineer: Bart Shannon

Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement.

We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode.

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Oil prices have plunged in recent weeks as the war in Iran appears to be coming to a halt. But why did predictions of $200 oil never materialize? We discuss the underlying dynamics. We also covered a new stablecoin that could be disruptive to payments and why Nike’s comeback is stalling out.

Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Tyler Crowe discuss:

- Why Oil Prices Are Dropping

- Did China Prevent an Energy Crisis?

- The New Open USD Stablecoin

- Are Stablecoins Disruptive?

- Nike’s Earnings

- Can Nike Make a Comeback?

Companies discussed: Nike (NKE), Visa (V), Mastercard (MA).

Host: Travis Hoium

Guests: Lou Whiteman, Tyler Crowe

Engineer: Dan Boyd

Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement.

We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices
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The Honeywell International of 10 years ago is now six different publicly traded companies. This week, Honeywell International split with Honeywell Aerospace to complete the pre-planned separation. Tyler, Matt, and Lou look break down the prospects for the disparate parts as standalone companies and pick which ones will be the outperformers based on recent spinoffs and separateions. Plus, a busy week of deals and an investor question about covered call ETFs

Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Lou Whiteman discuss:

- Digital Realty buying data centers

- Building materials industry consolidation

- Keeping track of what assets went where at Honeywell

- Recent successes (and failures) with spinoffs

- Mailbag: When to covered call index ETFs work?

Companies discussed: DLR, BX, CSL, OC, MLM, BLD, QXO, ON, SYNA, HON, HONA, SOLS, QNT, GE, GEV, GEHC, RTX, CARR, OTIS, DOW, DD, CTVA, CMCSA, BRK-B, SPYI, QQQI, CHPY, BTCI

Host: Tyler Crowe

Guests: Matt Frankel, Lou Whiteman

Engineer: Dan Boyd

Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement.

We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices