The Real Investment Show Podcast

It's Q&A Wednesday: You ask 'em, we'll answer—and today's episode covers the questions investors actually wrestle with when markets get noisy. Lance Roberts & Danny Ratliff start with a preview of upcoming economic reports and what recent data may be signaling about slowing growth and the next bout of market volatility. From there, we dig into real portfolio decisions—especially for investors heading into retirement—including how to think about allocation changes, managing risk, and avoiding the behavioral traps that derail long-term outcomes. Lance & Danny also hit the big evergreen topics: recency bias, whether there's truly a "one stock to own forever," what buffered ETFs do (and don't) protect you from, and the mechanics behind the bond yield / interest-rate relationship. We also tackle timely portfolio choices like metals, tax-deferred vs. taxable accounts, seasonality, foreign currency trades, and how to invest in individual bonds. We wrap with practical tradeoffs around high-yield savings, the reality of beating the market consistently, and a broader discussion on growth modeling—plus a curveball question: Is AI going to take our jobs? 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Economic Reports Preview: More Weakness? 4:59 - Markets Do What They Do - More Volatility? 11:04 - How Should I Change My Portfolio Going Into Retirement? 17:48 - Dealing with Recency Bias 21:04 - The One Stock to Own Forever 24:20 - The Thing About Buffered ETF's 28:19 - Inverse Relationship Between Bond Yields vs Interest Rates 34:10 - Metals: Selling Today? 35:50 - Tax-deferred vs Taxable brokerage Accounts 39:16 - Using Seasonality When Investing 40:48 - Dealing with Foreign Currency Trades 44:00 - How to Invest in Individual Bonds? 47:01 - The Pro's & Con's of High Yield Savings 48:11 - Do You Consistently Beat the Market? 53:36 - Defining Magnitude and Modeling Growth 55:31 - Is AI Going to Take Our Jobs? Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Investment Advisor, Danny Ratliff, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Register for our next Candid Coffee, 2/21/26: https://streamyard.com/watch/Wq3Yvn9ny5GV ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sI0zNQTCyE&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1 ------- Articles Mentioned in Today's Show: "Seasonality: Buy Signal And Investing Outcomes" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/seasonality-buy-signal-and-investing-outcomes/ "Technology Stocks: Dead Or An Opportunity?" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/technology-stocks-dead-or-an-opportunity/ ------- Watch our previous show, "Duct Tape & WD-40 Your Portfolio Together," here: https://youtube.com/live/EsweZ6GtMvI?feature=share -------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Market Rotation Keeps Stocks Flat," is here: https://youtu.be/8iyhck2LBpY ------- Visit our E-book Library (no library card required!) https://realinvestmentadvice.com/ria-e-guide-library/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarket #MarketOutlook #SectorRotation #TreasuryYields #Volatility #QandAWednesday #RetirementInvesting #MarketVolatility #BondMarket #TaxPlanning

Markets are stuck in the same rhythm: rally, pull back, test support, and bounce again. After Tuesday's dip, futures are mildly higher this morning—but the bigger story is consolidation. Under the surface, leadership is rotating: Energy, Financials, and Value have held the upper hand, while Growth has started to perk up. That internal rotation can keep the index "flat" even as specific sectors trend. The setup still leans toward an upside breakout, but the market hasn't shown the momentum needed to follow through—yet. Meanwhile, 10-year Treasury yields have been sliding for several sessions. A bounce back toward 4% wouldn't be surprising given where inflation sits and what yields are "supposed" to reflect. If incoming inflation or employment data disappoints, yields could push lower again. Finally, volatility is quietly grinding higher as turnover and leadership churn continue. No fear-spike yet—but this is often the type of prelude we see before volatility eventually makes a sharper move. Manage risk, stay disciplined, and let the market prove the breakout. Hosted by RIA Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer --- Register for our next Candid Coffee, 2/21/26: https://streamyard.com/watch/Wq3Yvn9ny5GV --- Watch the Video version of this report on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/8iyhck2LBpY --- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ --- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarket #MarketOutlook #SectorRotation #TreasuryYields #Volatility

Markets rallied back into positive territory today, but the real risk-management lesson isn't the chart—it's behavior. Lance Roberts & Jon Penn unpack the "WD-40 & Duct Tape" framework: WD-40 reduces emotional friction when headlines and volatility try to lock up decision-making, and duct tape is the discipline that keeps your portfolio plan intact (allocation, diversification, rebalancing rules, time horizon, liquidity). We also hit real-life planning topics investors ignore until it's urgent—pre-nups, trusts, board liability, and why you shouldn't scrimp on estate planning. Because protecting wealth isn't just about returns—it's about structure, documents, and decisions made before stress shows up. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Valentine's PSA & Earnings Recaps 4:25 - Markets Rally Back Into Positive Territory 9:21 - Christmas Lights, Roofers, & Racoons 12:31 - Engagements, WD-40, & Duct Tape 18:35 - Investors Getting Emotional w Markets 26:57 - When Should a Pre-Nup Be Used? 31:57 - Will a Trust Protect One's Assets? 39:27 - Don't Scrimp on Estate Planning 42:58 - Can I Get Sued on a Board of Directors? 45:22 - Updating an Estate Plan Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Investment Advisor, Jonathan Penn, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Register for our next Candid Coffee, 2/21/26: https://streamyard.com/watch/Wq3Yvn9ny5GV ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/EsweZ6GtMvI?feature=share ------- Articles Mentioned in Today's Show: "Speculative Narrative Unwinds" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/speculative-narrative-unwinds/ "Technology Stocks: Dead Or An Opportunity?" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/technology-stocks-dead-or-an-opportunity/ ------- Watch our previous show, "Technology Stocks: Dead… or the Next Opportunity?" here: https://youtube.com/live/dkvgydsdn-g?feature=share -------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Market Signals Melt-up" is here: https://youtu.be/U5PtR83h4qs ------- Visit our E-book Library (no library card required!) https://realinvestmentadvice.com/ria-e-guide-library/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarket #MarketMeltUp #SectorRotation #TechStocks #BitcoinAnalysis #BehavioralFinance #MarketVolatility #PortfolioDiscipline #EstatePlanning #WealthProtection

Markets rebounded Monday and nearly tagged new highs—trend remains bullish, but leadership is rotating. After an early-year chase into Value, money is flowing back into Technology and Growth. At the same time, global equity inflows ex-Tech are running hot (over $60B YTD), a classic "melt-up" signal that's worth monitoring for crowding and speculation. Futures are higher again this morning—watch for follow-through. Bitcoin bounced but hasn't regained traction yet. It's still deeply oversold, momentum is flattening, and a tradable setup could emerge if we get confirmation with a momentum turn/buy signal. Not financial advice. Manage risk and avoid chasing extended moves. Hosted by RIA Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer --- Register for our next Candid Coffee, 2/21/26: https://streamyard.com/watch/Wq3Yvn9ny5GV --- Watch the Video version of this report on our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/U5PtR83h4qs --- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestmentadvice.com/insights/real-investment-daily/ --- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN --- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new --- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarket #MarketMeltUp #SectorRotation #TechStocks #BitcoinAnalysis

Technology stocks started February on the back foot as volatility spiked and leveraged trades unwound across markets—crypto first, then metals, then equities. The key question: is this a real breakdown in tech leadership, or a mechanical liquidation that's creating selective opportunity? 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Superbowl Recap & Looking for BLS & CPI 4:41 - More Trapped Longs & Volatility to Come 10:38 - Market Volatility May not Be Over Yet 14:28 - The AI Threat to Software Co's 18:12 - Salesforce vs AI 23:20 - Narratives are Justification for Overpaying 26:30 - Technology Sector Analysis & Rotation 29:40 - Value to Growth Rotation 32:05 - Where are Earnings Coming From? 35:08 - Waiting for the Bottom to Buy 37:36 - Fundamentals Then & Now 40:01 - Margin Debt vs DPI (Disposable Personal Income) 41:30 - What Happens When You Lose it All 44:05 Boomer Advice for Younger Investors 48:41 - Learn when Enough is Enough Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Register for our next Candid Coffee, 2/21/26: https://streamyard.com/watch/Wq3Yvn9ny5GV ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/live/dkvgydsdn-g?feature=share ------- Articles Mentioned in Today's Show: "Speculative Narrative Unwinds" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/speculative-narrative-unwinds/ "Technology Stocks: Dead Or An Opportunity?" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/technology-stocks-dead-or-an-opportunity/ ------- Watch our previous show, "The Wealth-Health Gap," here: https://youtube.com/live/TynkcovRQIQ?feature=share -------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "100-DMA Holds, Volatility Returns," is here: https://youtu.be/y7ilBZWTrcA ------- Visit our E-book Library (no library card required!) https://realinvestmentadvice.com/ria-e-guide-library/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #StockMarket #SP500 #MarketVolatility #TechnicalAnalysis #RiskManagement #TechnologyStocks #Nasdaq #MarketVolatility #SectorRotation #RiskManagement