First Trust ROI Podcast

Jim Murchie, co-founder and portfolio manager at Energy Income Partners, returns to the podcast to discuss whether the nation's power grid can keep pace with surging demand from AI data centers. Jim breaks down why he expects the "bring your own power" trend to continue, and why he thinks the AI buildout will ultimately leave the grid more robust over the long term. He also covers how this infrastructure buildout is being financed, and unpacks the often misunderstood relationship between interest rates utility stocks. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Brian Wesbury discusses the implications of a new Fed Chair, how the conflict in Iran may impact inflation, and whether or not AI can make a pencil. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Artificial intelligence has emerged as a disruptive force in the economy, as investors race to identify companies and industries that could be disintermediated. Brian Murphy, Co-CIO of First Trust Capital Management, breaks down the implications for private credit, including potential risks and opportunities for investors. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Investors have been on edge this year, as mounting concerns related to geopolitical risk, interest rate risk, and credit risk have contributed to rising volatility. Bill Housey provides his prospective on where investors are and are not being adequately compensated for taking risk. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Jim Murchie joins the podcast to break down how the war in Iran may impact the energy sector as well as the misunderstood relationship between AI data centers and consumer utility bills. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Bob Stein discusses the economic impact of the war in Iran, whether high energy prices will cause inflation, and how the upcoming midterm elections are shaping up. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Gibson Smith, founder of Smith Capital Investors, discusses emerging risks and opportunities in the bond market amid heightened geopolitical risk, a new Fed Chair, and a fresh wave of borrowing for the buildout of AI. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Jackie Wilke discusses how artificial intelligence is being leveraged by financial professionals to improve productivity and “level up” 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

On the heels of a strong year for international equities in 2025, Andrew Wiechert, Portfolio Manager at WCM Investment Management, breaks down why developed and emerging markets remain positioned to benefit from attractive valuations and improving fundamentals in 2026 and beyond. He highlights the risks and also some of the potential competitive advantages enjoyed by active managers seeking to navigate these opportunities. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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

Dave McGarel highlights why sky-high valuations in 2026 are like lingering too long at the summit of Mount Everest oxygen is thin and small mistakes can lead to dire consequences. He explains the key risks ahead and points to where he sees more attractive, lower altitude opportunities for equity investors. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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