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Understanding the Impact of AI and Tariffs on the Market Landscape

Eric Criscuolo, a Market Strategist at the New York Stock Exchange joins Remy Blaire to discuss the ongoing concerns surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and trade that are impacting various sectors, particularly software companies.

Eric highlights how fears of AI disruption are spreading across multiple industries, leading to potential layoffs and increased unemployment rates, which could further affect private credit markets. We discuss the uncertainty surrounding the recent announcement of increased global tariffs by President Donald Trump, which adds another layer of complexity to the market landscape.

As we look ahead, we note the importance of upcoming earnings reports from major companies like Nvidia, Salesforce, and HP. Expectations are high for Nvidia, and how these earnings play out could influence market sentiment moving forward.

We also touch on key technical levels for the S&P 500, noting that it is currently bouncing between the 50 and 100-day moving averages. Eric points out the significance of the 10-year Treasury yield, which has dropped to around 4%, potentially impacting the mortgage market and home buying.

The Rise of Small Caps: Earnings, Fed Easing, and Economic Growth

Tim Urbanowicz, the Chief Investment Strategist for Innovator Capital Management, joins Remy Blaire to provide valuable insights into the ongoing market rotation and the significance of small caps in 2026. We delve into the current state of the U.S. stock market, with a particular focus on small caps and the impact of AI on various sectors.

Tim emphasizes that the S&P 600 SmallCap index is a key area to watch, especially given the strong earnings growth that small caps are experiencing compared to large caps. He highlights that this earnings momentum, combined with favorable economic conditions and recent Fed easing, creates a robust backdrop for small cap growth.

We also discuss the upcoming earnings report from Nvidia and the broader implications of big tech’s capital expenditures. Tim points out that while these companies are investing heavily, there is growing skepticism about the return on investment, which could lead to increased market volatility.

A significant portion of the conversation centers around the potential risks associated with AI disruption. Tim cautions that while AI presents opportunities for productivity and growth, it also poses challenges, particularly regarding labor market impacts and the potential obsolescence of certain industries.

Finally, we explore the rise of dual-directional ETFs, a new investment vehicle that allows investors to profit in both rising and falling markets. Tim explains how these ETFs are gaining traction among registered investment advisors as a way to manage risk and navigate the uncertain market landscape.

Is Bitcoin at the Bottom? Analyzing Market Trends and Technical Levels

In this episode, we dive into the current state of Bitcoin, which is trading near the lower bounds of its recent range amid renewed anxiety over corporate profits and uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariffs. We discuss how Bitcoin’s recent slide has erased all gains since the November 2024 election, with over $2 trillion in market value lost since its peak in October 2025. Notably, U.S. listed spot Bitcoin funds have experienced their fifth consecutive week of net outflows, totaling $3.8 billion, as investors pull back.

James Butterfill, Head of Research at CoinShares joins Remy Blaire to provide valuable insights into the factors contributing to the recent sell-off. He highlights a significant whale sell-off, with whales having sold around $30 billion worth of Bitcoin since October, driven by a belief in a four-year cycle that historically leads to price declines at this point. Additionally, we discuss the impact of a more hawkish Federal Reserve and geopolitical concerns, particularly regarding Iran, which have created a “perfect storm” for Bitcoin prices.

James also shares his thoughts on potential technical levels to watch, including the realized value around $55,000, and the implications of leverage liquidation in the market. We touch on the threat of quantum computers to Bitcoin’s cryptography, with James explaining that while some early wallets are vulnerable, there is time to address these issues through proposed solutions.

Bitcoin slips, Paypal takeover?, Stablecoin revenue,Crypto bank

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Bitcoin slid below $63,000 overnight, extending its monthly losses to nearly 30% as weakening ETF inflows and fading institutional demand push the asset closer to a critical support zone near $60,000. Meanwhile, PayPal is reportedly drawing takeover interest after a sharp stock decline erased almost half its value, with banks and potential buyers exploring either a full acquisition or select assets, though talks remain preliminary. In Washington, Coinbase is lobbying lawmakers to protect a major revenue stream tied to stablecoins, which accounted for roughly 19% of its 2025 revenue through its partnership with Circle, issuer of USDC. That segment grew 48% last year but slowed toward year-end, raising fresh concerns. Elsewhere, Crypto.com has secured conditional approval for a U.S. National Trust Bank charter, paving the way to operate as a federally regulated institution offering services such as custody, staking, and trade settlement marking another step in the broader convergence between traditional finance and digital assets.

Future Trends in Indexing: From Equities to Private Markets

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As 2026 gets underway, Tim Edwards, Managing Director and Global Head of Index Investment Strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices, says one of the most important long-term market themes to watch is whether U.S. equity leadership broadens beyond the mega-cap giants that have dominated for the past decade. Early signs this year suggest a potential shift toward wider participation, with stronger relative performance from equal-weight benchmarks, mid-caps, and small-caps—an evolution that could reshape market dynamics if it continues. Speaking from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange, Edwards also highlighted the milestone 50-year anniversary of the first index fund created by Vanguard, pioneered by John C. Bogle, noting that indexing has transformed investing by dramatically lowering costs and expanding access, saving investors an estimated $52 billion annually compared to traditional active funds. Looking ahead, he says indexing is evolving beyond core benchmarks like the S&P 500, with innovation expanding into new frontiers including bonds, private markets, and digital assets, as firms explore ways to bring transparency, benchmarking, and scalable investment tools to sectors that have historically lacked them.

Weathering the Storm: The Impact of Extreme Weather on Market Performance

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As February draws to a close, markets are grappling with volatility and shifting investor sentiment, and Sam Stovall, chief investment strategist at CFRA, joins to break down what’s driving the turbulence. He notes that while a positive January and February historically signal strong full-year performance for the S&P 500, this year’s negative start reflects typical seasonal weakness and rising concerns about economic slowing. Stovall points to clear sector rotation into defensive and late-cycle areas like energy, utilities, healthcare, and consumer staples as investors weigh softer GDP growth and potential recession risks in 2026. Despite the cautious tone, he highlights strong earnings momentum, with recent quarterly results beating expectations and forecasts projecting steady growth over the next several years. He also explains that dramatic weather events, while attention-grabbing, rarely have lasting market impact and can sometimes even stimulate economic activity through rebuilding and replacement demand.

Crypto Market Update: Bitcoin Bottom Signal? Institutional ETH Accumulation Explodes

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In today’s crypto market update, Bitcoin is hovering around $65,000 as tariff uncertainty pressures risk assets after Donald Trump raised global tariffs despite a ruling from the Supreme Court, keeping trade tensions elevated with partners including China. Major altcoins also moved lower, reflecting broader market caution, while search data from Google shows U.S. interest in “Bitcoin” hitting record highs during the recent dip, historically a signal that has aligned with past market bottoms in the United States. Meanwhile, Tom Lee’s firm continues aggressively accumulating Ethereum, with BitMine purchasing tens of thousands of ETH in its largest weekly buy this year as it builds a treasury strategy heavily weighted toward the asset. On the institutional front, BNP Paribas Asset Management has launched a tokenized share class of French money-market funds on public blockchain infrastructure, signaling growing interest from traditional finance in integrating regulated products with on-chain systems. Overall, the latest developments highlight a crypto market balancing macroeconomic pressure, rising institutional experimentation, and shifting investor sentiment signals.

Beyond the Software Sell-Off: Investing in the AI “Picks and Shovels”

Markets have opened for the final full trading week of February with AI disruption fears dominating investor sentiment, particularly across the software sector where major names like Adobe, Salesforce, ServiceNow, and Snowflake are all down sharply year to date. Jeff Gitterman, managing director at Gitterman Asset Management, explains that while new AI tools capable of generating software have rattled markets, the sell-off also reflects a broader reset in growth expectations as interest rate cuts have not materialized as quickly as investors anticipated. He argues the disruption narrative may be somewhat overstated since enterprise adoption cycles are slow, but warns that volatility could persist as companies continue rolling out advanced AI models. Instead of chasing software names, Gitterman says his strategy is shifting toward defensive opportunities tied to AI infrastructure demand—such as energy, grid expansion, and water resources which he believes offer more stable returns in an uncertain macro environment. Looking ahead, he expects AI-driven market turbulence to continue shaping sector rotation throughout 2026, with investors favoring “picks and shovels” plays that support the technology boom rather than the end-product companies most exposed to competitive disruption.

Navigating Tariffs: The Economic Implications of Trump’s New Trade Policies

Nine months ahead of the 2026 midterms, the Supreme Court has struck down sweeping tariff measures introduced by Donald Trump, prompting the administration to pivot toward a proposed 15% global tariff under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974. Joining the discussion, Ryan Sweet, managing director of macro forecasting and analysis at Oxford Economics, explains that while the policy could restore overall tariff levels close to where they stood before the ruling, the real impact will vary by country and sector, reshaping trade dynamics with partners like China, India, and South Korea. He notes that if election results produce a divided government, the White House may lean more heavily on executive actions such as tariffs, which can be adjusted without congressional approval. Sweet also warns that policy uncertainty could slow business investment, hiring, and growth over the next several months while keeping inflation elevated near 3% before potentially easing later in the year. With a high-stakes meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping approaching, he suggests tariffs may function as negotiating leverage in trade talks, while the Federal Reserve is likely to hold interest rates steady until clearer signals emerge from inflation and labor data.

Market Analysis: Tariffs, Geopolitics, and the Escalating Iran Standoff

As markets prepare to open, Patrick Young, chairman and founder of Exchange Invest, joins the broadcast to break down the global forces driving investor sentiment, from trade policy to geopolitical tensions. He reacts to the Supreme Court ruling striking down sweeping tariffs introduced by Donald Trump, explaining why markets remain uneasy even after the administration proposed a replacement 15% global tariff. Young also analyzes escalating tensions involving Iran, stalled diplomacy, and friction between the United States and the United Kingdom, including criticism of Prime Minister Keir Starmer over military access decisions. Beyond the Middle East, he highlights deepening economic distress in Cuba tied to fuel shortages and black-market energy prices, while looking ahead to a high-stakes meeting between Trump and Xi Jinping, noting that despite tensions, both sides may seek a cautious path forward. Overall, Young argues that while markets face mounting uncertainty from tariffs, geopolitics, and energy shocks, the bigger story is how global power players including China are increasingly willing to push back, raising the stakes for trade, diplomacy, and financial stability.