Down the Middle

$40 Trillion and Counting

This month, Peter and Jeff take on the United States’ $40 trillion national debt, discussing how we got here, what it could mean for the economy and whether AI-fueled gro

Bubble or Breakthrough?

This month, Peter and Jeff dig into the AI question everyone’s arguing about: Is this the internet in 1996 or the internet in 1999? They get into how the winners and lose

Trump Accounts, Social Security and Market Correlation

This month, Peter and Jeff unpack the new Trump Accounts, dig into what the latest Social Security report means for future retirees, and explain why so many asset classes

Hot Money: Private Credit and the IPO Frenzy

Summer is heating up, and so are the markets. This month, Peter and Jeff break down two of Wall Street’s hottest topics: the boom in private credit and the return of the

One America, Two Economies

The stock market just hit another record high; so did your grocery bill. That’s the K-shaped economy in one sentence. One American is getting richer, while the other can’

What Does Conflict With Iran Mean for Investors?

Over the past several weeks, tensions in the Middle East have intensified, raising concerns about energy supply disruptions and the potential for broader regional conflic

Why Investors Are Moving Away From U.S. Stocks

After a decade of outperformance, U.S. stocks have recently cooled. Peter and Jeff name several factors contributing to this shift, share major factors in the United Stat

How Oil Prices Impact the Markets and Economy

Peter and Jeff share how oil is priced into everything we do, discussing the factors influencing cost, what the political interest is and who the winners and losers are w

AI, the Magnificent 7, Tariffs and Looking Ahead to 2026

From the imposition of sweeping tariffs to Nvidia becoming the first $4 trillion — and later $5 trillion — market cap company, 2025 was an eventful year with much to take

Long-Term Mortgages, the Magnificent 7 and More

In this jam-packed episode, Peter and Jeff discuss 50-year mortgages, the Magnificent 7’s recent pullback and low consumer sentiment before offering their tips of the mon

How Does the Government Shutdown Impact the Markets?

This month, Peter and Jeff discuss two trending topics — the government shutdown and the likelihood of a recession — and the impact they're having on the markets. Plus, h

What Does the Fed’s Recent Move Mean for Markets?

The Federal Reserve recently lowered interest rates despite the market remaining near all-time highs — something that’s occurred only 20 times previously. Peter and Jeff

Looking Back on Jonathan Clements’ Best Moments

Peter Mallouk recalls when he first learned of Jonathan Clements and how the two became close friends before introducing a clip show of Jonathan’s finest Down the Middle

Concentration Risk, U.S. vs. International and the Bond Market Warning

We've seen weak performance from U.S. large-cap tech companies this year, but based on their stock market value, these companies still dominate the U.S. market. Peter and

Keys to a Happier Life

In recent decades, there’s been a lot of academic research on the topic of happiness — and the resulting insights can benefit us all. Peter and Jonathan share these insig

The Federal Budget Deficit

With the recent downgrade on U.S. government debt by Moody’s and a tax bill making its way through Congress that’s projected to widen the federal deficit by a quarter tri

Seizing Opportunities Amid Market Volatility

Why do many feel this year’s stock market volatility rivals much worse declines of the past? And why are the market’s moments of weakness such a gift for the individual i

U.S. Stocks: Where Do We Go From Here?

The U.S. stock market has had a rocky start to the year, with some indexes falling more than 10%. Peter and Jonathan discuss what triggered the decline and whether share

All About Alternatives

Peter and Jonathan discuss what defines an “alternative investment” and what investors can potentially get from these assets that they can't get elsewhere. Plus, a remind

How Trump Administration Policies May Affect the Economy

The Trump administration has issued a flurry of proposals and pronouncements affecting trade, taxes, immigration, energy policy and more. What might these mean for the ec