Trading Perspectives: An Economic Podcast
Business & Finance
About
In this podcast, John & Sam exchange perspectives on current events that are impacting our economy and influencing investment strategies. Trading Perspectives is hosted by Oakworth Capital Bank's Chief Investment Officer, John Norris along with Sam Clement, Associate Managing Director. *Oakworth Asset Management is a registered investment advisor. All advisory services, including investment management and financial planning, are offered through Oakworth Asset Management, LLC, which is owned by Oakworth Capital Bank, member FDIC, Equal Housing Lender. Investment products and services offered via Oakworth Asset Management, LLC are independent of the products and services offered by Oakworth Capital Bank and are NOT FDIC INSURED, NOT BANK GUARANTEED, and MAY LOSE VALUE. The information, opinions, comments, statements, views or recommendations expressed should not be considered professional, tax or legal advice; or as an offer to buy or sell or to make or consider any investment or cour
Episodes
- Will Europe Ever Be Europe, Again?
In economic and military terms, Europe, as a whole, has had a pretty tough go of it since the Financial Crisis of 2008. While still a major player in global affairs, the data suggests it might not carry the same weight it did previously. F…
- What's So Great About the Jobs Market?
Since the Federal Reserve has a dual mandate of price stability and full employment, investors tend to focus on the inflation and jobs reports. Just how many jobs is the economy creating? What does that mean for future monetary policy and…
- Maduro Is Gone. Now What?
The U.S. military recently arrested Venezuelan President Nicholas Maduro on a slew of drug-related issues. However, was Washington's goal really Maduro? Or was it access to Venezuela's massive oil reserves? Also, what message does this rec…
- Why EVs Might Not Be Easy
This week, a major American automaker announced a significant write-down on its investments in electric vehicles (EVs). Does this mean the company overinvested or simply invested too early? Are American consumers fundamentally resistant to…
- Does the Definition of Poverty Need to Change?
It seems an increasing number of Americans are finding it harder to see "the light at the end of their financial tunnel." Everything costs more, and the necessities of life have increased in number. It seems the cost of living is rising fa…
- What Jobs Will AI Target First?
Few would debate the potential that AI has to upset the labor markets. However, people seem to have different ideas about which jobs AI will eliminate first, and which jobs are safe for now. So, which are truly at risk — and which aren't?…
- What Do Recent Election Results Really Mean?
Recent polls suggest younger Americans are less inclined to believe in the so-called American Dream and the benefits of capitalism. But why? Especially when so many non-Americans still do? Could it be social media has skewed what the Ameri…
- When Are the Manufacturing Jobs Coming Back?
A lot of folks seem to believe that the recent tariffs will drive a lot of manufacturing jobs back to the United States. However, the decline of the traditional "blue-collar workforce" in the United States has been decades in the making. W…
- The Non-Diversified U.S. Stock Market?
It is no secret technology stocks have been a driving force in domestic stocks. However, their continued rally has led to the overall sector becoming a huge chunk of the market, and therefore the market's return. How has the happened? Is t…
- The Truth About the U.S. Consumer
With the government currently shutdown, investors are struggling to determine the true health of the U.S. economy. Key among the concerns is the strength of the U.S. consumer. As the old saying goes: "how goes the U.S. consumer is how goes…
- What Does a Government Shut Down Mean?
This week, the Federal government officially ceased all "non-essential" activities. Unfortunately, this was widely anticipated due to differences of opinion in healthcare spending on Capitol Hill. However, what it all means for the average…
- The Fed Finally Cut Rates! Now What?
On September 17th, 2025, the Federal Reserve cut the target overnight lending rate between member banks. This was as expected. However, it seems not everyone is completely clear on what it means. So…. What is a Fed rate cut and what is it…
- Is the Truth Behind the Economic Noise Just More Noise?
What does it mean when the Fed meets and doesn't do anything? When the Bureau of Economic Analysis says the economy grew 3.0% when it really didn't? When the Bureau of Labor Statistics announces the labor markets are stronger than anyone b…
- City to Political Establishment: Drop Dead
This week, Democratic voters in New York elected Zohran Mamdani to be their candidate for the mayoral election in November. Perhaps not surprisingly, the 33-year old's popularity with the younger generations helped to catapult to victory.…
- The Federal Reserve and Its Wet Blanket
This week, the Federal Open Market Committee met, and didn't cut the overnight rate. This even though its economic projections were far from robust. Somewhat frustratingly, the Fed reported it thinks the long-term growth rate for the US ec…
- Is Everyone Nero These Days?
Legend has it the Roman Emperor Nero played his fiddle while Rome burned down around him. These days, domestic investors keep throwing money into the financial markets despite troubling headlines both here and abroad. But why is the Americ…
- To OBBB or Not OBBB, That is the Question
The Administration's One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) has had caused a lot of wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth. How are we going to pay for all of these tax cuts? Where have the tax credits gone? What do you mean the states can't regul…
- Donald and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Week
This week, the Court of International Trade sort of put the kibosh on the Administration's blanket, reciprocal tariffs. Also, Elon Musk made his exit from the apparently ineffectual DOGE, but not before taking a few passing shots. Also, wh…
- Is This Really Cause for Celebration?
This week, the stock markets rallied sharply on news the Administration was going to cut the tariff rate with China from 145% to 30%. However, should investors be enthused with constantly shifting economic policies? Particularly those like…
- The Sky Is Falling! Or Is it?
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) recently announced the U.S. economy shrank during the 1st quarter of 2025. Obviously, that is not good news. However, is it the bad news the headline would imply? Are we standing at the edge of the eco…
- Is Now a Good Buying Opportunity?
After a few days of positive returns, it seems the market panic has subsided. So, is now a good buying opportunity? Is it safe to get back into the investing waters? Or would it be prudent to wait a while? After all, the threat of tariffs…
- Do We Even Want All These Manufacturing Jobs?
One of the Administration's primary goals with the tariff wars seems to be onshoring production jobs. Intuitively, that makes sense. More jobs are almost always better than fewer. However, are these the types of jobs the American economy a…
- Oakworth's Strategic Market Outlook: April 9, 2025
We have all heard the worst-case scenarios, and everyone is hoping for the best-case ones. However, what is the probable case scenario? Oakworth Capital's Investment Committee discusses the recent market volatility and likely outcomes.
- Why Don't Investors Like Tariffs?
Yesterday, the Administration announced widespread tariffs on the remainder of the world. It hit some countries harder than others, with rates which will certainly curtail trade between our country and theirs. Is this really good for overa…
- It's The Same Old Song
If the headlines have seemed somewhat repetitive recently, it is because they have been. Another day, another DOGE headline and another barb traded. The markets continue to be choppy and gold continues to rally. Foreign leaders have to be…
- The Fed Met and Did What Exactly?
The policy making committee of the Federal Reserve met this week and didn't cut interest rates. That was as expected. But if it was so widely expected, why did anyone care? Does the Fed have access to information the rest of us don't? Does…
- The Only Thing That Is Certain Is Uncertainty.
It had all been going so nicely, had it not? The markets and the economy were better than the experts expected in 2024. Business owner and consumer confidence spiked after the November elections, and the world has been in a flurry of activ…
- Are Tariffs Really All That Bad?
Investors have been very skittish for the last couple of weeks. The potential for trade wars with the Canadians and Mexicans have people on edge, and for good reason. The economy was slowing enough on its own already. However, are tariffs…
- How Long Can We Mask the U.S. Consumer's Pain?
Recent economic reports and corporate earnings releases suggest the vaunted U.S. consumer might be running out of steam. The official savings rate has plummeted. Consumer confidence gauges are down. Loan delinquencies are up. Mid-tier rest…
- Is This the Golden Age?
Over the last 12 months, gold has been one of the best performing asset classes, but why? It is a shiny metal, which doesn't pay a dividend or interest and doesn't generate any profits. So, why are investors flocking to it? Further, how mu…
- Peace to Last or Peace for Now?
This week, there were some positive signs the warring parties in Gaza and Ukraine might be willing to sit at the negotiating table to end the recent hostilities. However, given the historical differences between the groups, what is the rea…
- 2025. What's Really Going to Happen
After two consecutive years of surprising economic growth and stock market returns, what can 2025 do for an encore? However, there are some serious questions. Just how strong is the labor market? Will inflation subside enough to give Ameri…
- Is the News About Artificial Intelligence for Real?
This week, a Chinese company named DeepSeek shocked the markets by claiming it had made huge advancements in Artificial Intelligence at a fraction of the cost and effort of the big tech giants in the United States. Is it too good to be tru…
- One Week Down, 207 to Go
The first week of Donald Trump's second term in office was a whirlwind of activity. What surprised some people was he did a lot of what he said he was going to do, even some of the head-scratching stuff. However, how much was political pos…
- Government Inefficiency and Wildfires….The Chicken or the Egg?
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have been horrific to witness and even more so to live through. But could they have been avoided? If not avoided, could an effective governmental response mitigated the damage to the error? Was it climat…
- The Transition to End All Transitions
The current transition of power from the Biden Administration to Trump Part 2 has been one for the books. The current president has been issuing pardons and making executive orders like has not been seen in recent memory. For his part, the…
- Our Predictions for 2025: Part 2
As we start 2025, a lot of people want to know what the upcoming year holds for them, the economy and the investment markets. So, what does the crystal ball hold in store for the upcoming year? Will stocks continue to climb? Will the econo…
- Our Predictions for 2025: Part 1
After another strong, if confusing, year in 2024, what can the US economy and financial markets do for an encore? What does the crystal ball hold in store for the upcoming year? Will stocks continue to climb? Will the economy continue to a…
- 2024 In the Rearview
This year has been another wild one in the markets, economy, society and geopolitics. But what have we learned? What was most surprising about events throughout the rest of the world? What changes happened in our domestic society, for good…
- What If They Threw a Revolution And No One Cared?
Over the weekend, Syrian rebels overthrew the Assad dynasty, which had ruled the country for 5 decades. On Monday, the US stock market shrugged, and meaningful news coverage of the event was hard to find. Do American investors simply not c…
- Silver & Gold for Christmas? Not So Fast.
The global wholesale diamond market has essentially collapsed over the last several years. Publicaly traded jewelry companies have been struggling with softer revenue and earnings. With the exception of perhaps ultra-high end brands, the d…
- Is the Holiday Shopping Going to Be Merry?
Last week, Target Corporation announced disappointing sales growth for its 3rd Quarter of 2024. This was just another hint at a broader U.S. consumer slowdown or cooling. While spending forecasts aren't dire, how much fuel does the average…
- Crypto Assets are Soaring... Again
Though November 20th, Bitcoin has more than doubled in value since the start of 2024. Since the end of 2022, it has more than quintupled. But why? Even the most passionate crypto investors have a difficult time explaining exactly what Bitc…
- With the Election Over, Is the USA Still a Good Investment?
Now that the U.S. elections are finally over, investors are looking at their portfolios and wondering if the United States is still worth the risk. Will it still be able to generate attractive rates of growth? Are its institutions still re…
- Stocks Soared After the Election. What's Next?
The U.S. stock market took off like a rocket the day after the election. Why did it rally as strongly as it did? Was it policy? Something to do with Trump himself? Relief the painful campaign process was finally over? Or could it be the ne…
- A Minimum Wage or a Living Wage?
Leading up to election, social media has been inundated with posts about minimum and living wages. However, what are they exactly? Do they actually work? Whom do they benefit and whom do they hurt, if anybody? Or, are they mostly political…
- Are Restaurants Really in Trouble?
In this week's Trading Perspectives, Sam Clement and John Norris discuss trends in the restaurant industry and the likely causes for many of the recent closures. John also gives a huge shout-out to Current Charcoal Grill here in Birmingham.
- End-of-Year Crystal Ball & Preparing for 2025
After another crazy year in the economy and markets, will there ever be a return to some sense of normalcy? Join John Norris, Sam Clement and David McGrath from our investment committee in this recorded webinar panel discussion on this top…
- The High Cost of Having Fun
To the outsider, American consumers must be a weird bunch. They will bemoan the cost of something insignificant, like a carton of eggs, while spending obscene amounts of money on concert tickets, sporting events and other types of activiti…
- Chinese Sunset
Last week, The People's Bank of China threw an unprecedented amount of stimuli on the Chinese banking system in order to spur the sluggish economy. The Chinese stock markets have soared in response. However, will it be enough? The Chinese…