Each week in the Money Talk Podcast, Landaas & Company advisors offer insights for long-term investors. Try to answer the following questions, based on some of the recent Money Talk conversations.
1.
In discussing recent declines in the markets for gold, silver and cryptocurrencies, Mike Hoelzl explained in the Feb. 6 Money Talk Podcast why he doesn’t advise such investments, especially for retirees. What reason did he give?
(Choose one.)
- They’re too regulated.
- They’re too volatile.
- They’re too expensive.
- They’re too common.
(See answer below.)
2.
In the Feb. 6 Money Talk Podcast, Tom Pappenfus explained why investors should be encouraged by broader stock indexes outperforming the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite index. What did Tom say the disparity represented?
(Choose one.)
- Investors broadening their interests.
- The beginning of the A.I. bust.
- The re-emergence of large-cap stocks.
- Market acceptance of aggressive tariffs.
(See answer below.)
3.
In noting a trading milestone during the Feb. 13 Money Talk Podcast, Art Rothschild referred to a common stock measure as a “boring, conservative index that doesn’t warrant much attention.” Of which index was Art speaking?
(Choose one.)
- Nasdaq composite.
- S&P 500.
- Dow Jones Industrial Average.
- CBOE volatility index.
(See answer below.)
4.
In the Feb. 13 Money Talk Podcast, Adam Baley mentioned which of the following as one of his favorite indications of progress in the U.S. economy?
(Choose one.)
- U-6 underemployment rate.
- Tax revenue rising faster than government debt.
- Trade deficit, adjusted for exchange rates.
- Wages outpacing inflation.
(See answer below.)
5.
Over ongoing concerns about Federal Reserve plans for managing interest rates, Steve Giles spoke in the Feb. 20 Money Talk Podcast of the apparent priority of monetary policy makers. Which factor did Steve discuss?
(Choose one.)
- Corporate earnings.
- Economic data.
- Stock prices.
- Tariff rates.
(See answer below.)
6.
As value-oriented stocks continued to outperform growth stocks, Tom Pappenfus explained in the Feb. 20 Money Talk Podcast that the reversal of a long-time trend illustrated the benefit of what investment strategy?
(Choose one.)
- Diversification.
- Timing the market.
- Following the leader.
- Climbing a wall of worry.
(See answer below.)
Answers
1.
b. They’re too volatile.
Learn more
- Exercise Caution with Crypto Asset Securities: Investor Alert, from Investor.gov
- Investment Products: Crypto Assets, from the Financia Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
- Investor Bulletin: 10 Things to Ask Before Buying Physical Gold, Silver or Other Metals, from FINRA
2.
a. Investors broadening their interests.
Learn more
- Broader views of market movements, a Money Talk Video with Dave Sandstrom
- Market Breadth: Definition, Indicators, and How Investors Use It, from Investopedia
- The Stock Market’s Breadth Is Improving. Why It Matters, from Barron’s (Aug. 2024)
3.
c. Dow Jones Industrial Average
Learn more
- Monitoring the Markets: What Indexes Tell Us, a Money Talk Video with Kyle Tetting
- Get Off the Bench: A Look at Benchmarks, from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority
- Market Indices, from Investor.gov
4.
d. Wages outpacing inflation.
Learn more
- My outlook for investing in 2025: 2-0-2-5, by Adam Baley
- Has pay kept up with inflation? from the Brookings Institution
- Are wages keeping up with inflation? from USAFacts
- Average wages have surpassed inflation for 12 straight months, from the Economic Policy Institute
5.
b. Economic data.
Learn more
- The Fed: What investors should know, a Money Talk Video with Dave Sandstrom
- Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee, Jan. 27-28, 2026, from the Federal Reserve
- Monetary Policy and the Fed’s Framework Review, from the Federal Reserve
- Time has come, Fed pivots focus, by Kyle Tetting
6.
a. Diversification.
Learn more
- Letters to a Young Investor: Lesson 5 – Diversification, by Kendall Bauer
- Rebalancing: Too important to ignore, by Steve Giles
- Beginners Guide to Asset Allocation, Diversification and Rebalancing, from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
- Asset Allocation and Diversification, from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority