Are you paying more for an investment fund that isn't beating the market?

In Episode 164 of The Cents of Things, Jeff Kikel and Ron Lang look at historical data showing how difficult it has been for actively managed large-cap domestic funds to outperform the S&P 500.

That raises an important question for everyday investors: What are you actually getting for the fees you're paying? COT 164

But that's only one part of this week's conversation.

Ron digs into recent retail spending data, including gasoline, department stores, furniture, home improvement and credit-card activity. Jeff and Ron then look at one of the biggest promises surrounding artificial intelligence: Is AI actually saving businesses money yet? Early survey data suggest some companies are beginning to see measurable savings, while many are still figuring out how to integrate AI into their business processes. COT 164

Then there's the M&A story.

Deal activity is picking up in commercial and industrial services, with larger companies and private-equity firms acquiring owner-operated HVAC, plumbing and other service businesses. For aging business owners without an internal successor, that could create an increasingly important exit path. COT 164

In this episode:

• Why beating the S&P 500 is so difficult for active fund managers
• Active mutual funds versus ETFs
• What recent retail spending tells us
• Why home-improvement spending is slowing
• Whether businesses are actually saving money with AI
• Jeff's own experience measuring AI-related cost savings
• Why M&A activity deserves investors' attention
• Private equity's appetite for HVAC, plumbing and service companies
• The opportunity for Baby Boomer business owners looking to exit
• New-home sales and mortgage rates
• Initial and continuing jobless claims
• Next week's ADP, PCE, GDP and ISM reports
• Why the upcoming employment data could move markets
• Why investors may want to tune out political noise

Plus, Ron's This Week in History takes us from the Bill of Rights and Rosetta Stone to Stonehenge, the B-29, the beginning of the nuclear age and old Yankee Stadium. COT 164

Smart Conversations. Stronger Financial Futures.

#CentsOfThings #Investing #SP500 #MutualFunds #AI #BusinessOwners #MergersAndAcquisitions #Economy #FinancialEducation