Cents of Security by Interactive Brokers

Buy Now, Pay Later: How “Pay in 4” Rewires Spending

Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)—how it works, why it’s exploded with younger consumers, and the psychology that makes spending feel way easier than paying up front.

Earnings Calls Decoded: Earnings Whispers, Revenue Trends, Cash Flow and Guidance

Earnings reports are a company’s financial report card — but the real signal often shows up on the call. Economist James Yendrey of InvestMentor breaks down what investors should listen for: revenue trends, margins, cash flow, guidance, “earnings whispers,” and why the Q&A can reveal management’s true confidence.

Markets, the Fed’s “Data Dependence,” and What to Watch Next

In this episode of the Cents of Security Podcast, host Mary MacNamara sits down with Interactive Brokers Senior Economist Jose Torres to break down what’s moving markets right now—and which economic releases matter most for newer investors.

Skill Up: Understanding the 3 Core Financial Statements

In this episode of Cents of Security, Mary MacNamara sits down with James Yendrey of InvestMentorSM to break down the income, balance sheet, and cash flow statements. Let's revisit this during earnings season to better understand how companies measure performance, stability, and real cash health.

Markets, AI Momentum & Demographic Shifts

On the latest episode of Cents of Security, Senior Economist Jose Torres from Interactive Brokers breaks down the Fed’s recent decision, shifting market dynamics, the tech sector’s volatility, record-breaking commodities, demographic pressures, and what investors should watch heading into February.

International Forces are Redrawing the Risk–Reward Balance

A fast tour of 2025’s global market surprises—from tariff whipsaws and a precious‑metals surge to international outperformance—and what they might mean for 2026.

The IPO market isn’t dead — it’s just getting smarter.

A candid conversation with Jeffrey Fidelman, CEO of Fidelman & Co., on why 2026 isn’t a broad market resurgence but a period of hyper‑selective capital deployment. From Series A pressure points to liquidity bottlenecks, niche fund strategies, and the real winners in the AI investment wave, this episode breaks down what’s actually driving investor behavior right now.
 

Is the U.S. economy re‑accelerating into 2026?

Latest Cents of Security pod, Senior Economist Jose Torres breaks down three pivotal indicators:
Labor pulse: Challenger Gray & Christmas showed December job cuts at multi‑year lows alongside firmer hiring intentions—dampening slowdown worries.
Productivity pop: One of the strongest readings in the last decade, helping wage growth coexist with tamer inflation by lifting output per worker.
Trade picture: The deficit narrowed to its lowest since 2009—with caveats around front‑loaded pharma imports and ongoing onshoring dynamics.
Market leadership: Rotation days where Dow/Russell outpace S&P/Nasdaq, and why small caps can benefit from faster growth + rate cuts.
Policy watch: How upcoming tariff decisions could sway rates, the fiscal backdrop, and near‑term margins without materially changing the broader inflation trend.