Bull, Bear, & Brief

Transce3nd, LLC
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Investing

Bull, Bear, & Brief: Your weekly dose of market reality. We skip the speculation and stick to the facts, delivering skeptical, research-driven analysis of the week’s biggest financial moves. 

  1. Oct 1

    Can Stocks Keep Rising as Treasury Yields Surge?

    This episode was recorded on Friday, September 25, 2026. Market conditions and news may have changed since the time of recording. Treasury yields are climbing, mortgage rates are back above 7%, and yet stocks are still holding their ground. So how long can that continue? This week on Bull, Bear, & Brief, Joe Quartucci and Arpit Sharma break down what happens when rising interest rates collide with strong corporate earnings and a market that refuses to quit. They look at the bull and bear cases for equities as the 10-year Treasury pushes above 5%, along with what higher rates could mean for valuations, consumers, and the broader economy. Then, they turn to one of the biggest investment themes shaping the years ahead: infrastructure. From AI data centers and semiconductors to power generation, utilities, transportation, water, and commodities, Joe and Arpit discuss why the definition of infrastructure is changing and where trillions of dollars in global investment may be headed. In this episode: Why stocks can rise even as Treasury yields climbWhat higher rates could mean for market valuationsThe continued strength of AI and semiconductor stocksThe growing pressure on consumers and rate-sensitive companiesHow AI is reshaping the infrastructure landscapeThe massive global need for energy, transportation, digital, and water infrastructureWhy diversification and concentration still matter when investing around major market themesPlus, Joe and Arpit discuss oil, the latest moves in gold and Bitcoin, Meta’s AI strategy, and what they’re watching as markets head into the final quarter of the year. Bull, Bear, & Brief is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. 🎧 Subscribe to Bull, Bear, & Brief on your favorite platform 📱 Follow us for weekly insights and clips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/e3-wealth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e3wealth/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/e3wealthHQ/🌐 Learn more or connect with our team: https://e3wealth.com/contact-us/ Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Transce3nd, LLC (Te3) a registered investment advisor. e3 Wealth, LLC, MAS and Te3 are not affiliated entities.

  2. Sep 22

    The Truth About Private Equity, Rate Hikes & What’s Moving Markets

    Is private equity really as good as its reputation? This week on Bull, Bear, & Brief, Joe Quartucci and Arpit Sharma break down another eventful week for investors, starting with the Federal Reserve’s latest rate hike and what higher rates could mean for stocks, bonds, businesses, and consumers. They also cover the surprising rally in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies, continued uncertainty around oil and the conflict in the Middle East, rising Treasury yields, and why cybersecurity could become the next major opportunity within the AI trade. Then, Joe and Arpit take a deeper look at private equity. What exactly is private equity? Why have institutional investors poured so much money into it? And are the returns really as strong as they appear? They unpack how private equity returns are calculated, why IRR can tell a different story than total return, the impact of leverage and illiquidity, how private companies are valued, and whether increasingly expensive deals could create challenges for investors down the road. In this episode: • What the Fed’s latest rate hike means for markets • Why Bitcoin and crypto rallied despite higher rates • What rising Treasury yields mean for investors • Oil, inflation, and continued geopolitical uncertainty • Why cybersecurity could become the next phase of the AI trade • Private equity explained in plain English • The myths surrounding private equity returns • IRR vs. total return and why the difference matters • Liquidity, leverage, valuations, and the risks investors should understand • Different ways investors can gain exposure to private businesses 🎙️ Subscribe and follow Bull, Bear, & Brief on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts for weekly conversations on markets, investing, and the stories shaping the financial world. This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial or investment advice. 🎧 Subscribe to Bull, Bear, & Brief on your favorite platform 📱 Follow us for weekly insights and clips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/e3-wealth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e3wealth/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/e3wealthHQ/🌐 Learn more or connect with our team: https://e3wealth.com/contact-us/ Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Transce3nd, LLC (Te3) a registered investment advisor. e3 Wealth, LLC, MAS and Te3 are not affiliated entities.

  3. Sep 14

    Is the AI Boom in Trouble? Rate Hikes, Oil & a Market Reality Check

    Is the AI boom finally facing a reality check? This week on Bull, Bear, & Brief, Joe Quartucci and Arpit Sharma break down a volatile week for markets as two of the biggest forces behind this year’s rally face new questions: expectations for lower interest rates and the massive AI investment boom. Oil climbed back above $100 a barrel as conflict in the Middle East continued to pressure energy markets, inflation remained elevated, and expectations for additional Fed rate hikes surged. Meanwhile, consumer sentiment hit historic lows even as spending and economic growth remain surprisingly resilient. Then, Joe and Arpit dive into the episode’s big topic: AI. After a viral resignation from an Anthropic researcher raised new concerns about the speed and safety of AI development, they discuss whether the industry needs to slow down, what increased regulation could mean, and how a pullback in AI spending could ripple through semiconductors, hyperscalers, infrastructure companies, and the broader stock market. Plus, they cover Bitcoin vs. gold, rising Treasury yields, structured notes, private credit, and what they’re watching ahead of the Fed’s next decision. 🎙️ Bull, Bear, & Brief delivers a weekly look at the markets, the economy, and the stories shaping investors’ decisions. 🎧 Subscribe to Bull, Bear, & Brief on your favorite platform 📱 Follow us for weekly insights and clips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/e3-wealth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e3wealth/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/e3wealthHQ/🌐 Learn more or connect with our team: https://e3wealth.com/contact-us/ Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Transce3nd, LLC (Te3) a registered investment advisor. e3 Wealth, LLC, MAS and Te3 are not affiliated entities.

  4. Sep 9

    Is Diversification Dead? The Problem With Market Concentration

    This week on Bull, Bear, & Brief, Joe Quartucci and Arpit Sharma break down another eventful week across the markets, including shifting expectations for interest rates, rising oil prices, persistent inflation, market volatility, and what the latest economic data could mean for the Federal Reserve. They also look at why higher oil prices could create additional pressure for consumers, what’s happening with gold and Bitcoin, and why the market continues to watch every signal from the Fed as its next rate decision approaches. Then, Joe and Arpit tackle this week’s special topic: Is diversification dead? With a growing share of the S&P 500 concentrated in a small group of companies, they explore whether investors are as diversified as they may think. From overlapping ETFs and the dominance of the market’s largest companies to bonds, international equities, commodities, and other areas of the market, Joe and Arpit discuss what diversification looks like in today’s investing environment. In this episode: • The latest expectations for the Federal Reserve and interest rates • Why a strong jobs report could influence the Fed’s next move • Rising oil prices and potential pressure on consumers • Market volatility and questions surrounding the VIX • Gold, Bitcoin, and the impact of inflation expectations • Growing concentration within the S&P 500 • Why owning multiple ETFs doesn’t always mean being diversified • Concentration versus diversification • The changing role of bonds in a traditional portfolio • Diversifying across sectors, asset classes, and international markets • How goals and life stage can influence an investor’s approach to risk • What Joe and Arpit are watching ahead of the next Fed decision Bull, Bear, & Brief delivers straightforward conversations about markets, investing, economics, and the headlines shaping the financial world. 🎧 Subscribe to Bull, Bear, & Brief on your favorite platform 📱 Follow us for weekly insights and clips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/e3-wealth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e3wealth/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/e3wealthHQ/🌐 Learn more or connect with our team: https://e3wealth.com/contact-us/ Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Transce3nd, LLC (Te3) a registered investment advisor. e3 Wealth, LLC, MAS and Te3 are not affiliated entities.

  5. Aug 31

    The Yen Carry Trade & the Risk Hiding in Global Markets

    This week on Bull, Bear, & Brief, Joe Quartucci and Arpit Sharma break down another busy week across the markets, from stubborn inflation and shifting interest rate expectations to rising Treasury yields, oil prices, consumer spending, and the start of September. They also take a closer look at the U.S.-Canada trade relationship and discuss how tariffs and other outside pressures could continue to influence inflation and the broader economy. With markets relatively flat for the week, Joe and Arpit look at what could shape the weeks ahead, including the Federal Reserve, bond yields, oil, gold, Bitcoin, and consumer strength. Then, they turn to this week’s special topic: the Japanese yen carry trade. Arpit breaks down how investors have historically borrowed money in Japan at extremely low interest rates and invested it in higher-yielding assets elsewhere, including U.S. Treasuries. They discuss why changes in the yen could have implications far beyond Japan and what an unwinding of this long-running trade could mean for global bond and equity markets. In this episode: • Persistent inflation and the possibility of higher interest rates • U.S.-Canada trade tensions and tariffs • Why September has historically been a challenging month for markets • Rising Treasury yields and what Joe and Arpit are watching • Oil, the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, and Venezuela • Bitcoin’s August rally and historically low volatility expectations • Consumer spending, GDP growth, and gold • How the Japanese yen carry trade works • Why investors have borrowed yen to invest in U.S. assets • How a weakening yen connects Japan and U.S. Treasury markets • Why an unwinding of the carry trade could create broader market risk • Growing debt levels across major global economies Bull, Bear, & Brief delivers straightforward conversations about markets, investing, economics, and the headlines shaping the financial world. 🎧 Subscribe to Bull, Bear, & Brief on your favorite platform 📱 Follow us for weekly insights and clips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/e3-wealth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e3wealth/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/e3wealthHQ/🌐 Learn more or connect with our team: https://e3wealth.com/contact-us/ Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Transce3nd, LLC (Te3) a registered investment advisor. e3 Wealth, LLC, MAS and Te3 are not affiliated entities.

  6. Aug 26

    Leverage, Inflation & a Market Under Pressure

    It’s a big week for Bull, Bear, & Brief, with a special guest interview and a brand-new weekly market breakdown. This week, Joe Quartucci and Arpit Sharma unpack two eventful weeks across global markets, including rising bond yields, persistent inflation pressures, higher oil prices, signs of strain on the consumer, and a dramatic example of what can happen when leverage takes over a market. They also revisit their recent conversation with Steve Blumenthal, sharing additional thoughts on debt markets, interest rate dynamics, and some of the biggest takeaways from the special episode.  In this episode: • Takeaways from the Steve Blumenthal interview  • What rising bond yields may be signaling  • Debt, inflation, and the outlook for interest rates  • Signs of pressure on consumers and retail  • Rising oil prices and their impact across the economy  • Moderna’s latest move and the risks surrounding biotech  • How AI transformed South Korea’s stock market  • The rise of leverage and retail investing in Korea  • Why forced selling can accelerate market declines  • What South Korea’s experience could signal for other markets  • What Joe and Arpit are watching in the week ahead Bull, Bear, & Brief delivers straightforward conversations about markets, investing, economics, and the headlines shaping your financial future. And if you missed our special conversation with Steve Blumenthal, catch the bonus episode wherever you listen to Bull, Bear, & Brief. 🎧 Subscribe to Bull, Bear, & Brief on your favorite platform 📱 Follow us for weekly insights and clips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/e3-wealth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e3wealth/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/e3wealthHQ/🌐 Learn more or connect with our team: https://e3wealth.com/contact-us/ Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Transce3nd, LLC (Te3) a registered investment advisor. e3 Wealth, LLC, MAS and Te3 are not affiliated entities.

  7. Aug 24

    Navigating Market Cycles with Steve Blumenthal

    This week on Bull, Bear, & Brief, Joe Quartucci and Arpit Sharma are joined by Steve Blumenthal, founder and CEO of CMG Capital Management Group, author of Navigating Stock Market Cycles, and a longtime voice in investment research and portfolio strategy. Drawing on more than four decades in the industry, Steve shares his perspective on where we may be in the current market and debt cycles, why interest rates remain one of the most important forces shaping asset prices, and what today's elevated valuations could mean for long-term investors. The conversation also explores government debt and inflation, liquidity in the financial system, the continued growth of artificial intelligence, and the circular financing taking place among some of today's largest technology companies. Steve, Joe, and Arpit also discuss how investors can think about diversification, risk, and opportunity as market conditions continue to evolve. In this episode: • Where we may be in the long-term debt cycle • What current market valuations could signal about future returns • Why interest rates matter across nearly every asset class • Government debt, inflation, and liquidity • The role of investor psychology during market cycles • AI growth and circular financing among technology companies • What could eventually slow the AI infrastructure boom • Diversification and navigating periods of market uncertainty Bull, Bear, & Brief delivers straightforward conversations about markets, investing, economics, and the headlines shaping your financial future. [Appropriate Securities and/or Advisory Disclosures] Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Any references to protection, safety or lifetime income, generally refer to fixed insurance products, never securities or investments. Insurance guarantees are backed by the financial strength and claims paying abilities of the issuing carrier. This podcast is intended for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the particular needs of an individual’s situation. Our firm is not permitted to offer and no statement made during this show shall constitute tax or legal advice. Our firm is not affiliated with or endorsed by the US Government or any governmental agency. The information and opinions contained herein provided by the third parties have been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed by our firm. The views and opinions expressed in this podcast episode are those of the guest speaker and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of e3 Wealth or Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. 🎧 Subscribe to Bull, Bear, & Brief on your favorite platform 📱 Follow us for weekly insights and clips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/e3-wealth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e3wealth/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/e3wealthHQ/🌐 Learn more or connect with our team: https://e3wealth.com/contact-us/ Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Transce3nd, LLC (Te3) a registered investment advisor. e3 Wealth, LLC, MAS and Te3 are not affiliated entities.

  8. Aug 10

    Markets, Earnings, and the AI Boom

    Markets returned from a two-week break with renewed momentum, as major indexes climbed to record highs and another strong earnings season gave investors plenty to watch. This week on Bull, Bear, & Brief, Joe Quartucci and Arpit Sharma break down the latest market performance, discuss why weaker jobs data helped fuel the recent rally, and explore what changing interest rate expectations could mean for gold, small caps, real estate, and the broader market. The conversation then turns to corporate earnings and the continued influence of artificial intelligence. Joe and Arpit examine what investors should look beyond when evaluating headline earnings numbers, why capital expenditures have become such an important part of the AI story, and whether today's level of spending can continue to support market growth. In this episode: • Why weaker jobs data helped push markets higher • What changing rate expectations could mean for gold and small caps • The continued broadening of the AI investment theme • Why higher interest rates remain a challenge for real estate • What earnings can tell investors about the health of the market • Why capital expenditures matter in the AI boom • How concentrated earnings growth has become among major tech companies • What investors should watch as the current bull market continues Bull, Bear, & Brief delivers straightforward conversations about markets, investing, economics, and the headlines shaping your financial future. 🎧 Subscribe to Bull, Bear, & Brief on your favorite platform 📱 Follow us for weekly insights and clips LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/e3-wealth/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/e3wealth/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/e3wealthHQ/🌐 Learn more or connect with our team: https://e3wealth.com/contact-us/ Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC. (MAS), Member FINRA & SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Transce3nd, LLC (Te3) a registered investment advisor. e3 Wealth, LLC, MAS and Te3 are not affiliated entities.

See All (24)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Bull, Bear, & Brief: Your weekly dose of market reality. We skip the speculation and stick to the facts, delivering skeptical, research-driven analysis of the week’s biggest financial moves. 

Information

  • Creator
    Transce3nd, LLC
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Bull, Bear, & Brief
  • Show Website
    Bull, Bear, & Brief

You Might Also Like