On episode 340 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss: Christmas arguments, green shoots in prices, 1940s vs. 1970s inflation, why we're not worried about index funds, how to save & invest in middle age, why Bitcoin is the most extreme asset, celebrating no recession in 2023, why the U.S. economy is more resilient, some Christmas movie recommendations, and much more! Thanks to YCharts for sponsoring this episode! Check out the YCharts webinar with Michael and Ben at: https://get.ycharts.com/resources/blog/michael-batnick-ben-carlsons-year-end-strategy-session-recap/?utm_source=Animal+Spirits ► 00:00 - YCharts Ad Read ► 01:07 - Intro ► 09:58 - Inflation ► 12:58 - Car Deals Right Now ► 15:45 - Nasdaq vs S&P ► 18:32 - BlackRock vs Vanguard ► 24:41 - Too Much Optimism? ► 28:19 - Poll: What Will Perform Best in 2024? ► 31:17 - The Problem with Leveraged ETFs ► 32:58 - What Happened to the Certain Recession? ► 39:48 - Labor Market ► 43:09 - Real Estate ► 49:09 - Bye Bye Bird e-Scooters ► 50:00 - Survey of the Week ► 53:15 - Tipping ► 54:48 - Recommendations 👕 Check out The Compound shop: https://www.idontshop.com 🎙️ Listen to our podcasts: The Compound and Friends: https://link.chtbl.com/compoundandfriends Animal Spirits: https://link.chtbl.com/animalspirits Ask The Compound: https://link.chtbl.com/askthecompound Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecompoundnews Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecompoundnews Investing involves the risk of loss. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be or regarded as personalized investment advice or relied upon for investment decisions. Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson are employees of Ritholtz Wealth Management and may maintain positions in the securities discussed in this video. All opinions expressed by them are solely their own opinion and do not reflect the opinion of Ritholtz Wealth Management. Wealthcast Media, an affiliate of Ritholtz Wealth Management, receives payment from various entities for advertisements in affiliated podcasts, blogs and emails. Inclusion of such advertisements does not constitute or imply endorsement, sponsorship or recommendation thereof, or any affiliation therewith, by the Content Creator or by Ritholtz Wealth Management or any of its employees. For additional advertisement disclaimers see here https://ritholtzwealth.com/advertising-disclaimers. Investments in securities involve the risk of loss. Any mention of a particular security and related performance data is not a recommendation to buy or sell that security. The information provided on this website (including any information that may be accessed through this website) is not directed at any investor or category of investors and is provided solely as general information. Obviously nothing on this channel should be considered as personalized financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any securities. See our disclosures here: https://ritholtzwealth.com/podcast-youtube-disclosures/ #thecompound #investing #stockmarket