On episode 481 of Animal Spirits, Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss: how bull market gains have changed the markets, AI is crowding everything else out, when the next financial crisis will hit, Ray Dalio keeps scaring investors, the earnings boom, a buying opportunity for bonds, the American Dream is still alive and well, is college worth the cost, why AI isn't impacting the labor market, the most important financial asset for retirees, theme parties and more. This episode is sponsored by CME Group. To learn more about E-nano futures, visit: https://www.cmegroup.com/enano Take The Compound's 2026 audience survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LHC8QHD ► 00:00 - CME Group Ad ► 01:03 - Stock Market ► 17:19 - Investor Behavior ► 28:13 - The Economy ► 37:11 - AI ► 43:09 - Real Estate ► 48:53 - Entertainment ► 53:08 - Random ► 56:10 - Recommendations 👕 Check out The Compound shop: https://idontshop.com 🎙️Listen to our podcasts: TCAF: https://podcasts.thecompoundnews.com/show/TCAF/ Animal Spirits: https://podcasts.thecompoundnews.com/show/animalspirits/ Ask The Compound: https://podcasts.thecompoundnews.com/show/ATC/ The Compound Newsletter: https://www.thecompoundnews.com/subscribe Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-compound-media/ Instagram: https://instagram.com/thecompoundnews Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecompoundnews Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.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. See our disclosures here: https://ritholtzwealth.com/podcast-youtube-disclosures/ The Compound Media, Incorporated, 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. CME Group Disclosure: Derivatives trading involves significant risk and is not suitable for all investors. Past performance is not indicative of subsequent results. Our full disclaimer is available at: https://www.cmegroup.com/disclaimer.html #thecompound #investing #stockmarket