In this episode of Financial Perspectives, host Tanya Suba-Tang sits down with Katie Stockton, CMT, Founder and Managing Partner of Fairlead Strategies, to pull back the curtain on the technical signals driving today's markets. As the market navigates a more volatile 2026, Katie explains how technical analysis provides an objective framework for interpreting price action, sentiment, and the significant sector rotations currently underway.

Katie breaks down why the energy sector is seeing a massive breakout while traditional tech leaders are struggling. She also shares her "go-to" toolkit for navigating a corrective tape, including how indicators like the VIX and key support levels help professional investors stay on the right side of a trend. From the breakout in energy to the shifting momentum in mega-cap tech, this conversation is a deep dive into the mechanics of market transitions.

The episode explores:

1. The Dynamics of Sector Rotation: Interpreting the wide performance spread between energy’s long-term breakouts and the recent underperformance in technology.
2. Sentiment as a Contrarian Gauge: How to utilize transactional indicators like the VIX and the Fear & Greed Index to identify market extremes.
3. The Art of Support Discovery: How to recognize potential areas of buying pressure and the technical signals that suggest a corrective phase is maturing.
4. Trend Following vs. Predictive Analysis: Why technical analysis focuses on maintaining alignment with existing trends rather than setting rigid price targets.
5. Intermarket Relationships: Understanding how high-risk asset classes can serve as informational signals for broader equity market posturing.

Whether you are managing risk or looking for the next intermediate-term catalyst, this conversation offers actionable insights into keeping the trends on your side.

In this episode of Financial Perspectives, host Tanya Suba-Tang sits down with Kimberly Flynn, CFA - founder and president of XA Investments - to discuss the rapidly changing landscape of alternative investments. Following a period of disappointing returns for traditional asset classes, institutional and retail investors alike are seeking diversification and yield in the private markets.

Key topics covered include:

1. The Rise of Private Credit: How the disintermediation of banks has created a gap for direct lending and private credit to fill.
2. Emerging Opportunities for 2026: Why asset-backed lending, real estate debt, and infrastructure debt are becoming essential for income-oriented investors and retirees.
3. Breaking the 60/40 Mold: The catalyst behind the 20–25% growth in the interval fund market and the push to include alternatives in 401(k) plans.
4. The "Tangibility" Factor: Why wealth managers are turning to real assets like data facilities and infrastructure to help educate first-time alternative investors.

Whether you’re an institutional investor, advisor, or finance professional, this episode provides a forward-looking perspective on how private markets could transform portfolio construction in the years ahead.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. XA Investments
2. CFA Society San Francisco

In this episode of Financial Perspectives, host Tanya Suba-Tang sits down with Benjamin Armellini - Managing Partner at Main Street Research - for a candid look at the forces shaping today’s markets. Together, they unpack an economy landscape defined by volatile trade policy, uneven sector performance, and a labor market that looks very different depending on where you stand.

Benjamin offers a global perspective on earnings growth, highlights where investors may be overlooking meaningful opportunities outside the U.S., and explains why AI-driven sectors have widened the gap between headline indexes and the rest of the market. They also explore the disconnect between lagging economic data and real-time market behavior, the implications of shifting capital expenditure trends, and what a “Goldilocks environment” really means for long-term investors.

The conversation closes with grounded, practical guidance—why market timing continues to fail investors, how to define success beyond benchmarks, and why having a clear plan matters more than ever in a noisy, fast-moving economy.

Listeners will also hear practical guidance on why market timing continues to fail investors, how to define success beyond benchmarks, and why having a clear plan matters more than ever in an erratic economy.

Tune in for an insightful conversation that moves beyond the noise to provide actionable strategies for navigating today's complex global economy, managing risk, and making sound decisions in a period of economic uncertainty.

In this episode of Financial Perspectives, host Tanya Tang sits down with Asad Malik, CFA, Head of ML Finance & Infrastructure Strategy at Google, to discuss how artificial intelligence and machine learning are transforming finance, investing, and productivity.

Asad breaks down the surge in AI investment since 2022, the rapid growth in infrastructure spending, and why scaling laws and vertical integration are redefining the economics of innovation. He explains why AI may be overhyped in the short term but underappreciated in the long run and highlights key areas of opportunity—from drug discovery and automation to AI-driven productivity efficiencies.

Listeners will also hear practical advice for finance professionals on adopting AI tools, maintaining essential analytical skills, and leveraging AI as a powerful productivity advantage.

Tune in for a strategic financial perspective on AI’s impact on finance, investment strategy, and the future of work.

In this episode of Financial Perspectives, host Tanya Suba-Tang - Membership Director at CFA Society San Francisco - sits down with Jaycob Arbogast, CFP, MBA - Director of the Center for Excellence in Finance at California State University, Chico. Together, they unpack the realities students face as they move from academia into the workforce, including the challenges of a competitive job market, the importance of pairing technical expertise with interpersonal skills, and the growing role of real-world experiences like internships and competitions. They also explore how finance professionals can support the next generation—through mentorship, guest speaking, and creating pathways for student success.

Whether you’re a student preparing for your first finance role, a professional considering a career change, or a seasoned leader eager to give back, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration for navigating the journey from classroom to career.

Hear from Tanya Suba-Tang and Bahman Mirzaee as they discuss the current challenges and opportunities facing endowments and foundations within the investment landscape. Mirzaee, in his capacity as a principal at Mercer, delineates the various types of organizations that fall under the purview of endowment and foundation management, including educational institutions, private and corporate foundations, and cultural organizations such as museums. He emphasizes the fiduciary responsibilities these entities hold regarding the management of assets derived from donations, grants, and other financial contributions, elucidating the critical role they play in ensuring the sustainability of their respective missions.

As the conversation unfolds, Mirzaee introduces the three primary ways in which Mercer supports its clients: through Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) services, advisory roles, and direct investment assistance. The OCIO model, in particular, stands out as a rapidly expanding service that allows organizations to share fiduciary duties with Mercer, thereby enhancing their investment capacity while benefiting from the expertise and resources that Mercer brings to the table. Mirzaee articulates how this collaborative approach not only alleviates the burden on organizations with limited internal investment capabilities but also fosters a deeper understanding of their unique investment needs, particularly in a landscape characterized by increasing market volatility.

Transitioning to the contemporary challenges that endowments and foundations face, Mirzaee provides a thorough analysis of the macroeconomic factors influencing investment strategies. He discusses the repercussions of shifting interest rates, demographic trends, and legislative changes that affect funding structures for educational institutions and other nonprofits. Notably, Mirzaee highlights the impending demographic cliff, projecting a significant decline in the number of graduating high school seniors, which poses a substantial risk to the enrollment and funding stability of many educational organizations. Furthermore, he addresses the impact of recent tax reforms on charitable giving, noting that changes to the deductibility of donations could influence donor behavior and subsequently alter the financial landscape for nonprofits. Through this comprehensive discourse, Mirzaee underscores the complexities of navigating the investment landscape for endowments and foundations, ultimately providing valuable insights into the strategies that may be employed to mitigate these challenges and capitalize on emerging opportunities.

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In this episode of Financial Perspectives, Tanya Suba-Tang sits down with Ken Ryan, CFA—Portfolio Manager of the Parnassus International Equity Fund. Together, they explore the evolving landscape of global equity investing and how a values-driven approach can uncover opportunity in unexpected places.

Ken shares insights from his experience at Parnassus, WCM Investment Management, and Dodge & Cox, covering everything from managing risk in international markets to integrating sustainability principles without compromising returns. Listeners will gain valuable context on how to navigate today’s geopolitical and economic challenges while maintaining a long-term perspective.

Whether you’re an international equity enthusiast, a values-driven investor, or simply want to learn from a seasoned global strategist, this episode offers clarity and conviction in an increasingly complex investing environment.

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email podcast@cfa-sf.org.


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.

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The private secondary market has transformed from informal, ad-hoc deals to a sophisticated $3 trillion asset class. In this episode, Jack Cassel, Senior Vice President and Head of Listings at Nasdaq, joins host Tanya Suba-Tang to unpack how private companies, employees, and investors are navigating liquidity needs long before IPOs.

Discover how companies manage cap tables, why secondary transactions differ from traditional venture funding, and how market sentiment has shaped growth from the post-2008 era through today's innovation boom.

Whether you're an employee holding private stock, an investor seeking new opportunities, or a finance professional tracking market evolution, this episode delivers the insights you need to understand one of the fastest-evolving frontiers in finance.

If you'd like to learn more about the show, have a topic or speaker to suggest, or would like to leave us a comment, email podcast@cfa-sf.org.


This podcast is produced by CFA Society San Francisco, a not-for-profit professional association, providing professional learning and career resources to over 13,000 investment industry professionals worldwide. To learn more about CFA Society San Francisco, visit our website or connect with us on LinkedIn.

The information contained in this podcast does not constitute financial or investment advice. Please consult your own financial advisor for information concerning your specific situation.