From the Australian outback to Xi’s China to Wall Street, Sam is an international business journalist with more than a decade of experience working for leading global media organizations as an anchor and reporter.&nbsp;She engages extensively with C-suites, investors, traders, economists and industry experts.&nbsp;Sam has spoken at high-profile business events for executive audiences including WEF, SIBOS and SuperReturn, where she has interviewed ministers, thought leaders, celebrities and high-profile sportspeople. Sam spent 8 years covering China for CNBC and Reuters. She can draw on her deep expertise reporting on and living in the world's no.2 economy and brings a global perspective to the trading floor.

Sam Vadas

Diane King Hall is an award-winning broadcaster who serves as an anchor and correspondent for Schwab Network. Her goal: to help viewers make sense of the markets and economy. A seasoned financial journalist, she has covered Wall Street and global business for two decades across leading media outlets like CBS, Yahoo Finance, CNN and NY1. She has interviewed leading C-Suite executives, economists, and thought leaders always aiming to connect the dots on impact to investors. Earlier in her career she cut her teeth at venerable institutions like Bloomberg,&nbsp;BBC, and Reuters.

Diane King Hall

Nicole Petallides joined Schwab Network in December 2018 as a host based in New York City.&nbsp;Previously, Petallides was with FOX Business Network (FBN) where she anchored Fox Business Morning (2007) and FBN:am (2016). For over a decade, she was the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) floor correspondent appearing on Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, Sky News and syndicated program Top 30.&nbsp;Prior to joining FBN, she was an anchor at Bloomberg Television. She also reported from the NYSE for the nationally syndicated shows, "Bloomberg Business Report" and "Bloomberg Market Update." While at Bloomberg, Petallides also served as a business news anchor for CW11's WPIX morning news program in New York as well as other top markets.&nbsp;A New York City native, Petallides is a graduate of The American University where she studied Business and Communications.

Nicole Petallides

Marley Kayden is an Emmy Award-winning journalist dedicated to making financial news accessible, engaging and enjoyable for audiences of all backgrounds. Most recently, she has contributed to CBS News’ MoneyWatch&nbsp;and served as Chief Business Correspondent for NewsNation. An avid poker player, Marley covered the World Series of Poker live from Las Vegas for CBS Sports and Poker GO! Locally in Chicago, she co-hosted “Chicago’s Best” on WGN-TV for 10 years until its conclusion in 2021 and spent 5 years at NBC Chicago.&nbsp;Prior to that, she hosted the daily financial news show “Most Actives with Marley Kayden” from the floor of the Cboe.Marley holds a master's in journalism with a concentration in economic reporting from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia.&nbsp;

Marley Kayden

Tom White is a contributor and the Managing Editor of Content for the Schwab Network.Previously, he was the Chief Strategist of TradeWise (an affiliated options advisory service) for 9 years. Before that, he traded as a market-maker on the floor of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) for over 15 years trading options in ETF’s, indices, and stocks.White, a 25-year trading veteran, appeared regularly on CNBC-Asia, BNN and CBOE TV, giving insights and commentary on financial markets, trading, and option strategies.&nbsp;

Thomas White

Kevin Green, with over 14 years of experience in the financial markets, currently serves as a Senior Markets Correspondent for the Schwab Network. His primary coverage encompasses equities, options, and commodity markets. Before his current role, Kevin managed a derivatives desk, educating traders through both hedging and speculative strategies using options and futures. Complementing his vast financial expertise, he holds a Master's in Data Analytics. This unique blend of data analytics proficiency coupled with deep market insight underscores Kevin's distinct approach to financial analysis.

Kevin Green

Rick Ducat is Schwab Network’s Lead Market Technician and has worked at Schwab for almost 10 years and has been trading for about two decades.Rick began his career at Schwab in 2016. He worked on the trader support email team, assisting clients with questions about equities, futures, forex, complex options, and advanced use of the thinkorswim platform. He has been a self-directed trader for over a decade, specializing in technical analysis.A Chicagoland native, Rick worked as a journalist and public relations specialist before joining Schwab. He has an M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from Saint Xavier University’s Center for the Study of Financial Markets and Derivatives, as well as a B.S. in Journalism from Bradley University.&nbsp;

Rick Ducat

Jenny Kovacs is the Host of Next Gen Investing and a Markets correspondent across Schwab Network Programming.As part of the Schwab Network, her core responsibilities include news gathering, reporting company earnings, and content and data development for on-air shows. Prior to joining the Schwab Network, Jenny was the Operations Associate at C.W. Henderson &amp; Associates.Jenny has a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana.

Jenny Kovacs

Kevin Hincks is a co-host on Fast Market where he provides market commentary and trading education to clients.Since 1986, Kevin has been an active member of the Chicago Board Options Exchange® (CBOE), Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) and Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME). Throughout his decades of experience, he has traded in the GE pit of the CBOE, worked as an independent trader, and operated his own firm.Hincks holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 3 U.S. securities industry licenses.

Kevin Hincks

Alex Coffey is the co-host of Next Gen Investing and a contributor on the Schwab Network, whose main role at Schwab is Senior Manager of Trading and Derivatives&nbsp;Strategy.Alex has a background in financial markets and market structure. Having been with Schwab since 2014, he was previously a Senior Specialist on the Retail Trade Desk and Client Services departments.Coffey graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a double major in Finance and Accounting and a double minor in Math and Economics. He holds his Series 7, 63, 3, and 34 U.S. securities industry licenses.

Alex Coffey

George Tsilis is a Sr. Markets Correspondent on the Schwab Network.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;With 20 years’ experience working in and following financial markets, he brings unique insight and an intuitive perspective in reporting on individual companies and the broader economy.George initially joined Schwab in 2013 as an investment educator. His diverse professional background includes having worked as an advisory economist for the Chicago Board of Trade, a commodity risk management consultant, and a financial advisor.After earning a master’s degree in applied economics his passion to further understand the complex dynamics of financial markets led him to begin his studies towards a PhD in economics at the University of Utah where he often serves as an adjunct lecturer.&nbsp;&nbsp;His research focus is in the area of monetary, macroeconomics, and the causes and consequences financial market instability.

George Tsilis

Maria Schrater is a content writer for Schwab Network.Maria joined the Network in May of 2018. She writes and researches content and assists with elements of production. Originally from St. Paul, Maria moved to Chicago in 2015. She has a B.A. in Creative Writing from Columbia College Chicago.

Maria Schrater

Ben Watson is the host of Your First Trade and a regular contributor on the Schwab Network.Ben has been with Schwab since 2005. He has a broad knowledge base and focuses on advanced educational topics such as Technical Analysis, Stocks, Intermarket Analysis, and ETFs. He has taught many of the courses available on the Schwab website, as well as hosting Schwab Education Day events.Ben holds FINRA Series 7 and 63 U.S. securities industry licenses.

Ben Watson

Liz Ann has a range of investment strategy responsibilities, from market and economic analysis to investor education, all focused on the individual investor.Liz Ann is the cohost of the On Investing podcast and a keynote speaker at numerous company and industry conferences. Liz Ann is regularly quoted in financial publications including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Barron's, and the Financial Times, and she appears as a regular guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, Fox Business News, and the Schwab Network. Barron's has named her to its "100 Most Influential Women in Finance" every year since the list's inception, and Investment Advisor has included her on the "IA 25," its list of the 25 most important people in and around the financial advisory profession. Liz Ann has been named "Best Market Strategist" by Kiplinger's Personal Finance and one of SmartMoney magazine's "Power 30." Liz Ann has also been named to Forbes' 50 Over 50.In 1999, Liz Ann joined U.S. Trust—which was acquired by Schwab in 2000—as a managing director and member of its Investment Policy Committee. Previously, Liz Ann was a managing director and senior portfolio manager at Avatar Associates, an original division of the Zweig/Avatar Group. She holds an MBA in Finance from the Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from the University of Delaware.

Liz Ann Sonders

Dimitra DeFotis

Shorts

It’s the morning after the midterm elections, and while a relief rally can happen in the months that follow, past performance is no guarantee of future results.Democrats swept elections across the country and picked up majorities in the U.S. House and Senate. According to <a href="https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/what-2026-midterms-could-mean-markets?" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">calculations from the Schwab Center for Financial Research (SCFR) based on historical S&amp;P 500 (SPX) price-return-only data</a> from Yahoo Finance, as of August 14, 2026, as investors move past policy and political uncertainty, markets typically move higher in the months immediately following an election.What corners of the market might react to new faces on Capitol Hill? Here are three things to watch:<h3>Can the S&amp;P 500 Index (SPX), AI Ecosystem Trade, Move Higher?</h3>Data show that since 1974, the S&amp;P 500 has averaged a 5.7% return in the three months immediately following a midterm election, with 11 of the 13 years showing a positive return, according to SCFR calculations. And in the six months following a midterm election, the S&amp;P 500 has averaged a 12.4% return across the same years, with all 13 years showing positive returns. The SPX is up nearly 11% year to date but has slipped about 3% from its highs this year, through Tuesday's close. See <a href="https://schwabnetwork.com/video/kenny-polcari-on-why-24-000-ndx-is-possible-ai-volatility-spx-equal-weight-strength" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Kenny Polcari on Why 24,000 NDX is Possible, AI Volatility &amp; SPX Equal Weight Strength</a>Many measures on the ballot sought to slow data center infrastructure construction. Last week, mega-cap technology and AI stocks came under pressure, including Intel (INTC), Amazon (AMZN), and Alphabet (GOOGL). See <a href="https://schwabnetwork.com/video/crowded-ai-trade-cracks-as-tightening-liquidity-pressures-tech" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Crowded AI Trade Cracks as Tightening Liquidity Pressures Tech</a><h3>More Regulation for Cryptocurrency?</h3>The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) is proposing regulations for crypto markets, but greater legislative scrutiny of crypto assets is possible after new legislators take their oaths, says StaySolvent founder Ray Salmond.&nbsp;Headed into the end of the year, cryptocurrency price volatility may have more to do with rotation into public offerings or trades tied to Federal Reserve interest rate action, Salmond says. He thinks "2027 could still be a bullish year" for crypto, despite the big Binance hack last week, which was the largest heist of crypto assets in history. Watch <a href="https://schwabnetwork.com/video/clarity-act-fails-key-senate-vote-what-s-next-for-bitcoin-other-crypto-assets-" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Clarity Act Fails Key Senate Vote: What's Next for Bitcoin, Other Crypto Assets?</a><h3>Conflict With Iran and Energy</h3>The status of the U.S.-Iran conflict, and oil prices, could change now that voters have cast their ballots; President Trump said before the election that the war could end after midterms.After weeks of relative quiet, and headlines about potential diplomacy, the U.S. struck Iran's Qeshm Island Monday, according to media reports.&nbsp;The rising price of oil and fuel has permeated every industry. From $119 per barrel in March, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude has moved from $66 on February 27, the day before the U.S. and Israel began strikes in Iran, to a recent $93.If conflict resolves, high crude prices could linger if the cost to insure vessels traveling through contested waterways remains high. The Amplify Commodity Breakwave Tanker Shipping ETF (BWET), up 4,234% year to date through Tuesday's close, has fallen about 21% from its recent all-time high. The S&amp;P 500 Energy sector, up&nbsp;49% year to date, is down 5% from its high. See <a href="https://schwabnetwork.com/video/crude-oil-plunges-on-u-s-iran-reported-talks-aapl-pltr-earnings-after-closing-bell" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(70, 120, 134);">Crude Oil Plunges on U.S.-Iran Reported Talks</a>

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<h6>This material is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered a personalized recommendation or investment advice. Investors should review investment strategies for their own particular situations before making any decisions.</h6><h6>Schwab Network is brought to you by Charles Schwab Media Productions Company (“CSMPC”). CSMPC is a subsidiary of The Charles Schwab Corporation and is not a financial advisor, registered investment advisor, broker-dealer, futures commission merchant, or forex dealer member.</h6><h6>Charles Schwab Media Productions Company and all third parties mentioned are separate and unaffiliated, and are not responsible for one another's policies, services or opinions.</h6><h6>Data contained herein is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness, or reliability cannot be guaranteed. All events and times listed are subject to change without notice.</h6>

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