Wall Street bets big on AI while watching Washington unravel

Is Washington chaos really what’s moving your money, or is it just noise? On this episode of Trader Talk, Kenny Polcari breaks down how the 2026 midterm elections, government shutdown drama, and policy shocks surrounding tariffs, healthcare, EV credits, and rare earth metals can cause entire sectors to be slammed overnight, while long-term investors stay focused on fundamentals. Then Schwab Network lead market technician Richard Ducat joins to map out where the real action is in AI and quantum computing, from legacy names like IBM to up-and-coming chip and automation plays. They wrap with a look at gold versus bitcoin, what the rush into alternative assets says about market fear, and how traders can keep their portfolios disciplined when headlines go off the rails. Trader Talk with Kenny Polcari on Yahoo Finance delivers expert analysis and actionable insights. Drawing on decades of trading floor experience, we empower you to navigate market volatility and keep your portfolio from getting burned. Watch more episodes of Trader Talk at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/trader-talk/ Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [e-mail]. Yahoo Finance’s Trader Talk is hosted by Kenny Polcari and produced by Langston Sessoms.