Audio Length: 00:47:38

A discussion about some notable developments with regard to Cashless Consumption as Microsoft’s (MSFT) Skype brings the ability to “send money” through its new partnership with PayPal (PYPL), and India’s Paytm targets Facebook (FB) as it morphs its payments platform to include messaging. Could riding the Connected Society and Cashless Consumption tailwinds make Paytm India’s answer to WeChat, which serves nearly one billion users in China? Rounding out our thematic conversation, we hear once again that body cameras aren’t always friendly to police officers… ah, how some forget what always on, always connected means.

Last week we shared our Thematic Summit that wrapped 2Q 2017. In today’s episode, we review the latest data that once again raises questions over the speed of the economy. Whether it’s a consumer that looks increasingly tapped out or credit card issuers that are raising their charge off rates, there are reasons to be concerned about the consumer’s ability to spend in the coming months. We also check in on weekly railcar traffic, which like ISM Service reading for July took a sharp tumble month over month, confirming the pain being felt by General Motors (GM), Ford Motor (F) and other automotive OEMs continues in the process. Finally, while the US stock market continues to inch its way higher. There is Donald Trump, like yuuuge concentration in what’s been driving the market higher of late. Here’s a hint, if you don’t Apple (AAPL) or Boeing (BA), you’re probably lagging the market. What’s going on with the dollar, and why the domestic stock market is underperforming on a relative basis?