If you’ve spent any time watching CNBC over the last few decades, you know the face. You know the voice. That steady, gravelly, remarkably calm presence amidst the literal screaming of the New York Stock Exchange floor. We’re talking about a man who has seen it all—from the flash crash to 9/11 to the Great Recession. People are constantly searching to see is Art Cashin still alive because, frankly, the floor of the NYSE feels empty without his perspective.
He’s the Director of Floor Operations for UBS Financial Services. But he’s more than a job title. He’s a walking history book of American capitalism.
The Status of a Wall Street Icon
Let’s get the big question out of the way immediately. Yes, as of early 2026, the legendary Arthur "Art" Cashin Jr. remains a fixture of the financial world. He’s alive. He’s still sharp. However, if you haven’t seen him on your TV screen every single afternoon like you used to, there’s a reason for that.
Time moves on. Even for legends.
Cashin has scaled back his physical presence on the floor in recent years. You have to remember, this is a man who started on Wall Street in the early 1960s. Think about that for a second. When he began his career, the ticker tape was still a physical thing people had to clean up. He’s been through the transition from open outcry—where men literally shoved each other to get a price—to the silent, glowing hum of high-frequency trading algorithms.
He’s not "retired" in the way most people think of it. He still provides his famous "Cashin’s Comments," a daily newsletter that is basically required reading for anyone who wants to know what the "smart money" is actually thinking. It’s not just about charts. It’s about psychology. It's about the "vibes" of the market before that was even a term.
Why People Worry About Art
The rumor mill is a nasty place. Whenever a public figure who is synonymous with a specific location—like the NYSE floor—isn't seen for a few days, the internet starts whispering. Because Art Cashin is in his 80s, any absence from a CNBC broadcast triggers a spike in searches asking is Art Cashin still alive.
It’s a bit morbid, sure. But it also shows how much people rely on him.
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In an era of 24-hour news cycles where everyone is yelling about the latest crypto coin or meme stock, Art represents the "Old Guard." He doesn't panic. He’s seen markets drop 20% in a day. He’s seen the exchange close for days at a time. When he talks, the volatility seems to settle down just a little bit.
A Career That Spans Eras
Art Cashin didn't just stumble into success. He earned it through decades of being the most observant person in the room. He became a member of the NYSE in 1964. To put that in perspective, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was hovering around 800 points back then.
He’s survived:
- The 1970s stagflation.
- The 1987 Black Monday crash (he was actually there, on the floor, managing the chaos).
- The Dot-com bubble burst.
- The 2008 financial crisis.
- The COVID-19 market halt.
Most traders burn out in five years. Art has done sixty. That kind of longevity is basically unheard of in finance. It’s like finding a professional athlete who played in the era of leather helmets and is still starting in the Super Bowl today.
Why Art Cashin Still Matters Today
You might wonder why we care so much about one guy on the floor when most trading happens in dark pools and data centers in New Jersey. It's simple. Computers don't have memory. People do.
When the market starts acting weird—maybe there's a geopolitical flare-up in the Middle East or a sudden spike in Treasury yields—the algorithms react based on math. Art reacts based on precedent. He can tell you, "Hey, this feels exactly like the Tuesday before the '94 bond market massacre," and suddenly, everyone stops and listens.
His value isn't just in his trades. It's in his stories.
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The Famous "Cashin's Comments"
If you want to know what he’s thinking without waiting for a TV hit, you look for the newsletter. It’s legendary. It’s often filled with historical anecdotes, bits of poetry, and deep-dive technical analysis that somehow feels like a conversation over a martini at P.J. Clarke’s.
He often discusses the "Rule of Three" or how the market handles "unintended consequences." He isn't just looking at the S&P 500; he's looking at the human condition. Honestly, that’s why the question of is Art Cashin still alive carries so much weight. When he eventually does hang up the cleats for good, a specific type of institutional wisdom goes with him.
The Myth of the "Club"
There’s this old-school Wall Street culture that basically doesn't exist anymore. It was built on handshakes and reputations. Art is the de facto chairman of that world. He’s the guy who knows where the bodies are buried, metaphorically speaking.
He’s also famous for his midday breaks. For years, he was a regular at certain Manhattan institutions where the elite would gather to talk shop away from the microphones. He represents a time when Wall Street was a community, not just a series of servers.
Addressing the Health Rumors
Let's be real. Art has had some health scares over the years. He’s spoken openly about some of them, and others have been handled privately. In 2023 and 2024, there were stretches where he wasn't on the floor as often, leading to the inevitable "where is he?" questions.
But here’s the thing: Art Cashin is tough.
He’s a New Yorker through and through. Even when he’s not physically standing at the UBS post, he’s plugged in. He’s still a senior officer. He’s still advising. He’s still the "Sage of the Floor."
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If you see a headline saying he’s passed away, check the source. Unless it’s coming from the NYSE itself or a major outlet like the Wall Street Journal, it’s probably just clickbait trying to capitalize on his legendary status.
What the NYSE Looks Like Without Him
There will come a day when we don't have to ask is Art Cashin still alive because the answer will change. It’s the cycle of life. But even when that happens, his influence is baked into the bricks of 11 Wall Street.
He taught a generation of floor brokers how to behave. He taught them that your word is your bond. He taught them that the market is a giant, living breathing organism that can't always be predicted by a spreadsheet.
Surprising Details You Might Not Know
Art is a bit of a polymath. He’s not just a "numbers guy."
- He’s a massive history buff. He can recount the details of the Civil War or the Napoleonic era with startling accuracy.
- He has a wicked sense of humor. His TV appearances are often peppered with dry, understated wit that flies over the heads of the younger anchors.
- He’s incredibly loyal. He’s been with the same firms (through mergers and acquisitions) for decades, a rarity in a world where people jump ship for a $5,000 raise.
How to Follow His Work Today
If you’re looking for his insights, don't just wait for a random CNBC segment.
- UBS Research: His primary home. His notes are distributed to clients and often leaked or summarized by financial journalists.
- Financial News Aggregators: Sites like ZeroHedge or Seeking Alpha frequently quote "Cashin's Comments" because they move markets.
- TV Appearances: He still pops up during major market events. If the Dow drops 1,000 points, they’ll find a way to get Art on the air.
The Actionable Takeaway for Investors
So, what can we learn from Art Cashin’s career while he’s still here to teach us?
First, stop overreacting. The market has "died" a thousand times in Art's career, and it's still here. Second, history repeats itself. If you want to be a better investor, stop looking at 5-minute charts and start reading about the history of the 1920s or the 1970s.
Art Cashin is still alive, still working, and still the smartest guy in the room. We should probably listen to him while we still can.
To stay updated on Art's latest market views, you should regularly monitor the UBS "Floor Strategy" updates. If you are an individual investor, follow reputable financial news outlets that provide daily summaries of floor activity. Don't rely on social media rumors regarding the health of public figures; instead, look for official statements from the New York Stock Exchange or UBS. Finally, adopt a "Cashin-style" approach to your own portfolio: stay calm when others are panicking, look for historical parallels, and remember that the market is a marathon, not a sprint.