Charles V. Payne (born November 15, 1960) is a Fox Business Network contributor and host of Fox's Making Money with Charles Payne. He was formerly co-host of Varney & Co. He joined the network at its launch in October 2007. Payne is also a contributor to the Fox News Channel, frequently appearing on shows such as Cashin' In, Cavuto on Business, and Bulls and Bears. In addition to his work with Fox, Payne also hosts his own daily syndicated talk show, The Payne Nation, by Sun Broadcast Group.
At 17 years old, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and went on to serve as a security policeman stationed at Minot Air Force Base in Minot, North Dakota. Payne attended Minot State University and Central Texas College while in the service. Payne began his career on Wall Street as an analyst at E.F. Hutton in 1985.
Payne is also the chief executive officer and principal financial analyst of Wall Street Strategies, an independent stock market research firm he founded in 1991.