Brew Markets

Howard Lindzon, founder and CEO of StockTwits, shares his candid insights on the retail investor landscape and what drives market momentum. He discusses his trend-following approach, highlighting the current appeal of small-cap stocks and the concept of the 'degenerate economy.' Lindzon emphasizes the unpredictable nature of prediction markets while acknowledging their value. The conversation also dives into the nuanced mixed signals from recent jobs data and what it might mean for Fed decisions as the market reacts to major stocks like Tesla and Pfizer.

The decline of iRobot’s Roomba raises questions about the health of public companies facing financial strain. Comcast’s strategy to spin off its cable networks into a new entity, Versant, aims to rejuvenate the legacy media giant. Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble’s stock remains stagnant despite strong earnings, prompting analysis of its restructuring efforts and market challenges. Additionally, both Zillow and ServiceNow face notable stock declines, with ServiceNow's potential acquisition stirring investor reactions.

Sharon Price John, the President and CEO of Build-A-Bear Workshop, shares insights from her remarkable turnaround of the beloved brand. She discusses transforming Build-A-Bear into a destination experience, expanding into e-commerce for adult customers, and partnering with venues like tourism and hospitality to drive growth. Sharon also reveals exciting plans for an animated series and highlights her foundation's literacy initiatives. Plus, the episode touches on an evolving retail landscape and the ongoing relevance of malls in consumer experiences.

Disney's $1 billion partnership with OpenAI sparks debates over character rights and potential fan-created content. Meanwhile, Oracle faces a staggering $100 billion market cap loss after concerns over its AI spending. Vail Resorts looks for a comeback with the return of a former CEO, focusing on strategic marketing and capital investments. Additionally, Coca-Cola's CEO transition and Manchester United's cost-saving measures are dissected, along with warnings about the S&P 500's future returns.

The Fed's surprising quarter-point rate cut raises eyebrows as critics question its timing and potential impact on Jerome Powell's legacy. Cracker Barrel grapples with declining sales and costly rebranding efforts while facing pressure to improve customer experience. Chewy reports solid earnings and plans to expand its brick-and-mortar vet clinics to enhance customer retention. Meanwhile, GE Vernova positions itself for power demand growth, and Walmart innovates with 3D-printed store additions to streamline operations.

Explore the intriguing implications of President Trump’s decision allowing NVIDIA to ship H200 chips to China, and learn why it's framed as revenue sharing instead of an export tax. Delve into AutoZone's disappointing earnings amidst tariff challenges and hear how luxury builder Toll Brothers is navigating a soft housing market. Plus, get the latest on CVS’s optimistic growth outlook, Campbell’s struggling sales, and Pfizer's exciting developments in obesity treatment.

Ulta is back in the spotlight with a successful growth strategy, driving its stock to record highs. Meanwhile, Hollywood is buzzing as Paramount launches a $108 billion hostile takeover bid for Warner Bros Discovery, shortly after Netflix's own successful move. The podcast also dives into market dynamics, including IBM's significant acquisition and Todd Combs' surprising shift from Berkshire to JPMorgan. Not to miss, there's a look at potential Fed meetings and how they might impact the financial landscape.

In this engaging discussion, Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia and author of The Seven Rules of Trust, dives into the critical value of trust in our digital age. He warns about the repercussions of broken trust on platforms like X, while exploring the potential for AI in editing Wikipedia—stressing its limitations. Wales contrasts the responsibilities of social media with the integrity of community-driven sources. Plus, he shares insights on the surprising resurgence of mall retail and the implications of flamboyant leadership styles on public trust.

Meta is slashing its metaverse budget, drawing parallels to Amazon's strategy of fast failures. Kroger has missed sales targets and decided to halt its automation plans, shedding light on costly automated warehouses and labor challenges. Meanwhile, Snowflake shows signs of slowing growth despite beating revenue expectations. The hosts also touch on market movements and recent headlines from iRobot, Dollar General, and PVH, providing a fast-paced overview of significant market developments.

The discussion kicks off with the rollback of EV fuel standards, prompting automakers to pause or cancel their electric vehicle launches. Share prices for Ford, GM, and Stellantis come under scrutiny as the market reacts. Then, the team dives into Macy's strategy to modernize its stores and focus on luxury to boost sales. Lastly, a listener's question leads to a breakdown of why companies prefer buybacks over dividends, highlighting tax benefits and flexibility in financial strategies.