In the Know

Mark Shmulik, a US Internet Analyst at Bernstein Research, shares his insights on Meta Platforms’ strategic maneuvers against competitors like TikTok and Google. He discusses the importance of attracting content creators and monetizing platforms such as WhatsApp. The conversation highlights the rapid success of Threads and its user engagement without heavy advertising. Shmulik also explores Meta’s future ambitions in AI and augmented reality, emphasizing a shift towards personalized experiences and innovative digital services.

US Internet Analyst Mark Shmulik joins host Sid Malkani for a two-part episode on multinational technology company Meta Platforms, consisting of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger – and most recently, Meta AI. Looking at Mark’s ‘framework of utility’, we look at the different stakeholders of Meta’s ecosystems: the user, the consumer and the advertiser. We delve into Meta’s use cases and what keeps us online, and how social media has emerged from a place to connect to a broadcast media, with brand/performance advertising and content creation monetising the platforms and continuing its runway for growth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nadine Sarwat (Bernstein’s American & European Beverages Analyst) joins host Diana Wood for a discussion on deglobalization, considered an investment controversy across all sectors. Distillers are at the crux of this debate. Their reliance on protected geographical indication products (PGIs, i.e. spirits that must be produced in a given geography) were once a clear asset. Now they are a potential liability. We explore which companies are most at risk given rising trade tensions. Plus, we discuss Nadine's recent coverage expansion into the European Coca-Cola bottlers, which have proven to be a safe haven in today’s volatile environment. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Global Software Analyst Mark Moerdler joins host Diana Wood to discuss multinational computer technology company, Oracle. We take a look into their story, looking into their transition to the Cloud and how their revenue, margins and earnings were impacted. Plus, we discuss the controversy of the Oracle database, the AI capabilities of Oracle OCI, MultiCloud, and the security offering from Oracle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Food Packaging Analyst Alexia Howard joins host Diana Wood on the podcast this week for a deep dive into food additives and dyes. Used to enhance flavour, appearance and/or to extend shelf life, some of these substances have been associated with adverse health implications including cancers and behavioural disorders. Alexia walks us through the additives we may find in our kitchen pantry, why they have found their way into our food systems (particularly in the US) – and importantly, which ones to avoid and why. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Neil Beveridge, an APAC oil, gas, and energy storage analyst at Bernstein Research, dives into the world of CATL, the largest battery maker globally. He shares insights on CATL's impressive growth trajectory, projecting 30% demand growth by 2025 and massive capacity plans reaching up to 1,000 GWh by 2027. Beveridge discusses the competitive landscape, highlighting rivals like BYD and LG, and explains CATL's strategic global expansions and supply chain innovations, including their ambitious recycling operations and partnerships.

US Retailing Analyst Zhihan Ma joins host Sid Malkani this week to unpack multi-billion dollar global retailer Costco, self-described as a “membership warehouse club” and operating in 14 countries.We delve into the history of the club model, and where Costco fits into this strategy – from their unique pricing and branding strategy to the Kirkland brand as a whole. Plus, we look at Costco’s international strategy, and their runway for growth in other markets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Senior Technology Analyst Boris Van joins Richard Moffat on the podcast this week to discuss the Chinese travel market. As Chinese consumers shift their rapidly growing disposable income towards experiential consumption, we discuss the potential growth of domestic vs. international travel, the competitive tension between travel agents, hotels and airlines, and finish with the material impact on global hotel room demand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

US Energy & Global Natural Resource Analyst Bob Brackett joins host Diana Wood to walk us through his bullish view on the natural gas market. We discuss the two demand drivers that are permanently inflecting, and the supply squeeze that we cannot ignore, as well as geopolitical factors and the evolving landscape in the US. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diana Wood hosts US Semiconductor Analyst Stacy Rasgon for a topical episode surrounding DeepSeek, a Chinese artificial intelligence company who have had an ‘AI mic drop’ moment, causing a major stir in the markets. In this episode, Stacy provides an update on the ‘latest and greatest’ in the world of AI, plus we delve into who DeepSeek are, the initial reactions, and what this may mean for Open AI and the industry at large. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.