The Rundown

The longest government shutdown in U.S. history is wreaking havoc on countless lives. Unpaid federal employees are struggling, while travel disruptions lead to long lines and major losses for the industry. Small businesses face stalled loans and lost contracts, hampering growth. Essential services like park access and health inspections are halted. Social programs, including SNAP and Medicare, are also feeling the crunch, leaving vulnerable households in dire situations. The broader economic landscape is increasingly fragile, creating uncertainty and concern.

Markets are in a slump, with tech and AI stocks feeling the heat. The FAA plans to cut flights by up to 10% at major airports due to worker fatigue from the shutdown. On a surprising note, Tesla shareholders have approved an astronomical pay package for Elon Musk, contingent on performance milestones. Meanwhile, Airbnb sees revenue growth fueled by early trip planning options, while concerns mount over Meta's ad revenue being tainted by scams, exacerbated by AI.

The stock market show highlights an impressive rebound in Bitcoin, now above $104,000. Legal discussions about Trump's tariffs could lead to over $100 billion in refunds. OpenAI is delaying its IPO, seeking government support for financing. Apple plans to enhance Siri with Google's Gemini, indicating a significant tech collaboration. Meanwhile, Figma reports strong growth in its AI design tool, while Snap seals a $400 million partnership with Perplexity. Additionally, insights into rising first-time homebuyer ages spark conversations about affordability challenges.

Markets faced a sell-off, driven by a tech pullback and concerns over inflated AI valuations. AMD's quarterly results revealed strong revenue but disappointing profits. Novo Nordisk cut its outlook, grappling with pricing pressure for its weight-loss drug. Rivian surprised with profitability through a software joint venture, despite ongoing losses in auto sales. Pinterest missed earnings expectations, even as its user base grew, and plans to leverage AI for shopping. Plus, the economic impact of the NYC Marathon was discussed in depth.

The stock market shows interesting trends, particularly with notable declines in Bitcoin and Ethereum. Palantir surprises investors with a strong revenue report but sees its stock tank. Starbucks makes waves by selling a majority stake in its China operations, facing tough competition from Luckin. Meanwhile, Spotify boasts impressive subscriber growth, and Uber records strong performance despite cautious guidance. Plus, Nintendo's Switch 2 sales soar past 10 million, prompting an optimistic sales forecast.

Markets are buzzing with updates, including a significant drop in Tesla sales across Europe due to rising competition. A massive $38 billion cloud partnership with Amazon marks OpenAI's bold move beyond Microsoft Azure. Meanwhile, NVIDIA's chips are approved for export, signaling major strategic shifts involving tech giants like Microsoft. Berkshire Hathaway boasts a staggering cash pile, raising questions about future leadership as Warren Buffett plans for succession. Kimbery-Clark is facing backlash over a $49 billion acquisition affecting its stock.

Jason Furman, a Harvard economist and former White House adviser, joins the hosts to analyze the current economic landscape influenced by AI. He delves into the surge of AI-related spending, estimating it's driving about half of recent growth. Furman raises concerns about whether this AI boom resembles the dot-com bubble, pointing out potential pitfalls if valuations don't align with reality. He also discusses the Fed’s rate cuts, implications for labor markets, and why Chipotle's performance might signal deeper economic trends.

The AI boom is creating a stark divide in the economy, with Big Tech thriving while layoffs and stagnant wages rise for many workers. Hyperscalers are pouring money into AI infrastructure, benefiting chipmakers like NVIDIA and AMD. Meanwhile, entry-level tech jobs are dwindling, and youth unemployment is climbing. Consumer spending reflects this division, with affluent individuals splurging on luxury goods, while lower-income consumers cut back. Insights suggest this K-shaped economy might be a temporary disruption, but the path ahead is uncertain.

Explore the intriguing outcomes of the Trump-Xi meeting, including tariff rollbacks and eased export limits. Apple's impressive earnings come with challenges from local competition and hefty tariff costs. Discover Amazon's robust growth in its cloud division, contributing to a significant stock rally. Dive into Reddit's surprising revenue surge and Netflix's stock split news. Plus, get a fun fact about skyrocketing Halloween candy prices, showcasing the impact of rising chocolate costs!

In today's discussion, the hosts dive into the stock market's fluctuations following the Fed's recent interest rate cut. They highlight Google's impressive $102 billion quarter and its hefty investment in AI infrastructure. Microsoft's solid revenue is balanced by growing concerns about rising AI expenditures. Meta faces scrutiny over its announced $70 billion AI spending plan amid Reality Labs losses. Meanwhile, Chipotle struggles with falling traffic, prompting a bleak sales outlook.