Prof G Markets

Luke Kawa, markets editor at Sherwood News, breaks down Bitcoin's dramatic sell-off, highlighting that it mirrors a leveraged tech bet rather than a safe haven. He discusses the impact of ETF outflows and psychological levels on crypto's performance. Bill Cohan, founding partner of Puck News, shares insights on the Warner Bros. Discovery auction, detailing potential bidders like Comcast and Netflix, while predicting a split sale if no strong offers arise. The conversation wraps up with Berkshire Hathaway's significant $5 billion investment in Google.

The hosts explore the notion that the stock market currently offers few safe havens for investors. They discuss the high-stakes AI race between China and the U.S., highlighting innovative startups aiding China's progress. The conversation shifts to the worsening housing crisis, debating whether new 50-year mortgages can provide relief or merely prolong existing issues. Ultimately, they advocate for increased housing supply as the key solution to the problems at hand.

Professor Aswath Damodaran, Kerschner Family Chair in Finance Education at NYU Stern, shares his insights on the current state of the markets and investment strategies. He discusses his concerns about potential AI bubbles and the feasibility of AI revenues justifying hefty investments. Damodaran identifies overvalued stocks like NVIDIA and Tesla while suggesting a shift towards gold and cash for more security. He urges listeners to cultivate uniquely human skills as AI reshapes the job landscape, emphasizing an adaptive approach to investing.

Ramit Sethi, a bestselling personal finance author, discusses the pitfalls of a proposed 50-year mortgage, highlighting its hidden interest costs and the cultural biases favoring homeownership. Dylan Carden, a senior analyst, analyzes On Running's strong quarterly earnings and contrasts it with Nike's competitive edge. Robert Sockin, a senior global economist, reflects on the economic fallout of the recent government shutdown, emphasizing the long-term risks and challenges it poses for data analysis and forecasting.

Justin Wolfers, a Professor of Economics at the University of Michigan, dissects Trump's proposed $2,000 tariff dividend, revealing its misleading nature and the misconception surrounding who pays tariffs. He argues it’s economically illogical, critiquing the lack of White House analysis. Alex Heath, a technology journalist, shifts the focus to the competitive dynamics between OpenAI and Anthropic, discussing their differing business strategies. With rising investor concerns over AI spending, Anthropic's cautious approach could position it as a future leader over its more aggressive rival.

In this engaging discussion, Jason Bazinet, a Media and Entertainment Research Director at Citigroup, analyzes Paramount's recent earnings and strategic shift under new management. Meanwhile, Charles Elson, an expert in corporate governance, dives into the controversial $1 trillion Tesla pay package for Elon Musk, highlighting its governance implications and potential societal impact. The conversation reveals the tension between ambition and accountability in executive compensation, raising critical questions about corporate ethics.

Scott Galloway and Ed Elson explore alarming red flags at OpenAI, questioning its governance and financial stability. They discuss the implications of a potential IPO and possible market corrections if debt levels rise. The duo shifts to the Supreme Court’s tariff case, revealing investment opportunities amid legal uncertainties. They also delve into the explosion of prediction markets and the ethical lines between financial innovation and gambling, citing tragic real-life consequences. The episode wraps up with insights into upcoming earnings and market strategies.

In this episode, Bradley Tusk, a venture capitalist and political strategist, explores the implications of Zohran Mamdani's election for New York's future. He discusses the risks of dogmatic governance and how it might affect wealthy residents. Tusk critiques ambitious policy proposals like government grocery stores and rent freezes while advocating for practical solutions to housing affordability. He also touches on AI's impact on jobs, the importance of effective messaging for Democrats, and the need for empathetic leadership to address inequality.

Gil Luria, Head of Technology Research at D.A. Davidson, dives into Palantir's recent stock tumble following Michael Burry's bearish bet, highlighting how its lofty valuation detaches price from performance. He discusses the risks inherent in shorting the stock despite its strong earnings growth. Liz Hoffman, business editor at Semafor, then analyzes Wall Street’s shifting response to Zoran Mamdani's NYC mayoral victory, tying it to broader anti-establishment sentiments and concerns from business leaders regarding the city's future.

Harley Finkelstein, President of Shopify, shares insights on the company's impressive Q3 performance, emphasizing consumer resilience and innovative AI tools. Jessica Tarlov, host of Raging Moderates, delves into the profound effects of the historic U.S. government shutdown, touching on food insecurity and the political ramifications. Ed Elson discusses the recent NYC mayoral race, framing it as a reflection of growing anger over inequality, particularly spotlighting Zohran Mamdani's victory as a pivotal moment in the fight against systemic issues.