Opening Bid Unfiltered

The spirits industry has seen tremendous growth over the past decade as consumers seek out new flavors. Many of these same consumers have been open as well to spending ever higher sums of money for more premium spirits – all part of participating in the shift toward partaking in experiences rather than buying stuff. The industry has also seen a great deal of consolidation. In a special Opening Bid, Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi descends to the New York City headquarters of Japanese spirits juggernaut Suntory Holdings. Sozzi meets up with Suntory Holdings CEO Tak Niinami, who has been at the helm of the maker of Hibiki and Yamazaki whiskey since 2014. Niinami shares his perspective into Gen Z, saying they are more "health conscious" and like to deal with companies that have a social awareness. He continues acknowledging the differences between his generation and Gen Z as it pertains to alcohol consumption and will focus on making adjustments to the business model accordingly. Niinami also talks about his leadership lessons honed during a decade of leading Suntory Holdings, and what the company’s next decade may look like.Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.00:00-Tak Niinami joins Opening Bid02:00-Suntory is all about "east meets west"05:25-Where Suntory can fill in the portfolio09:00-How climate change will affect the alcohol industry11:52-What changes in drinking habits mean for Suntory Whiskey13:00-Shrinkflation and whiskey19:45-Lessons in leadershipYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky. Takeshi "Tak" Niinami is the Chief Executive Officer of Suntory Holdings, and has led the company's global strategic growth since taking the helm in 2014. Prior to joining Suntory in 2014, Tak served as CEO of Lawson, Inc., which he grew into one of Asia’s major convenience store operators, posting profit growth for 12 consecutive years and quadrupling its market capitalization during his tenure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The packaged industry has a few problems at its doorsteps entering 2025. For starters, the industry continues to be under fire from lawmakers like Senator Elizabeth Warren for shrinking package sizes in a bid to boost profits. Secondarily, stubborn inflation continues to weigh on profit margins. Many households are struggling from paycheck to paycheck, causing them to forego buying some snacks and frozen meals. And last but not least, the rise of weight loss drugs in the mold of Ozempic is taking a toll on outlooks for food businesses – and investor sentiment. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi chats with BofA Securities Senior Food & Beverage Analyst Peter Galbo. The veteran analyst has long covered the packaged food industry, including household names such as Hormel and Campbell Soup. With margins under pressure and big food getting raked over the coals this election season, are there any reasons for investors to own these stocks? If so, what is the best bet on the future of packaged food?Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.00:00-Peter Galbo joins Opening Bid00:43-Consumers are fed up with shrinkflation05:10-Tough choices at the grocery store06:45-Convenience stores cooling16:51-McCormick flavors22:45-Investing tips in the world of snacksYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Peter Galbo is BofA Securities' Senior Food & Beverage Analyst focusing on consumer relationship and behaviors with the food sector.Peter Galbo disclosures for companies mentioned in episode: Hormel Foods: Investment relationship: Yes | Individual owns: No | Family owns: No | Company owns: NoMondelez Int: Investment relationship: Yes | Individual owns: No | Family owns: No | Company owns: YesKraft Heinz: Investment relationship: Yes | Individual owns: No | Family owns: No | Company owns: YesConagra: Investment relationship: Yes | Individual owns: No | Family owns: No | Company owns: YesCampbell Soup: Investment relationship: Yes | Individual owns: No | Family owns: No | Company owns: NoMcCormick: Investment relationship: Yes | Individual owns: No | Family owns: No | Company owns: NoJM Smucker Company: Investment relationship: Yes | Individual owns: No | Family owns: No | Company owns: No Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The wealth management industry could look vastly different a decade from now than it does today. For one, there continues to be consolidation in the industry as the largest players in the field seek out more investable assets and bigger client pipelines. Second, the coming wealth transfer between baby boomers and their children will likely lead to more services by wealth managers to help manage the transition. After all, millennials will suddenly be tasked with putting potentially large sums of money to work to be passed down to their children. And lastly, artificial intelligence (AI) stands to permeate the industry as a low cost way to manage assets. It’s the latter element that has many advisors in the industry concerned about the investing risk AI will pose, and the risk to their jobs. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi sits down with Domain Money founder and CEO Adam Dell. Dell takes Sozzi inside his view of the future of wealth management and what it’s like to be a serial entrepreneur.Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.00:00-Adam Dell joins Opening Bid06:30-Working toward retirement without being 'shackled to a job'14:00-Why hope is not an investing strategy20:00-Lessons for young VCs21:30-How AI will disrupt financial planning industryYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Adam Dell was most recently a partner at Goldman Sachs where he served as Head of Product of Marcus by Goldman Sachs. There he built foundational products like Marcus Invest, Marcus Checking and the market leading mobile application Marcus Insights. Prior to Goldman, Adam founded four companies, including Clarity Money, acquired by Goldman Sachs (GS); MessageOne, acquired by Dell (DELL), Buzzsaw, acquired by Autodesk (ADSK) and Civitas Learning, acquired by Francisco Partners.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investors are pushing aside the looming presidential election as a key risk to rip-roaring stock prices, and are beginning to focus on the here and now. And on that score, things are beginning to appear a little dicey. Middle East tensions are on a steep climb, putting upward pressure on oil prices among other commodities. That has some on the Street voicing concern about the prospect for renewed inflation. Recall, it has been a steady deceleration in inflation in recent months that allowed the Federal Reserve to slash interest rates by 50 basis points in September. Stocks have subsequently climbed as traders price in a steady dose of policy easing. But if inflation kicks back into gear, hopes more rate cuts could be dashed alongside the broader markets. StoneX chief market strategist Kathryn Rooney Vera reveals her top strategies for dealing with rising risks to the rally. Is it time to rotate into cash? Rooney Vera chats about that and more on Opening Bid with Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi.Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.00:00- Kathryn Rooney Vera joins Opening Bid3:00-Evaluating economy strength12:00-Impact of fed rate cuts17:00-S&P election predictor22:00-Stories from Bear StearnsYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Kathryn Rooney Vera is a Chief Strategist at StoneX Group, a leading financial services firm that provides global market access and customized solutions across asset classes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It happened with Starbucks (SBUX) it happened with Boeing (BA), it happened with Nike (NKE), and now it’s happening with OpenAI. Executive management turnover seems to be the recent corporate trend, and it’s causing concern for leaders, analysts, and investors alikeIn this week’s episode of Opening Bid, Market Domination anchor Julie Hyman sits down with Gautam Mukunda, Lecturer of Management Practice at the Yale School of Management and author of “Picking Presidents” to discuss executive management changes and corporate leadership within corporations, focusing in on OpenAI and rising concerns for the tech giant.Hyman also touches upon Mukunda’s recent article for Forbes in which he breaks down a recent psychological study where researchers who focus on psychopathy and management determined CEOs have elevated levels of psychopathic traits. Mukukda elaborates on this, explaining the concept of ‘fearless dominance,’ and how CEOs are fearless, take risks, and never rattle under pressure.Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.1:16-5:14 Shifting management at OpenAI and concerns about future of technology8:37-12:00 Impact of OpenAI's business plan on investors. Emphasis on profit over product.13:20-16:59 Executive management changes in other companies like Nike, Starbucks, and Boeing20:59 Mukunda's overview of a Forbes article containing a study of psychological between traits of prisoners and CEOsYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Gautam Mukundaam is a Lecturer of Management Practice at the Yale School of Management, an Adjunct Associate Professor at Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, and the author of Picking Presidents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

By most indications, the Federal Reserve has engineered a soft landing for the economy. Loosely defined, that is the economy is still growing solidly in terms of jobs and wages despite a heavy dose of interest rate hikes from the Fed. Now many on Wall Street expect the economy to re-accelerate into year end and in 2025 as the Fed begins a rate cutting campaign. But are investors being too optimistic about the economy? After all, inflation continues to pressure the average household and many feel economically left behind from the past four years. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi sits down with Mastercard Economics Institute chief economist Michelle Meyer inside the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square to get an inside view of the US economy, and how things may shake out post-election for consumers.Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.00:00-Michelle Meyer joins Opening Bid03:00-Holiday forecast from the Mastercard Economics Institute06:20-Fed rate cuts impact on consumers14:00-Does pandemic inflation linger?19:30-Taylor Swift's 'Swift Lift'Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Leading the Mastercard Economics Institute as chief economist, Michelle Meyer’s responsibilities include development and delivery of differentiated economic, financial, policy and market thought leadership for customers, Mastercard and public policy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Turning around an iconic company that has been experiencing stumbles is no small task. Sometimes a turnaround never materializes, and sometimes it happens very slowly. But sometimes a new CEO’s initiatives gain hold, reinvigorate the organization and the one-time iconic company enters a new period of growth. Investors in legendary digital payments company PayPal are waiting to see what one of those buckets it will fall into under new CEO Alex Chriss. Chriss is now officially one-year into the top job, and has wasted no time shaking up the company’s internal mindset and leadership team. He is beginning to rollout new products to go alongside a revamped corporate logo and marketing campaign. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi sits down with Chriss inside the Nasdaq MarketSite in Times Square to get the scoop on PayPal’s turnaround plan. Will it work? Chriss makes the pitch that it will. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.00:00-Alex Chriss joins Opening Bid02:40-PayPal CEO's word of the year07:00-What's the biggest advantage PayPal has?13:00-Evolving Venmo under PayPal16:00-Is PayPal and crypto compatible?21:00-PayPal CEO's mentors and best adviceYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.As as PayPal's President and CEO, Alex Chriss brings deep expertise in leading high-growth businesses, global product strategy, and customer-driven innovation to his role. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Don’t be upset with yourself if you have never heard of Tradeweb Markets, just promise to do better next time. Because the reality is you should have heard about Tradeweb Markets five years ago – the stock is up more than 200% and the company’s market cap now stands at about $26 billion. The company is one of the more under-the-radar names in the financial services space, focused on electronic trading operations for various asset classes. At the helm is CEO Billy Hult, who has been with Tradeweb pretty much since its founding in 1996. Hult has been leading the company as CEO since 2023, and quietly signing off on several transformational acquisitions that will expand Tradeweb’s reach. Yahoo Finance executive Brian Sozzi talks with Hult about the future of trading, how AI will reshape the investing landscape and what it means to lead with purpose.Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.00:00-Billy Hult joins Opening Bid02:06-Magnificent and lesser-known Tradeweb06:00-Eyes on market regulation13:00-Surviving 9/11 with Tradeweb17:15-What sets Tradeweb apartYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Billy Hult is Chief Executive Officer of Tradeweb Markets. Hult has played a pivotal role in Tradeweb’s evolution as a leading global operator of electronic marketplaces for rates, credit, equities and money markets. He has led the development of numerous innovations connecting liquidity providers and investors across retail, wholesale and institutional markets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI development seems like it’s moving at the speed of sound. If 2023 was about co-pilots, this year is shaping up to be about agents that work with humans to improve business performance. At the same time, AI chip giants Nvidia and AMD are racing to keep up with demand for their new chips. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi sits down for an extensive chat with You.com founder Richard Socher. Socher has pretty much seen and done it all in terms of AI development. He was chief scientist at Salesforce helping to develop many of the company’s advancements in AI. At You.com, he is using AI to better drive the company’s search engine business and take the fight to Google. You.com recently raised $50 million from the likes of Nvidia and Salesforce Ventures, valuing the business close to $1 billion. What’s next in AI? Socher is the guy to pontificate on it.Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.00:00-Richard Socher joins Opening Bid01:00-Talking AI agents12:00-Competitive Google battles16:00-AI represents a shift in humanity21:00-Nvidia is second largest investor in You.comYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Richard Socher is the CEO and founder of You.com, the first chat-search assistant. He also invests in and mentors other startups at AIX Ventures where he's a founder and managing partner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whole Foods CEO Jason Buechel has had his hands full since taking over as CEO from iconic founder John Mackey in 2022. He has guided the organic grocer through unprecedented levels of inflation, impacting how even his higher end shoppers shop. The competition in the organic grocery space has intensified. Meanwhile, the company remains a retailer inside the behemoth that is tech giant Amazon — which has gone on a stretch of financial belt tightening of late. Whole Foods and Buechel are looking to persevere, accelerating the pace of new store openings while staying true to the unique culture established by Mackey. So what’s next for Whole Foods? Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi chats with Buechel about business, life and what his leadership future may hold.Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens.Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at https://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.00:00-Jason Buechel joins Opening Bid06:00-The vision for stores10:00-Addressing inflation14:00-Gen Z looking toward the future of food18:00-Family farms to Fortune 500Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Jason Buechel serves as Chief Executive Officer at Whole Foods Market. Prior to his role as CEO, he served as Chief Operating Officer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices