Opening Bid Unfiltered

Bill George, former CEO of Medtronic, shares his insights on the challenges CEOs face amid the ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China. He discusses the impact of tariffs on supply chains and the necessity for strategic innovation in manufacturing. The conversation dives into the precarious nature of corporate financial guidance as executives grapple with market ambiguities. George also touches on the competitive strategies of major retailers, emphasizing the need for adaptive leadership in these uncertain times.

he pros say the US–China tariff thaw is not a deal, but rather a thaw in the ordeal triggered by the Trump administration. Whatever it is, the stock market likes the fact that US tariffs on China will be going down to 30% from 145% for the next 90 days as US and China officials negotiate further.The verdict is out on several fronts, however. For one, tariffs are still in place on China, and there is no guarantee they will all be removed. There is also no guarantee that there won't be a renewed escalation. Two, the US economy has started to weaken in the face of considerable policy uncertainty, and experts are not ruling out a mild recession. What that means for Fed policy will likely dictate how stocks trade throughout the summer.Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi welcomes former US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to the Opening Bid roundtable. Ross served in the first Trump administration when the then first-time president enacted tariffs. He has also known Trump for decades, gaining keen insight into how he operates on delicate matters. What's next in the trade war for investors? If there's anyone who might have an educated guess, it's business mogul turned policy expert Ross. 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 http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lale Akener, a Global Markets Analyst at eToro, dives into the recent surge of the Magnificent 7 stocks, driven by impressive earnings from tech giants like Microsoft and Google, which defied expectations. He discusses the implications of China's tariff decisions on U.S. markets, balancing economic stability with ongoing challenges. Akener also highlights how Federal Reserve rate cuts could influence trade negotiations and the necessity for investors to diversify in response to trade tensions and fluctuating market conditions.

Laying the groundwork for the post-LeBron playing career investment portfolio, Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi welcomes Klutch Sports founder and CEO Rich Paul to the Opening Bid mic at the Milken Institute Global Conference. Paul is seen as one of the most powerful agents in the world of sports. His first big client was NBA great LeBron James. The two met in 2002 at the Akron-Canton Airport, where a young James was impressed by a jersey Paul was wearing. Numbers were exchanged, and the two stayed in close contact. Paul went on to found Klutch Sports in 2012 in Cleveland, with James becoming a client. Klutch Sports now represents more than 300 athletes and is responsible for inking more than $400 billion in contracts. Other big-name clients Paul represents include NBA star Draymond Green and NFL phenom Jalen Hurts. Talent agency UTA made an undisclosed investment in Klutch Sports in 2019 — Paul is now the head of UTA Sports as well. Paul takes us inside what LeBron’s post-playing career life may look like and what the business of sports is shaping up to be over the next decade. 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 http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The investing game in the field of sports is picking up, especially as it pertains to women’s athletics amid focus on new superstars such as Caitlin Clark. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi welcomes to the Opening Bid mic at the Milken Institute Global Conference managing partner and head of investments at Ariel Project Level Jason Wright. The former Arizona Cardinals running back was the NFL's first Black president, hired in August 2020 by the Washington Commanders to restore a franchise embroiled in toxic workplace controversies under then-controversial owner Dan Snyder. Wright stabilized the team culture and improved ticket sales. Private equity titan Josh Harris purchased the Commanders from Snyder in 2023 for more than $6 billion. Wright parted ways with the team in 2024, ultimately joining friend and former Starbucks (SBUX) chair Mellody Hobson at Ariel. Wright enters the field of women's sports investing at an important moment as female superstar athletes such as the WNBA's phenom Caitlin Clark and Olympic great Simone Biles continue to enter new territory with their eye-popping performances. Wright shares why he joined Ariel and the biggest sports investing opportunities he says moving forward.For full episodes of Opening Bid, listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

And just like that, stocks are in a good mood again, even as the Trump trade war very much rages on and earnings from Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta (META) could be mixed at best. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) has now notched its best six-day run since March 2022, posting a 7.81% gain. Interestingly, the latest gain means the index is now out of technical correction territory yet again. It now stands just 9.49% beneath its record high in mid-February and 1.94% below pre-"Liberation Day" levels. Investors appear to be overlooking a lot of evidence that the global economy is increasingly struggling. New data out of China on Wednesday suggests exports out of China have plunged. Demand for things like Coca-Cola (KO) soda and Tide detergent is getting worse, CEOs tell Yahoo Finance. Starbucks' (SBUX) latest earnings results show a brand dealing with economic pressures in its key US market. So how should investors play the confusing backdrop? Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi talks to Ritholtz Wealth Management chief market strategist Callie Cox. Cox serves up doses of sharp perspective on the markets and explains the best possible game-plan for investors. 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 http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are many days to celebrate various things nowadays, from the invention of the hot dog to pets. You can add one more to the list that is near and dear to the Yahoo Finance team: National Investing Day. Charles Schwab (SCHW) coined the term for May 1, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of the SEC eliminating fixed commission rates. This event marked a significant catalyst for the investing industry as it democratized trading for retail investors. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi welcomes Charles Schwab CEO Rick Wurster to the Opening Bid mic. Wurster assumed the role of CEO in January of this year after several years of advancement within the brokerage. Like his predecessor, Wurster has developed a close relationship with investing pioneer Chuck Schwab. Wurster shares why it’s important for more people to become informed about investing and what he has learned from Schwab. He also shares his latest insights on the broader stock market following a volatile April that initially undermined investor confidence but then left them hopeful as the Trump administration slightly eased tariff rhetoric. 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 http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The bond market has been enduring its fair share of unknowns post President Trump’s Liberation Day. Some pros say the bond market is in a mini-crisis, while others aren’t willing to go that far yet. What happens in the bond market is important as it’s the lifeblood for how consumers buy and save – among other financial system considerations. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi chats with Doubleline Deputy CIO Jeff Sherman to see how his teams have been navigating the heightened bond market volatility of the past month. Interestingly, Sherman reveals Doubleline has been fairly measured during the bout of uncertainty in markets at the hands of the Trump administration’s trade war. But that doesn’t mean Doubleline isn’t taking some actions with an eye toward helping clients profit. Sherman warns that the bond market convulsions may not be done, as the Trump administration continues its trade war and looks to pass a new tax plan by July 4. 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 http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Much to the surprise of many investing pros, the market is back in rally mode. While the Trump administration is showing a touch more openness to back off some tariffs, the situation remains highly uncertain. Tariffs continue to be in place, too. Should investors be buying into the renewed strength in stocks? Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi chats on the Opening Bid podcast with former Bridgewater Associates chief investment officer Rebecca Patterson. Patterson has sat in one of the most pressure-packed seats in investing during periods of extreme stress, as is currently the case. The two explore her investing playbook for volatile times and discuss what strategies could work and why. 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 http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the biggest debates in the business world right now is how major manufacturers will respond to fresh tariffs from the Trump administration. If you’re Apple (AAPL) CEO Tim Cook, can you uproot decades of supply chain work in China and build iPhone manufacturing sites in the US to beat tariffs? Or does it make more sense to absorb the Trump tariffs on China while also passing some of the pain on to consumers? Apple isn’t alone in this dilemma—automakers such as General Motors (GM) and Ford (FORD) have large plants in Mexico and Canada, also targeted by the Trump administration’s tariffs. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi speaks at length with former Siemens (SIEGY) and Alcoa (AA) CEO Klaus Kleinfeld. Kleinfeld—author of the new book Leading to Thrive—is no stranger to interacting with policymakers and world leaders. He was still CEO of Alcoa in 2017 when he was among the executives summoned to the White House to meet with then-first-time President Trump. He also joined other CEOs in exiting Trump’s special councils. Kleinfeld weighs in on the industrial and economic impact of Trump’s tariff actions, warning they will prove far from just a US headwind.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 http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices