Opening Bid Unfiltered

The 2025 Toy Fair has come and gone from New York City. The annual event where toymakers show off their latest innovations for the year ahead saw several fun releases: Lego dropped a new Bluey set, Mattel (MAT) has gone all in on Masters of the Universe, and Hasbro (HAS) has released new interchangeable Nerf blasters. The event is set against the backdrop of tariffs from President Trump on China, which could hammer toymaker profits this year. So, how bad a hit are investors looking at here? Brian Sozzi sits down on the Opening Bid podcast with Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks. The Street gave Hasbro high marks recently for aggressive cost-cutting, which has more room to go — the company aims to slash $1 billion in costs by 2027. Its previous goal was $750 million. But Trump's tariffs could reduce American consumers' spending power by $46 billion to $78 billion every year they are in place, estimates the National Retail Federation (NRF). Nearly 80% of US toys are manufactured in China, according to industry trade group the Toy Association. Cocks shares how Hasbro plans to navigate tariffs and a growing cautiousness among 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 http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/.Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at yfpodcasts@yahooinc.com.00:00-Chris Cocks on Opening Bid01:20-Peppa Pig is pregnant02:00-What makes a good toy?06:30-Brands that grow with adults12:30-A magical business (with Magic: The Gathering)15:30-Tariffs & toys21:40-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Chris Cocks is Chief Executive Officer of Hasbro and serves on its Board of Directors. Prior to being named Hasbro’s CEO, Chris was President of Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast and Digital Gaming segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cybersecurity player Okta (OKTA) is ending its reporting year on a high note. Fourth-quarter sales rose 13% from the prior year amid healthy demand for cybersecurity services. Adjusted earnings beat analyst estimates by four cents per share. For 2025, the company targets double-digit percentage profit growth despite economic pressures on small to medium-sized businesses. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi chats with Okta co-founder and CEO Todd McKinnon about the quarter and road ahead. McKinnon co-founded Okta in 2009 alongside Frederic Kerrest. Today, the company’s market cap stands at more than $15 billion. The company has ambitious innovation goals in identity management, a key plank in corporate tech stacks as AI agents begin to run amok. McKinnon reveals his plans to keep companies safe in the age of AI, and a host of leadership lessons some 16 years into his CEO journey.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.00:00-Todd McKinnon on Opening Bid02:30-Why AI might create problems in cyber security07:00-Diving into earnings9:45-First quarter outlook14:50-Building Okta's culture17:30-Going to battle: talking competitors20:00-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Todd McKinnon is the Co-founder and CEO of cloud security company Okta, previously serving as a vice president at Salesforce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Music catalogs remain hot assets for acquisition by those financial powerhouses with the money to purchase them. Look no further than the sale of Bruce Springsteen’s catalog to Sony in 2021 for a reported $500 million. Brian Sozzi sits down on the Opening Bid podcast with Reservoir Media (RSVR) founder and CEO Golnar Khosrowshahi. Khosrowshahi is a veteran in the music industry, spending more than 17 years building up Reservoir through the acquisition of music catalogs and publishing outfits. Today, the company sits at the interaction of music and streaming media with an eye toward continuing to purchase catalog assets and earn royalties. Though risks to the business exist in the form of rising values for catalogs for legendary performers and the shift to AI generated music. Khosrowshahi shares her outlook for the music industry, and also her leadership journey growing up in Iran to running a major company today.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.00:00-Golnar Khosrowshahi on Opening Bid2:30-What do Joni Mitchell, John Denver, and voice of Lion King have in common?6:15-Future of Streaming11:40-Thoughts on Chappel Roan Grammy's speech demanding artists making a living wage13:30-AI impact on making music17:50-Future of good music20:30-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Golnar Khosrowshahi is the Founder and CEO of Reservoir, a global, independent music company, with operations across music publishing, recorded music, and management. It is the first female founded and led publicly traded independent music company in the U.S. In addition to her role as Founder and CEO of Reservoir, Golnar serves on the boards of National Music Publishers’ Association, NMPA’s S.O.N.G.S. Foundation, Silkroad, and the New York Philharmonic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ZoomInfo (ZI) was bootstrapped in 2007 by founder and CEO Henry Schuck with $25,000 in credit card debt. The data intelligence play started its life by focusing on small to medium-size businesses looking for ways to connect with key contacts at larger companies and better understand customers. Today, the company has entered the AI age and is fresh off posting more than $1.2 billion in annual sales. The company could eclipse that level in 2025, according to new guidance shared this week on its earnings release. So, what’s next for this under-the-radar tech player? Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi chats with Zoominfo founder and CEO Henry Schuck to discuss just that. Schuck shares lessons on how he has grown ZoomInfo, from mistakes to best lessons learned. He also dives into how ZoomInfo will be playing in the AI space against some of its biggest competitors.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.00:00-Henry Schuck on Opening Bid00:45-Preparing for an earnings call06:31-How a business innovates with AI11:27-Stock repurchase plan15:00-Shaping a strong business19:30-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Henry Schuck has served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of ZoomInfo (formerly DiscoverOrg) since founding it in 2007. Henry led ZoomInfo as it became the first tech company to go public during the COVID-19 pandemic. Including the company’s acquisition of Zoom Information in 2019, he has overseen 13 acquisitions in total. Prior to founding ZoomInfo, Henry was VP of Research & Marketing at iProfile, a sales intelligence firm focused on the IT market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Eric Jackson, founder of EMJ Capital, dives into the whirlwind of Nvidia’s latest earnings call. He delves into the strong demand for Nvidia’s new Blackwell chip, discussing how it could redefine future product offerings. With nuanced insights, Jackson addresses concerns over stock volatility and competitive pressures, while also speculating on potential growth in AI infrastructure. Expect to hear about the strategic decisions companies and countries face in the evolving AI landscape and the excitement surrounding upcoming product announcements.

Robinhood (HOOD) has been on one of the more blistering paces of innovation from the fintech space the last twelve months. The overarching goal? Make the platform way more than a place for a 22-year-old to trade GameStop. Think of a one-stop shop for stocks, crypto, retirement, and even credit cards. Brian Sozzi sits down on the Opening Bid podcast with the person leading the charge at Robinhood on these fronts, co-founder and CEO Vlad Tenev. The company has expanded into event contracts with a successful debut for the election — although efforts to wade into the Super Bowl were frowned upon by lawmakers. In January, the platform provider debuted futures and index options trading. The company has since released Robinhood Legend, billed as a sleeker platform that targets more sophisticated traders. Robinhood Legend allows up to eight charts open in a single window, and it could elevate various technical indicators such as Bollinger Bands. This as the Trump administration eyes stablecoin frameworks this year and explores the potential of a bitcoin reserve — both of which could be major tailwinds to Robinhood and competitors such as Coinbase.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.00:00-Vladimir Tenev on Opening Bid01:40-Building the Robinhood dream05:00-Reflecting on family10:04-What's next in crypto for Robinhood?14:30-SEC ends crypto probe17:12-The future of 24 hour trading20:30-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Vladimir Tenev is the CEO and Co-Founder of Robinhood Markets and, since November 2020, has served as Chief Executive Officer and President of Robinhood Markets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Louis Navellier, founder and chairman of Navellier & Associates, shares his deep insights into the stock market, particularly Nvidia, which he boldly claims is the stock of the next decade. He discusses Nvidia's anticipated earnings, confident in its position within AI and quantum computing, while also urging caution over valuation metrics. Navellier elaborates on the broader market dynamics, touching on economic trends and the importance of patience in identifying fundamentally sound stocks, positioning investors for future growth.

The market has taken a few punches this month in the form of non-stop headlines from the Trump administration. Concerns about policy chaos and tariffs has some investors wondering if the froth in the market needs to simmer down before putting new money to work. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi sits down on the Opening Bid podcast with Russell Investments president and CIO Kate El-Hillow. Russell Investments has more than $330 billion in assets under management. El-Hillow thinks the AI trade remains one of the better ones to bet on, but there are other ways to do so besides current trending names. While the AI trades have remained generally solid in 2025, they have fluctuated at times amid rising concerns about Trump tariffs. El-Hillow says tariff risk is a real risk to markets and the bottom lines of companies. And what ends up happening with tariffs could influence the Federal Reserve, which, of course, will have ramifications 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.00:00-Kate El-Hillow on Opening Bid00:15-Stocks of the Day: Gamestop, Nvidia, Palentir02:10-Evaluating a questionably frothy market05:00-Are people still excited about the Mag 7?08:15-Tariffs and your portfolio12:40-Diversification and alternatives16:00-How to invest in private markets20:00-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Kate El-Hillow serves as President and Chief Investment Officer for Russell Investments, the global investment solutions provider founded in 1936 with approximately $325 billion in assets under management. Based in New York, Kate oversees all aspects of the investment division including asset management, implementation, and research to deliver overall client investment solutions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bausch + Lomb said this month it had explored taking the company private with a third-party buyer. No deal was reached as a consortium of private equity firms TPG and Blackstone reportedly backed out. Bausch + Lomb (BLCO) said it would not pursue a transaction at this time. But it reiterated a view that a full separation from Bausch Health Companies (BHC) is still the goal. Bausch Health Companies owns 88.4% of Bausch + Lomb. So what’s next for the the healthcare icon? Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi chats with Bausch + Lomb chairman and CEO Brent Saunders. Saunders is known as one of the biggest dealmakers in the pharmaceutical industry of the past 15 years. Saunders returned to Bausch + Lomb as CEO in March 2023. In May 2013, he was also the CEO of Bausch + Lomb, responsible for its $8.7 billion sale to Valeant Pharmaceuticals. He then took over as the CEO of Forest Laboratories. By February 2014, Saunders orchestrated a sale of the company to Actavis for $25 billion. He assumed the CEO position. From there in November 2014, he pulled off a $70 billion acquisition of Allergan and became its CEO. It's there where Saunders' star quickly rose in media circles, overseeing the commercial success of botox and doing battle with feared activist investor Carl Icahn. Saunders then sold Allergan to Abbvie (ABBV) for $63 billion in a deal that closed in May 2020. He says no deal is imminent for Bausch + Lomb.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.00:00-Brent Saunders on Opening Bid03:00-A vast career leading on route to CEO06:30-Future of eye care industry09:30-Consequences of our activities on our eye health12:15-State of company: Bausch + Lomb17:50-Health care industry outlook20:40-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Brent Saunders is an American biopharma executive and entrepreneur who is the chairman and CEO of the health company Bausch + Lomb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Super Bowl is in the books, with the Philadelphia Eagles delivering a commanding win over the Kansas City Chiefs. Companies paid a steep $8 million for a 30-second TV spot, up from $7 million in 2024. Now, sports and media watchers can return to their regularly scheduled programming. That programming is of high intrigue. For one, rights deals for Formula 1 and the UFC are on the table in 2025. The UFC alone could command a $1 billion a year deal, more than double the one it currently has with Disney-owned ESPN. Media watchers will be looking out for whether both sports end up on streaming channels amid the struggles at legacy media giants.In the meantime, the NFL can opt out of its rights deal with all media partners except for Disney after the 2028-2029 season. If they do opt out and head to a Netflix that is not hiding its appetite for live sports, it could alter the TV business forever. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi chats with longtime media executive David Levy about these tectonic shifts in the industry, especially on the sports front. Levy spent 32 years running Turner, leading its sports portfolio and even the Cartoon Network. Today, Levy is the founder and co-CEO of Horizon Sports & Experiences—which is making a bold bet on pickleball.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.00:00-David Levy on Opening Bid02:30-What Superbowl numbers say about streaming05:09-Changing times for established media like Turner, ESPN, ABC08:50-Podcasters making money has nothing to do with TV10:45-The rise of pickleball13:30-Opportunities in women's sports16:10-Reinvention of sports for programming like fantasy football21:30-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Long regarded as one of the media industry’s most influential executives, David Levy currently serves as the co-CEO and founder of Horizon Sports & Experiences – HS&E. HS&E has a core focus on IP creation, and monetization, strategic advisory and consulting media rights, sponsorships, sales and experiential. Prior to HS&E, Levy served as President of Turner, offering content and advertising solutions to some of the most valuable brands in the world to audiences in sports, entertainment, news and children’s programming. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices