Opening Bid Unfiltered

Walmart has had a year for the record books. The company’s stock is up a sizzling 80% this year. Its financial performance has been beyond impressive given Walmart’s size. And Walmart continues to out-perform key retail rivals such as Target. It’s for these reasons Walmart has secured the 2024 Yahoo Finance Company of the Year award. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi sat down with Walmart CEO Doug McMillon to learn more about the company’s growth plans, and what keeps the long-time CEO up at night. He says Walmart is truly firing on all cylinders. But can Walmart stay super dominant in the years to come as Amazon gets even stronger and others in retail mount comebacks? Sozzi welcomes retail and supply chain expert Brittain Ladd on Opening Bid for an in-depth discussion on the future of the world’s largest retailer.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-Brittain Ladd on Opening Bid02:00-Walmarts big 2024 year04:00-Walmart vs their competitors08:00-How Walmart might incorporate tech14:40-Walmart pulls back DEI initiatives21:00-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Brittain Ladd has 20 years of experience in supply chain management and logistics. Brittain is currently the Fractional COO at BCL Consulting and is recognized as a leading expert on the topic of growing the market for micro-fulfillment. His prior experience includes work at Amazon, Deloitte, Dell and the Michaels Companies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chipotle (CMG) continues to be one of the most beloved food brands in America and its stock price underscores the point. The stock is up 300% in the past five years! But success is never guaranteed in the restaurant industry, and Chipotle will have to work hard in the years to come to keep competitors at bay. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi and Senior Reporter Brooke DiPalma sit down with Chipotle’s new CEO Scott Boatwright. Boatwright was named as CEO in November after the unexpected departure of Brian Niccol to Starbucks as CEO. Boatwright has spent decades in operating roles at restaurants, 18 years in fact. Now he will be tasked with carrying over the momentum at Chipotle established by Niccol, while also looking to expand faster overseas and automate restaurants.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-Scott Boatwright on Opening Bid01:30-Origin story: a dishwasher05:30-Tech at Chipotle13:30-Can consumers swallow another cost increase?19:00-Filling Brian Niccol's shoesYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Scott Boatwright is Chiptole's CEO and a member of the Board of Directors. He joined Chipotle in 2017 after spending 18 years at rival Arby's Restaurant Group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President-elect Donald Trump hasn’t hidden his appetite to unleash new tariffs on China and possibly Europe right out of the box upon getting back into the White House. The point person for executing those tariffs is likely to be Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick, who Trump has selected as Commerce Secretary. While stocks continue to new highs despite the tariff threats, most experts agree tariffs could hurt the economy and increase inflation. It’s a risk that shouldn’t be overlooked. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi goes one-on-one with businessman and former Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross. Ross was the Commerce Secretary in the first Trump term and helped implement his tariffs on China. Will the president go hardcore on tariffs as he has promised? Or is it a negotiating tactic? Ross takes investors inside the mind of the President-elect as the US nears Inauguration Day and potentially, more restrictive trade.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-Wilbur Ross on Opening Bid01:30-Are tariffs good for the economy?05:00-Evaluating Trump cabinet picks13:30-How fast will Musk and Ramaswamy be able to make changes?19:30-Hot takes on AI technologyYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Wilbur Ross is an American businessman who served as the 39th United States secretary of commerce from 2017 to 2021.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The year in AI has been impressive. The companies building the technology such as Nvidia and Anthropic have notched numerous wins. Meantime, advances from OpenAI’s ChatGPT continue to be impressive. In short, Wal Street remains very hopeful the main sector plays stay hot well beyond 2025 as AI further penetrates our daily lives. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi sits down with one of Wall Street’s most followed tech analysts, Wedbush’s Dan Ives. Ives has made a host of big calls this year on top Yahoo Finance tickers such as Nvidia, Tesla and Palantir. Will the big gains for AI stock continue into 2025? Ives reveals his topic picks for the space, and what will drive them even higher.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-Dan Ives on Opening Bid02:00-Why autonomous vehicles are mountains for companies08:00-Full-self driving vs autonomous vehicles12:30-Palentir outlook16:30-The AI revolution22:00-Big Mag 7 callYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Daniel Ives is a Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst covering the Technology sector at Wedbush Securities since 2018. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The future of social media platform TikTok hangs in the balance. Will it be banned in the US? Will someone be able to buy the platform and work on adding safeguards that please lawmakers? The outcome of the platform is important to the millions of creators who rely on its powerful algo to earn income. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi sits down with McCourt Global executive chairman Frank McCourt. The two discuss why McCourt is trying to buy TikTok, and his plans for the platform should he win control. McCourt also serves up his take on AI and the influence it’s having on social media and the wider business community. The long-time businessman also owned the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, and the conversation dives into surging values being paid to own sports teams and players – including the $765 million deal for star Juan Soto by the New York Mets.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-Frank McCourt on Opening Bid03:00-ByteDance might not06:30-TikTok is addictive11:40-An internet bull19:40-Why internet (as of now) is not good for democracy22:30-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Frank McCourt is the founder of Project Liberty, an international non-profit, and executive chairman and former CEO of McCourt Global, a business and philanthropy organization. He is the owner of the football club Marseille was the owner and chairman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Dodger Stadium from 2004 to 2012. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investors have largely ignored geopolitical risks in 2024, opting to instead latch onto bull stories such as AI and robust corporate earnings growth and Fed rate cuts. But the overlooking of key risks may not come into 2025 as president Trump promotes an America first economic agenda. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi chats with geopolitical strategist and New York Times best-selling author Peter Zeihan. Zeihan breaks down some of the top geopolitical risks for investors to know ahead of 2025 – one of them being Tesla CEO Elon Musk. How much risk will returning president Trump bring to tense geopolitical situations such as the Ukraine/Russia war? Will penalizing tariffs on China unleash new problems for the global economy? This latest episode dives into all of these topics and much more.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-Peter Zeihan on Opening Bid02:00-Trump tariffs06:20-Are global leaders scared of Trump?12:40-Looking at DOGE17:50-Mass deportation under Trump21:50-HOT TAKEYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Peter Zeihan is an expert in geopolitics: the study of how place impacts financial, economic, cultural, political and military developments. He is the founder of Zeihan on Geopolitics, and author of The Absent Superpower, Disunited Nations, and The End of the World Is Just the Beginning. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The restaurant industry is more competitive and challenging than ever before. Mobile ordering is placing fresh pressures on the kitchen. Wage inflation is weighing on the industry’s profit margins, especially in top states such as California and New York. And food tastes are evolving as people aim to live healthier lifestyles. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi sits down with celebrated restaurateur Danny Meyer to explore the world of restaurants. Meyer is the acclaimed author of “Setting the Table”, which many in the restaurant industry credit with establishing a new standard in hospitality. Meyer also founded Shake Shack, helping to take it from a hot dog cart in New York City to a public company with hundreds of locations worldwide. The pair discuss the future of restaurants in America, and Meyer’s top advice to getting ahead in the competitive industry.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-Danny Meyer on Opening Bid02:00-Early NYC restaurant days10:20-'Enlightened Hospitality'15:00-Business of food22:30-Family legacyYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Danny Meyer is a renowned restaurateur, CEO and founder of Union Square Hospitality Group, founder of Shake Shack, and one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2015. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

he initial numbers are in, and the holiday shopping season has started well – in most cases. Adobe Analytics data shows Black Friday online sales rose 10% year over year to $10.8 billion as shoppers feasted on deals. Mastercard SpendingPulse data pegged Black Friday sales rising 14.6% online for Black Friday, while only rising 0.7% in stores. Top selling categories included apparel and footwear. Meanwhile, RetailNext data noted in store customer traffic nationwide fell on Black Friday and the holiday weekend. In this special Opening Bid roundtable, Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi drills into all things consumer on Cyber Monday. At the table on this Cyber Monday include: Barclays analyst Adrienne Yih, BMO Capital Markets analyst Simeon Siegel, and Mastercard Economics Institute chief economist Michelle Meyer. The group not only looks at who in retail is winning the holiday season shopping battle, but who stands to win and lose in 2025 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.00:00-Cyber Monday panel on Opening Bid02:30-Ecommerce at a high08:00-How income affects consumer spending habits12:15-Trump tariffs impact on retail19:30-Experts think Nike will rebound in 2025Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.For today's Cyber Monday panel we were joined by Mastercard Economics Institute Chief Economist Michelle Meyer, BMO Capital Markets Managing Director & Senior Analyst Simeon Siegel, and Barclays Consumer Discretionary Senior Analyst Adrienne Yih. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The humanoids are coming! Amazing advancements are underway in the field of humanoids, which will likely lend way to more of the driving the future of work. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi goes inside the emerging world of humanoid robots with Rob Garlick and Wenyan Fei, analysts at Citi Global Insights. The duo just published a lengthy piece of research outlining the growth potential of humanoids looking out to the year 2050. The market is emerging very fast, and there are more players in the mix for winning the robot race than Tesla CEO Elon Musk and upstart Figure. The advances in humanoids will also change how work is done, impacting the labor force in profound ways, says the Citi analysts.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-Rob Garlick and Wenyan Fei join Opening Bid02:30-The humanoids market08:00-What are the market investment opportunities in robotics?18:00-2025 is the year of growth22:00-Ethics & regulation concernsYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Rob Garlick is Citi's Head of Innovation, Technology & the Future of Work for Citi Global Insights. Alongside his colleague Wenyan Fei, Citi Associate Research Analyst, their research and reports look at the future of AI in finance, business, and technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the hottest assets in the market since the presidential election, surprisingly, isn’t AI chip darling Nvidia (NVDA). On the contrary, it’s bitcoin (BTC-USD) and the wider crypto market as optimism on the space is at record highs ahead of the new Trump administration. SEC chair Gary Gensler exiting stage left soon has also lifted sentiment. Bitcoin is hovering around record highs, sending shares of crypto plays MicroStrategy (MSTR), Coinbase (COIN), and Robinhood (HOOD) to new heights. But can the excitement be sustained? Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi goes inside the red-hot world of crypto with Benchmark senior analyst Mark Palmer. Palmer has been covering the rise of crypto for well over a decade, and says the outlook has never been brighter. The optimism stems from potential policies under the incoming Trump administration and the general appetite by retail and institutional investors to get involved in the space.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-Mark Palmer on Opening Bid00:30-crypto on the rise02:40-Trump friendly on crypto08:30-Crypto in pensions12:00-Concerns around crypto?14:55-MicroStrategyYahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Rachael Lewis-Krisky.Mark Palmer covers public and private companies in the Fintech and Digital Assets sectors, leveraging 25 years of experience on the buy-side and sell-side of financial markets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices