Motley Fool Money - Archive

The dominant story of the past week has been the wave of leaders in the AI space warning about the pace of frontier models and their fear of them getting “out of control”. While that may be true, there may be other reasons why they’re all sounding the alarm at this precise moment. Travis, Rachel and Tyler take a look at some of the less said reasons why this appers to have hit a fever pitch and whether that changes how investors should view the upcoming Anthropic and OpenAI IPOs. Plus,

Investors pour over income statements and cash flow trends — but the person deciding what happens to those numbers next matters more, and it's the thing almost nobody knows how to evaluate. Motley Fool's Rachel Warren sits down with Reza Satchu, HBS senior lecturer and six-time company founder, to unpack why judgment — not intellect or data — is the scarcest asset in the age of AI, whether it can actually be taught, and the real story behind walking away from a billion-dollar buyout offer on his student housing company, only

In celebration of National 401(k) Day (which was this past Thursday), Robert Brokamp covers three employer-sponsored plan features that often fly under the radar – partially because they can be complex, and partially because many plans don’t offer them.In this episode, Robert discusses:-Advocating with your employer for more features and better investment choices-How a self-directed brokerage within can help both the stock and non-stock side of your portfolio-How to implement the mega backdoor Roth-How the rule of 55 (or 50) can allow some people to make withdrawals a few to several

Meta unveiled the Muse app this week and it may be a turn in how consumers use AI. It’s a personal assistant that can read your email, update your calendar, and do tasks in the background. But will consumers care? Plus, Apple unveiled the new Duo phone and consumers feel the pressure from higher prices. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jason Hall discuss:- Meta Muse- Consumer AI Adoption- Apple Duo- Time Machine- Inflation Data- Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed: Meta Platforms (META), Apple (AAPL), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), TJX Companies (TJX),

While Apple has continued to be a great business, it’s been a minute since the company issued a new product that made us go “wow”. With new CEO John Ternus coming from the hardware side of the business, it comes as little surprise that one of the first things it announced was a major change to the iPhone, the iPhone Duo. Matt, Jon, and Tyler break down how this launch could impact the bottom line and whether this is a sign of what Apple will look like under Ternus. Plus, Chewy

Meta has fallen behind the other frontier labs recently, but that may have changed on Wednesday when the company introduced the Muse app. Muse will do everything from answer emails to update your calendar and even shop for you all with the context of your personal data. We answer if this is a game-changer or another incremental change. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss: - Meta Muse- Meta’s Data Problem- Consumer AI- Adoption Timelines- AlphaGenome- AI in Health Companies discussed: Meta Platforms (META), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Shopify (SHOP). Host:

After decades of spinoffs and separations of various parts, GE Aerospace is now trending toward integration. Its $11.75 billion acquisition of Consolidation Precision Products is taking what business schools have been teaching for years (specialization, capital light) and flipping it on its head. Lou, Travis, and Tyler dissect the GE aerospace deal, how it impacts the aerospace & defense indsutry, and whether we’re on the precipice of integration. Plus, cybersecurity threats and reverse stock splits. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Travis Hoium discuss: - GE

A completely mailbag episode. In the first segment, Jon, Matt, and Rachel take a question regarding return on invested capital (ROIC), and how this metric plays into investment decisions. In the second segment, a listener asks about bottlenecks in the power generation space and how companies such as Emphase and Bloom could benefit. And in the final segment, the team answers a question about how trillion-dollar IPOs can send ripple effects through the market. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss: -Why return on invested capital (ROIC) is important -Things

If there’s one person who knows about both the financial and non-financial ingredients to a happy retirement, it’s Wes Moss. Wes is a Certified Financial Planner, the chief investment strategist at Capital Investment Advisors, the host of the Retire Sooner podcast, and the author of five books, including “The Retire Sooner Method: The Five Secrets Behind America’s Happiest (and Unhappiest) Retirees.”In Part 2 of their conversation, host Robert Brokamp spoke with Wes about:-The importance of “core pursuits” (aka, “hobbies on steroids”) and adventure-The “friendship recession” and how to build a community

If there’s one person who knows about both the financial and non-financial ingredients to a happy retirement, it’s Wes Moss. Wes is a Certified Financial Planner, the chief investment strategist at Capital Investment Advisors, the host of the Retire Sooner podcast, and the author of five books, including “The Retire Sooner Method: The Five Secrets Behind America’s Happiest (and Unhappiest) Retirees.”In Part 1 of their conversation, host Robert Brokamp spoke with Wes about:-His decade-plus quest to find the most important characteristics of happy retirees-What his updated research says about the investable

Tesla held a robotaxi event this week but didn’t invite media or investors. Even Elon Musk sat the event out. What does that say about the future of autonomous vehicles? Plus, we discuss GPT-6, Adobe’s new CEO, and the health of consumer spending. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast discuss: - Tesla’s “Event” - GPT-6 - Adobe’s New CEO - 10-Year Predictions - Retail’s Health - Radar Stocks Companies discussed: Reddit (RDDT), CECO (CECO), Tesla (TSLA), Alphabet (GOOG), NVIDIA (NVDA), Apple (AAPL), Shopify (SHOP), Walmart (WMT), Amazon (AMZN), Meta Platforms

Description: Snowflake stock is surging towards all-time highs after reporting its latest quarterly earnings, and on today’s show, Jon, Matt, and Lou break down what’s going right for the company in contrast to past years. They also point out some concerns to monitor for Snowflake. The crew then turns the conversation on the data center slowdown before ending the episode with a listener question regarding an asymmetric upside stock that’s down big since buying a position.Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Lou Whiteman discuss:-Snowflake’s hot quarter-Some things to watch with Snowflake for

Tesla is having a Robotaxi day tomorrow and we still don’t know details about the event. But that doesn’t mean investors aren’t expecting a lot nearly two years after the Robotaxi was first announced. We discuss the implications for Tesla and why the competition may not be worried. Plus, we cover Dell’s incredible run. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss: - Tesla’s Robotaxi Day- What We Need to Hear- AV Competition- Vision vs LiDAR- Dell’s Earnings- AI Momentum Companies discussed: Tesla (TSLA), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Dell (DELL). Host: Travis

Amazon and Meta Platforms are facing increased scrutiny from regulators and states and that’s not only affecting their stock price, it could affect their business long-term. We discuss whether FTC probes and settlements are a big deal long-term. We end by laying out what John Ternus needs to do to get off on the right foot at Apple. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel discuss: - Amazon vs FTC- Future of Amazon Retail- Meta’s Settlement- Is Meta Becoming Bit Tobacco?- John Ternus’ First Day- How Apple Can succeed Companies discussed:

Hugging Face is pushing forward open-source large-language models, which potentially keep closed AI models from becoming too powerful. Now Hugging Face is pushing open-source robotic software with its latest consumer device, and Nvidia is reportedly looking to acquire Hugging Face at a $13 billion valuation. Jon, Matt, and Rachel discuss the future of robotics as well as tackle two listener questions regarding what can make and break an investment thesis. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss: -Nvidia’s potential acquisition of Hugging Face-Hugging Face’s new robot: Microduck-What is an investment

Wall Street treats demand like a line on a chart. Rob Snyder says that's exactly why investors keep getting burned. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren talks with Rob Snyder — Harvard Innovation Labs fellow, serial startup founder, and author of The Power of Pull — about why customers almost never buy things because they were convinced to, what that means for how you evaluate a publicly traded company's growth story, and how the AI boom is exposing which software businesses have genuine demand and which ones are papering it over with

n this next installment of our 2026 Financial Planning Challenge, host Robert Brokamp is joined by fellow Fool Stephanie Marini to discuss the most unpleasant area of financial planning: estate planning. But it’s necessary, because while it’s nearly impossible to predict the future when it comes to most aspects of personal finance, there’s one thing we can guarantee: You and everyone you know will one day pass away – leaving assets and stuff behind to be divvied up. Topics covered:-While it’s important to seek the counsel of an attorney in your

Nvidia's Jensen Huang stunned investors with a bold prediction for AI capex spending, and Marvell's blowout earnings seem to back him up. Plus, CrowdStrike's "Mythos moment" is reshaping the cybersecurity landscape, separating the AI-security winners from the laggards. Jon, Jason, and Matt also talk about turnarounds in light of Dick's Sporting Goods suffering its worst single-day drop before finishing up with stocks on our radar. Jon Quast, Jason Hall, and Matt Frankel discuss: - Nvidia’s prediction for AI capex spend - Marvell’s accelerating growth - CrowdStrike’s “Mythos moment” tailwind - Winners

With a company as large and as meticulously covered as NVIDIA, you would think there wouldn’t be anything that surprises us anymore. So much for that thesis. NVIDIA's most recent earnings and guidance blew past everyone’s expectations and setup another stellar year for anything AI related. Jon, Matt, and Tyler dissect NVIDIA’s most recent earnings as well as the “hidden” winners and losers from the most recent earnings results. Plus, Crowdstrike’s earnings and a mailbag question about local vs. cloud AI. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel,

Meta Platforms has been the subject of several lawsuits. By some estimates, the potential fines for these lawsuits were as high as the market cap of the entire company. Today, the company settled several of these high-profile lawsuits for $18 billion and for several changes to its social media apps. Lou, Rachel, and Tyler dig into the details of the settlement and how it will impact Meta. Plus, Intuit’s earnings and the listener mailbag. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Rachel Warren, and Lou Whiteman discuss: - Meta’s $18

When Dick’s Sporting Goods acquired Foot Locker last year, it was supposed to be a transformative deal that would serve a “broader range of consumers”. Fast forward to today, and the company is still struggling with the integration. Matt, Rachel, and Tyler take a look at the Dick’s challenging quarter. Plus, unhearalded earnings reports and listener questions Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Rachel Warren, and Matt Frankel discuss: - Dick’s Sportinf Goods earnings and guidance cut. - Was it “geopolitical concerns” or just Foot Locker? - The woes

On Wednesday, the world’s most valuable company will report financial results and they’re expected to be spectacular. But Nvidia’s management has to say could have huge economic ramifications. Jon, Matt, and Rachel also take questions from our mailbag, talking about the physical infrastructure of AI as well as why an investor would keep holding a stock after there’s an acquisition announcement. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss: -What we’re watching with Nvidia’s report on Wednesday -How Nvidia’s report could ripple through the stock market -Overbuilding with data centers or

The AI race isn't being won in the model lab — it's being won in the power grid. And right now, America is losing. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren talks with Hannan Happi, co-founder and CEO of Exowatt — backed by Sam Altman and Andreessen Horowitz — about why the AI build-out is hitting a wall that no amount of chips or software can fix. They get into why a one-year grid delay costs a hyperscaler $12 billion in missed revenue, why China has 10 times more capacity than the US

We spend years squirreling away money that we eventually hope to live off of in retirement. What should we be doing as we get closer to the big day? Host Robert Brokamp discusses potential strategies with Dana Anspach, who has been a financial planner since 1995 and is the CEO and founder of Sensible Money, a fee-only planning firm in Arizona. She is also the author of three books, including her latest: “Living Off Your Acorns: Your Guide to the Four Phases of Retirement.” Topics covered: -How to systematically de-risk your

The market is fixated on interest rates and data centers this week. Rates continue to rise along with the U.S. debt, which may ultimately put pressure on companies across the market. Data centers have had their own drama with public pushback against the AI buildout at a high. We discuss this and more this week. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jim Gillies discuss: - Why Interest Rates Matter- The Bond Market Wins- Moderna’s Big Week- Take My Money!- Data Center PR Problem- Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed: NVIDIA (NVDA), Peloton

The big box retailers are reporting earnings, and there are plenty of headwinds to discuss. But among the common themes this earnings season, these companies are leaning into AI (and AI assistants with cheesy names) to bring their businesses into the future. Tyler, Matt, and Jon also discuss drone deliveries before finishing the episode with a listener question about the next generation of real-estate brokerages. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss:- The tariff refund for big box retailers- What retailers are doing with

Target reported solid earnings this morning, which is a great sign for the consumer, but the big news today was from Moderna. The company’s clinical trial results for a cancer vaccine were so encouraging it was fast tracked through the trial and, while there are questions, this could change how we look at cancer in the future. We discuss why the stock is up over 100%. Plus, we end the show with the latest from OpenAI and Anthropic. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss: - Target Earnings- Is Target

Most of the time, stock investors don’t pay attention to the bond markets. But when the words “not seen since 2007” start getting thrown around, investors start to look at lot harder at what’s going on with bonds. Lou, Matt, and Tyler dissect the recent moves in bond markets and how it’s showing up in stocks. Plus, Klarna’s and Home Depot’s earnings and how they are feeling the strains of the debt market. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel discuss: - The selloff in

Berkshire Hathaway is a net buyer of stocks again for the first time in nearly 4 years, but new CEO Greg Abel still had some surprising stocks to sell during the quarter. Jon, Matt, and Rachel break down Berkshire’s latest moves before answering a listener question regarding how to spot a winning stock early before finishing the episode by running some Berkshire stocks through some Hidden Gems mental frameworks. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss: -Berkshire buys stocks again-Greg Abel’s changing approach-Hidden Gems Investing’s favorite AI scoring categories-Why housing

What happens when an AI agent does your shopping — and how do you make sure it doesn't order two grills instead of one? In Part 2 of his conversation with Motley Fool CEO Tom Gardner, Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach breaks down the company's Agent Pay protocol, explains why machine-to-machine payments could transform B2B commerce, and reveals why Mastercard just acquired the world's largest stablecoin platform. He also gets into what the AI revolution really means for employment, why proprietary transaction data is Mastercard's deepest competitive moat, and how he personally

Think you know how Social Security calculates your benefit? Chances are, you're missing at least one piece of the puzzle. Host Robert Brokamp takes a listener’s real-world question and turns it into a clear, step-by-step guide to how your benefit is actually built. Key concepts discussed:-The “35 highest-earning years” rule—demystified: How Social Security treats your top earning years, wage inflation adjustments, and what “zero years” can do to your average.-AIME, bend points, and PIA: The three core building blocks of your benefit and why the formula is designed to replace a

Demand for AI is exploding and two companies – OpenAI and Anthropic – are driving the industry forward. Everything from hyperscalers to neoclouds to memory stocks are hanging on the demand for tokens they need. We discuss that demand, how debt got involved, and what could go wrong. Plus, what sports franchise would you buy?Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jason Moser discuss:- AI IPO Setup- Insatiable Demand- Debt Gets Involved- Restaurant Recovery?- Buying a Franchise- Radar StocksCompanies discussed: Quantum Computing (QUBT), Firefly (FLY), Alphabet (GOOG), Amazon (AMZN), SpaceX (SPCX).Host: Travis HoiumGuests:

Both Cisco Systems and Cerebras earnings reports showed two companies with bulging order books, but even that couldn’t satiate the markets appetite. Jon, Matt, and Tyler break down their respective earnings reports and look at some of the major challenges these companies will face and the challenges they present to investors. Plus, a lightning round of earnings reports on our favorite under-the-radar stocks.Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss: Cisco earnings. Strong hardware, weak software Cerebras, making sense of its confusing earnings Can innovations

The AI buildout has one big beneficiary today and that’s neoclouds Coreweave and Nebius. These companies buy and rent out GPUs for AI and they’re seing incredible demand for the assets they’re building. We discuss the short-term demand and where these stocks face risks long-term. Plus, we discuss Cava’s results and what inflation is telling us.Travis Hoium, Tyler Crowe, and Rachel Warren discuss: - Coreweave’s Results- Neocloud Financing- Cava’s Traffic Growth- Why Restaurants Are Hard- Inflation Eases- Energy’s Impact Prices Companies discussed: Coreweave (CRWV), Nebius (NBIS), Cava (CAVA). Host: Travis HoiumGuests:

Whenever RocketLab reports earnings these days, investors and analysts are far more interested in Neutron rocket updates than anything else. No wonder it was the most discussed topic on the conference call. Travis, Matt, and Tyler dissect Rocketlab’s earnings and opportunities in the space economy. Plus, ON Holdings decides to prioritize margins, and eVTOL companies Archer Aviation & Joby Aviation try to one up each other. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Travis Hoium, and Matt Frankel discuss: - RocketLab’s earnings and the Neutron schedule- Investing opportunities in the

Lost in the commotion of earnings season, Cloudflare co-founder and CEO Matthew Prince made an extraordinary claim about how internet traffic is changing at an exponential rate, motivating Jon to ask Matt and Tyler to dissect the news and look for investment opportunities. The trio also discusses the latest news in the mining industry as well as Intel’s latest equity sale. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Tyler Crowe discuss: -Agentic AI internet traffic surpassing human traffic-The investment opportunities if agentic traffic increases exponentially-The government’s investment in mining education-Whether there are buying

By 2030, cyber fraud is projected to cause $15.6 trillion in damage — enough to make it the third largest economy in the world. So how does the company processing 180 billion transactions a year stay ahead of it? Motley Fool CEO Tom Gardner sits down with Mastercard CEO Michael Miebach on the day of Mastercard's second quarter earnings to break down how the world's most powerful payment network actually works, why cybersecurity has become Mastercard's fastest growing business, and what the rise of stablecoins really means for everyday investors —

That vacation, RV, or home renovation you're planning in retirement might cost a lot more than the price tag suggests. One extra withdrawal from your IRA can set off a chain reaction of higher taxes and even surprise Medicare surcharges — for years to come. Robert Brokamp breaks down the hidden math behind retirement spending, and what you can do now to keep more of your money.Key topics discussed:-The tax "snowball" effect: how one year of higher spending can force bigger withdrawals in following years just to cover the tax bill,

As earnings season winds to a close, the team discusses what we learned this quarter and why a new jobs report may actually be good for the market. Plus, we discuss The Trade Desk’s bad week, Google’s brain drain, and the stocks on our radar. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast discuss: - Jobs Report - Earnings Season Recap - The Trade Desk - Value or Trap? - Google’s Brain Drain - Stocks on our Radar Companies discussed: Alphabet (GOOG), Apple (AAPL), The Trade Desk (TTD), Shift4 (FOUR), Micron (MU),

The amount of stocks moving 10% or more in either direction this most recent quarter has been staggering. Even companies that post decent, even some might call good, results are dropping double digits or more. Today, Jon, Travis, and Tyler dissect earnings results from several Motley Fool favorites that are moving double digits today to try and make sense of these sharp stock moves. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Want to take the next step in your investing journey? Explore Motley Fool’s Epic for our portfolio-centered investing experience, premium research,

Earnings season continues to give strong results, but that doesn’t mean each stock is rising on the news. Today, we saw Shopify jump and Uber fall after earnings that both showed strong adoption for their products. In addition, we discuss Disney and its growing reliance on the parks business to drive results. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss: - Uber’s Results - Why Shares Fell - Disney’s Parks Growth - Where Does ESPN Go? - Shopify’s Blowout - Can Growth Sustain? Companies discussed: Uber (UBER), Disney (DIS), Shopify (SHOP).

Shares of Palantir had an stellar day after reporting even more stellar earnings results. Many of the questions about getting commercial customers into its ecosystem appear to have been answered, and CEO Alex Karp made the case that Palantir’s offerings posed fewer risks than the AI models coming out today. Travis, Lou, and Tyler break down its earnings, plus a blowout quarter for Caterpillar and what to make of Spotify’s mixed earnings results Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Want to take the next step in your investing journey? Explore Motley

Mergers could be back in 2026 as companies try to get deals done while regulators allow them. But are buyouts always a good idea? We discuss a potential deal in pharma today, plus we go over the latest in interest rates and what we’re watching this week. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss: - AstraZeneca + BMS? - Why Merge Now? - Rising Interest Rates? - The Market’s Reaction - SpaceX Earnings Ahead - Can Uber Impress? Companies discussed: AstraZeneca (AZN), Bristol-Meyers Squibb (BMY), Uber (UBER), SpaceX (SPCX). Host:

Bethany McLean, veteran investigative journalist and co-author of The Smartest Guys in the Room, saw the end of Enron coming, and is now watching the AI trade very carefully. She has questions the market isn't asking. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren continues her conversation with Bethany, turning the lens on the market right now. She discusses why the free cash flow of the Magnificent Seven is quietly turning negative, why the circular financing inside the AI ecosystem makes it nearly impossible to see what's really going on, and why the S&P

It’s the first Saturday of the month, which means it’s time for the next installment of our 2026 Financial Planning Challenge. We’ve spent most of this year discussing how to accumulate and manage wealth. This month, we’re going to talk about how to protect it. Yes, we’re talking about insurance. Host Robert Brokamp is joined by Foolish colleague Amanda Kish to discuss:-The types of insurance every person should consider-How to determine the right amounts of coverage-Considerations when buying a new policy or evaluating a current policy-When it makes sense to get

The week was dominated by hedge fund Situational Awareness being forced to sell its equity holdings, leading to both a drop and a pop in AI-related stocks. What went wrong and what can we learn? Plus, we discuss why hyperscalers are moving in opposite directions, why Tesla may leave China, and the stocks on our radar. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jason Moser discuss: - Situational Awareness - Leverage Gone Wrong - Hyperscaler Divergence - Would You Rather? - Tesla in China - Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed: Tesla (TSLA),

Investors are taking a more scrutinous approach to all of the capital spending the Mag7 stocks are throwing at AI data centers. The one standout this quarter (so far) is Microsoft. Matt, Lou, and Tyler break down why investors loved Microsoft’s earnings while hating Meta’s, and whether Microsoft is the best Mag7 stock right now. Plus, an earnings lightning round and whether single stock or basket is the best approach. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Want to take the next step in your investing journey? Explore Motley Fool’s Epic for

Earnings season has shown us that consumers are still spending and paying their bills, as indicated by SoFi and Visa’s results. That should give investors some confidence as more companies report. Where there are more questions is in the AI trade, which continues to falter, despite some great numbers from Bloom Energy. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss: - SoFi’s Results - Is SoFi Just a Bank? - Visa’s Strong Growth - P&G Is Fine? - Bloom Energy Growth - The AI Trade Companies discussed: SoFi (SOFI), Procter &

Even though PayPal CEO Enrique Lores never directly addressed the recent buyout offer in its earnings report, the message was pretty clear: Stripe’s offer is too low. Matt, Lou, and Tyler digest PayPal's recent earnings and how that changes the dynamic of this acquisition drama. Plus, does Boeing finally have its act together, and why EV adoption is still so slow. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Want to take the next step in your investing journey? Explore Motley Fool’s Epic for our portfolio-centered investing experience, premium research, tools, and guidance:

Memory has been hot in 2026 and that was no different today. China’s CXMT went public and gained nearly 500% on its opening day. We discuss the IPO along with NVIDIA potentially guaranteeing hundreds of billions of investments made to supply OpenAI. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Tyler Crowe discuss: - NVIDIA’s OpenAI Guarantee - More NVIDIA Investments - A Hot IPO - Memory Gets More Crowded - Merger Mania? - Case for Smaller Acquisitions Companies discussed: NVIDIA (NVDA), United (UAL), Delta (DAL), Norfolk Southern (NSC), Union Pacific (UNP). Host: Travis

The journalist who exposed Enron before Wall Street did has spent decades studying how companies unravel — and the warning signs are almost always there before the collapse. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren sits down with Bethany McLean, veteran investigative journalist and co-author of The Smartest Guys in the Room, to dig into the psychology behind corporate disaster. She discusses why most fraud starts with self-delusion rather than malice, why the auditors and lawyers and board of directors may not be protecting you the way you think, and why the line

William Bengen established 4% as the safe withdrawal rate more than 30 years ago. But in subsequent research, he has concluded that 4% is likely much too low. That research is thoroughly explained in his latest book, “A Richer Retirement: Supercharging the 4% Rule to Spend More and Enjoy More.” In this re-airing of an interview from last August, Bengen joined Motley Fool retirement expert Robert Brokamp to discuss:- how factors such as market valuation and inflation affect the safe withdrawal rate- whether retirees should decrease or increase their allocation to

Alphabet’s stock is down double digits this week after the company reported negative free cash flow in the second quarter. We discuss what that means for big tech, neoclouds, and the entire supply chain. Plus, we get to Tesla’s earnings and the stocks on our radar. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jason Hall discuss: - Alphabet’s Free Cash Flow - Who Blinks? - Tesla’s Stock Drop - The Price Is Right - Intel’s Earnings - Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed: BBB Foods (TBBB), Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH), Alphabet (GOOG), Microsoft

Earnings season is in full swing, and the first two of the Mag 7 (Alphabet and Tesla) set a rather dour tone. While the on paper results were different in many ways, there was one common theme that spooked investors: cash burn. Jon, Lou, and Tyler break down the quarter where mag 7 stocks went cash flow negative and what that means. Plus, earnings from Tractor Supply, RTX, and what to watch when PayPal and AirBnb report in the coming weeks. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Want to take the

A new Gemini model is out and the AI world isn’t impressed. But is this Alphabet knowing its business better than anyone else or a loss of the company’s magic? Plus, we discuss Novo Nordisk suing Eli Lilly and GE Vernova’s stock falling after a great earnings report. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast discuss: - Gemini’s Model Dud? - Gemini Pro Delay - Novo Sues Eli Lilly - Novo’s Desperation - GE Vernova Earnings - Energy’s Peak Companies discussed: GE Vernova (GEV), Alphabet (GOOG), Novo Nordisk (NVO), Eli Lilly

Shares of capital market company MSCI and credit rating agency Equifax both posted double digit declines after posting earnings that were…ok? Matt, Lou, and Tyler dive into what went right and wrong in the most recent earnings and what to make of the two stocks today. Plus, what to make of the oil markets using Halliburton’s earnings results and what is the best banking ETF today? Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Want to take the next step in your investing journey? Explore Motley Fool’s Epic for our portfolio-centered investing experience,

Spain is the new soccer world champ, but Kalshi was also a winner from the World Cup as it added three million new users. On today’s show, Jon, Matt, and Rachel discuss the state of the predictions market and explain how predicting the outcome of an event is fundamentally different than investing in a stock. The team then moves into discussing how China’s Kimi K3 AI model could be disruptive to some companies and provide a tailwind for others. And the show closes with a mailbag question about digital advertising.Jon Quast,

Most companies say they're doing AI. A surprising number are doing very little — and a Chief AI Officer at one of the world's largest automation platforms has the receipts to prove it. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren talks with Adam Field, Chief AI Officer at Tungsten Automation — a company serving 25,000 organizations including 40% of the Fortune 100 — about what separates real AI transformation from expensive spin. They get into why most enterprise AI pilots quietly die before they scale, what "boring AI" actually means and why it's

Knowing how much income you’ll need in retirement is a key variable in determining how much you need to have saved before you stop working. But what many people believe about how spending progresses over the course of retirement is wrong. Host Robert Brokamp speaks with David Blanchett, the head of retirement research at Prudential Financial and a portfolio manager for PGIM, about what the data shows about real-life retirement spending. Topics covered include: -Why retirees may not need as much inflation protection as is commonly recommended-Healthcare expenses: the retirement wildcard-Why

Tech stocks have dropped this week as earnings have given investors reason for concern. IBM left a lot to be desired and Netflix dragged on the market as well. We make sense of it all and give you the stocks on our radar.Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Emily Flippen discuss:- Tech Crashing- What We’re Watching- Netflix Earnings- History of Tech- Gemini Delayed- Radar StocksCompanies discussed: TransDigm (TDG), Uber (UBER), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Micron (MU), Netflix (NFLX).Host: Travis HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, Emily FlippenEngineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided

Shares of Uber are right about where they were a little over two years ago. The company has been grappling with how to navigate the world of robotaxis. One way is to lean into delivery services, and that’s why the company announced the acquisition of Delivery Hero today for $14.8 billion. Matt, Jon, And Tyler discuss Uber’s reasons for doing this now and whether a push into delivery can fend of the challenges from robotaxis. Plus, GE Aerospace’s having a hard time sourcing materials and whether emerging industries are worth betting

Stripe is reportedly circling PayPal in a deal that could end a frustrating run for the fintech giant, but is it a good enough deal to get done? We discuss that and Johnson & Johnson’s earnings, plus how Uber has become the incumbent in autonomous vehicles.Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss:- PayPal’s Offer- How Stripe Gets a Deal Done- Why PayPal Says “No”- J&J’s Earnings- Uber in DC- How Uber Became the IncumbentCompanies discussed: Uber (UBER), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Uber (UBER).Host: Travis HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, Rachel WarrenEngineer: Kristi

BM gave its investors a heads up about the upcoming quarter, and the market didn’t like what management had to say. The company’s pre-released earnings were lower than analyst expectations, and its raising questions about the spending priorities for IBM’s clients. Plus, the big banks all had blowout earnings reports, and it isn’t just from cashing in on the SpaceX IPO.Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Want to take the next step in your investing journey? Explore Motley Fool’s Epic for our portfolio-centered investing experience, premium research, tools, and guidance: fool.com/epic

Many investors feel like the AI trend peaked and some AI stocks are taking it on the chin in response. However, Taiwan Semiconductor is showing an accelerated growth rate and Meta Platforms is nearly doubling the scope of one of its important data centers, suggesting the AI buildout is still on. In light of this, Matt and Rachel each highlight a hidden company that can benefit from the trends. Finally, Jon throws a question to them from a listener regarding selling stocks to pay for school, avoiding student loan debt. Jon

ROI supersedes AI. That's the blunt verdict from Steve Lucas, Chairman and CEO of Boomi, who has spent 30 years at the top of enterprise software. With OpenAI burning $3 billion a month and Gartner projecting that up to 40% of enterprise AI projects will be abandoned by 2027, the blank-check era for AI spending is over — and the reckoning is coming faster than most investors realize. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren sits down with Steve to unpack what Wall Street is missing: why the next wave of AI winners

If you'd like to help a child, grandchild, or other young person get started investing, you have a few options when it comes to the type of account to open. Starting this month, a new option is available: Trump Accounts. Fools Robert Brokamp and Joel O’Leary discuss the details, pros, and cons. Topics covered:-Eligibility and contribution limits for Trump Accounts-The tax advantages, including potentially converting them to Roth accounts-The drawbacks, limitations, and potential penalties if money is withdrawn before age 59 1/2-The best use cases for Trump Accounts, and other types

There’s no question artificial intelligence is the next big paradigm shift in technology, but how that shift plays out could determine how investors can make money. We discuss what we can learn from the PC era, the internet boom and bust, and the mobile phone era in technology. Plus, we discuss our hidden gems and stocks on our radar. Travis Hoium, Andy Cross, and Lou Whitman discuss: - 80s Lessons - .com Infrastrucuture - Internet Disruptors - How AI Plays Out - Hidden Gems - Stocks on our Radar Companies discussed:

It’s not just you, the number of major announcements Meta Platforms has put out in recent months is unusually high, even by Meta Platforms standards. Matt, Jon, and Tyler debate whether all of these new AI, semiconductor manufacturing, and prediction market initiatives are value adding ideas or wasted capital . Plus, is GE Vernova worth its current price tag and what to make of communications REIT American Tower Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Want to take the next step in your investing journey? Explore Motley Fool’s Epic for our portfolio-centered

Oil rose sharply early on Wednesday and the market didn’t like what it saw. But oil may not be the big driver of stocks that it was a few months ago and the pullback may simply be a healthy breather for hot stocks. Plus, we discuss some new EVs hitting the market and how satellites could disrupt telecom. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss: - Oil Is Up Again - Market Breather? - Can a Cheap EV Win? - Why Americans Buy Big - Is AMT’s Debt a Problem?

Every quarter recently, semiconductor stocks keep churning out incredible numbers. And every quarter, it seems as those companies somehow “miss expectations”. The most recent example was when Samsung Electronics reported a 1,900% increase in profits, the stock dropped so much it halted trading on the Korean composite index. Lou, Matt, and Tyler dig into the expectations game Wall Street is playing and the underlying trends still supporting it. Plus, defense companies are making moves at the NATO summit and investor questions. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Want to take the

Matt, Rachel, and Jon talk about SK Hynix’s upcoming U.S. IPO, explaining what high-bandwidth memory is and which companies could potentially benefit from the company’s IPO proceeds. The Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing team then tackles two questions from the mailbag. The first relates to SpaceX and ETFs. The second talks about how ETFs and index funds have potentially changed the structure of the stock market. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss: -High bandwidth memory for AI -SK Hynix’s U.S. IPO -What happens with ETFs when companies go public?

Every market downturn will test you. Not your strategy, not your portfolio — you. And the investors who come out the other side aren't the ones who had the best picks going in. They're the ones who learned how to take a hit, stay in the game, and get smarter because of it. Motley Fool's Tom Gardner sits down with Louis Zamperini — World War II survivor, Olympic runner, and the man whose story inspired the bestselling book Unbroken — to talk about why the people who overcome the most become

It’s the first Saturday of the month, which means it’s time for the next installment of our 2026 Financial Planning Challenge. Since it’s July 4th, we thought it fitting that this month we focus on financial independence – in other words, retirement. How do you know if your retirement plan is on track? And how will you know when you’re financially ready to bid adieu to the working world? Fools Robert Brokamp and Stephanie Marini discuss how to find the answers to those questions, including:-Common rules of thumb like the 50-30-20

Q2 2026 was the best year on Wall Street since 2020 and AI led the way. But the gains weren’t evenly distributed and we discuss what’s sustainable and what’s not in the market. Plus, we discuss Meta becoming a neocloud and look back on the U.S. stocks that defined the past four decades. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jason Moser discuss: - Record Q2 Performance - How AI Ruled the Day - Meta the Neocloud? - What Happened to Compute Constraint? - History of U.S. Stocks - Stocks on Our Radar

HAve you noticed that more and more companies are finding the Chinese market is a headwind for companies? You’re not alone. Automotive companies, clothing retailers, beauty products, and many more are either losing market share or seeing sales decline. Jon, Matt, and Tyler break down why the Chinese market has been such a challenge for so many companies, who could be the next company to experience this, and how investors can navigate this trend. Plus, the unconventional winners & losers of the S&P 500 and listener questions. Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel,

Oil prices have plunged in recent weeks as the war in Iran appears to be coming to a halt. But why did predictions of $200 oil never materialize? We discuss the underlying dynamics. We also covered a new stablecoin that could be disruptive to payments and why Nike’s comeback is stalling out. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Tyler Crowe discuss: - Why Oil Prices Are Dropping - Did China Prevent an Energy Crisis? - The New Open USD Stablecoin - Are Stablecoins Disruptive? - Nike’s Earnings - Can Nike Make a

The Honeywell International of 10 years ago is now six different publicly traded companies. This week, Honeywell International split with Honeywell Aerospace to complete the pre-planned separation. Tyler, Matt, and Lou look break down the prospects for the disparate parts as standalone companies and pick which ones will be the outperformers based on recent spinoffs and separateions. Plus, a busy week of deals and an investor question about covered call ETFs Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Lou Whiteman discuss: - Digital Realty buying data centers - Building materials industry consolidation -

Jon, Matt, and Rachel dissect the latest breakup news from Comcast as the media giant intends to spin off assets under its NBCUniversal entity. This could unlock value but could shake up the streaming landscape. The team then moves on to Rocket Lab’s $8 billion acquisition of Iridium before ending with a listener question about selling stocks. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss: -Comcast spins off NBCUniversal -Whether NBCUniversal is an attractive takeover target -Rocket Lab’s $8 billion acquisition -Selling stocks you love to buy stocks you love more

The companies dominating AI headlines right now may not be the ones actually winning. In fact, according to Julie Averill, the loudest signals are often the ones most worth questioning. As former global CIO of Lululemon — where she helped oversee one of retail's most successful tech transformations — Julie has spent decades separating real change from corporate theater. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren sits down with Julie, now author of Chief Impact Officer, to unpack what AI washing actually looks like from the inside, why 87% of CEOs say psychological

Most of the education about work-sponsored retirement plans comes from the employer or the plan provider. But you could be a source of knowledge and encouragement to your colleagues, friends, and relatives. Robert Brokamp discusses grassroots retirement education with Julie Jason, the founder and CEO of Jackson, Grant Investment Advisers and the creator of the annual 401(k) Champion Award. (Visit 401kchampion.com to nominate yourself or someone you know.)Also in this episode:-Many value stock index funds are beating the S&P 500 so far this year, thanks to some surprisingly large holdings in

Memory prices have skyrocketed because of AI demand and that’s not extending into the consumer market after Apple raised prices on nearly all of its products. We discuss why memory is up and how Silicon Valley made itself a villain in the age of AI. Plus, we go through what technologies may be disruptive and stocks on our radar. Travis Hoium, Jon Quast, and Lou Whiteman discuss: - AI, The Villian - Why Memory Costs Hit Apple - Who Says “Enough”? - Is There Rationality in Tech? - Disruptive or Sustaining

If it wasn’t apparent already, the Federal government has made expanding the fleet of nuclear reactors a strategic priority. This week, the Department of Energy announced a new financing deal that will encourage the development of 10 new nuclear reactors in the U.S. Matt, Jon, and Tyler break down what this means and whether the companies in the industry will see big gains from it. Plus, Qualcom’s investor day, IBMs breakthrough chip design, and investing in energyTyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss:- Qualcomm announced it wants to join the

Like it or not, Micron is driving the stock market and the company’s earnings report will tell us a lot about the future of memory and compute demand. Plus, we talk about Meta’s new prediction markets app and Alphabet joining the Dow Jones Industrial Average.Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss:- Memory’s Wild Ride- Micron’s Earnings- Meta & Prediction Markets- Can Zuck Innovate?- Alphabet Joins the Dow- Why the Dow Doesn’t MatterCompanies discussed: Micron (MU), Meta Platforms (META), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL).Host: Travis HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, Rachel WarrenEngineer: Kristi Waterworth Disclosure:

It hasn’t been in many headlines (thanks, AI), but pharmaceutical companies are on a merger & acquisition spree that could break records. With more than $126 billion in deals so far this year, companies are looking for novel drug canddiates and clinical stage companies to bolster their own development pipeline. We’ll take a dive into what’s driving this M&A frenzy and what companies look interesting in the pharmaceutical space today.Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Lou Whiteman discuss:- Big Pharma using big wallets for M&A- Who’s at risk of running off a

The Hidden Gems investing team dissects the big weekend for Toy Story 5 and which stocks could be winners with a resurgent box office. From there Jon, Matt, and Rachel look at how natural gas is poised to power data centers before ending on a listener’s question regarding value investing and how things have changed since Warren Buffett got his start.Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss:-Toy Story 5’s $160 million opening weekend-Hidden winners with growing box office sales-Microsoft’s deal with Chevron to power a Texas data center-Why natural gas

Every time you listen to an earnings call, you're scanning for signs that a company knows where it's going. But what if the most confident-sounding language is actually the biggest red flag? Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren sits down with Phil LeBrun, former international CIO of McDonald's, and Dr. Jana Werner, executive advisor at AWS — co-authors of The Octopus Organization — to unpack why 70 to 90 percent of corporate transformations never deliver what they promised, what they call watermelon reporting — green on the outside, red on the inside

Host Robert Brokamp is joined by Fool contributor Dan Caplinger to answer financial planning questions sent in from listeners, including:-How do ETFs affect the recommendation to own 25 to 50 stocks?-How can a new retiree switch from saving to spending after decades of frugality?-Since stock prices drop after a dividend payment, is it a “nothing-burger”?-How to manage a 529 as a kid gets ready to go to college?-Should you automatically reinvest dividends or use the cash to invest in something else?-What to do when you’re getting a late start on saving

Are layoffs starting to backfire in Silicon Valley? As Robinhood and Rivian announce job cuts, employees at Meta Platforms are starting to revolt against job cuts and reassignments into jobs they didn’t sign up for. Plus, we discuss Fox buying Roku, SpaceX’s $60 billion acquisition, and play the World Cup of Investing. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Emily Flippen discuss: - Robinhood and Rivian Layoffs - Are Layoffs Backfiring? - Fox Buys Roku, But Why? - SpaceX Buys Cursor - World Cup of Investing - Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed:

Data centers might have a climate problem. With more than 80% of data centers worldwide in regions at high risk of drought, flooding, or wildfires. The implication of these trillions in investment being at elevated risk to weather related disasters could have some major downstream issues. Pluis, a dive into Accenture’s earnings and the challenges facing the IT consulting industry.Listeners, we want your voices heard. The SEC is proposing that companies cut their regular reporting in half to two times a year. We think that's a mistake for individual investors.The SEC

The smartphone could be a thing of the past if Snap has its way an Specs take over the market. But at $2,195 it could be a tall task selling these to consumers, even if they were stylish. Plus, we talk about Rivian’s layoffs and Eli Lilly’s latest acquisition. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss: - Snap’s new Specs - Rivian announces more layoffs - Eli Lilly’s acquisition spree continues Companies discussed: Snap (SNAP), Rivian (RIVN), Eli Lilly (LLY), Tesla (TSLA), Meta Platforms (META). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Lou

Pretty much every sports fan dreams of owning their favorite team. Between the bragging rights and the courtside seats, who wouldn’t want to be? While you may not be able to be a partial owner of your favorite team, there are a few opportunities to own a part of team in almost every league. We take a a look at what teams you can own through stocks and whether any are worth an investment. Plius, Robinhood’s layoff announcement and listener questions Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Lou Whiteman discuss: - Robinhood’s

There’s a tentative deal for peace in the Middle East as the U.S. and Iran are set to sign an agreement this week. Jon, Matt, and Rachel talk about how long it will take for things to get back to normal if the deal holds as well as some companies that could get some much needed relief. The team then discusses Anthropic’s Fable 5 shutdown before closing with some thoughts on Fox’s $22 billion acquisition of Roku. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss: -The tentative deal between the U.S.

Every time you buy a stock, you tell yourself a story about why it's going to work. But what if that story is the most dangerous thing in your portfolio? And what if the same behavioral blind spots that trip up individual investors are also quietly undermining the companies you're betting on? Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren talks with Harvard-trained behavioral scientist Julia Dhar, author of How Change Really Works, about why 60 to 75 percent of corporate transformations fail, how to spot false alignment in a leadership team, and the

Tax rates are as low as they've been in decades. Yet due to ballooning government deficits and increasingly underfunded entitlements, it's reasonable to have a hedge against higher tax rates in the future. One way to protect your retirement from higher taxes is to have at least some money in Roth accounts. With the Roth, contributions aren't tax-deductible, but withdrawals are tax-free… but only if you follow the rules, which can be complicated. Robert Brokamp explains what you need to heed.Also in this episode:-The Social Security time bomb ticks louder with

SpaceX is officially public and we explain not only why that matters, but also how it may benefit companies like Alphabet long-term. We also explore what’s wrong at Adobe, why Apple has become boring, and the stocks on our radar. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast discuss: - SpaceX IPO - Who Will Sell SpaceX Stock? - What’s Wrong At Adobe? - Either or Neither - Is Apple All Right - Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed: SpaceX (SPCX), Microsoft (MSFT), Alphabet (GOOG), FormFactor (FORM), Casey’s General Stores (CASY), Target

Oracle’s earnings results made one thing abundantly clear, the spending rate for data centers and AI infrastructure isn’t slowing down any time soon. While the market didn’t respond too favorably to the announcement it was increasing its capital spending for the upcoming fiscal year, there is likely a long list of companies that will benefit. We dig into some of the bottlenecks and pinch points of this massive buildout. Plus, why do international stocks trade at such a discount to American ones? Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss: -

Five years ago, electric vehicles were the talk of the market. But in the U.S., sales of electric vehicles are falling and competition is heating up. With that backdrop, Rivian has introduced the R2 and investors still think this will be a game-changer for the company. We discuss the vehicle and company’s prospects, whether autonomy will be a tailwind, and get to hidden gems on our watchlist in this episode. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss: - Rivian’s R2 launch - The decline of EVs in the U.S. -

There’s no big headline to point to here, but several small data points and policy decisions all point to one thing: Europe wants to build its own digital infrastructure. That could have profound implications for the mega tech companies in the US, but it could also mean opportunities in helping Europe build out a digital infrastructure for AI and autonomy. Plus, what to make of the Shiller CAPE ratio and how to use cash positions. Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Lou Whiteman discuss: - Apple fighting with the EU about Siri

The S&P 500 index is removing Pool Corp and Campbell Soup Company from the index and replacing them with Marvell Technology and Flex. Jon, Matt, and Rachel explain what these two new companies do as well as weigh in on whether they could be hidden gems. After this, the team dives into the mailbag with Rachel leading the discussion on Bristol-Myers Squibb and Matt providing some reflections on age-related investing considerations. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss: -Marvel’s trillion-dollar opportunity -Whether Flex is overvalued right now -Why Bristol-Myers Squibb

Every time you log into a corporate network, send a file, or spin up an AI agent, something has to decide what's allowed and what isn't. So what happens when the number of things asking for access goes from 50 million users to billions of AI agents — and the bad actors have frontier models helping them find the cracks? Motley Fool analyst Jason Moser talks with Zscaler CFO Kevin Rubin about zero trust security, the agentic AI threat landscape, and why the cybersecurity buildout may be one of the most