Author: The Motley Fool

The markets and companies react to a shift in international trade. And Softbank’s Masayoshi Son continues to bet big in tech.

(00:14) Asit Sharma and Dylan Lewis discuss:

- The Trump Administrations plans for tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, and the “de minimus” exemption on imports below $800.

- How businesses like cross-border railroad Canada Pacific Kansas City are responding to tariffs potentials affecting the flow and volume of goods.

- OpenAI and Softbank’s latest set of announcements – a $3B enterprise contract and joint venture to bring artificial intelligence offerings to Japanese businesses.

(17:43) In the week before Trump’s inauguration, the FDA announced that Zyn, the viral nicotine pouch, would be allowed to stay on the market. Mary Long talks with Fool analyst Nick Sciple about what these regulatory changes mean for Big Tobacco’s “smoke-free” future.

Companies discussed: CP, SFTBY, PDD PM, MO

Host: Dylan Lewis

Guests: Asit Sharma, Mary Long, Nick Sciple

Producer: Mary Long

Engineers: Rick Engdahl

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The man behind SoftBank has now teamed up with OpenAI to invest up to $500 billion in American AI infrastructure over the next four years. Masayoshi Son has a vision for the future of the world. But what does that vision look like?

Lionel Barber is the former Editor-in-Chief of The Financial Times and author of the book “Gambling Man: The Secret Story of the World’s Greatest Disruptor, Masayoshi Son.” Ricky Mulvey caught up with Barber to discuss:

- Masa Son’s instincts as a salesperson and investor.

- Why the founder is still driven by his roots.

- Questions for anyone who’s tempted to put their life savings into SoftBank.

Tickers mentioned: SFTBY, NVDA

Host: Ricky Mulvey

Guest: Lionel Barber

Producer: Mary Long

Engineer: Rick Engdahl

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The market was left with more questions than answers about the next era of artificial intelligence. As we wait, the hyperscalers keep spending.

(00:44) Jason Moser and Asit Sharma discuss:

- The shockwaves of a cheaper, more efficient option in AI compute, and why big tech leaders like Microsoft and Meta are sticking to their buildout plans.

- Apple’s continued struggles to find growth with the iPhone and its China business.

(19:03) The earnings rundown continues!

- Tesla finishes a flat year, but has big futurey plans for 2025 and 2026.

- Starbucks’ first quarter under Brian Niccol looks a lot like the previous ones as the new CEO tries to get “Back to Starbucks.”

- Visa and Mastercard show the consumer is still doing quite alright.

(34:47) Jason and Asit break down two stocks on their radar: UPS and ServiceNow.

Stocks discussed: ASML, MSFT, META, AAPL, TSLA, SBUX, MA, V, UPS, NOW

Host: Dylan Lewis

Guests: Jason Moser, Asit Sharma

Engineers: Rick Engdahl

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Meta and Microsoft are now spending roughly 30% of their annual revenues on capital expenditures. What are they hoping to get from all that investment?

(00:14) Asit Sharma and Mary Long break down earnings from Meta and Microsoft. They also discuss:

- Whether the DeepSeek story changes how investors should view off-the-walls AI spending.

- The future of Reality Labs.

- Microsoft’s $13B-and-growing AI business.

- Why “fungible fleet” is a potentially ominous phrase for Sam Altman

Companies discussed: META, MSFT, NVDA

Host: Mary Long

Guest: Asit Sharma

Producer: Ricky Mulvey

Engineer: Rick Engdahl

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New CEO Brian Niccol, same struggles at Starbucks – falling comps and foot traffic.

(00:14) Anthony Schiavone and Dylan Lewis discuss:

- The market’s very upbeat reaction to Starbucks’ fairly lackluster results.

- Brian Niccol’s “Back to Starbucks” plan and the progress so far.

- Brad Jacob’s plans to run his proven acquisition playbook at QXO, and why Beacon isn’t eager to be bought up.

(13:16) Is there a way to make clothing rentals work? If there is, Rent the Runway hasn’t quite figured it out. But a quiet competitor might have. Fool analyst Nick Sciple joins Mary Long to talk about a mall retailer with a subscription side hustle.

Companies discussed: SBUX, QXO, BECN, RENT, URBN, ANF

Host: Dylan Lewis

Guests: Anthony Schiavone, Nick Sciple, Mary Long

Engineers: Rick Engdahl

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The airline has wasted resources on two failed growth strategies. Can a new plan turn the plane around?

(00:14) Jason Moser and Mary Long discuss:

- Why not all airlines are facing the same headwinds

- GM’s quarterly net loss

- The just-announced partnership between X and Visa.

Then, (14:54), Robert “Bro” Brokamp and Amy Bach talk about how homeowners can better understand their insurance policies and how to prepare for a potential loss.

Tickers mentioned: JBLU, UAL, DAL, GM, V

Host: Mary Long

Guests: Jason Moser, Robert “Bro” Brokamp, Amy Bach

Engineers: Rick Engdahl, Austin Morgan

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The tech battle between China and the U.S. is heating up – one player just showed the world that Ai can be done well with a lot less.

(00:14) Tim Beyers and Dylan Lewis discuss:

- The Chinese app that is shaking up the AI landscape – DeepSeek – and how its leaner, less resource-intensive approach will affect artificial intelligence technology.

- Why software prowess and efficiency will be the major themes for AI in 2025.

- What to focus on when the affected big tech companies – Apple, Microsoft, Meta, ASML – report earnings this week.

(19:15) Senior Fool Analyst David Meier, interviews John Zahurancik Fluence Energy’s President of the Americas, about the utilities side of the renewables market.

Companies discussed: MSFT, NVDA, AAPL, ASML, FLNC

Host: Dylan Lewis

Guests: Tim Beyers, David Meier, John Zahurancik

Engineers: Rick Engdahl

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There’s more to the legendary chipmaker than its tech stack.

Tae Kim is a Senior Technology writer at Barron’s and author of the new book, “The Nvidia Way.” Best-selling author Morgan Housel interviews Kim for a conversation about:

- The early days at Nvidia and its long path to “overnight” success.

- What drives Nvidia’s employees.

- How Jensen Huang takes long-term thinking to the extreme.

Premium Motley Fool members can catch Morgan and Tae’s full conversation here: https://www.fool.com/premium/4056/coverage/2025/01/15/ai-summit-the-nvidia-way

To become a premium Motley Fool member, go to www.fool.com/signup

Host: Morgan Housel

Guest: Tae Kim

Producer: Mac Greer, Mary Long

Engineer: Tim Sparks, Rick Engdahl

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At new all-time highs, the market’s valuation concerns aren’t going away anytime soon. But they’re also not keeping big money from being committed to artificial intelligence.

(00:44) Jason Moser and Asit Sharma discuss:

- The S&P 500s new highs, what to make of the market’s valuation and what some of the big names on The Street have to say about it.

- Stargate, the new $500B planned joint venture between OpenAI, Softbank, and some of the biggest names in tech.

- Fantastic earnings reports from Netflix, GE Aerospace, and Twilio.

(19:03) Tim Beyers talks with Frances Schwiep, a partner at Two Sigma Ventures, about where the biggest early-stage opportunities are right now in the AI ecosystem and what to look for in great founders.

AI Summit interview with Frances Schwiep: https://www.fool.com/premium/4056/coverage/2025/01/15/ai-summit-2025-interview-with-frances-schwiep

(32:30) Asit and Jason check in on their new year’s resolutions and offer up two stocks on their radar: Nike and Garmin.

Stocks discussed: MSFT, NVDA, ORCL, NFLX, GE, TWLO, NKE, GRMN

Host: Dylan Lewis

Guests: Asit Sharma, Jason Moser, Tim Beyers, Frances Schweip

Engineers: Rick Engdahl

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...as if it didn’t have enough already!

(00:14) Asit Sharma and Mary Long discuss:

- The new venture to build out American AI infrastructure.

- How 20 data centers get a $500 billion price tag.

- GE Aerospace’s razor-and-blades business model.

Then, (19:15), Seth Jayson joins to walk through why the rooftop solar industry doesn’t look so sunny.

Companies mentioned: MSFT, ORCL, NVDA, GE, ENPH, SEDG

To become a premium Motley Fool member, go to www.fool.com/signup

Host: Mary Long

Guests: Asit Sharma, Seth Jayson

Engineer: Rick Engdahl

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