Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing

For many buy-and-hold investors out there just getting started, knowing how to understand businesses better is one of the first skills to develop. One term that the financial media world has developed for business strengths is economic moat: that “it factor” that keeps its competitors from posing a real threat to its business. Lou, Jon, and Tyler break down what makes a good economic moat, what are some of the “false flags” in moat analysis, and examples of companies with both wide and narrow moats.Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast discuss:- What is an economic moat?- The prototypical model: McDonalds- Misconceptions about moat analysis- Strong “no moat businesses”- Companies with good and bad moatsCompanies discussed: MCD, WM, USLM, TBBB, V, MA, ABNB, FICOHost: Tyler CroweGuests: Lou Whiteman, Jon QuastEngineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates…

Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast debate whether the AI boom is becoming a bubble and what could eventually cause it to burst. They also look at how investors can position portfolios when AI valuations look stretched and massive spending continues. Then, the team breaks down Google’s multibillion-dollar nuclear power deal with Constellation Energy and the enormous energy demands coming from data centers. Finally, they discuss Apple’s latest push into the smart home and whether doorbells, cameras, and a new home hub can move the needle. They discuss: - AI Bubble Risks - Investing Beyond AI - Google’s nuclear deal - Nuclear Power Constraints - Apple’s Smart Home - LG’s End Game Companies discussed: Micron Technology (MU), Alphabet (GOOGL), Constellation Energy (CEG), Microsoft (MSFT), Apple (AAPL), LG Electronics (066570.KS), Amazon (AMZN), ADT (ADT). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Lou Whiteman, Jon Quast Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational…

Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery have officially joined forces in a $110 billion deal, creating a streaming heavyweight with more than 200 million subscribers—and $80 billion in debt. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel break down whether the combined company can compete with Netflix, Disney, and YouTube, and why debt could define its future. They also look at potential winners like movie theaters and live sports, while debating whether Peacock needs a partner or buyer. Plus, Lou pitches a radical Disney-Netflix combination.Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel discuss:- Paramount-Warner Bros. Deal- Bundling Paramount+ and HBO Max- Biggest Winners- Future of Streaming Sports- Peacock’s Tough Spot- How Disney/Netflix WinCompanies discussed: Skydance (SKYD), Netflix (NFLX), Walt Disney (DIS), Alphabet (GOOGL, GOOG), TKO Group Holdings (TKO), Apple (AAPL), AT&T (T), Comcast (CMCSA)Host: Travis HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, Matt FrankelEngineer: Dan BoydDisclosure: Advertisements are sponsored…

Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing helps kick off spooky October with an episode that injects a dose of optimism into investor fears. Specifically, there are fears regarding Anthropic’s risk factors in its S-1, but Jon, Matt, and Rachel remind listeners of past risks that didn’t come to fruition with some great long-term investments. The episode then moves into what is driving the Fear and Greed Index lower before ending with a discussion of where higher bond yields can actually be a good thing. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss: -Risks from S-1 filings for Amazon, Alphabet, and Meta Platforms -Anthropic’s unusual risk factor section -What’s driving the Fear and Greed Index lower -Three stocks that have dropped that are worth buying -When higher bond yields can help investors Companies discussed: Anthropic, Amazon (AMZN), Alphabet (GOOG)(GOOGL), Meta Platforms (META), Dream Finders Home (DFH), Brookfield (BN), Shopify (SHOP), Realty Income (O), Eli Lilly (LLY), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals…

After 40 years managing money for some of the most successful people on Wall Street, Matt Ludmer came to a conclusion that surprised even him: accumulating more rarely made his clients happier. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren sits down with Matt Ludmer — founder of Aligned Wealth Management and author of The Right Mountain — to explore the gap between financial achievement and genuine fulfillment. They dig into the three-pot portfolio strategy Matt developed after managing insurance company money that changed how his clients think about market volatility, why crossing wealth thresholds rarely reduces financial anxiety, and what it actually means to be on the right mountain. Host: Rachel Warren Guest: Matt Ludmer Producers: Bart Shannon, Lauren Budabin Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within…

In this next installment of our Financial Planning Challenge, Host Robert Brokamp and guest Fool Amanda Kish discuss fourth-quarter tax planning to make sure you are paying as much as you’re supposed to – but not a penny more. Topics discussed:-Maxing out tax-advantaged savings accounts-Tax-loss harvesting-Donating appreciated stock, and new rules for deducting charitable contributions for 2026-Getting your withholdings right to avoid penalties-Roth conversions-And more! Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAGuest: Amanda Kish, CFA, CFP®Engineer: Bart Shannon Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity…

We discuss what we’ve learned about the economy and markets through the first three quarters of 2026. Then we turn to Nike’s latest quarter (which was terrible), Netflix’s growth concerns, and we play “Over/Under”. As always, we end with the stocks on our radar. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jason Hall discuss: - What We Learned Thru Q3 - Consumer Health - Is Nike Toast? - Over/Under - Netflix Growth - Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed: Nike (NKE), Netlfix (NFLX), Meta Platforms (META), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Accenture (ACN), CareTrust REIT (CTRE). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Lou Whiteman, Jason Hall Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations…

For years, Wall Street has wanted to be able to sell private assets to more individual investors. This week, the Securities and Exchange Commission just made some major rule changes that could make it possible. Lou, Jon, and Tyler break down who actually benefits from these proposed changes, and what investors need to look out for if they dabble in private assets. Plus, Accenture bucks the AI narrative (for now) and a listener question about portfolio sizing Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast discuss: - Accenture earnings surprise - Did we sell to early? - New rules to make private assets available to everyone - Tips for investing in private assets vs. public equities - Mailbag: How much speculation is the right amount? Companies discussed: ACN, IT, TTD, SPCX, AMZN, NFLX, TSLA Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Jon Quast, Lou Whiteman Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and…

OpenAI introduced Dots yesterday following Meta’s Muse becoming a smash hit over the past month. But is this a desperate attempt to stay relevant or a breakthrough in AI? We discuss that and cover Anthropic’s latest numbers and the delayed IPO of Aura. Travis Hoium, Rachel Warren, and Lou Whiteman discuss: - Dots Are Here! - Should Muse Worry? - Anthropic’s Prospectus Leak - What We’re Looking For in the S-1 - Aura’s IPO Delay - A Closing Window Companies discussed: Meta Platforms (META). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Rachel Warren, Lou Whiteman Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment…

If it was just one airline, it would be an outlier, but the entire airline industry is moving towards premiumization of the cabin. Alaska Airlines was the most recent company to announce that it is investing to cater to wealthier clientele with better (and more) first class cabins. Lou, Matt, and Tyler break down the strategy behind this industry wide move and whether it finally makes the airline industry a worthwhile investment. Plus, do you buy what these companies are selling and a lister question on growth in essential sectors.Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.comTyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel discuss:- The strategy of premium everything in airlines- Will airlines ever make great buy-and-hold stocks?- Do you Buy it? Delayed IPOs, AI safety, big investment plans, orbital compute- Mailbag: Growth in consumer staplesCompanies discussed: ALK, DAL, UAL, LUV, AER, ULCC, SPCX, COST, ADM, PM, NVDAHost: Tyler CroweGuests: Lou Whiteman, Matt FrankelEngineer: Dan BoydDisclosure: Advertisements…

Sure, when NVIDIA announced that its board of directors had approved the largest share repurchase authorization in the market’s history, it was going to make some headlines. But does that number really matter to a $5 trillion company? Lou, Rachel, and Tyler argue that NVDIA’s buyback may have been a little…light. Plus, navigating the new reality of the defense & security industry and the mailbag. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren: - NVIDIA’s $150 billion buy back plan - The case for a $500 billion buyback - NVIDIA’s AI safety plan and what the market doesn’t like - What to make of all these new defense companies - Mailbag: Thoughts on Klarna? Companies discussed: NVDA, GOOGL, META, AMZN, BEAG, RKLB, KLAR Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Lou Whiteman, Rachel Warren Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend,…

Most people assume Apple's retail dominance comes from great products. Ron Johnson, the man who actually built the Apple Store alongside Steve Jobs, says that's only half the story. Motley Fool host Jason Moser sits down with Ron Johnson — creator of the Apple Store and author of Shop Different — to explore what Steve Jobs really cared about, why Apple's new CEO John Turnus doesn't need to be in a hurry, and what Ron's very public stumble at JCPenney taught him that two decades of success at Target and Apple never could. Host: Jason Moser Guest: Ron Johnson Producers: Bart Shannon, Lauren Budabin Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or…

Host Robert Brokamp is joined by Motley Fool contributor Dan Caplinger to answer financial planning questions sent in from listeners, including:-Is it better to invest in Treasury bills directly or through an ETF or fund?-How to avoid the 10% early distribution penalty if retiring before age 59 1/2-The pros and cons of closed-end funds-Is 90% in stocks too aggressive for a portion of a retirement portfolio?-Sell stocks or take out a loan to pay for graduate school?-Do Roth conversions make sense in your 60s? Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAGuest: Dan CaplingerEngineer: Bart Shannon Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with…

Meta had a big week as Muse continues to be the hottest product in AI and Meta Connect introduced new glasses, a VR headset, and a charm all powered by Muse. But is this another AI flash in the pan or a fundamental change in how we use technology? Plus, we discuss Oracle’s data center problem, the best tech hardware of 2026, and TPUs in space. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Emily Flippen discuss: - Meta’s New Hardware - Muse’s Future - Oracle Declard Force Majeure - Ranking Tech Hardware - TPUs in Space - Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed: Meta Platforms (META), Alphabet (GOOG), Stitch Fix (SFIX), Royal Caribbean (RCL), Oracle (ORCL). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Lou Whiteman, Emily Flippen Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer,…

Two years into a four year plan to build a massive data center in New Mexico, Oracle is already claiming force majeure. The company announced it would not be on the hook for payments should the project not meet its deadlines. Lou, Jon, and Tyler break down why Oracle seems so intent on getting ahead of this right now and the implications it may have down the road. Plus, maybe fintech doesn’t have that many barriers to entry after all and a listener question about spinoffs Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast discuss: - Oracle is already preparing for delayed data centers - Is its commitments to OpenAI a reason behind it? - Mailbag: How to handle spinoffs - Latin American and European fintechs are coming to America - Mailbag: European AI Infrastructure stocks? Companies discussed: ORCL, OWL, BE, MDT, MMED, GEV, GEHC, SOFI, XYZ, TOST, FOUR Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Lou Whiteman, Jon Quast Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and…

Muse has driven Meta Platforms to a nearly $2 trillion valuation and has captured the market’s attention. But how will Meta make money from Muse and who will the other winners in the industry be? Plus, we discuss the competition and whether Amazon sees this as an existential threat. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Tyler Crowe discuss:- Muse v Amazon- How Muse Will Make Money- Shopify’s Bet- Expedia on Muse- Who Wins an Agentic Future? Companies discussed: Expedia (EXPE), Meta Platforms (META), Alphabet (GOOG). Host: Travis HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, Tyler CroweEngineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with…

Space, the final (investing) frontier? Space stocks have garnered copious amounts of investor attention as of late, and much of the success of the space economy hinges on a small handful of rocket companies bringing down the cost of launch. That could get much more complicated if SpaceX sunsets its falcon 9 rocket by 2028 as has been announced. Matt, Lou, and Tyler discuss how the industry can respond to such a change and what opportunities or risks is poses. Plus, the rate of dividend cuts is rising and listener questions Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel discuss: - SpaceX’s plan to sunset the falcon 9 by 2028 - Who’s ready to step up in the industry - navigating the minefields of the space industry - Look out for dividend cuts - Mailbag: European AI Infrastructure stocks? Companies discussed: SPCX, RKLB, VOYG, FLY, KRMN, CPB, AMCR, CC, GPMT, ONL, UPS, ASML, SIEGY, SBGSY, PRYMY, CRWV, NBIS Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Lou Whiteman, Matt Frankel Engineer:…

The price of diesel fuel is at an all-time high, creating challenges for the economy as it fuels inflation. Jon, Tyler, and Matt discuss why it’s hard to get prices down, as well as how everyday consumers could be impacted. Additionally, Warren Buffett has officially retired and the team discusses the pros and cons of Berkshire Hathaway’s now fully implemented succession plan before ending with a question from our mailbag about when to buy stocks. Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Tyler Crowe discuss: -Diesel’s record high price and its economic impacts -The challenge of getting prices back down -Berkshire Hathaway’s succession plan -The potential of a Berkshire dividend -Mailbag: Down stocks showing signs of life Companies discussed: Valero (VLO), UPS (UPS), FedEx (FDX), Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)(BRK.B), Coca-Cola (KO), Conagra Brands (CAG), Target (TGT) Host: Jon Quast Guests: Matt Frankel, Tyler Crowe Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes…

Why do the most credentialed people on earth — the ones who checked every box, Stanford, Goldman, KKR, Harvard Business School — end up making the safest, most probable choices of their lives? In Part 2 of his conversation with Motley Fool's Rachel Warren, Reza Satchu breaks down his three-word framework for spotting real conviction versus hype (authenticity, momentum, inevitability), why capital allocation is the sharpest test of a CEO's judgment, his biggest regret as a founder (waiting too long to fire people), and the "curse of optionality" that keeps talented people from ever committing to anything. He closes with the one small, repeatable habit he wants every investor and founder to build to train their own judgment muscle. Host: Rachel Warren Guest: Reza Satchu Producers: Dennis Golin, Lauren Budabin Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or…

We all want to eventually get to the point when work is optional. But some people make it a goal to get there much sooner – perhaps even by their 30s or 40s. One fellow who knows a lot about how to do it is Brad Barrett, the co-founder of the ChooseFI website and the co-host of the ChooseFI podcast. In this episode, Robert Brokamp spoke with Brad about:-The evolution of the financial independence, retirement early (FIRE) movement, and why many have dropped the RE and focus on the FI.-The savings rates and spending mindsets that are the foundations of financial independence-Identifying the “why” that motivates you to make sometimes hard choices-The flourishing FI community that crowd-sources ideas and provides support when living a somewhat counter-cultural lifestyle Send your financial planning questions for our upcoming mailbag episode to podcasts@fool.com. Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAGuest: Brad Barrett, CPAEngineer: Bart Shannon Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for…

Consumer data is still strong, but companies are telling us a different story. Sales are down, guidance has been rough, and with oil and interest rates rising what’s the future for the consumer? Plus, we discuss this week’s AI ups and downs and the stocks on our radar. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Dan Caplinger discuss: - Are Consumers OK? - Interest Rate Takes - AI This Week - Bargain Stocks - End of an Era - Stocks On Our Radar Companies discussed: Nike (NKE), Lululemon (LULU), Deckers Outdoor (DECK), On Holding (ONON), Lennar (LEN), DR Horton (DHI), Toll Brothers (TOL), Meritage Homes (MTH), Chipotle (CMG), Sweetgreen (SG), Dutch Bros (BROS), Wendy’s (WEN), Wingstop (WING), GM (GM), Ford (F), Ferrari (RACE), Tesla (TSLA), Meta (META), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Lou Whiteman, Dan Caplinger Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse,…

Every few years, a investing theme comes about that momentarily captures the zeitgeist, but then fades into the background just as quickly. Anyone that has invested in nuclear stocks recently is the most recent in a long line of investing trends that get caught up in frantic enthusiasm that far surpasses the industry’s progress. Jon, Matt, and Tyler share war stories of the hype cycles they got caught up in and how investors can avoid that fate. Plus, Lennar’s earnings in a rate hike cycle and the mailbag. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss: - Homebuilders in a rate hike cycle. - Are there housing stocks that aren’t playing the waiting game? - Hype cycles vs. durable trends - What part of the cycle fits you best? - Mailbag: Pullback stock ideas. Companies discussed: LEN, FIGR, UPST, INVH, AMH, OKLO, PTON, FIVE, XYZ, MELI, AXON, BN Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Jon Quast, Matt Frankel Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and…

We’re likely to have two trillion dollar IPOs in the next year with Anthropic and OpenAI eyeing the market. And they’ll join Meta, Google, SpaceX, and more in the AI race. But does anyone really have a durable advantage? We discuss that and where we see opportunities in AI. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel discuss: - AI Moats - Fragile Competitive Advantage - Valuing AI Stocks - Metrics to Watch - Stock Opportunities Companies discussed: Meta Platforms (META), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), SpaceX (SPCX), Modine Manufacturing (MOD), NVIDIA (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Lou Whiteman, Matt Frankel Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no…

The US government and governments all over the world have played some active role in the day to day decision making at businesses for years. What we haven’t seen, though, is the US government take active equity stakes in businesses and so directly shape the capital allocation decisions. That has changed under the current administration and has profound impacts on how these business work. Matt, Lou, and Tyler break down the consequences of governments shaping business decisions as an equity investor. Plus, earnings from a Hidden Gems favorite and a listener question Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Lou Whiteman, and Matt Frankel discuss: - Forgent Power solutions earnings and outlook - The administration's active role in business deals - Mailbag: How to deal with volatility Companies discussed: FPS, ELMT, MP, INTC, BA, EADSY Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Lou Whiteman, Matt Frankel Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes…

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, an investing trend palette cleanser and how to view dividends. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Rachel Warren, and Travis Hoium discuss: - OpenAI, Anothropic, and more sound the AI alarm - A safety problem or a business fundamentals problem - Consumer discretionary stocks: Value or value trap? - AI accelerating drug discovery - Mailbag: How important are dividends? Companies discussed: GOOGL, AMZN, NVDA, AVGO, AMZN, MEDP, IQV, KRYS, MRNA, KNSA, DIS Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Travis Hoium, Rachel Warren…

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 to sell it a year later for $1.7 billion. Host: Rachel Warren Guest: Reza Satchu Producers: Dennis Golin, Lauren Budabin Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no…

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 years before age 59 1/2 and avoid the 10% early distribution penalty.Have a question for our upcoming financial planning mailbag episode? Email it to podcasts@fool.com. Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAEngineer: Bart Shannon Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or…

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), Howmet Aerospace (HWM), Tesla (TSLA), Disney (DIS), Uber (UBER), Costco (COST). Host: Travis HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, Jason HallEngineer: Bart Shannon Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any…

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 & Casey’s General Store earnings and what makes a good acquirer. Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com Tyler Crowe, Jon Quast, and MAtt Frankel discuss:- Chewy’s earnings- Casey’s General Store earnings- Apple’s new iPhone Duo- New CEO, new Focus?- Mailbag: is acquisition a good strategy? Companies discussed: CHWY, CASY, APPL, AJG Host: Tyler CroweGuests: Jon Quast, Matt FrankelEngineer: Dennis Golin Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates…

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: Travis HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, Rachel WarrenEngineer: Kristi Waterworth Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations…

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 Aerospace acquires Consolidated Precision Prodcuts - The winners and losers of the deal - Boston Scientific’s cybersecurity hack fallout - Will cybersecurity make these industries less appealing to investors? - Mailbag: when is a reverse stock split good? Companies discussed: GE, HWM, BA, HONA, RTX, BSX, NVO, CRWD, IBM, BKNG Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure:…

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 to look for when companies are investing profits -What needs to go right for Enphase Energy -Bloom Energy’s potential moat -How trillion-dollars IPOs could create market ripples Companies discussed: Coca-Cola (KO), WM (WM), S&P Global (SPGI), Enphase Energy (ENPH), Bloom Energy (BE), Vertiv (VRT), Eaton (ETN), Schneider Electric (SBGSY), Space Exploration Technologies (SPCX), Rocket Lab (RKLB), Alphabet (GOOG)(GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN) Host: Jon…

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 in retirement-The value of SWAN (sleep well at night) money-Turning your portfolio into a paycheck via multi-asset class income investing Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAGuest: Wes Moss, CFP®Engineer: Kristi Waterworth Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the…

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 net worth and income of happy retirees-Why even wealthy retirees fear running out of money, and how to relieve that anxiety-The relationship between retirement happiness and carrying a mortgageTune in tomorrow for Part 2! Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAGuest: Wes Moss, CFP®Engineer: Kristi Waterworth Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley…

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 (META), Adobe (ADBE), Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS), On Holding (ONON), Lululemon (LULU). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Lou Whiteman, Jon Quast Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer,…

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 now-Increasing opposition to the data center buildout-Whether the current slowdown continues and what it means for top data center stocks-Mailbag: My stock is down. Should I buy more?Companies discussed: Snowflake (SNOW), Marvell (MRVL), Celestica (CLS), Sterling Infrastructure (STRL) Host: Jon QuastGuests: Matt Frankel, Lou WhitemanEngineer: Bart Shannon Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided 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 HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, Rachel WarrenEngineer: Kristi Waterworth We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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: Amazon (AMZN), Apple (AAPL), Meta (META). Host: Travis HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, and Matt FrankelEngineer: Kristi Waterworth Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and…

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 thesis?-Things that break an investment thesis-Things that make an investment thesis Companies discussed: Nvidia (NVDA), Tesla (TSLA), Nextdoor (NXDR), Zscaler (ZS), Realty Income (O) Host: Jon QuastGuests: Matt Frankel, Rachel WarrenEngineer: Kristi Waterworth Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, "TMF") do…

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 an ever-growing sales and marketing budget. He also shares the one financial metric he trusts above all others — and the surprisingly mundane AI use cases he's most excited about. Host: Rachel Warren Guest: Rob Snyder Producers: Kristi Waterworth, Lauren Budabin Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of…

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 state, you can do a lot of estate planning on your own by updating beneficiary, payable on death, and transfer on death designations on your accounts and insurance policies-What should be included in your will-When to consider a trust-Creating your “financial vault” – the document that will let your loved ones know what to do and where to find everything when you’re no longer able to manage your finances (temporarily or eternally) Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAGuest:…

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 and losers in AI cybersecurity - Dick’s worst day ever - As always, stocks on our radar Companies discussed: Nvidia (NVDA), Marvell (MRVL), CrowdStrike (CRWD), SentinelOne (S), Okta (OKTA), PayPal (PYPL), AppLovin (APP), Sterling Infrastructure (STRL), Dick’s Sporting Goods (DKS), Atlanta Braves Holdings (BATRA), Forget Power Solutions (FPS) Host: Jon Quast Guests: Jason Hall, Matt Frankel Engineer: Dan Boyd…

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, and Jon Quast discuss: - NVIDIA’s earnings and guidance update - The winners and losers from NVIDIA’s earnings - Crowdstrike’s earnings - Is Crowdstrike’s stock a buy? - Mailbag: Is local AI a hyperscaler problem? Companies discussed: NVDA, HP, DELL, CRDO, ONTO, IESC, GRMN, RBRK, ZS, SPCX, Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Jon Quast, Matt Frankel Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational…

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 billion settlement - Was this a “best case scenario” for Meta? - Intuit’s earnings: SasSpocalyse or corporate complacency? - Mailbag: Will Uber’s European fines impact its future? Companies discussed: META, GOOGL, INTU, UBER Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Matt Frankel, Rachel Warren Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse,…

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 of Walker & Dunlop - CVS HEalth’s turnaround candidacy - Is UPS a value or a value trap? Companies discussed: DKS, NKE, ONON, ASO, UA, CROX, WD, CVS, UPS, AMZN Host: Tyler Crowe Guests: Matt Frankel, Rachel Warren Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or…

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 not? -What is Jevon’s Paradox? -What to watch after acquisition announcements Companies discussed: Nvidia (NVDA), AMD (AMD), Warner Bros Discovery (WBD), Paramount Skydance (PSKY) Host: Jon Quast Guests: Matt Frankel, Rachel Warren Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse,…

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 to build AI infrastructure, and what investors need to actually be tracking as hundreds of billions of dollars flow into the AI build-out — including whether the data centers being built today will still be operating in ten years. Host: Rachel Warren Guest: Hannan Happi Producers: Dennis Golin, Lauren Budabin Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the…

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 portfolio as you get closer to retirement-Deciding when to retire, and planning for the possibility that it may be sooner than you prefer-Strategies for lowering your tax bill over the course of retirement-The benefits of categorizing the often-complex decisions about retirement as green, yellow, and red-The “arrival fallacy” and steps to take to ensure your retirement is as fulfilling as possible Host: Robert Brokamp, CFP®, EAGuest: Dana Anspach, CFP®, RMA®Engineer: Kristi Waterworth…

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 (PTON), Moderna (MRNA), Union Pacific (UNP), Apple (AAPL). Host: Travis HoiumGuests: Lou Whiteman, Jim GilliesEngineer: Bart Shannon Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and…

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 AI assistants and agentic AI- Uber’s partnership with Zipline- Amazon’s big “splash” with drone delivery- Why AGNT stock hasn’t been a winning investment…yet Companies discussed: HD, LOW, TJX, WMT, TGT, UBER, AMZN, BRK.A, BRK.B, AGNT, REAX Host: Tyler CroweGuests: Matt Frankel, Jon QuastEngineer: Bart Shannon Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates…