Market Mondays (EYL Network)

Episode: Are Tech Stocks Back? Bitcoin’s Recovery Test, & Top Stocks to Buy

Release Date: February 10, 2026
Hosts: Troy Millings, Rashad Bilal, Ian Dunlap

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the current volatility in tech and AI stocks, Bitcoin’s recent rollercoaster, and strategies to approach the market in 2026. The hosts also discuss whether the AI boom is a bubble, top stocks to buy, and provide hard-hitting trading and investing advice. The latter part features Harlem Chocolate Factory founder Jessica Spalding, spotlighting the realities of Black entrepreneurship and access to capital.

Tone: Candid, energetic, and educational with doses of humor and real talk.
Language: Authentic, community-focused, a mix of expert financial analysis and relatable storytelling.

Table of Contents

1. Market Sentiment: AI vs. Software and Recent Pullbacks
2. Bitcoin’s Drop and Recovery: What’s Next?
3. Is the AI Boom a Bubble?
4. Trading Tips, Investor Mindset & Risk Management
5. Best Stocks to Buy Now (and Not to Buy)
6. Key Company Deep Dives
   • Microsoft
   • AMD
   • Micron
   • Robinhood
7. Entrepreneur Story: Harlem Chocolate Factory & Access to Capital
8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
9. Timestamps for Main Segments

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1. Market Sentiment: AI vs. Software and Recent Pullbacks

• AI stocks are outpacing traditional software: Massive drops in legacy software companies as AI disrupts (“Figma down 85%, Trade Desk down 78%, Atlassian down 68%” — Ian Dunlap, [07:27]).

• Software not dead, but…: Industry leaders still see a space for software within the AI boom, but “right now is not the time” as investors reroute capital ([08:58]).

  • “The sentiment around it… is not in its favor right now.” — Rashad Bilal, [09:24]

• Tech giants recalibrating for AI: Winners are the handful of big players (Nvidia, Microsoft, Google), and those not swiftly adapting are losing market share.

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2. Bitcoin’s Drop and Recovery: What’s Next?

• Market Recap: Bitcoin briefly fell ~$10,000 in a day, hitting ~$60k, then rebounded ([22:55]).

  • “Whenever you see something drop like that, there’s a few things that can happen. You got some group of people happy — it’s an opportunity. Some get greedy and wait for more downside. Some panic sell. And some stay on the sidelines forever.” — Troy Millings, [29:12]

• Strategic View:

  • Ian expects another pullback, potentially to the $65k level before a longer-term breakout into the $90-113k range by summer ([24:49], [26:23]).
    • “Wait to an area where there’s asymmetric risk, where you can’t lose — like that 60,063 level…”
  • Don’t panic sell or try to time every bounce. Think long-term.
  • You can buy fractional shares or via ETFs (BlackRock’s IBIT).

• Is a crash to $48k possible?

  • Not likely in the short term; would require a broader market slide of 20% or more ([31:32]).

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3. Is the AI Boom a Bubble?

Debate Highlights:

• Troy: “Definitely a bubble in the broader AI space, especially among unprofitable startups and non-public companies.” ([34:31], [37:23])
  • Pulls data: 60% of VC money to AI, 70% of AI startups unprofitable, 90-95% of corporate AI projects fail ROI.
• Rashad: “Not a bubble for the leading companies (Microsoft, Nvidia, etc). There are bubbles within sectors, but overall AI is not a bubble — the max 7 are generating massive revenues.” ([35:35], [39:13])
• Ian: “I think we’re in a bubble outside the top 7–10 firms. Some companies benefited from AI hype without fundamentals.” ([39:47])

Conclusion:

• General agreement: AI boom is driving a bubble in lower-tier and startup space, while mega-caps are positioned to thrive.
  • “The Elite 10 or Elite 8 will be on the ark. No pun intended. And a lot will be washed out.” — Ian Dunlap, [40:43]

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4. Trading Tips, Investor Mindset & Risk Management

• Simplicity in Process:

  • “If you can’t look at the market with your setup and decide within 60 seconds where to get in, your process is too complicated. Make it simpler.” — Ian Dunlap, [14:21]

• Sizing Up:

  • “At some point, futures traders, you have to size up. You deserve to be rich, Rodrigo. Put more capital into things that will pay you well.” — Ian Dunlap, [15:59]

• Handling Volatility:

  • “We saw a 2% pullback in the Nasdaq… didn’t hear any panic. That’s discipline. That’s experience. Those who hold through the turmoil are rewarded.” — Rashad Bilal, [17:20]-[20:00]

• Emotional Discipline:

  • Analogies between turbulence on an airplane and market drawdowns: don’t jump out at every bump ([18:55]).
  • “The people who come in and say, I got 10,000 and then that goes to five and they’re like, I’m out — you’ve skipped some steps.” — Rashad Bilal, [17:39]
  • Learning to “hold through the turmoil,” and not let volatility chase you out of quality positions.

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5. Best Stocks to Buy Now (and Not to Buy)

• No easy 10x under $20 equities:

  • Q: What are your top stocks under $20?
  • “I analyzed myself… There are none that I would put my money into.” — Ian Dunlap, [48:18], [49:18]
  • Rashad lists possible acquisition targets: Warner Bros Discovery, Lyft, Snap, Ford, Mercedes — but none he’d be excited to buy for growth.

• Focus on Quality:

  • “You only need four to six companies that you believe in, not 14-15 stocks.” — Ian Dunlap, [51:21]
  • Indexing, then concentrated conviction in a handful of winners.

Top 3 Long-Term Holdings (Ian’s picks):

1. Amgen
2. Eli Lilly
3. Google ([55:30])

Rashad/Troy highlights (if not limited to tech): Nvidia, Google, TSM, Tesla ([56:59]).

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6. Key Company Deep Dives

A. Microsoft ([68:41])

• Buy under $400?
  • Ian: Prefers $352 zone, but likes at $379 if you’re long-term.
  • Rashad: Drop is overblown, it’s a healthy pullback. Fundamentals strong, relationship with Anthropic offers AI insurance. Buy and hold recommended.

B. AMD ([73:40])

• Buy Zone:
  • Ian: Loves $194-195 area as entry, “by April we should be back at $250.”
  • Rashad: “The story hasn’t changed… Pullbacks are opportunities for new entry.”

C. Micron (MU) ([87:50])

• Short-term run?
  • Ian: “Any deep dip you have to buy it. If you’re not looking to hold for long term, you’re going to have deep regret in two or three years.”
  • Rashad: “Wouldn’t be surprised at a $500 or even $600 end of year target.”

D. Robinhood ([81:49])

• Generational buy?
  • Ian: Bullish long-term, especially for new/young investors. Not a pure bitcoin proxy but has exposure.
  • Rashad: Crafting brokerage for the next-gen investor, attention to user needs.
  • Both: Current pullback is more about broad economic sentiment than any Robinhood-specific weakness.

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7. Entrepreneur Story: Harlem Chocolate Factory & Access to Capital ([91:10]-[117:26])

Guest: Jessica Spalding, founder of Harlem Chocolate Factory

• The story:

  • Built brand from nothing after winning a contest, finding quick traction — but hit a brick wall trying to scale due to lack of suitable production space and capital.
  • “More orders actually has put us in a worse financial position… You’re low-key drowning me.” — Jessica, [95:41]
  • Struggled to access funding while being used as the marketing face by government initiatives ([106:19]).
  • Turned to GoFundMe after repeated rejections and goalpost-moving by both public and private funders.
  • “I was on New York City’s fund finder… my face on there… but I couldn’t get funding — zero available.” — Jessica, [106:39]
  • Facing the real-life pain of cashflow gaps and the trade-offs between retail (labor, margins) vs. wholesale/partnership model.

• Lessons for entrepreneurs:

  • Consider true margins, scalability, and the difference between sales channels and business models.
  • Real entrepreneurship isn’t always pretty; the “success story” is often glossed over.

• Community Call to Action: Raising $50k (ideally $100k) to bridge to the next growth phase.

  • Contact/Support: Harlem Chocolate Factory, @harlemchocolatefactory IG

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8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On FOMO and sticking to your plan
  • “If you can’t look at the market and decide within 60 seconds where to get in, your process is too complicated.” — Ian Dunlap [14:21]
• On market discipline
  • “Stop closing your trades early… You have to hold through the turmoil.” — Ian, [19:43]
• On success and community
  • “When you make people money and you add value, they’ll be forever indebted to you.” — Rashad Bilal, [00:54]
• On the AI bubble
  • “Just the fact that Nvidia and Microsoft have been flat or ranging for a year, there are some signs that they’re trying to wash out. The Elite 10 will be on the ark. The rest will be washed out.” — Ian, [40:43]
• On entrepreneurship
  • “We confuse models with sales channels… If it requires you to operate differently, then it’s a different model and not just an additional sales channel.” — Jessica, [102:39]
• On Black female entrepreneurship
  • “We’re over-educated in degrees that don’t actually make money… My face has been used as a part of many campaigns, but if I go for funding, I get turned down.” — Jessica, [100:21]
• On giving back
  • “Sometimes in life you just got to do good — good things because it could potentially come back to you or maybe doesn’t come back to you, but it still helps people.” — Troy Millings, [120:37]

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9. Timestamps for Key Segments

• Market News, AI vs. Software Drops: [07:19] – [13:42]
• Bitcoin’s Drop and Recovery: [22:03] – [33:02]
• AI Bubble Debate: [34:02] – [44:48]
• Trading Psychology & Risk: [14:21] – [20:59]
• Stock Picks (Long-term, $20-and-under): [48:02] – [55:30]
• Deep Dives:
  • Microsoft: [68:41] – [73:40]
  • AMD: [73:40] – [78:08]
  • Micron: [87:50] – [90:47]
  • Robinhood: [81:49] – [84:44]
• Entrepreneur Interview: Harlem Chocolate Factory: [91:10] – [117:26]
• Closing Reflection on Entrepreneurship & Giving Back: [117:31] – [121:55]

This summary is designed for listeners who want to catch up on “Market Mondays” key themes, actionable insights, and the real-world impact of economic currents on investors and entrepreneurs alike. For more, connect with @earnyourleisure, @themasterinvestor, and @harlemchocolatefactory on social.