Market Mondays Ep. 278 (Sept 30, 2025)

Topic: Government Shutdown, New Trump Tariffs, Nvidia’s Big Threat, & $55B EA Sports Deal
Hosts: Earn Your Leisure (Troy Millings, Rashad "Shoddy" Bilal, "Dave"), Ian Dunlap
Network: EYL

Brief Overview

This Market Mondays episode dives deep into the latest macroeconomic and market news, focusing on strategies to thrive in any market environment. The team discusses the impending U.S. government shutdown, Trump’s sweeping new tariffs (from pharmaceuticals to furniture and even movies), emerging threats to Nvidia in the AI chip race, and the blockbuster $55 billion take-private deal for EA Sports. The show also features real-time investment advice, sector breakdowns, and a candid look at the intersection of politics, technology, and wealth-building.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Healthcare Sector Outlook & Trump’s New Tariffs

Timestamps: 09:45–17:45

• Performance Review: Healthcare stocks have suffered due to high-profile events (e.g., Ozempic lawsuit, new tariffs on overseas pharmaceuticals).
• Tariff Impact: Trump has imposed 100% tariffs on foreign pharmaceuticals unless manufactured in the U.S., incentivizing domestic production.

  “If you’re not building a plant inside of the United States, that’s where the tariffs come in.” – Troy (12:52)

• Stock Picks: Ian likes only Eli Lilly, ABBV, and Stryker in healthcare for long-term portfolio inclusion, citing strong leadership and alignment with U.S. policy.

  “You only need four stocks to become extremely rich.” – Ian (17:52)

• ETFs & Allocation: XLV ETF top components (Lilly, Johnson & Johnson, ABBV, UnitedHealth) are recommended for a watchlist, but expectations should be tempered.
• Johnson & Johnson: Considered stable but not a growth leader; more attractive to dividend-focused investors.

2. Government Shutdown: Market Impact

Timestamps: 25:51–31:29

• Shut Down Risks: Looming government shutdown over funding disputes; historical occurrences.
• Stock Market Effect: Minimal impact on equities; markets tend to ignore shutdown noise.

  “Non factor when it comes to publicly traded equities…the market is permanently rigged to stay up.” – Ian (26:56)

• Political Dynamics: The team discusses the performative nature and political gamesmanship behind shutdowns.

  “This is a farce…organized chaos.” – Ian (30:54)

• Duration Predictions: Historically short (3–4 weeks); largely media/political front but disruptive for actual workers.
• Long-Term Concerns: Repeated shutdowns erode trust in U.S. stability.

3. Trump’s New Tariffs: Scope and Implications

Timestamps: 34:23–41:39

• Details: 100% on foreign pharmaceuticals, 50% on kitchen cabinets/bathroom vanities, 100% on foreign-made movies, 35-50% on various metals and imports.

  “He put a 100% tariff on movies that are produced outside the U.S.” – Troy (35:26)

• Purpose: Incentivization of domestic manufacturing, creation of U.S. jobs. Panel skeptical of lasting execution.

  “These are just ideas…see who bites. Use as negotiating tool.” – Troy (36:30)

• Restoration Hardware: Example of a company hit hard by tariffs; not a recommended long-term investment.

  “Restoration Hardware is a trade only. It is not a good long-term investment.” – Ian (39:03)

4. Nvidia’s Big Threat? AI Chip Market Competition

Timestamps: 47:25–51:45

• Huawei’s Challenge: China’s Huawei unveiled a roadmap to compete with Nvidia in AI chips, but the panel is highly skeptical.

  “Every time a brand says ‘Apple killer’, it hasn’t panned out… If they were, they would just launch it.” – Ian (49:28)

• Moat Strength: Nvidia’s integrated hardware, software, and networking create an untouchable advantage.

  “Nvidia’s full AI infrastructure package is so efficient competitors can price chips at zero and Nvidia’s still the better option.” – Ian (51:45)

• OpenAI Academy: OpenAI’s release of prompt packs further cements their lead, drawing parallels to Microsoft’s dominant early years.

5. Media, Data, and Political Power

Timestamps: 54:39–66:41

• TikTok U.S. Acquisition: Discussion on Larry Ellison, Oracle, Silver Lake, and far-right media controlling TikTok’s U.S. user data.

  “We live in a society where less than 10 people control 98% of the narratives and stories that we're actually consuming.” – Dave (62:17)

• Data Ownership: Caution about concentrated media control, influence over news, entertainment, and future tech (gaming, social, streaming).

  “If I get the kids at TikTok, if I don't get them on TikTok, I'm gonna get them in gaming.” – Troy (64:49)

• Strategic Moves: Saudi, Silver Lake, and U.S. billionaire investors quietly building a cross-platform media/data entertainment juggernaut.

6. $55B EA Sports Deal: The Future of Gaming & AI Integration

Timestamps: 74:51–85:16

• Deal Summary: EA taken private by a Saudi-led group (Silver Lake, Affinity Partners, PIF), in the largest cash take-private deal to date.

  “EA Sports will go private in the largest deal so far. $55 billion.” – Dave (75:43)

• Why EA Matters: Beyond sport games, the vast user data, tech, and mass audience are levers for next-gen AI, VR, and digital integration.

  “This is not about video games. This is about integrating into artificial intelligence and having the user base.” – Troy (81:24)

• Monopoly Building: Discussion on how these moves mirror the U.S. playbook of controlling media/war narratives through entertainment.

7. Practical Investing Q&A: Advice for Callers

Timestamps: 86:33–118:20 (Interspersed)

• Retirement Strategy: Stay invested to beat inflation; “getting down the mountain” is as challenging as accumulating wealth.

  “The worst thing you can do is take money out of a portfolio when it’s a down year, because then you compound...your losses.” – Dave (89:58)

• Buy Targets Shared:
  • Microsoft: $498.88
  • Oracle: $218.92
  • Palantir: $14.78
  • Google: $236 flat
  • Broadcom (AVGO): $293
  • Nvidia: $163.50
• Sector Outlooks:
  • Retail: “Walmart, Costco, Amazon” are only investable; others are “toxic.”
  • Lululemon/Nike: Cautioned due to exposure to supply chain/material concerns.
  • Volatile ETFs: Advanced/leveraged ETFs not for beginners – must have strict risk controls.
• Dollar Cost Averaging: Price always matters; have a plan for entry/exit, even if you’re allocating monthly.
• Caller Portfolio Review: Importance of avoiding speculative “side pieces” in your main portfolio; start with index funds if you’re struggling.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Market Cycles & Government Chaos:

  “This WWE ass dance every time…this is a farce. Some real issues they don’t like each other on. But I think this is organized chaos to get certain parties to move.” – Ian (30:54)

• On Concentrated Wealth & Media:

  “The four richest people in the world own media, digital enterprises…Most people’s education is off Instagram.” – Ian (66:41)

• On Nvidia’s Dominance:

  "Nvidia monster. No. If they were launching a quantum-based chip, maybe. But every ‘killer’ chip never pans out." – Ian (49:48)

• On Wealth Building:

  “You only need four stocks to become extremely rich. Allocation and best use of capital matters a lot.” – Ian (17:52)

• On Retiring Wisely:

  “When climbing a mountain, the real goal should be to get back down. In retirement, the strategy to get down is just as important as the ascension.” – Dave (88:28)

• On Monopoly Construction:

  “The name of the game in America has always been monopoly, though. It’s just not hidden how it used to be.” – Ian (65:16)

• On the EA Deal’s Global Significance:

  “This is the tech version of a guy who offers 3.6 on a house worth $400k. Is FIFA and NBA Live that valuable? Maybe not, but as media, to display your messaging…this is them doing in reverse what the U.S. did.” – Ian (79:42)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Healthcare/Trump Tariffs: 09:45–17:45
• Government Shutdown: 25:51–31:29
• Trump Tariffs & Restoration Hardware: 34:23–41:39
• Nvidia’s Competition: 47:25–51:45
• AI, OpenAI Academy, Media Power: 54:39–66:41
• $55B EA Sports Deal: 74:51–85:16
• Q&A/Retail/ETFs/Retirement: 86:33–118:20
• Actionable Buy Targets: 94:58–101:01

Tone and Style

The conversation is lively, insightful, and candid—laced with humor, hip hop references, and practical wisdom. The hosts cut through hype, challenge each other and callers, and consistently prioritize actionable steps and wealth preservation.

Summary for Non-Listeners

This episode provides a comprehensive breakdown of the current market and political landscape, delivering actionable stock guidance set against the backdrop of major sociopolitical shifts and landmark business deals. You’ll leave with clear buy points for key stocks, an understanding of how global power structures—from Saudi Arabia to Silicon Valley—are shaping your investments, and a serious call to stay proactive, informed, and community-centered in building long-term wealth.