Morning Brew Daily Podcast Summary Episode: Walmart Warns of Slow Sales in 2025 & Amazon Takes Over James Bond
Release Date: February 21, 2025
Hosts: Toby Howell and Kyle Hagee

1. Walmart’s Q4 Performance and Future Outlook

Walmart, a leading giant in the retail industry, released its fourth-quarter earnings, which initially appeared strong with a 4.6% year-over-year sales increase, surpassing expectations. Notably, e-commerce sales surged by 20%, and higher-income shoppers contributed significantly to the uptick. Despite these positive numbers, Walmart cautioned about potential challenges ahead, projecting 3-4% full-year sales growth for 2025, which is below Wall Street’s forecasts and a decline from the 5.1% growth seen the previous year.

“Sales were up 4.6% year over year, topping expectations,” said Toby Howell at [04:03].

The company cited tariffs and persistent inflation as key factors that could hinder sales and profit growth. CFO John David Rainey highlighted that while approximately two-thirds of Walmart’s products are domestically sourced, complexities with products imported from Mexico and Canada introduce tariff-related uncertainties.

“Are things going to get even harder if tariffs come to play?” Kyle Hagee pondered at [04:40].

Walmart’s diversified revenue streams—ranging from Walmart Plus and Sam's Club memberships to its advertising division, Walmart Connect, and expanding e-commerce—mirror Amazon’s business model, signaling a strategic shift towards a more integrated retail ecosystem.

2. Amazon’s Acquisition of James Bond Franchise

In a significant development, Amazon has secured a joint venture with the Broccoli family (long-time stewards of the James Bond franchise) to gain creative control over the iconic James Bond IP. This move follows Amazon's acquisition of MGM Studios, which brought the Bond franchise under its umbrella. Historically, the Broccoli family maintained stringent control over Bond, overseeing every aspect from casting to stunt sequences.

“Amazon and the Broccoli family have formed a new joint venture to house Bond IP with Amazon MGM Studios gaining creative control,” Toby Howell announced at [05:54].

The agreement is a game-changer, enabling Amazon to leverage Bond as a flagship asset within its expanding media empire. Despite past tensions—where the Broccoli family criticized Amazon for referring to Bond as “content”—the new deal signifies a shift in power dynamics.

“Barbara Broccoli... said, 'Don't have temporary people make permanent,'” Kyle Hagee recounted at [10:38].

Amazon envisions utilizing the Bond franchise across various platforms, potentially introducing new films and television spin-offs that align with its Prime Video offerings. The acquisition not only enhances Amazon's content library but also positions it as a formidable competitor in the entertainment industry.

3. Introduction of Protector: The Armed Ride-Sharing App

A novel entrant in the ride-sharing market, Protector, launched this week offering on-demand armed security guards alongside transportation services. Currently available in New York and Los Angeles, the app facilitates rides in upscale vehicles such as Escalades, with security provided by active or retired law enforcement officers.

“Protector lets you hire on-demand personal armed security guards to give you both a lift and watch your six,” Toby Howell explained at [11:51].

With pricing starting at $200 per hour (minimum five-hour booking) and an additional annual membership fee of $129, Protector targets individuals seeking enhanced personal safety. While Kyle Hagee expressed skepticism about the app's long-term viability, labeling it as potentially appealing to those interested in cosplaying as billionaires, the company cites growing safety concerns as a driving factor behind its launch.

“They struck a chord... They've done their job on the marketing front,” Kyle noted at [13:31].

Interestingly, Protector’s founder, Nick Sarath, also developed Patrol, an app enabling neighborhoods to crowdfund for increased security measures, including the deployment of drones. This expansion indicates a trend towards augmented personal and communal security solutions in response to rising safety apprehensions.

4. Stock and Dog of the Week

Stock of the Week: Hims and Hers Health (HIMS)

Hims and Hers Health emerged as the Stock of the Week, experiencing a remarkable 141% surge in 2025. The company gained substantial traction following a Super Bowl advertisement, resulting in a 650% spike in website visits and significant growth in user registrations and app rankings.

“HIMS stock has had a massive gain on the news that the company has now acquired Tribi Labs,” Kyle Hagee highlighted at [17:00].

The acquisition of Tribi Labs enables Hims and Hers to offer at-home blood draws and comprehensive pre-treatment testing, enhancing its telehealth services. Dr. Carroll, Chief Medical Officer, stated, “At home lab testing is one of the most exciting steps towards elevating the personal comprehensive care customers in this country should expect,” at [17:10].

This strategic expansion into personalized medicine and AI-driven health management positions Hims and Hers as a formidable player in the health and wellness sector, garnering enthusiastic support from Wall Street.

Dog of the Week: Palantir Technologies (PLTR)

Transitioning to the Dog of the Week, Palantir Technologies faced a challenging week, with its stock dropping over 10% amid announcements of an 8% annual cut in the Pentagon’s defense budget. As a company heavily reliant on government contracts, these budgetary cuts pose significant concerns.

“Palantir is a company that relies so much on government contracts for over half of its revenue,” Toby Howell commented at [20:00].

Additionally, CEO Alex Karp’s new stock compensation plan, allowing the sale of nearly 10 million shares within six months, further unsettled investors. Despite these setbacks, some analysts, including Kyle Hagee, believe Palantir is well-positioned to navigate budget cuts due to its innovative approach and strategic connections within the tech and defense sectors.

5. Additional Headlines

IRS Workforce Reduction

The IRS initiated significant layoffs, reducing its workforce by approximately 6,700 employees—over 6% of its total staff—as of February 21, 2025. These cuts primarily affected newer employees with less than two years of service. Despite tax season ramping up, essential roles remain unaffected. However, with 63% of current IRS employees eligible for retirement within six years, the agency faces ongoing challenges in maintaining its operational capacity.

“These layoffs come right as tax filing season is picking up in earnest,” Kyle Hagee noted at [24:37].

Four Nations Hockey Tournament Heats Up

The Four Nations Hockey Tournament featuring Sweden, Finland, Canada, and the U.S. ignited intense rivalries both on and off the ice. The U.S. team suffered a narrow defeat against Canada with a 3-2 score, leading to heightened tensions and social media buzz. Ticket prices soared, with the cheapest available at $1,200, reflecting the event's immense popularity and the burgeoning trend of in-season NHL tournaments.

“Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau fired back, saying, 'You can’t take our country and you can’t take our game,'” Toby Howell reported at [26:15].

Discovery of Pharaoh Thutmose II’s Tomb

In a groundbreaking archaeological achievement, Egyptologists unveiled the tomb of King Thutmose II, marking the first royal tomb discovery since King Tut’s over a century-old find. Initially mistaken for the tomb of a queen due to its location beneath two waterfalls and subsequent water damage, the tomb’s opulent decorations clearly identified it as the resting place of a pharaoh. This discovery underscores the enduring mysteries yet to be unearthed in Egypt’s rich historical landscape.

“It's cool that we still are finding these things,” Kyle Hagee expressed at [28:00].

Conclusion

The episode of Morning Brew Daily navigated through significant developments in retail, entertainment, technology, and more. From Walmart’s cautious outlook and Amazon’s strategic acquisition of James Bond, to the emergence of Protector’s armed ride-sharing service and dynamic stock movements with Hims and Hers and Palantir, the hosts provided insightful analysis on current market trends and emerging technologies. Additionally, headlines covering IRS layoffs, the Four Nations Hockey Tournament, and the discovery of an ancient tomb added diverse perspectives to the day's discussions.

Notable Quotes:

• “Sales were up 4.6% year over year, topping expectations,” — Toby Howell [04:03]
• “Are things going to get even harder if tariffs come to play?” — Kyle Hagee [04:40]
• “Amazon and the Broccoli family have formed a new joint venture to house Bond IP with Amazon MGM Studios gaining creative control,” — Toby Howell [05:54]
• “We have accelerated,” — Kyle Hagee [07:15]
• “Protector lets you hire on-demand personal armed security guards to give you both a lift and watch your six,” — Toby Howell [11:51]
• “HIMS stock has had a massive gain on the news that the company has now acquired Tribi Labs,” — Kyle Hagee [17:00]
• “At home lab testing is one of the most exciting steps towards elevating the personal comprehensive care customers in this country should expect,” — Dr. Carroll, Hims and Hers [17:10]
• “Don’t have temporary people make permanent,” — Barbara Broccoli [10:38]
• “They struck a chord... They've done their job on the marketing front,” — Kyle Hagee [13:31]
• “It's cool that we still are finding these things,” — Kyle Hagee [28:00]

This summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the Morning Brew Daily episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven’t listened to the podcast.