Motley Fool Money Episode Summary: "Apple, SPACs and Stocks We Bought"
Release Date: June 10, 2025
Hosts: Dylan Lewis, Ricky Mulvey, and Mary Long
1. Introduction
In this episode of Motley Fool Money, hosts Jason Moser and guest analyst Matt Frankel delve into the latest developments in the stock market, focusing on Apple's recent Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), the challenges faced by Opendoor amidst its reverse split, and the latest stock purchases by both hosts. The conversation offers insightful analysis for both seasoned investors and those new to the market.
2. Apple at WWDC 2025
The episode kicks off with a discussion on Apple's recent WWDC, where Jason Moser expresses a sense of disappointment:
Jason Moser [01:08]: "But to me, this conference so far, it just seems to be a bit underwhelming, particularly on the AI side."
Matt Frankel concurs, highlighting Apple's perceived lag in AI innovation compared to its competitors:
Matt Frankel [02:49]: "Apple is behind its peers when it comes to AI innovation... they got a little complacent when it came to the pace of AI innovation."
The hosts critique Apple's focus on aesthetics and seamless hardware integration over groundbreaking technological advancements, particularly in artificial intelligence. They discuss how Apple's strong user loyalty may have contributed to a slower pace in adopting and promoting AI features, potentially affecting investor perception.
3. Opendoor's Reverse Split and Market Challenges
Transitioning to the real estate sector, Jason brings up Opendoor's recent reverse split and its plummeting stock prices:
Jason Moser [08:05]: "Today you look at the company, I mean, it's essentially at penny stock prices and the news is that they are planning a reverse split."
Matt Frankel provides a comprehensive overview of Opendoor's business model as an "ibuyer" and the challenges it faces in the current economic climate:
Matt Frankel [08:36]: "Opendoor is a company that directly buys homes from sellers, does a little bit of cosmetic repairs, and then directly sells them to home buyers... The real estate market's very slow."
He explains how rising interest rates and a sluggish real estate market have severely impacted Opendoor's profitability, contrasting the company's earlier success during the booming real estate years of 2020 and 2021. Matt expresses skepticism about Opendoor's long-term viability without a sustained active real estate environment:
Matt Frankel [12:13]: "But they really haven't shown that... the slow real estate market has shown that they need a good real estate market to be profitable."
Jason and Matt ponder whether potential future rate cuts could revitalize Opendoor's business, but Matt remains cautious, deeming Opendoor "not really investable to me" at this point.
4. Stocks We Bought
A. Matt Frankel on AMD (Advanced Micro Devices)
Shifting gears to stock picks, Matt shares his recent investment in AMD, highlighting its growth and strategic positioning in the AI sector:
Matt Frankel [13:43]: "The last stock I bought is AMD Advanced Micro Devices... The valuation is right. It's a lot cheaper than Nvidia and has a lot of similar opportunities."
He emphasizes AMD's expanded market share in the PC segment and its potential in autonomous vehicle technology, positioning it as a strong contender in the semiconductor industry. Matt praises AMD's CEO, Lisa Su, for her leadership and ability to drive the company forward:
Matt Frankel [15:42]: "It's still gaining share in that PC market... under Su's leadership. It's been really remarkable."
Jason echoes these sentiments, commending Lisa Su's track record and AMD's strategic advancements:
Jason Moser [14:52]: "Their CEO, Lisa Sy, she is tremendous... she's done a really good job of seeing sort of where things were going and understanding the opportunity in the AI space."
B. Jason Moser on Waste Management
Jason reveals his latest investment in Waste Management, focusing on its consistent performance and essential role in society:
Jason Moser [16:00]: "My most recent purchase... Waste Management, and it's a position that I intend to grow over time."
He humorously shares a personal anecdote about receiving a rate increase from his local trash collector, underscoring the inevitability of waste production regardless of technological advancements:
Jason Moser [17:25]: "I deleted the email, Matt. I didn't even think twice about it... [Matt]: 'Cancel your trash service.' [Jason]: 'Nope, I'm not gonna.'"
Matt adds that Waste Management's business model is resilient and not susceptible to disruption by AI, making it a reliable long-term investment:
Matt Frankel [17:57]: "Waste Management is one stock I can think of that is in no way disruptible by AI. Everyone's going to produce trash, no matter how automated our lives become."
5. Conclusion
The episode wraps up with Jason and Matt reiterating the strengths of their chosen investments. Matt remains optimistic about AMD's future under strong leadership, while Jason is confident in Waste Management's enduring relevance and dividend potential. Both hosts encourage listeners to conduct their own research and consider these insights when making investment decisions.
Jason Moser [18:08]: "I tend to agree. I tend to agree."
Matt Frankel [18:15]: "Yeah, it's been a blast from the past, and I hope we can do it again soon."
Note: As always, listeners are reminded to perform their own due diligence and consider Motley Fool's recommendations as part of a broader investment strategy.
For more insights and detailed analysis, tune into the next episode of Motley Fool Money.