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Marley Kayden looks at the weak July jobs report, cooling wage growth and the declining odds of a September Fed rate hike, while also examining the widening divide between luxury and starter-home sales. Sam Vadas highlights a rally in First Solar (FSLR) following new U.S. trade protections and looks at China’s latest push to close the AI gap with U.S. companies. The pair also previews next week’s inflation data and a packed slate of tech earnings.

The latest U.S. jobs data points to a softening labor market, according to David Krakauer. He discusses the implications for potential stagflation and GDP growth, noting that equity markets often react positively to soft economic data in hopes of a Federal Reserve rate hike delay. David also unpacks the phenomenon of "IPO FOMO," advising investors to distinguish between a good company and a good investment, particularly when considering highly anticipated public offerings like SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI. He suggests a systematic, rules-based approach to new IPOs within a diversified portfolio.

AvePoint (AVPT) CEO Jim Caci discusses the company’s latest earnings report and its growing focus on AI trust and governance. Caci says executives are increasingly concerned about AI models, data security and how to safely deploy the technology, creating demand for tools that help businesses protect sensitive information and costs while still benefiting from AI.

Lisa Flicker, Senior Managing Partner and Head of Real Estate at Jackson Lucas, dissects the nuances of the latest jobs report. She argues that despite initial appearances, the report reflects a multi-speed economy, with significant infrastructure investments driving continued hiring in finance sectors. Flicker also addresses the role of artificial intelligence, suggesting it will create new jobs requiring top-tier talent rather than reducing overall employment. She concludes by discussing the report's potential influence on Federal Reserve policy and its implications for interest rates and capital costs.

Jeffrey Cleveland from Payden & Rygel dissects the July jobs report, noting the surprising -23,000 revision in prior months' job creation. He attributes some of the perceived weakness to seasonal adjustments, particularly in government hiring, while highlighting continued positive momentum in construction and manufacturing. Cleveland also delves into the structural issues affecting labor force participation, such as an aging population, but points to an uptick in prime-age labor force participation as a silver lining. The conversation also touches on the potential impact of artificial intelligence on junior analyst positions, though Cleveland emphasizes that AI at Payden & Rygel (PAYDEN) enhances human productivity rather than replacing it.

With Nvidia (NVDA) rallying 10% this week, John Belton of Gabelli Funds expects another strong quarter as continued hyperscaler CapEx spending supports demand, with Elon Musk saying SpaceX (SPCX) plans to exclusively use Nvidia chips. Belton also says AMD (AMD) is clearly benefiting from agentic AI demand and sees its upcoming product launches as an opportunity to take share from Nvidia’s GPU business.

Shawn Robbins from Fandango discusses how Spider-Man: Brand New Day is the latest film to deliver a blockbuster opening weekend at the box office. He says strong in-theater demand is extending beyond superhero franchises and explains what studios are doing right to bring moviegoers back to the big screen.

The U.S. labor market shows signs of cooling, with slowing job growth and a decline in the foreign-born population impacting participation. Brian Jacobson, Chief Economist Strategist at Annex Wealth Management, explains the nuances of recent jobs reports and their implications for Federal Reserve policy. He outlines how the Fed faces a dilemma between supporting employment and fighting inflation, suggesting that rate hikes might not be the most effective tool for current economic conditions. Jacobson also pinpoints investment opportunities in European equities and U.S. construction and industrials, while advising a conservative approach to fixed income due to potential volatility.

In Friday’s 360 Round, the panel looks at Airbnb (ABNB) after the stock hit a new 52-week high following strong earnings. Wedbush’s Ygal Arounian is bullish on continued consumer spending and upgraded ABNB to Outperform with a $200 price target. Chris Davis of Hudson Value Partners says Airbnb is better positioned than other travel stocks as consumers favor shorter domestic trips, while expanded hotel partnerships and bookings could broaden its reach. He also points to the company’s “reserve now, pay later” program as a potential driver of future revenue.

Roy Behren of Westchester Capital Management, co-portfolio manager of the Merger Fund, believes the proposed merger between Paramount Global (PARA) and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) will ultimately close. He cites the numerous international regulatory approvals, the lack of U.S. Department of Justice objections, and the significant financial incentives for both companies to complete the deal. Despite a lawsuit from the California Attorney General, he suggests the parties may reach a settlement, potentially offering concessions similar to those made in Europe. He also notes the potential for a backup bid from Netflix (NFLX) if the deal were to be blocked, but maintains a strong conviction that the merger will proceed, highlighting the current trading discount as an inefficient pricing.