The Rundown – iPhone 17 Sales Revive Apple's Growth, Gucci Owner Sells Beauty Unit for $4.7B

Podcast: The Rundown by Public.com
Host: Zaid Admani
Date: October 20, 2025
Duration: ~9 minutes (content summary excludes intro/outro/ads)

Main Theme

This episode delivers a concise overview of the latest stock market movements, focusing on Apple’s resurgent growth with the iPhone 17, Kering’s (Gucci’s owner) $4.7 billion beauty business sale to L'Oréal, significant stock movers, and a noteworthy shift in sports streaming deals via Apple TV. Host Zaid Admani breaks down each story with engaging commentary and timely insights for investors.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Market Recap & Economic Data Preview

• Stock Market Recovery:
  Markets rebounded last week, with the S&P 500 up 1.7% and the Nasdaq gaining 2.1%, overcoming fears of banking sector woes, US-China tensions, and a persisting government shutdown.

  “Despite concerns around bad loans in the banking sector, the US–China trade tensions, and also the government shutdown… investors were able to look past all the noise… which has been corporate earnings.” — Zaid, [01:01]

• Upcoming Data/Earnings:

  • The September CPI report (delayed due to the shutdown) drops Friday, key for understanding inflation and potential Fed rate cuts.
  • Major earnings upcoming: Netflix (Tuesday), Tesla (Wednesday), Intel (Thursday).
  • Unpredictable market moves possible due to politics or new tech deals.

2. Apple’s iPhone 17 Surge

• Strong Sales Rebound:

  • iPhone 17 delivers Apple’s strongest iPhone sales growth since the pandemic.
  • Analysts expect revenue to rise 4% this year, 5% next, reaching a projected $219 billion.
  • Context: Sales were flat in 2024 and -2% in 2023; this is a true turnaround.

• Drivers of Growth:

  • Apple emphasized improved hardware and cameras over AI hype.
  • “Their strategy of focusing on making good hardware and cameras instead of silly non-existent AI features is a good move, and it’s starting to pay off.” — Zaid, [02:17]
  • Redesign of the iPhone 17 Pro has spurred upgrades.
  • Personal note:

    “You know, as an Apple fanboy I ended up getting the iPhone 17 Pro. … I like the redesign… aluminum and not titanium, it doesn’t get as hot. And the new front-facing camera, that alone might be worth the upgrade, especially for me.” — Zaid, [02:49]

• Looking Ahead:

  • Apple earnings (Oct 30) will offer first official iPhone 17 sales data.
  • Stock nearing all-time highs for the year.

3. Kering (Gucci) Sells Beauty Division to L’Oréal

• Deal Details:

  • Kering sells its entire beauty division, including House of Creed, to L’Oréal for $4.7 billion.
  • L’Oréal secures a 50-year licensing partnership to develop fragrances for brands like Gucci and Balenciaga.

• Strategic Context:

  • Kering launched its beauty segment (2023) to bring perfume/cosmetics in-house, competing with rivals like Hermès—but the strategy failed.
  • “This is a total u-turn in strategy by the new CEO L Deo.” — Zaid, [04:24]
  • Sale provides Kering with vital cash (over $10 billion in debt), enabling a renewed focus on core fashion brands.
  • Investor reaction: Kering shares up 5%, L’Oréal up 1%.

• Host’s Candid Take:

  “Are Gucci fragrances just not good or something? I don’t know. Let me know.” — Zaid, [04:48]

4. Biggest Stock Movers

• Cleveland-Cliffs:

  • Shares up ~8% after a sales boost from auto steel tariffs (50% tariff on imports, per recent Trump policy).
  • Exploring rare earth metal mining in Michigan and Minnesota to reduce US reliance on Chinese supply, boosting future prospects.

• Rivian:

  • Shares down 2% to ~$13 after Mizuho downgrades the stock and lowers delivery forecasts, citing the expiration of the $7,500 EV tax credit.
  • 2026 delivery expectations cut to 60,000 vs. Wall Street consensus of 72,000.

5. Apple TV Lands F1 Streaming Deal

• Major Announcement:

  • Apple secures exclusive US streaming rights for all Formula 1 races (2026–2030) for $140 million/year (vs. ESPN’s current $85 million/year).
  • Building on success of Apple’s F1 movie (“…with Brad Pitt, crushed it, becoming the highest-grossing sports movie ever.” — [07:42]).

• Viewer Experience:

  • Teasing new camera angles and immersive race data on Apple TV.
  • Host’s excitement:

    “As a big F1 fan, I am hyped. … Now I have to stay subscribed to Apple TV Plus for the entire year, which is Apple’s goal in acquiring these rights.” — Zaid, [07:58]

• Service Rebrand:

  • Apple TV Plus dropping the “Plus” — now just “Apple TV.”
  • “I’m happy we’re moving away from the plus naming… but Apple TV is also the name of Apple’s streaming box, so that might get a little confusing.” — Zaid, [08:17]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Apple’s strategy of focusing on making good hardware and cameras instead of silly non-existent AI features is a good move and it’s starting to pay off.” — Zaid, [02:17]
• “As a big F1 fan, I am hyped... Now I have to stay subscribed to Apple TV Plus for the entire year, which is Apple’s goal in acquiring these rights.” — Zaid, [07:58]
• “Are Gucci fragrances just not good or something? I don’t know. Let me know.” — Zaid, [04:48]
• “I wonder if this means that Apple is planning to launch a new streaming box soon with a new name.” — Zaid, [08:31]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Market Recap & Economic Preview:
  00:00 – 01:40
• Apple iPhone 17 Sales & Commentary:
  01:40 – 03:45
• Kering/L’Oréal Beauty Deal:
  03:45 – 05:10
• Stocks Making Moves (Cleveland-Cliffs, Rivian):
  05:10 – 06:40
• Apple TV F1 Streaming Deal & Service Rebrand:
  06:40 – 08:31

Tone and Takeaways

The episode delivers rapid-fire, clear, and witty coverage. The host’s candor about his own purchasing decisions and market opinions keeps it approachable. There’s a practical focus on what these stories mean for investors, with a dash of humor and personal enthusiasm—especially when it comes to Apple and F1.