The Rundown Podcast – Meta Buys AI Startup Manus, Copper Hits Record Highs

Host: Zaid Admani (Public.com)
Date: December 30, 2025
Duration: ~10 minutes

Episode Overview

In this episode, Zaid Admani delivers a concise stock market update focused on dramatic metal price swings, Meta’s headline-making AI acquisition, Tesla’s delivery outlook, and the remarkable performance of international stocks. The episode weaves market news with sharp commentary and context for investors.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stock Market Recap and Volatility in Metals

• Santa Claus Rally Falters:

  • S&P 500 fell 0.3%; Nasdaq down 0.5%, led by profit-taking in tech stocks.
  • Nvidia and Tesla both experienced notable declines.
    (00:32)

• Wild 48 Hours for Silver:

  • Silver rallied 30% since the beginning of December, peaked at $80/oz, crashed by 8% to $71/oz (biggest one-day drop in five years), then rebounded 6% to $75/oz.
  • Gold and other metals also saw major volatility.
    (01:04 – 02:03)
  • Quote:

    “For a metal that's supposed to be boring, that's some pretty serious price action.”
    (01:49, Zaid Admani)

• Commodities vs Crypto:

  • Metals showing higher volatility than Bitcoin or Ethereum.
  • Metals like gold, silver, and copper have had an explosive year, signaling a potential deep-dive episode soon.
    (02:20)

2. Meta’s $2B Acquisition of Manus (Singapore AI Startup)

• Deal Details:

  • Meta will acquire Manus, noted for advanced AI agents, for over $2 billion.
  • Manus launched in March 2025; product allows deep research, report writing, and custom website creation by AI with minimal human input.
  • Manus recently hit $100M in annual recurring revenue and millions of users in under a year.
    (03:10 – 04:19)

• Strategic Significance:

  • First major US tech acquisition of a high-growth, Asia-based AI company led by Chinese founders.
  • Meta will keep Manus as a standalone product and integrate its tech into the larger Meta ecosystem. Potential use cases in advertising discussed.
    (04:32)

• Investor Concerns:

  • Meta’s stock sits 15% below recent highs due to investor skepticism about continued heavy investment in AI.
  • Zuck’s spending is now viewed as more measured compared to earlier AI hiring sprees.
  • Quote:

    “Meta saw them as an attractive target and they're buying them for $2 billion, which seems like such a small amount when compared to all the other AI deals announced this year.”
    (03:57, Zaid Admani)

3. Tesla’s Delivery Estimates & Shifting Investor Focus

• New Transparency:

  • Tesla published Wall Street's consensus analyst estimates for Q4 deliveries: ~423,000, a 15% YoY drop.
  • Projects ~1.6M vehicle deliveries for 2025 (8% decline from 2024), marking the second consecutive annual drop.
  • 2026 outlook: Rebound to ~1.75M vehicles (6% YoY growth expected). (05:01 – 06:06)

• Stock Performance & Narrative Shift:

  • Despite declining deliveries, Tesla’s share price has more than doubled since hitting a low of $214 in March.
  • Investor focus now shifting from automotive to AI, robotaxi, and robotics.
  • Quote:

    “The delivery numbers are still important, but they're becoming less of a factor of the Tesla story as we head into 2026.”
    (06:20, Zaid Admani)

4. Copper’s Record Highs & Underlying Drivers

• Price Surge:

  • Copper up over 40% in 2025—best year since 2009.
  • Driven by trade-related supply concerns and booming industrial/AI-fueled demand for electrical infrastructure. (06:42 – 07:02)

• Strategic Role:

  • Copper is key for electrical grids, renewable energy, and especially data centers—integral as the AI boom continues.
  • Analysts expect price momentum to persist into 2026.
  • Quote:

    “Copper is just as important, if not more. Copper is the backbone of electrical wiring, which means it's essential for power grids, renewable energy, and especially data centers.”
    (07:25, Zaid Admani)

5. Popmart’s Labubu Craze Fades

• Stock Drop:
  • Popmart shares fell 5% in Hong Kong after reports of slowing resale demand for the popular Labubu dolls.
  • Popmart’s other lines (Crybaby, Twinkle Twinkle, Hirono) are attempts at diversifying beyond Labubu, but with uncertain success.
  • The host shares a personal anecdote about spending $200 on Labubu dolls for his daughter, now worth much less, joking about the teachable moment. (07:50 – 08:35)

6. International Stocks Outperform in 2025

• Outperformance Stats:
  • International stocks outperformed US stocks by the widest margin since 2009.
  • MSCI ex-US index up 29%, emerging market ETFs up nearly 30%.
  • Regional highlights:
    • South Korea up 75% (Samsung, SK Hynix led)
    • China up 29%, Hong Kong up 28%
    • Spain up 48%, Greece up 44%
  • US market’s high valuation (23x forward earnings vs 18x historical average); international stocks are now 35% cheaper.
  • Dollar weakness (down 9% in 2025) boosted foreign investment returns for Americans.
  • Quote:

    “This is a pretty shocking shift because over the last decade or so US Stocks had outperformed international stocks, thanks to the rise of big tech giants.”
    (09:06, Zaid Admani)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Commodities:

  “For a metal that's supposed to be boring, that's some pretty serious price action.”
  (01:49, Zaid Admani)

• Meta Acquisition:

  “Meta saw them as an attractive target and they're buying them for $2 billion, which seems like such a small amount when compared to all the other AI deals announced this year.”
  (03:57, Zaid Admani)

• Tesla Narrative:

  “The delivery numbers are still important, but they're becoming less of a factor of the Tesla story as we head into 2026.”
  (06:20, Zaid Admani)

• Copper’s Importance:

  “Copper is the backbone of electrical wiring, which means it's essential for power grids, renewable energy, and especially data centers.”
  (07:25, Zaid Admani)

• Labubu Anecdote:

  “I'm kind of embarrassed to admit this, but I paid nearly $200 to buy three Labubus at the peak hype. My daughter really wanted them, so I bought them. And I don't even know where they are anymore ... I'd be lucky if I can get 20 bucks for them. I think this might be a good teaching moment for my daughter.”
  (08:24, Zaid Admani)

Key Timestamps

• 00:32 – U.S. market recap and metals lead volatility
• 01:04 – Silver’s wild rally, crash, and rebound
• 03:10 – Meta’s acquisition of Manus AI
• 04:32 – Manus’ origins and business metrics
• 05:01 – Tesla delivery estimates & Wall Street reaction
• 06:42 – Copper’s record highs and industrial demand
• 07:50 – Popmart’s Labubu craze fading
• 09:01 – International stocks surge past U.S. market

Overall Tone

Engaging and informative with a fast-paced, conversational delivery. The host mixes data and opinion, offering market context, light humor, and personal touches (e.g., the Labubu anecdote) to keep listeners entertained and informed.

Ideal For:
Investors and market watchers who want a brisk run-through of major market-moving news, trends, and context, delivered with both facts and personality.

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