The Rundown — September 18, 2025

Host: Zaid Admani
Main Theme: Major stock market moves and headline company news: Fed rate cuts, Nvidia’s $5B investment in Intel, Lyft & Waymo's Nashville robotaxi partnership, and key stock movers.

Episode Overview

Zaid Admani delivers a concise yet comprehensive update on the latest movements in the stock market, analyzing the anticipated Federal Reserve rate cuts, the strategic partnership and investment between Nvidia and Intel, Waymo's major robotaxi expansion with Lyft, and notable stock stories (Novo Nordisk, Cracker Barrel). He closes with a memorable fact about Jeff Bezos’s investing history.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Federal Reserve Rate Cut and Market Impact

• [00:22–02:40]
  • The Fed cut rates by 25 basis points (to 4–4.25%), the first cut this year.
  • Markets had largely anticipated this move:
    • S&P 500 closed down 0.1%, Nasdaq -0.3%.
    • Stocks dipped initially after the announcement but bounced back during Jerome Powell’s press conference.
  • Fed Policy Pivot:
    • Shifted focus from inflation to stabilizing the labor market due to emerging job market weakness.
    • “The labor market has been showing signs of weakness with revisions showing nearly a million less jobs were added to the economy over the past year.” — Zaid Admani [01:21]
    • Powell called the cut a “risk management move.”
  • Inflation Outlook:
    • Still above the 2% target; won’t hit target until as late as 2028.
    • Potential for short-term inflation uptick due to tariffs.
  • Future Rate Cuts:
    • Fed’s “dot plot” projects two more rate cuts this year, aiming for rates between 3.5%–3.75% by year-end.
  • Investor Implications:
    • Cheaper borrowing expected for mortgages, car loans, credit cards.
    • Businesses may invest/hire more, fueling economic and stock market growth.
    • “If you haven’t taken a peek at your portfolio, your retirement account, your 401k, your Roth IRA, right now is a great time to do so.” — Zaid Admani [02:22]

2. Nvidia Invests $5B in Intel: Deal Details and Implications

• [02:41–05:20]
  • Nvidia buys a 5% stake in Intel for $5 billion; SoftBank and the US government are also major investors.
  • Co-developing chips for PCs and data centers:
    • Future Intel PCs will use Nvidia graphics.
    • Nvidia will incorporate Intel CPUs into some data center products.
    • “They’re combining Nvidia’s dominance in AI and graphics with Intel’s x86 ecosystem. And that could finally make Intel competitive again against AMD in the PC market.” — Zaid Admani [03:20]
  • Strategic Dimensions:
    • Nvidia’s reliance on TSMC for chip manufacturing may be mitigated in the future via Intel foundries.
    • US government support ties into national security concerns.
    • “This is a win-win for all sides. And investors also see it this way. Intel stock jumped nearly 30% this morning after this announcement.” — Zaid Admani [05:09]
  • Big Picture:
    • Nvidia becomes a key player in Intel’s turnaround; the partnership may help diversify US chip manufacturing.

3. Waymo and Lyft Partner for Robotaxis in Nashville

• [05:21–07:10]
  • Waymo strikes its first major commercial deal with Lyft: launching autonomous robotaxi service in Nashville next year.
    • Service will be accessible via both Lyft and Waymo apps.
    • Lyft will manage fleet operations and maintenance.
  • Waymo’s Expansion Strategy:
    • Previously relied on its own app and operations (Phoenix, San Francisco, LA).
    • Recently partnered with Uber (Atlanta, Austin); now spreading partnerships to avoid platform dependency.
    • “This new deal with Lyft for Nashville means that Waymo is spreading their bets to other ride-hailing companies, to not just be reliant on Uber.” — Zaid Admani [06:14]
    • 10 million paid rides milestone reached in May; planning expansion into Miami, DC, Dallas, Denver.
  • Market Impact:
    • Lyft shares spiked over 10% on the news; Uber down ~5%.
    • “Lyft has been playing catch-up to Uber pretty much forever, so getting the exclusive rides to Waymo in Nashville is a rare win.” — Zaid Admani [06:49]

4. Trending Stocks: Novo Nordisk and Cracker Barrel

• Novo Nordisk & Eli Lilly’s Weight-Loss Pills [07:11–08:13]

  • Novo’s WeGovy pill: 16.6% weight loss over 64 weeks; 7%+ stock jump.
  • FDA decision pending; could hit market next year.
  • Eli Lilly’s competing pill shows 12.4% weight loss over 72 weeks.
  • “As of right now, Novo’s pill seems to work better in a shorter amount of time, which has Novo Nordisk investors hyped right now.” — Zaid Admani [07:55]

• Cracker Barrel’s Downturn [08:14–09:05]

  • Shares falling after weak earnings, poor 2026 outlook, and declining customer traffic.
  • Visits down 8% since controversial August logo change (“killing off the restaurant’s country charm”—includes Trump criticism).
  • Efforts to halt remodels and pivot back to kitchen improvements may be “too little, too late.”
  • Cracker Barrel stock down >5% this month, despite revenue beats (driven by menu price hike).

5. Fun Fact: Jeff Bezos’s Pre-Amazon Investment Success

• [09:06–10:04]
  • Before Amazon, Bezos worked at D.E. Shaw researching internet companies.
  • Early $250,000 investment in Google turned into $280 million by 2004 IPO.
  • “Even if Amazon ended up flopping for some reason, Jeff Bezos still would have been rich because he invested $250,000 into Google when they were founded in 1998.” — Zaid Admani [09:36]
  • Reportedly sold all Google shares soon after IPO—missed out on another possible 100x return.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The labor market has been showing signs of weakness with revisions showing nearly a million less jobs were added to the economy over the past year.” — Zaid Admani [01:21]
• “This is a win-win for all sides. And investors also see it this way. Intel stock jumped nearly 30% this morning after this announcement.” — Zaid Admani [05:09]
• “This new deal with Lyft for Nashville means that Waymo is spreading their bets to other ride-hailing companies, to not just be reliant on Uber.” — Zaid Admani [06:14]
• “As of right now, Novo’s pill seems to work better in a shorter amount of time, which has Novo Nordisk investors hyped right now.” — Zaid Admani [07:55]
• “Even if Amazon ended up flopping for some reason, Jeff Bezos still would have been rich because he invested $250,000 into Google...” — Zaid Admani [09:36]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Fed Rate Cut & Market Overview: 00:22–02:40
• Nvidia–Intel Investment & Partnership: 02:41–05:20
• Waymo–Lyft Robotaxi Deal: 05:21–07:10
• Novo Nordisk & Cracker Barrel Moves: 07:11–09:05
• Fun Fact: Jeff Bezos’s Google Investment: 09:06–10:04

Tone and Style Notes

• Zaid’s delivery is energetic, conversational, and analytical. He distills complex financial news into tangible, actionable insights for investors, frequently pausing to explain implications and offer personal perspective. The show moves quickly, staying tightly focused on headline news—always with a sense of why each story counts.

Summary

This episode of The Rundown is a must-listen for investors and market-watchers. It delivers timely updates and sharp analysis on both macro (Fed rate moves) and micro (corporate strategy between Nvidia and Intel, evolving robotaxi market) trends, while spotlighting notable movers and quirky historical insights—packaged in under 10 minutes and in a style that’s both accessible and smart.