Podcast Summary: The Rundown
Host: Zaid Admani
Episode: Tesla Misses Q4 Deliveries, Disney Has Best Box Office Year Since 2019
Date: January 2, 2026
Episode Overview
In this brisk episode, host Zaid Admani breaks down the final market scoreboard of 2025, addresses Tesla’s disappointing Q4 delivery numbers, explores Saks Global’s pending bankruptcy, and reviews both the slumping oil market and Disney’s standout year at the global box office. True to the show’s mission, Zaid keeps the investor’s perspective front and center, blending numbers, context, and a touch of wit in under ten minutes.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. 2025 Market Recap: Winners, Losers, and Surprises
[00:17 - 02:05]
- The year ended on a negative note:
- The S&P 500 and Nasdaq both dropped ~0.7% on the final trading day, marking the fourth consecutive loss for both indices.
- Despite a rough finish, 2025 was “a great year for investors.”
- S&P 500: Up 16%
- Nasdaq: Up 20%
- Driven heavily by AI hype, with “Magnificent 7” stocks up 25%.
- Google: Best-performing “Mag 7” stock (+65%), followed by Nvidia (+40%), which ends 2025 as the “most valuable company in the world,” with a staggering $4.5 trillion market cap.
- Surprise winners: Precious metals
- Gold: +60% (“having their best year since 1979”)
- Silver: +150% (“absolutely crushed it… while everyone was arguing about AI valuations, these shiny rocks quietly stole the show”)
- Bitcoin’s rollercoaster:
- Down 6% for the year, despite peaking at $126,000 in October. Closes at ~$90,000 after a weak Q4.
- Looking ahead to 2026:
- Key questions for investors:
- Will Bitcoin rebound?
- Can gold and silver sustain their run?
- What’s next for AI stocks?
- How will new Federal Reserve leadership in May impact markets?
- Key questions for investors:
Notable Quote [01:43]:
“While everyone was arguing about AI valuations, these shiny rocks quietly stole the show.” — Zaid
2. Tesla’s Q4 Delivery Miss & Investor Sentiment
[02:42 - 04:15]
- Headline: Tesla delivered 418,000 cars in Q4, missing Wall Street’s estimate of 426,000 — a 16% YoY drop.
- Causes:
- The federal $7,500 EV tax credit expiration in September pulled demand forward to Q3.
- Ongoing competition from Chinese EV companies, especially BYD, particularly in Europe.
- Tesla’s Response:
- Launched a cheaper Model Y in October to boost demand, but the impact wasn’t enough.
- Investor outlook:
- Despite delivery misses, Tesla’s stock is up 2% as of recording.
- “Investors are clearly more focused on Elon Musk’s long term vision for Tesla, which is all about AI, robotaxis and humanoid robots.”
- Upcoming Earnings:
- Next report due January 28; Zaid is skeptical about enthusiasm if fundamentals don’t catch up.
Notable Quote [03:56]:
“The fact that Tesla stock is hovering near all-time highs though, it kind of blows my mind.” — Zaid
3. Saks Global’s Looming Bankruptcy
[04:20 - 06:10]
- Saks Global is set to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after missing a $100 million interest payment.
- Background:
- Acquired Neiman Marcus for $2.7 billion in 2024, funded by debt. The merger “just loaded the company up with unsustainable debt.”
- Consequences:
- Payment delays to vendors led to inventory shortages and declining store offerings.
- Q4 sales dropped 13%, and net losses widened to $288 million.
- Broader trend:
- Zaid questions if luxury department stores are still viable, citing direct-to-consumer strategies by brands like Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
- Personal touch:
- Mentions Saks’ iconic NYC holiday light show, “I wonder if that’s going to go away now that the company is filing for bankruptcy.”
Notable Quote [05:53]:
“Like, why would a wealthy shopper go buy a luxury handbag at Saks 5th when you can just go to a Louis Vuitton store or a Chanel store directly?” — Zaid
4. Tariffs Delayed: Wayfair & RH Rally
[06:12 - 07:17]
- News: President Trump delays planned furniture and cabinetry tariffs until 2027.
- Tariffs were to rise from 25% to 30% (furniture) and 50% (cabinets).
- Market Impact:
- Wayfair up 3%, RH up 5% in pre-market trading.
- “Higher tariffs would have meant higher costs and tighter margins… Investors are celebrating this tariff pause.”
5. Oil Prices Post Steepest Drop Since 2020
[07:18 - 08:04]
- Oil prices fell over 20% in 2025, including a 5% drop in the past month.
- Reason:
- Oversupply: OPEC+ (incl. Saudi Arabia, UAE, Russia) ramped up production despite weak demand.
- Global production exceeding consumption by ~2 million barrels/day; surplus expected to worsen in 2026.
- Investor Angle:
- Good news for drivers, bad for energy investors.
6. Disney’s Box Office Dominance
[08:08 - 09:05]
- Disney leads global box office:
- $6.5B gross in 2025 — only studio to cross $6B, with Warner Bros. next at $4.3B.
- Hits:
- Zootopia 2 ($1.3B; “Disney’s highest grossing animated film ever”)
- Lilo & Stitch live-action ($1B)
- Avatar: Fire and Ash set to join the “billion dollar club”
- All are sequels/remakes: “Notably, none of them were original IP, but that’s just how it goes these days.”
- 700 million people worldwide saw a Disney film in theaters in 2025 — “that’s nearly one in every ten people on Earth.”
- Stock impact:
- Disney stock only up 2% despite box office highs.
Notable Quote [08:53]:
“So Mickey Mouse still got it. But despite Disney's success at the box office, their stock only went up 2% in 2025, so the market doesn't seem to care too much about the box office success.” — Zaid
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- On the metals boom:
“While everyone was arguing about AI valuations, these shiny rocks quietly stole the show.” [01:43]
- On Tesla’s market resilience:
“The fact that Tesla stock is hovering near all-time highs though, it kind of blows my mind.” [03:56]
- On department store irrelevance:
“Like, why would a wealthy shopper go buy a luxury handbag at Saks 5th when you can just go to a Louis Vuitton store or a Chanel store directly?” [05:53]
- On Disney’s reach:
“700 million people worldwide saw one of its movies in theaters in 2025. That’s nearly one in every ten people on Earth.” [08:45]
- Host’s tone:
Conversational, lightly humorous, and delivered with an “in-the-know” investor’s perspective.
Timestamps for Important Segments
- 2025 Market Recap: 00:17 – 02:05
- Tesla Q4 Delivery Miss: 02:42 – 04:15
- Saks Global Bankruptcy: 04:20 – 06:10
- Tariff Delays and Retail Stock Moves: 06:12 – 07:17
- Oil Slide: 07:18 – 08:04
- Disney Box Office Year: 08:08 – 09:05
Bottom Line
The episode offers a concise yet information-rich look at the end of the 2025 financial year, touching on a mix of headline-making events and under-the-radar trends. Investors are primed for volatility and big questions in 2026, as old paradigms (from Bitcoin booms to retail models) face up-and-coming realities.