Pivot Predictions: Scott’s Big Tech Stock Pick, The Next Bailout, and President JD Vance?
Pivot Predictions: Scott’s Big Tech Stock Pick, The Next Bailout, and President JD Vance?
130 days agoPivotNew York Magazine
Podcast43 min 6 sec
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Note: AI-generated summary based on third-party content. Not financial advice. Read more.
Quick Insights

Consider buying Amazon (AMZN), which is viewed as a top big tech pick for 2026 due to its leadership in AI and robotics and a currently reasonable valuation. Be cautious with broad AI stocks and the Magnificent Seven, as a significant correction is predicted due to rising competition and geopolitical risks. The combination of AI and robotics is a key long-term investment theme, with companies like Alphabet's (GOOGL) Waymo also being a notable player. Investors should consider avoiding Las Vegas casino stocks like Caesars (CZR), which face structural headwinds from the growth of online gambling. Finally, watch for potential IPOs from prediction market companies like Polymarket or Kalshi around 2026, which are anticipated to be high-growth opportunities.

Detailed Analysis

Amazon (AMZN)

  • This was named the big tech stock pick for 2026 by Scott Galloway.
  • The stock is viewed as an underperformer year-to-date, having only risen 7% at the time of the podcast.
  • Amazon has made massive investments in robotics that have not yet resulted in major payoffs, but are expected to soon.
    • Amazon has 1 million operational industrial robots, which is 2.5 times more than the rest of the United States combined.
    • The company is predicted to be able to double the revenue in its retail group with no increase in employees due to these efficiencies.
  • The combination of AI and robotics at Amazon is described as "huge" and is expected to lead to the "mother of all margin expansion" in its core retail business.
  • The stock is considered reasonably priced.
    • Its Price-to-Earnings (P/E) multiple is 33, compared to its five-year average of 58.
    • Its Enterprise Value to EBITDA ratio is 17, compared to its usual 23.

Takeaways

  • Bullish Sentiment: The speakers are very bullish on Amazon's future performance, expecting it to outperform other big tech stocks.
  • Long-Term Play: The investment thesis is based on future margin expansion from AI and robotics, suggesting this is a play for investors with a longer time horizon looking towards 2026.
  • Valuation: The stock is seen as being at a fair value currently, offering a potentially attractive entry point before the expected efficiency gains are reflected in the stock price.

AI Stocks & The Magnificent Seven

  • A major drawdown is predicted for AI stocks and the Magnificent Seven.
  • The primary driver for this bearish view is geopolitical tension with China.
  • The prediction is that China will engage in "AI dumping" by flooding the market with low-cost, open-weight AI models that are reaching "technical parity" with US models.
  • This will put immense pricing pressure on US-based AI companies like OpenAI and cause a "massive re-rating down" of the big tech stocks that have driven the market.
  • It was also mentioned that if these major AI-related companies falter, the government might step in with a bailout, similar to the CHIPS Act, to prop up the industry because the entire economy is now heavily reliant on it.

Takeaways

  • Bearish Sentiment: There is a strong bearish prediction for the broader AI sector and the largest tech stocks due to international competition and geopolitical factors.
  • Risk Factor: Investors heavily concentrated in the Magnificent Seven or other AI-focused stocks should be aware of the potential for a significant correction if Chinese competition intensifies as predicted.
  • Watch Geopolitics: The performance of this sector is tied to US-China relations. Investors should monitor developments in trade policy and the competitiveness of Chinese AI models.

Robotics Sector

  • The speakers believe the combination of AI and robotics is an investment theme that is not getting enough attention.
  • This is where the "big changes we're going to see in our society" will come from, particularly in areas like manufacturing and autonomous vehicles.
  • Waymo (a subsidiary of Alphabet - GOOGL) was specifically mentioned as a company where shareholder gains from AI will be realized through its application in autonomous driving.
  • The discussion highlighted that real-world applications are already emerging, such as AI-powered exoskeletons in Korea that help people walk.

Takeaways

  • Bullish Theme: Robotics, especially when combined with AI, is presented as a major growth area for the future.
  • Look for Applications: The insight is that the real investment gains will come from companies that apply AI in physical-world robotics, rather than from the pure-play AI model creators.
  • Companies to Watch: While Amazon was the main pick, Waymo (Alphabet) was also highlighted as a key player in this space. Investors interested in this theme should look for companies with strong robotics and AI integration strategies.

Prediction Markets (Polymarket & Kalshi)

  • These platforms are described as "genius businesses" that are becoming influential prediction engines.
  • A prediction was made that one or both of these companies will go public in 2026 and that it will be "one of the best IPOs of 26."

Takeaways

  • Potential IPO Opportunity: Investors should keep an eye out for potential IPOs from Polymarket or Kalshi. The speakers are very bullish on their business models and potential for growth.
  • High Risk: The discussion also highlighted significant risks associated with these platforms, including:
    • The potential for insider trading and market manipulation.
    • Negative social consequences, such as gambling addiction and increased bankruptcy rates.
    • These are speculative, high-risk opportunities.

TikTok

  • TikTok was called the "best investment you don't have access to."
  • The forced sale of TikTok's US operations is expected to happen at a valuation of around $28 billion.
  • The speaker estimates its true worth is closer to $120 billion if valued similarly to Alphabet (GOOGL) or Meta (META).
  • This presents a potential 300-400% return for the politically connected investors (referred to as "friends of Trump") who will be allowed to participate in the deal.

Takeaways

  • Private Opportunity: This is not an opportunity for the general public. It highlights how certain investors may receive preferential access to highly lucrative deals.
  • Illustrates High Value: For investors in social media, this analysis underscores the immense perceived value of TikTok's platform, suggesting a strong competitive threat to existing players like Meta and Alphabet.

Las Vegas Casino Companies (e.g., Caesars Entertainment)

  • A bearish outlook was given for publicly traded Las Vegas companies.
  • The rise of online gambling and prediction markets means that "Vegas is everywhere now," reducing the need for people to travel to physical casinos.
  • It was noted that stocks like Caesars were already down 38% for the year, with other Vegas companies falling between 19% and 38%.

Takeaways

  • Bearish Sentiment: The trend towards online gambling is seen as a direct threat to the business model of traditional, location-based casino companies.
  • Structural Headwinds: Investors in this sector should be aware of the significant structural shift in the gambling industry that could continue to pressure these stocks.
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Episode Description
Kara and Scott check their predictions track record for 2025, and make new ones for 2026. What’s Scott’s big tech stock pick? Who’s getting the next big bailout? Will President Trump make it through another year? And will lesbians be running shit? (Yes.) Watch this episode on the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Pivot YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Instagram and Threads at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pivotpodcastofficial⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow us on Bluesky at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pivotpod.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow us on TikTok at ⁠⁠⁠⁠@pivotpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send us your questions by calling us at 855-51-PIVOT, or email ⁠⁠Pivot@voxmedia.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
About Pivot
Pivot

Pivot

By New York Magazine

Every Tuesday and Friday, tech journalist Kara Swisher and NYU Professor Scott Galloway offer sharp, unfiltered insights into the biggest stories in tech, business, and politics. They make bold predictions, pick winners and losers, and bicker and banter like no one else. After all, with great power comes great scrutiny. From New York Magazine and the Vox Media Podcast Network.