Pivot
Podcast

Pivot

by New York Magazine

107 episodes

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.
Ask about PivotAnswers are grounded in this source's posts from the last 30 days.

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107 posts
AI Faceoffs at the Super Bowl, Bob Iger's Heir Apparent, and WaPo's Brutal Cuts

Consider the recent price drop in Alphabet (GOOGL) as a potential buying opportunity, as its staggering earnings growth and massive AI spending signal long-term strength. The market has misinterpreted the company's aggressive investment in AI as a negative, but it is a key advantage over competitors. Disney (DIS) is also presented as an undervalued value buy, with its strong Parks and Streaming assets being held back by its legacy TV business. A potential spin-off of networks like ESPN is a key catalyst that could unlock significant value for shareholders. Investors should look for any strategic restructuring at Disney as a signal to buy.

Epstein Files Fallout, Trump's Fed Chair Pick, and Musk Merger

Consider the extremely bearish view on Tesla (TSLA), with analysis suggesting the stock is fundamentally overvalued and should be trading closer to $30 per share. Keep an eye out for a potential SpaceX IPO around June, which is viewed as a highly impressive company with massive market dominance. However, be aware that this IPO may be bundled with other Musk-owned assets, potentially diluting the pure-play value of SpaceX. For broader AI exposure, established giants like Alphabet (GOOGL) and Microsoft (MSFT) are seen as safer investments than the potentially overvalued OpenAI IPO. The upcoming OpenAI public offering is viewed with skepticism due to intense competition and a valuation described as a "consensual hallucination."

Economic Protests, Social Media on Trial, and Big Tech Earnings

Extreme caution is advised for Tesla (TSLA), as its financial performance is rapidly deteriorating while the stock's valuation remains disconnected from its core car business. For a long-term bullish opportunity, consider Amazon (AMZN), which is positioned to massively expand profit margins by leveraging AI and robotics to grow revenue without increasing headcount. Investors in social media stocks like Meta (META), Snap (SNAP), and Google (GOOGL) should monitor the major "Big Tobacco" style lawsuit, which poses a significant long-term risk to their business models. A consumer boycott targeting Big Tech companies like Apple (AAPL) and Netflix (NFLX) could also create a short-term headwind for their stocks, particularly during the month of February. Finally, private prison stocks such as GEO Group (GEO) and CoreCivic (CXW) face significant downward pressure from potential divestment campaigns due to ESG concerns.

The Cost of Corporate Silence on ICE, Trump's Health, and TikTok USA

Meta (META) is positioned for continued growth as it captures market share from a weakened TikTok. In contrast, Tesla (TSLA) presents a bearish case due to falling sales, negative product reception, and intense competition from Chinese EV companies. The investment by Oracle (ORCL) in the new US TikTok entity is considered highly risky, as the platform is expected to lose its user engagement and relevance. For investors seeking a safe-haven asset, Gold and Silver are presented as essential hedges against a weakening US dollar and political instability. This suggests a long-term bearish outlook for US technological dominance, making diversification into innovative Chinese companies a potential strategy.

Is Alex Pretti Shooting a Turning Point?

A potential consumer "economic strike" against major tech companies presents a near-term risk for stocks like Apple (AAPL), NVIDIA (NVDA), and Microsoft (MSFT). A proposed delay of iPhone purchases for the next 60 days could negatively impact AAPL's upcoming quarterly earnings. Investors should monitor subscription trends for AI services like OpenAI, as a slowdown could signal bearish pressure for the entire sector, including NVDA and MSFT. Consider the risk of fund outflows from large banks like JPMorgan (JPM) if consumers move their money in protest. This trend could conversely create a bullish opportunity for local regional banks as they may see an inflow of new deposits.

Davos Drama, DOGE's Social Security Scandal, and Netflix Goes All-Cash for Warner Bros

Netflix (NFLX) stock has fallen 20% to a 52-week low since its all-cash offer for Warner Brothers was announced, with a shareholder vote on the deal expected by April. Despite this, NFLX has demonstrated strong financial discipline, cutting content spending as a percentage of revenue by 55% since 2015. Investors should be cautious with Tesla (TSLA), as the company significantly missed its Cybertruck sales target, delivering only 20,000 units against a goal of 250,000. Strong negative sentiment on Paramount (PARA) leadership suggests avoiding the stock, as poor management is seen as a major risk. While AI is the hottest investment theme, seek exposure through established public companies as the most discussed startups remain private.

Betting on Reality with Kalshi CEO Tarek Mansour: ACCESS

The emerging Prediction Markets theme represents a high-growth sector, and investors should monitor for a potential IPO from the regulated leader, Kalshi. For current exposure to the regulated digital asset trend, consider Coinbase (COIN), which was endorsed as a durable, "best-in-class" leader. The investment thesis for COIN is that its focus on compliance positions it to attract institutional capital and thrive long-term. This strategy makes it a more durable investment compared to unregulated rivals in new financial sectors. Separately, the upcoming launch of XMoney is a key catalyst to watch as a signal for the viability of X's "everything app" strategy.

Trump Threatens Insurrection Act, Paramount Sues Warner Bros, and Apple Teams Up with Google for AI

Alphabet's (GOOGL) stock is a strong buy following its landmark deal to power Apple's AI, validating its Gemini technology and securing a key distribution channel. Consider an investment in Disney (DIS), as its valuable assets and underperforming stock make it a prime target for a takeover or activist campaign that could unlock significant value. The ongoing acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) by Netflix (NFLX) presents a clear M&A opportunity for investors. The all-cash nature of the Netflix offer makes it the most probable outcome, creating a favorable setup for WBD shareholders. A competing bid from Paramount (PARA) is considered a long shot unless it comes in at a substantial premium of over 15% to the current offer.

Fed Chair Investigation, Trump's Oil Deals, and Scott's Absence Explained

Geopolitical tensions with Iran suggest a bullish outlook for the defense sector as military spending may increase. The podcasting industry is presented as a high-growth opportunity, reportedly expanding faster than tech giants like Google or Meta. Investors should be cautious of Big Tech stocks like Meta (META) and X, which face significant regulatory risks and potential bans in major international markets. Major oil companies like Exxon (XOM) consider Venezuela "uninvestable" due to high costs and political instability, signaling a strong reason to avoid the region's energy sector. Consider Rivian (RIVN) as a potential long-term hold due to its strong brand positioning in the luxury electric vehicle market.

Trump's Venezuela Oil Gambit, ICE Shooting Fallout, and Warner Bros. Says No (Again)

An investment opportunity exists in Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), which is currently in a bidding war. For its acquisition offer to succeed, Paramount (PARA) will likely need to increase its bid to approximately $34 per share. Without a higher offer from Paramount, WBD is expected to proceed with its current deal involving Netflix (NFLX). Separately, investors should be cautious of the current hype in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector, as valuations may be in a bubble. A significant correction in AI stock prices is predicted for the latter half of 2026, suggesting a potential future downturn.

The U.S. Takes Charge of Venezuela... Now What?

Focus investments on dominant tech leaders within the "Magnificent Seven" as they are best positioned to leverage the AI revolution and thrive in the current economy. Consider Oracle (ORCL) for its potentially undervalued 15% ownership stake in TikTok, which represents a significant and unique asset. Keep an eye out for the potential SpaceX IPO as a major future catalyst and consider Palantir (PLTR), which benefits from similar durable government contract trends. When investing in the AI theme, avoid speculative companies simply adding the term to their name and instead select established innovators to sidestep a potential bubble. Exercise caution with Dogecoin (DOGE), as its primary promoter has reportedly moved on, signaling a potential loss of momentum for the asset.

Pivot Predictions: Scott’s Big Tech Stock Pick, The Next Bailout, and President JD Vance?

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.

The AI Dilemma with Tristan Harris – The Prof G Pod

The Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector is viewed as potentially overvalued, with a risk of stocks declining by 50-80% if the current hype subsides. For a core AI infrastructure play, consider NVIDIA (NVDA) as it provides the essential "picks and shovels" for the entire industry. However, be aware that NVDA faces significant regulatory risk if governments decide to control its advanced chips as a strategic resource. As a potentially safer alternative, Apple (AAPL) is positioned as a "humane technology" leader that may be more resilient to the regulatory backlash facing its peers. Investors should closely monitor new regulations on data and AI liability, which pose a direct threat to the business models of Google (GOOGL) and Meta (META).

The End of Human Driving? with Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi | On With Kara Swisher

Uber (UBER) is a compelling investment as its use of AI is already driving significant profitability and 20% revenue growth. The Uber Eats division is a key growth driver, with management believing it could ultimately become larger than the core mobility business. For long-term exposure to the Autonomous Vehicle (AV) theme, consider UBER's strategy to become the central booking platform for various AV fleets. Investors should monitor the competitive dynamic between UBER's open platform and Tesla's (TSLA) closed ecosystem, as TSLA plans its own competing ride-sharing network. Finally, watch for opportunities in Chinese AV manufacturers, who are described as being "way ahead" in producing the hardware for the AV revolution.

Personal Investment Strategies, Effective Public Policies and Should We Tax AI?

To capitalize on the AI boom, invest in the "picks and shovels" of the industry, such as chipmaker NVIDIA (NVDA) and developer platform MongoDB (MDB). For broader exposure, consider established tech giants like Microsoft (MSFT) and Oracle (ORCL) that are now central to the AI ecosystem. A contrarian opportunity exists in the construction industry, which is poised to benefit from the wealth and infrastructure needs created by AI. To play the theme of increasing wealth concentration, consider top-tier luxury brands with pricing power, specifically Hermes (RMS.PA). For investors with significant capital, the thesis suggests buying and developing high-end real estate in scarce markets like London, Palm Beach, and Aspen.

Brown and Bondi Beach Shootings, Trump's AI Executive Order, and Oracle Struggles

A major consolidation wave is expected across the media sector, creating high-stakes investment opportunities. Paramount (PARA) is considered a high-risk, event-driven investment, as its future is almost entirely dependent on the outcome of its bid to acquire Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD). A successful deal could be transformative for PARA, but a failure could be catastrophic for the company. Separately, Disney (DIS) may represent a significant value opportunity due to its stagnant stock price despite valuable assets like its theme parks and IP. The primary catalyst for Disney is speculation that it could be acquired by Apple (AAPL), a move that could unlock substantial value for shareholders.

Disney's OpenAI Investment, Nvidia Chip Deal, and Australia’s New Social Media Ban

Netflix (NFLX) is positioned as the ultimate winner in the streaming wars, poised to benefit from industry consolidation and increased pricing power. Investors should be cautious of the bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), as the high price risks long-term value destruction due to the "winner's curse." A significant regulatory headwind is emerging for social media stocks like Meta (META), as Australia's ban on users under 16 could become a global blueprint. This trend directly threatens a key revenue stream, with Instagram alone reportedly earning $4 billion from its teen users. Finally, while not a direct trade, the Disney (DIS) partnership with OpenAI is a positive signal that the company is embracing innovation to leverage its valuable IP.

Paramount's Hostile Bid, Elon's EU Threat, and Meta's Metaverse Cuts

Consider Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) as a potential investment due to a hostile, all-cash takeover offer from Paramount at $30 per share. A potential bidding war with Netflix (NFLX) could drive the stock price higher, though any deal faces regulatory scrutiny. For long-term growth, the space industry is identified as a major theme poised for explosive growth, comparable to the current excitement around AI. Investors should watch for the highly anticipated IPO of industry leader SpaceX, which is rumored to be planned for 2026. Additionally, the space defense sector is highlighted as a key ancillary area for investment within this broader theme.

Anthropic IPO Chatter, Bitcoin's Turbulent Week, and Kara Gets Caught in a Scandal

Amid a bidding war for Warner Brothers Discovery, Comcast (CMCSA) has emerged as the market's favored acquirer due to its strong strategic fit. For investors with a high risk tolerance, the recent significant drop in Bitcoin (BTC) may present a buying opportunity, as some analysts are considering adding to their positions. Investors interested in the AI sector should monitor Anthropic for a potential IPO next year, as it represents a focused, enterprise-first alternative to OpenAI. In contrast, investors should be cautious of OpenAI's current dominance, as its "do everything" strategy carries risks similar to early tech leaders like Netscape. For stable, long-term growth, Costco (COST) is highlighted as a top-tier company with a powerful business model, making it a strong candidate for a core holding.

Holiday Spending Surge, Fed Chair Future, and Melania's Production Company

Consider investing in luxury brands, as they are expected to perform well while high-income consumer spending remains strong. While Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a powerful theme boosting retail, be extremely cautious with high-flying AI stocks like NVIDIA (NVDA) and Palantir (PLTR). Analysts warn that NVDA could fall by 70% and PLTR could see an 80% decline due to high valuations. Investors should also be wary of Oracle (ORCL) due to its recent poor performance and warnings of worsening credit conditions. Finally, avoid the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) sector, as its rapid growth is viewed as a negative economic indicator signaling consumer financial stress.