Raging Moderates with Scott Galloway and Jessica Tarlov

Allocate toward discount retailers like Walmart (WMT) and Target (TGT) to capitalize on price-sensitive consumers shifting away from premium grocers amid persistent food inflation.

Overweight upstream energy producers and refiners, which continue to generate robust cash flows as geopolitical tensions sustain diesel prices above $6.00 per gallon.

Maintain long-term exposure to defense and aerospace manufacturers positioned to benefit from multi-year production backlogs to replenish critically depleted allied stockpiles of Patriot missile interceptors.

Target Hims & Hers Health (HIMS) for expanding recurring revenue driven by direct-to-consumer demand for Novo Nordisk’s (NVO) GLP-1 weight-loss drug, Wegovy.

Accumulate shares of Amazon (AMZN) as the company widens its logistics moat by scaling automated drone delivery across nearly 500 cities this year to reduce last-mile distribution costs.

Investors in Meta Platforms (META) can remain confident in core earnings, as recent youth-safety settlements and voluntary Instagram usage limits carry a negligible financial impact. Persistent inflation signals that the Federal Reserve may pause interest rate cuts, making it prudent to scale back exposure to real estate and rate-sensitive growth equities. Investors should consider holding cash equivalents or short-duration fixed income to take advantage of these sustained higher interest rates. Exercise extreme caution with prediction markets such as Kalshi and Polymarket, as political ties are likely to trigger aggressive state and federal regulatory scrutiny. Similarly, expect heightened compliance and headline risks surrounding politically affiliated cryptocurrency ventures backed by foreign sovereign capital.

Investors can view Meta Platforms (META) with greater confidence as its $17.1 billion legal settlement removes a major regulatory overhang, even though new daily limits on teen usage could create minor engagement headwinds. Watch for ripple effects across the social media sector, as competitors like Alphabet (GOOGL) and TikTok may face mounting pressure to adopt similar user restrictions. Meanwhile, investors in consumer staples and agricultural commodities should closely monitor developing U.S.-Canada trade policies regarding beef import tariffs. Any adjustments to these cross-border duties will directly impact near-term profit margins for meatpackers, food distributors, and grocery chains.

Investors should consider adding Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) to their portfolios to capitalize on YouTube's growing digital advertising dominance as viewership shifts away from traditional broadcast television.

Keep a close watch on the upcoming Anthropic IPO as a premier opportunity to gain high-growth, pure-play exposure to the generative AI market.

Exercise caution with legacy media holdings like Paramount Global (PARA) and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), as ongoing state-level antitrust lawsuits threaten consolidation efforts and create near-term price volatility.

Finally, when investing in the AI Infrastructure & Data Centers boom through utility providers and digital infrastructure REITs, be sure to account for potential project delays tied to power grid constraints and local municipal pushback.

Allocate capital to European defense contractors and drone technology manufacturers to capture surging government spending on low-cost unmanned systems and critical missile defense interceptors.

Hedge against Middle East supply disruptions and elevated crude prices by building long positions in upstream energy producers and broad energy sector ETFs.

Reduce exposure to North American automakers, auto parts suppliers, and heavy equipment manufacturers vulnerable to cross-border margin compression from retaliatory tariffs starting September 8 and expanding through January 1, 2027.

Gain exposure to domestic European AI companies and sovereign cloud infrastructure providers that are set to benefit directly from government-backed decoupling from U.S. enterprise software.

Investors should consider exposure to the energy sector through XLE or USO to benefit from sustained geopolitical risk premiums that threaten to push fuel costs higher.

The Defense & Aerospace sector, accessible via ITA and XAR, presents a strong buying opportunity as governments race to replenish depleted missile stockpiles and fund low-cost counter-drone technologies.

Apple (AAPL) remains an attractive core position as its expanding, high-margin Services ecosystem provides steady subscription growth to offset cyclical hardware upgrade cycles.

Wix.com (WIX) offers solid growth potential in the software space as small businesses increasingly adopt its AI-powered website building tools and centralized digital platforms.

Conversely, investors should exercise caution with Consumer Discretionary stocks, which face tightening profit margins if rising energy and transportation costs reignite broader inflation.

Investors should hedge against potential Middle East supply disruptions by building exposure to domestic crude oil producers and energy benchmarks like WTI and Brent, which could spike if shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are threatened.

Track commercial prescription growth for the newly approved eczema biologic Ebglus, which offers Eli Lilly and Company (LLY) an immediate catalyst to diversify revenue beyond its core diabetes and obesity treatments.

In the automation sector, focus capital on commercial industrial automation rather than speculative consumer humanoid robotics, where domestic adoption remains years away from commercial viability.

Private market investors should exercise caution and limit exposure to AI municipal surveillance developers like Flock Safety amid accelerating municipal contract cancellations and regulatory pushback.

Target local broadcast media companies and digital advertising platforms to capture strong revenue gains driven by historic political campaign ad spending in key swing markets. Position for legislative catalysts in the cryptocurrency sector as political capital deployment from digital asset ventures pushes policy clarity to the forefront. Invest long-term in fertility service providers, specialized reproductive biotech companies, and employee-benefit platforms to capitalize on surging consumer demand for reproductive care. Utilize regulated prediction markets like Kalshi as alternative data tools to monitor real-time political sentiment and actively hedge your portfolio against macro event risks.

Capitalize on Monday.com (MNDY) as a high-conviction productivity software play driving enterprise AI and workflow automation integration. Consider Odoo as an emerging disruptor in the SaaS space for small-to-medium businesses looking to cut operational overhead by consolidating tech stacks. Monitor Crocs (CROX) closely to capitalize on strong retail momentum and seasonal catalysts tied to peak back-to-school shopping trends. Evaluate major pharmaceutical portfolios like Pfizer and AbbVie for steady revenue streams anchored by dominant medical and therapeutic treatments. Hold defensive consumer packaged goods staples like J.M. Smucker (SJM) to benefit from reliable, everyday demand for essential household brands like Folgers.

Investors should closely monitor Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL / GOOG) as recent high-profile talent departures from Google DeepMind create near-term execution risks for its artificial intelligence division. While this leadership churn could temporarily hinder project timelines, it may also indicate that the race toward advanced AI milestones is accelerating rapidly. Shareholders with a medium-term horizon should watch how effectively management backfills these critical roles to maintain its competitive moat against industry rivals. Consider holding current positions while setting alerts for any slowdown in upcoming AI product rollouts over the next three to six months. Avoid aggressive new buying until the company proves these internal transitions are not impacting its broader technological roadmap.

Businesses looking to cut operational overhead should evaluate integrated ERP solutions like Odoo to lower administrative costs and eliminate software sprawl. Utilize prediction markets such as Kalshi as alternative data sources to gauge political outcomes and policy shifts that could impact specific economic sectors. Monitor these political probabilities closely to anticipate regulatory changes affecting your broader portfolio. Keep an eye out for potential future public offerings from these private platforms as they gain mainstream adoption. Always weigh the risks of software transitions and alternative data platforms against your personal financial strategy before making adjustments.

Avoid trading Trump Media and Technology Group (DJT) around breaking social media announcements due to extreme volatility and looming regulatory scrutiny over their new high-speed data service. General investors should anticipate heightened market swings whenever presidential pronouncements impact commodities like oil. Capitalize on the broader Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector by riding the wave of workplace adoption, which has surged to roughly 50% of Americans. However, maintain a cautious stance on tech stocks as persistent public skepticism and impending safety regulations create ongoing sector headwinds. Monitor these regulatory interventions closely over the near term to protect your tech-focused portfolio from sudden policy shifts.

Consider investing in Substack, as creator economy platforms with subscription models offer durable businesses and attractive valuations compared to ad-driven alternatives. Focus on companies that build loyal communities rather than casual audiences to drive higher conversion rates for paid subscriptions. For everyday savings, leverage Priceline to secure up to 60% off hotels, flights, and rental cars through their mobile app during peak travel seasons. Explore consumer health innovators like ZBiotics for lifestyle products that effectively scale their growth through targeted podcast sponsorships. You can currently test their pre-alcohol probiotic by using the discount code moderates at zbiotics.com/moderates for 15% off.

Investors should watch the B2B SaaS sector for rising demand in AI-driven administrative tools that eliminate software bloat for small and medium-sized businesses. Look into communication platforms like Quo to capitalize on the trend of businesses consolidating calls, texts, and AI summaries onto a single shared number. Consider enterprise resource planning solutions like Odoo as strong plays benefiting from the ongoing market demand for unified business management software. Small and medium-sized enterprises can immediately reduce operational friction and software costs by adopting these all-in-one administrative ecosystems during their current promotional trial periods.

Watch for increased enterprise adoption of workflow automation tools as a key growth catalyst for Monday.com (MONDAY). E-commerce scaling platforms like ShipStation present strong value propositions by leveraging decades of proprietary data for AI optimization. Consumer health brands targeting male longevity like Mars Men continue to show robust direct-to-consumer advertising traction. Small to medium-sized businesses are increasingly consolidating fragmented software stacks into integrated platforms like Odoo. Investors should monitor these B2B SaaS and e-commerce infrastructure trends to capitalize on operational efficiency and enterprise software consolidation.

Energy sector investors should closely monitor Middle Eastern geopolitical tensions and Houthi tanker attacks, as these disruptions are currently driving national gas prices above four dollars a gallon. Consider increasing exposure to major defense contractors to capitalize on the newly adopted $95 billion Pentagon budget, while watching for short-term volatility as the bill moves through the Senate. Agricultural commodity markets face ongoing supply chain headwinds and rising bankruptcies, making targeted agribusiness investments high-risk despite pending government bailouts. Businesses looking to reduce administrative overhead and software subscription bloat should adopt unified Enterprise Resource Planning platforms like Odoo to improve operational efficiency. Finally, expect heightened scrutiny and potential congressional blocks on the proposed U.S.-Saudi nuclear agreement, which could temporarily impact broader energy sector stability.

Geopolitical tensions with Iran threaten to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, which could sharply spike crude oil prices.
Consider increasing exposure to energy sector ETFs like XLE or crude oil futures to capitalize on potential supply shocks.
Demand for safe havens is also rising — gold (GLD) and long-term US Treasuries are likely to benefit.
Note that any diplomatic breakthrough could quickly reverse these moves, so use tight risk management.

Investors should prepare for Energy Market Volatility by monitoring oil prices and shipping costs as Houthi maritime embargos threaten to disrupt 4.5 million barrels of oil per day. To hedge against Middle East instability, prioritize domestic energy security through Renewable Infrastructure and Utility companies that reduce reliance on foreign oil. China remains the dominant play for green energy exposure, currently controlling 80% of the global supply chain for Batteries and Solar Panels. In the automotive sector, Toyota (TM) stands out as a high-conviction defensive leader due to its superior 53% resale value and strong hybrid lineup. For those tracking the weight-loss boom, look for "metabolic health" opportunities in the private and public biotech sectors that offer natural GLP-1 alternatives.

Investors should prioritize AI-driven defense and autonomous technology firms over traditional heavy hardware, as modern warfare shifts toward software-defined systems and drone swarms. Despite political headwinds for data centers in New York, look for Data Center REITs that focus on high-growth regions like Virginia or specialize in energy-efficient cooling to bypass regulatory hurdles. While U.S. aid to Israel faces political shifts, major defense contractors like Northrop Grumman (NOC) and Boeing (BA) remain resilient as Israel is expected to continue high-end equipment purchases using its own sovereign funds. In the consumer sector, PepsiCo (PEP) is a strong play for the sports-viewing demographic through its Pepsi Zero Sugar expansion, while Choice Hotels (CHH) offers stability by targeting value-conscious domestic travelers. Finally, monitor food supply chain risks by investing in rapid pathogen-testing companies as government-led food safety surveillance faces significant budget and personnel cuts.

Investors should prepare for a significant spike in oil prices and energy stocks as shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz collapses, creating a massive inflationary "hidden tax." To hedge against global supply shocks, consider positions in agricultural commodity leaders like CF Industries (CF) and Mosaic (MOS), which are poised to benefit from critical fertilizer shortages. While high-margin IP leaders like Apple (AAPL) and Nike (NKE) remain core long-term holdings, they face immediate downside risk if global trade routes and "freedom of navigation" continue to deteriorate. Avoid or reduce exposure to private prison stocks like CoreCivic (CXW) and Geo Group (GEO) due to extreme regulatory and political "headline risk" regarding the monetization of public services. In the retail sector, Wayfair (W) is a notable play as it differentiates itself through high-touch "last-mile" delivery and integrated setup services to capture e-commerce market share.