
by John Coogan & Jordi Hays
338 episodes

NVIDIA (NVDA) remains a high-conviction core holding as it transitions into a platform company, with the next-generation Vera Rubin infrastructure launch in H2 2026 supporting a massive $1 trillion revenue target. In the pharmaceutical sector, Eli Lilly (LLY) and Novo Nordisk (NVO) offer software-like margins and "Big Tech" scale revenue, specifically driven by the projected $45 billion in sales for Terzepatide and the upcoming Retatrutide catalyst. Investors seeking alternatives to the semiconductor incumbents should watch Cerebras Systems, which recently gained significant validation through a major inference chip partnership with Amazon (AMZN). Within the private markets, Anthropic is emerging as a critical national security asset with a $330 billion valuation, while the retail brand Quince represents a top-tier opportunity in AI-driven, capital-efficient e-commerce. Conversely, exercise extreme caution with private equity-backed software firms from the 2018–2022 era, as experts warn of potential 60–80% losses in recovery rates due to AI disruption.

Investors should maintain high conviction in NVIDIA (NVDA) as global demand for Blackwell chips remains extreme, evidenced by ByteDance reportedly bypassing export bans to secure 36,000 B200 units through third-party cloud providers. While Lucid Motors (LCID) offers high-end technical competition, Tesla (TSLA) remains the dominant play in the EV sector due to its superior brand infrastructure and resilience against executive turnover. For those with access to private secondary markets, Stripe represents a premier "power law" investment characterized by institutional stability and a mature B2B culture that avoids the volatility of consumer tech. Monitor xAI as a high-risk, high-reward "Neo-Cloud" play; its value is increasingly tied to its rapid construction of massive data centers like Colossus rather than stable human capital. Finally, distinguish between social media "vibe wars" and hard metrics, as companies like Cursor continue to hit significant revenue milestones despite public narrative attacks.

Investors should consider Spotify (SPOT) as it evolves into an AI-driven "agentic media" platform, leveraging its $1.5 billion ticketing business and new audiobook revenue to diversify beyond music royalties. Palo Alto Networks (PANW) remains a high-conviction play in cybersecurity as it consolidates the market to combat AI-enabled attacks that have reduced data theft windows to just 28 minutes. While Tesla (TSLA) maintains a dominant manufacturing moat, investors must monitor leadership concentration risk and potential volatility stemming from Elon Musk’s focus on his new xAI venture. A major emerging theme is "Physical AI," where infrastructure-heavy sectors like automated logistics, mining, and industrial robotics are becoming the next high-margin frontier. For exposure to the AI hardware race, NVIDIA (NVDA) remains the critical provider as global tech giants compete for limited access to high-performance Blackwell chips.

Investors should focus on the "Physical AI" theme by targeting companies that apply automation to heavy industry, mining, and food production rather than just digital software. Keep a close watch on Travis Kalanick’s Adams (formerly City Storage Systems) as it integrates Pronto for autonomous industrial vehicles and expands its Lab 37 robotics division. Prioritize specialized, wheel-based industrial robotics over humanoid models, specifically looking for opportunities in "controlled environment" autonomy like automated mining and logistics hubs. In the public markets, consider a long-term bullish position on skilled trades and infrastructure providers, as physical labor becomes a high-value bottleneck in an AI-dominated economy. Evaluate late-stage private equity and venture-backed firms based on their ability to use capital as a "strategic weapon" to build high-moat physical assets that competitors cannot easily replicate.

Investors should consider a bullish position in Palantir (PLTR) as it transitions from a traditional software provider to a high-value AI orchestrator capable of deploying enterprise solutions in months rather than years. Focus on Defense Technology and Industrial AI sectors, as companies that integrate AI into complex infrastructure like hospitals, manufacturing, and the military are best positioned for national security-driven growth. Avoid "legacy" SaaS companies that lack clear AI-driven ROI, as these firms face significant "replatforming" risk and potential obsolescence. Monitor the shift in the labor market toward high-end vocational and technical skills, favoring companies that use AI to rescale human workers in heavy industry and battery production. Be mindful of long-term regulatory risks, specifically potential populist calls for the nationalization of critical AI infrastructure or increased taxes on AI-driven wealth concentration.

Investors should prioritize Palantir (PLTR) as a top-tier AI play, with analysts projecting a path to a $1 trillion market cap within three years driven by rapid commercial software adoption. NVIDIA (NVDA) remains a high-conviction core holding with a price target implying a $6 trillion valuation by 2027 as it transitions from a chipmaker to a foundational AI utility. For exposure to the autonomous revolution, Tesla (TSLA) is the primary pick, with its autonomous driving stack and Optimus robotics program expected to reach consumer homes within 3–4 years. Small-cap investors should look at Ondas Holdings (ONDS) for its critical role in the decade-long infrastructure build-out of counter-drone defense technology. Across the sector, the most effective strategy is to "own the winners" like Microsoft, Salesforce, and ServiceNow, which are successfully integrating AI to solve complex problems rather than being replaced by it.

Oracle (ORCL) is a high-conviction infrastructure play as it establishes itself as the "fourth hyperscaler," backed by a massive $553 billion backlog and major partnerships with OpenAI and Meta. Investors should focus on "picks and shovels" like GPUs and data center providers, as new AI reasoning models are driving a 10x explosion in token demand even as consumer user growth plateaus. In the media sector, look for legacy companies with deep intellectual property libraries that can leverage AI to slash production costs and migrate databases to the cloud. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are creating a time-sensitive opportunity in Urea and domestic fertilizer producers ahead of the spring planting season. Finally, monitor the energy sector as crude oil prices remain resilient at $86/barrel despite record strategic reserve releases, signaling continued upward pressure on energy stocks.

Investors should consider Oracle (ORCL) as a premier "picks and shovels" AI play, as its cloud infrastructure revenue is growing at 84% with massive backlogs from OpenAI and Meta. NVIDIA (NVDA) remains a primary beneficiary of this trend, supported by Oracle’s projected $90 billion revenue target and aggressive data center expansion. Block (SQ) offers a compelling margin expansion opportunity as it pivots to an AI-driven "functional" model, using autonomous agents to significantly reduce engineering headcount and automate 80% of customer support. In the private markets, the shift from AI "Copilots" to autonomous "Agents" is accelerating, evidenced by Replit’s recent $9 billion valuation and the launch of multi-agent coding tools. While infrastructure remains strong, investors should exercise caution with SaaS companies and Private Credit portfolios that lack unique AI integration, as J.P. Morgan (JPM) has begun marking down loans in these vulnerable sectors.

NVIDIA (NVDA) remains a high-conviction play as it secures its "kingmaker" status through a massive one-gigawatt chip partnership with Thinking Machines, ensuring long-term demand for its Blackwell and Hopper architectures. Investors should monitor Meta (META) as it pivots toward "agentic" social media and bot-integrated platforms, aggressively hiring top talent to ensure its Llama models remain industry leaders. While Anthropic is expanding its enterprise developer tools, the stock faces significant regulatory risk if the White House applies a "supply chain risk" designation that could block lucrative government contracts. BYD (BYDDF) is a strategic pick for those betting on global automotive expansion, as the company leverages hybrid technology to enter Formula One, though investors should watch for margin pressure from high entry costs. For those seeking non-correlated returns, Live Cattle commodities have outperformed the S&P 500 over the last five years and offer a proven hedge against a tech-heavy portfolio.

Investors should maintain core exposure to NVIDIA (NVDA) as it leverages its chip dominance to secure equity in high-scale AI labs like Thinking Machines, which plans to deploy a massive one gigawatt of compute power. Meta (META) is a high-conviction play in the "agentic" social media space, aggressively acquiring talent and niche platforms like Moltbook to integrate AI agents into its global ecosystem. For growth in the transportation sector, Archer Aviation (ACHR) offers a time-sensitive opportunity as the exclusive air taxi provider for the LA-28 Olympics, backed by a robust U.S. manufacturing partnership with Stellantis. In the private and venture-backed markets, focus on AI-driven HR platforms like Juicebox and legal tech firms like Lagora, which are disrupting traditional billing and recruiting models through automation. Conversely, exercise caution with Vail Resorts (MTN), as the commoditization of the "Epic Pass" model has led to stagnant long-term returns compared to outperforming commodities like Live Cattle.

Investors should prioritize Canadian oil producers and railroad companies like CNI (Canadian National Railway) and CP (CPKC), which serve as the primary transport link for North American crude amid pipeline shortages. The depleted U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve and the vulnerability of the Strait of Hormuz create a high-conviction environment for a massive spike in energy prices, as the government lacks the "ammo" to suppress future supply shocks. To hedge against asymmetric geopolitical threats, look for specialized defense firms focused on drone defense and maritime security to protect global shipping lanes from low-cost suicide drones. Within the nuclear sector, Canadian uranium assets represent a premier long-term play due to their high-grade deposits and geopolitical stability compared to Middle Eastern sources. Avoid "recovery plays" in Venezuela, as infrastructure decay makes it impossible for their production to scale fast enough to offset global disruptions.

With oil prices spiking toward $100, investors should prepare for a surge in the VIX and potential market sell-offs as rising energy costs threaten to keep Federal Reserve interest rates higher for longer. To hedge against high borrowing costs for AI infrastructure, look for "budget compute" opportunities like AMD, which is gaining traction as a cost-effective alternative to NVIDIA for enterprise-level data centers. Monitor Alphabet (GOOGL) as it shifts focus toward its "Other Bets," specifically Waymo and Wing, which are now being used as primary performance incentives for executive compensation. For long-term industrial stability, prioritize investments in regions with low-cost power like the U.S. and France, as high energy prices in de-nuclearized zones like Germany create a 25% cost disadvantage. Finally, watch for consolidation in the beverage sector as Phusion Projects (Four Loko) seeks a $400 million acquisition, signaling a potential exit window for legacy consumer brands.

Investors should consider hedging against geopolitical volatility by rotating into Oil (WTI/Brent) and Defense stocks, as a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz could drive prices above $100–$110 per barrel. To play the energy-intensive AI build-out, focus on companies providing Nuclear, Natural Gas, and Grid Infrastructure rather than just chipmakers, as power availability is now the primary bottleneck. Microsoft (MSFT) remains a high-conviction play as it shifts to a consumption-based revenue model and integrates Claude models to dominate the "agentic" enterprise software market. Alphabet (GOOGL) continues to show resilience through its DeepMind flywheel and massive growth in autonomous "moonshots" like Waymo. In the software sector, prioritize companies like Intercom that are moving away from "per-seat" pricing toward outcome-based models that charge per automated resolution.

Investors should consider Alphabet (GOOGL) as a potential breakout candidate, as a future regulatory requirement to report DeepMind financials separately could unlock "hidden value" similar to the AWS spin-off. The rapid advancement of GPT-5.4 suggests a massive productivity boom for software-heavy firms, making AI-integrated development tools like Cursor high-conviction plays. With Brent Crude approaching $90-$100/barrel due to geopolitical instability, look for opportunities in US oil service companies and energy producers if prices sustain these levels. To play the "picks and shovels" of the AI boom, target companies providing modular housing and electrical contracting for the $700 billion in planned rural data center projects. Monitor Oracle (ORCL) closely, as a rumored pivot involving 20,000+ job cuts could free up $10 billion for aggressive AI infrastructure expansion, signaling a long-term bullish shift.

The rapid performance gains of OpenAI’s GPT-5.4 suggest an immediate disruption of high-value professional services, making it a critical time to monitor AI-driven automation in legal and finance sectors. Investors should look for "hidden value" in Alphabet (GOOGL), as a potential regulatory forced breakout of DeepMind’s financials could reveal a massive, highly profitable business currently obscured by search revenue. To play the AI boom through physical infrastructure, consider specialized housing providers like Target Hospitality or Civio, which support the $700 billion data center construction pipeline. With Brent Crude approaching $90 and potentially hitting $150, hedge against energy-driven market volatility by favoring the Nasdaq over the more energy-sensitive Dow Jones. In the luxury sector, Ferrari (RACE) remains a high-conviction play due to its immense pricing power, while the secondary watch market is shifting value away from "hype" steel models toward high-end complications.

NVIDIA (NVDA) remains the primary "picks and shovels" play for AI exposure, with revenue projected to reach $215.9 billion by fiscal year 2026 as it captures the bulk of industry profits. For a physical infrastructure play, Copper is a critical bottleneck for data centers, having recently hit all-time highs due to massive demand for server rack cabling. Investors should look toward the energy sector for secular growth, specifically high-performers like Vistra (VST) and NRG Energy, which are powering the AI build-out. Taiwan Semiconductor (TSM) is the essential gatekeeper for advanced 2-nanometer chips, though investors must weigh its market dominance against geopolitical risks in the Taiwan Strait. Keep a close watch on SpaceX, as a rumored $1.75 trillion IPO before August 2026 could become the largest and most significant equity event in market history.

Investors should prioritize the "picks and shovels" of AI infrastructure by holding NVIDIA (NVDA), which continues to capture the majority of sector profits through its dominant hardware position. To hedge against tech volatility, diversify into Copper (HG) and nuclear energy providers like Vistra (VST) and Constellation Energy (CEG), as power and raw materials have become the primary bottlenecks for data center expansion. Avoid over-allocating to traditional SaaS companies facing growth headwinds, and instead monitor Microsoft (MSFT) for a long-term recovery as its massive capital expenditures begin to boost Azure cloud margins. Keep a close watch on the potential SpaceX IPO, which is expected to trigger a massive liquidity event and immediate inclusion in major indices like the S&P 500. For private market exposure, look toward "serious software" firms like Nominal that provide critical telemetry and testing infrastructure for the American manufacturing and defense sectors.

Investors should consider Apple (AAPL) as a top pick for its superior supply chain management, which allows it to launch the budget-friendly MacBook Neo at $599 despite skyrocketing component costs. To capitalize on the "Ramageddon" surge in memory prices, look toward the dominant DRAM trio of Micron (MU), Samsung, and SK Hynix, who currently hold unprecedented pricing power due to AI demand. Micron (MU) is particularly well-positioned as it pivots away from consumer retail to focus entirely on high-margin enterprise AI hardware. In the private sector, OpenAI is emerging as the "national champion" following a major Department of Defense contract, while Anthropic faces significant valuation risks after being labeled a government supply chain risk. For long-term growth, prioritize hardware with high RAM configurations, such as the M5 Mac line, which enables users to run Large Language Models locally and bypass expensive cloud subscriptions.

Investors should look toward Micron (MU), Samsung, and SK Hynix as "arms dealers" of the AI boom, as they control 95% of the global DRAM market during a period of massive price surges. Apple (AAPL) remains a high-conviction defensive play due to its supply chain resilience against rising memory costs and the strategic launch of the budget-friendly MacBook Neo to capture market share. In the enterprise AI sector, Anthropic is a dominant force commanding 50% of subscription spend, though investors should monitor potential "supply chain risk" designations from the U.S. government. For exposure to domestic security and autonomous infrastructure, Skydio is the primary U.S. alternative to DJI, benefiting from increased law enforcement adoption and federal restrictions on Chinese drones. Within the retail sector, Lululemon (LULU) continues to outperform Nike (NKE), which is facing a 10% revenue decline as consumer preferences shift.

Netflix (NFLX) is in a dominant "power position" as competitors like Warner Brothers Discovery (WBD) and Paramount (PARA) are forced to license their "crown jewel" content to service massive debt loads. Investors should look for a high probability of major HBO or Paramount titles appearing on Netflix within the next two years, driving significant profit expansion through operating leverage. Avoid high-leverage legacy media plays like PARA, which currently carries a risky 6x leverage ratio and will likely be forced into aggressive cost-cutting and asset sales. In the semiconductor space, TSMC (TSM) remains a high-conviction long-term play as massive capital expenditure on Arizona fabrication plants reinforces its lead in AI hardware infrastructure. For alternative assets, use platforms like Kalshi to hedge luxury holdings by shorting the secondary market prices of brands like Rolex.