Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing

40 Episodes
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By: The Motley Fool

Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing is a daily podcast for stock investors. Weekday episodes offer a long-term perspective on business news with The Motley Fool's investment analysts. Weekend shows are a mix of personal finance and longer-form interviews.

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Tech Hits a Wall & Netflix Plunges
Yesterday at 8:30 PM

Tech stocks have dropped this week as earnings have given investors reason for concern. IBM left a lot to be desired and Netflix dragged on the market as well. We make sense of it all and give you the stocks on our radar.
Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Emily Flippen discuss:
- Tech Crashing
- What We’re Watching
- Netflix Earnings
- History of Tech
- Gemini Delayed
- Radar Stocks
Companies discussed: TransDigm (TDG), Uber (UBER), Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Micron (MU), Netflix (NFLX).
Host: Travis Hoium
Guests: Lo...


Uber’s New Acquisition and GE Aerospace’s Search for Parts
Last Thursday at 8:30 PM

Shares of Uber are right about where they were a little over two years ago. The company has been grappling with how to navigate the world of robotaxis. One way is to lean into delivery services, and that’s why the company announced the acquisition of Delivery Hero today for $14.8 billion. Matt, Jon, And Tyler discuss Uber’s reasons for doing this now and whether a push into delivery can fend of the challenges from robotaxis. Plus, GE Aerospace’s having a hard time sourcing materials and whether emerging industries are worth betting on now.
Have a question? Email...


Does PayPal Have a Buyer?
Last Wednesday at 8:30 PM

Stripe is reportedly circling PayPal in a deal that could end a frustrating run for the fintech giant, but is it a good enough deal to get done? We discuss that and Johnson & Johnson’s earnings, plus how Uber has become the incumbent in autonomous vehicles.
Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss:
- PayPal’s Offer
- How Stripe Gets a Deal Done
- Why PayPal Says “No”
- J&J’s Earnings
- Uber in DC
- How Uber Became the Incumbent
Companies discussed: Uber (UBER), Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), Uber...


Big Banks Cash In, IBM Crashes Out
Last Tuesday at 8:30 PM

BM gave its investors a heads up about the upcoming quarter, and the market didn’t like what management had to say. The company’s pre-released earnings were lower than analyst expectations, and its raising questions about the spending priorities for IBM’s clients. Plus, the big banks all had blowout earnings reports, and it isn’t just from cashing in on the SpaceX IPO.
Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com
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2 Hidden Businesses to Watch as AI Keeps Heating Up
Last Monday at 8:33 PM

Many investors feel like the AI trend peaked and some AI stocks are taking it on the chin in response. However, Taiwan Semiconductor is showing an accelerated growth rate and Meta Platforms is nearly doubling the scope of one of its important data centers, suggesting the AI buildout is still on. In light of this, Matt and Rachel each highlight a hidden company that can benefit from the trends. Finally, Jon throws a question to them from a listener regarding selling stocks to pay for school, avoiding student loan debt.


Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel...


Why Most AI Projects Will Fail — And How to Find the Companies That Won't
Last Sunday at 4:00 PM

ROI supersedes AI. That's the blunt verdict from Steve Lucas, Chairman and CEO of Boomi, who has spent 30 years at the top of enterprise software. With OpenAI burning $3 billion a month and Gartner projecting that up to 40% of enterprise AI projects will be abandoned by 2027, the blank-check era for AI spending is over — and the reckoning is coming faster than most investors realize. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren sits down with Steve to unpack what Wall Street is missing: why the next wave of AI winners won't be the flashy model makers, how to spot the difference between a re...


Trump Accounts Are Live, But Are They the Best Choice?
07/11/2026

If you'd like to help a child, grandchild, or other young person get started investing, you have a few options when it comes to the type of account to open. Starting this month, a new option is available: Trump Accounts. Fools Robert Brokamp and Joel O’Leary discuss the details, pros, and cons. Topics covered:
-Eligibility and contribution limits for Trump Accounts
-The tax advantages, including potentially converting them to Roth accounts
-The drawbacks, limitations, and potential penalties if money is withdrawn before age 59 1/2
-The best use cases for Trump Accounts, and other types of ac...


What History Teaches Us About Today’s Market
07/10/2026

There’s no question artificial intelligence is the next big paradigm shift in technology, but how that shift plays out could determine how investors can make money. We discuss what we can learn from the PC era, the internet boom and bust, and the mobile phone era in technology. Plus, we discuss our hidden gems and stocks on our radar.


Travis Hoium, Andy Cross, and Lou Whitman discuss:

- 80s Lessons

- .com Infrastrucuture

- Internet Disruptors

- How AI Plays Out

- Hidden Ge...


Meta Has Been Busy
07/09/2026

It’s not just you, the number of major announcements Meta Platforms has put out in recent months is unusually high, even by Meta Platforms standards. Matt, Jon, and Tyler debate whether all of these new AI, semiconductor manufacturing, and prediction market initiatives are value adding ideas or wasted capital . Plus, is GE Vernova worth its current price tag and what to make of communications REIT American Tower


Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com


Want to take the next step in your investing journey? Explore Motley Fool’s Ep...


Oil Pulls the Market Lower Again
07/08/2026

Oil rose sharply early on Wednesday and the market didn’t like what it saw. But oil may not be the big driver of stocks that it was a few months ago and the pullback may simply be a healthy breather for hot stocks. Plus, we discuss some new EVs hitting the market and how satellites could disrupt telecom.


Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss:

- Oil Is Up Again

- Market Breather?

- Can a Cheap EV Win?

- Why Americans Buy Big

...


AI Expectations Hit a Fever Pitch
07/07/2026

Every quarter recently, semiconductor stocks keep churning out incredible numbers. And every quarter, it seems as those companies somehow “miss expectations”. The most recent example was when Samsung Electronics reported a 1,900% increase in profits, the stock dropped so much it halted trading on the Korean composite index. Lou, Matt, and Tyler dig into the expectations game Wall Street is playing and the underlying trends still supporting it. Plus, defense companies are making moves at the NATO summit and investor questions.


Have a question? Email us; podcasts@fool.com


Want to t...


Are Index Funds Making the Market “Irrational”?
07/06/2026

Matt, Rachel, and Jon talk about SK Hynix’s upcoming U.S. IPO, explaining what high-bandwidth memory is and which companies could potentially benefit from the company’s IPO proceeds. The Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing team then tackles two questions from the mailbag. The first relates to SpaceX and ETFs. The second talks about how ETFs and index funds have potentially changed the structure of the stock market.


Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss:

-High bandwidth memory for AI

-SK Hynix’s U.S. IPO

-What...


The Man Who Survived 47 Days on a Raft Has a Lesson for Every Investor
07/05/2026

Every market downturn will test you. Not your strategy, not your portfolio — you. And the investors who come out the other side aren't the ones who had the best picks going in. They're the ones who learned how to take a hit, stay in the game, and get smarter because of it. Motley Fool's Tom Gardner sits down with Louis Zamperini — World War II survivor, Olympic runner, and the man whose story inspired the bestselling book Unbroken — to talk about why the people who overcome the most become the hardest to beat, and why the moment everything in your portfo...


Declare Your Financial Independence!
07/04/2026

It’s the first Saturday of the month, which means it’s time for the next installment of our 2026 Financial Planning Challenge. Since it’s July 4th, we thought it fitting that this month we focus on financial independence – in other words, retirement. How do you know if your retirement plan is on track? And how will you know when you’re financially ready to bid adieu to the working world? Fools Robert Brokamp and Stephanie Marini discuss how to find the answers to those questions, including:
-Common rules of thumb like the 50-30-20 rule and ye olde 4% ru...


Behind Wall Street’s Scorching Quarter
07/03/2026

Q2 2026 was the best year on Wall Street since 2020 and AI led the way. But the gains weren’t evenly distributed and we discuss what’s sustainable and what’s not in the market. Plus, we discuss Meta becoming a neocloud and look back on the U.S. stocks that defined the past four decades.


Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jason Moser discuss:

- Record Q2 Performance

- How AI Ruled the Day

- Meta the Neocloud?

- What Happened to Compute Constraint?

- Histor...


The Challenges of the China Market
07/02/2026

HAve you noticed that more and more companies are finding the Chinese market is a headwind for companies? You’re not alone. Automotive companies, clothing retailers, beauty products, and many more are either losing market share or seeing sales decline. Jon, Matt, and Tyler break down why the Chinese market has been such a challenge for so many companies, who could be the next company to experience this, and how investors can navigate this trend. Plus, the unconventional winners & losers of the S&P 500 and listener questions.


Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss:
...


Is The Oil Crisis Over? Or Is It Just Beginning?
07/01/2026

Oil prices have plunged in recent weeks as the war in Iran appears to be coming to a halt. But why did predictions of $200 oil never materialize? We discuss the underlying dynamics. We also covered a new stablecoin that could be disruptive to payments and why Nike’s comeback is stalling out.


Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Tyler Crowe discuss:

- Why Oil Prices Are Dropping

- Did China Prevent an Energy Crisis?

- The New Open USD Stablecoin

- Are Stablecoins Disruptive?

- Ni...


Picking the Winners of the Honeywell Breakup
06/30/2026

The Honeywell International of 10 years ago is now six different publicly traded companies. This week, Honeywell International split with Honeywell Aerospace to complete the pre-planned separation. Tyler, Matt, and Lou look break down the prospects for the disparate parts as standalone companies and pick which ones will be the outperformers based on recent spinoffs and separateions. Plus, a busy week of deals and an investor question about covered call ETFs


Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Lou Whiteman discuss:

- Digital Realty buying data centers

- Building materials industry consolidation

<...


Rocket Lab Shakes Up Satellite Communications
06/29/2026

Jon, Matt, and Rachel dissect the latest breakup news from Comcast as the media giant intends to spin off assets under its NBCUniversal entity. This could unlock value but could shake up the streaming landscape. The team then moves on to Rocket Lab’s $8 billion acquisition of Iridium before ending with a listener question about selling stocks.


Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss:

-Comcast spins off NBCUniversal

-Whether NBCUniversal is an attractive takeover target

-Rocket Lab’s $8 billion acquisition

-Selling stocks you love to buy...


The AI Headlines You Should Be Most Suspicious Of
06/28/2026

The companies dominating AI headlines right now may not be the ones actually winning. In fact, according to Julie Averill, the loudest signals are often the ones most worth questioning. As former global CIO of Lululemon — where she helped oversee one of retail's most successful tech transformations — Julie has spent decades separating real change from corporate theater. Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren sits down with Julie, now author of Chief Impact Officer, to unpack what AI washing actually looks like from the inside, why 87% of CEOs say psychological safety matters but only 13% believe their company has it, and what that...


401(k) Champions and Soaring Value Stocks
06/27/2026


Most of the education about work-sponsored retirement plans comes from the employer or the plan provider. But you could be a source of knowledge and encouragement to your colleagues, friends, and relatives. Robert Brokamp discusses grassroots retirement education with Julie Jason, the founder and CEO of Jackson, Grant Investment Advisers and the creator of the annual 401(k) Champion Award. (Visit 401kchampion.com to nominate yourself or someone you know.)
Also in this episode:
-Many value stock index funds are beating the S&P 500 so far this year, thanks to some surprisingly large holdings in high-flying tech...


The New Villian in Tech
06/26/2026

Memory prices have skyrocketed because of AI demand and that’s not extending into the consumer market after Apple raised prices on nearly all of its products. We discuss why memory is up and how Silicon Valley made itself a villain in the age of AI. Plus, we go through what technologies may be disruptive and stocks on our radar.


Travis Hoium, Jon Quast, and Lou Whiteman discuss:

- AI, The Villian

- Why Memory Costs Hit Apple

- Who Says “Enough”?

- Is There Rationality in Tec...


Nuclear Energy Gets a Big Government Boost (Again)
06/25/2026

If it wasn’t apparent already, the Federal government has made expanding the fleet of nuclear reactors a strategic priority. This week, the Department of Energy announced a new financing deal that will encourage the development of 10 new nuclear reactors in the U.S. Matt, Jon, and Tyler break down what this means and whether the companies in the industry will see big gains from it. Plus, Qualcom’s investor day, IBMs breakthrough chip design, and investing in energy
Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss:
- Qualcomm announced it wants to join the AI party
...


Micron Day Is Here!
06/24/2026

Like it or not, Micron is driving the stock market and the company’s earnings report will tell us a lot about the future of memory and compute demand. Plus, we talk about Meta’s new prediction markets app and Alphabet joining the Dow Jones Industrial Average.
Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss:
- Memory’s Wild Ride
- Micron’s Earnings
- Meta & Prediction Markets
- Can Zuck Innovate?
- Alphabet Joins the Dow
- Why the Dow Doesn’t Matter
Companies discussed: Micron (MU), Meta Platforms (META), Alphabet...


Big Pharma Has a Case of Merger Mania
06/23/2026

It hasn’t been in many headlines (thanks, AI), but pharmaceutical companies are on a merger & acquisition spree that could break records. With more than $126 billion in deals so far this year, companies are looking for novel drug canddiates and clinical stage companies to bolster their own development pipeline. We’ll take a dive into what’s driving this M&A frenzy and what companies look interesting in the pharmaceutical space today.
Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Lou Whiteman discuss:
- Big Pharma using big wallets for M&A
- Who’s at risk of running off a pa...


Toy Story 5 Reaches For the Sky
06/22/2026

The Hidden Gems investing team dissects the big weekend for Toy Story 5 and which stocks could be winners with a resurgent box office. From there Jon, Matt, and Rachel look at how natural gas is poised to power data centers before ending on a listener’s question regarding value investing and how things have changed since Warren Buffett got his start.
Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss:
-Toy Story 5’s $160 million opening weekend
-Hidden winners with growing box office sales
-Microsoft’s deal with Chevron to power a Texas data center
-Why natura...


The Companies That Sound Most Confident May Be the Ones to Worry About
06/21/2026

Every time you listen to an earnings call, you're scanning for signs that a company knows where it's going. But what if the most confident-sounding language is actually the biggest red flag? Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren sits down with Phil LeBrun, former international CIO of McDonald's, and Dr. Jana Werner, executive advisor at AWS — co-authors of The Octopus Organization — to unpack why 70 to 90 percent of corporate transformations never deliver what they promised, what they call watermelon reporting — green on the outside, red on the inside — and the words that reveal whether a company is truly built for the future...


Mailbag! Maximizing Dividends, Spending in Retirement, Managing a 529
06/20/2026

Host Robert Brokamp is joined by Fool contributor Dan Caplinger to answer financial planning questions sent in from listeners, including:
-How do ETFs affect the recommendation to own 25 to 50 stocks?
-How can a new retiree switch from saving to spending after decades of frugality?
-Since stock prices drop after a dividend payment, is it a “nothing-burger”?
-How to manage a 529 as a kid gets ready to go to college?
-Should you automatically reinvest dividends or use the cash to invest in something else?
-What to do when you’re getting a late start on sav...


More Layoffs, Acquisitions, and SpaceX Becomes AI Company
06/19/2026

Are layoffs starting to backfire in Silicon Valley? As Robinhood and Rivian announce job cuts, employees at Meta Platforms are starting to revolt against job cuts and reassignments into jobs they didn’t sign up for. Plus, we discuss Fox buying Roku, SpaceX’s $60 billion acquisition, and play the World Cup of Investing.


Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Emily Flippen discuss:

- Robinhood and Rivian Layoffs

- Are Layoffs Backfiring?

- Fox Buys Roku, But Why?

- SpaceX Buys Cursor

- World Cup of Inve...


IT Consulting is Not Having a Good Time
06/18/2026

Data centers might have a climate problem. With more than 80% of data centers worldwide in regions at high risk of drought, flooding, or wildfires. The implication of these trillions in investment being at elevated risk to weather related disasters could have some major downstream issues. Pluis, a dive into Accenture’s earnings and the challenges facing the IT consulting industry.
Listeners, we want your voices heard. The SEC is proposing that companies cut their regular reporting in half to two times a year. We think that's a mistake for individual investors.
The SEC will take public comments on...


Snap’s Specs Gamble
06/17/2026

The smartphone could be a thing of the past if Snap has its way an Specs take over the market. But at $2,195 it could be a tall task selling these to consumers, even if they were stylish. Plus, we talk about Rivian’s layoffs and Eli Lilly’s latest acquisition.


Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss:


- Snap’s new Specs

- Rivian announces more layoffs

- Eli Lilly’s acquisition spree continues


Companies discussed: Snap (SNAP), Rivian (RIVN), E...


Buying Your Own Sports Team (with Stocks)
06/16/2026

Pretty much every sports fan dreams of owning their favorite team. Between the bragging rights and the courtside seats, who wouldn’t want to be? While you may not be able to be a partial owner of your favorite team, there are a few opportunities to own a part of team in almost every league. We take a a look at what teams you can own through stocks and whether any are worth an investment. Plius, Robinhood’s layoff announcement and listener questions


Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Lou Whiteman discuss:

- Robi...


The AI the Government Just Shut Down
06/15/2026

There’s a tentative deal for peace in the Middle East as the U.S. and Iran are set to sign an agreement this week. Jon, Matt, and Rachel talk about how long it will take for things to get back to normal if the deal holds as well as some companies that could get some much needed relief. The team then discusses Anthropic’s Fable 5 shutdown before closing with some thoughts on Fox’s $22 billion acquisition of Roku.


Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss:

-The tentative deal between the U.S. a...


The Hidden Forces Behind Every Investment Decision
06/14/2026

Every time you buy a stock, you tell yourself a story about why it's going to work. But what if that story is the most dangerous thing in your portfolio? And what if the same behavioral blind spots that trip up individual investors are also quietly undermining the companies you're betting on? Motley Fool analyst Rachel Warren talks with Harvard-trained behavioral scientist Julia Dhar, author of How Change Really Works, about why 60 to 75 percent of corporate transformations fail, how to spot false alignment in a leadership team, and the simple framework that separates companies worth owning from ones that...


Your Roth Won’t Be Tax-Free If You Break These Rules
06/13/2026

Tax rates are as low as they've been in decades. Yet due to ballooning government deficits and increasingly underfunded entitlements, it's reasonable to have a hedge against higher tax rates in the future. One way to protect your retirement from higher taxes is to have at least some money in Roth accounts. With the Roth, contributions aren't tax-deductible, but withdrawals are tax-free… but only if you follow the rules, which can be complicated. Robert Brokamp explains what you need to heed.
Also in this episode:
-The Social Security time bomb ticks louder with the recent release of th...


It’s SpaceX IPO Day!
06/12/2026

SpaceX is officially public and we explain not only why that matters, but also how it may benefit companies like Alphabet long-term. We also explore what’s wrong at Adobe, why Apple has become boring, and the stocks on our radar.


Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast discuss:

- SpaceX IPO

- Who Will Sell SpaceX Stock?

- What’s Wrong At Adobe?

- Either or Neither

- Is Apple All Right

- Stocks On Our Radar


Co...


Digging into the bottlenecks of AI
06/11/2026

Oracle’s earnings results made one thing abundantly clear, the spending rate for data centers and AI infrastructure isn’t slowing down any time soon. While the market didn’t respond too favorably to the announcement it was increasing its capital spending for the upcoming fiscal year, there is likely a long list of companies that will benefit. We dig into some of the bottlenecks and pinch points of this massive buildout. Plus, why do international stocks trade at such a discount to American ones?


Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Jon Quast discuss:

- Or...


Will EV Stocks Make a Comeback in 2026?
06/10/2026

Five years ago, electric vehicles were the talk of the market. But in the U.S., sales of electric vehicles are falling and competition is heating up. With that backdrop, Rivian has introduced the R2 and investors still think this will be a game-changer for the company. We discuss the vehicle and company’s prospects, whether autonomy will be a tailwind, and get to hidden gems on our watchlist in this episode.


Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Rachel Warren discuss:

- Rivian’s R2 launch

- The decline of EVs in t...


Opportunities in Europe’s “Digital Sovereignty”?
06/09/2026

There’s no big headline to point to here, but several small data points and policy decisions all point to one thing: Europe wants to build its own digital infrastructure. That could have profound implications for the mega tech companies in the US, but it could also mean opportunities in helping Europe build out a digital infrastructure for AI and autonomy. Plus, what to make of the Shiller CAPE ratio and how to use cash positions.


Tyler Crowe, Matt Frankel, and Lou Whiteman discuss:

- Apple fighting with the EU about Siri AI...


Another Semiconductor Stock Is Headed to the S&P 500
06/08/2026

The S&P 500 index is removing Pool Corp and Campbell Soup Company from the index and replacing them with Marvell Technology and Flex. Jon, Matt, and Rachel explain what these two new companies do as well as weigh in on whether they could be hidden gems. After this, the team dives into the mailbag with Rachel leading the discussion on Bristol-Myers Squibb and Matt providing some reflections on age-related investing considerations.


Jon Quast, Matt Frankel, and Rachel Warren discuss:

-Marvel’s trillion-dollar opportunity

-Whether Flex is overvalued right now

...