Listen to today’s podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-nqwUyvLDEvs7bV985k-gQ
Stock Market Daily Podcast 12/14/2025
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
Seagate and Western Digital set to join Nasdaq 100; GlobalFoundries to leave index
Seagate and Western Digital, both up more than 200% this year, will be added to the Nasdaq 100 at the December 22 reconstitution, while GlobalFoundries exits. Index inclusion can drive incremental demand from passive funds and signals how the AI and data storage cycle has reshaped market leadership. Investors should watch for follow-through flows and potential profit-taking into the rebalance.
Cisco’s stock hits new record high after 25 years
Cisco finally eclipsed its dot-com era peak, touching $80.25 and rising 31.6% year to date. The milestone underscores the market’s renewed confidence in Cisco’s transition toward software, subscriptions, and AI-driven networking. It also reflects how long it can take for mega-cap tech to recover and reinvent.
OpenAI quietly adopts Anthropic’s "skills" mechanism in ChatGPT and Codex
OpenAI incorporated a "skills" framework similar to Anthropic’s, enabling ChatGPT to create and modify spreadsheets, DOCX files, and PDFs. This modular approach makes AI assistants more capable and extensible, accelerating practical, workflow-level adoption. Expect faster feature velocity and richer third-party integrations.
Inside Netflix House: Philadelphia’s new 100K sq. ft. location for immersive experiences
Netflix is turning former department stores into "Netflix House" venues that blend theme-park-style attractions with arcade-like gaming and retail. The 100,000-square-foot Philadelphia site aims to deepen fan engagement and diversify revenue beyond streaming. It highlights how media brands are leaning into experiential entertainment to stand out.
Trump administration drafting cyber strategy enlisting private firms for offensive cyberattacks
Sources say the administration is preparing a cyber strategy that would tap private companies to help conduct offensive operations against foreign adversaries. The approach would blur lines between public and private roles and raise new legal, attribution, and escalation questions. Cybersecurity vendors could see upside, but policy risks are elevated.
Apollo Global shorted loans, cut exposure to enterprise software sector amid AI concerns
Apollo has reportedly shorted loans and quickly pared enterprise software positions this year, citing threats from AI disruption. The move reflects growing skepticism about legacy software moats as AI-native tools emerge. Credit markets may also be repricing risk where cash flows appear more vulnerable to automation.
Nex Playground: How a toy gaming console became a $150M sensation
Nex’s $249 motion-based gaming console has become a breakout holiday hit, with sales projected above $150 million. After multiple pivots and near-death moments, the company rode family-friendly motion gaming to mainstream appeal. It shows how affordable hardware and intuitive play can carve space alongside premium consoles and VR.
OpenAI hopes Disney deal will boost Sora, which faces high costs and limited traction
OpenAI is betting a Disney partnership can jump-start Sora, where users average 13 minutes per day versus 90 minutes on TikTok. High compute costs and tepid engagement have hampered momentum, despite user-posted studio content. The tie-up could bring premium IP and new formats—but monetization and retention remain the hurdle.
GOP senator joins opposition in Washington to Netflix’s takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery
Sen. Tim Scott, chair of the GOP Senatorial Committee, warned that a Netflix–WBD deal poses "significant antitrust problems." Bipartisan scrutiny is mounting over media consolidation and potential harms to competition. Any transaction faces a steep regulatory climb in today’s tougher antitrust climate.
TCS to acquire Coastal Cloud, a US-based Salesforce consulting partner, for $700M
Tata Consultancy Services is buying Coastal Cloud to expand its Salesforce and AI services footprint in the U.S. The deal strengthens TCS’s position among top Salesforce partners and adds customer relationships and talent. Systems integrators continue to consolidate to meet demand for AI-enabled digital transformation.
Broadcom’s shares drop 11% after disappointing AI sales outlook
Broadcom suffered its biggest one-day decline in months after its AI sales guide fell short of elevated expectations. The reaction shows how finely tuned AI sentiment has become for chipmakers competing with Nvidia. Investors are reassessing supply-demand timing and how quickly networking and accelerators can ramp.
Google removes dozens of AI videos depicting Disney characters from YouTube
Google pulled multiple AI-generated videos featuring Disney characters after the studio sent a cease-and-desist letter. The takedowns highlight intensifying IP enforcement as generative content proliferates across platforms. Expect more platform policy updates and tooling to detect and remove infringing AI content.
Intel in advanced talks to acquire AI chip startup SambaNova for $1.6B
Intel is reportedly nearing a $1.6 billion deal, including debt, to acquire SambaNova, potentially closing as soon as next month. The move would bolster Intel’s AI silicon and software stack as it races to catch Nvidia and AMD. It also signals continued M&A to secure differentiated AI architectures.
Trump’s AI executive order directs federal agencies to consider withholding funding from states passing stricter AI laws
The new executive order asks agencies to explore withholding funds from states with the "most onerous" AI regulations. It marks an aggressive push for federal preemption and friendlier rules for AI developers. Companies operating nationally may gain compliance clarity, but legal challenges are likely.
David Sacks defends Trump’s AI executive order: White House works toward common AI oversight standard
White House AI adviser David Sacks says the order aims to ease compliance burdens by moving toward a unified federal standard. Coordination with Congress is underway to align oversight and avoid a patchwork of state laws. For industry, a single framework could streamline product launches and risk management.
SpaceX authorizes insider share sale at $421/share, company valued at ~$800B
SpaceX approved an insider secondary offering at $421 per share, implying an ~$800 billion valuation, and hinted at a potential 2026 IPO. The deal provides liquidity to employees and early investors while telegraphing confidence in Starlink and launch demand. Public-market anticipation around a future listing is building.
Bank of Japan set to hike rates to 30-year high, posing another threat to bitcoin
The BoJ is expected to raise rates to 0.75%, the highest in decades, potentially pressuring yen-funded carry trades. Historically, yen strength and tighter global liquidity have weighed on bitcoin and high-beta assets, though positioning may blunt the impact this time. Keep an eye on the yen, JGB yields, and risk sentiment around the decision.
"This time feels different": one cannabis investment insider thinks the industry will keep rallying following the latest reports of regulatory changes
Shares of cannabis companies surged on reports the administration may revamp marijuana’s federal classification. Investor Tim Seymour argues the setup could sustain a new bull run if regulatory momentum holds. Positioning, profitability, and access to banking remain key catalysts to watch.
Analysts revamp Oracle stock price target after slump
Following a recent pullback, analysts reassessed Oracle’s outlook and updated price targets. The debate centers on the pace of cloud growth, AI workload wins, and margin durability. Near-term volatility aside, execution in OCI and applications will drive the next leg.
Cisco’s stock hits new record high after 25 years
Cisco finally eclipsed its dot-com era peak, touching $80.25 and rising 31.6% year to date. The milestone underscores the market’s renewed confidence in Cisco’s transition toward software, subscriptions, and AI-driven networking. It also reflects how long it can take for mega-cap tech to recover and reinvent.
Google removes dozens of AI videos depicting Disney characters from YouTube
Google pulled multiple AI-generated videos featuring Disney characters after the studio sent a cease-and-desist letter. The takedowns highlight intensifying IP enforcement as generative content proliferates across platforms. Expect more platform policy updates and tooling to detect and remove infringing AI content.
