Apprehension, Avarice, and Subtle Enthusiasm Prevail
In this podcast, Motley Crue analyst David Meier and host Mary Long discuss various topics:
- The changes and continuities in the market since March 2020.
- Whether cooling inflation data is enough to calm markets.
- Meta's plan to train an AI chip in-house.
Then, IWG CEO Mark Dixon joins for a conversation about hybrid work, changing downtowns, and how companies can measure the financial benefits of in-person connection.
Podcast Details:Title: Motley Fool MoneyHost: Mary LongGuest: David Meier, Mark DixonEpisode Date: March 12, 2025
Highlights:
- David Meier provides insights on companies like Zoom Communications and ServiceNow. He explains that Zoom Communications got ahead of its valuation and has not fully recovered, while ServiceNow has proven itself to be a reliable five-year hold.
- Inflation is discussed, and experts are uncertain if the declining Consumer Price Index (CPI) is enough to stabilize the market.
- David Meier talks about the misery index, which measures the combination of the unemployment rate and inflation rate, and it's impact on investor sentiment.
- IWG CEO Mark Dixon discusses hybrid work and the changing dynamics of cities. He argues that technology is the driving force behind the shift towards hybrid work and offers solutions to measure its financial benefits.
Improved Tone & Structure:
Podcast Recap: Breaking Down the Economic Dynamics of the Post-COVID World
Welcome back to Motley Fool Money! Host Mary Long and expert analyst David Meier are here to discuss the ever-changing economic landscape five years after the COVID-19 pandemic rocked the world. Then, the dynamic CEO of IWG, Mark Dixon, joins us to share insights on hybrid work, shifting city dynamics, and the financial benefits of in-person connections.
Ready to Level Set?
Back in March 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Five years later, the world looks completely different. Mary wonders if this is the right time to reflect on what has changed and what has stayed the same since March 2020.
David shares his thoughts on a few companies that got ahead of their skis on valuation in 2020 and never fully recovered, such as Zoom Communications. He also highlights companies like ServiceNow that have proven themselves to be solid five-year holds.
Mary points out the Lynchian approach of looking around and finding hidden gems, like ServiceNow, that are often overlooked in favor of what's more obvious, such as Zoom Communications. David agrees.
Now, Let's Talk Markets
The current state of the market is a concern for many investors. Mary asks David if the consumer price index is the medicine that the market needs right now to calm down. David admits there are worries about the economy, but the inflation rate is proving to be a little more sticky than people have realized.
He explains the concept of stagflation, which is when there's no growth, little growth or even declining growth in the economy, coupled with high inflation. Under those conditions, consumers feel terrible, and their spending decreases.
What's Next for the Portfolio?
Mary asks David about his portfolio adjustments for the year ahead. David says his outlook has changed a bit, considering the recent economic uncertainties. He shares his plans to re-accumulate his investment savings and is interested in investing in the Magnificent Seven stocks, such as NVIDIA and Amazon.com, when their prices go down.
Metal Musings
Two different chip-related stories come out today from two different Reuters reports. One reveals that Meta is testing its first in-house AI training chip, aimed at reducing their dependency on NVIDIA. Metal is planning to use the chip by 2026. David explains how this move could benefit Meta financially by saving on costs and narrowing infrastructure.
Hybrid Work Insights
IWG CEO Mark Dixon joins the show to discuss the current state of hybrid work, changing city dynamics, and how companies can measure the financial benefits of in-person connections. Mark argues that technology is the driving force behind the shift towards hybrid work and shares solutions offered by IWG to help measure its financial benefits.
That's a wrap for this week's episode of Motley Fool Money! Thanks for tuning in, and remember, keep focused on your investments and make them work for you. Until next time!
This podcast was recorded on March 12, 2025
- Investing in companies like ServiceNow proves to be a brilliantly reliable choice for a five-year hold, while others, such as Zoom Communications, haven't fully recovered from their initial valuation surge in 2020.
- In this post-COVID world, the market's stability is uncertain, and despite the declining Consumer Price Index (CPI), experts are unsure if it's enough to stabilize the market, as inflation seems to be more persistent than expected.
- David Meier introduces the misery index, which combines the unemployment rate and inflation rate, and its impact on investor sentiment, as it provides an indication of the overall economic malaise.
- IWG CEO Mark Dixon emphasizes the role of technology in driving the shift towards hybrid work and offers solutions for companies to measure the financial benefits of in-person connections, illustrating how incorporating these insights can improve the central outlook of a company's financial standards.
