Marketfoolery

Imagine finding out that for 35 years you’ve owned shares of one of the biggest companies in America.  Chris Hill wraps up 2018 with a story about his late father and a long-lost stock.  Plus, he shares a few thanks, and a few thoughts on how marathon running and investing are even more alike than previously thought.

We survived Christmas! Jason Moser analyzes two deals from the world of banking and finance.  Ameris Bancorp merges with Fidelity Southern in a move to strengthen its position in the southeastern United States. Shares of British payment company Earthcorp soar 280% after Visa comes knocking with a check for $250 million. Plus, we discuss the recent volatility and share why investors need to be prepared for more of the same.

Chris Hill shares a few holiday wishes and thoughts on holiday music, before turning the show over to the late, great Louis Armstrong.

The Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the 4th time this year. Matt Argersinger analyzes the recent (and continuing) volatility and shares five stocks he has bought recently.  Plus, we dip into the Fool Mailbag to take stock of iQiyi (aka, the “Netflix of China) and Matt shares why he believes Berkshire-Hathaway is as close to a “can’t-miss” stock as exists right now.   Holiday Music: “All For Christmas” by Sebastian Forslund

FedEx has its worst day in 10 years. Bill Mann analyzes why the comments of CEO Fred Smith are worthy of every investor’s attention. The Russell 2000 index officially enters bear market territory.  And start-up fintech company Robinhood gets a call from their friendly neighborhood regulator. Plus, Bill shares a key piece of non-investing advice he received on this day 19 years ago.   Holiday Music: “Aires De Navidad” by n’klabe

Ok seriously, how SHOULD we be thinking about apparel stocks?  Seth Jayson analyzes the landscape and shares why U.S. investors should be paying more attention to what’s happening in Europe.  Plus, more talk about Uxin and we dip into the Fool Mailbag and ponder if shares of Skechers are cheap for a reason or just cheap.   Holiday Music: “Let It Snow” by Boys II Men

It's time for another round of Yes, No, or Maybe So. Analysts Emily Flippen and Jason Moser share two stocks they're bullish on, two stocks they're bearish on, and two stocks they're on the fence about. Emily weighs in on Chinese used car dealer Uxin, JCPenney, and Stitch Fix. And Jason talks PayPal, Zillow, and Apple.

Tailored Brands (parent company of Men’s Wearhouse and Jos. A Bank) falls 30% on rough guidance. Visa moves to help companies eliminate paper checks. Markel falls when regulators come knocking on the front door. Jason Moser analyzes those stories and shares the two stocks he bought shares of last week. Plus, KFC is selling fried chicken-scented logs for your fireplace, and we’ve got a holiday sale at http://shop.fool.com for the investor in your life!   Holiday Music: “O Come, All Ye Faithful“ by Twister Sister   Thanks Netsuite.  Get the FREE guide, “Crushing the Five Barriers to Growth”, at www.NetSuite.com/Fool.

The market gets a boost from a Wall Street Journal report that China is working to increase access for overseas companies. Tencent Music rises in its Wall Street debut. And Dave & Buster’s declines on earnings. Analysts Andy Cross and Ron Gross discuss these stories and talk about Verizon’s broken Oath. Thanks to Slack for supporting The Motley Fool.  Slack: Where work happens. Go to Slack.com to learn more.    

Stitch Fix falls 30% on weak 2nd-quarter guidance, while Ascena Retail Group pops 25% on better-than-expected comps. What in the world is going on???  Emily Flippen analyzes the apparel retail landscape and shares why she’s not treating Stitch Fix’s drop as a buying opportunity.  Plus, we dip into the Fool Mailbag to answer two important questions: What’s the rule-of-thumb when your stock gets bought out?  How come ducks don’t get frostbite?   Holiday Music: “Christmas Time Will Soon Be Over” by Jack White   Thanks Netsuite.  Get the FREE guide, “Crushing the Five Barriers to Growth”, at www.NetSuite.com/Fool.

Merger Monday! Tivity Health buys Nutrisystem in a deal that a lot of investors seem to hate. Taylor Muckerman analyzes the numbers and shares why he understands the skepticism. Uber and Lyft file to go public. Plus, Taylor shares some highlights from his recent meetings with executives from Venmo, WW, and 2U.   Holiday music: “8 Days (of Hanukkah)” by Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings   Thanks to Slack for supporting The Motley Fool.  Slack: Where work happens. Go to Slack.com to learn more.

The stock market continues its sell-off. Canada arrests Huawei’s CFO after a request from the U.S. And Netflix pays $100 million for another year of Friends. Motley Fool analysts Bill Mann and Jason Moser discuss those stories and dig into earnings from Kroger.

How dangerous are index funds becoming? How bad is Anheuser Busch Inbev’s dividend cut? Those are just two of the questions MFAM Funds’ Bill Barker analyzes as we dip into the Fool Mailbag. We also revisit our recent conversation about James Bond, and pay tribute to the late, great Ricky Jay.   Holiday music: “Hanukkah Waltz” by Bela Fleck and the Flecktones   Thanks to Grammarly for supporting The Motley Fool. For 20% off a Grammarly premium account, go to Grammarly.com/fool.

4th-quarter profits for Toll Brothers soars 62%, but the stock doesn’t respond. Meanwhile RH Holdings (aka, Restoration Hardware) pops on a strong 3rd-quarter report. Emily Flippen analyzes those two companies, and discusses the (potentially) increased likelihood of a recession after the appearance of the inverted yield curve.   Holiday music: “Hanukkah on Japonica” by Panorama Jazz Band   Thanks to Grammarly for supporting The Motley Fool. For 20% off a Grammarly premium account, go to Grammarly.com/fool.

A truce in the trade war with China sends stocks higher. Jason Moser analyzes the landscape for investors and discusses the ripple effects of Amazon’s new arrangement with Apple Music. Plus, we dip into the Fool Mailbag to answer the question, how much consideration should investors put into a CEO’s pay?

We’re back with another non-investing episode!  Strap in as MFAM Funds’ Bill Barker and Chris Hill are joined by longtime Fool (and good friend) Bill Mann to talk about James Bond’s early training and the smallest hill we’re willing to die on.  Plus, we also discuss Bill Mann’s comedy influences, Barker’s death threat, Hill’s origin story movie pitches, and who would win a fight between Han Solo and Indiana Jones.  Producer Dan Boyd weighs in on various topics and kicks off our 4th annual drive to share awesome holiday music with some help from Dropkick Murphys.

Abercrombie & Fitch soars while Express falls in the face of a tough holiday quarter. Emily Flippen analyzes the apparel retail industry and shares the secret to Abercrombie & Fitch’s latest success. Plus, we dip into the Fool Mailbag to discuss the unsexy-yet-profitable world of waste management stocks.   Thanks to Slack for supporting The Motley Fool.  Slack: Where work happens. Go to Slack.com to learn more.      

Tiffany shares have their worst day in nearly 4 years. JM Smucker struggles on several fronts. And shares of Chico’s fall nearly 40%. MFAM Funds analyst Bill Barker discusses those stories and shares how Burlington Stores has found the golden equation for retailers. (Tangents include listeners in Sweden, open jobs at JM Smucker, our idea for a Yukon Cornelius origin story.)   Go to www.Harrys.com/Fool to redeem your offer and let them know we sent you to help support the show!

United Technologies splits itself into three separate companies. President Trump suggests that the U.S. could impose 10% tariffs on iPhones imported from China. And Amazon says Cyber Monday was its biggest shopping day in history. Analysts Andy Cross and Ron Gross discuss those stories and indulge in some elevator humor.   Thanks to Slack for supporting MarketFoolery. Slack: Where work happens. Go to slack.com to learn more.

General Motors lays off 15% of its employees and scales back production. David Kretzmann analyzes why GM had to make these tough decisions. Black Friday sets a new record for online sales. We discuss why the holiday quarter is so crucial to some retailers. Plus, David shares highlights from attending MJBizCon in Las Vegas.   Go to www.Harrys.com/Fool to redeem your offer and let them know we sent you to help support the show!