Show from 09/05/25

Host Jeremy Schwartz and Professor Siegel discuss the latest job report, which showed weaker-than-expected numbers, particularly in manufacturing and healthcare. The Professor highlights that while the household survey showed a gain, it's too volatile to weigh heavily. He emphasizes that the labor market is softening, which aligns with the bond market's pricing-in of rate cuts at upcoming Fed meetings. Siegel also notes productivity data remains unimpressive despite a recent bounce and reiterates his belief that equity markets remain in a bull phase, supported by anticipated rate cuts and broader AI optimism. (11:51) Jeremy is then joined by Sam Rines and Jeff Weniger, who analyze consumer behavior through companies like Costco and Lululemon, noting that middle- and upper-income consumers remain resilient. They dive into the struggles of traditional staples like Kraft-Heinz and Pepsi, which are facing breakup speculation and activist investor pressure, while also discussing historical examples of value creation through corporate spin-offs. The conversation expands to gold and gold miners, which are benefiting from central bank buying, falling interest rates, and improved operational efficiencies. In the second half of the episode, Blake Heimann and Chris Gannatti join to unpack insights from a tech conference, highlighting AI infrastructure trends, chip supply dynamics, and the rising relevance of companies like NVIDIA, Broadcom, and SoftBank. They also explore pressures in the software sector from private competitors and ongoing leadership transitions. The group discusses how firms are building agentic AI workflows atop specialized datasets, creating opportunities and risks as Big Tech integrates AI across platforms. The show closes with a detailed conversation on AI compute economics, GPU payback cycles, and the sustainability of massive CapEx spending in AI infrastructure.

Blake Heimann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blakeheimann/?originalSubdomain=uk

WisdomTree: https://www.wisdomtree.com/investments

Will AI Peak Eventually Rival 2000 Bubble Levels?

Hosts Jeremy Schwartz, Global CIO at WisdomTree and Wharton finance Professor Jeremy Siegel, author of Stocks for the Long Run, discuss the how and why of market performance with leading economists and market strategists to inform you what’s ahead for the economy and your portfolio.

 

Jeremy Schwartz has served as WisdomTree’s Global Chief Investment Officer since November 2021 and leads the investment strategy team in the construction of WisdomTree’s equity indexes, quantitative active strategies and multi-asset model portfolios. Mr. Schwartz joined WisdomTree in May 2005 as a Senior Analyst, adding to his responsibilities in February 2007 as Deputy Director of Research and thereafter, from October 2008 to October 2018, as Director of Research and from November 2018 to November 2021 as Global Head of Research. Prior to joining WisdomTree, he was head research assistant for Professor Jeremy Siegel and in 2022 became his co-author on the 6th edition of the book Stocks for the Long Run. Mr. Schwartz also is co-author of the Financial Analysts Journal paper, What Happened to the Original Stocks in the S&P 500? He received his B.S. in Economics from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and hosts the Wharton Business Radio program Behind the Markets on SiriusXM 132. Mr. Schwartz is a member of the CFA Society of Philadelphia.