Industry Focus

From mental competency hearings to billionaire family trusts and rebelling management, Viacom has become the stage for a very public, very ugly dispute between ailing media mogul Sumner Redstone, his daughter, and the company’s CEO and Board of Directors. But what about the company’s long-term business prospects?

Direct download: 05312016_IF_ConsGoods.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:10pm EDT

This episode we go inside Apple’s supply chain, explain the contract manufacturing model that the company uses, and highlight a few manufacturers to show how many different pieces go into the iPhone.

Direct download: 160527_IF_Tech.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 7:09pm EDT

It’s found in the ground and winds up in your gas tank – but who makes money making this process happen?  

Direct download: 05262016_IF_Energy.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:14pm EDT

Walking investors through drug discovery, development, and approval and how to profit at each stage along the way.

Direct download: 05252016_IF_HC.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:24pm EDT

For over 20 years, Chipotle has prided itself on fresh, quality ingredients sourced from only the best vendors – in other words, “food with integrity”. Asit Sharma joins Industry Focus to discuss the company’s suppliers, its high standards, and some of the growing pains Chipotle has encountered adapting its supply chain to work for over 2,000 restaurants.

Direct download: 05242016_IF_ConsGoods.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:08pm EDT

How interest rates have shaped stocks and the economy since the Great Depression.

If you want to understand the last century of finance, it helps to have a general idea about the trend in interest rates since the 1930s. Not only does this explain the spectacular bull market that began in 1982 and ended when the technology bubble burst in 2000, but it also helps one understand why and how the U.S. economy grew so rapidly during this stretch.

In this episode of Industry Focus: Financials, The Motley Fool’s Gaby Lapera and John Maxfield kickoff lifecycle week by discussing how and why interest rates have gone full circle since the Great Depression.

 

 

Direct download: 05232016_IF_Financials_PreRec.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Wearables industry expert and long-time fan of the Fool Ramon T. Llamas joins us to talk about his team’s work at IDC, what’s going on in the smartwatch and fitness wearables markets, and some trends to watch in the next couple quarters.

Direct download: 05202016_IF_Tech_prerecord.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Shell Oil is feeling the strain of its massive debt load, and just announced plans to do something about it.  

 

Direct download: 05192016_Energy_prerecord.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:00pm EDT

Peter Lynch once said “never invest in any idea you can’t illustrate with a crayon.” Does that hold true in the highly scientific world of biopharma? Find out in this special edition of Industry Focus: Healthcare with Motley Fool healthcare analysts Kristine Harjes and Max Macaluso.

Direct download: 160518_IF_Healthcare.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:54pm EDT

From the apparel industry to your local grocery store, metrics like inventory turnover can tell investors a lot about a company and its operations. But in the words of one of the most well-run retailers today, should management treat inventory as “fundamentally evil”?

Direct download: 05172016_IF_ConsGoods.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 12:59pm EDT

After a very difficult first quarter, it’s time to reevaluate the online marketplace model.

On this Financials edition of The Motley Fool’s Industry Focus podcast, host Gaby Lapera and analyst Jay Jenkins go beyond the headlines in their discussion to explain why these problems are much more than a short term speed bump. 

How did these companies get to this low point? What will it take for them to turn it around? Is it ever a good idea to make puns about something as boring as banking? To find out the answers to these questions and more, listen now.

Direct download: 160516_IF_Financials.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 6:31pm EDT

Inspired by a Seinfeld clip, we dive into the topic of write-offs and the different forms they take. A special thanks to Audible for supporting our podcast. Listeners can get a free 30 day trial at audible.com/fool.

Direct download: 05132016_IF_RePLace.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 2:21pm EDT

Tesla’s sky high valuation prices the company for perfection; is this warranted or should investors beware?

Direct download: 160512_IF_Energy.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 8:50pm EDT

GlaxoSmithKline takes on Pfizer and Biogen battles Celgene in this healthcare edition of Industry Focus.

Direct download: 05112016_IF_Healthcare.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 2:26pm EDT

Big changes are happening in the world of entertainment and coffee consumption, here’s how investors can position their portfolios.

Direct download: 05102016_IF_ConsGoods.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 11:55am EDT

There's reason to believe that they will.

It's been nearly eight years since the financial crisis, yet Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) is still earning half as much money as it should be given its size. In this episode of Industry Focus: Financials, The Motley Fool's Gaby Lapera and John Maxfield discuss the role that Bank of America's 2008 purchase of Merrill Lynch plays in its subpar profitability. Thanks to Audible for supporting this episode. Get a free 30-day trial at audible.com/fool.

Direct download: 05092016_IF_Final.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:51pm EDT

We discuss stock splits, the strategy behind them, and why Facebook announced they were using C shares to offer investors a 3-to-1 split.

Direct download: 05062016_IF_Tech.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:20pm EDT

If Tesla Motors plans for growth and its new Model 3 weren't ambitious enough, it now wants to make it all happen by 2018. Plus, earnings from Royal Dutch Shell, BHP Billiton & Vale's nightmare situation, and we dip into the mailbag.

 

Direct download: 05052016_IF_Energy.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:46pm EDT

Discussing the details behind the FDA's negative vote on Sarepta's DMD drug and Gilead Sciences' sliding hepatitis C sales.

Direct download: 05042016_IF_HEalthcare.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 1:09pm EDT

At $3.8 billion, Dreamworks founder and CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg called the buyout “the deal I’d always hoped would come along.” But after a major restructuring and string of box office disappointments for the animation studio, is Comcast getting its money’s worth?

Direct download: 05032016_IF_consumergoods.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 11:59am EDT

Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting is often referred to as “Woodstock for capitalists.”  Join us to learn why… from someone who was there!

Direct download: 05022016_IF_Financials.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 2:33pm EDT