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From Nasdaq: 2024-12-05 20:50:00
In a recent podcast, Motley Fool analyst Bill Mann and host Ricky Mulvey discuss shopping data from the holiday weekend, South Korea’s tense political situation, and Wall Street rewarding a more focused AT&T. They also interview cybersecurity consultant Dave Hatter on big tech data collection and protection.
Shopify announced its merchants did $11.5 billion in sales over Black Friday, Cyber Monday, up 24% from the year prior. Adobe data shows online shoppers spending 10% more. Sensormatic Solutions found in-store shopper traffic down 8% from 2023 on Black Friday. Shopify gaining a larger share of sales.
The rise in Shopify sales may be due to the convenience of online shopping versus in-store experiences. The increase in sales may come at the expense of traditional brick-and-mortar retailers, reflecting changing consumer preferences. The data suggests a shift towards online shopping continues to impact retail trends.
Listeners can catch full episodes of The Motley Fool’s podcasts in their podcast center. For those interested in investing, they can check out the beginner’s guide to investing in stocks. The podcast also highlights a potential lucrative opportunity with “Double Down” stock recommendations for three companies. Overall, Walmart has impressed with its online presence, especially after acquiring jet.com. Some retailers are slashing prices by 40%, drawing in customers, while others offer less enticing deals. In South Korea, President Yoon declared martial law, sparking fears of instability. This move has impacted companies like Samsung and Coupang, causing stock prices to drop. Dylan and Tim Byers discuss the champ-to-chump pipeline in investing, citing examples like Walmart and Nokia. They question if Intel is on the same path and facing challenges with AI and leadership changes. Restructuring can benefit companies like GE, showing life cycles don’t mirror human patterns. Successful companies have innovative management. AT&T is refocusing under new leadership, shifting focus to fiber Internet and 5G. AT&T is aiming to return $40 billion in capital to shareholders. The company is refocusing and rewarding investors with high dividends. Management has made mistakes but is making a comeback. Stern Stewart’s economic value added model is being used to determine asset value. AT&T’s unemotional approach to asset sales has been beneficial.
Dave Hatter, a cybersecurity consultant at Intrust IT, discusses big data and privacy concerns. Giving Done Right podcast offers insights on charitable giving. Protecting personal data is crucial in the age of AI search engines. Apple’s App Store privacy tracking label helps users understand data collection. Limiting digital footprint and working with privacy-friendly vendors are ways to protect personal information. Apple is known for its privacy-friendly approach, avoiding apps like TikTok from China that collect personal data. Big data projects like self-driving cars by Tesla use millions of hours of driving data, raising concerns about privacy and informed consent. However, organizations like EFF and EPIC are working to raise awareness and protect consumer rights.
While there is potential for drone delivery and AI-powered robotics, concerns about hacking and misuse of personal data remain. Despite the current challenges, there is optimism for the future as more consumers become aware of data privacy issues. Tesla’s autopilot technology has proven to be safe, with millions of miles driven without accidents, but concerns remain about software bugs and vulnerabilities. Dave Hatter discusses the trust issues with self-driving cars, citing a Waymo incident in San Francisco. He expresses caution due to his knowledge of software. Ricky Mulvey appreciates the differing opinions and invites Hatter back on Motley Fool Money. The show’s participants may have stock interests, following Fool editorial standards. John Mackey and Randi Zuckerberg sit on the Fool’s board. Bill Mann and Ricky Mulvey disclose their stock positions. The Motley Fool recommends various tech and retail stocks.
Read more at Nasdaq: A Black Friday/Cyber Monday Breakdown