The first quarter of 2026 is in the rearview mirror and earnings season begins next week. We discuss what we’re looking for along with the latest in the world of artificial intelligence at the biggest companies in the world. Travis Hoium, Lou Whiteman, and Jon Quast discuss: - Earnings season expectations - AI’s most dangerous moment - Is Meta back in AI? - Home run CEOs - Stocks on our radar Companies discussed: Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL), Amazon (AMZN), Meta Platforms (META), Crocs (CROX), Target (TGT), Snap (SNAP), Apple (AAPL), Nike (NKE), Disney (DIS). Host: Travis Hoium Guests: Lou Whiteman, Jon Quast Engineer: Dan Boyd Disclosure: Advertisements are sponsored content and provided for informational purposes only. The Motley Fool and its affiliates (collectively, “TMF”) do not endorse, recommend, or verify the accuracy or completeness of the statements made within advertisements. TMF is not involved in the offer, sale, or solicitation of any securities advertised herein and makes no representations regarding the suitability, or risks associated with any investment opportunity presented. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult with legal, tax, and financial advisors before making any investment decisions. TMF assumes no responsibility for any losses or damages arising from this advertisement. We’re committed to transparency: All personal opinions in advertisements from Fools are their own. The product advertised in this episode was loaned to TMF and was returned after a test period or the product advertised in this episode was purchased by TMF. Advertiser has paid for the sponsorship of this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠megaphone.fm/adchoices⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI’s Most Dangerous Moment

Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing

# Full Transcript

**Podcast:** Motley Fool Money

## Transcript

Q1 has ended. So where does the market go from here? Motley Fool Money starts now.

Full Global Headquarters, this is Motley Fool Money. Welcome to Motley Fool Money. I'm Travis

Hoyam, joined today by Lou Whiteman and John Quast. And guys, believe it or not, the first quarter is over, but the bad news is the Iran war is back on, oil is up, the market's been volatile. But now we're at least going into the phase where we get a little bit information about what's going on with companies. So what are you thinking going into earnings season starting next week, John? It's starting next week? I thought we just ended.

It doesn't seem like it ever really ends, but especially with this, the Q4 is a little bit delayed because it's the end of the actual year. So it is just kind of like a four-month earnings season for us. Well, look, when it starts here, I'm definitely going to be looking at guidance. Guidance is always arguably better than the earnings results themselves. But here's the thing. What kind of a state are companies actually in to be issuing guidance? Look, there's not a lot

that the opponents and the supporters of the president agree on, but I think that they're going to agree with this statement. President Trump, there's chaos that always follows him. I think that it's particularly chaotic right now, even by the president's standards. And we do have this conflict going on in the Middle East. The vice president has called the current truce fragile. We could be a tweet away from oil spiking 20% or dropping 20%. So are you brave enough to predict which one it's going to be?

No business is immune to dramatic swings and energy costs. And I think that's really going to weigh on guidance coming up. Do you think there's a risk that some of these companies are going to pull guidance for the year because they do see so much uncertainty? Well, certainly the ones that are more exposed to energy swings. Yes, I would think that that would be a very real possibility. How can you tell what your costs are going to be? Lou, what are you looking at?

Yeah, you know, it's amazing because with everything that's going on, S&P guys, it's basically flat for the year. So been pretty boring, huh? I assume. Is that right? You know, look, obviously individual stocks and sectors have been hit harder. It seems like there is maybe a rotation going on. But all things considered, everything John said is true. It's amazing how well things have done. You know, I think John hit it on

the head, kind of just where are we right now? War, oil, tariffs, labor shortages. Are we still seeing resilience in the guidance? Are we still seeing any sign that we can kind of start planning? What is that, you know, what is the guidance going to say about we think the light is at the end of the tunnel? Will CEOs stick their necks out? For the last year or so, it has been outside of big tech and the hyperscalers, mostly just l...

AI’s Most Dangerous Moment

Transcript

Built for investment professionals

Every day you wait, your competitors are finding
edge in conversations you're not hearing.

AI’s Most Dangerous Moment

Transcript

Built for investment professionals

Every day you wait, your competitors are findingedge in conversations you're not hearing.

Every day you wait, your competitors are finding
edge in conversations you're not hearing.