Why Intel Isn’t Dead, TikTok Has Some Buyers, and Tariffs Might Break the Economy

Welcome to Daily Rip Live with Tom Bruni and Michael Parekh. With Katie and Shay out today, Tom and Michael tackle the disconnect between market highs and mounting macro pressure. From end-of-quarter window dressing and tariff chaos, to Meta’s $100M AI hiring spree and Intel’s long road back to relevance, this episode breaks down what’s real, what’s noise, and where investors should actually be paying attention.

Here’s what went down:

???? Market Highs, But for How Long?
Despite headlines filled with tariffs and trade tension, markets are at all-time highs. Tom and Michael break down why, including the impact of institutional window dressing, passive flows, and retail buying at month-end. But beneath the surface, warning signs are piling up.

???? Trade Wars, Canada Drama, and the Real Cost of Tariffs
Michael explains why the U.S.–Canada standoff over digital taxes is more than just posturing. With Trump threatening auto trade and tariffs running 2–3x higher than Smoot-Hawley, the market may not have priced in the long-term damage to global supply chains.

???? Inventory Trouble Ahead of Holiday Season
Shipping delays, rising costs, and broken supply chains mean Q3 and Q4 could be ugly for retailers. Michael sees inventory gaps, higher prices, and weak consumer sentiment brewing as early signs of recession-like conditions—whether or not we call it one.

???? Medicare Cuts and the $3 Trillion “Big, Beautiful Bill”
The budget bill may boost upper-income tax benefits, but Michael warns it comes at the expense of healthcare access, rural jobs, and consumption. The macro effects could ripple through retail, manufacturing, and hospital employment.

???? Reality Check: Inflation and Energy Costs Are Rising
Cutting off trade, reducing healthcare spending, and tightening immigration all risk making inflation worse. Solar stocks are already getting crushed, and energy prices are likely heading higher due to policy-induced supply shocks.

???? TikTok Drama Isn’t Over
Tom and Michael unpack Trump’s shifting stance on TikTok, the role of Chinese ownership, and why a deal may depend more on trade talks with Xi than U.S. politics. Spoiler: it’s part of a bigger US-China bargaining chip pile that includes Nvidia, Tesla, and student visas.

???? Meta’s AI Talent War & Super Intelligence Play
Meta reportedly poached four OpenAI researchers and is spending big on AI. Michael explains why this is part of a broader $100B+ AI CapEx wave, how the researcher talent shortage is driving insane offers, and why Meta’s Llama model is slipping behind global rivals like DeepSeek.

???? AI’s Global Arms Race: Why China Matters
Michael argues China is home to half the world’s best AI minds and that companies like Meta and Nvidia want access—but geopolitics are in the way. A looming AI talent arbitrage is brewing, and immigration policy could become a competitive edge for the U.S.

???? Intel: Comeback or Dead Weight?
Tom makes the bull case for Intel as a multi-year turnaround, while Michael outlines the structural challenges—foundry problems, talent shortages, and supply chain gaps. But with value investors circling, momentum could shift if management executes.

???? Paramount, Legacy Media, and the TikTok Effect
Is legacy media dead money? Michael says not quite. Viral clips on TikTok can revive old IP, and names like Paramount might still hold value—especially if broken up or restructured. Tom makes the case for “boomer tech” and why some of these beaten-down stocks could catch a bid.

???? Platinum, Palladium & the Catch-Up Trade
While gold and silver have been running, Tom flags new chatter around platinum and palladium. Michael says industrial uses make them tricky bets, especially as tariffs raise input costs across autos, electronics, and infrastructure.

Katie Perry - https://stocktwits.com/StocktwitsKP
Tom Bruni - https://stocktwits.com/BruniCharts
Michael Parekh - https://stocktwits.com/MParekh

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