Market Outsiders

Starbucks is ditching its pickup-only and drive-thru-only stores. CEO Brian Niccol says they “lack warmth” — but is that really the reason? 

In today’s Thursday Market Outsiders, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down the surprising move and whether it’s a smart brand strategy or a costly operational mistake. 

Listen in to learn what this shift signals for loyalty, in-store experience, and the future of Starbucks' growth.

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Starbucks just reported a 47% drop in profits - but investors pushed the stock up anyway. Why? 

In this episode, Namaan  and Jenny Rae break down what’s really going on behind the numbers: rising costs, China’s rebound, and the revenue beat that has Wall Street betting on a turnaround. 

Tune in for a fast, insightful look at how leadership, strategy, and market perception intersect in Starbucks’ latest earnings story.

Previous episode...

A slow-moving popcorn line sparked today’s conversation, but what it uncovered was a masterclass in business strategy. Jenny Rae and Namaan dig into Garrett Popcorn’s iconic brand, operational bottlenecks, and surprising pricing tactics.

They also explore what Garrett’s isn’t doing - and what it could - plus how SkinnyPop’s explosive growth started with the same insight: there’s real money in popcorn.

From impulse buys to private equ...

Tesla has opened a diner in Los Angeles - and it’s not just about burgers and fries. In today’s episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae explore the business strategy behind this bold move and why the diner could be more than a gimmick.

They break down how Tesla might use this concept to test robotics, integrate charging infrastructure, and experiment with a new kind of customer experience - all while considering brand positioning and long‑ter...

McDonald’s snack wraps are back – and the response has been sizzling. In today’s episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how this nostalgic menu item is driving double‑digit traffic and lifting U.S. same‑store sales by 7%.

Tune in to hear them explore why the return of a simple chicken wrap is surprising investors, what it says about customer behavior in a tight economy, and how McDonald’s might be outsmarting competitors...

Coca‑Cola posted stronger‑than‑expected earnings, yet its stock still slipped. Why? 

In today’s Tuesday episode of Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan unpack Coca‑Cola’s latest results, from price hikes to shifting volume trends across regions and product lines. 

They explore how forward guidance, tariffs, and supply chain costs shape investor reactions - and what it all means for your own business or investing decisions.

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American Express beat profit expectations on strong spending from its affluent cardholders. But the story goes deeper than the headline number.

In today’s episode, the Market Outsiders team - Jenny Rae and Namaan - break down how AMEX makes money, why its high‑end strategy is paying off, and what rising provisions for credit losses really mean.

They also explore the fierce competition in premium cards, from lounge perks to annual fee...

PepsiCo’s latest earnings surprised Wall Street, sending shares up even as U.S. demand slipped. Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack what’s driving the numbers, from price increases and consolidation to the rise of challenger brands and new distribution models. 

They break down how shifting consumer tastes, global supply chains, and strategic M&A are shaping the future of food and beverage. 

If you want to understand the levers big player...

Goldman Sachs just posted a 22% profit jump, but the headline only tells part of the story. On today’s Market Outsiders, Jenny Rae and Namaan  break down what’s really driving the surge, and why trading desks, not dealmakers, are leading the charge.

We dig into what the numbers reveal about investment banking, how fee mix and volatility are reshaping revenue streams, and why market sentiment is playing an outsized role this quarter....

NVIDIA’s surprise approval to resume selling AI chips to China sent its stock soaring and lifted the broader market - even as fresh inflation data showed price pressures ticking back up.

Jenny Rae and Namaan break down why NVIDIA’s China comeback matters for investors and how U.S. policy is shaping global chip strategy.

They also explore what rising inflation could mean for Fed decisions ahead. 

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Nissan is in survival mode. After major layoffs and underused factories, the automaker is now producing trucks for former rival Honda while raising $4.5B in unsecured bonds and delaying supplier payments. 

We break down what’s really happening and why this could be a textbook case in crisis management.

Plus, Goldman Sachs is piloting its first autonomous software engineer - an AI agent named Devin. We explore what this means for AI o...

Ferrero just dropped $3.1 billion to acquire cereal maker WK Kellogg, home of Froot Loops and Frosted Flakes. But why now, and why cereal? 

In this episode, Namaan  and Jenny Rae unpack the deal from every angle, connecting the dots on category expansion, geographic growth, shelf space strategy, and manufacturing capacity. 

Plus, how this move compares to Ferrero’s other acquisitions, what it signals for the snack industry, and why m...

Meta just dropped $3.5 billion on a stake in the maker of Ray-Ban - but why? 

In today’s episode, Jenny Rae and Naman unpack Meta’s bold move into smart eyewear through its investment in EssilorLuxottica. 

From content creation use cases to the strategy behind wearables, vertical integration, and even long-term plays in health tech, they break down what this deal really signals.

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Amazon’s summer sales juggernaut is no longer a one-player game. 

In today’s episode, Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack how Walmart and Target are leveraging loyalty programs, inventory strategy, and media placement to compete head-on with Prime Day - and why it matters more than just discounted vacuums. 

Plus, they share which retailers could be next to join the battle.

Update: Prime Day 2025 is already off to a slower start - ea...

Welcome back from the holiday weekend. Today, Namaan and Jenny Rae break down why fast casual restaurants are leaning hard into loyalty programs - and how it’s reshaping growth strategies in a cooling consumer environment. 

From Chipotle to Cava, we unpack why some brands are thriving while others are treading water, and what this tells us about pricing, positioning, and the state of consumer sentiment.

Plus, we preview the tariff he...

Happy Fourth of July weekend - but before the fireworks, we’re diving into a surprising June jobs report that added 147,000 new positions and revised prior numbers upward. 

Namaan and Jenny Rae break down why the labor market keeps defying the forecasts, what sectors are driving the surge, and how this could shape the Fed’s next move. 

Plus, why now might be the best time to lean in - not wait it out.

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Fresh off a week in NYC, Namaan and Jenny Rae kick off today’s episode with reflections from a top-tier consulting conference, where storytelling was named the critical skill AI can’t replace. They break down why the ability to build trust and communicate with clarity is essential across industries.

Next, they share behind-the-scenes moments and key takeaways from Case Camp, where aspiring consultants dove into real-world ...

Why are companies rethinking Delaware as their go-to for incorporation? Namaan and Jenny Rae break down how states like Texas, Nevada, and Oklahoma are making aggressive legal and tax moves to lure corporate business. 

They also explore the growing trend of state-level competition and what it means for founders, investors, and economic growth.

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Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz dominated headlines this weekend, but what does it actually mean for oil prices, markets, and investors? 

Namaan and Jenny Rae unpack the potential ripple effects of shipping disruptions, debate the future of domestic energy production, and explore why Israeli markets are rising despite regional conflict. 

Plus, they share how great investors think in second and third order effects and what questions ...