Motley Fool Hidden Gems Investing

Theranos & the Power of a Good Story

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Theranos promised the world a breakthrough in blood-testing technology, until everything came crashing down in early 2018. Alex Gibney, director of th...

Earnings and Elections

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alphabet surges on strong earnings. Microsoft reports higher profits but disappoints with guidance. Amazon reports record quarterly sales. Facebook fa...

Chocolate Secrets from Inside Mars

27 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mars makes some of the most popular chocolate candies in the world. It’s dedication for secrecy rivals Willy Wonka. Joelle Glen Brenner, author of t...

Netflix, Tesla, and the State of the Movie Business

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Intel falls on a big drop in its data center business. Netflix reports its weakest subscriber growth in 4 years. Tesla reports its 5th consecutive qua...

The #1 Mistake Small Businesses Make

20 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The overwhelming majority of small businesses in America are one-person operations. Unfortunately, there are aspects to running a business that even p...

Apple, Amazon, and Common Sense Technology

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Apple unveils its new iPhones. Fastly falls on TikTok concerns. United Airlines CEO predicts flying won’t return to normal until 2024. Amazon report...

Tim Cook’s Leap of Faith

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Even before he became CEO of Apple, Tim Cook was known as a steady operator who was both thoughtful and, at times, cautious. Best-selling author Leand...

When More is Not Better

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Roku and Netflix rise on upgrades. AT&T prepares to sell DirecTV at a steep loss. Movie theater stocks AMC, Cinemark, and Cineworld tumble on news tha...

“The rest of your life begins now.”

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ever buy a ticket to something, not enjoy yourself, and stay anyway? Sunk costs can be a powerful force, but Professor Richard Nisbett says the smarte...

Market Uncertainty, Surprising Earnings, and Thinking Bigger

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The market reacts to news that President Trump has tested positive for COVID-19. The Labor Department reports slowing jobs growth. Bed Bath & Beyond s...

Warning: Financial Jargon Ahead!

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Financial jargon can make even the smartest people feel stupid. Jason Zweig, longtime columnist for The Wall Street Journal, shares his insights into ...

Costco, Tesla, and Temptation Bundling

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Costco reports strong growth but shares slip. Nike just does it. AutoZone revs up revenues. Stitch Fix gets slammed. Tesla generates some buzz from Ba...

Rethinking Transportation

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When are the self-driving electric cars going to flood our streets and highways? Tony Seba, co-founder of the independent think tank RethinkX, believe...

Let It Snow!

18 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Snowflake dazzles with the biggest software IPO ever. Adobe reports record revenue. Lennar Corp raises the roof with big earnings. Nvidia makes a $40 ...

Netflix & the Rise of Comedy Specials

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Once upon a time, 1-hour comedy specials were a rare bird. Will the big investments Netflix has made in stand-up comedy backfire? Jason Zinoman, comed...

Your Most Important Moneymaking Asset

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Peloton revs up on earnings. Chewy wavers. RH Holdings hits a new all-time high. Lululemon tumbles. Citigroup makes history with a new CEO. And inves...

Getting Rich vs. Staying Wealthy

04 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It was the best August for the stock market since 1984. Is the market overvalued? What stocks should investors keep on a short leash? What stocks stil...

Why You Make Bad Decisions About Money

01 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ok, it’s not just you. It’s all of us. Why do human beings tend to make bad decisions when it comes to spending money? According to Dan Ariely, be...

TikTok Deals, Investing in Real Estate

28 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Microsoft and Walmart team up to pursue TikTok. Salesforce reports a record quarter. Workday gets the job done. Okta hits an all-time high. Best Buy g...

Change One Word to Win Support For Your Idea

25 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Looking to get support for your ideas? Dr. Robert Cialdini, author of the best-selling book Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, recommends using ...

Retail Records, Home Improvement Highs, and Pro Sports

21 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Walmart reports big earnings and big growth in e-commerce. Target surges on record same-store sales growth. Home Depot and Lowe’s hit all-time highs...

How Good is Your Investing Behavior?

18 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Award-winning writer Morgan Housel shares how behavior can have a greater impact on your financial life than investing skills. His book The Psychology...

Fortnite vs. Apple and the Future of Malls

14 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Simon Property Group talks with Amazon about mall-based distribution centers. Microsoft announces plans to sell a $1,400 foldable phone. Marriott rise...

David Bowie, Financial Genius

11 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The late, great David Bowie was not just one of the most influential musicians of the past 50 years. He was also brilliant at hedging financial risk. ...

Disney’s Streaming Surprise, Telemedicine Mergers, and Operation HOPE

07 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Disney’s streaming service gets the job done. Wayfair crushes expectations. Arista Networks sells off despite beating expectations. Square gets a bo...

Making Solomon’s Paradox Work for You

04 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Solomon’s Paradox, the ability to think more sensibly about other people’s problems than our own, is common. In her book Weird: The Power of Bein...

Revenge of the Big Tech Stocks

31 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon, Apple, and Facebook all rise on their latest earnings reports. Alphabet 2nd-quarter makes history, but not in a good way. PayPal and Teladoc H...

The Case for Breaking Up Big Tech

28 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

 Scott Galloway is a professor at NYU Stern and author of the best-selling book The Four: The Hidden DNA of Apple, Amazon, Facebook, and Google. As...

Intel’s Drop, Microsoft’s Record, MercadoLibre’s Future

24 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Intel plunges on chip delays. Microsoft declines despite a record quarter. Twitter pops on strong user growth. Chipotle serves up strong digital growt...

Michael Lewis on the Two Men Who Changed Our Minds

21 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Other than their fields of study Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky could hardly be more different. In The Undoing Project: A Friendship that Changed Ou...

Twitter’s Hack, Silicon Valley’s Changing Landscape

17 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The FBI investigates a major Twitter hack. Netflix sells off on earnings. Domino’s serves up strong sales growth. Banking software company nCino has...

Forget Networking. Ask This One Question.

14 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“Marketplace Radio” host Tess Vigeland walked away from her job with no idea what was next. In her subsequent book, Leap: Leaving a Job with No Pl...

Buffett’s Buy and the Future of Restaurants

10 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Retailers continue to struggle as Bed Bath & Beyond announces plans to close more than 20% of its stores over the next two years. Levi’s sales fall ...

The Road to Success in Comedy

07 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Back in the day a great stand-up comedy set on “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson” meant instant success, but so much has changed since then. Gr...

Tesla, Musk, and the Future of Movies

03 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

It’s our Independence Day Weekend Special! Corporate governance expert and film critic Nell Minow analyzes the latest corporate scandals and the fut...

The Summer of Beer and Whiskey

30 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Professional baseball almost didn’t make it out of the 1880s. In his book The Summer of Beer and Whiskey, writer Ed Achorn explains how a new owner...

Digital Ad Spending and the Power of Weird

26 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Google deals with slipping ad sales while Facebook and Amazon gain market share. Amazon buys a new car. McCormick hits a new high. Nike stumbles. And ...

Is Grit Overrated?

23 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In general, perseverance is a good thing. But David Epstein, author of the best-selling book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World, po...

Retail Rebounds, Dynamic Duos, and the CEO of DocuSign

19 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Retail sales rebound in May. Walmart teams up with Shopify. Spotify teams up with DC Comics. Wirecard plummets on accounting concerns at the German pa...

Diversity Is The First Step

16 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What’s the key to unlocking your team’s potential? Jeff Weiner, longtime CEO of LinkedIn, shares key steps leaders can take to get the most out of...

Fed Warnings, Stock Worries, and Mark Cuban

12 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The market tumbles as the Fed Chairman warns the recovery might take a couple of years. Adobe hits an all-time high on record revenue. Lululemon slips...

Get Rid of the Jerks

09 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When a business is looking to grow, it needs to figure out how to effectively spread excellence throughout its organization. Bob Sutton, Stanford prof...

Surprising Jobs Numbers and Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke

05 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Investors react to surprising employment numbers. Zoom Video connects with its latest earnings and doubles revenue guidance. Slack sells off. And Docu...

Space 2020: Musk vs. Bezos 

02 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

SpaceX, Elon Musk’s company, launched NASA astronauts into orbit over the weekend. But they face competition from Jeff Bezos’ company, Blue Origin...

Market Rebounds and Disney Reopenings

29 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The total number of unemployment claims climbs above 40 million. Costco slips on earnings. Salesforce sells off. Dollar Tree and Dollar General rise o...

The Power of Disagreement

26 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When everyone is in agreement on a project or idea, is there a hidden downside? Jonah Sachs, entrepreneur and author of the book Unsafe Thinking: How ...

The Future of Real Estate and Retail

22 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Facebook, MasterCard, and Spotify announce new work-from-home policies. Lowe’s, Home Depot, Target, and Walmart report big growth in same-store sale...

Bernie Madoff’s Gift

19 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How did Bernie Madoff pull off the biggest Ponzi scheme in history? Diana Henriques, journalist and author of the bestseller The Wizard of Lies: Berni...

Retail’s New Record and the Business of RVs

15 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Retail sales fall more than 16% in April. Uber and GrubHub explore a possible merger. Marriott and Under Armour tumble on disappointing earnings. Diag...

For the Class of 2020

12 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Given the pandemic, high school and college commencements just won’t be the same this year. So we decided we’d have Scott Galloway, NYU professor ...

Surging Unemployment, Skyrocketing Stocks

08 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The unemployment rate surges to nearly 15%. Uber and Lyft shares rise on earnings. MercadoLibre, PayPal, and Twilio hit all-time highs. And Disney ann...

Predicting the Success of New Ideas

05 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When new ideas are presented, it turns out that middle managers may not have the best track record for predicting success. Adam Grant, author of The N...

Sell in May and Go Away?

01 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

An additional 4 million Americans file for unemployment as the total number of unemployed tops 30 million. The S&P 500 wraps up its best month since 1...

Chipotle’s Special Sauce, Netflix’s Big Number, DraftKings’ Latest Bet

24 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

More than 4.4 million Americans file for unemployment as the total number of unemployed climbs to 26 million. Netflix adds 16 million subscribers for ...

How Luck Made “Rock Around The Clock” a #1 Hit

21 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“Rock Around The Clock” was a flop when Bill Haley & The Comets first released it. Derek Thompson, author of the best-selling book Hit Makers: How...

Rising Unemployment, Rising Investor Optimism

17 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

More than 5 million more Americans file for unemployment as the monthly total surpasses 22 million. Abbott Labs gets a boost on optimism over its coro...

The Keys to Crucial Conversations

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Having more work conversations via video conference? You’re not alone. Effective conversations at work are more challenging these days. Fortunately ...

The New Future of Education

10 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Fed announces a new $2.3 trillion program to boost the economy. Another 6.6 million Americans file for unemployment. Shares of Zoom Video fall on ...

Losing Weight and the Power of Scale

07 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Trying to lose weight? Might be time to change the scale. Dan Ariely, professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University, offers up s...

$350 Billion and 10 Million

03 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The Federal Government launches a $350 billion small business lending program. Over 10 million Americans file for unemployment. Oil stocks rise. Const...

How Corporations are like Teenagers

31 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Companies make thousands of acquisitions each year. Dan Heath, co-author of the New York Times bestseller Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life...

Record Stimulus, Record Unemployment, Volatile Market

27 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Congress passes a $2 trillion-dollar stimulus. A record 3.3 million Americans file for unemployment. The Federal Reserve cranks up lending. And the st...

How Napping Makes You Smarter

24 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Working hard? That’s great. But if you want to avoid burnout then Daniel Levitin, professor of psychology and behavioral neuroscience at McGill Univ...

Navigating the Crisis

20 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

New York and California order nearly all residents to stay home. The government pushes back the tax filing deadline. And the stock market  has anothe...

Howard Marks on the Stock Market Rarely Being Average

17 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The average return of the stock market is 9-10%. So why does the market rarely hit that number in a given year? Legendary investor Howard Marks explai...

Worst Day Since 1987

13 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The stock market has its worst day since 1987 as coronavirus concerns grow and Wall Street sentiment turns decidedly bearish. How should investors be ...

Science of Motivation with Dan Pink

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Does the carrot-and-stick method actually work? For certain tasks, yes. But as best-selling author Dan Pink explains, managers who use this as the sol...

Market Volatility and How Successful People See the World

06 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Investors navigate market volatility as coronavirus concerns grow. Campbell Soup heats up. Costco delivers a strong 2nd quarter. JPMorgan Chase CEO Ja...

The Upside of Quitting with Stephen Dubner

03 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Winners never quit and quitters never win.” Is it possible quitting is actually underrated? Stephen Dubner, co-author of the bestselling "Freakonom...

Worst Week Since 2008

28 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The stock market has its worst week since the financial crisis of 2008. Motley Fool analysts Andy Cross, Ron Gross, and Jason Moser talk about the cor...

Malcolm Gladwell on Choosing A College

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Millions of high school students are trying to decide where to spend the next four years of their lives. For them, and their parents, best-selling aut...

The Business of Baby Yoda

21 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Walmart reports strong e-commerce growth but has problems with fun and games. Dropbox surprises investors and aims for profitability by the end of 202...

The Power of Habit with Charles Duhigg

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

How does a routine become habit-forming? One important part is figuring out a reward for the routine itself. For example, as Charles Duhigg (best-sell...

Record Highs, Coronavirus Concerns, Facebook’s New Hobby

14 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Nvidia shakes off its “crypto hangover” and reports blowout earnings. Shopify soars. Pepsi surprises. And Roku rises. Motley Fool analysts Emily F...

Jenny Anderson on Love and Dirty Dishes

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The key to a lasting relationship is…economics? Jenny Anderson, co-author of the best-seller “Spousonomics: Using Economics to Master Love, Marria...

Video Stars, Academy Awards, and 1 Sleepy IPO

07 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alphabet breaks out its YouTube revenue for the first time. Activision Blizzard scores with “Call of Duty: Mobile”. Casper’s IPO turns into a sn...

Roger Ebert on Money Movies

04 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Pulitzer Prize-winning film critic Roger Ebert wasn’t just a lifelong fan of movies. He also knew the business well enough to see Blockbuster Video’...

Earnings-palooza: Welcome to Club Trillion!

31 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon’s huge 4th-quarter gets the company back above the trillion-dollar market cap. Apple and Microsoft continue their hot streaks, while Facebook...

Michael Lewis Saw Football’s Future

28 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The NFL’s financial health is not in doubt. The health of its players, however, is getting more attention than ever. Back in 2011, when concussions ...

Chips, Netflix, and Betting on the NFL

24 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Intel reports surprising earnings and hits a 19-year high. Netflix rises on strong international growth. American Express and Atlassian hit all-time h...

Jeff Bezos on Taking the Long View

21 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

“One of the time-honored traditions of investors is to play the role of skeptic.” Even in October 2000, when his company’s stock had fallen 50% ...

Big Banks & Big Deals

20 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, and Morgan Stanley hit 52-week highs but Wells Fargo slips. The National Retail Federation reports healthy holiday spending ...

Toys, Candy, Alcohol, and CES 2020

10 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Costco reports some holiday cheer thanks to the strong trifecta of toys, candy, and alcohol. Bed Bath & Beyond sinks. Lennar raises the roof. And Grub...

21 Stocks for 2020

03 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Why should investors be watching 5G, banking, and small cap stocks in 2020? Why do ANSYS, Arista Networks, and CRISPR have big upside potential? Why s...

2019 in Review: Software, Entertainment, and Cheap Beer

27 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Disney Plus works its magic. WeWork falls down on the job. Best Buy rewards investors. And Constellation Brands unloads some cheap beer. Analysts Andy...

Earnings, Eggnog, and Year-End Financial Advice

20 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Nike scores with its Jordan brand. IAC buys Care.com for $500 million. FedEx delivers disappointing earnings. Bed Bath & Beyond surges after its new C...

Retail, Video Games, and Scaling Up Excellence

13 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Costco slips on earnings and a website glitch. GameStop tumbles on flagging same-store sales growth. Adobe hits an all-time high. And Stitch Fix surpr...

CEO Shakeups, Retail Surprises, and Hot Holiday Toys

06 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Google’s co-founders relinquish control of Alphabet. Expedia and United Airlines make their own changes at the top. Five Below rises on earnings. Zo...

Humble Pie, Turkey Stocks, & Stocks We’re Thankful For

29 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It’s our Thanksgiving Special! Analysts Andy Cross, Ron Gross, and Jason Moser share why they’re thankful for stocks MarketAxess, CRISPR, and Zoet...

Streaming Wars, Retail Surprises, and Home Improvement's Growing Problem

22 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Target hits a new all-time high on earnings. Macy’s and Kohl’s tumble. Lowe’s rises. Home Depot slips. Nordstrom surprises. And Schwab and TD Am...

Range, Grit, and Predicting Business Success

15 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Is it better to be a generalist or a specialist? Can you ever have too much grit? And what do birds and frogs have to do with business success? On thi...

Disney’s Latest Magic, Facebook’s Latest Challenge

08 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Disney earnings produce some magic. Gap gets a new look. And Zillow raises the roof. Motley Fool analysts Emily Flippen, Ron Gross, and Jason Moser di...

Google Gets Fit, Facebook Connects, and Apple Hits a New High

01 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Google buys Fitbit. Apple hits a new high on earnings. Facebook connects with advertisers. And Barbie gives Mattel a boost. Motley Fool analysts Andy ...

Amazon's Investments, Tesla's Surprising Profit

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Amazon slips as one-day shipping costs rise. Microsoft climbs higher thanks to growth in the cloud. Tesla generates its best day in six years. Southwe...

Retail roundup, Online Advertising, and Coca-Cola’s Latest Buzz

18 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Netflix reports strong international growth but shares slip on slowing domestic growth. UnitedHealth rises on healthy earnings. And Coca-Cola serves u...

The Genius at Apple

11 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Bed Bath & Beyond gets a boost from a new CEO. IAC unloads its stake in Match Group. Domino’s cools off on increased competition. Roku rises on a bi...

Brokerage Madness, Pepsi’s Pop, and Wrestling Smackdowns

04 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Charles Schwab cuts trading commissions to zero and TD Ameritrade and E*Trade follow suit. Pepsi hits an all-time high thanks to healthy returns from ...

CEOs, IPOs, and PLTs

27 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

  Peloton stumbles on its IPO. Wells Fargo names a new CEO as eBay, Juul, and WeWork say goodbye to their CEOs. And Nike hits a new high. Analysts...

Microsoft's Hike, GM's Strike

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Microsoft hikes its dividend and buys back stock. Apple launches its subscription gaming service. Airbnb announces plans for an IPO. And FedEx deliver...

IPO Dramas and Apple's Big Surprise

13 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Smile Direct leaves investors frowning. WeWork reworks its corporate governance. Old Navy prepares to split from The Gap. And Popeye’s brings new me...