CSX CEO: The US economy is growing, but slowly

The race to better compete with AI chip darling Nvidia (⁠NVDA⁠) is well underway. Enter Groq (⁠GROQ.PVT⁠). The company makes what it calls language processing units (LPUs). These LPUs are designed to make large language models run faster and more efficiently, unlike Nvidia GPUs that target training models. Groq’s last capital raise was in August 2024, when it raised $640 million from the likes of BlackRock (⁠BLK⁠) and Cisco (⁠CSCO⁠). The company’s valuation at the time stood at $2.8 billion, a fraction of Nvidia’s more than $3 trillion market cap. It currently clocks in at $3.5 billion,⁠ according to Yahoo Finance private markets data⁠. At the helm of Groq is founder and CEO Jonathan Ross. While at Google (⁠GOOG⁠), Ross designed the custom chips that the tech giant would go on to train its AI models on. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor⁠ Brian Sozzi⁠ sits down on the⁠ Opening Bid⁠ podcast with Ross to discuss his future plans for Groq. Ross is fresh off a trip with other key tech executives to Saudi Arabia, joining President Donald Trump in forging a deeper tech relationship with the country. Ross begins by sharing with Sozzi the conversations he had on the ground in Saudi Arabia. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is arguably no better economic indicator than following demand trends from the largest railroad operators in the United States. Railroads, such as Warren Buffett-owned Burlington Northern and rivals Union Pacific (UNP) and CSX (CSX), haul everything from car parts to steel to coal to food. Therefore, whether the economy is doing badly or well is often captured in the top and bottom lines of railroads, more so than in wonky, backward-looking economic data from the government. With tariffs from the Trump administration starting to weigh on the economy, investors would be wise to check in on railroad operating performance. That’s just what the Yahoo team has done. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi sits down on the Opening Bid podcast with CSX Corp.'s Joe Hinrichs to discuss current business trends amid the Trump tariff war. Hinrichs has a very unique view of the tariff situation, as he was a long-time top executive at Ford tasked with running its global operations. Are railroads predicting a recession? Does Trump’s ‘Made in America’ focus spell opportunity for railroads long-term? Sozzi and Hinrichs dig in! Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One interesting call out from the latest earnings season is that big-time investments in AI continue despite signs the Trump administration’s tariff policy is weighing on the economy. Earnings results from AI leaders such as Nvidia (NVDA), Microsoft (MSFT), and Meta (META) all indicated aggressive spending on AI projects to support demand from customers. You wouldn’t necessarily put Goldman Sachs in the camp of big AI spenders – but you would be wrong not to do so. The investment bank is investing in generative AI across the company to speed up things such as deal analysis to mundane back-office tasks. Leading the charge on AI at Goldman Sachs is former Amazon AWS exec Marco Argenti. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi welcomes Argenti to the Opening Bid roundtable to discuss the work being done on the AI front by one of the most prominent investment banks in the world. Argenti says AI will increasingly be embedded into the work of Goldman’s 46,000 employees as it strives for operational efficiencies. The question is, will it make life easier for often overworked junior investment bankers, or are these pet AI projects that may have little return? Sozzi and Argenti dive in! Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Activist investors such as Carl Icahn, Jeff Smith and Bill Ackman have long been known to be fearless. They lock in on a mismanaged, undervalued target and take executive teams and boards to task to drive shareholder value. Sometimes they are successful, sometimes not so much. But a new breed of activist investor is appearing nowadays, one more inclined to work with management and boards to achieve desired outcomes. Enter Arkhouse managing partner Gavriel Kahane, who led a campaign to buy struggling Macy’s (M) last year. Macy’s rejected his overtures much to the dismay of investors who have watched the stock plunge since. Kahane is back now with an effort to agitate for change at IAC (IAC), led by billionaire media mogul Barry Diller. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi talks on the Opening Bid podcast with Kahane about what he would like to see from Diller and IAC, and shares what may happen next at the media publisher. Kahane also doesn’t rule out taking another crack at buying Macy’s. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Markets reacted as one would expect in the wake of the US–China trade agreement: with full-on cheerleading, despite a series of trade policy unknowns remaining. In fact, the S&P 500 (^GSPC) rose 0.7% last Tuesday and has now reversed its losses on the year, showing a slight increase, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite (^IXIC) advanced 1.8% on Tuesday after entering a new bull market in the prior session. Additionally, the "Magnificent Seven" complex — Big Tech names with a lot of cash in Apple (AAPL), Microsoft (MSFT), Meta (META), Tesla (TSLA), Nvidia (NVDA), Amazon (AMZN), and Alphabet (GOOG, GOOGL) — were back leading the market higher in a clear show of renewed risk appetite. But will the uptrend stay intact?Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi sits down on the Opening Bid podcast with veteran market strategist Adam Parker, founder of Trivariate Research. Parker was one of the early names on Wall Street to sound the alarm bells on stocks earlier this year amid tariff impact concerns. He also made a very correct call on the aforementioned Mag Seven stocks months ago before a swift sell-off. We discuss his next big calls and why they are his next big calls for clients. Parker is especially concerned about the outlook for corporate earnings. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There has been one common theme from Corporate America throughout the last two months as the Trump administration's trade war has taken hold: shot-calling CEOs have been frozen in their normally hard-charging tracks. CEOs have had to task deputies to uproot decades-old supply chains to avoid super-penalizing tariffs on US imports. At the same time, they have moved to talk down Wall Street earnings expectations for 2025 amid the chance of a US recession; many have opted to pull financial guidance altogether and not say when they will return to offering up clarity on finances. In short, 2025 is proving to be one of the most challenging years to be a CEO in the past decade outside of the COVID-19 pandemic.Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi welcomes to the Opening Bid mic a C-suite insider in Bill George to get insight into what's next for leaders of public companies following a US–China trade thaw. George successfully led medical device player Medtronic for 10 years and has sat on the boards of Goldman Sachs (GS), Target (TGT), ExxonMobil, and Novartis (NVS). Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

he pros say the US–China tariff thaw is not a deal, but rather a thaw in the ordeal triggered by the Trump administration. Whatever it is, the stock market likes the fact that US tariffs on China will be going down to 30% from 145% for the next 90 days as US and China officials negotiate further.The verdict is out on several fronts, however. For one, tariffs are still in place on China, and there is no guarantee they will all be removed. There is also no guarantee that there won't be a renewed escalation. Two, the US economy has started to weaken in the face of considerable policy uncertainty, and experts are not ruling out a mild recession. What that means for Fed policy will likely dictate how stocks trade throughout the summer.Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi welcomes former US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross to the Opening Bid roundtable. Ross served in the first Trump administration when the then first-time president enacted tariffs. He has also known Trump for decades, gaining keen insight into how he operates on delicate matters. What's next in the trade war for investors? If there's anyone who might have an educated guess, it's business mogul turned policy expert Ross. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The bulls are back on Wall Street, with good reason. The US and China have agreed to ratchet down the tariff war for 90 days as each economy begins to feel the pressure of bruising penalties. After a weekend of meetings in Switzerland, the US will take reciprocal tariffs on China down to 10% from 125%. A separate tariff imposed by President Trump over what he says is China’s role in the fentanyl trade will stay intact. China will cut its retaliatory tariffs on US goods to 10% from 125%. Stocks soared on the news, the US dollar caught a strong bid, and defensive plays such as gold sold off. Investors will now be looking for two things to keep the bullish vibes going: first, that the two economic superpowers signal there is an opportunity to take tariffs down even further after the 90-day pause; and second, that the tariffs aren’t hammering the US economy. Yahoo Finance Executive Editor Brian Sozzi spoke with eToro global markets analyst Lale Akoner on Opening Bid for perspective on whether stocks will be back for the rest of the year or if this is just a headfake. Akoner also discusses top picks in what is now a significantly changed backdrop for investors. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laying the groundwork for the post-LeBron playing career investment portfolio, Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi welcomes Klutch Sports founder and CEO Rich Paul to the Opening Bid mic at the Milken Institute Global Conference. Paul is seen as one of the most powerful agents in the world of sports. His first big client was NBA great LeBron James. The two met in 2002 at the Akron-Canton Airport, where a young James was impressed by a jersey Paul was wearing. Numbers were exchanged, and the two stayed in close contact. Paul went on to found Klutch Sports in 2012 in Cleveland, with James becoming a client. Klutch Sports now represents more than 300 athletes and is responsible for inking more than $400 billion in contracts. Other big-name clients Paul represents include NBA star Draymond Green and NFL phenom Jalen Hurts. Talent agency UTA made an undisclosed investment in Klutch Sports in 2019 — Paul is now the head of UTA Sports as well. Paul takes us inside what LeBron’s post-playing career life may look like and what the business of sports is shaping up to be over the next decade. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid, brings you a high-octane take on the freshest analyst calls, wildest stock moves and shrewdest commentary in the business world. Executive Editor Brian Sozzi puts Wall Street's finest through their paces in this essential conversation for every investor - before the stock market opens. Find this episode's transcripts and more episodes of Opening Bid at http://finance.yahoo.com/videos/series/opening-bid/. Thoughts? Questions? Fan mail? Email us at [email protected]. Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid is hosted by Brian Sozzi, and produced by Langston Sessoms Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The investing game in the field of sports is picking up, especially as it pertains to women’s athletics amid focus on new superstars such as Caitlin Clark. Yahoo Finance executive editor Brian Sozzi welcomes to the Opening Bid mic at the Milken Institute Global Conference managing partner and head of investments at Ariel Project Level Jason Wright. The former Arizona Cardinals running back was the NFL's first Black president, hired in August 2020 by the Washington Commanders to restore a franchise embroiled in toxic workplace controversies under then-controversial owner Dan Snyder. Wright stabilized the team culture and improved ticket sales. Private equity titan Josh Harris purchased the Commanders from Snyder in 2023 for more than $6 billion. Wright parted ways with the team in 2024, ultimately joining friend and former Starbucks (SBUX) chair Mellody Hobson at Ariel. Wright enters the field of women's sports investing at an important moment as female superstar athletes such as the WNBA's phenom Caitlin Clark and Olympic great Simone Biles continue to enter new territory with their eye-popping performances. Wright shares why he joined Ariel and the biggest sports investing opportunities he says moving forward.For full episodes of Opening Bid, listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices