- Ziggma
- Posts
- 🎧 Apple vs. Spotify
🎧 Apple vs. Spotify
PLUS: Amazon enters bear-market
Market Performance
S&P 500: 6,836.17 ⬆️ 0.05%
Nasdaq: 22,546.67 ⬇️ 0.22%
Dow Jones: 49,500.93 ⬆️ 0.10%
Apple Enters the Video Podcast Arena
Apple (AAPL) just made a power play that could reshape the podcast landscape.
The tech giant announced it's launching an integrated video podcast experience in Apple Podcasts this spring, finally catching up to competitors such as Spotify, YouTube, and Netflix, which have dominated video podcasting.
Apple isn't just adding video as an afterthought. The new HLS streaming protocol brings dynamic video ad insertion, giving creators real monetization firepower.
And unlike competitors, Apple won't charge creators or hosting providers for distribution—they're only taking a cut from ad networks.
This matters because video podcasting isn't a trend; it's the future. Edison Research reports that 37% of people aged 12 and older watch video podcasts monthly.
Apple has a massive installed base, with Services revenue reaching $30 billion last quarter.
By opening the floodgates to seamless video-audio switching and offline downloads, they're giving creators reasons to choose Apple Podcasts over platforms that have dominated this space.
The launch partners—Acast, Amazon's ART19, Omny Studio, and SiriusXM—signal this isn't experimental.
Apple's playing catch-up, but they're doing it with scale and infrastructure that could make them formidable fast.
AAPL stock has a Ziggma score of 76 as it ranks lower than peers in terms of growth and valuation.
Our Takeaway
Apple's entry legitimizes video podcasting as the industry standard, while its creator-friendly fee structure challenges the dominance of YouTube and Spotify.
The Services segment just got another growth catalyst.
➡️ FREE ZIGGMA RESEARCH: Nvidia (NVDA Stock): 60%+ Earnings Growth, AI Dominance, and a Profound Impact Edge 🔖 Read for free on Substack 🎧 Listen to podcast
Market Overview 📈
Markets closed near flat Friday as lighter-than-expected inflation data failed to ignite a sustained rally, while AI disruption fears continued rattling multiple sectors.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that January CPI rose 2.4% year-over-year, below the 2.5% consensus forecast.
Month-over-month, prices increased just 0.2% versus the expected 0.3%. Core CPI matched estimates at 2.5% annually and 0.3% monthly.
While this marks progress on inflation, Minneapolis Fed President Neel Kashkari urged caution on rate cuts, citing uncertainty around the economic impact of Trump's tariffs.
The market remained preoccupied with AI disruption concerns that spread beyond software into financial services, real estate, trucking, and media.
Charles Schwab and Morgan Stanley fell 10.8% and 4.9% for the week, respectively, while commercial real estate firm CBRE lost 16%.
Gaming stocks also suffered as Google's Project Genie AI world generator sparked fears about traditional gaming demand, with Unity Software plunging 25% for the week.
Despite Friday's stabilization, all major indices posted weekly losses—the S&P 500 down 1.4%, marking its second consecutive losing week, while the Nasdaq dropped 2.1% and the Dow fell 1.2%.
Kingscrowd is raising on StartEngine to build a one-stop solution for anyone navigating the private markets.
See the current campaign and any available flash perks on our StartEngine offering page. This Reg CF offering is made available through StartEngine Primary, LLC.
This investment is speculative, illiquid, and involves a high degree of risk, including the possible loss of your entire investment.
Stock Moves Deciphered 📈
🚀 Applied Materials (AMAT)
Applied Materials rocketed 8.08% after delivering a knockout quarter that crushed Wall Street expectations.
The semiconductor equipment giant reported adjusted earnings of $2.38 per share on revenue of $7.01 billion, significantly beating estimates of $2.20 per share and $6.87 billion in revenue.
More importantly, management issued strong Q2 guidance, signaling robust demand for chip manufacturing equipment continues despite broader market volatility.
🏥 Dexcom (DXCM)
Dexcom shares jumped 7.59% after stellar Q4 results highlighted the company's dominance in continuous glucose monitoring.
The medical device maker exceeded Wall Street earnings estimates and posted impressive revenue growth, driven by the successful U.S. launch of its G7 15-day CGM system—a game-changer offering longer wear time and an improved user experience.
🛳️ Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH)
Norwegian Cruise Line plummeted 7.1% after CEO Harry Sommer's sudden and immediate departure sent shockwaves through the investor community.
The unexpected leadership change—with no detailed succession plan announced—raised serious questions about internal stability and strategic direction during a critical recovery period for the cruise industry.
Headlines You Can't Miss 👀
📱 Pinterest shares collapsed 18% Friday following weak Q4 earnings and disappointing guidance, with the CEO citing tariff-related advertising pullback as an "exogenous shock."
🏦 Coinbase reported total 2025 trading volume hit $5.2 trillion, up 156% year-over-year, despite Q4 earnings missing estimates due to $700M+ unrealized crypto investment losses.
🍔 McDonald's reached an all-time high dating back to its 1965 IPO, joining 24 S&P 500 stocks trading at new 52-week highs on Friday.
⚡ Utilities surge: NextEra Energy, American Electric Power, Entergy, and CenterPoint Energy all hit all-time highs as investors rotated into defensive sectors amid tech volatility.
🚚 C.H. Robinson rallied 4.91% as analysts maintained a bullish stance despite the AI-driven freight sector sell-off, citing the company's own AI capabilities as a competitive advantage.
💰 Venezuela oil sales surpassed $1 billion, with Energy Secretary Chris Wright announcing proceeds will now go directly to the U.S. Treasury instead of the Qatar account.
🛒 Dollar Tree was downgraded to underperform by BMO on valuation concerns and a lack of a digital strategy, with 26% downside target despite 73% gain over the past year.
📊 Maplebear (Instacart) surged 7% on optimistic Q1 guidance, pacing for the best day since May 2025, with gross transaction value forecast exceeding estimates.
Trending Stocks 📊
⬆️ Roku (ROKU)
Roku shares surged 8.6% as Rosenblatt hiked its price target to $118 from $106, implying 42% upside potential.
The streaming platform is capitalizing on strong ad-revenue trends and growth in platform engagement, despite broader concerns about AI disruption in media.
🚗 Rivian Automotive (RIVN)
Rivian jumped 27% after projecting 2026 vehicle deliveries between 62,000 and 67,000 units, representing 47-59% growth versus 2025.
Q4 adjusted losses of $0.54 per share beat the $0.68 per share consensus, while $1.29 billion in revenue topped estimates, demonstrating improving operational efficiency.
🛍️ Amazon (AMZN)
Amazon entered bear market territory, falling more than 20% below its November 52-week high of $258.60.
The decline accelerated following an earnings miss last week and continued amid broader tech rotation, with shares down over 4% for the week at $198.79.
What’s Next?
Key market and macro news 👇
Roku
Roku shares surged 15% as Rosenblatt hiked its price target to $118 from $106, implying 42% upside potential. The streaming platform is capitalizing on strong ad revenue trends and platform engagement growth despite broader concerns about AI disruption in media.
🚗 Rivian Automotive (RIVN)
Rivian jumped 20% after projecting 2026 vehicle deliveries between 62,000-67,000 units, representing 47-59% growth versus 2025. Q4 adjusted losses of 54 cents per share beat the 68-cent consensus, while $1.29 billion in revenue topped estimates, demonstrating improving operational efficiency.
🛍️ Amazon (AMZN)
Amazon entered bear market territory, falling more than 20% below its November 52-week high of $258.60.
The decline accelerated following an earnings miss last week and continued amid broader tech rotation, with shares down over 4% for the week at $198.79.
Chart of the Day
Source: Carbon Finance
Meme of the Day
Great investing starts with great information.
Forward The Market Scoop to anyone who wants to stay ahead of the market through a pertinent and entertaining newsletter format.
DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. The newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell assets or make financial decisions. Please exercise caution and conduct your own research.