Industry Focus

Drugmakers can generate future growth by inking collaboration deals or buying competitors outright. Is one approach better than the other?

Direct download: 20161102_IF_Healthcare.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

Though the original loyalty programs date back as far as the Revolutionary War, the explosion of such offerings to everything from airlines and supermarkets to coffee shops and restaurants did not take hold until the late 20th century. We look at why businesses are so eager to sign up customers and how two companies are leveraging their own programs to succeed.

Direct download: 20161101_IF_ConsGoods.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

Estate planning isn't a fun topic, but it's a vital one to tackle in order to take care of your loved ones. In this Halloween edition of Industry Focus: Financials, Fool analyst Gaby Lapera and Dan Caplinger, the Fool's director of investment planning, talk about this scary subject, breaking it down into manageable bits that you can plan for. You'll learn what documents you need, whether a will or trust is better for you, various types of trusts, the taxes that some estates have to pay, and how you can tell your loved ones what they'll need to know after your death. Make it your Halloween resolution to tackle your estate planning and put a plan in place that will protect your family from financial harm.

Direct download: 20161031_IF_Financials.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

It's our favorite show of the quarter! Apple reported earnings last week, we look at the major segments, digest the guidance the company offered up, and discuss some issues analysts raised during the conference call.

Thanks to Criquet for supporting the Motley Fool.  For 20% off your first purchase, go to criquetshirts.com/fool and use the promo code “fool”.

Direct download: 20161018_IF_Tech.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

Schlumberger and Halliburton are already increasing rates amidst what they say is a recovery in oil, Taylor Muckerman and Sean O’Reilly dive in to learn just what this means for investors. Thanks to Criquet for supporting Motley Fool.  For 20% off your first purchase, go to criquetshirts.com/fool and use the promo code fool.

Direct download: 20161027_IF_Energy.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

Why staying the course with Intuitive Surgical and Illumina could be investors most profit-friendly move.

Direct download: 20161026_IF_Healthcare.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

One company boasts millions of wireless, Internet, and pay-TV subscribers – the other a portfolio of leading entertainment properties spanning film, television, video games, and digital mediums. We look at the potential behind this massive acquisition, the steep regulatory hurdles, and major points of consideration for shareholders of each company. Thanks to Criquet for supporting the Motley Fool.  For 20% off your first purchase, go to criquetshirts.com/fool and use the promo code “fool”.

Direct download: 20161025_IF_ConsumerGoods.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

 If you want to improve your performance as an investor, you need to boost your critical thinking skills.

Studies have shown that the average investor tends to underperform the market. Why does this happen? It all boils down to the way we make decisions.

In this episode of Industry Focus: Financials, The Motley Fool’s Gaby Lapera and John Maxfield dig into how investors, and people more generally, can improve their critical thinking skills and thereby boost the performance of their portfolios.

Direct download: 20161024_IF_Financials.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

Answering a listener question, we talk about what the introduction of an activist investor might mean for a company and its shareholders.

Direct download: 20161021_IF_Tech.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT

After over a year of speculation that the world’s largest tech company was poised to become an auto manufacture, Apple has reportedly backed off – here’s why.

Direct download: 20161020_IF_Energy.mp3
Category:Podcast -- posted at: 3:30pm EDT