Here’s why activist billionaire investor Carl Icahn is telling Cigna shareholders to vote against its purchase of Express Scripts. Also, what Regeneron Pharmaceuticals and bluebird bio's new deal means for investors.

It’s no secret that Amazon has made life difficult for many consumer and retail companies, but not every business has buckled under its competitive pressure. One such survivor is Wayfair, an online home goods retailer that has more than doubled its revenue in the past two years to almost $6 billion. Join us as we discuss the secret sauce for this e-commerce underdog. Stocks: W, AMZN

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The conglomerate had an excellent second quarter, but its cash problem continues.

Apple finally hits the market cap milestone. We talk about the Mac maker's earnings results and the quarterly update from wearables foe Fitbit.

Listen in to hear us discuss Exxon, BP, Shell, and Chevron's earnings -- and our favorite stock among the four!

The budding marijuana market is already worth billions of dollars, and it’s expected to grow even more as marijuana momentum accelerates. Here’s what you should know about marijuana’s opportunity and its risks.

From the $71 billion deal between Walt Disney and 21^st Century Fox to The New York Times’ envious subscriber growth, we check in on some of the leading names in the media industry. Stocks: DIS, FOX, CMCSA, NYT

Both payment processors have grown tremendously, but which is the best to invest in now?

Facebook's massive post-earnings sell off caught the market off guard, but should investors have been so surprised? We tackle that, and Spotify's second report as a publicly traded company.

We go back to basics in this episode on the U.S. defense sector. We discuss the history of the industry, what investors need to know about the current climate, best stocks to invest in and why. Stocks mentioned: Boeing (BA), Northrop Grumman (NAC), Raytheon (RTN), General Dynamics (GD), Leidos (LDOS), CACI International (CACI), ManTech (MANT), Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH).

It’s big pharma week! First, we discuss Eli Lilly’s second quarter earnings and its decision to spin-off its animal health business. Then, we explain why GlaxoSmithKline became an investor in the DNA screening company, 23andMe.

BJ’s Wholesale Club is up 50% from its June IPO, with investors encouraged by improving growth and profitability trends. But BJ’s large rival sets a high bar for the industry. We also look at Calavo Growers, which has delivered incredible long-term returns thanks to its main staple - avocados. Stocks: CVGW, BJ, COST

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley both had excellent growth in the second quarter.

Short sellers are often characterized as speculators and manipulators, but they play an important role in the financial markets. We run through why shorts are important, but also why the average investor should probably stay away from shorting stocks.

We take a deep-dive into a stock in our own portfolios: Corning (GLW). We cover the history of the company, its recent underperformance, our appreciation for its long-term focused management team, and why it’s set for growth. Stocks mentioned: Corning (GLW).

A new spin on an old drug could dent demand for Epidiolex, a marijuana-based epilepsy drug. Plus, here's how important Medicare and Medicaid are to UnitedHealth Group's profits.

We tackle a listener question from Ryan, who wants to know whether this big box consumer electronics retailer could be a long-term value play with its stable growth and dividend. Best Buy recently came out of its 5-year turnaround effort, and management is now focused on a “New Blue”.

The “big four” U.S. banks – JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), and Citigroup (NYSE: C) – have all reported their second-quarter earnings. In this episode of Industry Focus: Financials, host Michael Douglass and Fool.com contributor Matt Frankel discuss the winners and losers, as well as some sector trends investors should be aware of.

This Chinese consumer tech company has come up on our show several times as a competitor to U.S. firms in the smartphone and wearables space. But today, we focus on Xiaomi, as its shares have just hit the Hong Kong exchange.

We discuss renewable yieldcos; Pattern Energy Group (PEGI), TerraForm Power (TERP), Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP), and NextEra Energy Partners (NEP). Also, we break-down what exactly MLPs and C-corps are and what they mean for investors.

Promo: Biogen and Eisai rolled out encouraging data for one of their Alzheimer's disease drugs last week. Also, why is Amazon.com's purchase of PillPack so important? Stocks: BIIB, AMZN, WBA, CVS, RAD

With its IPO expected to price later this summer, Sonos will be the rare, pure-play option for investors eyeing the fast-growing smart speaker market. Can this $1 billion business go head to head with some of the world’s largest companies?

When it comes to U.S. banks, there are four that are in a league of their own when it comes to size – JPMorgan Chase (NYSE: JPM), Bank of America (NYSE: BAC), Citigroup (NYSE: C), and Wells Fargo (NYSE: WFC). In this episode of Industry Focus: Financials, host Shannon Jones and banking specialist Matt Frankel take a closer look at the big four and what investors should know when evaluating these institutions.

We run through questions about the software-as-a-service market: what metrics to watch, what to expect from the industry, and what companies we're excited about. Stocks: CRM, SHOP, APPF, BL

We discuss some headlines from the last week: Tesla finally meeting its production target, GE spinning off healthcare, and Harley-Davidsons latest turmoil. We also chat about the future of flight and Ford’s partnership in China.

Now that both rounds of the bank stress tests are over, let’s see what we learned.

25 years ago, most households didn't have a computer in their homes. Today, the five largest U.S. companies are in tech. We discuss what trends led us here and how they aren't done yet.

In honor of the 25^th anniversary of The Motley Fool we are talking about oil and gas 25 years ago, the present state of the industry, and our predictions for the future. Thanks to Blooom for supporting Industry Focus.  

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A $3 billion project to sequence the human genome in the 90's is at the root of a revolution in patient treatment today. Also, can technology bridge the growing gap between healthcare supply and demand? Stocks: TDOC, ISRG, ILMN

Our theme week continues as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Motley Fool with a look at the innovation and change that could shape the consumer and retail sector going forward.

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Here’s what has changed in banking over the past 25 years and what we think is in store for the next 25.

Data analytics company Domo has plans to go public, but should investors want a piece of this former unicorn?

In today’s show we answer some listener questions from the last month. We discuss the difficulties of getting oil out of the Permian Basin, an attractive pipeline stock, two midstream competitors, and the possible outcome of the impending meeting of OPEC+. Tickers EPD, HAL, SLB.

Big news sent Foundation Medicine and Sarepta Therapeutics soaring this week. Meanwhile, PTC Therapeutics investors endured a roller coaster ride. Stocks: FMI, SRPT, PTCT 

Taking a vacation? Online travel agencies are one of the first places consumers go when planning their trips. We look at Booking Holdings and TripAdvisor as two options for investors in this massive, lucrative market. Stocks: FNKO, TRIP, BKNG

On the surface, White Mountains Insurance’s business model may look a lot like the Oracle of Omaha’s playbook.

This week, a judge approved the AT&T/Time Warner $85B deal. Why does the telecom giant want a piece of the content world, and what does the deal mean for the marketplace?

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Eugene Mulero, Capitol Hill reporter for Transport Topics, recently visited Project Neon, a $1 billion interstate project in Nevada. He discusses the projects progress and how the Nevada state government secured both federal and private funding. He updates us on President Trumps previously announced spending bill, which included a $200 package for infrastructure. We touch on a few stocks for investors bullish on infrastructure: McDermott International (MDR), Fluor (FLR), AECOM (ACM).

Celgene's been stumbling lately, but it's got irons in the fire that could get it back on track. Are this company's best days behind it, or are they only beginning? Stocks: CELG

As the “retail apocalypse” bears down on brick-and-mortar chains across the country, some department stores are showing signs of strength. Shareholders are cheering the impressive year-to-date rallies, but will the party last? Stocks: M, KSS, DDS, SHLD

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Here’s what investors need to know about three big news items.

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We've got Fool.com's Brian Feroldi back on to talk under-the-radar tech stocks. He walks us through why Grubhub, Mitek, and BlackLine are currently on his watchlist. Stocks: (NYSE: GRUB) (NASDAQ: MITK) (NASDAQ: BL)

After facing continuing construction delays caused by political challenges and permitting concerns, Kinder Morgan sold its Trans Mountain Pipeline and expansion project to the Canadian government. We discuss what that means for the company's future prospects. Ticker (NYSE: KMI)

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Gilead Sciences has been one of biopharma's worst performers, and demand for its hepatitis C drugs has yet to bottom. Can its R&D program jump start investor optimism? Stocks: GILD

After digging into these stock market debuts last year, we’re revisiting Canada Goose, Blue Apron, and Stitch Fix to cover the latest developments at each company and to rethink what investors need to know going forward. Stocks: GOOS, APRN, SFIX

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When most investors think of real estate investment trusts, or REITs, they think of things like apartments, hotels, malls, and office buildings. However, there are REITs that own property types you may not have considered, and some of these companies are quite large. In this episode of Industry Focus: Financials, host Michael Douglass and REIT specialist Matt Frankel discuss REITs that own timberlands, data centers, and telecommunications towers.

We answer a listener question about Universal Display. After seeing revenues surge in 2017, the company has come back to earth in 2018. Does that make it a good time to buy in, or should investors stay away? Stocks: OLED, AAPL

The past twelve months haven’t been kind to GE shareholders. The stock has lost almost half its value as creative accounting practices, a seriously underperforming power segment, and charges related to its legacy insurance business have undermined investor confidence. We talk about recent events, financial results, and how the turnaround plan is going.

Precision medicines from Loxo Oncology and Blueprint Medicines could take center stage at the most important cancer conference of the year. Also, here’s why Abiomed’s shares have doubled in 2018. (LOXO) (BPMC) (ABMD)

After years of playing of second fiddle to Home Depot, Lowe’s recently tapped J.C. Penney CEO Marvin Ellison to help usher the brick-and-mortar retailer into the future. While the home improvement space has resisted competition from online players, neither of the industry leaders are strangers to innovation and change. The cast also covers the latest updates from the Walt Disney and Fox acquisition. Stocks: LOW, HD, DIS, FOX, FOXA, CMCSA

It's been a busy few months for PayPal. The company just spent $2.2B on "the Square of Europe" and competitors are starting to mount an attack against the company's One Touch approach. How should investors be feeling about it all? Stocks: PYPL, SQ, MA.

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The FAA received 149 proposals for its Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program and selected 10 from different cities across the U.S. The winning cities, partnered with big-name businesses, will work with the FAA to develop testing zones and develop regulations.

It’s not just drugmakers disrupting this massive market, medical device makers are pocketing billions of dollars, too. Here’s what you should know about Medtronic, Abbott Labs, Dexcom, Insulet, and Tandem Diabetes. (NYSE: MDT)(NYSE: ABT)(NASDAQ: DXCM) NASDAQ: PODD)(NASDAQ: TNDM).

We officially welcome esports to the “major leagues” as the biggest game developers promote, expand, and monetize the multi-player competitions for some of their best-selling titles. From viewership ratings to multi-million dollar deals and professional gamers on contracts, we cover the latest milestones for this fast-growing industry. Stocks: ATVI, EA, TTWO, NVDA, AMD

Cash is being used less and less, and these three companies could be big winners.

Tencent and MercadoLibre both have leading positions in their markets and offer investors exposure to a ton of major tech trends, making them greater starter stocks for folks looking for international exposure.

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We take a whirlwind tour of some international stocks, from a truly global infrastructure player, to a Brazilian iron producer dependent on China, and a French oil giant that’s looking to the future and leading the pack.

With a population of 741 million people, Europe’s a huge market for medicine, yet most U.S. investors avoid European drugmakers, including Sanofi. On today's episode, we explain how drugs win approval in Europe and why Sanofi ought to be on your radar.

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Walmart recently announced a $16 billion investment in Flipkart, the biggest e-commerce company in India. For investors around the world, this deal is the opening volley on the latest front of the e-commerce war between Walmart, Amazon, and Alibaba.

You should definitely have some international exposure in your portfolio, but you don't need to buy foreign stocks to get it.

Chinese video streaming company iQiyi is drawing some big comparisons, can it possibly live up to them? And might the company be interesting enough to make us break one of our investing rules?

Ford's recently announced move away from cars in its North American market has caused quite a stir. We get the real story behind the headlines, the trends driving the changes in the auto industry, and discuss some investor concerns.

Activist investors are offering to buy the health records company, but visionary CEO Jonathan Bush might not want to sell. Also, Shire gives the thumbs up to Takeda and patience pays off for Portola Pharmaceuticals investors.

Last week, tech mogul Elon Musk shared his bearish view of competitive moats, spurring a response from Warren Buffett who coined the term 20 years ago. So in this day and age, does frequent innovation hold more value than a wide moat? We tackle that question and more of the Musk-Buffett debate on this episode of Industry Focus.

Here Are The Highlights of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger’s annual Q&A session at Berkshire Hathaway’s annual meeting.

We run through the earnings releases of one of our favorite companies (Apple) and one of our favorite companies to follow (Snap). Can the young social media company turn it around? And what should investors expect from Apple going forward?

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Available housing inventory in the U.S. is at historical lows and homebuilders are faced with high costs and labor shortages. Three stocks stand out above the rest for their focus on two important markets – millennials and retirees.

Explaining the pros and cons so you can decide if they're right for you. 

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After several false starts and failed negotiations, the No. 3 and 4 wireless carriers officially unveiled their plans to merge over the weekend. The new T-Mobile will be a much stronger challenger to AT&T and Verizon, but the biggest priority right now is to win over regulators.

All things being equal, higher dividend yields are better. However, many dividend stocks’ high yields are signs of trouble. In this episode of Industry Focus: Financials, host Michael Douglass and Fool.com contributor Matt Frankel discuss what a yield trap is, how to detect one, and a few examples of stocks that have characteristics of yield traps.   

Facebook shareholders can breath a big sigh of relief! The company posted solid earnings that had the market forgetting all about the company's data issues. And Twitter posted its second GAAP profitable quarter, but Wall Street wasn't as thrilled.

This week a Virgin America plane took its last flight under the Virgin umbrella. With the unification of the two brands complete, and a rocky 2017 behind them, can the airline operator start to right the ship in 2018?

Promo: GW Pharmaceuticals scores a big thumbs up from a panel of FDA experts for its marijuana-based drug. Plus, Biogen pays a $1 billion dollars for expanded access to Ionis’ novel pipeline.

Whether you’re a first-time stock buyer or seasoned Fool with years of experience in the market, stock screens can be a powerful tool of discovery for any investor. We cover the basics of creating a stock screen, what metrics to employ, where to run them, and how to handle the end results. Free your mind, Fool!

Here’s a roundup of the past week’s news from Wells Fargo, Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, and SunTrust.

Looking for some new stocks for your watch list? We talk about why we're excited about Paylocity, Hubspot, and AppFolio.

We tackle a host of news items in Oil and Gas including; British Columbia halts development of the TransMountain pipeline, consumers face high prices at the pumps, and China’s new intelligent highway will be able to charge electric vehicles as they drive. We also pitched two stocks we’re currently working.

Alkermes’ ALKS-5461 gets a do-over, Celldex's lead drug is a bust, and the good and bad of Johnson & Johnson's Q1 earnings report. 

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Down about 20% from its all-time highs, Ulta stock has seen dampened investor enthusiasm after an otherwise amazing 10-year run as a public company. Listener Joseph wants to know why Ulta stock has struggled as Estee Lauder, another major name in skincare and cosmetics, soars to new all-time highs.

Now that the “big four” U.S. banks have reported earnings, let’s take a look to see what investors need to know.

There have always been rumors of a paid version of Facebook. Recent comments from Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg prove its something management has been thinking about, but what would it actually look like?

Slack: Where work happens. Go to slack.com to learn more.

NV5 and Pattern Energy Group have both been previously pitched on the show. And, both stocks have had a tumultuous time over the past few months. We discuss if recent events have changed the fundamental thesis for each.

Biogen misses out on a huge deal that Novartis completed with AveXis. Plus, Incyte's phase 3 implosion, and what it means for immuno-oncology more broadly.

The $55 billion skincare and make-up giant has seen its shares gain nearly 80% in the past year as robust top and bottom line growth attract investors to the company. For the first time on Industry Focus, we look at Estee Lauder’s impressive brand portfolio, latest results, and management’s vision for the future.

We’re often told to focus on one thing and do it well – but in today’s episode, we cover three sectors (banks, REITs, and insurers) where businesses may be going in the opposite direction, preferring to try and own more of the value chain. Understanding the tradeoffs between specialization and diversification is key to investing smart in these sectors.

Shares of the music streamer are now on the market! With a ballpark on The Street's view of what the company is worth, we try a few different angles to put its valuation into context.

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia announced last week a plan to partner with Japanese-based SoftBank to fund a $200 billion solar farm in the desert. We discuss the project, the state of the U.S. solar industry, and solar stocks to buy (and avoid).

Takeda may buy Shire, but it might prove costly. Also, the FDA slaps Alkermes with a dreaded Refusal to File letter.

ADT and its private equity backers have built up the leading name in monitored security with $4.3 billion of revenue in 2017. But after pricing an IPO in January, shares of ADT have tumbled nearly 50%. Is this the bargain opportunity investors should be following?

A lot of investors like big bank stocks for their dividends and perceived safety. We think, though, that some big trends are lining up to make their business models increasingly tough to sustain. In this episode, we lay out five different areas tech is changing the game for banks.

At SXSW, our quest was simple -- find good food. But when we stumbled upon Kyle Pounder's food truck "Excaliburger" we realized we found even more.

A big restructuring that could begin to pay off for investors soon could make this a great time to add Hess Corp. to your portfolio.

Geron’s future hinges on an uncertainty and AbbVie’s shares are teetering following some disappointing news. Should these stocks be in your portfolio? 

The downfall of Toys “R” Us has placed renewed focus on private equity funds and their connection to the recent string of retail bankruptcies. We look at how their desire for high returns and quick exits can hurt the long-term prospects of even the biggest brick-and-mortar chains.

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The Federal Reserve raised interest rates at its latest meeting, but there’s more important information you need to know. In this episode of Industry Focus: Financials, host Michael Douglass and banking specialist Matt Frankel break down the key takeaways and how they could affect your investments.

A lot of people aren't happy with the social media company these days. We run through the Cambridge Analytica data harvesting story, talk about the existing trend of people leaving Facebook, and work through how we feel about the company as shareholders.

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President Trump announced earlier in March that there will be a 25% tariff on imported steel and a 10% tariff on imported aluminum. This led to widespread criticism and fears of prices going up on everything from washing machines to beer. We discuss the details of the tariffs, the likely outcome, and historical examples of both failed and successful tariffs.

Rain, sleet, and snow can't stop us from covering Arena Pharmaceuticals' slam dunk data.

The airport concession company made its stock market debut in early February, giving investors the opportunity to tap into a robust corner of the retail world. With management forecasting enviable top and bottom line growth, here’s what Fools need to know before diving in.

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The Senate just passed a bill that would loosen regulations on all but the largest U.S. banks. In this episode of Industry Focus: Financials, host Michael Douglass and banking specialist Matt Frankel discuss what’s in the bill, and which banks could be the winners and losers.