Stocks Have Their Best Quarter Since 2020 & ‘Supergirl’ is a Super Flop
Summary
Neil Freiman and Toby Howell review the first half of 2026, highlighting a market rally driven by AI chipmakers rather than big tech. They discuss a study suggesting heavy AI adopters are hiring more humans, contrasting with the box office flop of DC’s *Supergirl*. The episode also covers trends like vintage SUVs, Biscoff cookie sales, and the dominance of classic content on streaming platforms.
Topics discussed
Intro, HydroJug story, and July 4th heat wave
Ad: Ultra running shoes
H1 2026 Market Recap: AI, Energy, and Debasing Trade
Study: Heavy AI adopters are hiring more, not less
Supergirl box office flop and DC Studios' future
Ads: Verizon Visa and Even G2 earbuds
Neil's Numbers: Vintage SUVs as status symbols
Neil's Numbers: Lotus Bakery and Biscoff cookie boom
Neil's Numbers: Streaming libraries outperform originals
Anthropic models return amid US-China AI tensions
California law mandates volume matching for stream ads
Hump Day Happy Hour: Yogurt windows and hot dog buns
Outro and PwC AI podcast promotion
Listen ad-free on Castria