Market News with Rodney Lake

The George Washington University Investment Institute

Market News with Rodney Lake is the leading university-run finance podcast, combining rigorous academic analysis with real-world investing. Hosted by Rodney Lake, a finance professor and director of the George Washington University Investment Institute (GWII). Professor Lake delivers weekly breakdowns of companies in the GWII’s student-managed funds. The podcast features guests from rising students and faculty to experienced professionals, offering insight into macro trends, stock analysis, and portfolio strategy. Listeners hear how students and faculty apply academic frameworks to real investment decisions, offering educational and practical insights from the front lines of academic investing.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 104 | Can AMD Gain Ground on Nvidia?

    In Episode 104 of Market News with Rodney Lake, Professor Lake takes a closer look at AMD and its growing position in the AI and data center market. He examines how accelerating data center demand has driven strong revenue growth, improving gross and net margins, and rising free cash flow. AMD continues to gain ground as the second-largest player behind Nvidia. Professor Lake discusses whether AMD can move beyond being an alternative for pricing and supply and become a more significant pillar of the AI infrastructure market. He also evaluates CEO Lisa Su’s leadership and AMD’s improving market position, while highlighting valuation as a key consideration, with the company trading at roughly 80x forward earnings at the time of recording. With a net cash position and growing free cash flow supporting a strong balance sheet, AMD earns an overall score of 7.5/10 under the Investment Institute’s framework. Send us your feedback Support the show More from the “Market News with Rodney Lake” Podcast: Website: https://investment.business.gwu.edu/market-news-rodney-lake LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/market-news-with-rodney-lake/ Newsletter: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2015754/1915550/ Follow the GW Investment Institute: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwinvestmentinstitute/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/gwinvestmentinstitute/ X: https://x.com/gw_investment TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gwinvestmentinstitute Blog: https://blogs.gwu.edu/gwsb-invest/ Note: This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Do your own research and make independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

  2. Sep 24

    Episode 103 | Micron’s AI Memory Boom and What Comes Next

    In Episode 103 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Professor Lake takes a deep dive into Micron Technology and its growing role in the AI infrastructure buildout. He examines how surging demand for high-bandwidth memory has driven significant growth in Micron’s revenue, margins, and free cash flow, while potentially shifting the company away from the boom-and-bust cycles that have historically defined the memory business. He highlights Micron’s position as the only major U.S.-based memory producer, its competition with Samsung and SK Hynix, and its move toward longer-term contracts that provide greater revenue visibility. Professor Lake also evaluates Micron’s experienced management team, major capital investments, roughly 13x forward PE, and strong balance sheet. With AI demand reshaping the memory market, Micron is entering a potentially different era, but sustaining growth and successfully executing its capacity expansion will be important to watch. Send us your feedback Support the show More from the “Market News with Rodney Lake” Podcast: Website: https://investment.business.gwu.edu/market-news-rodney-lake LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/market-news-with-rodney-lake/ Newsletter: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2015754/1915550/ Follow the GW Investment Institute: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwinvestmentinstitute/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/gwinvestmentinstitute/ X: https://x.com/gw_investment TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gwinvestmentinstitute Blog: https://blogs.gwu.edu/gwsb-invest/ Note: This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Do your own research and make independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

  3. Sep 17

    Episode 102 | Apple’s New Foldable Phone and Future Under John Ternus

    In Episode 102 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Rodney Lake takes a look at Apple following the release of the iPhone 18 and Apple’s new folding phone, while also examining the company’s transition from Tim Cook to new CEO John Ternus. He explores Apple’s strong $466 billion in trailing 12-month revenue, profitability, $136 billion in free cash flow, ecosystem, pricing power, and approach to AI, including its relatively modest capital expenditures compared with other Magnificent Seven companies. Lake also considers Apple’s nearly 38x forward P/E and net cash position before assessing the company’s outlook under its new leadership and continued evolution in AI, products, and services. Send us your feedback Support the show More from the “Market News with Rodney Lake” Podcast: Website: https://investment.business.gwu.edu/market-news-rodney-lake LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/market-news-with-rodney-lake/ Newsletter: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2015754/1915550/ Follow the GW Investment Institute: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwinvestmentinstitute/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/gwinvestmentinstitute/ X: https://x.com/gw_investment TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gwinvestmentinstitute Blog: https://blogs.gwu.edu/gwsb-invest/ Note: This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Do your own research and make independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

  4. Sep 10

    Episode 101 | Nvidia’s Blockbuster Earnings and What’s Next

    In Episode 101 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Professor Lake kicks off Season 5 with a deep dive into Nvidia following its latest earnings report. He highlights Nvidia’s exceptional revenue growth, data center performance, margins, free cash flow, and future growth prospects. Lake praises Nvidia for its business and management, citing the CUDA ecosystem as a competitive moat and highlighting Jensen’s long-term capital allocation, preparedness, and investments across the AI ecosystem. He also examines Nvidia’s roughly 24x forward PE, weighing its growth prospects against risks including data center concentration, reliance on Taiwan Semiconductor for manufacturing, and high-bandwidth memory. With continued growth, ecosystem strength, and leadership in accelerated computing, Nvidia remains at the center of AI and a dominating force in the market. Send us your feedback Support the show More from the “Market News with Rodney Lake” Podcast: Website: https://investment.business.gwu.edu/market-news-rodney-lake LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/market-news-with-rodney-lake/ Newsletter: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2015754/1915550/ Follow the GW Investment Institute: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwinvestmentinstitute/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/gwinvestmentinstitute/ X: https://x.com/gw_investment TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gwinvestmentinstitute Blog: https://blogs.gwu.edu/gwsb-invest/ Note: This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Do your own research and make independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

  5. Jul 9

    Episode 100 | SpaceX Is Public. Here's What You Need to Know.

    In Episode 100 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Professor Lake celebrates the podcast's milestone 100th episode before delivering a comprehensive analysis of the newly public SpaceX. He examines SpaceX's dominant position in the rapidly expanding space economy, highlighting its leadership in reusable launch systems, Starlink, AI infrastructure, and the emerging opportunity of data centers in space. The episode explores how the company's vertically integrated business model and relentless pace of innovation have created an unparalleled competitive advantage, while evaluating the leadership of Elon Musk and Gwynne Shotwell in executing SpaceX's ambitious long-term vision. Professor Lake also discusses the challenges of valuing one of the market's most closely watched new public companies, assessing its premium valuation, balance sheet, and future capital requirements. Throughout the episode, he explains why SpaceX sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence, semiconductors, robotics, and commercial space, making it one of the most important companies for investors and business leaders to watch in the years ahead. Send us your feedback Support the show More from the “Market News with Rodney Lake” Podcast: Website: https://investment.business.gwu.edu/market-news-rodney-lake LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/market-news-with-rodney-lake/ Newsletter: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2015754/1915550/ Follow the GW Investment Institute: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwinvestmentinstitute/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/gwinvestmentinstitute/ X: https://x.com/gw_investment TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gwinvestmentinstitute Blog: https://blogs.gwu.edu/gwsb-invest/ Note: This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Do your own research and make independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

  6. Jul 2

    Episode 99 | Mid-Year Market Update: AI, Big Tech, and Space

    In Episode 99 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Professor Lake provides a comprehensive mid-year market update, highlighting the strong performance of the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, large tech holdings, and intensifying competition in the AI and space industries. He examines several of the GW Investment Institute's largest portfolio holdings including Apple, Amazon, Berkshire Hathaway, Alphabet, Microsoft, and Nvidia. Lake also discusses the evolving AI race, the competitive landscape among frontier AI models, and the growing importance of AI infrastructure, data centers, and cloud computing. Professor Lake emphasizes the importance of maintaining a disciplined, long-term investment approach while evaluating companies and the overall market. Send us your feedback Support the show More from the “Market News with Rodney Lake” Podcast: Website: https://investment.business.gwu.edu/market-news-rodney-lake LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/market-news-with-rodney-lake/ Newsletter: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2015754/1915550/ Follow the GW Investment Institute: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwinvestmentinstitute/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/gwinvestmentinstitute/ X: https://x.com/gw_investment TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gwinvestmentinstitute Blog: https://blogs.gwu.edu/gwsb-invest/ Note: This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Do your own research and make independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

  7. Jun 25

    Episode 98 | The Hinman Economic Report: Consumer Resilience, IPOs, & Oil Prices

    In Episode 98 of Market News with Rodney Lake, Rodney Lake welcomes GW Investment Institute Chief Economist Kathleen Hinman for the latest Kathleen Hinman Economic Report, examining the economic outlook amid easing geopolitical tensions and shifting global market conditions. The discussion highlights the expected impact of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz on energy prices, inflation, interest rates, and broader economic activity, and reviews key indicators, including GDP growth, employment, housing starts, and consumer spending. Hinman provides an update on China’s economy, noting the contrast between strong export growth and weaker domestic demand, and discusses the implications for global investors. The episode also explores recent strength in equity markets, investor enthusiasm surrounding the highly anticipated Space IPO, and the growing influence of artificial intelligence companies such as Anthropic and OpenAI. Throughout the conversation, Lake and Hinman emphasize the interconnected nature of global markets and the importance of monitoring geopolitical developments, consumer behavior, and technological innovation as key drivers of economic and market performance. Send us your feedback Support the show More from the “Market News with Rodney Lake” Podcast: Website: https://investment.business.gwu.edu/market-news-rodney-lake LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/market-news-with-rodney-lake/ Newsletter: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2015754/1915550/ Follow the GW Investment Institute: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwinvestmentinstitute/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/gwinvestmentinstitute/ X: https://x.com/gw_investment TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gwinvestmentinstitute Blog: https://blogs.gwu.edu/gwsb-invest/ Note: This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Do your own research and make independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

  8. Jun 18

    Episode 97 | A Conversation with Mark Hughes on the Art of Not Losing Money

    In Episode 97 of “Market News with Rodney Lake,” Professor Lake sits down with veteran investor and research director at Lafayette Investments, Mark Hughes, to discuss lessons learned from his 45+ year career in investment management. Hughes reflects on his journey from public accounting at Price Waterhouse to building Lafayette Investments, explaining how accounting, financial statement analysis, cash flow evaluation, and management incentives shape his investment perspective. The conversation explores Lafayette’s research process and portfolio construction philosophy, where Hughes also discusses how his valuation approach has evolved over time with the rise of mega-cap technology companies. Drawing on experiences from the dot-com bust, the Global Financial Crisis, and COVID-19, he emphasizes the importance of risk management, maintaining a margin of safety, and avoiding speculative bubbles. The episode also covers the value of shareholder meetings, continuous learning, and building professional networks before concluding with an optimistic outlook on innovation, artificial intelligence, and the future of economic growth. Send us your feedback Support the show More from the “Market News with Rodney Lake” Podcast: Website: https://investment.business.gwu.edu/market-news-rodney-lake LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/market-news-with-rodney-lake/ Newsletter: https://app.e2ma.net/app2/audience/signup/2015754/1915550/ Follow the GW Investment Institute: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gwinvestmentinstitute/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/school/gwinvestmentinstitute/ X: https://x.com/gw_investment TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gwinvestmentinstitute Blog: https://blogs.gwu.edu/gwsb-invest/ Note: This podcast is not investment advice, and is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. Do your own research and make independent decisions when considering any financial transactions.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Market News with Rodney Lake is the leading university-run finance podcast, combining rigorous academic analysis with real-world investing. Hosted by Rodney Lake, a finance professor and director of the George Washington University Investment Institute (GWII). Professor Lake delivers weekly breakdowns of companies in the GWII’s student-managed funds. The podcast features guests from rising students and faculty to experienced professionals, offering insight into macro trends, stock analysis, and portfolio strategy. Listeners hear how students and faculty apply academic frameworks to real investment decisions, offering educational and practical insights from the front lines of academic investing.

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