Stock Spotlight

On this episode of Stock Spotlight, Michael pulls back the curtain on how he personally invests with factors. Instead of spotlighting one company, he explains how he layers factor ETFs on top of his core index exposure - building what he calls a 3-layer cake portfolio: S&P 500 base, factor tilts for extra flavor, stock picks on top for fun. You’ll learn about the major factors (size, value, mo...

On this episode of Stock Spotlight, Michael dives into The Trade Desk ($TTD), the demand-side platform at the heart of programmatic advertising. With deep integrations, a founder-led culture and a commitment to neutrality in a world of walled gardens, TTD has become the go-to tool for agencies and brands navigating the open internet. But even a king has its challenges. Despite strong free cash flo...

In this special episode of Stock Spotlight, Michael steps away from his usual stock deep dives to explore how alternatives can boost portfolio resilience — not for alpha, but for staying power. He shares why traditional diversification failed in 2022, the role of risk-adjusted returns, and the liquid alternatives he now uses personally: • Managed Futures ($DBMF, $KMLM, $CTA) • Gold & Precious...

On this episode of Stock Spotlight, Michael breaks down Manhattan Associates ($MANH), a quiet powerhouse in supply chain software that’s been helping global retailers like Home Depot and CVS orchestrate complex omnichannel operations. With a versionless cloud platform and nearly 30% annual growth in cloud revenue, Manhattan is transitioning from a legacy services-heavy model to a high-margin SaaS...

On this episode of Stock Spotlight, we’re kicking off a brand-new series, Watchlist Battles. These episodes will feature quality companies going head-to-head for a potential spot in my watch list or portfolio. Today’s showdown features three financial services giants: ​ Standard & Poor’s Global ($SPGI) - A diversified powerhouse in financial data, credit ratings and indexing, with scale and re...

On this episode of Stock Spotlight, Michael analyzes Medpace Holdings (MEDP), a unique player in the contract research organization (CRO) space. Unlike industry giants focused on big pharma, Medpace specializes in small to mid-sized firms - a double-edged sword that grants pricing power, but also exposes it to biotech funding volatility. With a potential return to double-digit growth in 2026, Medp...

On this episode of Stock Spotlight, Michael dives into Duolingo (DUOL), the #1 education app that has mastered engagement through viral marketing and AI-driven personalization. He unpacks Duolingo’s high-growth, subscription-led business model, discussing its impressive pricing strategy versus competitors and its expanding optionality beyond language learning. With a Rule of 40 score reaching 87%...

In this episode of Stock Spotlight, host Michael dives into Evolution AB, a prominent player in the online gambling industry known for its innovative live casino solutions. He discusses how Evolution has successfully leveraged its B2B business model to capture significant market share among its competitive set. Despite meeting numerous quantitative benchmarks for Quality Growth, Evolution's ca...

In this episode of Stock Spotlight, host Michael provides an essential overview of investment concepts tailored for novice investors. He covers key investing concepts, various investment types such as stocks and bonds, and different investment vehicles, equipping listeners with a solid foundation to understand the investing landscape. Michael also delves into effective investment strategies and th...

Stock Spotlight is a fundamentals first investing podcast for long-term investors who want to understand the business behind the stock. Hosted by Michael, each episode breaks down compelling investment opportunities through company deep dives, industry breakdowns, guest conversations, investing frameworks and portfolio lessons from real researchdecisions. Stock Spotlight covers high-quality compou...

In this episode of Stock Spotlight, host Michael examines Autodesk, Inc. (ADSK), a leader in design and engineering software solutions with a legacy dating back to 1982. Michael highlights Autodesk's evolution from AutoCAD to a comprehensive suite of innovative tools under the leadership of CEO Andrew Anagnost, who took over in 2017. He discusses the company's strong market position, chara...

In this episode of Stock Spotlight, host Michael examines Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP), a leader in HR services and human capital management (HCM) solutions with a legacy dating back to 1949. Michael highlights ADP's evolution from manual payroll processing to a comprehensive HCM innovator, especially under the leadership of CEO Maria Black, who took over in 2023. He discusses the com...

In this episode of Stock Spotlight, host Michael explores e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF), an innovative cosmetics company known for its affordable products that are revolutionizing the beauty industry. With 22 consecutive quarters of 20%+ sales increases, e.l.f. has captured the attention of both beauty enthusiasts and savvy investors alike. Michael highlights e.l.f.'s digital-first strategy and ra...

In this episode of Stock Spotlight, host Michael dives into a powerful secret weapon in every savvy investor's arsenal: the investment checklist. He walks you through his comprehensive 33-question framework designed to help him separate the market's gems from the duds. Listeners will explore 9 categories of company research, including fundamentals, industry, management and valuation. Micha...

In this episode of Stock Spotlight, host Michael explores Gartner Inc. (IT), a leading research and advisory company based in Stamford, Connecticut. Listeners will discover why this company has garnered attention from savvy investors and earned a spot on Michael's watch list. The episode highlights Gartner's strong market presence, impressive financial performance and well-known Magic Quad...

In this episode of Stock Spotlight, host Michael explores Rollins Inc. (ROL), a prominent pest control services provider based in Atlanta. Listeners will discover why this company has garnered attention from savvy investors and earned a spot on Michael's watchlist. The episode highlights Rollins' strong market presence, impressive financial performance, and diverse portfolio of brands, inc...