The Trump administration’s abrupt announcement of a new $100,000 fee for H-1B visa applications triggered widespread confusion and anxiety across corporate America, particularly in the tech sector. Major employers such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft rushed to advise H-1B visa holders not to leave the U.S. and scrambled to locate and repatriate employees abroad before the policy was set to take effect. Many companies feared massive new costs and potential disruptions, with human resources departments urgently tracking employee locations and arranging travel. Immigration lawyers and affected workers dealt with uncertainty and incomplete information, while White House officials attempted to clarify that the fee was a one-time charge applicable only to newly issued visas, not to renewals, current holders, or recent lottery winners.

Despite White House reassurances, anxiety among foreign-born tech workers remained high, as some chose to cancel overseas trips rather than risk being unable to return. The swift and unexpected policy proclamation led to last-minute logistical challenges, with companies detailing how HR teams were pressed into action and worried families scrambled for flights, sometimes through remote locations. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick initially suggested the policy could apply to renewals, later clarifying its limited scope. Legal experts and company representatives voiced concerns that this move could mark the start of broader restrictions on high-skilled immigration, with one immigration attorney calling the sudden change “very devastating” for both workers and employers.

President Donald Trump announced Sunday that tech leaders Larry Ellison and Michael Dell, along with Fox Corp. executives Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, will participate in a consortium aiming to acquire TikTok’s U.S. operations and control its algorithm. Trump, speaking on Fox News, emphasized the involvement of these prominent business figures, noting that Fox Corp., rather than the Murdoch family individually, may join the consortium. This marks a departure from previously named investors and aligns with a Congressional mandate requiring at least 80% of TikTok’s U.S. assets to be held by American investors following national security concerns.

According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, the new TikTok board will consist of seven members, six of whom must be American citizens, a structure shaped by recent legislation. Oracle, headed by Ellison, is set to lead the app’s U.S. data and privacy efforts, having hosted TikTok’s U.S. data since 2020. Trump also referenced a productive call with Chinese President Xi Jinping, reporting progress toward finalizing the deal. Fox Corp.’s potential involvement is seen as an opportunity to strengthen its digital media presence amid challenges in traditional broadcasting.

Artificial intelligence and outsourcing are rapidly reshaping the American workforce, prompting questions about which jobs will endure and which will be replaced. Experts like Andrew Gadomski of Aspen Analytics highlight that physical trades—such as firefighters, Coast Guard rescue swimmers, and skilled labor—remain largely protected due to the need for human dexterity, judgment, and physical presence. Healthcare and social services, including therapists, doctors, and teachers, are also considered safe because these roles depend on empathy and regulatory safeguards. Attorney Marc Cenedella of Ladders, Inc. adds, “The jobs least likely to be automated are the ones that require judgment or taste,” emphasizing that roles rooted in trust and accountability resist automation.

Conversely, routine knowledge work—tasks that are highly repetitive and do not require physical exertion—faces significant risk of automation by AI. Scheduling, transcription, and other administrative duties are already being replaced by technology, as companies seek greater efficiency. While some jobs will evolve rather than disappear, professionals who focus on solving real-world problems are more likely to partner with AI than compete against it. Gadomski advises employers, “You need to start categorizing several years from now, how you’re investing in a workforce,” as advancing technology will continue to redefine the boundaries of human labor. Secondary effects include reduced demand for certain roles like radiology technicians and recruiters, illustrating the nuanced impact of AI across sectors.

Goodwill CEO Steve Preston reports the organization is bracing for a wave of jobless Generation Z workers, attributing the trend to the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence across industries. Last year, Goodwill’s employment centers served over 2 million job seekers, and Preston anticipates an increase as automation and AI drive significant layoffs, particularly in call centers and sales roles. He emphasizes that low-wage and entry-level positions—often filled by young adults and students—are being eliminated or transformed, making it increasingly difficult for college students and non-graduates to find employment. “It’s really hitting college students right now in the marketplace. It’s really hitting young adults without college degrees,” Preston told Fortune, warning that the youth unemployment crisis is already underway.

Preston also challenges the belief that college degrees are losing value, stating that young people without degrees face particularly severe difficulties securing jobs. He warns that as AI advances, even degree holders could struggle to find positions, which would impact the talent pipeline for higher-level roles in organizations. To weather the changes, Preston urges young people to develop practical digital skills beyond everyday smartphone use, advocating for proficiency in workplace technologies like Microsoft Excel, Google Docs, and AI tools such as ChatGPT and Gemini. He also points to growth areas in clean tech for those seeking alternatives to corporate paths, noting that failing to gain these skills can leave job seekers of all ages locked out of a wide array of emerging opportunities.

The Trump administration has halted U.S. Steel’s plan to cease operations at its Granite City, Illinois, plant, invoking the “golden share authority” acquired after Nippon Steel’s $14.1 billion takeover of the company earlier this year. Under the terms of the national-security agreement, President Trump and future presidents possess the right to veto plant closings—a move exercised after Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick informed U.S. Steel CEO Dave Burritt that shutting down the plant would not be permitted. U.S. Steel subsequently reversed its decision, announcing that the Granite City facility will continue rolling steel slabs into sheet steel, thus preserving nearly 800 jobs in the area.

The intervention follows strong opposition from the United Steelworkers union and local leaders, who had warned against transferring work and potentially importing foreign-made steel. Nippon Steel reaffirmed its commitment to invest $14 billion in improvements and maintain operations at Granite City through at least 2027, while the national-security agreement requires all U.S. plants to remain open until 2035. The Granite City mill, operating for over a century, had already seen production reductions, but union leaders and plant workers welcomed the administration’s decisive action. Trump’s longstanding interest in the plant dates back to his first term, when tariffs led to a revival of U.S. steel production and jobs at the site.

Spotlighting Meta Platforms, Inc. (META) — As the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and the burgeoning Reality Labs division, Meta commands both the social media landscape and the race toward immersive digital experiences. The company’s sprawling ecosystem encompasses digital advertising, social networking, messaging, and pioneering efforts in AR/VR and generative AI, positioning it at the intersection of global connectivity and next-generation technology.

After surging to retest its August highs last Friday, shares have eased back toward the 20-day and 50-day moving averages—a technical pattern reflecting not only META’s internal recalibration but also the broader cooling of momentum within the technology sector. The $750–$760 area now stands out as a key battleground, likely to draw traders’ attention as institutional activity ramps up and sector volatility persists.

Even amid this turbulence, Meta continues to distinguish itself: its year-over-year returns comfortably outpace 76% of all U.S. stocks—no small feat considering the fierce competition within both tech and artificial intelligence. Underpinning this outperformance is a business model that remains highly scalable, with digital advertising showing durability while investments in AI infrastructure and the metaverse chart long-term growth opportunities. Management is projecting a sturdy 16.3% revenue increase and a 6.7% earnings gain for fiscal 2026, reflecting both robust operational execution and confidence in new business lines scaling up.

Should tech stocks find their footing after this consolidation phase, META looks primed to reclaim its role as a momentum leader, offering investors a rare blend of resilience, innovation, and exposure to AI-driven sector growth. The trajectory of its core platforms and emerging technologies will undoubtedly be pivotal in shaping the next market cycle.

Financial Trends: AutoZone projects fiscal 2026 annual revenue near $20.12 billion with annual EPS estimated at $167.54, reflecting sustained growth driven by vehicle aging demographics.

Strategic Initiatives: Management continues international expansion in Brazil and Mexico while investing in IT systems and distribution centers to enhance customer service capabilities and same-day delivery.

Key Metrics: Investors will focus on domestic commercial sales growth, WITTDTJR system utilization metrics, comparable store sales, and gross margin trends amid supply chain cost pressures.

Progress: The company delivered $18.49 billion in fiscal 2024 revenue with a three-year CAGR of 8.12% while maintaining strong cash flow generation exceeding $3 billion annually.

Focus Areas: Management will address commercial customer penetration rates, professional technician loyalty programs, inventory optimization, and capital allocation strategy including share repurchase continuation.

Risks Potential: Rising labor costs in key markets like California, supply chain inflation pressures, and competitive threats from digital-native auto parts retailers remain significant headwinds.

Concerns: Q3 2025 EPS miss of $35.36 versus $37.11 estimates highlighted margin compression while the stock's 25.19x P/E ratio reflects elevated investor expectations.

Market Trends: Aging vehicle fleet demographics support aftermarket demand while economic uncertainty drives DIY behavior, benefiting AutoZone's core value proposition and market positioning.

Financial Trends: Costco targets fiscal 2026 annual revenue approaching $295.6 billion with projected EPS growth of 10.9%, supported by membership expansion and pricing power.

Strategic Initiatives: The company plans 29 new warehouse openings in fiscal 2025 while enhancing digital capabilities and executive membership perks including VIP shopping hours.

Key Metrics: Investors will monitor membership renewal rates currently at 90.2% globally, executive membership penetration at 47.3%, and comparable sales growth trajectory.

Progress: Q3 2025 delivered record membership fee income of $1.24 billion with 10.4% growth while total membership base expanded to 79.6 million households.

Focus Areas: Management will update on September 2024 membership fee increase impact, international expansion progress, and e-commerce sales momentum following 14.8% Q3 growth.

Risks Potential: Economic slowdown impact on discretionary spending, competitive pressure from Amazon and Sam's Club, and execution challenges with rapid expansion plans.

Concerns: The stock's elevated 50.75x P/E ratio significantly exceeds industry averages while forward valuation metrics reflect high growth expectations requiring consistent execution.

Market Trends: Inflationary pressures drive value-seeking behavior benefiting warehouse clubs while membership-based models provide recession-resistant recurring revenue streams.

Financial Trends: Carnival expects fiscal 2025 annual adjusted EPS of $1.97, up over 40% from 2024, with net yields projected 5.0% higher in constant currency.

Strategic Initiatives: The company achieved 2026 SEA Change financial targets 18 months early while expanding destination offerings and enhancing onboard revenue capabilities.

Key Metrics: Investors will track net yields growth, customer deposits currently at record $8.5 billion, and adjusted EBITDA per available lower berth day reaching two-decade highs.

Progress: Q2 2025 delivered record revenues of $6.3 billion with adjusted net income more than tripling while advanced bookings for 2026 match 2025 record levels at historical high pricing.

Focus Areas: Management will address close-in demand sustainability, fuel cost management, and debt reduction progress with current 3.7x net debt-to-EBITDA ratio improvement.

Risks Potential: Geopolitical tensions affecting sailing routes, economic downturn impact on leisure spending, and elevated fuel costs pressuring operating margins remain key concerns.

Concerns: Third quarter EPS guidance of $1.30 trails Wall Street consensus expectations while industry capacity growth could pressure pricing power in key markets.

Market Trends: Pent-up cruise demand continues supporting pricing strength while land-based vacation cost inflation enhances cruise value proposition for leisure travelers.

From a young age, Evan was fascinated by the stock market. At just 11 years old, he received a Wall Street Journal subscription for his birthday, sparking a lifelong passion for investing. Evan spent his formative years studying the strategies and philosophies of legendary investors like Paul Tudor Jones, Stanley Druckenmiller, and George Soros, absorbing their wisdom and developing his own unique approach to the markets.

As Evan's knowledge grew, he began to incorporate the time-tested, technically-based strategies of trading legends like William O'Neil and Richard Wyckoff into his own investment framework. By borrowing elements from each and rigorously testing them in real-time, Evan created a powerful conglomerate strategy that encompasses fundamentals, technicals, and macroeconomics.

Today, Evan is a professional trader and was a top contender in the 2020 US Investing Championship. His extraordinary performance, with a 141.8% return, is a testament to his studious background, well-informed approach, and unwavering dedication to his craft.

At the core of Evan's strategy is identifying stocks that benefit from sector trends and rotation. By combining fundamental analysis with a focus on relative strength and advanced technical analysis techniques, Evan is able to identify the stocks that are most likely to move higher or lower over the intermediate term.

While he keeps a close eye on macroeconomic trends, his willingness to adapt to changing market conditions, as well as his developed ability to know when to and not to act in a fast-moving market, is what sets him apart. Evan has consistently demonstrated his ability to navigate even the most challenging investment environments. His impressive track record and unique perspective make him a valuable voice in the world of finance, and he is thrilled to have the opportunity to share his insights and expertise with subscribers of the Bull and Bear Brief.