Charlie breaks down the latest twists in the WBD–Paramount–Netflix saga, explains why crypto markets unraveled, and spotlights this week’s biggest battleground stocks. We unveil new long ideas in Walmart and Live Nation, recap last week’s calls, and take viewers inside how the buy‑side uses S3 short‑interest data to identify dislocations across U.S. software, Hang Seng names, and global single‑stock shorts. And a look at mounting pressure in Europe’s gambling sector with FDJ United.

This week's Risk & Return examines whether the software sell-off is overdone, with Oracle and Microsoft bouncing from lows but uneven sector recovery as hedge funds unwind crowded positions. We spotlight Hong Kong short interest anomalies including China Vanke's debt crisis and Pop Mart's explosive growth amid 170% short increase, plus battleground stock volatility that's seen large caps swing from +10% to negative YTD, while Mag-7 dispersion widens and markets digest the Warsh Fed nomination ahead of Friday's critical CPI print.

Charlie Gasparino and Bob Sloan break down how policy uncertainty is reshaping market positioning and driving volatility across equities. They discuss the growing influence of active long leadership, and what shifting positioning signals about sector leadership and return opportunities. Charlie brings his latest reporting into the conversation.

This episode examines an interesting divergence developing across global tech markets: equity prices continue to climb while short sellers remain firmly engaged. In the U.S., the equal‑weight Nasdaq 100 has posted solid gains, yet we’re seeing short interest increase at the same time. The bulk of that short‑side pressure is clustering in media names such as Charter Communications and Warner Bros. Discovery, as well as in high‑conviction battleground positions like MicroStrategy, all ahead of earnings for four of the Mag‑7 heavyweights.
A comparable dynamic is unfolding in Asia. The Hang Seng TECH Index has staged a noticeable rally, but short sellers have simultaneously been adding exposure in stocks like Xiaomi, Lenovo Group, and Alibaba Health. The trend underscores a persistent level of investor skepticism—rising prices haven’t translated into reduced short activity, suggesting that despite the broader move higher, many traders are still positioning for downside or volatility ahead.

Bob Sloan is joined by the S3 research team for a data-driven episode on how investor positioning is driving market swings. Using S3’s data, they explain why certain large stocks are seeing big moves, how the Magnificent Seven stocks are starting to move in different directions, and what rising short selling in bonds, volatility, and European stocks may be signaling about where markets are headed next.

Bob Sloan and Charlie Gasparino break down how policy uncertainty is reshaping market positioning and driving volatility across equities. They discuss battleground stocks, the growing influence of active long leadership, and what shifting positioning signals about sector leadership and return opportunities. Charlie brings his latest reporting into the conversation, including White House concern over Powell, cracks forming in the Netflix–WBD deal, and whether investors are getting in too late on Venezuela debt.

On this week’s live episode of Risk and Return, Charlie Gasparino and Bob Sloan are joined by Robert Koenigsberger to break down emerging markets trades as Venezuela enters a new world order shaped by Trump-era geopolitics. The conversation explores how regime change expectations drove distressed PDVSA bonds higher and what that signals for risk across global markets. Charlie also digs into why Warner Bros is underestimating antitrust hurdles and the true value of its cable assets as it continues to embrace a potential Netflix buyout. Plus, the panel connects these geopolitical and media battles to broader positioning and market risk, live every Wednesday at 4pm.Listen and subscribe to Risk and Return on your favorite platformYouTube: https://tinyurl.com/5yabvj66Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/4ucvdpnsApple: https://tinyurl.com/y247cyw9Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/3rt9fv84

On this special year-end episode of Risk and Return, Charlie Gasparino and Bob Sloan look back at the calls, clips, and positioning data that broke into the mainstream market narrative in 2025. From Oracle earnings warnings and Treasury short pressure to Nvidia, China Vanke, and the rise of institutional battleground trades, the show revisits how short interest signaled moves before headlines caught up. Charlie also recaps his reporting that shaped coverage of Big Tech, geopolitics, and the battle for Warner Bros. Discovery.

On this week’s live episode of Risk and Return, Charlie Gasparino and Bob Sloan break down the growing division inside the Federal Reserve over the timing and direction of rate cuts. With Powell’s remarks reshaping expectations in real time, investors are reassessing duration risk, Treasury ETF positioning, and macro volatility into year-end. The episode also dives into major equity positioning shifts from Google to China Vanke to luxury stocks as short interest accelerates across key pockets of the market. And Charlie brings his extensive reporting on the escalating Netflix, Paramount, and Warner Bros saga, detailing the boardroom maneuvering and lobbying battles driving the next wave of media consolidation, live every Wednesday at 4pm.

On this week’s live episode of Risk and Return, Charlie Gasparino and Bob Sloan break down the growing division inside the Federal Reserve over the timing and direction of rate cuts. With Powell’s remarks reshaping expectations in real time, investors are reassessing duration risk, Treasury ETF positioning, and macro volatility into year-end. The episode also dives into major equity positioning shifts from Google to China Vanke to luxury stocks as short interest accelerates across key pockets of the market. And Charlie brings his extensive reporting on the escalating Netflix, Paramount, and Warner Bros saga, detailing the boardroom maneuvering and lobbying battles driving the next wave of media consolidation, live every Wednesday at 4pm.