A Fire Alarm For Interest Rates | Animal Spirits 466
Speakers
Ben Carlson
— Director of Institutional Asset Management, Ritholtz Wealth Management
Michael Batnick
— Managing Partner, Ritholtz Wealth Management
Summary
Michael Batnick and Ben Carlson discuss the SpaceX IPO, rising bond yields, and consumer sentiment. Ben buys Floor & Decor as a bet on a renovation boom, and Michael holds IMAX for a potential takeover. They also debate whether crypto has missed its moment versus AI's progress.
- SpaceX IPO valuation and fast index inclusion debated.
- Rising bond yields seen as normalization, not a fire alarm.
- Consumer sentiment at all-time lows but considered a broken indicator.
- AI adoption is early; crypto may have missed its moment.
- Ben Carlson buys Floor & Decor expecting a renovation boom.
- Michael Batnick holds IMAX for potential acquisition premium.
- Discussion of housing market and renovation spending trends.
- Personal stories about Knicks playoffs, dad books, and health tests.
Trade Ideas
Betting on home renovation boom
Floor & Decor (FND) is a beaten-down stock (65% drawdown) that will benefit from a multi-decade home renovation boom. Aging housing stock, boomers staying in homes longer, and locked-in mortgage rates will eventually drive renovation spending, and the stock is a way to get ahead of that cycle.
Holding IMAX for takeover premium
IMAX has received acquisition offers and I am holding the stock to wait for a potential bidding war. Movies are having a moment, and a takeover premium could provide upside.
Up Next
This The Compound News video, published May 27, 2026, features Ben Carlson, Michael Batnick discussing FND, IMAX. 2 trade ideas extracted by AI with direction and confidence scoring.
Speakers: Ben Carlson, Michael Batnick · Tickers: FND, IMAX