Shopify’s Whiplash Day

The podcast episode centers on the contrasting market reactions to Shopify's Q4 earnings report and Moderna's FDA setback concerning its flu vaccine. Despite strong revenue growth and a new buyback program, Shopify's stock plummeted after analysts questioned the implications of "agentic commerce," a shift towards AI-driven purchasing. The hosts debate whether this concern represents a fundamental threat to Shopify's business model or merely market jitters. Regarding Moderna, the FDA's refusal to consider its flu vaccine, despite approvals in other regions, raises concerns about the company's strategy to fund its broader mRNA vaccine development. The discussion explores whether Moderna should slow down its testing and development pace given the current regulatory environment.