Arranged & Compiled: Deep Tide TechFlow

Guest:Nancy Tengler, Senior Fund Manager, CEO & Chief Investment Officer of Laffer Tengler Investments
Host:Caroline Woods, TheStreet
Podcast Source:TheStreet
Original Title:Market At Record Highs — Nancy Tengler Says To Keep Buying These Names
Broadcast Date:August 12, 2026
Interest Declaration:Nancy Tengler is the CEO/CIO of Laffer Tengler Investments. Most of the stocks discussed in this episode are holdings in the portfolios managed by her firm. The related views represent the investment stance of an interested party and do not constitute independent third-party analysis.
Key Takeaways
Nancy Tengler is a senior fund manager with four decades of portfolio management experience, having previously led the value equity team at UBS Asset Management and served as CEO of Fremont Investment Advisors. In this August 12 interview, she remains bullish despite the S&P 500 hitting new highs, but more valuable is a practical portfolio list for the second half of the year that can be directly implemented.
She clearly directs funds towards four areas: AI Infrastructure (PWR, GEV, WMB, DE), Misunderstood Growth-at-a-Reasonable-Price Stocks (NVDA, AMZN), Cybersecurity (PANW, CRWD, preferring the latter), and Financials & Consumer Discretionary Catch-up Plays (GS, BAM, JPM, SBUX, HD). NVDA is a typical value stock in her view, trading at only 16 to 18 times next year's earnings with a 60% to 80% profit growth rate, resulting in a PEG of just 0.25. She would avoid $META, Consumer Staples, Utilities, and REITs, believing one should stick with growth in a strong growth environment. She also warns that a credit market breakdown or a resurgence of inflation are the biggest risks.
Highlights Excerpt
What Stage the Market Is In
- "This is one of the best markets since the 1990s."
- "From 1995 to 2000, earnings grew 60%, but stock prices rose 220%. That was multiple expansion. Over the past five years, earnings grew about 80%, and the total stock return was about 85% to 90%. They match."
- "I'd rather the S&P end the year up 12% to 15%, not 20% to 25%. A bull market needs a breather, you need to prune the roses."
AI Infrastructure & Broadening Market
- "There's $7.5 trillion in capex heading into compute and data centers over the next five years."
- "New tech is eating tech companies, it's building infrastructure for electrification."
Individual Stocks & Positions
- "Nvidia is trading at 16 to 18 times next year's earnings, with profit growth of 60% to 80%. Its PEG is only 0.25."
- "Tesla, Palantir, SpaceX — they are all story stocks. You're paying for future possibilities, so volatility will be high."
- "Being on the sidelines is a bigger mistake than chasing."
1. Echoes of the 1990s, But This Isn't a Bubble
Caroline Woods: The S&P 500 is near record highs, and inflation data is relatively mild. You said this is one of the best markets since the 1990s. Why so optimistic?
Nancy Tengler: Because of earnings, and because we are in the midst of a technological revolution, or economic transformation. Productivity-driven growth is very convincing, and it's self-reinforcing. We've listened to all the earnings calls, and you can hear every industry adopting new technologies, not just cloud computing, but also physical AI and electric-powered solutions.
Caroline Woods: Hearing '1990s,' many investors reflexively think 'bubble.' What's different this time?
Nancy Tengler: Because today's companies are real. Back then, those companies had nothing but debt on their books. Now you see companies with fortress-like, clean balance sheets and remarkably strong profitability. The hyperscalers are prime examples.
Also, from 1995 to 2000, earnings grew about 60%, but stock prices rose 220%. They were mismatched. Valuations were pushed to absurd levels — Cisco once traded at 100 times earnings. Over the past five years, earnings grew about 80%, and the total stock return was about 85% to 90%. This is not multiple expansion. Valuations do look high, but high valuations don't predict bear markets. The key difference was that severe earnings-stock price mismatch back then.
Caroline Woods: So, do you think the market is expensive now?
Nancy Tengler: I think valuations are justified because growth is so strong. For younger investors, current interest rates might seem high, but for those of us who've been around a long time, this environment looks quite good. The 10-year Treasury yield is below its 40-year average, seriously. So we're excited about opportunities; the market isn't overstretched.
2. The Key to Breaking the Range: The Market Needs to 'Broaden'
Caroline Woods: Earnings are the driver, but what will truly break the past three months' trading range?
Nancy Tengler: I think it will be the broadening of underlying stocks. The rally has been quite concentrated lately, though the summer correction alleviated it somewhat. But I think we'll see the rally broaden out. We've already shifted and expanded our positions towards infrastructure.
For AI infrastructure build-out, we hold many related stocks, have added new positions, and added to existing ones. Goldman estimates $7.5 trillion in capex heading into compute and data centers over the next five years. I want exposure to that theme. I think this will be the key driver for a rotation in sector leadership.
Caroline Woods: When you say broaden, do you mean within the tech sector?
Nancy Tengler: We've already seen broadening at the overall level, but if you look at future market leaders, they will still be tech-driven. New technology is 'eating' tech companies, it's building electrification infrastructure for new tech. That's the broadening I'm talking about.
3. How to Invest in Infrastructure: From Grid to Tractors
Caroline Woods: Besides 'eat' (referring to power consumption/infrastructure demand), what's the best way to invest in the infrastructure theme?
Nancy Tengler: Right now, I think Quanta Services looks good. It has run up, but based on its backlog and the earnings growth guidance from management, I think it can continue. We also hold GE Vernova, the gas turbine company, and recently added to Williams. It's a defensive way to play the AI trade because they transport natural gas, the contracts are fixed-price, so natural gas price volatility affects them minimally, and they are expanding business around hyperscalers.
We also hold industrials like Deere, which isn't directly infrastructure but is using AI to help farmers weed, plant, and use autonomous tractors. It's cool; you can even go home for dinner while the tractor keeps planting.
4. Buying Nvidia and Amazon as Value Stocks
Caroline Woods: I noticed Amazon and Nvidia recently entered your Value Folio. Can they still be considered value stocks now?
Nancy Tengler: Caroline, that's a great question because most people miss this. We identified them in our growth portfolio two years ago. We also added Google to the value portfolio. Remember after Bard launched, everyone said Google would never catch up. It was a disastrous launch. Then Gemini came out, and the stock is up over 100%.
Now look at the Russell 1000 Value index — the world is completely upside down. The largest holding is Amazon, and Micron was number one earlier this year. I know how they calculate it; sometimes these 'fallen angel' growth stocks trade at a value price.
Nvidia's significant dividend increase, in our view, is the company winking at the market, signaling they believe this level of profitability is sustainable. Based on next year's earnings, it trades at 16 to 18 times P/E, with earnings growth of 60% to 80%, depending on fiscal or calendar year. So its PEG ratio is only 0.25. Compare that to Tesla at 5 times. That's why we bought it.
Amazon is completely stuck in its own shadow. We believe Andy Jassy knows what he's doing, and he's been through similar phases before. We wanted to own it ahead of earnings, which is rare for us. We sold some Apple to buy Amazon, and that trade has looked very right for at least the past few weeks.
Caroline Woods: Would you still buy these two now?
Nancy Tengler: Yes.
5. Cybersecurity, Palantir & the Tesla Narrative
Caroline Woods: What's your highest conviction stock-picking direction for the second half?
Nancy Tengler: I still think it's infrastructure. Those names mentioned earlier, plus some we're researching but can't mention now because we might add this week. But this will be the main theme for the second half. This doesn't mean tech stocks have to keep outperforming for the market to do well, but you still need to hold some tech names. Cybersecurity is a significant part of our portfolio — we hold both Palo Alto Networks and CrowdStrike.
This business will grow, but competition will intensify. Vertical integrators will also enter, like Palantir. They are all doing data security. It will be an interesting battle ahead.
Caroline Woods: Would you add Palantir now?
Nancy Tengler: We added during the summer selloff. Palantir is still down for the year but has rebounded significantly from lows. These high-multiple stocks — Palantir, Tesla, SpaceX — are story stocks. Palantir's growth is indeed amazing, but you buy it for the future. So volatility will be high. I remember we added at $88, it went to $250, back to $100, and I'm still happy. If you're a long-term investor, you must make volatility your friend.
Caroline Woods: Tesla is a big laggard this year. What needs to happen for it to become a winner again?
Nancy Tengler: FSD must truly be realized, Cybercab and Robotaxi need to launch. But we initially invested in Tesla for its battery storage business, Megapack, utility-scale battery storage. Also, a potential acquisition or merger of Tesla by SpaceX could be a catalyst.
Caroline Woods: SpaceX isn't profitable yet. Would you invest in it?
Nancy Tengler: Yes, we held it at IPO and added during the recent decline. You need to hold this stock for 3 to 5 years. Honestly, Caroline, you won't care whether your cost basis is $105 or $150 later because it's the future, it will change how we live. Elon Musk is one of those people you must grit your teeth and hold during weakness because he always finds a way. The Wall Street Journal had an article yesterday saying many of his compensation package targets would be achieved if a merger happens. He's always two, even a dozen, steps ahead.
6. Catch-up Opportunities in Financials & Consumer Discretionary
Caroline Woods: What about other sectors — healthcare, energy, financials?
Nancy Tengler: We hold Goldman, Brookfield Asset Management, JPMorgan. What we hear from their earnings calls is they are using AI. Goldman said on the call headcount will remain flat, but growth will accelerate 20% to 25%. That's very strong operating leverage.
I look at consumer discretionary. We are overweight this sector and like several names, we even added ahead of recent earnings. Thank goodness. Starbucks is interesting; we all know the CEO knows how to turn things around. Amazon, of course, also belongs to consumer discretionary. Home Depot is becoming interesting now; we hold it. It hasn't moved much in our 12 best ideas portfolio, but that's the nature of investing. We believe the housing market will eventually see a revival, just uncertain on timing.
Caroline Woods: Are there any sectors you'd avoid?
Nancy Tengler: Staples. We only hold one or two. Utilities, we only hold one electric company. REITs too — I think there are better places now. REITs are less than a market weight in the portfolio. In a super strong growth environment, you want to stick with growth.
7. Year-end Target & Biggest Risk
Caroline Woods: You don't usually give price targets, but how do you think the market will proceed?
Nancy Tengler: The S&P is up about 10% year-to-date. I'd be satisfied if it closed the year up 12% to 15%; I wouldn't want to see 20% to 25%. This is a relatively young bull market, early compared to the 90s. We know bull markets need to catch their breath, need to prune the roses, need a consolidation. So 12% to 15% would make me content. The fourth quarter usually sees momentum acceleration; we might see a final push.
Caroline Woods: What would make you wrong? What's the biggest risk to this bull market?
Nancy Tengler: At the start of the year, I would have said a geopolitical shock, but we seem to weather those. If companies start missing, if guidance starts slowing, we will see earnings growth decelerate — the question is by how much. If the credit market breaks, then I'm wrong. Currently, credit spreads are still tight by historical standards. You hear lots of complaints in the bond market about too much debt, but it's nothing compared to the past. Mainly those two things.
8. Quick-fire Round
Caroline Woods: Wall Street — too optimistic or reasonable?
Nancy Tengler: I think it's just a five-stock market.
Caroline Woods: New all-time highs — buy or wait?
Nancy Tengler: If you're a long-term investor, buy. Sorry, I hedged.
Caroline Woods: Trade early or late?
Nancy Tengler: Early.
Caroline Woods: Get $10k today — lump sum or dollar-cost average?
Nancy Tengler: Lump sum.
Caroline Woods: Bigger mistake — chasing or being on the sidelines?
Nancy Tengler: Being on the sidelines.
Caroline Woods: Biggest market risk from here — valuation or inflation?
Nancy Tengler: Inflation.
Caroline Woods: New money — better in value or growth?
Nancy Tengler: Growth.
Caroline Woods: Best value in the market now — individual stocks or sectors?
Nancy Tengler: Sector. I pick consumer discretionary.
Caroline Woods: Top pick in consumer discretionary?
Nancy Tengler: Amazon.
Caroline Woods: Amazon vs. Apple — who has more upside?
Nancy Tengler: Amazon.
Caroline Woods: Broadcom or AMD?
Nancy Tengler: Broadcom.
Caroline Woods: Palo Alto or CrowdStrike?
Nancy Tengler: CrowdStrike.
Caroline Woods: In the Mag 7, who would you avoid?
Nancy Tengler: Meta.
Caroline Woods: Buy one — Tesla or SpaceX?
Nancy Tengler: Next 12 months, Tesla.
Caroline Woods: U.S. stocks or international?
Nancy Tengler: U.S. stocks.
Caroline Woods: Large-cap or small-cap?
Nancy Tengler: Large-cap.
Caroline Woods: Long-term investor — individual stocks or index funds?
Nancy Tengler: Individual stocks.
Caroline Woods: Cash on the sidelines — invest now or wait for a pullback?
Nancy Tengler: Invest now.
Caroline Woods: One word to describe the market for the rest of the year?
Nancy Tengler: Bullish.
Caroline Woods: Market up or down, and by how much?
Nancy Tengler: Up, about 5%.






