The consumer keeps getting pronounced dead, then showing up to the airport with a smoothie.
The real story is not stuff, it is experiences: flights, hotels, weekends away, and concerts that cost as much as a used scooter.
If that “spend on fun first” trend holds, a few tollbooths in the middle can keep collecting.
Early Gold Signals (Sponsored)
Gold blasted past $4,300 recently. It's up almost 50% in the past year. But why settle for 50% like most coin buyers… when past gold cycles have thrown off gains of 2,300%, 7,746%, even 9,850%?
Weiss Ratings' gold expert Sean Broderick reveals what he believes is a more profitable way to play this surge. No futures, no options, no vault required.
See Sean's top 5 gold plays before you make your next move
Why To Watch This Theme
Theme: The Experience Economy, When Memories Beat Merchandise
People can delay buying a couch. They have a harder time delaying a trip they already bragged about.
Here is the chain reaction:
Confidence stabilizes → people spend on experiences
Experiences rise → travel demand stays resilient
Travel demand stays resilient → bookings, fees, and take rates stay healthy
Full planes and busy cities → rides, lodging, and premium add-ons keep stacking
This theme matters because a lot of the spending is behavior-driven. Once habits form, weekend travel, events, and dining become the last line item people cut. They might downgrade, but they still go.
What we want to see to stay bullish
Healthy booking trends and stable cancellation rates
Pricing power without demand falling off a cliff
Strong loyalty usage and repeat customers
Steady international demand, not just domestic bursts
What can ruin the party
If the job market cracks, fuel spikes, or consumers suddenly get serious about budgets, experiences can cool fast.
Also, airlines and travel platforms love to fight each other on price when the mood turns.
Live Nation Entertainment (LYV)
What it does: Live events promoter and ticketing ecosystem. It is a major middleman in concerts and live entertainment.
Why it fits: When people prioritize memories, live events are high on the list. This is the “if you want in, you pay the fee” corner of the theme.
Higher ticket prices can look scary, but sold-out venues tend to make the business feel inevitable.
What could go right:
Strong concert pipeline and robust venue demand
Higher per-fan spend (merch, premium seating, VIP)
More monetization of the ticketing ecosystem and advertising
What to watch next: Event volume, pricing trends, and any signs demand is staying strong even as costs rise. Also watch regulatory noise, since this space attracts attention when fees get spicy.
Risk: Any drop in consumer discretionary spending shows up quickly, and headline risk can be real.
Booking Holdings (BKNG)
What it does: Online travel marketplace with heavy lodging exposure. It makes money on bookings and travel-related fees.
Why it fits: When travel stays busy, the booking platforms can win even if travelers trade down a little.
They still need a place to click, compare, and book. This is a classic tollbooth model when demand is steady.
What could go right:
Continued strength in international and urban travel
Higher mix of alternative accommodations and premium stays
Loyalty and app usage driving repeat bookings
What to watch next: Room nights, take rates, and marketing efficiency. You want growth that does not require setting money on fire for clicks.
Risk: Travel demand is cyclical, and competition is always one discount away from getting annoying.
Prepare Your Portfolio (Sponsored)
Markets don’t wait for calm—especially when political chaos takes center stage.
With Trump and Musk locked in a growing public feud, the fear of market volatility is very real.
While the headlines escalate, institutions are quietly stockpiling gold to shield against the blowback.
This free Gold IRA Survival Guide outlines a fully legal way to reposition your savings now—without taxes or penalties.
Get ahead of the next wave before the damage becomes irreversible.
[Get the Gold Protection Guide Free]
Airbnb (ABNB)
What it does: Marketplace for short-term rentals and unique stays, plus a growing set of travel-related services over time.
Why it fits: It sits right at the intersection of value and experience. Travelers can save money by staying longer, splitting costs with friends, or choosing non-hotel options.
That flexibility matters if consumers keep traveling but get pickier about spending.
What could go right:
More long stays, group travel, and international demand
Better supply and improved trust features, which support conversion
Margin expansion if growth stays healthy without heavy marketing
What to watch next: Nights and experiences booked, supply growth in key markets, and any signs that regulation is becoming more manageable rather than more restrictive.
Risk: Local regulation and enforcement can create surprise speed bumps. Also, travel can stay strong while short-term rentals get pressured in certain cities.
Marriott International (MAR)
What it does: Global hotel company with a big loyalty program and a model that benefits from scale and brand strength.
Why it fits: If travel keeps humming, major hotel brands tend to benefit from strong occupancy and pricing.
Loyalty matters here. People love points. People also love pretending points are free money.
What could go right:
Healthy business travel and event demand supporting premium pricing
Continued strength in international travel corridors
Loyalty-driven repeat bookings that protect pricing power
What to watch next: Revenue per available room trends, bookings momentum, and whether pricing holds up without demand softening.
Risk: Hotels are sensitive to economic slowdowns. Also, if supply ramps up in a market, pricing power can fade.
Perspective Shifting Now (Sponsored)
Every market cycle produces a select group of companies that drastically outperform the rest.
The latest screening has pinpointed the 5 Stocks Set to Double, each showing rare traits linked to early stage momentum.
These names carry the same type of indicators that have historically appeared ahead of strong rallies.
Earlier reports featured stocks that delivered +175%, +498%, and +673%.
Get the Free 5 Stocks Set to Double Report.
*This free resource is being sent by Zacks. We identify investment resources you may choose to use in making your own decisions. Use of this resource is subject to the Zacks Terms of Service.
*Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Investing involves risk. This material does not constitute investment, legal, accounting, or tax advice. Zacks Investment Research is not a licensed dealer, broker, or investment adviser.
Trivia: Why do stores typically use music?
Uber Technologies (UBER)
What it does: Mobility and delivery platform that takes a cut of rides and related services.
Why it fits: When people travel, go out, and attend events, rides tend to follow. Airports, concerts, and nightlife are basically an Uber marketing campaign that runs itself.
If experiences stay strong, ride volume and pricing can stay supportive.
What could go right:
Higher trips per user driven by events, travel, and urban activity
Stronger margins if efficiency and pricing discipline hold
Growth in higher-value use cases like airport rides and premium tiers
What to watch next: Trip growth, take rate stability, and any signs that competition is forcing discounting. Also, watch regulatory headlines in major regions.
Risk: This is a competitive market. If a price war breaks out, it can get ugly fast.
Want to make sure you never miss a stock recommendation?
Elite Trade Club now offers text alerts — so you get trending stocks and market-moving news sent straight to your phone before the bell. Email’s great. Texts are faster.
When people keep buying memories, the middlemen keep getting paid. The key is follow-through.
Watch booking trends, event demand, and whether pricing power holds without scaring customers off.
If the consumer keeps choosing the weekend getaway over the new coffee table, these five names may keep riding shotgun. If the vibe shifts, we pull back and let someone else pay the surge pricing.
Best Regards,
— Adam Garcia
Elite Trade Club
Click here to get our daily newsletter straight to your cell for free.
P.S. Just like this newsletter, it's 100% free*, and you can stop at any time by replying STOP.
