Wall Street just did something nobody expected. Investors β the people who bet billions of dollars on technology β are suddenly running away from AI. And there is a brand new term for it: HALO. In today’s lesson, we use this real story from Morning Brew to teach you five essential business English expressions that you can use immediately in professional and everyday conversations.
What Is the HALO Trend?
According to the Morning Brew newsletter from February 25, 2026, a new investment idea called HALO is taking over Wall Street. HALO stands for Heavy Assets, Low Obsolescence. It describes companies that seem relatively immune to automation β businesses with real, physical operations that a chatbot simply cannot replace. Think McDonald’s, John Deere, or Delta Air Lines.
The term was coined by Josh Brown, CEO of Ritholtz Wealth Management, to describe any company that cannot be disrupted by typing something into an AI prompt. As AI advances faster than expected, many investors are getting nervous and moving their money into these more tangible, physical businesses instead.
The clearest example from the article is the contrast between Delta Air Lines and Expedia. Delta β a company with actual planes β has seen its stock jump over 13%. Expedia β a booking service that could, in theory, be replicated by AI β has stayed flat. The message is simple: if AI can replace what you do, investors are starting to steer clear of your stock.
Today’s 5 Key Expressions
1. Steer Clear Of
Steer clear of means to deliberately avoid something. It is not passive avoidance β it implies a conscious decision to stay away from something, often because of perceived risk or danger.
The phrase comes from sailing and driving. When you steer a vehicle, you control its direction. To steer clear means you actively turn away to avoid an obstacle.
Example from the lesson: “I’ve been steering clear of anything AI-related for the past two weeks.”
Business example: The company decided to steer clear of overseas markets during the economic uncertainty.
Casual example: I always steer clear of the seafood at that restaurant. Bad experience.
2. Complacent
Complacent describes a state of being so comfortable and confident that you stop paying attention to warning signs or potential danger. It is almost always used as a criticism or a warning.
The word comes from the Latin complacere, meaning to please oneself. When you are complacent, you are so satisfied with your current situation that you fail to see the risks building around you.
Example from the lesson: “A lot of funds got complacent β they kept buying in even when the warning signs were obvious.”
In the original article, JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon warned that high asset prices are making financiers complacent β so comfortable with their gains that they are not watching for danger.
Business example: After three record years, the sales team became complacent and missed their quarterly targets.
Casual example: Don’t get complacent just because you passed the first exam β there are three more coming.
3. Coin a Term
To coin a term or phrase means to invent it for the first time. You are the original creator of that expression. This verb can only be used for something genuinely new β you cannot coin a phrase that already exists.
The connection to money is real. In the old days, governments would mint, or create, new coins. Coining a phrase is the linguistic equivalent β you are creating something new and putting it into circulation.
Example from the lesson: “Have you heard the term HALO? Some analyst coined it recently and now everyone on Wall Street is talking about it.”
Formal example: The researcher coined the phrase digital detox in her 2012 paper.
Casual example: My little brother coined the word hangry in our house long before it was in the dictionary.
4. Tangible
Tangible means real, physical, and concrete β something you can actually touch or measure. In business English, it is frequently used to contrast real, provable results against vague promises or abstract ideas.
The word comes from the Latin tangere, meaning to touch. Its opposite is intangible β something abstract, theoretical, or digital.
Example from the lesson: “It basically means companies with tangible things that AI can’t just delete.”
The Morning Brew article describes investors moving toward more tangible stocks β companies with physical operations, equipment, and infrastructure that exist in the real world.
Business example: We need tangible results by the end of the quarter, not just promises.
Casual example: After months of studying, it was great to finally see tangible progress in my test scores.
5. Immune To
Immune to means not affected by something β protected from its negative impact. The expression is borrowed directly from medicine, where your immune system protects your body from viruses. In business and everyday English, it is used metaphorically to describe anything that is resistant to harm, change, or disruption.
Note the grammar: the structure is always immune to, not immune from.
Example from the lesson: “Their value is immune to a chatbot takeover. You can’t prompt your way onto a Delta flight.”
The original article describes HALO companies as relatively immune to automation β their work requires physical presence, skilled labor, or real-world infrastructure that AI cannot simply replace.
Business example: Their brand is so strong, it seems almost immune to bad press.
Casual example: My grandmother is completely immune to stress. Nothing bothers her.
The Dialogue: Maya and Alex
Here is the full conversation between Maya and Alex from today’s lesson. They are two colleagues talking in the office break room. As you read, notice how naturally the five expressions appear.
Maya: “Hey, did you see the markets this morning? I’ve been steering clear of anything AI-related for the past two weeks.”
Alex: “Smart move. A lot of funds got complacent β they kept buying in even when the warning signs were obvious.”
Maya: “Exactly. Have you heard the term HALO? Some analyst coined it recently and now everyone on Wall Street is talking about it.”
Alex: “Yeah β Heavy Assets, Low Obsolescence. It basically means companies with tangible things that AI can’t just delete.”
Maya: “Like airlines, fast food chains, construction β businesses with real physical operations.”
Alex: “Right. Their value is immune to a chatbot takeover. You can’t prompt your way onto a Delta flight.”
Maya: “I never thought I’d say this, but I’m seriously looking at tractor companies right now.”
Alex: “Welcome to 2026. John Deere is the new Nvidia.”
Quick Summary: 5 Expressions at a Glance
Steer clear of β to deliberately avoid something due to risk or preference.
Complacent β too comfortable to notice danger; failing to stay alert.
Coin a term β to invent and introduce a new word or phrase for the first time.
Tangible β real, physical, and concrete; something measurable or touchable.
Immune to β not affected by something; protected or resistant to harm.
