Becker Business Podcast: "15 Stories We Are Following This Week 9-15-25"
Host: Scott Becker
Release Date: September 15, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker delivers a rapid-fire roundup of 15 key business and market stories for the week of September 15, 2025. The discussion explores major trends in stock markets, highlights from private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC), notable company performances, and broader economic indicators—all with his signature blend of insight and wit.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Market Trends & Investor Sentiment

[00:31–01:19]

• Markets are trending upward both for the day and year-to-date.
• Conservative investors are experiencing a “love-hate relationship” and “FOMO” amidst consistent gains.
• Quote:
  • “When the markets keep rising and you’re a relatively cautious investor, [you’re] thrilled to see the markets going up.” (Scott Becker, 00:40)

2. S&P 500 and NASDAQ Performance

[00:31–01:33]

• S&P 500: up ~12% YTD; NASDAQ: up 14.34% YTD.
• Some commentators suggest rate cut optimism may be “baked in” to valuations.
• OpenAI's Brett Taylor warns of an “AI bubble.”
• Quote:
  • “We’re in a bit of an AI bubble, which is some concern...because so much of the big wins are driven by AI and big tech companies.” (Scott Becker referencing Brett Taylor, 01:18)

3. Largest Market Cap Companies & Their YTD Performance

[01:34–02:18]

• Nvidia: +32%, Microsoft: +21%, Google: +26.75%, Amazon: +4%, Apple: –6.5%.
• Ongoing antitrust scrutiny of Nvidia in China.
• Memorable moment:
  • “I wish I were a rich man, or I wish I had Nvidia.” (Scott Becker, 01:36)

4. Largest Companies by Revenue

[02:19–02:45]

• Walmart (+14.5%), Amazon (+4%), UnitedHealth Group (–30%), Berkshire Hathaway (+9%), Apple (–6.5%).
• UnitedHealth Group facing a tough year.
• Quote:
  • “Walmart and Berkshire keep on improving. United is having a tough year.” (Scott Becker, 02:20)

5. Last Week’s Top Stock Performers

[02:46–03:00]

• Opendoor Technologies: +37%
• Warner Brothers Discovery: +55%
• Macy’s: +30%
  • “Still a hard store to love, Macy’s.” (Scott Becker, 02:53)
• SanDisk: +24.61%

6. Top Private Equity (PE) Firms YTD

[03:01–03:40]

• Blackstone (+5%), Apollo (–16.43%), KKR (–3%), Carlyle Group (+32%), TPG (–2.27%).
• PE is facing tough exits, but rate cuts may help; Carlyle Group is outperforming.
• Quote:
  • “PE funds are having a very, very rough time manufacturing the exits they want, but...doing fine.” (Scott Becker, 03:09)

7. Largest Venture Capital (VC) Funds

[03:41–03:55]

• Tiger Global Management, Sequoia Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, New Enterprise Associates, Lightspeed.
• Difficult for individuals to access top VC funds.
• Humorous aside:
  • “Getting to invest in these as an individual investor is a little bit harder than getting into Harvard Law School or top medical school.” (Scott Becker, 03:44)

8. Start-up Failure Rate

[03:56–04:14]

• 90% of startups fail within five years—primarily due to cash flow, market fit, and operations issues.
• “Worse than failing quickly” is staying in business long-term via self-funding.
• Personal reflection:
  • “I’ve made that error before.” (Scott Becker, 04:08)

9. Number of Business Startups Annually

[04:15–04:24]

• Approximately 5–6 million businesses started each year in the U.S.

10. Asset Class Performance Comparison (S&P vs. VC vs. PE)

[04:25–04:45]

• Over the last year, S&P 500 has outperformed VC and PE.
• Over longer terms, VC and PE generally outperform S&P, though with more risk (especially VC).

11. Wide Range of Returns in PE and VC

[04:46–05:00]

• Emphasizes not all funds are created equal; broad performance dispersion exists.

12. Federal Deficit Outlook

[05:01–05:14]

• Expected to be $1.9–$2 trillion this year, with “no improvement from prior years.”
• Quote:
  • “We’ll see if that gets any better.” (Scott Becker, 05:12)

13. Unemployment Rate

[05:15–05:29]

• Currently ~4.3% and expected to rise.
• Personal joke about golf handicap rising too.

14. Family Amex Spending Trends

[05:30–05:46]

• Family is on target for a “rational month” with better control over spending, though “not as good a control as we’d like to see.”
• Light moment:
  • “Slightly better control over spending than the US but not as good a control as we’d like to see.” (Scott Becker, 05:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On tech stocks:
  “I wish I were a rich man, or I wish I had Nvidia.” (Scott Becker, 01:36)

• On personal business experience:
  “I’ve made that error before. Some friends have made those before. That’s a different part of this.” (Scott Becker, 04:08)

• On access to VC funds:
  “Getting to invest in these as an individual investor is a little bit harder than getting into Harvard Law School or top medical school, but it is what it is.” (Scott Becker, 03:44)

• Closing wisdom:
  “Thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Thank you very, very much.” (Scott Becker, 05:46)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:31 – Market & S&P/NASDAQ review
• 01:34 – Major market cap company performances
• 02:19 – Largest companies by revenue
• 02:46 – Last week’s top stock performers
• 03:01 – Top PE fund updates
• 03:41 – Biggest VC firms
• 03:56 – Start-up failure stats
• 04:25 – Asset class performance
• 05:01 – Federal deficit and unemployment
• 05:30 – Personal finance/joke segment

Episode Tone

Scott’s delivery is candid, pragmatic, and often humorous, giving listeners a lively take on current business news while threading in self-deprecating humor and personal anecdotes.

Summary prepared for those who missed this week’s "Becker Business"—your one-stop check-in on markets, major movers, trends, and a dash of relatable candor.