Podcast Summary: Becker Business – "4 Quick Stories We Are Following Today 11-13-25"

Host: Scott Becker
Date: November 13, 2025

Episode Overview

In this short update episode, Scott Becker highlights four key business stories he’s closely following. The stories address market reaction to a potential government shutdown, the financial trajectory of major private AI companies, Disney’s continued stock woes and leadership saga, and his personal experiences with underperforming stocks. His commentary is direct and tinged with humor, providing both high-level takeaways and candid asides about current market trends.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Government Shutdown Fears Roil the Markets

• Summary:
  Scott opens with concerns over a possible government shutdown and how financial markets are responding with significant declines.
• Details:
  • Fears revolve around “money that's been going out to people in the form of subsidies and other types of things that might not be available.”
  • The market is seeing a sharp drop for the day, though year-to-date gains remain intact:
    • S&P 500: Up 15% YTD
    • Nasdaq: Up 19% YTD
  • Uncertainty persists as investors react to the governmental uncertainty.
• Quote:

  "The markets are getting crushed today. I think just concerns about money ... that might not be available and just having a huge overhang on the markets day as people are a little bit scared of that."
  — Scott Becker [00:18]

2. OpenAI and Anthropic’s Ballooning Losses & Impact on Tech Giants

• Summary:
  The spotlight shifts to large private AI companies and their significant money losses, with attention to what failure could mean for prominent publicly traded tech companies.
• Details:
  • OpenAI and Anthropic are "seeing tremendous losses" as they scale and invest in growth.
  • Their spending is intertwined with large tech companies, purchasing and making future commitments.
  • Concern exists that if these AI firms’ investments “don’t come out,” there could be ripple effects on the “magnificent seven” tech stocks.
  • Scott references a recent Wall Street Journal article:
    “Big Tech’s soaring profits have an ugly underside, essentially OpenAI's losses.”
  • Light-hearted warning regarding leadership (“hope that Sam Altman does not become the AI version of Sam Bankman-Fried”).
• Quote:

  "There is a concern that if those commitments don't fear fruit ... that'll have a very negative impact on some of the magnificent seven tech firms."
  — Scott Becker [00:49]
  "What we could hope for from a business perspective is that Sam Altman ... does not become the AI version of Sam Bankman Fried."
  — Scott Becker [01:10]

3. Disney: Stock Slumps and Bob Iger’s Second Act

• Summary:
  Disney’s stock performance and the leadership journey of Bob Iger are highlighted as signs of industry and company turmoil.
• Details:
  • Disney’s stock is down “about 8 to 10%.”
  • Financial struggles credited to missed revenue targets and declining income.
  • Bob Iger is “closing in on a second retirement,” with Scott describing him as a “fascinating character.”
• Quote:

  "Disney Co. Also getting crushed today, down about 8 to 10%. Bob Iger closing in on a second retirement. What a fascinating character he is."
  — Scott Becker [01:19]

4. Personal Investment Lament: Circle and Astero Labs

• Summary:
  Scott closes with a personal vignette, describing how two stocks he’s invested in, Circle and Astero Labs, suffered sharp declines.
• Details:
  • Both are investments made through a hedge fund.
  • He jokes about his luck as an investor:
    • “How do you know a stock is down? Well, that I own it.”
• Quote:

  "Two of the stocks that I've invested in through a hedge fund investment got killed yesterday, Circle and Astero Labs. I always joke, how do you know a stock is down? Well, that I own it."
  — Scott Becker [01:39]

Notable Quotes

• “The markets are getting crushed today. I think just concerns about money ... might not be available and just having a huge overhang on the markets day as people are a little bit scared of that.”
  — Scott Becker [00:18]
• “There is a concern that if those commitments don't fear fruit ... that'll have a very negative impact on some of the magnificent seven tech firms.”
  — Scott Becker [00:49]
• “What we could hope for from a business perspective is that Sam Altman ... does not become the AI version of Sam Bankman Fried.”
  — Scott Becker [01:10]
• “Disney Co. Also getting crushed today, down about 8 to 10%. Bob Iger closing in on a second retirement. What a fascinating character he is.”
  — Scott Becker [01:19]
• “I always joke, how do you know a stock is down? Well, that I own it.”
  — Scott Becker [01:44]

Timeline of Important Segments

• 00:00–00:35 — Government shutdown worries and market response
• 00:36–01:16 — OpenAI, Anthropic losses, and their tech sector impact
• 01:17–01:29 — Disney’s rough day and Bob Iger’s second retirement
• 01:30–01:47 — Scott’s personal investing bumps (Circle, Astero Labs) with a humorous twist

Tone:
Scott Becker delivers his updates with a blend of straightforward analysis and dry humor, making financial news accessible and engaging for listeners. This episode provides a succinct yet vivid snapshot of the day’s top business stories, peppered with Scott’s personal insights and a touch of self-deprecation.