5 Business News Stories We Are Following This Weekend 3-28-26 - Becker Business

Summary3 min read

Becker Business Podcast

Episode: 5 Business News Stories We Are Following This Weekend 3-28-26
Host: Scott Becker
Date: March 28, 2026

Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker delivers a quick, impactful rundown of five major business news stories shaping the markets heading into the final weekend of March 2026. The focus is on the ongoing struggles of the stock market, particularly the performance of the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks, and the increasing turbulence in private credit markets. Scott leverages recent reporting from outlets like The Motley Fool, Yahoo Finance, and Bloomberg to give listeners a pulse on market sentiment and sector performance.

Key Discussion Points

1. Market Decline Intensifies

Market Performance:
- The market had two tough days on Thursday and Friday, with major indices dropping over 1%–1.5% each day.
  - S&P 500 is down approximately 7% YTD (Year To Date).
  - NASDAQ is down over 8% YTD.
- “Things are going poorly.” ([00:18])

2. The Magnificent Seven Stumble

Overview:
- The Magnificent Seven stocks (Amazon, Apple, Alphabet, Meta, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Tesla) are all down at least 10% from their recent highs.
- Nvidia alone sank 5%–6% on Thursday and Friday, now down almost 10% YTD.
- Yahoo Finance reports that every Magnificent Seven stock is now in double-digit percentage territory below their 52-week highs. ([00:48])
- “Every Magnificent Seven stock is down double digit percentages from its 52 week high…” ([01:09])

3. Microsoft’s Worst Quarter Since 2008

Details:
- Microsoft is down over 24% YTD, according to pre-Friday close data.
- Bloomberg notes Microsoft is facing its worst quarter since the financial crisis of 2008, highlighting AI’s disruptive influence.
- “Bloomberg reports that Microsoft is set for its worst quarter since 2008 as AI takes two bites. So that’s the disaster with Microsoft.” ([01:23])

4. Meta Platforms' Rough Week

Company Update:
- Meta (Facebook’s parent) has dropped more than 20% YTD.
- The company suffered a “horrendous week,” with a major social media verdict going against it.
- “Meta platforms had a horrendous week. It's now down more than 20% year to date. It had a social media verdict go against it…” ([01:37])

5. Private Credit Faces Increased Pressure

Sector Woes:
- Private credit markets are “in real trouble” due to “surging redemptions" and “slower fundraising.”
- “Private credit is in real trouble. You know, surging redemptions, slower fundraising, again, horrendous challenges…” ([01:47])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Market Sentiment:
- “The markets had a very tough day Thursday and Friday, dropping more than 1 to 1.5% each day.” ([00:11])
- Reflects the urgent and cautionary tone of Scott’s update.
On The Magnificent Seven:
- “Nvidia fell about 5%, 5–6% between Thursday and Friday. It's now down nearly 10% year to date…” ([00:55])
- Emphasizes how even the market’s former darlings are not immune.
On Microsoft:
- “Microsoft is set for its worst quarter since 2008 as AI takes two bites.” ([01:23])
- Underlines the impact of new technology and shifting business cycles.
On Meta’s Legal Challenges:
- “It had a social media verdict go against it. We’ll see how that goes. That’s really fascinating.” ([01:38])
Summary and Engagement:
- “These are five quick stories that we're following. The market's down. Microsoft Meta platforms getting hammered. The Magnificent Seven struggling into a lot more.” ([01:57])
- “If you're the first person to respond that you listen to this all the way through, text 773-76-6-5322 and we'll send you a $50 gift card from Amazon…” ([02:08])

Timestamps for Key Segments

[00:00–00:30] – Market commentary and overall declines
[00:31–01:10] – The Magnificent Seven, Yahoo Finance data
[01:11–01:29] – Microsoft’s quarterly losses, Bloomberg analysis
[01:30–01:47] – Meta Platforms’ performance, legal issues
[01:48–02:00] – Private credit sector stress
[02:01–02:15] – Recap and listener engagement offer

Tone and Style

Scott Becker speaks in a rapid-fire, matter-of-fact manner, conveying market urgency and seriousness while providing concise, actionable summaries. He frequently cites authoritative financial news sources and encourages audience interaction.

For listeners seeking to stay ahead of key business trends, this episode offers a succinct, data-driven survey of the week’s biggest market movers and sector headwinds.

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Transcript2 lines

[00:00]
A
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Today's discussion is five quick notes. The markets are struggling, the Magnificent Seven is struggling and meta platforms and Microsoft are getting crushed. So here's the discussion today. First, the markets had a very tough day Thursday and Friday, dropping more than 1 to 1.5% each day. The S&P 500 is now down about 7/% year to date. The NASDAQ is down more than 8% year to date and things are going poorly. Great story in the Motley Fool. It essentially says Microsoft, Meta and Alphabet stocks are all getting hammered, but I think only one is worth buying. The Motley fool says that that is Alphabet. Second, the Magnificent Seven stocks are each down now, all at least 10% from their highs. Nvidia fell about 5%, 5 to 6% between Thursday and Friday. It's now down nearly 10% year to date. Again, another story in Yahoo. Finance. Every Magnificent Seven stock is down double digit percentages from its 52 week high according to data from Yahoo Stock. So Yahoo Scout. So again, Magnificent Seven and the market's getting crushed. Third, Microsoft, and this is before Friday's closing, is down 24% plus year to date. And Bloomberg reports that Microsoft is set for its worst quarter since 2008 as AI takes two bites. So that's the disaster with Microsoft. Fourth, meta platforms had a horrendous week. It's now down more than 20% year to date. It had a social media verdict go against it. We'll see how that goes. That's really fascinating. Fifth, private credit is in real trouble. You know, surging redemptions, slower fundraising, again, horrendous challenges for private credit. So again, these are five quick stories that we're following. The market's down. Microsoft Meta platforms getting hammered. The Magnificent Seven struggling into a lot more. Those are five of the stories that we're that we're following this weekend. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. If you're the first person to respond that you listen to this all the way through, text 773-76-6-5322 and we'll send you a $50 gift card from Amazon for listening. But give us your criticism, give us your comments, tell us what you think and thank you for listening.
[02:35]
B
Hi, this is Alex Kanchwitz. I'm the host of Big Technology Podcast, a longtime reporter and an on air contributor to cnbc. And if you're like me, you're trying to figure out how artificial intelligence is changing the business world. And our lives. So each week on Big Technology, I, I bring on key actors from companies building AI tech and outsiders trying to influence it, asking where this is all going. They come from places like Nvidia, Microsoft, Amazon and plenty more. So if you want to be smart with your wallet, your career choices, in meetings with your colleagues and at dinner parties, listen to Big Technology Podcast wherever you get your podcasts.