5 Stocks We Love to Follow & Their Best to Worst YTD Results 2-5-26 - Becker Business

Summary3 min read

Becker Business Podcast Summary

Host: Scott Becker
Episode: 5 Stocks We Love to Follow & Their Best to Worst YTD Results 2-5-26
Date: February 5, 2026

Overview

In this focused solo episode, host Scott Becker reviews the year-to-date (YTD) performance of five stocks he closely follows—Intel, Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Astera Labs, and UnitedHealth Group—with a bonus mention of Palantir Technologies. Scott candidly shares both his investment rationale and personal experiences with these stocks, offering insights into his portfolio’s hits and misses so far in 2026.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Stocks Discussed and Rationale for Following Each

Intel (INTC)
- Followed for personal interest in tech; not an investor.
- YTD performance: Up 25–26%
- Noted as the top YTD performer among the group.
Coca-Cola (KO)
- Personal investment driven by admiration for Warren Buffett’s strategies.
- YTD performance: Up 7.99%
- "Coca-Cola, Bank of America are two stocks that I invested in when I went through a period of time trying to follow what Warren Buffett was investing in." [01:08]
Bank of America (BAC)
- Long-term holding, again inspired by Warren Buffett’s portfolio.
- YTD performance: Down 3.3%
Astera Labs
- Received through a hedge fund distribution.
- YTD performance: Down 9.46%
- "I ended up in Astera Labs through a hedge fund I invested in when they made a distribution of the stock. That’s how I have it. I haven’t done it. I’ve held it since." [01:43]
UnitedHealth Group (UNH)
- Follows due to deep involvement in the healthcare sector.
- YTD performance: Down 13%
- Notes the payer business as "stuck in purgatory," referencing industry-wide stagnation challenges.
- "Again, the payer business, like the private equity business, as we discussed on another podcast, seems a little bit stuck in purgatory." [01:56]
Palantir Technologies (PLTR)
- Additional mention; personal investment from a few years ago.
- YTD performance: Down 17–18%
- Admits Palantir was once his “most successful individual stock.”
- "Of course, that was my most successful individual stock I held. So it is what it is." [02:23]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Investment Inspiration:
- "Coca-Cola, Bank of America are two stocks that I invested in when I went through a period of time trying to follow what Warren Buffett was investing in." [01:08]
Healthcare industry sentiment:
- "The payer business, like the private equity business, as we discussed on another podcast, seems a little bit stuck in purgatory. We’ll see how that goes, whether that changes or revolves. But that’s what’s going on with United Health Group." [01:56]
Honest Acknowledgement of Losses:
- "Of course, that was my most successful individual stock I held. So it is what it is." (On Palantir’s sharp YTD decline) [02:23]

Important Timestamps

00:10 — Introduction of stocks being covered and rationale for following or investing in them.
00:50 — Intel’s strong positive performance (+25–26% YTD).
01:00 — Coca-Cola’s steady gain (+7.99% YTD); Buffett-influenced investment philosophy.
01:15 — Bank of America’s mild decline (–3.3% YTD).
01:30 — Astera Labs’ drop, origin via hedge fund distribution (–9.46% YTD).
01:45 — UnitedHealth’s struggles, healthcare market commentary (–13% YTD).
02:10 — Palantir Technologies’ steep decline and Becker’s emotional candidness (–17/18% YTD).

Conclusion

This episode gives listeners a transparent look at Scott Becker’s current thinking around major equities he tracks, mixing both the analytical and personal aspects of investing. He highlights the volatility and unpredictability of even well-chosen stocks, while subtly emphasizing diversification and learning from icons like Buffett. Scott’s straightforward “wins and losses” approach is both relatable and informative, particularly for those interested in following real investor journeys through market cycles.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Today's discussion is going to be five stocks that we follow and, and the best to worst year to date. We'll also throw in a 6. One, Palantir Technologies, which I also follow, which is down about 17% year to date. But of these five stocks, we're going to go through Intel, Coca Cola, bank of America, Estero Labs and UnitedHealthcare. Of these five, I'm an investor directly in Coke, bank of America and Astute Lab. So I follow those. Intel I follow just because it's interesting. UnitedHealth Group I follow because it's UnitedHealth Group and I'm in the healthcare business. And finally, Peel and Terry, I invested in as well a couple years ago. So I follow that too. But let me go through these with you really quickly. Intel, which of course I'm not an investor in, is up 25%, 26% year to date. This is at the start of this week, these numbers. So things could have changed in the last couple days, but these are generally directionally where these stocks ran. Second, Coca Cola is at 7.99% up year to date. Coca Cola, bank of America are two stocks that I invested in when I went through a period of time trying to follow what Warren Buffett was investing in. And that's how I ended up in these. Bank of America is down 3.3% year to date. Astera Labs is down 9.46% year to date. I ended up in Astero Labs through a hedge fund I invested in when they made a distribution of the stock. That's how I have it. I haven't done it. I've held it since, down 9.46% year to date. Fifth, UnitedHealth Group, down 13% year to date. Again, the payer business, like the private equity business, as we discussed on another podcast, seems a little bit stuck in purgatory. We'll see how that goes, whether that changes or revolves. But that's what's going on with United Health Group. Finally, Palantir Technologies, I looked at this morning. I'll pull up my notes very quickly. I believe when I looked at this morning, it was down. I've got it right here. It was down as of this morning. And this is. I'm recording this on Monday. You'll get this on Wednesday. It was down about 18% year to date. Of course, that was my most successful individual stock I held. So it is what it is. Thank you for listening to the Becker business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. We'll be back with you the next couple days with some business market insight episodes, as well as some probably somewhat ridiculous episodes as well. But thank you so much for listening to the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast again at Scott Becker. Anytime you text me and you're the first person to text after one of these podcasts, we'll send you a $25 gift certificate. You got to tell us whether you like the podcast, hate the podcast, want more or less episodes. But 773-766-5322 thank you so much for listening.