5 Stories We Are Following Today 9-4-25

Summary

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Becker Business Podcast: "5 Stories We Are Following Today 9-4-25"

Host: Scott Becker
Date: September 4, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker delivers concise, rapid-fire commentary on five major business stories making headlines. He analyzes the shifting job market, market-moving developments at Google, AI-driven turbulence at Salesforce, surprising results from Macy’s, and performance of key AI stocks. The episode maintains a fast-paced, informative tone, offering valuable perspective for anyone tracking business, private equity, or technology sector news.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The U.S. Job Market Weakening

[00:34]

• The latest jobs report shows fewer open positions and fewer new jobs created than anticipated.
• Implication: "This indicates a worsening job market and increased likelihood that the Fed will cut rates more aggressively."
• Market reaction: Markets are rallying in response, expecting loosening monetary policy.

Notable Quote:

• "This is leading the markets up today in a not insignificant way." — Scott Becker [00:45]

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2. Alphabet (Google) Surges On Antitrust Ruling

[00:52]

• Alphabet (Google) stock jumped 9.14% following an antitrust ruling that was less damaging than many investors feared.
• The Nasdaq rose 1% on this news and continued to climb the following day.
• Alphabet is up 21% year-to-date.

Notable Quote:

• "Alphabet Google jumped yesterday 9.14% on the basis of an antitrust ruling, which was not as bad as many feared it would be." — Scott Becker [00:54]

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3. Salesforce Slumps Amid AI Challenges

[01:12]

• Salesforce stock is down nearly 7% pre-market due to "slowing AI wins and slowing deployment."
• The company's revenue forecasts have weakened, and momentum is not meeting expectations.

Notable Quote:

• "They're weaker revenue forecasts and not going as well as they expected." — Scott Becker [01:18]

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4. Macy’s Delivers a Big Surprise

[01:26]

• Macy’s stock soared more than 21% after reporting strong results—its best performance in several quarters.
• Factors: Successful store closures, operational streamlining, and positive same-store sales growth for the first time in years.
• The jump was unexpected, catching Wall Street off guard.

Notable Quote:

• "Macy’s knocked it out of the park yesterday... It's their best results in several quarters." — Scott Becker [01:27]

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5. Mixed Performance Among AI Stocks

[01:42]

• Three AI-related stocks tracked by Becker:
  • Soundtown: Down 35% year-to-date.
  • Palantir Technologies: Up 105% year-to-date.
  • Tempest AI: Up 125% year-to-date.
• Quick snapshot underscores both the volatility and opportunity in the AI sector.

Notable Quote:

• "Three of the AI related stocks that we follow are performing as follows..." — Scott Becker [01:42]

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:34] U.S. Jobs Report and Market Reaction
• [00:52] Alphabet/Google Antitrust Ruling Impact
• [01:12] Salesforce AI-related Weakness
• [01:26] Macy’s Strong Quarterly Results
• [01:42] AI Stock Performance Update

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• "The Nasdaq rose 1% yesterday based on this ruling and it's up again today." — Scott Becker [01:01]
• "No one really saw that coming." (on Macy’s 21% jump) — Scott Becker [01:28]
• "Same store growth is actually picking up for the first time in a few years." — Scott Becker [01:32]
• "More on AI and some of these other things a little bit later. Thank you for listening..." — Scott Becker [01:45]

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Episode Tone

Scott delivers analysis with a crisp, authoritative, and informative style, perfect for business leaders and investors who want actionable news highlights without fluff.

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Transcript

[A]

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[B]

This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast, increasingly focused around startups, technology, software and a lot more, as well as general business. Today's Discussion I've got five stories that we're following today. Some of these come up through the through the last couple days. First, the jobs report came in Wednesday showing a lower number of open jobs than expected. We also saw today less jobs created last month than expected. This indicates a worsening job market and increased likelihood that the federal cut rates more aggressively. This is leading the markets up today in a not insignificant way. Second, Alphabet Google jumped yesterday 9.14% on the basis of an antitrust ruling, which was not as bad as many feared it would be. The Nasdaq rose 1% yesterday based on this ruling and it's up again today. Alphabet Google's up 21% year to date. Third, Salesforce is taking it on the chin, down nearly 7% pre market and slowing AI wins and slowing deployment. You know they're weaker revenue forecasts and not going as well as they expected. Fourth, Macy's knocked it out of the park yesterday. They jumped more than 21%. No one really saw that coming. It's their best results in several quarters and they're also starting to close stores and streamline operations. Their same store growth is actually picking up for the first time in a few years. Finally. Fifth, three of the AI related stocks that we follow are performing as follows. Soundtown is down 35% year to date. Paleontaire Technologies is up 105% year to date and Tempest AI is is up 125% year to date. More on AI and some of these other things a little bit later. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast. The Becker Private Equity Podcast.