Becker Business Podcast – 6 Stories We Are Following This Morning (8-21-25)
Host: Scott Becker
Date: August 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this succinct episode, Scott Becker delivers updates on six major business stories shaping the financial and corporate landscape on August 21, 2025. Each segment highlights significant company developments, market movements, and performance updates, with Becker offering concise analysis on what’s driving the news.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Walmart Earnings Miss and Revenue Growth

• Walmart’s performance:
  Walmart reported strong revenue growth but failed to meet earnings expectations due to higher-than-anticipated expenses.
• Stock movement:
  The stock is down approximately 5% today, yet Walmart stands as the USA’s largest company by revenues and continues to perform robustly on a broader scale.
• Insight:
  "Expenses were higher than anticipated, so its ultimate earnings missed some. The stock is down about 5% today, but remains the largest company in the US by revenues and continues to prosper in the big scheme of things." (Scott Becker, 00:30)

2. General Market Movements

• Market overview:
  The S&P 500 and NASDAQ are both trending downward in early trading, with the S&P down about half a percentage point.
• Ongoing watch:
  "We’ll see how that goes throughout the day." (Scott Becker, 00:49)
• Tone:
  Matter-of-fact update with an emphasis on cautious observation.

3. Palantir Technologies Outperformance

• Stock highlight:
  Palantir remains a strong performer, up 107% year to date, despite recent volatility.
• Significance:
  "Palantir Technologies, a stock we watch closely, remains up 107% year to date, even after a series of challenging days." (Scott Becker, 00:56)

4. Vivid Seats’ Struggles

• Challenging environment:
  Vivid Seats is down 82% over the past year, with ongoing headwinds cited as reasons.
• Notable quote:
  "It continues to be challenging." (Scott Becker, 01:09)
• Implication:
  Persistent struggles reflect larger sector or company-specific issues.

5. Tempus AI Surge

• Exceptional growth:
  Tempus AI’s stock is up 117% year to date, consolidating its role as a key player in cancer diagnostics and treatment advancement.
• Quote:
  "Continues to be a key component in the fight against cancer." (Scott Becker, 01:21)

6. Alliance Bernstein’s Steady Performance

• Monitoring a favorite:
  Alliance Bernstein, tracked closely by the podcast for “provincial reasons,” is up 7.5% year to date and is noted for its consistent performance.
• Quote:
  "Alliance Bernstein...is up 7.5% year to date and continues to perform well." (Scott Becker, 01:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Walmart’s resilience:
  "Remains the largest company in the US by revenues and continues to prosper in the big scheme of things." (Scott Becker, 00:36)
• On market caution:
  "We'll see how that goes throughout the day." (Scott Becker, 00:49)
• On Vivid Seats:
  "It continues to be challenging." (Scott Becker, 01:09)
• On Tempus AI:
  "...continues to be a key component in the fight against cancer." (Scott Becker, 01:21)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] Introduction and episode purpose
• [00:16] Walmart’s earnings report and company context
• [00:40] US market overview (S&P 500, NASDAQ)
• [00:56] Palantir Technologies’ performance
• [01:06] Vivid Seats’ business challenges
• [01:16] Tempus AI’s cancer-fighting growth
• [01:29] Alliance Bernstein’s year-to-date performance

Episode Tone and Style

Scott Becker maintains a crisp, informative tone, blending rapid-fire updates with brief interpretive comments. The language is direct and accessible, suitable for busy listeners seeking a quick catch-up on significant business stories.

Summary:
This episode of Becker Business condenses major market shifts and stock milestones into easily digestible updates, making it valuable for anyone seeking a morning roundup on August 21, 2025.