
In this episode, Scott Becker shares seven quick updates, from soaring airline and apparel stocks to concerns over inflation, the closure of Weiss Memorial Hospital, and more.
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Scott Becker
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business Podcast. The Becker Private Equity Podcast. Thrilled to see the Becker Private Equity Podcast ranked, I think, second in the country today in the business news section. We're going to give you quickly seven notes and thoughts for this afternoon. And thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast. The Becker Private Equity Podcast. First, the airline stocks are jumping. American Airlines, United Airlines, each up about 10% today and hitting it out of the park. Second, Hanes brands up about 26%. A news of a potential acquisition by Gildan Brands. We talk about that separately in a separate podcast. Third, Goldman Sachs also doing terrific, up about 4% so far today, but up 30% year to date. Fourth, the Weimar Republic. One of the things we worry about in the United States as we continue to print money and do deficit spending, everything is getting more expensive. If you're part of the asset class, you have more money, so the numbers tend to work out. But if you're not part of the asset class, when I say the asset class, those that have investments in assets, stocks, other things that are rising with inflation, if you're not part of that class and 50% of the people in the country are essentially not part of that class, the increased cost of everything, a dinner out, going to do something, it's got to be just astounding. It's astounding to all of us. But. But it seems like just absolutely horrible for those that don't have lots of money already and have to deal with these increased prices of everything. And it does make me think when I see the increase cost of things, is it like the Weimar Republic was back in the day? The fifth thing I'll follow today is a private equity healthcare story. Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago is closing. It's now private equity owned. But I would caution people about blaming that on private equity because that's a health system that has struggled for a very, very long time. So that's a deal with Weiss Memorial Hospital. The struggles didn't come when private equity bought it. The struggles came way before that. And then private equity did buy it. Um, sixth, I'll talk for a second about adhd. There are moments in the morning when I am putting a sock on, and this is part of the problem with my ADD or ADHD or whatever you want to call it. I am putting one sock on and I am struggling because I can't even slow myself down enough to not want to get to that next sock or put the shirt on or something like that. I take it there are a lot of people with ADHD that feel very much the same way. But sometimes the struggle is very, very real. Seventh, we talk a lot about this concept. Embrace the friends that love you. And don't worry about this concept of, oh, my goodness, you like the five people you're the closest to, or something like that. That at the end of the day, I view it as unless your five closest friends are homicidal maniacs and are killing people and committing horrible crimes, don't worry about it. It's okay. You don't have to listen to all the stuff about the five closest this, the five closest that. Finally, last thing we'll talk about the story today is this thing called the origin story. There is so much said in business about somebody's origin story. And when somebody tells me the origin story of almost any business, I almost always believe that. I then need to take a break because I'm about to hear some BS origin story that doesn't really resonate and it's not really true, but sounds like it's been prepared for audiences. That's the concept on the origin story. In any event, I think we're at about seven or eight stories here. Thank you for listening. This afternoon's the Becker Business Podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Thank you for listening and thank you for joining us. Thank you to Chanel Bunger, our producer, the very best in the business. Chanel, thank you very much.
In Episode 7 of the Becker Business Podcast, host Scott Becker delivers a comprehensive overview of seven key business updates, intertwined with personal insights and social commentary. Below is a detailed summary capturing the essence of each discussion point, enriched with notable quotes and structured for clarity.
Scott begins the episode by highlighting the remarkable performance of major airline stocks.
"American Airlines, United Airlines, each up about 10% today and hitting it out of the park."
— Scott Becker [00:00]
This surge suggests a positive outlook for the aviation sector, possibly driven by factors such as increased travel demand, improved financial health, or strategic business maneuvers within these companies.
Next, Scott discusses the impressive 26% rise in Hanes Brands' stock, attributing it to rumors of a potential acquisition by Gildan Brands.
"Hanes brands up about 26%. A news of a potential acquisition by Gildan Brands."
— Scott Becker [00:00]
He mentions that this topic will be explored in greater detail in a separate podcast episode, signaling its importance and the potential impact on the apparel industry.
Goldman Sachs is spotlighted for its strong market performance.
"Goldman Sachs also doing terrific, up about 4% so far today, but up 30% year to date."
— Scott Becker [00:00]
This uptick reflects investor confidence and the firm’s effective strategies in navigating the financial landscape, contributing significantly to its year-to-date growth.
Scott delves into economic anxieties, drawing parallels between current U.S. monetary policies and the historical Weimar Republic.
"When I see the increase cost of things, is it like the Weimar Republic was back in the day?"
— Scott Becker [00:00]
He expresses concern over ongoing money printing and deficit spending, emphasizing the disparate impact on different socioeconomic groups:
"If you're not part of the asset class, ... the increased cost of everything ... is got to be just astounding."
— Scott Becker [00:00]
This analogy serves as a cautionary reflection on potential long-term economic instability and its effects on the general population versus those invested in appreciating assets.
The discussion transitions to the healthcare sector, specifically addressing the closure of Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago, now owned by private equity.
"I would caution people about blaming that on private equity because that's a health system that has struggled for a very, very long time."
— Scott Becker [00:00]
Scott underscores that the hospital's difficulties predate private equity involvement, suggesting that attributing the closure solely to private equity overlooks underlying systemic issues within the healthcare system.
Scott shares a personal anecdote to shed light on the challenges of managing ADHD.
"There are moments in the morning when I am putting a sock on ... the problem with my ADD or ADHD... I can't even slow myself down enough to not want to get to that next sock or put the shirt on..."
— Scott Becker [00:00]
This candid reflection aims to resonate with listeners who experience similar struggles, fostering a sense of empathy and understanding around mental health challenges.
Highlighting the importance of genuine relationships, Scott offers his perspective on friendships.
"Embrace the friends that love you ... unless your five closest friends are homicidal maniacs ... don't worry about it."
— Scott Becker [00:00]
He dismisses societal pressures regarding the ideal number of close friends, advocating instead for valuing the quality and sincerity of one's relationships.
Concluding his notes, Scott critiques the often overhyped nature of business origin stories.
"When somebody tells me the origin story of almost any business, I almost always believe that. I then need to take a break because I'm about to hear some BS origin story that doesn't really resonate and it's not really true, but sounds like it's been prepared for audiences."
— Scott Becker [00:00]
He encourages listeners to approach such narratives with skepticism, promoting a more discerning and authentic understanding of business histories.
Final Thoughts
Throughout the episode, Scott Becker adeptly balances business news with personal reflections, providing listeners with both informative content and relatable insights. His candid approach invites engagement and critical thinking, making the Becker Business Podcast a valuable resource for those interested in the intersection of business developments and their broader societal implications.
Thank you for tuning into Episode 7 of the Becker Business Podcast. Stay informed and engaged with Scott Becker's ongoing discussions about the ever-evolving business landscape.