The Magnificent Seven: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly 7-29-26 - Becker Business

Summary3 min read

Podcast Summary: Becker Business – "The Magnificent Seven: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly"

Host: Scott Becker
Date: July 29, 2026
Episode Theme:
A concise business news update focused on the year-to-date performance of the "Magnificent Seven" big tech stocks. Scott Becker discusses which companies have outperformed, which have had lackluster results, and which have stumbled in 2026.

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker provides a rapid, insightful review of the performance of the so-called "Magnificent Seven" tech giants, categorizing each into "the good, the bad, and the ugly." He shares personal reflections on his investment approach, highlights swings in the market, and offers context for broader market trends.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Ugly: Significant Declines

Tesla:
- Down 30% year to date (00:25)
- Points to major headwinds and underperformance relative to peers.
Microsoft:
- Down 21% year to date (00:27)
- “Microsoft's been one of my core holdings for years, so I don't love to see that…” – Scott Becker (00:30)
- Reflects disappointment with a long-term favorite’s recent slump.
Meta Platforms (Facebook):
- Down about 10% year to date (00:37)
- Listed among the "bad or the ugly" performers.

2. The Middling: Flat or Mild Gains

Amazon:
- “Amazon's relatively flat, up just 0.56% the last time we really studied it…” (00:42)
- Essentially stuck in place so far for 2026.
Alphabet (Google):
- Up 2.13% year to date after a “very tough week last week.” (00:46)

3. The Good: Standout Performers

Apple:
- Up 22% year to date – the best performer of the group. (00:50)
- “I don't know that many people saw that kind of comeback, but they're just rocking it.” – Scott Becker (00:52)
Nvidia:
- Up around 11% year to date (00:56)
- Not called out for surprise, but noted for solid, sustained gains.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the emotional side of investing:
- “Microsoft's been one of my core holdings for years, so I don't love to see that it is what it is.” (00:30)
- Scott reveals the challenge of seeing personal investment favorites underperform.
On sticking to strategy:
- “From my perspective, I stick to the index funds mostly. Sometimes we lose discipline and go… you know, go this direction, but generally we try and stick to the index funds.” (01:05)
- Scott emphasizes a disciplined, broad-market approach despite the temptation to chase individual winners or losers.
On Apple’s resurgence:
- “I don't know that many people saw that kind of comeback, but they're just rocking it.” (00:52)

Timestamps for Important Segments

00:00 | Introduction and overview of the Magnificent Seven
00:25–00:37 | The Ugly: Tesla, Microsoft, Meta’s year-to-date declines
00:42–00:46 | Flat Performers: Amazon and Alphabet
00:50–00:56 | The Good: Apple and Nvidia’s strong gains
01:05 | Reflections on investment discipline and strategy

Tone & Delivery

Scott Becker adopts an informal, conversational, and pragmatic tone—honest about disappointments, modestly surprised by market upsets, and steady in his focus on long-term strategy.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a succinct, up-to-date checkpoint for investors and business enthusiasts tracking the Magnificent Seven. Scott Becker distills the numbers, shares personal investment reflections, and reminds listeners of the importance of sticking to a disciplined approach despite the allure – or anxiety – of big stock movements.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. One of these we like to do is really often or periodically go through the Magnificent Seven and see who's performing and who's getting crushed and what's all going on. So we'll go through that again today. The Magnificent Seven. The good, the bad and the ugly. I'll start with the ugly. Tesla and Microsoft are down respectively 30% and 21% year to date. Microsoft's been one of my core holdings for years, so I don't love to see that it is what it is. Facebook meta platforms is also down about 10% year to date. So those are the sort of bad or the ugly. Two of the stocks that are relatively flat so far this year. Amazon's relatively flat, up just 0.56% the last time we really studied it, which is about a day before this will come out. The alphabets up 2.13% year to date. After having a very tough week last week, the two best performers this year, Apple and Nvidia. Apple's up 22%. I don't know that many people saw that kind of comeback, but they're just rocking it. Nvidia is up about 11% year to date. So that's our magnificent seven year to date again. From my perspective, I stick to the index funds mostly. Sometimes we lose discipline and go to sort of the, you know, go this direction, but generally we try and stick to the. To the index funds. It is what it is. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity podcast. Thank you very, very much.