Becker Business Podcast – Episode Summary Episode: 9 Stories We Are Following Today 9-22-25
Host: Scott Becker
Release Date: September 22, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker delivers a concise rundown of nine key business news stories and market updates currently making headlines. True to the podcast’s mission, the discussion covers stocks, market trends, noteworthy corporate events, recent policy proposals, and even a personal reflection on golf. Becker skillfully connects current events to their broader business implications, keeping the tone conversational and candid.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Market Movement and Recent Highs

• [00:19] The markets, after reaching record highs on Thursday and Friday, are trending downward this morning.
• Insight: Volatility is present even after strong upward momentum.

2. Year-To-Date Index Performance

• [00:31]
  • NASDAQ: Up 17% year-to-date.
  • S&P 500: Up 13.27% year-to-date.
  • Becker addresses the value of benchmarking investments:

    “We regularly look at these numbers partly to understand how we're doing against those. It is what it is.”
    (Scott Becker, 00:39)

3. Apple’s Position Amidst the Magnificent Seven

• [00:48]
  • Apple’s stock, after declines earlier in the year, is now down just 2% YTD.
  • Cited momentum from the iPhone 17 release.
  • Apple remains the “worst performing stock of the Magnificent Seven.”
  • Teaser: Separate upcoming podcast on each Magnificent Seven stock.

4. Tesla’s Resurgence and Insider Purchase

• [01:13]
  • Tesla is now up 5.5% YTD after being “way underwater.”
  • Key factors: Broader market upturn and Elon Musk purchasing $1 billion of company stock.
  • “Tesla just benefited also from Elon Musk purchasing a billion dollars in company stock.”
    (Scott Becker, 01:20)

5. Gates Foundation: Top Holdings Performance

• [01:31]
  • Biggest holdings: Berkshire Hathaway, Microsoft, Waste Management.
    • Microsoft: up 23% YTD
    • Berkshire Hathaway: up almost 9% YTD
    • Waste Management: up 7.24% YTD
  • Becker notes the popularity of these stocks:

    “Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway seem to show up on most investment list. Increasingly… Waste Management is a stock that people talk about as one to sort of buy and hold.”
    (Scott Becker, 01:54)

6. H1B Visa Fee Controversy

• [02:10]
  • President proposes $100,000 fee on new H1B visas.
  • Becker’s view:

    “My biggest problem with this whole thing is the signaling that we don't want to attract the very best and brightest to the US. That's horrendous in my view, and I'm going to be preachy. We need to be a beacon for the best and brightest and to be the most entrepreneurial country in the world.”
    (Scott Becker, 02:29)

  • Promises a dedicated podcast on this topic.

7. Palantir’s Surge and Peter Thiel’s Influence

• [02:54]
  • Palantir: Up 141% YTD.
  • Notes on founder Peter Thiel (“Brilliant… His book Zero to One is really instructive on VC and on startups”) and CEO Alex Karp.

8. Personal Reflection: Golf Blunders and Consumer Behavior

• [03:12]
  • Becker shares a humorous anecdote:

    “When I choke or miss a shot in golf… my first instinct is of course to blame the club and run to the PGA Store or the Golf Galaxy. Then I reflect and I generally realize the problem is me, not the club. Finally… I'll often run to the PGA Store anyways. It is what it is. I really need a 12 step program for golf and buying golf clubs.”
    (Scott Becker, 03:24)

  • Commentary on self-awareness and shopping habits.

9. Full ‘Magnificent Seven’ Stock Rundown

• [03:44] Year-to-date performance:
  • Alphabet (Google): +34%
  • Amazon: +5.5%
  • Tesla: +5.5%
  • Apple: –2%
  • Meta Platforms: +33%
  • Microsoft: +23%
  • Nvidia: +33.5%
• Recap:
  • “Alphabet leading the pack. But Nvidia and Meta Platforms right there with it. Apple is the least of the Magnificent Seven, down 2% year to date.” (Scott Becker, 03:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Market Watching:

  “We regularly look at these numbers partly to understand how we're doing against those. It is what it is.”
  (Scott Becker, 00:39)

• On US Competitiveness & Immigration:

  “We need to be a beacon for the best and brightest and to be the most entrepreneurial country in the world.”
  (Scott Becker, 02:42)

• On Investing Icons:

  “Microsoft and Berkshire Hathaway seem to show up on most investment list… Waste Management is a stock that people talk about as one to sort of buy and hold.”
  (Scott Becker, 01:54)

• On Consumer Habits (Golf Buying):

  “I really need a 12 step program for golf and buying golf clubs.”
  (Scott Becker, 03:35)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Market Performance Update: 00:19 – 00:47
• Index Performance Discussion: 00:31 – 00:47
• Apple’s Recent Moves: 00:48 – 01:13
• Tesla & Insider Buying: 01:13 – 01:31
• Gates Foundation Portfolio Insights: 01:31 – 02:10
• H1B Visa Fee Discussion: 02:10 – 02:54
• Palantir’s Surge & Peter Thiel: 02:54 – 03:12
• Golf/Consumer Habits Reflection: 03:12 – 03:44
• Magnificent Seven Stock Rundown: 03:44 – End

Tone & Style

Scott Becker maintains a brisk, data-driven tone mixed with personal insights and humor—particularly evident in his golf anecdote. The episode feels like a rapid-fire business briefing spiked with opinions and practical reminders for entrepreneurs and investors to stay vigilant, resilient, and open-minded.

This summary captures the actionable headlines, Scott Becker’s unique voice, quotable moments, and a structured takeaway for listeners—whether they missed the episode or want to revisit key points.