KKR Doesn’t Disappoint 9-11-25 - Becker Business

Summary2 min read

Becker Business Podcast: "KKR Doesn’t Disappoint 9-11-25"

Host: Scott Becker
Date: September 11, 2025

Episode Overview

In this concise episode, Scott Becker offers a snapshot of KKR's performance in the private equity world, comparing it to other major players such as The Carlyle Group, Apollo, and Blackstone. Key takeaways include reflections on KKR's long-term value, recent returns, and the enduring wisdom of trusting established financial leaders.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

KKR’s Performance in 2025

Scott Becker discusses KKR’s performance relative to other private equity giants.
- “KKR is not performing nearly as well this year as Carlyle Group, which is leading all the private equity big asset managers. It's up about 25% year to date. However, KKR is still up almost 300% over the last five years, more than 300% of the last five years.” (00:31)
KKR is slightly down on the day of recording, but Becker emphasizes its overall success.

Comparison with Other Private Equity Firms

Carlyle Group: “Leading all the private equity big asset managers. It's up about 25% year to date.” (00:38)
Blackstone: Performing similarly to KKR in the current year.
Apollo: Trailing KKR’s long-term performance.

KKR’s Legacy and Status

Becker refers to KKR as “the OG of the private equity business” and reinforces its foundational role and ongoing influence.
- “KKR sort of the original, the OG of the private equity business. And I guess the lesson is you don't bet against kkr. It's still performing tremendously...” (00:47)
The underlying message: don’t underestimate industry veterans.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On KKR’s enduring success:
“Even though it's down a little bit today, KKR sort of the original, the, the OG of the private equity business. And I guess the lesson is you don't bet against KKR.” — Scott Becker (00:45)
On industry comparison:
“Still performing tremendously better than a Powell Group this year. About the same as Blackstone, not as well as Carlyle Group. But in the big scheme of things, I think the answer is don't bet against KKR. Just really bright people. Still at it. Still impressive.” — Scott Becker (00:54)

Additional Notes

Scott Becker briefly celebrates the podcast’s ranking:
“Thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast and the Becker Private Equity Podcast ranked number one this week in the Apple Business News Podcast rankings.” (01:10)
He previews an upcoming live recording in Charlotte at the McGuire Woods Healthcare Growth and Operations Conference.

Timestamps for Highlights

00:31: Start of KKR performance analysis.
00:38: Carlyle Group's standout performance.
00:45: KKR as the "OG" and lesson not to bet against them.
00:54: Comparisons across industry players.
01:10: Podcast’s Apple Business News ranking noted.

Tone and Language

Scott Becker speaks with admiration for established private equity firms, particularly KKR.
The tone is both informative and conversational, reflecting Becker’s confidence in KKR’s continued relevance and superiority over the long run.

This episode offers a succinct, insightful comparison of leading private equity firms, highlighting the wisdom in trusting well-established industry leaders like KKR.

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Transcript2 lines

[00:02]
A
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[00:31]
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This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business Podcast. The Becker Private Equity Podcast. Today's discussion is KKR doesn't disappoint. So here's the deal with kkr. KKR is not performing nearly as well this year as Kyla Carlisle Group, which is leading all the private equity big asset managers. It's up about 25% year to date. However, KKR is still up almost 300% over the last five years, more than 300% of the last five years. So even though it's down a little bit today, KKR sort of the original, the, the OG of the private equity business. And I guess the lesson is you don't bet against kkr. It's still performing tremendously better than a Powell Group this year. About the same as Blackstone, not as well as Carlyle Group. But in the big scheme of things, I think the answer is don't bet against kkr. Just really bright people. Still at it. Still impressive. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast and the Becker Private Equity Podcast ranked number one this week in the Apple Business News Podcast rankings. Thank you for listening and thank you to our producer Chanel Bunger. I'm actually pleased today to I get to record next week in person in Charlotte with a whole group of people at the McGuire Woods Healthcare Growth and Operations Conference. And we'll have producers, super producers Chanel Bunger and Jeremy Core with us. So that's exciting as well. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business Podcast. The Becker Private Equity Podcast. Thank you very, very much.