Becker Business Podcast: “No Good News: Part 2” (November 14, 2025)
Host: Scott Becker

Episode Overview

In this concise episode, host Scott Becker returns with part two of his “No Good News” series, delivering a rapid-fire rundown of five troubling business developments. With his signature light humor and directness, Becker offers his perspective on recent downturns in key stocks and ongoing global financial uncertainties.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oracle’s Sudden Downturn

• [00:15] Deemed as a major surprise, Oracle—previously performing exceptionally well—has seen its stock drop by 30% within the past month.
  • Quote: “Oracle, which had been on fire all year, is now down 30% this past month.”
• Becker frames this as a dramatic reversal, highlighting the unpredictability in tech markets.

2. Uncertainty Around Federal Reserve Rate Cuts

• [00:30] Rising uncertainty that the Federal Reserve won’t cut interest rates in December is causing anxiety in the stock market.
  • Quote: “Second, there's more concern that the Fed won't cut rates in December, and that's causing some angst in the stock market, at least yesterday.”
• Although markets have been volatile, Becker notes that “today, the market seems relatively flat,” suggesting ongoing instability.

3. Plummeting Investment in China

• [00:50] Scott references China’s sharp decline in foreign investment, describing it as their “worst investment in years this past month.”
  • Quote: “…we're trying to have a detente with [China], saw its worst investment in China in years this past month… less and less people investing in China.”
• He signals this as a fascinating, ongoing trend to watch, especially as global political and economic relations evolve.

4. Robinhood’s Minor Stock Drop

• [01:20] The trading platform Robinhood saw a modest dip.
  • Quote: “Robinhood, the stock... dropped above 0.6% yesterday. We'll see how that recovers.”
• Becker’s tone is measured here, distinguishing it from more significant declines elsewhere.

5. Palantir’s Steep 10% Decrease (with Personal Stake)

• [01:35] Candidly sharing he’s personally invested in Palantir, Becker discusses its significant drop.
  • Quote: “One of the stocks that I actually am an investor in, Palantir, dropped 10% over the last two days.”
• With self-deprecating humor, he adds a quip:
  • Quote: “How do we know that the stock is crashing? I'm invested in it. I say that jokingly. I'm doing great.” [01:45]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Oracle’s Plunge:
  “Oracle, which had been on fire all year, is now down 30% this past month.” [00:15]

• On Fed Rate Uncertainty:
  “…there's more concern that the Fed won't cut rates in December, and that's causing some angst in the stock market…” [00:30]

• On Investment in China:
  “…less and less people investing in China. And that's just fascinating to watch.” [01:00]

• Light Humor about Losing Stocks:
  “How do we know that the stock is crashing? I'm invested in it. I say that jokingly. I'm doing great.” [01:45]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:15 – Oracle’s 30% decline
• 00:30 – Stock market anxieties over Fed inaction
• 00:50 – China’s worst investment levels in years
• 01:20 – Robinhood’s slight drop
• 01:35 – Palantir’s 10% drop and Becker’s humorous take
• 01:45 – Notable Becker quote on bad investments

Tone & Style

Becker’s delivery remains conversational, direct, and lightly humorous—especially when discussing his personal investment losses. The episode offers a rapid, news-driven snapshot without technical jargon, making it accessible for all business news listeners.

Summary for Non-Listeners:
This episode of Becker Business is a succinct rundown of five negative financial stories Scott Becker believes listeners should track, ranging from Oracle’s sharp fall to a broader chill on investments in China. The host’s candid, often self-mocking humor keeps a heavy subject engaging and relatable.