Summary3 min read

Becker Business Podcast Summary

Episode: Palantir, KKR, & Intel: The Good, the Bad, & the Ugly 5-12-26
Host: Scott Becker
Date: May 12, 2026

Episode Overview

Scott Becker offers a concise, insightful review of three major companies he closely follows—Palantir, KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co.), and Intel. He breaks down their recent performance, shares his personal portfolio perspective, and draws out lessons from their contrasting fortunes in the market so far in 2026. The main theme: "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly" of recent business news cycles.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Palantir—“The Ugly”

Performance:
- Down 22% year to date.
- Once the “darling” of Scott’s portfolio this year, but performing poorly recently.
Host Insight:
- There’s a high demand for Palantir’s software, so its woes are primarily about the inability to scale quickly enough rather than a lack of demand.
- Cites a recent article:
  - “Great article about it in Bar Chart. Palantir stock is a high class problem. Demand for its software is far outpacing supply.” (Scott Becker, [01:01])
Personal Angle:
- Scott remains an investor in Palantir, albeit a small part of his portfolio.

2. KKR (and other PE Giants)—“The Bad”

Performance:
- KKR is down 20% year to date.
- Blackstone and Apollo, other mega private equity firms, are struggling similarly.
Industry Insight:
- Main challenge: difficulty achieving lucrative exits on investments.
- However, these firms still see growth in “assets under management” and “management fees.”
- Phrased as:
  - “They’re having trouble getting great exits, but they are having assets grow so they’re doing okay in that regard…” (Scott Becker, [01:49])
Broader Context:
- Private equity firms as a category are facing systemic headwinds, not just company-specific problems.

3. Intel—“The Good”

Performance:
- A huge winner, up nearly 223-240% year to date.
Executive Leadership Impact:
- Scott highlights his regret at not investing when Intel’s new CEO took over, suggesting dynamic leadership has driven this stellar performance.
Memorable Comment:
- “Intel is now near up nearly 223-240% year to date. Such an insane number. I missed betting in this one. I wish I did.” (Scott Becker, [02:20])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Palantir:
- “Palantir, which was the darling of my portfolio this year, is down 22% year to date. Great article about it in Bar Chart. Palantir stock is a high class problem. Demand for its software is far outpacing supply.” – Scott Becker, [01:01]
On Private Equity Sector:
- “The mega private equity fund stocks and fund companies continue to struggle, down 20% year to date. Blackstone also struggling. Apollo also struggling. None of these are in and themselves in a class. They’re all having similar problems.” – Scott Becker, [01:38]
On Intel’s Surge:
- “The third stock is the stock that I wish I’d bet on when the new CEO took over. He’s done just a remarkable job. Intel is now near up nearly 223-240% year to date. Such an insane number.” – Scott Becker, [02:20]

Episode Structure with Timestamps

Introduction & Purpose – [00:27]
Palantir Discussion – [00:45]
- Performance, demand issues, Bar Chart article
KKR & Private Equity Overview – [01:15]
- Industry struggles, asset growth, fee growth
Intel’s Rise – [02:08]
- CEO impact, major stock price rally
Quick Recap – [02:34]
- The good (Intel), the bad (KKR/PE), the ugly (Palantir)

Takeaway

Scott Becker provides a fast-paced, practical pulse check on these major business players, with frank personal insights and a clear snapshot of current market dynamics. The main message: leadership change can transform a company’s fortunes (Intel), even elite firms can struggle (KKR, Blackstone, Apollo), and high demand doesn’t always guarantee stock success (Palantir).

Loading summary

Transcript2 lines

[00:00]
A
Great companies aren't built on average talent. In private equity backed high growth businesses, the right operator changes everything. Onward Headhunting partners with founders, operators and investors to build elite finance strategy and operations teams. From early hires to exit ready leadership, we deliver the talent that drives outcomes. If you are scaling or transacting, go onward. Visit onward headhunting.com or find us on LinkedIn to learn more.
[00:27]
B
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. So I'm going to talk today about three of the areas and companies that I follow a lot. The first is essentially Palantir and of course I'm an investor in Palantir. Small part of my overall portfolio. But Palantir, which was the darling of my portfolio this year, is down 22% year to date. Great article about it in Bar Chart. Palantir stock is a high class problem. Demand for its software is far outpacing supply. So that's Palantir. That's number one today. The second thing I'll talk about again, a thing we talk about often, KKR. KKR is down 20% year to date. The mega private equity fund stocks and fund companies continue to struggle, down 20% year to date. Blackstone also struggling. Apollo also struggling. None of these are in and themselves in a class. They're all having similar problems. They're having trouble getting great exits, but they are having assets grow so they're doing okay in that regard. Assets under management. Management fees are still growing, but again KKR down 20% year to date. The third stock is the stock that I wish I'd bet on when the new CEO took over. He's done just a remarkable job. Intel is now near up nearly 223 240% year to date. Such an insane number. I missed betting in this one. I wish I did. Again. Today's brief discussion you'll hear this on Tuesday morning is kkr, intel and Palentier. The good, the bad and the ugly. We hope you love this. We hope you enjoy it. The good is Obviously intel up 240%. The bad is the PE stocks and the ugliest P&T down 20% year to date. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast.