Becker Business Podcast: "Palantir Starts to Sink"

Date: August 19, 2025
Host: Scott Becker

Episode Overview

In this concise episode, Scott Becker tackles the latest downturn in Palantir Technologies’ stock. He breaks down four succinct points about the ongoing slump, offers a snapshot of Palantir's recent performance, and comments on the impact of short selling from influential player Andrew Left. The episode provides business news enthusiasts with an up-to-the-minute pulse on a major market mover.

Key Discussion Points

1. Palantir’s Stock Drops Sharply

• Palantir shares are down approximately 6% on the day.
• This marks the fifth consecutive day of losses, which Scott notes as the longest losing streak he can recall for the company.

"Palantir is down about 6% today. Second, it's his fifth day in a row being down. That's the longest losing streak I can remember for Palantir."
— Scott Becker [00:15]

2. Contextualizing the Recent Decline

• Over the last five days, Palantir stock is down a total of 12%.
• Becker emphasizes the unusual nature of the streak while acknowledging that longer downturns may have occurred in the past, but not in recent memory.

"Down again 6% today, 12% the last five days. Five days in a row being down."
— Scott Becker [00:23]

3. Big Picture: Still Up Year-to-Date

• Despite the correction, Palantir's stock has soared roughly 117% year-to-date.
• The company remains significantly up over the past 52 weeks.

"It's still up about 117% year to date and up a huge amount over the last 52 weeks."
— Scott Becker [00:30]

• Personal context: Scott mentions he is an individual investor in Palantir, bringing a personal lens to his attention on the stock.

"But we are individual investors in Palantir, so I watch it closely and hope that it does well."
— Scott Becker [00:35]

4. Short Selling Pressure from Andrew Left

• Notable short seller Andrew Left has announced that he’s shorting Palantir.
• Scott highlights the influence prominent short sellers can have, noting that their public positions often cause stress for company leadership and shareholders.

"One of the short sellers, Andrew Left, is announced that he's shorting Palantir and that always [brings] some panic in CEOs and founders and stockholders, quite frankly."
— Scott Becker [00:41]

• Final takeaway: Facing scrutiny from short sellers is a challenge for any high-growth or major public company.

"Always for companies: no fun when the short sellers start to get you in their crosshairs, which is what's happening at least with one notable short seller, Andrew Left and Palantir."
— Scott Becker [00:48]

Notable Quotes

• On the current streak:
  "That's the longest losing streak I can remember for Palantir."
  — Scott Becker [00:17]

• On personal investment:
  "We are individual investors in Palantir, so I watch it closely and hope that it does well."
  — Scott Becker [00:35]

• On short sellers:
  "No fun when the short sellers start to get you in their crosshairs, which is what's happening at least with one notable short seller, Andrew Left and Palantir."
  — Scott Becker [00:48]

Takeaways

• Palantir has entered a notable losing streak, but its long-term gains remain very strong.
• The involvement of famed short seller Andrew Left has raised anxiety among investors and company stakeholders.
• Scott Becker provides a measured, investor-focused perspective with concise data points relevant to current and prospective Palantir shareholders.