Episode Overview

Podcast: Becker Business
Host: Scott Becker
Episode: The Magnificent 7 & Their YTD Results 9-22-25
Release Date: September 22, 2025

In this concise episode, Scott Becker breaks down the year-to-date (YTD) performance of the "Magnificent Seven"—the top seven tech stocks shaping market headlines. Becker provides a snapshot of each company’s returns, shares his take on the ongoing tech market cap race, and notes legal and regulatory issues in play.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Magnificent Seven: YTD Performance (Alphabetical Order)

1. Alphabet (Google)

• YTD Performance: Up 34%
• Observations:
  • Alphabet leads all Magnificent Seven stocks so far this year.
  • Faces significant challenges: "no shortage of problems from a legal and regulatory perspective."
    • (00:31) “Alphabet Google is the leader of the pack up 34% year to date, but faces no shortage of problems from a legal and regulatory perspective.” – Scott Becker

2. Amazon

• YTD Performance: Up 5.5%
• Observations:
  • Solidly positive, but well behind the top performers.

3. Apple

• YTD Performance: Down 2%
• Unique Point:
  • “Apple is the only Magnificent Seven stock that's underwater. It’s down 2% year to date. It's been moving in the right direction.” (01:10)
• Market Cap Status:
  • Has dropped from the #1 spot; now #3 in the overall U.S. market cap race.

4. Meta Platforms (Facebook)

• YTD Performance: Up 33%
• Grouping Note:
  • Along with Nvidia and Alphabet, one of the top gainers this year: “Meta platforms with Nvidia and Alphabet Google are all about 33, 34% year to date. So almost exactly in the same spot.” (01:20)

5. Microsoft

• YTD Performance: Up 22.8%
• Notable Observation:
  • Continues to perform reliably:
    • “Microsoft's like the little company that keeps on coming. I shouldn't say the little company, the behemoth, keeps on performing.” (02:06)
  • Holding the #2 spot in U.S. market capitalization, now trailing only Nvidia.

6. Nvidia

• YTD Performance: Up 33.5%
• Commentary:
  • Groups closely with Meta and Alphabet for best YTD performance.

7. Tesla

• YTD Performance: Up 5.5%
• Placement Note:
  • "Tesla's also up exactly 5.5% year to date, or right about there." (00:55)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• (00:31) “Alphabet Google is the leader of the pack up 34% year to date, but faces no shortage of problems from a legal and regulatory perspective.” – Scott Becker
• (01:10) “Apple is the only Magnificent Seven stock that's underwater. It’s down 2% year to date. It's been moving in the right direction.” – Scott Becker
• (01:20) “Meta platforms with Nvidia and Alphabet Google are all about 33, 34% year to date. So almost exactly in the same spot to just tie onto that. Meta platforms is up 33% year to date. That's, you know, Facebook, of course.” – Scott Becker
• (02:06) “Microsoft's like the little company that keeps on coming. I shouldn't say the little company, the behemoth, keeps on performing. They're up 23% year to date. And in terms of the overall market cap race, they are right behind Nvidia as the largest market cap company in America.” – Scott Becker
• (02:25) “Apple was in that spot for years and is now down to third and staying with it, but not accelerating like Nvidia and Microsoft.” – Scott Becker

Market Cap Race & Broader Observations

• Nvidia & Microsoft: Now clearly holding the top two U.S. market cap spots, Apple declining to third.
• Legal & Regulatory Headwinds: Alphabet (Google) is under increasing scrutiny, which could complicate continued outperformance.
• General Trend: While Alphabet, Meta, and Nvidia are enjoying standout years, Amazon and Tesla’s moderate gains, and Apple’s slight decline, highlight diverging fortunes across the Magnificent Seven.

Episode Structure at a Glance

• [00:00 – 00:50]: Introduction and Alphabet (Google) performance/review
• [00:51 – 01:10]: Amazon, Tesla, and Apple segment
• [01:11 – 01:32]: Meta, Nvidia, and comparison among top gainers
• [01:33 – 02:25]: Microsoft’s performance and the ongoing market cap race
• [02:26 – End]: Final summary and thanks

Conclusion

Scott Becker’s incisive rundown offers listeners a timely snapshot of the tech market’s powerhouses. Dominant winners (Alphabet, Meta, Nvidia), reliable stalwarts (Microsoft), middle performers (Amazon, Tesla), and a rare laggard (Apple) are all reviewed with Becker’s trademark candor and insight. The brief episode offers both concrete numbers and context for interpreting 2025’s extraordinary tech stock landscape.