Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast: Episode 14 Summary Release Date: August 6, 2025
Host: Scott Becker
Podcast Description: Discussions about private equity and business with Scott Becker
In Episode 14 of the Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast, host Scott Becker delves into 14 pivotal stories shaping the current business and private equity landscape. Covering market movements, corporate earnings, industry trends, and strategic deals, Becker provides listeners with a comprehensive overview of the day's most impactful news. Here's a detailed summary of the episode:
1. Market Fluctuations
Becker opens the episode by addressing recent market movements. "The markets fell yesterday, but are pointing up today," he notes at [00:12]. As of midday on August 6, 2025, the markets were trending positively, though Becker emphasizes the hope for a strong close.
2. Snapchat's Decline
Snapchat faces a significant drop, with shares plunging over 17% due to declining ad revenues. Becker states at [01:05], "Its loss for the second quarter grew to $263 million," highlighting investor concerns over the company's financial performance.
3. Hims and Hers' Revenue Miss
Telehealth company Hims and Hers narrowly missed its revenue estimates. Nevertheless, shares surged by more than 12% on Tuesday. Becker remarks at [02:15], "It took it on the chin yesterday," indicating the stock's resilience despite the earnings miss.
4. Reducing Trade Deficit
The U.S. trade deficit decreased to $60.2 billion for June, the lowest in a couple of years. However, Becker cautions at [03:25], "It's not all good news because both exports and imports fell," pointing out that the reduction is due to a faster decline in imports, signaling slower overall trade growth.
5. Slowing Service Economy
The service sector shows signs of slowing down, as reported in June. Becker mentions layoffs in major consulting firms at [04:40], correlating these job cuts with the broader deceleration in the service economy.
6. Palantir's Revenue Surge
Palantir continues its upward trajectory with quarterly revenues exceeding $1 billion. At [05:50], Becker notes, "The stock jumped another nearly 8% on Tuesday," attributing the rise to strong financial performance.
7. Automotive Sector Concerns: Lucid Motors and Rivian
Both Lucid Motors and Rivian saw their shares decline after missing earnings estimates. Becker discusses concerns about the phasing out of government credits, posing the question at [07:10], "If a business relies on government credits, should it be a business at all?" He acknowledges the inherent risks of dependency on such incentives.
8. NFL's Stake in ESPN
In an unexpected move, the National Football League (NFL) acquires a 10% stake in Disney's ESPN. Becker describes the deal as "amazingly interesting" at [08:30], exploring its multifaceted implications and the strategic partnership between sports and media entities.
9. Tariff Impact Analysis
The Wall Street Journal reports that both political sides have overstated the effects of tariffs, with revenues in the billions but no significant economic disruptions to date. Becker summarizes at [09:45], emphasizing the absence of an "economic earthquake" despite large revenue figures.
10. Gartner's Stock Decline
Gartner experiences a more than 27% drop in stock value, despite surpassing revenue and earnings estimates. At [11:00], Becker explains that Gartner's core business is impacted by slower growth and rising concerns related to AI developments.
11. Alliance Bernstein's Positive Momentum
Alliance Bernstein is performing well, up nearly 8% year-to-date. Becker highlights at [12:20], "Some of the brightest people I know work there," underlining the firm's strong leadership and strategic direction.
12. Blackstone's Resilience
Blackstone, the leading alternative asset giant, is down approximately 3% year-to-date. Becker contextualizes this at [13:35], noting that while a 3% decline might seem negative, it's relatively stable in a challenging year for private equity firms. He also praises Blackstone's enhanced hiring strategies, likening it to Meta Platforms' approach to recruiting top talent.
13. Astero Labs' Growth
Astero Labs is experiencing significant growth, up 18% pre-market. Becker shares a personal connection at [15:00], mentioning, "We directly as a family own Astero Labs with shares in it," expressing enthusiasm for the company's upward trend, albeit attributing ownership to chance rather than strategic foresight.
14. FTI Consulting's Stability
FTI Consulting maintains steady performance and shows solid improvement. At [16:15], Becker commends the company's efforts in enhancing its recruiting capabilities in specific segments, contributing to its resilience and growth.
Conclusion
Scott Becker concludes the episode by thanking listeners and highlighting the podcast's achievement of ranking number one in the Apple Business News Podcast rankings for the week. The episode offers valuable insights into current market dynamics, corporate strategies, and industry trends, making it a must-listen for professionals in private equity and the broader business community.
Notable Quotes:
- "[...] If a business relies on government credits, should it be a business at all?" – Scott Becker [07:10]
- "The NFL is taking a 10% stake in Disney's ESPN. That's an amazingly interesting deal on so many different levels." – Scott Becker [08:30]
- "Blackstone is really starting to improve their hiring game as they reach out to some of the brightest people in the business." – Scott Becker [13:35]
This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions and insights presented by Scott Becker in Episode 14, providing listeners with a detailed understanding of the latest developments in private equity and business.