Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast

Host: Scott Becker
Episode: 16 Stories We Are Following Today 8-27-25
Date: August 27, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Becker offers a rapid-fire rundown of sixteen key stories and updates shaping business, private equity, and markets on August 27, 2025. Covering everything from stock movements and industry trends to lighter culture news and personal reflections, the episode provides a wide-angle snapshot of the day’s most relevant headlines. Becker intersperses financial analysis with event announcements, inspirational quotes, and even some Twitter humor, keeping the conversation engaging and dynamic.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Market Movements & Nvidia Earnings

• [00:07] Markets rose the previous day and are poised for a modest uptick at the open.
• Major focus: Anticipation around Nvidia’s earnings report, coming after market close. Its results are expected to significantly influence overall market sentiment.
  • Quote: "A lot depends on Nvidia. What happens with the Nvidia earnings..." (Scott Becker, 00:12)

2. European Union Tariff Developments

• [00:23] EU announces intent to fast-track the removal of tariffs on industrial goods by week’s end.
  • Quote: "The EU said that it will... get rid of tariffs on industrial goods by the end of this week." (Scott Becker, 00:24)

3. Business Events & Opportunities

• [00:38] Virtual event with three sessions focused on private equity, startups, and AI scheduled for September 25th. Listeners are invited to register.
  • For registration: "Text Scott Becker 773-766-5322" (Scott Becker, 00:45)

4. Major Moves in Corporate America

• [00:48] EchoStar Corporation shares surged 70% as AT&T agreed to purchase $23 billion in wireless licenses—a significant transaction in telecom.
• [01:03] Eli Lilly up 5%+ on strong results for its weight loss pill, potentially an alternative to popular injectables.

5. Electric Vehicle & Leisure Industry Stock Performance

• [01:20] Lucid Motors is down 45% year-to-date, while Rivian remains flat. Recommended reading: Motley Fool article comparing the two.
• [01:30] Six Flags stock continues its downturn, nearly 50% down YTD (cited: Wall Street Journal).

6. Restoration Hardware & Market Pressure

• [01:43] RH drops more than 4% in a single day, now down 44% YTD.
• [02:01] Both RH and Wayfair stocks sell off amid tariffs targeting furniture, attributed to Trump-era policies.

7. Upcoming Conferences & Podcast Recordings

• [02:19] Announcement: Becker team will record podcasts at the McGuire Woods Healthcare Growth and Operations Conference in Charlotte on September 16-17.
  • Shows recording: Becker Business, Private Equity, and Healthcare Podcasts.

8. Notable Quotes on Life & Leadership

• [02:43] James Clear on letting go:
  • Quote: “At some point you have to learn to let go. There’s an endless list of obligations, expectations, desires and ambitions and worries and fears will always be ready to insert themselves. At some point you have to let them go. There’s never going to be enough.” (Scott Becker quoting James Clear, 02:43)
• [03:14] Blake Burge on Twitter shares “Underrated life advice”:
  • Quote: “Be easy to deal with. Be kind when others can’t. Reliable under pressure. Be someone who lightens the load for folks around them. Make life easier for others.” (Scott Becker referencing Blake Burge, 03:15)

9. Pop Culture Moment

• [03:38] Trending tweet jokes about rumored Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift engagement:
  • Quote: “It’s going to be strange to see the Swift name on the back of a Chief’s jersey. Poking fun... at Travis Kelce.” (Scott Becker, 03:41)

10. Philanthropy & Community Support

• [03:50] Becker pledges to match up to $5,000 in donations to National Medical Fellowships (NMF). Interested listeners are encouraged to contact him for details.

11. Political Commentary

• [04:10] Becker briefly comments on political rumors involving Donald Trump and RFK:
  • Quote: “I don’t care that much that Donald Trump gave RFK sort of his position in exchange for RFK dropping out of the election. I do care that RFK is in office still. At the end of the day, I do think he’s a bit of an imbecile... I love smarter people running health care in our country.” (Scott Becker, 04:16)

Memorable Quotes

• On letting go:
  “At some point you have to learn to let go. There’s an endless list of obligations, expectations, desires and ambitions and worries and fears will always be ready to insert themselves... There’s never going to be enough.”
  — James Clear, quoted by Scott Becker [02:43]

• On kindness in leadership:
  “Be easy to deal with. Be kind when others can’t. Reliable under pressure. Be someone who lightens the load for folks around them. Make life easier for others.”
  — Blake Burge, referenced by Scott Becker [03:15]

• On pop culture news:
  “It’s going to be strange to see the Swift name on the back of a Chief’s jersey.”
  — Scott Becker sharing Twitter humor [03:41]

• On political fitness:
  “At the end of the day, I do think he’s a bit of an imbecile... I love smarter people running health care in our country.”
  — Scott Becker [04:18]

Timestamps for Key Topics

• 00:07 – Market overview & Nvidia focus
• 00:23 – EU tariff developments
• 00:38 – Business event announcement
• 00:48 – EchoStar & AT&T deal; Eli Lilly update
• 01:20 – Lucid vs. Rivian; Six Flags’ struggles
• 01:43 – Restoration Hardware’s decline
• 02:01 – Tariffs impact on RH and Wayfair
• 02:19 – Upcoming conference in Charlotte
• 02:43 – James Clear quote on letting go
• 03:14 – Blake Burge’s life advice
• 03:38 – Travis Kelce & Taylor Swift joke
• 03:50 – National Medical Fellowships donation match
• 04:10 – Trump/RFK political commentary

Episode Tone & Style

Becker delivers the stories in a quick-paced, conversational manner, blending straightforward market reporting with accessible insights, humor, and motivational asides. The episode balances investment news with broader leadership and life wisdom appeals.

This summary unpacks the main developments and character of the episode, providing a complete picture for listeners or readers who missed the broadcast.