Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast: Episode Summary Title: 3 Stories We Are Following Today
Host: Scott Becker
Release Date: June 24, 2025

1. The Surge of Rideshare Companies and Tesla's Rebound

In the opening segment, Scott Becker delves into the significant uptrend observed in rideshare companies and Tesla, attributing their surge to a pivotal shift towards autonomous vehicles.

Key Points:

• Rideshare Growth: Uber has experienced a remarkable 50% increase year-to-date, while Lyft has seen a 22% rise. This growth is largely driven by the companies' strategic move towards integrating self-driving technology, which reduces reliance on human drivers.

• Tesla's Rebound: Similarly, Tesla is enjoying a resurgence, parallel to rideshare companies, due to its investments in autonomous driving capabilities.

• Economic Implications: Transitioning to driverless vehicles is projected to significantly benefit these companies' bottom lines by eliminating substantial labor costs and the necessity of sharing profits with drivers. However, this advancement poses a considerable threat to individuals who depend on these jobs as a safety net.

Notable Quotes:

• "Each company increasingly sees a future with cars but not drivers." [00:30]
• "This is going to be ultimately good for their bottom line because they'll get big rid of one of their biggest expenses, which is the labor expense and sharing money with the drivers." [00:45]
• "This may be very scary for all those people that sort of rely on these jobs that are somewhat safety net jobs." [01:10]

2. Apple: The Underdog Among the Magnificent Seven

Becker presents an unexpected development in the tech sector, highlighting Apple's underperformance relative to its peers.

Key Points:

• Performance Metrics: Apple stands out as the worst performing among the "Magnificent Seven" tech companies in the current year, with a 20% decline year-to-date. In comparison:

  • Tesla: Down by 15%
  • Alphabet (Google): Decreased by 12%
  • Amazon: Fell by 3%
  • Microsoft: Up by 16%
  • Meta Platforms (Facebook): Leading with a 20% increase
  • Nvidia: Gained 9.5%

• Market Implications: This shift marks a rare occurrence where a leading tech giant like Apple lags behind its counterparts, signaling potential shifts in market dynamics and investor confidence.

Notable Quotes:

• "Apple is the worst performing of the magnificent seven year to date. It's down 20% year to date." [02:15]
• "So that's the second story we're following today. The rideshare companies in the Magnificent seven and Apple being last in the Magnificent seven." [03:00]
• "I don't remember the last time that's happened." [03:05]

3. The Evolving Landscape for White-Collar Young Professionals

The final story addresses the changing job market for young white-collar professionals, emphasizing the heightened expectations and competitive environment.

Key Points:

• Post-COVID Job Market: During and immediately after the COVID-19 pandemic, the white-collar job market was exceptionally robust, favoring employees with ample opportunities and job security.

• Current Challenges: Presently, major accounting and consulting firms are becoming more selective, imposing stricter standards on young, talented professionals. Even those who previously excelled and met expectations are finding it increasingly difficult to maintain their positions.

• Call for Excellence: Becker underscores the necessity for professionals to not just perform adequately but to strive for excellence. The demand is to be among the best in their respective fields, echoing Jack Welch's philosophy of being first or second in the market.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's a vast reminder and really a kick in the butt, a kick in the face that you can't just be good at what you do, you have to be great." [04:20]
• "The higher the paying the job, the less replaceable the job is in, the more that you better be obsessed with greatness in adding value." [04:40]
• "How can you be a beast at what you do? To use common parlance, how can you be in Jack Welch's old words first or second in your market or one of the best at what you do." [05:00]

Conclusion

In this episode of the Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast, Scott Becker presents three compelling stories that shed light on current trends and challenges in the business and economic landscape:

1. Rideshare and Tesla's Growth: The pivot towards autonomous vehicles is reshaping these industries, benefiting companies financially while posing risks to the workforce.

2. Apple's Underperformance: Among leading tech giants, Apple is experiencing a downturn, highlighting shifting market dynamics.

3. Job Market for Young Professionals: The evolving expectations in white-collar industries demand higher levels of excellence and value addition from emerging professionals.

Becker's insightful analysis provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of these pivotal issues, emphasizing the need for adaptation and excellence in a rapidly changing economic environment.

Thank you for tuning into the Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast. Stay informed and ahead in the world of business with Scott Becker.