Summary4 min read

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast
Host: Scott Becker
Episode: Microsoft is Rebounding: 4 Quick Points 6-2-26
Date: June 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Scott Becker discusses Microsoft's recent rebound in the stock market, offering his reflections as both a commentator and direct shareholder. He highlights key data on Microsoft’s current status among top tech companies, analyzes the leadership success of CEO Satya Nadella, and shares thoughts on broader tech industry criticism. The episode is concise, focused, and mixes financial insight with personal perspective.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Microsoft’s Market Performance in 2026

Microsoft had been underperforming within the “Magnificent Seven” tech stocks for much of the year, even being described as “the laggard.”
- “It’s been the laggard in the magnificent seven most of this year.” (00:28)
Earlier in the year, Microsoft stock was down 20-25%. It has since rebounded and is now down only about 5% year-to-date.
The stock made significant gains recently, jumping about 5.5% on Friday and rising again on Monday at the time of recording.
- “The stock jumped about 5 1/2% on Friday. It’s up again on Monday at least as we record…” (00:45)

2. Current Market Cap Ranking

Microsoft is currently the fourth largest publicly traded company, following Nvidia, Alphabet, and Apple.
- “It’s the fourth largest stock out of the large market cap stocks. The five biggest, it’s number four, Nvidia is number one, Alphabet’s number two, Apple’s number three. Microsoft is fourth with the market cap currently of about $3.4 trillion.” (01:04)
While it peaked closer to $3.7 or $4 trillion at one point, Becker celebrates its “remarkable” recovery.

3. Satya Nadella’s Transformative Leadership

Becker emphasizes Satya Nadella’s extraordinary tenure as CEO, framing him as one of the greatest business leaders of this era.
Under Nadella’s leadership (since 2014), Microsoft’s market cap grew from about $300 billion to $3.3 or $3.4 trillion.
- “The take home message from Microsoft might be don’t bet against Satya Nadella, the CEO. Satya… has had one of the greatest CEO runs in business history. He became CEO in 2014. Then the company is worth about $300 billion. Now it’s worth more than $3.3 trillion.” (01:35)

4. Core Business and AI Progress

Microsoft’s AI Azure business and its core operations are cited as moving back in the right direction after a period of investor worry.
Earlier anxieties over Microsoft’s software business seem to be dissipating as positive momentum builds.

5. Personal Reflections on Investing

Becker relates a lesson about the challenge of timing individual stocks: Microsoft’s earlier dip was a reminder of the value of staying diversely invested.
- “It reminded me this year when it’s down 20, 25% on why I should stick to index funds.” (00:18)
He expresses personal satisfaction as a current Microsoft shareholder.

6. Commentary on "Tech Bros" Criticism

Becker briefly addresses (and pushes back on) growing criticism of wealthy tech leaders and the so-called “tech bros.”
- “There’s all this discussion recently about the Tech Bros being so bad. I don’t really get what all this is about… The tech bros, the so-called tech bros, you know, have created so much wealth and so much opportunity for so many over the last decades that it’s fascinating for me to watch the slamming of the tech bros.” (02:15)
He teases a separate full episode on this subject.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

“Microsoft is quite on the rebound. Its AI Azure business, its core business moving in the right direction after people being very concerned about the software business earlier this year or until recently.” (01:56)
“Don’t bet against Satya Nadella, the CEO.” (01:35)
“It reminded me this year when it’s down 20, 25% on why I should stick to index funds.” (00:18)
“The tech bros... have created so much wealth and so much opportunity for so many over the last decades that it’s really fascinating for me to watch the slamming of the tech bros.” (02:25)

Timestamps for Key Segments

Microsoft’s recent rebound, as a shareholder’s perspective: 00:00–00:28
Market comparisons, current rankings, and market cap details: 00:28–01:17
Satya Nadella’s leadership impact since 2014: 01:17–01:56
AI and business core performance improvements: 01:56–02:08
Quick commentary on ‘Tech Bros’ criticism: 02:08–02:40

Tone & Final Thoughts

Scott Becker’s tone is upbeat, direct, and lightly personal, reflecting his dual role as analyst and investor. He mixes market data with investment philosophy, giving listeners context and actionable insights, while also previewing future topics of interest.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Business and the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Today's discussion is Microsoft is rebounding five quick points. And I have to tell you, Microsoft were holders with Microsoft directly in our portfolio. So we are thrilled to see it rebounding again. And it reminded me this year when it's down 20, 25% on why I should stick to index funds. But at least today the news is better. So here's what's going on with Microsoft. It was, it's been the laggard in the magnificent seven most of this year. It still may be close to that but now it's down about 5% year to date versus 25% year to date. And as a Microsoft holder, as I said, I'm thrilled about that. The Stock jumped about 5 1/2% on Friday. It's up again on Monday at least as we record it's up Monday. So it's brought itself back from the absolute horrendous shape to much better shape. It's the fourth largest stock out of the large market cap stocks. The five biggest, it's number four, Nvidia is number one, Alphabet's number two, Apple's number three. Microsoft is fourth with the market cap currently of about $3.4 trillion. Simply remarkable. Yes, at one point it was closer up to 3.7 or 4, but God bless it for being back here. No, it's no longer the leader in the market cap stocks but fourth isn't bad and well above 3.3 trillion. Again, way above 3 trillion. The take home message from Microsoft might be don't bet against Satya Nadella, the CEO. Satya, the Microsoft CEO has had one of the greatest CEO runs in business history. He became CEO in 2014. Then the company is worth about $300 billion. Now it's worth more than $3.3 trillion. Close to $3.4 trillion today. And again Microsoft is quite on the rebound. It's AI Azure business. It's core business moving in the right direction after people being very concerned about the software business earlier this year or until recently. So that's what we're seeing with Microsoft Worth thrilled to see the rebound again. We're a holder so we're excited about it. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Always looking for suggestions and things to cover. Feel free anytime to reach out to Scott Becker. Give us your suggestions, give us your thoughts. We will have one other commentary today. There's all this discussion recently about the Tech Bros Being so bad. I don't really get what all this is about. You know, people could hate the development of technology, they could hate rich people, they could hate billionaires. But the tech bros, the so called tech bros, you know, have created so much wealth and so much opportunity for so many over the last decades that it's really fascinating for me to watch slamming of the tech bros. We'll probably do a separate podcast on that just because it's fascinating to watch this hatred and scapegoating. Thank you for listening to the Becker Business, the Becker Private Equity podcast.