Episode Overview
Podcast: Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast
Host: Scott Becker
Episode Title: Palantir Starts to Sink 8-19-25
Date: August 19, 2025
Scott Becker provides a concise, data-focused report on Palantir’s recent stock performance, highlighting key figures, the role of short sellers, and personal reflections as an investor. The episode captures both current events and underlying tensions impacting major growth companies.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Palantir’s Current Stock Decline
- [00:06] Palantir’s stock price fell by 6% on the day of recording.
- “Palantir is down about 6% today.” — Scott Becker
2. Prolonged Losing Streak
- [00:15] The drop marks the company's fifth consecutive day of losses—the longest streak the host recalls.
- “It’s his fifth day in a row being down. That’s the longest losing streak I can remember for Pale…” — Scott Becker
- Palantir has lost 12% over this five-day period.
- “…down again 6% today, 12% the last five days, five days in a row being down.”
3. Broader Performance Context
- [00:29] Despite the recent dip, Palantir remains up about 117% year-to-date and has seen striking growth over the past 52 weeks.
- “It’s still up about 117% year-to-date and up a huge amount over the last 52 weeks.” — Scott Becker
- The host mentions personal investment in Palantir and an ongoing hope for recovery.
- “We are individual investors in Palantir, so I watch it closely and hope that it does well.” — Scott Becker
4. Impact of Short Sellers
- [00:47] Prominent short seller Andrew Left announced a short position in Palantir, contributing to market volatility and anxiety among stakeholders.
- “One of the short sellers, Andrew Left, is announced that he’s shorting Palantir and that always some panic in CEOs and founders and stockholders, quite frankly.” — Scott Becker
- The episode highlights the emotional and financial impact on leadership and investors when short sellers target high-growth companies.
- “Always for companies, no fun when the short sellers start to get you in their crosshairs, which is what’s happening at least with one notable cross short seller. Andrew Left and Palantir.” — Scott Becker
Notable Quotes & Highlights
-
On historic losing streak:
“That’s the longest losing streak I can remember for Pale that I remember ever. I’m sure there’s ones before that, but down again 6% today, 12% the last five days.” — Scott Becker [00:15]
-
On year-to-date performance:
“Still up about 117% year to date and up a huge amount over the last 52 weeks.” — Scott Becker [00:29]
-
On the fear of short sellers:
“No fun when the short sellers start to get you in their crosshairs, which is what’s happening at least with one notable cross short seller, Andrew Left and Palantir.” — Scott Becker [00:56]
Timeline of Main Segment
| Timestamp | Topic |
|---------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| 00:00 | Episode intro and main topic introduction |
| 00:06 | Palantir down 6% today |
| 00:15 | Five-day losing streak and cumulative loss |
| 00:29 | Year-to-date and 52-week performance summary |
| 00:47 | Short seller Andrew Left’s role |
| 00:56 | Broader implications for growth companies |
Summary
Scott Becker gives a brisk but insightful rundown of Palantir’s notable stock dip, putting this in the context of both longer-term gains and investor sentiment. He directly ties the current volatility to the actions of major short sellers, notably Andrew Left, and acknowledges the anxiety such moves provoke in founders and investors alike. The tone is factual but empathetic, reflecting both analytical data and the personal stake of many involved.
