Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast: "Stories to Follow Today" – July 18, 2025

Host: Scott Becker

In the July 18, 2025 episode of the Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast, host Scott Becker delves into a variety of compelling stories impacting the business and financial landscape. From media shake-ups to stock market dynamics, Becker provides insightful analysis on current events affecting investors, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key topics discussed, enriched with notable quotes and structured for clarity.

1. The Sudden Cancellation of Stephen Colbert's Late Show

Becker opens the episode by addressing a significant development in the entertainment industry: the unexpected termination of Stephen Colbert's Late Show by CBS.

• Announcement and Reaction:

  • "CBS abruptly told Stephen Colbert that they're pulling the plug on the Late Show," Becker notes, highlighting the sudden nature of the decision.
  • Colbert himself announced the cancellation on his show, revealing he learned about the decision just a day prior: "Colbert announced it on his show on Thursday, saying that he found out Wednesday that they're canceling his show." [00:00]

• Implications and Perspectives:

  • Becker underscores the multifaceted impact of this move, considering perspectives from the network, the host, and the audience. The abruptness raises questions about network strategies and the future of late-night television.

2. Netflix's Earnings Surge Amid Stock Decline

Transitioning to the tech and entertainment sector, Becker discusses Netflix's financial performance juxtaposed with its stock market behavior.

• Earnings Performance:

  • "Netflix tops earnings, but its stock is going down a little bit," Becker observes, pointing out the company's impressive revenue figures.
  • He elaborates on the high expectations placed on Netflix, mentioning its ambitious goal to evolve into a $45 billion a year company. "Just such high lofty expectations on Netflix of where it's like has to go through almost a 45 billion a year company." [00:00]

• Stock Market Reaction:

  • Despite surpassing earnings forecasts, Netflix's stock experienced a minor decline. Becker expresses some surprise at this market reaction: "I don't know that I saw that coming."
  • He praises Netflix's remarkable growth trajectory over the years, acknowledging the company's resilience and ability to scale.

3. Record Highs in the Stock Markets Amid Economic Concerns

Becker shifts focus to the broader financial markets, highlighting a week of exceptional performance despite various economic headwinds.

• Market Performance:

  • "The markets hit record highs this week," he states, emphasizing the Nasdaq, S&P, and Dow all reached unprecedented levels.
  • This bullish trend persisted "despite all the talks of tariffs, inflation, everything else," indicating robust investor confidence.

• Underlying Factors:

  • Becker suggests that positive news continues to fuel market optimism, contributing to the "incredible week for the stock markets." He portrays a landscape where, despite ongoing concerns, the overall trajectory remains upward.

4. Challenges Facing Health Insurers: Spotlight on Elevance Health

Diving into the healthcare sector, Becker analyzes the financial struggles of major health insurance companies, with a specific focus on Elevance Health.

• Financial Decline:

  • "Elevance Health, which is one of the nation's largest health insurance companies, it's the former Anthem Blue Cross is down 18% year to date," Becker points out the significant stock decline.
  • Moreover, Elevance Health experienced a "drop of 12%," further signaling investor unease.

• Medical Loss Ratios:

  • A critical factor in their financial performance is the increase in medical loss ratios. Becker explains: "Yesterday it saw increases in its medical loss ratios of almost two and a half percent." [00:00]
  • This rise pushes their medical loss ratios to nearly 89%, a high figure that reflects increased costs and pressures within the insurance sector.

5. Lucid Motors' Impressive Stock Market Surge

Concluding the episode, Becker highlights a notable shift in the electric vehicle (EV) market, spotlighting Lucid Motors' remarkable stock performance.

• Stock Performance Overview:

  • "Lucid Motors jumped incredibly Yesterday, up almost 36% of the electronic vehicle makers in terms of stock market results," Becker reports, underscoring Lucid's standout performance.
  • Despite being the smallest among Rivian, Tesla, and Lucid, the company's stock is up 3% year to date, outpacing its larger competitors: "Lucid is now up 3% year to date. Rivian's down 3% year to date. And Tesla is down 20% year to date." [00:00]

• Market Positioning:

  • This shift positions Lucid from the underperforming segment to the leading group among EV manufacturers, signaling investor confidence and potential for growth within the company.

Conclusion

Scott Becker wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to engage with him directly for questions or ideas, reinforcing his role as a knowledgeable guide in the realms of private equity and business.

"Thank you for listening to this short episode of the Becker Business podcast, the Becker Private Equity Podcast. Always feel free to reach Scott Becker, 773-766-5322, with any questions or ideas that you have. Thank you for listening." [00:00]

This episode provided a snapshot of the current business climate, touching on media industry shifts, tech and entertainment financials, stock market trends, healthcare sector challenges, and the dynamic EV market. Becker's analysis offers valuable insights for stakeholders navigating these evolving landscapes.