Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast

Host: Scott Becker
Episode: Tempus AI, Marvell Technologies, Palantir & More 8-29-25
Date: August 29, 2025

Episode Overview

Scott Becker presents a rapid-fire update on several major companies that are closely watched in the private equity and business world. The episode focuses on recent stock movements and underlying business factors for five companies: Marvell Technology, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Tempus AI, Astero Labs, and Palantir Technologies. The discussion gives insights into market dynamics, challenges, and growth areas spanning technology, retail, and artificial intelligence in healthcare.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marvell Technology: Market Struggles

• Marvell, a chip maker, experienced a significant market downturn.
  • “Marvell Technology is getting crushed today. It's a chip maker that ultimately has had a huge run up.” [00:14]
  • Despite recent growth, the stock is seeing a sharp correction, closing much lower by the end of the day.
  • Becker connects Marvell’s volatility with broader impacts on similar companies.

2. Dick’s Sporting Goods: Margin Pressure Despite Strong Sales

• Dick’s Sporting Goods saw a noticeable stock drop (nearly 5%) the previous day.
  • “Dick's Sporting Goods, a household retailer name, fell nearly 5% yesterday even though it had great sales but increased pressure on margin. So that's the challenge that Dick's is facing.” [00:29]
  • The retailer’s issue is not sales performance, but profit margins—a key watch item for investors.

3. Tempus AI: Explosive Growth Driven by Healthcare AI

• Tempus AI is highlighted as a standout performer, up 118% year-to-date.
  • “Tempus AI is having a blowout year. It's up 118% year to date.” [00:44]
  • Becker connects Tempus AI’s success to the needs of the oncology sector:
    • Physicians are overwhelmed with both patient demand and data complexity.
    • “The more you watch the oncology field, the more you understand why Tempus AI is so important... AI companies like Tempus help simplify that. So, really fascinating to watch.” [00:51]
  • The growth is seen as structurally supported by the critical role AI plays in managing healthcare data.

4. Astero Labs: Steady Performance Amid Market Volatility

• Astero Labs posts a rise of more than 5% the previous day.
  • "Astero Labs rose more than 5% yesterday. Continues to do okay." [01:07]
  • Becker keeps an eye on Astero Labs given movements in the tech sector, particularly after Marvell’s decline.

5. Palantir Technologies: Rollercoaster but Strong YTD

• Palantir remains up more than 100% year-to-date, despite recent softening.
  • “Palantir Technologies is still up more than 100% year to date, but having it tough for a couple weeks and months as it's down again today a couple percent.” [01:21]
• The company’s volatility is noted, but its overall performance remains impressive.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Marvell:

  • “It's a chip maker that ultimately has had a huge run up. It's at about 14 early today, probably more than that to finish the day.” [00:17] - Scott Becker

• On Tempus AI and the Healthcare Market:

  • "The more you watch the oncology field, the more you understand why Tempus AI is so important... oncology throughout the country seem both overwhelmed by patient demand and overloaded with different data points and different issues. And AI companies like Tempus help simplify that." [00:51] - Scott Becker

• On Retail Margins:

  • “Even though it had great sales but increased pressure on margin. So that's the challenge that Dick's is facing.” [00:32] - Scott Becker

Timeline of Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |:----------:|:---------------------------------------------| | 00:00-00:14| Introduction & overview | | 00:14-00:29| Marvell Technology’s downturn | | 00:29-00:44| Dick’s Sporting Goods’ margin pressures | | 00:44-01:07| Tempus AI’s breakout & healthcare AI context | | 01:07-01:21| Astero Labs—responding to tech sector moves | | 01:21-01:32| Palantir’s volatility and YTD gains |

Summary

This episode offers a succinct yet information-dense update on significant market events and business challenges for five prominent companies. Scott Becker’s commentary connects each company’s news to broader economic and sector trends, such as the importance of AI in data-heavy fields like oncology, the resilience and risks in tech stocks, and retail’s margin struggles despite strong sales numbers. The episode is essential listening for private equity professionals and business followers seeking quick, insightful updates with strategic context.