Becker Private Equity & Business Podcast
8 Stories We Are Following in the Business World Today 2-18-25
Tue, 18 Feb 2025
In this episode, Scott Becker covers eight key business news stories.
Chapter 1: What are the key business stories today?
This is Scott Becker with the Becker Private Equity and Business Podcast. We are so thankful for our listeners always. So thank you very, very much. Here's what's going on today in the business world and more. We'll go through eight quick stories. First, the markets were pointing up pre-opening. Now they point down a little bit. We'll see how the day goes. Totally to tell for sure.
Chapter 2: What is happening with peace talks between Russia and the US?
Second, Russia and the United States are holding peace talks in Saudi Arabia. One way or another, we do need to try and be involved in discussions to end these types of conflicts, this one between Russia and Ukraine. So good or bad, I applaud the efforts to be in the middle of it and trying to figure out how to solve this.
Chapter 3: How does Walmart's earnings report affect the economy?
Third, Walmart, the first or second largest company in the United States by revenues. Amazon might have overtaken them this year. Releases earnings on Thursday. Always a good bellwether for what's going on in the economy. Fourth, January retail sales were down for the most in the last year. Clobbered in January. Says a lot about potentially consumer confidence.
Chapter 4: What do January retail sales indicate about consumer confidence?
Fifth, when struggling at anything, whether it's in business, diet, sports, Go back to the basics. Go back to the basics and figure out what those are and get back at them. Sixth. Congratulations today to all-time great person and professional Steve Stein. Steve is a wonderful, wonderful leader in sort of the data and privacy area. Just a fantastic leader. Seventh.
The McGuire-Woods Healthcare Private Equity Conference is set for May 14th and 15th at Chicago at the Ritz-Carlton. Lance Armstrong is keynoting. If you want a free invite to that, be the first person to text Scott Becker at 773-766-5322. The Becker's Healthcare Annual Meeting is set for April 28th to May 1st again.
If you're not a company, if you're some sort of health system executive or independent, be the first person to text me and we'll get you free and right for that. Again, that's April 28th to May 1st in Chicago. Finally, listen today to our podcast on the art and arc of saying no and how we judge speaking and other invitations.
Thank you so much for listening to the Becker Private Equity and Business Podcast.