WSJ Tech News Briefing: TNB Tech Minute Summary Episode: TNB Tech Minute: Apple, Amazon Beat Sales Forecasts
Release Date: May 1, 2025
Host: Victoria Craig, The Wall Street Journal

Apple Surges Ahead with Strong Quarterly Sales

In the latest quarterly earnings report, Apple demonstrated robust performance, with sales rising by 5% to reach $95 billion. This growth was primarily driven by heightened demand amidst uncertainties surrounding President Trump's tariff policies and the introduction of the more affordable iPhone 16e model.

Victoria Craig reported at 00:29:

"Apple said sales last quarter jumped 5% to $95 billion as demand surged due to uncertainty around President Trump's tariff policy and the release of the lower end iPhone 16e model."

To mitigate investor concerns regarding the impact of tariffs on profitability, Apple announced that the majority of its devices shipped in the upcoming June quarter will be manufactured in India and Vietnam. This strategic shift aims to alleviate potential tariff-induced cost pressures.

However, Apple's positive earnings were juxtaposed with legal challenges. A federal judge criticized Apple for allegedly "willfully choosing not to comply with a 2021 court ruling," which mandated the company to permit alternative payment methods for services and subscriptions outside the App Store. The judge escalated the matter by referring it to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt investigation.

At 00:29, Craig stated:

"A majority of its devices shipped into the US in the June quarter will originate in India and Vietnam. It's a move to allay investor concern about how tariffs would crimp the company's profits... The judge also took the unusual step of referring the matter to federal prosecutors for a criminal contempt investigation."

Apple responded by affirming its commitment to comply with the court order while expressing disagreement with the decision and indicating plans to appeal:

"An Apple spokeswoman said the company would comply with the order, but that it disagrees with the decision will appeal."

Amazon Exceeds Expectations and Expands Delivery Network

Amazon delivered impressive financial results, reporting a 9% increase in revenue for the last quarter and a profit of $17.1 billion, both surpassing Wall Street expectations. Notably, these strong figures remained unaffected by the new US tariffs on Chinese imports. Nonetheless, Amazon acknowledged that tariffs and evolving trade policies introduce substantial uncertainty into its forward-looking statements.

Craig highlighted at 00:29:

"Amazon reported strong results that were not affected by new US Tariffs on Chinese imports... the company did add tariffs and trade policies to the list of factors that subject its forward looking statements to substantial uncertainty."

In addition to financial performance, Amazon announced a significant investment of $4 billion aimed at expanding its delivery network in small American towns. This expansion is projected to create approximately 100,000 new jobs. By the next year, Amazon expects the delivery network to triple in size, which it anticipates will reduce delivery times for rural customers by half.

"Amazon this week also said it plans to put $4 billion toward expanding its delivery network in small American towns. The company estimates 100,000 new jobs will come as a result... Amazon expects the size of that network to triple, which it says will cut delivery times for rural customers in half."

Tesla's Board Considers Leadership Succession Amidst Stock Decline

In an exclusive report, The Wall Street Journal revealed that Tesla's board has initiated a serious search for a successor to founder and CEO Elon Musk. This development comes after a significant decline in Tesla's stock, attributed to Musk's diversion of attention toward Dogecoin and his cost-cutting measures in support of the Trump administration.

According to sources, the board engaged several executive search firms to facilitate the process of identifying the company's next leader. This leadership search emerged following a sharp 70% drop in Tesla's quarterly profits and Musk's recent statements indicating a renewed focus on the company.

At 00:29, Craig detailed:

"About a month ago, Tesla's board got serious about looking for a successor for founder and CEO Elon Musk... amid a steep fall in Tesla's shares since Musk turned his focus to Doge and embarked on a cost cutting spree for the Trump administration."

Responding to the report, Tesla issued a statement reaffirming its confidence in Musk:

"Tesla issued a denial and said the board is, quote, 'highly confident in Elon Musk and his, quote, ability to continue executing on the exciting growth plan.'"

This denial followed the publication of The Wall Street Journal’s story, emphasizing Tesla's stance on stability and continued growth under Musk's leadership.

Conclusion

The episode of WSJ Tech News Briefing provided insightful updates on major tech corporations navigating economic challenges and strategic pivots. Apple's strong sales performance and proactive manufacturing shifts highlight its resilience amidst policy uncertainties, while Amazon's financial success and expansive delivery plans underscore its dominance in the e-commerce landscape. Meanwhile, Tesla's internal leadership deliberations reflect the complexities faced by innovative companies in maintaining momentum and investor confidence.

For more in-depth analyses and breaking tech news, tune into the WSJ Tech News Briefing podcast every weekday.