TNB Tech Minute: Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Announces New Stake in Microsoft

Summary

WSJ Tech News Briefing – Tech Minute: Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Announces New Stake in Microsoft

Date: May 15, 2026 | Host: Danny Lewis

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Overview

This episode of the WSJ Tech News Briefing delivers concise updates on three significant developments in the tech and finance world: Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square staking a claim in Microsoft, an electric vehicle manufacturing deal between Stellantis and Dongfeng Group, and new crypto regulation progress in the U.S. Senate. The episode focuses on the drivers behind these moves and their broader industry implications.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Pershing Square’s New Stake in Microsoft

• Bill Ackman’s Announcement

  • Bill Ackman, via social media, revealed that Pershing Square began accumulating a position in Microsoft in February 2026.
  • The push came after Microsoft’s shares tumbled post-earnings report, down 15% year-to-date and over 25% since their previous peak.

• Investment Thesis

  • Ackman’s rationale: Microsoft’s heavy investments in artificial intelligence are not yet reflected in its depressed share price.
  • Microsoft is now considered a “core holding” for Pershing Square, with regulatory filings to confirm the stake being made later in the day.

• Implications

  • This signals high confidence in Big Tech’s AI future despite recent market volatility.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Ackman said his investment firm started building the position in February after Microsoft's shares declined following its earnings report. He said the stake is a bet that the software giant's AI investments aren't reflected in its slumping share price…” (Danny Lewis, 00:25)

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2. Stellantis and Dongfeng Group’s Electric Vehicle Deal

• Deal Details

  • Stellantis, a major Western automaker, signed a $1.17 billion partnership with Dongfeng Group, a leading Chinese manufacturer.
  • Plans include co-manufacturing two new Peugeot new energy vehicles (NEVs) and two Jeep NEVs in China.
  • The NEV segment spans fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
  • Production begins in 2027, with models targeted at both domestic Chinese and overseas markets.

• Industry Impact

  • The arrangement illustrates increasing collaboration between Western and Chinese carmakers as the global automotive industry pivots deeper into electric and hybrid technologies.

• Notable Quote:

  • “The deal underscores a broader shift in the global auto industry that is driving deeper collaboration between Western carmakers and their Chinese counterparts.” (Danny Lewis, 01:02)

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3. U.S. Senate Committee Approves Crypto Industry Bill

• Legislative Update

  • The U.S. Senate Banking Committee approved a major bill establishing a regulatory framework for digital tokens and cryptocurrencies.
  • The legislation divides regulatory responsibilities between the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC).
  • The bill enables banks to expand into crypto but raises concerns about certain aspects (e.g., token reward structures potentially pulling deposits away from traditional banking).
  • Bill proceeds to the full Senate for further consideration.

• Broader Significance

  • Recognized as a legislative win for crypto proponents, signaling Congressional openness to integrating crypto with mainstream finance, despite ongoing debates.

• Notable Quote:

  • “The bill would establish rules regulating different types of cryptocurrencies across the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission. While it allows banks to expand their crypto activity, some have argued that the bill leaves room for interest, like reward structures for popular tokens that could siphon bank deposits…” (Danny Lewis, 01:28)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Ackman/Microsoft AI investment disclosure: 00:16 – 01:01
• Stellantis/Dongfeng electric vehicle partnership: 01:01 – 01:29
• Senate crypto regulation bill update: 01:29 – 02:05

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Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Microsoft’s big AI bet:

  • “The stake is a bet that the software giant's AI investments aren't reflected in its slumping share price…” (Danny Lewis, 00:28)

• On the global auto industry’s east-west alliances:

  • “The deal underscores a broader shift in the global auto industry that is driving deeper collaboration between Western carmakers and their Chinese counterparts.” (Danny Lewis, 01:10)

• On Washington’s crypto move:

  • “The crypto industry notched a win in Washington...” (Danny Lewis, 01:23)

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Episode Tone

Brief, authoritative, and insightful—Danny Lewis distills complex corporate, automotive, and legislative developments with clarity, providing context and relevance for investors and tech enthusiasts alike.

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For more in-depth reporting and continued coverage, tune in again this afternoon for the next Tech News Briefing update.

Transcript

[Doppel Representative]

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[Danny Lewis]

here's your morning TNB Tech Minute for Friday, May 15th. I'm Danny Lewis for the Wall Street Journal. Bill Ackman's Pershing Square has taken a new stake in Microsoft IT in a social media post this morning, Ackman said his investment firm started building the position in February after Microsoft's shares declined following its earnings report. He said the stake is a bet that the software giant's AI investments aren't reflected in its slumping share price, which is down 15% this year and has lost more than a quarter of its value since they peaked last fall. Ackman said Pershing had now made Microsoft a core holding. The firm will disclose the stake in regulatory filings later today. Stellantis has struck another deal with the Chinese automaker to produce electric vehicles. Under the new $1.17 billion arrangement with Dongfeng Group, Stellantis will co manufacture two all new Peugeot new energy vehicles and two Jeep NEVs in China. The NEV category includes fully electric variants and plug in hybrids. Production is set to begin in 2027. The models will be sold in both the domestic market and overseas. The deal underscores a broader shift in the global auto industry that is driving deeper collaboration between Western carmakers and their Chinese counterparts. And the crypto industry notched a win in Washington after the US Senate Banking Committee approved a bill that would create a pathway for digital tokens to further upend traditional finance. The bill would establish rules regulating different types of cryptocurrencies across the securities and Exchange Commission and Commodity Futures Trading Commission. While it allows banks to expand their crypto activity, some have argued that the bill leaves room for interest, like reward structures for popular tokens that could siphon bank deposits and limit their ability to lend. The bill now goes to the full Senate. That's your TNB Tech Minute. Join us again this afternoon for more

[Doppel Representative]

Social engineering attacks come in disguise, but Doppel sees through them. Our AI native platform shuts down threats and turns employees into first line defenders. Learn more at D O P P E L Com.