WSJ Tech News Briefing: TNB Tech Minute – Meta, Google, and Microsoft Report Strong Earnings

Date: October 29, 2025
Host: Julie Chang (The Wall Street Journal)
Episode Theme:
A concise afternoon roundup highlighting the latest earnings reports from major tech firms Meta, Google (Alphabet), and Microsoft, plus updates on the automotive and cloud sectors, and a forward-looking nod to quantum computing applications.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the robust quarterly earnings reported by tech giants Meta, Google, and Microsoft, along with significant developments in the automotive and cloud industries. The host also features a brief expert comment on the future of quantum computing, illustrating how technological breakthroughs are continuing to reshape various sectors.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Quantum Computing’s Promise

• Guest: Katie Pizzolato, Vice President, IBM Quantum Platform
  • Insight: Quantum computing's greatest impact may lie in its yet-unknown applications, echoing the early surprises of classical computing’s evolution.
  • Direct quote:

    “I'm most excited about the potential applications we don't know yet. It's very exciting to think about where we all sat at the dawn of classical computation and not to ever imagine where we are today. But we know that quantum computers are poised to accelerate time and cost efficiencies in really important fields like drug development, materials discovery, optimization—things that impact all industries.” (00:00)

2. Meta Platforms Earnings (00:41)

• Record Revenue:
  • Meta reports $51.2 billion in third-quarter sales, marking a 26% year-over-year growth.
• Falling Short on Net Income:
  • Net income lands at $2.7 billion, lower than analysts’ estimates.
  • Stock Reaction: Shares drop in after-hours trading following the report.

3. Alphabet (Google) Earnings (01:02)

• Strong Performance:
  • Alphabet sees a 16% surge in revenue—over $102 billion, beating forecasts.
  • Massive Profit: Net income rises to $35 billion, a 33% increase from the previous year.
• AI Investment:
  • AI spending projected to hit up to $93 billion in 2025.
• Disclosure:
  • News Corp. (WSJ’s parent company) has a commercial deal with Google for content provision.

4. Microsoft Earnings (01:31)

• Robust Growth:
  • Reports revenue approaching $78 billion for its fiscal first quarter, beating Wall Street expectations.
• AI Cloud Focus:
  • Azure, Microsoft’s cloud business (host to many AI models), grows by approximately 40%.
  • Net income stands at $27.7 billion.

5. General Motors Layoffs (02:07)

• Workforce Reduction:
  • Plans to lay off over 3,300 hourly workers at EV and battery plants due to slowed electric vehicle adoption.
• Timeline & Locations:
  • Layoffs start January at Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee plants.
  • Recall Possibility: GM expects to call back more than 1,500 employees by mid-2026.
• Context:
  • The decision follows changes in federal subsidies and emissions regulations.

6. Amazon Web Services (AWS) South Korea Investment (02:34)

• Expansion Plans:
  • AWS commits an additional $5 billion investment over six years.
• AI Data Center:
  • Partnership with South Korea’s SK Group to build the country's largest AI data center in Ulsan, targeted for completion in 2027.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Quantum Computing’s Potential:

  • Katie Pizzolato (IBM Quantum Platform):

    “Quantum computers are poised to accelerate time and cost efficiencies in really important fields like drug development, materials discovery, optimization—things that impact all industries.” (00:18)

• On Google’s AI Investment:

  “The tech Giant said its AI spending is set to reach up to $93 billion this year.” (01:19)

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:00 – Quantum Computing outlook (Katie Pizzolato, IBM)
• 00:41 – Meta earnings report
• 01:02 – Alphabet (Google) earnings and AI investment
• 01:31 – Microsoft earnings and Azure growth
• 02:07 – General Motors layoffs in EV and battery plants
• 02:34 – AWS announces major South Korea AI data center investment

Summary Takeaway

This episode highlights a tech sector marked by record-breaking revenues, with aggressive investments in AI and cloud infrastructure. While Meta’s bottom line underperforms despite strong sales, Alphabet and Microsoft surpass profit expectations, signaling robust momentum in cloud and AI services. Quantum computing and large-scale infrastructure projects, like AWS’s planned South Korean data center, hint at a near future of continual disruption and rapid innovation across industries.

For more tech news updates, tune in to the WSJ Tech News Briefing tomorrow morning.