WSJ Tech News Briefing

Episode: TNB Tech Minute: Oracle Shares Edge Higher Premarket
Date: September 11, 2025
Host: Julie Chang (The Wall Street Journal)

Episode Overview

This quick Tech Minute episode delivers a concise roundup of notable developments in the tech sector, with a spotlight on Oracle’s strong pre-market performance, a record-setting month for US electric vehicle (EV) sales, and a major investment in UK-based JobLogic to accelerate AI in field service management.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Oracle’s Rising Share Price and Deal Momentum

• Oracle’s Pre-Market Performance:
  Oracle’s share price continued its upward trajectory, gaining 1.4% in pre-market trading following a 3.6% gain the previous day.
• Major Contract Wins:
  “Oracle's CEO said the company had signed four multi billion dollar contracts with three different customers in the latest quarter.” (Julie Chang, 00:32)
• OpenAI’s Massive Computing Contract:
  The Wall Street Journal reports that OpenAI has agreed to “purchase $300 billion in computing power over roughly five years.” (Julie Chang, 00:43)
  This underscores both the scale of cloud infrastructure growth and the growing symbiosis between AI labs and cloud providers.

2. Record US Electric Vehicle (EV) Sales

• Historic Monthly Sales:
  “Cox Automotive says initial estimates show sales of electric vehicles in the US hit a record last month at more than 146,000 sales.” (Julie Chang, 00:53)
• Third Quarter Projections:
  Current sales trends project another record for EVs in Q3 of 2025.
• Growth Drivers:
  • Innovation in the sector
  • Motivated car dealers
  • Government EV tax credits set to expire at the end of the month “A senior analyst at Cox Automotive says the current surge is being driven by product innovation, motivated dealers and government supported EV tax credits set to expire at the end of this month.” (Julie Chang, 01:14)

3. Vista Equity Partners Invests in JobLogic and AI for Field Services

• Deal Overview:
  “We exclusively report that tech specialist investor Vista Equity Partners is backing UK field service management software company JobLogic.” (Julie Chang, 01:25)
• Investment Purpose:
  Vista is seeking to “supercharge fieldwork and property management” through AI.
• Capital Injection:
  Vista will invest “more than roughly $135 million” to fuel JobLogic’s growth and expansion of its AI capabilities.
• JobLogic’s Focus:
  Hard facility management (e.g., plumbing, electrical maintenance) via a platform that manages “everything from job scheduling to automatic invoicing.” (Julie Chang, 01:46)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Oracle’s Recent Wins:
  “Oracle's CEO said the company had signed four multi billion dollar contracts with three different customers in the latest quarter.” (Julie Chang, 00:32)
• On the OpenAI Contract:
  “We reported that OpenAI had signed a contract to purchase $300 billion in computing power over roughly five years.” (Julie Chang, 00:43)
• On EV Sales Surge:
  “The current surge is being driven by product innovation, motivated dealers and government supported EV tax credits set to expire at the end of this month.” (Julie Chang, 01:14)
• On AI in Field Services:
  “Vista is betting that artificial intelligence will supercharge fieldwork and property management.” (Julie Chang, 01:32)

Important Timestamps

• 00:16 – 00:50: Oracle’s shares and OpenAI’s $300 billion deal
• 00:51 – 01:20: US electric vehicle sales hit a record; analysis of causes
• 01:21 – 01:56: Vista Equity Partners’ investment in JobLogic and AI’s growing role in field service management

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a crisp, factual, and energetic news tone, focused on financial and technological developments with succinct analysis. Julie Chang presents the updates with clarity and authority, emphasizing the implications of these business moves for the tech and automotive sectors.

Listen again this afternoon for more.