WSJ Tech News Briefing – TNB Tech Minute: Porsche Posts First Loss in Years After Bad EV Bet

Date: October 24, 2025
Host: Zoe Culkin, The Wall Street Journal

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a focused update on three key tech and business stories:

• Porsche’s first quarterly loss since going public, attributed to challenges in electric vehicle (EV) investments and external pressures.
• A major disruption at Alaska Airlines caused by a technology outage.
• News of a prospective billion-dollar nuclear asset deal in South Carolina aimed at powering data centers during the ongoing AI expansion.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Porsche’s Financial Setback

• Summary:
  Porsche reported its first quarterly loss since its 2022 IPO, primarily due to losses on its ambitious but poorly timed investment in electric vehicles (EVs).
• Contributing Factors:
  • Decreased global and public interest in EVs.
  • Difficulties navigating the Chinese market.
  • Impact of President Trump’s tariffs.
• Figures:
  • Operating profit for the year through September: ~40 million euros, compared to >4 billion euros the previous year (01:00).
  • Sales & deliveries down 6% year over year.
  • Of deliveries: 23% fully electric, 12% plug-in hybrids.
• Memorable Quote:

  "Porsche has posted its first quarterly loss since it went public in 2022 after taking a hefty charge related to its prem bet on electric vehicles."
  — Zoe Culkin (00:16)

• Implications:
  The results underline the volatility of the EV market, intensifying competition, and the global impact of geopolitical and economic policy changes.

2. Alaska Airlines Technology Outage

• Summary:
  Alaska Airlines experienced widespread flight cancellations—over 360 flights—due to a protracted technology outage overnight.
• Details:
  • The outage originated at the airline’s primary data center.
  • Alaska Airlines clarified it was not a cybersecurity breach and did not affect flight safety (02:05).
  • Third-quarter conference call postponed for crisis response and customer support.
• Memorable Quote:

  "The company said it was not a cybersecurity breach and didn't compromise flight safety."
  — Zoe Culkin (02:17)

• Implications:
  Highlights the operational risks of technological infrastructure failures, even outside of cybercrime scenarios.

3. South Carolina Nuclear Assets Sought for AI Data Center Expansion

• Summary:
  Santee Cooper, a major South Carolina power provider, is in advanced talks to sell two dormant nuclear reactors to Brookfield Asset Management.
• Deal Outline:
  • The arrangement is designed to repurpose nuclear assets to fuel data centers, corresponding to the AI boom.
  • The Santee Cooper board has approved exclusive negotiations.
  • Projected valuation: billions of dollars.
  • Timeline: Deal terms expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.
• Memorable Quote:

  "A big power provider in South Carolina, Santee Cooper, is in advance talks to sell two inactive nuclear reactors to Brookfield Asset Management..."
  — Zoe Culkin (02:56)

• Implications:
  This signals the intensifying demand for stable, large-scale power sources for AI-driven data centers, reinvigorating interest in nuclear energy for tech infrastructure.

Notable Quotes

• “Porsche has posted its first quarterly loss since it went public in 2022 after taking a hefty charge related to its prem bet on electric vehicles.”
  — Zoe Culkin (00:16)
• “The company said it was not a cybersecurity breach and didn't compromise flight safety.”
  — Zoe Culkin (02:17)
• “A big power provider in South Carolina, Santee Cooper, is in advance talks to sell two inactive nuclear reactors to Brookfield Asset Management...”
  — Zoe Culkin (02:56)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:16 – 01:57: Porsche’s earnings loss and EV market analysis
• 01:58 – 02:34: Alaska Airlines technology outage and operational fallout
• 02:56 – 03:37: Santee Cooper nuclear deal, power for AI data centers

For more tech industry analysis and deep dives, tune in to the full Tech News Briefing podcast on Tuesdays and Fridays.