Summary3 min read

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.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
Economic shifts, geopolitical change In a world defined by disruption, what if leaders could turn uncertainty into advantage? Join SAP at the break to hear how organizations can stay resilient and stay ahead. Here's your afternoon TNB Tech minute for Friday, October 24th. I'm Zoe Culkin for the Wall Street Journal. 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. The automaker reported an operating profit of roughly 40 million euros from the top of the year through September, down From more than 4 billion euros a year earlier. Aside from the public's lessening interest in EVs, Porsche has also struggled from the tough Chinese market and President Trump's tariffs. Sales and deliveries were down 6% from the same period last year, and around 23% of those delivered were fully electric and 12% were plug in hybrids. More than 360 Alaska Airlines flights have been canceled after a technology outage disrupted operations for hours late last night, according to the airline. The problem began with a failure at its primary data center. The company said it was not a cybersecurity breach and didn't compromise flight safety. Alaska also postponed its third quarter conference call as a result to help the airline focus on recovering operations and supporting customers. And we're exclusively reporting on another potential deal to power data centers underpinning the AI boom. A big power provider in South Carolina, Santee Cooper, is in advance talks to sell two inactive nuclear reactors to Brookfield Asset Management, According to Santee Cooper executives. The board signed off on the proposal today, allowing the two parties to enter exclusive talks to complete the terms of the deal, which is expected to be valued in the billions and in the coming weeks. And that's a wrap on your T and B Tech minutes. For a deeper dive into what's happening in tech, check out our Tech News Briefing podcast on Tuesdays and Fridays. Uncertainty is inevitable, but it doesn't have to hold your business back. Here's Sebastian Steinhauser of SAP again on how companies can adapt to the unpredictable and thrive. Technology is the greatest tool in your tool set to help you create that capability to train that muscle in your enterprise to adapt fast to change in the environment. And that's where customers are turning to SAP now to say, hey SAP, you already run our most mission critical processes in our enterprise. Help us apply generative AI, agentic AI, apply this disruptive technology to improve our agility when it comes to making fast decisions for our business in a very uncertain economic environment. Learn more about how SAP helps businesses conquer uncertainty@SAP.com Uncertainty Custom content from WSJ is a unit of the Wall Street Journal Advertising Department. The Wall Street Journal news Organization was not involved in the creation of this content.