Summary3 min read

WSJ Tech News Briefing: TNB Tech Minute – Spotify’s Subscribers Grew in the Fourth Quarter

Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Julie Chang (Wall Street Journal)

Overview

This episode of the WSJ Tech News Briefing's "TNB Tech Minute" delivers rapid, up-to-date headlines on major players in the tech world, centering on Spotify’s subscriber and revenue growth, major losses for Honda’s auto division due to tariffs and electric vehicle (EV) strategy missteps, and a strong finish to the year for China’s SMIC, the contract chip manufacturer. The briefing provides key financials, market responses, and strategic pivots made by these prominent companies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spotify’s Robust Fourth Quarter Results

Global Expansion & New Features:
- Spotify grew its user base in Q4 2025 by broadening audiobook availability globally and introducing the ability to follow music venues for show updates.
Subscriber Growth:
- Monthly active users reached 751 million — an 11% year-over-year increase.
- Premium subscribers totaled 290 million, up 10% for the year.
Financials:
- Net income surged 86% compared to the previous year.
- Revenue climbed 10% year-over-year.
- As of January 2026, U.S. premium subscriptions now cost $12.99/month (a $1 increase).
Quote:
- “Spotify's monthly active users grew to 751 million, up 11% from the same quarter a year ago. Premium subscribers increased by 10% to 290 million for the full year.” (Julie Chang, 00:29)
Industry Ties:
- Noted that Dow Jones (parent of WSJ) has a content partnership with Spotify.

2. Honda’s Losing Quarter and Strategic Pivot

EV-Related Losses & Impairments:
- Honda was hit by U.S. tariffs and large one-time EV-related charges (almost $280 million).
Strategy Shift:
- Executives admitted to drastically needing to change the company’s EV approach in the U.S. and to scrap plans in China.
Production Challenges:
- North American output declined due to a late-2025 chip shortage from Dutch supplier Nexperia.
Profit & Revenue Impact:
- Q3 operating profit dropped 61%.
- Full-year revenue is projected to decline by 2.7%.
Quote:
- “An executive said today the company needed to drastically change its EV strategy in the US where the market is clearly slowing, and scrap its previous plans in China.” (Julie Chang, 01:27)

3. SMIC’s Strong Earnings Amid China’s Tech Push

Record Revenue and Profit:
- Annual revenue surpassed $9 billion.
- Q4 net profit rose 61% to nearly $173 million.
- Q4 revenue increased 13% to nearly $2.5 billion.
Strategic Position:
- SMIC continues to benefit from China’s tech self-sufficiency policies.
- The foundry flags both opportunities (localization) and ongoing challenges (rising memory chip prices).
Quote:
- “SMIC, China's largest and most advanced chip foundry, reported a 61% rise in fourth quarter net profit from a year earlier to nearly $173 million. Revenue increased 13% to almost $2.5 billion.” (Julie Chang, 02:07)
Cautious Outlook:
- Despite strong results, SMIC expects the next quarter to involve significant opportunities and headwinds.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

[00:29] Julie Chang: “Spotify's monthly active users grew to 751 million, up 11% from the same quarter a year ago. Premium subscribers increased by 10% to 290 million for the full year.”
[01:27] Julie Chang: “An executive said today the company needed to drastically change its EV strategy in the US where the market is clearly slowing, and scrap its previous plans in China.”
[02:07] Julie Chang: “SMIC, China's largest and most advanced chip foundry, reported a 61% rise in fourth quarter net profit from a year earlier to nearly $173 million. Revenue increased 13% to almost $2.5 billion.”

Timestamps for Key Segments

Spotify Quarterly Report & Feature Updates: 00:27 – 01:05
Honda’s Q3 Losses and Production Issues: 01:11 – 01:40
SMIC Q4 Performance and Outlook: 01:40 – 02:36

Summary Tone

Concise, fact-driven, and analytical, mirroring the WSJ’s journalistic style. The episode efficiently cycles through financial performance, market strategy shifts, and ongoing tech industry challenges, highlighting both company wins and setbacks without commentary or broader opinion.

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Transcript22 lines

[00:01]
A
Hey, this is Jessica Mendoza, host of the Journal Podcast, our show about money, business and power. If you're looking for more deeply reported stories like we share every day, consider becoming a subscriber to the Wall street journal. Visit subscribe.WSJ.com thejournal all lowercase to subscribe now.
[00:21]
B
Here'S your morning TNB Tech Minute.
[00:23]
C
For Tuesday, February 10th. I'm Julie Chang for the Wall Street Journal.
[00:28]
B
Spotify continued to add users in the.
[00:30]
C
Fourth quarter as it expanded access to audiobooks globally and added new features like allowing listeners to follow music venues for upcoming shows. Spotify's monthly active users grew to 751 million, up 11% from the same quarter a year ago. Premium subscribers increased by 10% to 290 million for the full year.
[00:52]
B
Spotify's net income was up about 86%.
[00:55]
C
From the previous year with while revenue grew 10%. In January, Spotify said it was raising the cost of a US premium subscription by $1 to $12.99 a month.
[01:06]
B
Dow Jones, publisher of the Wall Street.
[01:08]
C
Journal, has a content partnership with Spotify.
[01:11]
B
Honda suffered a loss in its car.
[01:13]
C
Business, hit by US Tariffs and EV related impairments in the latest quarter. The Japanese Automaker booked nearly $280 million in one time EV related provisioning and impairments for the three months ended December. An executive said today the company needed to drastically change its EV strategy in the US where the market is clearly slowing, and scrap its previous plans in China.
[01:36]
B
Honda's auto production in North America was also hit by a shortage of chips.
[01:40]
C
From Dutch supplier Nexperia late last year. The company said third quarter operating profit slumped 61% for the fiscal year ending March. Honda projected revenue to decline 2.7% and SMIC finished 2025 on a strong note. Its annual revenue crossed the $9 billion mark as a Chinese contract chipmaker cashes in amid China's push for tech self sufficiency.
[02:05]
B
SMIC, China's largest and most advanced chip.
[02:07]
C
Foundry, reported a 61% rise in fourth quarter net profit from a year earlier to nearly $173 million. Revenue increased 13% to almost $2.5 billion.
[02:20]
B
That brought the annual total to more.
[02:21]
C
Than $9 billion, topping 2024 billion. The chip maker offered a cautious outlook for the first quarter, though SMIC flags both opportunities for chip localization and challenges brought by surging memory prices in 2026.
[02:36]
B
That's your TMB Tech Minute. Join us again this afternoon for more.
[02:40]
D
Hey, this is Telus Demos and I'm.
[02:42]
E
Miriam Gottfried we're reporters at the Wall Street Journal and The hosts of WSJ's take on the Week. It's a weekly show that gives listeners a leg up in the world of markets and investing.
[02:51]
D
From the Fed's moves to market bubbles, we dive into the biggest deals. Key players ahead if you're looking for more news and tools that you can use to help navigate the markets, consider becoming a subscriber to the Wall street journal.
[03:03]
E
Visit subscribe.WSJ.com takeontheweek to subscribe now.