WSJ Tech News Briefing — TNB Tech Minute: Tech Stocks See Broad Selloff
Air Date: September 23, 2025
Host: Julie Chang
Episode Overview
This episode of the TNB Tech Minute delivers a focused roundup of the day’s biggest tech news, with a central theme on a sharp selloff in major tech stocks, significant Amazon store closures and strategy shifts in the UK, and new regulatory changes impacting US startup hiring practices. The concise report provides key figures and quick insights relevant to tech industry watchers and investors.
Key Discussion Points
Broad Selloff in Tech Stocks
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Magnitude of Drop: Major tech companies saw a steep decline in their stock values. Nvidia and Amazon were singled out as leaders of this downward movement.
- “By mid afternoon, Nvidia was down more than 3% while Amazon was down nearly 3%. Most of the Magnificent Seven stocks slipped.”
— Julie Chang [00:22]
- “By mid afternoon, Nvidia was down more than 3% while Amazon was down nearly 3%. Most of the Magnificent Seven stocks slipped.”
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Investor Concerns: The decline follows Nvidia’s announcement of a major investment in OpenAI.
- Nvidia pledged up to $100 billion for OpenAI to build data centers.
- Questions are arising over a “circular economy,” wherein Nvidia invests in AI firms, which in turn buy more Nvidia chips.
- “Some investors appear to be concerned about a potential circular economy. In other words, whether there's actual demand for Nvidia chips or if Nvidia is investing in AI companies that then use those funds to buy more of its chips.”
— Julie Chang [00:32]
Amazon’s UK Store Restructuring
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Amazon Fresh Closures: Amazon will shutter 14 of its cashier-less Amazon Fresh stores in the UK, and the remaining five will be converted into Whole Foods locations.
- “Amazon plans to shut down 14 of its brick and mortar Amazon Fresh stores in the UK and convert the other five it runs there into Whole Foods locations.”
— Julie Chang [00:48]
- “Amazon plans to shut down 14 of its brick and mortar Amazon Fresh stores in the UK and convert the other five it runs there into Whole Foods locations.”
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Shift to Delivery & Prime Perks:
- Rolling out same-day delivery for perishable groceries.
- Amazon aims to at least double the number of Prime members in the UK with access to three or more grocery delivery options via local partnerships.
- The restructuring marks a strategic pivot emphasizing online and delivery models over physical presence.
US Startup Hiring & the $100,000 H1 Visa Fee
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New Policy Impact: President Trump’s recent executive order creates a $100,000 fee for H1-B visa applications, aiming to discourage companies from hiring lower-paid foreign workers in place of Americans.
- “US Startups are rethinking their hiring plans following the new hundred thousand dollar H1 visa fee that President Trump announced last week. Trump's executive order says the fee is meant to discourage replacing American workers with lower paid foreign ones.”
— Julie Chang [01:13]
- “US Startups are rethinking their hiring plans following the new hundred thousand dollar H1 visa fee that President Trump announced last week. Trump's executive order says the fee is meant to discourage replacing American workers with lower paid foreign ones.”
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Startup Reaction:
- Startups are considering hiring more foreign contractors remotely or expanding international offices instead.
- Well-funded companies may still choose to absorb the cost in rare cases.
- Venture investors observed the fee could dissuade foreigners from founding startups in the US:
- “Venture investors have told the WSJ that the high fee will deter foreigners from founding startups in the US.”
— Julie Chang [01:41]
- “Venture investors have told the WSJ that the high fee will deter foreigners from founding startups in the US.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Market Fears:
- “Some investors appear to be concerned about a potential circular economy. In other words, whether there's actual demand for Nvidia chips or if Nvidia is investing in AI companies that then use those funds to buy more of its chips.”
— Julie Chang [00:32]
- “Some investors appear to be concerned about a potential circular economy. In other words, whether there's actual demand for Nvidia chips or if Nvidia is investing in AI companies that then use those funds to buy more of its chips.”
-
On Amazon’s Shift:
- “Amazon plans to shut down 14 of its brick and mortar Amazon Fresh stores in the UK and convert the other five it runs there into Whole Foods locations.”
— Julie Chang [00:48]
- “Amazon plans to shut down 14 of its brick and mortar Amazon Fresh stores in the UK and convert the other five it runs there into Whole Foods locations.”
-
On Regulatory Hurdle:
- “US Startups are rethinking their hiring plans following the new hundred thousand dollar H1 visa fee that President Trump announced last week.”
— Julie Chang [01:13]
- “US Startups are rethinking their hiring plans following the new hundred thousand dollar H1 visa fee that President Trump announced last week.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Tech Stock Selloff — 00:15 to 00:32
- Nvidia’s Investment & Investor Concerns — 00:32 to 00:48
- Amazon UK Store Update — 00:48 to 01:08
- US Startup Hiring Challenge — 01:13 to 01:41
Summary Tone & Style
Julie Chang delivers the update with the WSJ’s characteristic clarity and brisk pace, spotlighting direct numbers and succinct industry analysis. The tone is factual, analytical, and slightly cautionary when discussing investor and founder reactions.
For those short on time, this TNB Tech Minute delivers the essentials on market volatility, Amazon’s evolving grocery strategy in the UK, and game-changing regulatory news for tech entrepreneurs and startups.