WSJ What’s News – PM Edition

Episode: Qualcomm Takes On Nvidia in the AI Chip Race
Date: October 27, 2025
Host: Alex Osola, The Wall Street Journal

Overview

This episode covers several major business and global news stories, with a spotlight on Qualcomm’s entry into the artificial intelligence (AI) chip market and its direct competition with Nvidia. Other significant topics include Hurricane Melissa’s threat to Jamaica and the Caribbean, the Sudanese conflict, breaking news in US markets, Keurig Dr. Pepper’s breakup deal, and Miami’s ultra-wealthy neighborhoods grappling with security.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Hurricane Melissa’s Imminent Threat

Segment begins at 00:58

• Storm Update: Hurricane Melissa has escalated to a Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds, threatening Jamaica with devastating floods (up to 40 inches) and damaging winds.

• Preparations: Jamaica bracing with evacuations and strict shelter-in-place instructions.

• Regional Impact: Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Turks and Caicos also projected to be affected, but Jamaica expected to take the brunt.

• Season Context: The 4th major hurricane this Atlantic season; prior storms have been less destructive.

  “Jamaica is expecting a pretty devastating storm that could cause some widespread flooding and really damaging winds.”
  — Joseph de Avila, WSJ reporter (01:42)

2. Sudan’s Darfur Falls to Rebels

Segment begins at 03:28

• Conflict Update: Sudanese rebels have seized the last government stronghold in Darfur, gaining full control of a region twice afflicted by genocide.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Over 12 million displaced and an estimated 150,000 killed.

3. US Markets Surge on Trade Optimism

Segment begins at 03:28

• Market Rally: Major US indices hit new records after “constructive” US-China trade talks. Nasdaq up 1.9%, S&P 500 up 1.2%, Dow up 0.7%.
• Big Tech Stocks: Led the day’s gains.

4. Keurig Dr. Pepper's Split and Private Equity Backing

Segment begins at 03:28; Deep dive 04:49–06:28

• Deal Overview: KKR and Apollo Global Management to invest $3B in the beverage business and, with Goldman Sachs, $4B for the coffee division, including a Keurig manufacturing joint venture.

• Strategic Rationale: Incoming private capital to facilitate separation into two standalone public companies — beverage and coffee.

• Market Context: Trend of corporate breakups; rationale is aligned businesses, improved focus, and Gen Z-driven success for Dr. Pepper.

  “Dr. Pepper is doing really well… especially Gen Z because it has all those buzzy flavors. And Keurig is just a different profile.”
  — Laura Cooper, WSJ reporter (05:57)

5. Qualcomm Enters the AI Chip Race

Segment begins at 06:55; Deep dive 07:37–08:35

• Announcement: Qualcomm shares soar 11% as it reveals its AI 200 (shipping next year) and AI 250 (2027) accelerator chips.

• Competitive Landscape: Qualcomm, traditionally a smartphone chip leader, now challenging Nvidia, AMD, and Broadcom in the red-hot AI semiconductor market.

• Industry Demand: Global chip shortages and sky-high AI demand from OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google create market opportunity.

  “There’s just tons and tons of developers out there ... trying to produce AI driven tools and products. And so the industry really does need a lot more options in terms of chips.”
  — Robby Whelan, WSJ tech reporter (07:37)

• Market Impact: Qualcomms' move is seen as a major step to diversify and expand, addressing computing needs for advanced AI tasks.

6. Federal Reserve Succession Speculation

Segment at 08:35

• Presidential Decision: President Trump may announce his choice for Fed chair successor soon, with five finalists (including two current governors and a senior BlackRock executive).
• Political Stakes: Ongoing government shutdown highlighted as an “avoidable crisis” by federal worker unions.

7. Miami’s Ultra-Wealthy Eye Gated Streets

Segment begins at 10:02

• Local Debate: Residents of North Bay Road, a wealthy Miami Beach enclave, are pushing to gate their street, citing fears of crime, especially luxury car theft.

• Community Tensions: Critics argue gating would shift, not solve, crime and worsen traffic for others.

  “There’s no clear evidence that this would reduce crime. And even if it would, ... the people outside the gates deserve as much protection as inside.”
  — Adam Kravitz, attorney & local resident (10:18)

  “North Bay Road represents what Miami beach can be at its very best. And when you protect that, the property values rise, tax revenue grows, and the entire city benefits from the ripple effect.”
  — Matt Barnes, North Bay Road resident (10:46)

• Broader Trend: Wealthier Americans nationwide are investing more in security, private guards, and advanced home systems following high-profile crime incidents.

  “The super rich across America are more concerned than ever before about their security.”
  — Catherine Clark, WSJ reporter (11:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:42] Joseph de Avila: “Jamaica is expecting a pretty devastating storm that could cause some widespread flooding and really damaging winds.”
• [05:57] Laura Cooper: “Dr. Pepper is doing really well… especially Gen Z because it has all those buzzy flavors. And Keurig is just a different profile.”
• [07:37] Robby Whelan: “There’s just tons and tons of developers out there ... trying to produce AI driven tools and products. And so the industry really does need a lot more options in terms of chips.”
• [10:18] Adam Kravitz: “There’s no clear evidence that this would reduce crime. And even if it would, ... the people outside the gates deserve as much protection as inside.”
• [10:46] Matt Barnes: “North Bay Road represents what Miami beach can be at its very best. And when you protect that, the property values rise, tax revenue grows, and the entire city benefits from the ripple effect.”
• [11:56] Catherine Clark: “The super rich across America are more concerned than ever before about their security.”

Timestamps of Important Segments

• 00:58 — Hurricane Melissa threatens Jamaica (with Joseph d’Avila)
• 03:28 — Darfur falls to rebels; US stock market update
• 04:49 — Keurig Dr. Pepper split deal explained (with Laura Cooper)
• 06:55 — Qualcomm announces new AI chips; competition with Nvidia (with Robby Whelan at 07:37)
• 08:35 — Fed chair succession; government shutdown update
• 10:02 — Wealthy Miami Beach residents consider gating streets (with local voices and Catherine Clark)

Tone & Style

The episode maintains WSJ’s clear, concise, and information-driven tone, balancing quick headline reporting with informative deep dives and expert guest interviews. The dialogue stays accessible while providing context, analysis, and a touch of on-the-ground perspective.