WSJ Your Money Briefing: What’s News in Markets – AI Deals, Trump on Pharma, Banks Split

Date: October 18, 2025
Host: Francesca Fontana (Wall Street Journal)
Theme: A rundown of the week's most significant market moves, highlighting key trends in AI deals, healthcare, and the banking sector, and their direct impact on stock performance and investor sentiment.

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Francesca Fontana recaps the market's biggest movers of the week, spotlighting major developments in artificial intelligence partnerships, headline-making comments from political leaders affecting pharmaceutical stocks, and the performance divergence among America's largest banks. The focus is on how these news events are shaping investor decisions and influencing the financial landscape, providing a succinct yet comprehensive briefing for those keeping an eye on their money.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Market Volatility and Weekly Performance

• [00:31] The stock market experienced notable fluctuations—rising early in the week due to eased trade war worries and strong bank earnings, but losing steam mid-week over regional banking concerns.
• Weekly Index Performance:
  • Dow: +1.6%
  • S&P 500: +1.7%
  • Nasdaq: +2.1%
• Notable Quote:

  “The big picture takeaway there—America’s biggest bankers said that the economy is solid, the U.S. consumer is healthy, and they haven’t seen much change in recent months.”
  — Francesca Fontana [00:47]

2. Artificial Intelligence: Broadcom, OpenAI & Walmart Partnerships

• Broadcom + OpenAI Deal

  • [01:13] Broadcom boosts its standing with a multi-billion-dollar deal with OpenAI to develop custom AI chips and computing systems.
  • Scale: OpenAI's total computing capacity purchases now amount to 26 gigawatts—more than double the power needed to run New York City in the summer.
  • Broadcom Shares:
    • Jumped 9.9% on Monday, sustaining most gains through the week.
  • Notable Quote:

    “The total scale of computing capacity that OpenAI’s agreed to buy is now 26 gigawatts—that’s enough power to meet the summer electricity needs of New York City more than two times over.”
    — Francesca Fontana [01:45]

• Walmart and OpenAI’s ChatGPT Integration

  • [02:13] Walmart will integrate its product catalog into ChatGPT, allowing U.S. users to shop through the chatbot (excluding fresh food).
  • Walmart Shares:
    • Rose 5% on Tuesday; up 5.8% for the week.

3. Healthcare & Pharma Market Moves

• Hims & Hers Health Expansion

  • [02:40] Telehealth company Hims & Hers saw shares jump 16% midweek after announcing menopause and perimenopause care offerings.
  • The company expects this specialty to help its women’s health unit surpass $1 billion in annual revenue next year.

• Pharma Stocks React to Trump’s Comments

  • [03:06] President Trump’s comments from the Oval Office suggested that the out-of-pocket cost for Ozempic (Novo Nordisk’s diabetes/weight-loss drug) could drop to $150 (from the current ~$1,000/month U.S. list price).
    • This statement spooked investors amid ongoing price negotiations.
  • Novo Nordisk:
    • Fell 3.1% Friday, losing 4.5% for the week.
  • Eli Lilly:
    • Fell 2% Friday, down 3.7% for the week.
  • Drugs in Focus:
    • Novo Nordisk: Ozempic, Wegovy
    • Eli Lilly: Mounjaro, Zepbound
  • Notable Quote:

    “The pricing concerns were enough to send U.S.-traded shares of Novo Nordisk down 3.1% on Friday, losing 4.5% for the week.”
    — Francesca Fontana [03:39]

4. Big Banks: Record Profits but Divergent Outcomes

• [04:14] America’s six largest banks collectively reported $41 billion in Q3 profits—a 19% increase year-over-year.
• Weekly Stock Performance:
  • Gainers:
    • Wells Fargo: +7.3%
    • Bank of America: +5.4%
    • Morgan Stanley: +4.5%
    • Citigroup: +3.3%
  • Losers:
    • Goldman Sachs: −1.8%
    • J.P. Morgan: −1.1%
• Notable Quote:

  “The sixth largest banks said they raked in almost $41 billion in profit in the past three months. That’s a 19% increase from last year.”
  — Francesca Fontana [04:14]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “America’s biggest bankers said that the economy is solid, the U.S. consumer is healthy, and they haven’t seen much change in recent months.” [00:47]
• “The total scale of computing capacity that OpenAI’s agreed to buy is now 26 gigawatts—that’s enough power to meet the summer electricity needs of New York City more than two times over.” [01:45]
• “The pricing concerns were enough to send U.S.-traded shares of Novo Nordisk down 3.1% on Friday, losing 4.5% for the week.” [03:39]
• “The sixth largest banks said they raked in almost $41 billion in profit in the past three months. That’s a 19% increase from last year.” [04:14]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Market overview and index performance: [00:31] – [01:12]
• AI deals (Broadcom, OpenAI, Walmart): [01:13] – [02:38]
• Healthcare sector moves: [02:39] – [03:05]
• Pharma pricing and Trump’s comments: [03:06] – [04:13]
• Bank earnings and weekly performance: [04:14] – [05:20]

In summary, this episode provided a fast-paced and insightful rundown of the week’s market-shaping events, offering sharp analysis on how corporate deals in AI, political statements affecting pharma, and diverging bank results are shaping portfolios and the wider financial landscape.