CNBC Daily Open: Oracle’s debt seems to be affecting data center funding

Dec 18, 2025 | Uncategorized

In this article

A view of Oracle headquarters on September 11, 2023 in Redwood Shores, California. 
Justin Sullivan | Getty Images


Taken from CNBC’s Daily Open, our international markets newsletter — Subscribe today

The apprehension investors have surrounding Oracle

Asset management firm Blue Owl Capital reportedly pulled out from Oracle’s $10 billion data center project over unfavorable debt terms, according to the Financial Times, as concerns about the tech giant’s high level of debt mount.

The latest development adds fuel to worries that Oracle could delay the completion of data centers for OpenAI, which were first flagged by Bloomberg on Friday, though the cloud company has denied the report.

Shares of Oracle fell 5.4% Wednesday, putting its month-to-date losses more than 11%. They weighed down related names, such as BroadcomNvidiaAdvanced Micro Devices

As a result,major U.S. indexes fell. The S&P 500Dow Jones Industrial AverageNasdaq Composite

Despite the recent pullback in artificial intelligence stocks, the Bank of America thinks “the AI trade may still have room to run into 2026” — with the important caveat that shares going up does not mean a bubble isn’t forming.

“In our view, such progression validates our thesis that a larger AI bubble continues to build,” analysts at Bank of America wrote.

The trouble, as always, is pinpointing the exact moment before the bubble pops — if that’s even possible.

— CNBC’s Jaures Yip contributed to this report.

What you need to know today

Major U.S. indexes fall on AI weakness. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average had their fourth consecutive losing session. Asia-Pacific markets mostly slid Thursday. Japan’s Softbankparing earlier losses, with the Nikkei 225

China’s chipmakers are challenging Nvidia. MetaX Integrated Circuits, a Chinese semiconductor firm, soared nearly 700% in its market debut on Wednesday. It’s a sign of how investors are growing enthusiastic over Chinese chipmakers and their progress in catching up with Nvidia.

Netflix deal is ‘superior’ to Paramount’s, Warner Bros. says. Samuel Di Piazza, chair of the Warner Bros.appreciated more involvement from Paramount Skydance

U.S. approves arms sale to Taiwan, reportedly the biggest ever. The $11.15 billion transaction, which was given the green light on Thursday, reportedly comprises HIMARS rocket artillery systems, self-propelled howitzer systems and Javelin and TOW anti-tank missiles, according to Reuters.

[PRO] One chart is worrying Michael Burry. “The Big Short” investor pointed to a graphic produced by Wells Fargoonly happened twice before and preceded bear markets that “lasted years.”

And finally…

People walk past a Starbucks Reserve in the Huangpu district in Shanghai on April 11, 2025.
Hector Retamal | Afp | Getty Images

From Starbucks to Burger King: Why Western food giants are selling large stakes to Chinese private equity funds

Foreign food-and-beverage chains once thrived in China without adapting much — premium Western products practically sold themselves. Today, decisions made from distant headquarters no longer cut it.

Western brands have seen their fortunes shift as homegrown players surge ahead with competitive pricing, smart digital strategies and a sharper read on local consumer preferences. Luckin Coffee, for instance, overtook Starbucks in both sales and store count in 2023.

— Elaine Yu and Anniek Bao

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Correction: An earlier version of this report stated the wrong date of the U.S. government’s approval of its arms sale to Taiwan. This has been rectified.

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