Companies News: Your Weekly Update with Pennington Capital (September 15-22, 2025)

Welcome to the Companies News section of Pennington Capital. This weekly update highlights key developments in corporate earnings, mergers, executive moves, and sector trends, focusing on how they impact investors. 

For the week ending September 22, 2025, corporate news was dominated by U.S.-China trade breakthroughs, tariff reassessments in manufacturing, and media/tech deals, amid softening U.S. job data (openings at 10-month lows) and Fed cut optimism.

The S&P 500's 0.96% gain to 6,664.36 reflected positive sentiment from TikTok's framework deal and steel sector adjustments, though broader tariff concerns lingered. Informed by trusted sources like Reuters, CNN Business, and Bloomberg, this digest covers top stories, trends, and implications. Whether you're holding tech stocks or manufacturing ETFs, stay ahead of corporate shifts.

1. Companies Overview: Key Highlights for the Week

Corporate activity centered on trade resolutions and supply chain realignments, with U.S.-China talks yielding a TikTok framework and tariffs prompting steel order pauses.

• Trade and Tech Deals: A U.S.-China framework agreement on TikTok was reached on September 15, averting a shutdown and allowing U.S. control, with Trump-Xi call set for Friday; Fox Corporation eyes investment.

• Manufacturing Reassessment: At least one-third of companies paused stainless steel orders due to U.S. tariffs up to 50%, with over half rethinking sourcing, per Outokumpu on September 22.

• Media and Business Moves: Women in business spotlighted, including Meg Whitman's new role and Blackstone’s BREIT leadership change; Zelle chief on workplace humor.

• Broader Corporate Sentiment: Earnings season winds down with mixed results; tariff talks boost sentiment but raise inflation fears (0.4pp from tariffs).

Pro Tip: With TikTok's deal signaling trade thaw, favor tech ETFs like QQQ, but hedge manufacturing exposure with short positions amid tariff pauses.

2. Tech and Media Companies: TikTok Framework Deal Takes Center Stage

The week's biggest corporate story was the U.S.-China TikTok agreement, easing national security concerns and boosting media stocks.

• TikTok Breakthrough: On September 15, U.S. officials announced a framework for U.S.-controlled TikTok ownership, resolving years of tension; Trump credits the app for his re-election, with 15 million followers on his account.

• Fox Corporation is considering investment, potentially stabilizing the platform amid app store threats.

• Implications: The deal promotes economic cooperation but protects U.S. interests; Trump-Xi call on Friday could finalize details, lifting tech sentiment (Nasdaq +0.72%).

• Related Moves: Blackstone appoints new BREIT head after tragedy; Meg Whitman takes new gig, highlighting women in business.

Key Story: The TikTok framework, announced September 15, delays shutdowns and fosters U.S.-China ties, potentially unlocking $2 billion in U.S. revenue for ByteDance while easing political risks.

3. Manufacturing and Trade: Tariff Impacts Reshape Supply Chains

Tariffs continued to disrupt corporate strategies, with steel and trade-sensitive firms pausing orders and reassessing sourcing.

• Steel Sector Pause: September 22, Finnish steelmaker Outokumpu reported one-third of surveyed companies halted stainless steel orders due to U.S. tariffs up to 50%, with over half rethinking supply chains.
  This follows broader trade talks in Madrid on September 15, where U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese counterparts discussed economic issues.

• Broader Implications: Tariffs (0.4pp inflation) raise costs for manufacturers, potentially slowing GDP 0.5pp; companies like Outokumpu eye diversification.

• Related News: U.S.-China framework on TikTok indirectly signals trade thaw, but steel tariffs persist.

Key Story: Outokumpu's September 22 report highlights tariff-driven pauses in steel orders, underscoring supply chain shifts as U.S.-China talks evolve.

4. Business and Executive Moves: Women in Leadership Spotlight

Corporate diversity and leadership changes gained attention, with women executives making headlines.

• Women Making Moves: September 20, Fortune highlighted Meg Whitman's new role, Blackstone’s BREIT leadership post-tragedy, and other women advancing; Zelle chief Denise Leonhard discussed humor's role in creativity on September 16.

• Implications: Diversity drives innovation; Whitman's gig at Blackstone boosts REIT sentiment amid 1.9% GDP growth.

• Related: Jimmy Kimmel's ABC pull on September 22 after MAGA comments sparked workplace speech debates.

Key Story: Fortune's September 20 piece on women executives, including Meg Whitman, underscores diversity's impact on corporate performance.

5. Weekly Companies Implications: What It Means for Investors

• Tech/Media: TikTok deal lifts sentiment; favor QQQ for Nasdaq gains, but watch Fox (FOX) for investment updates.

• Manufacturing: Tariff pauses signal caution; short steel ETFs like SLX or diversify to domestic industrials (XLI).

• Leadership Trends: Diversity boosts long-term value; consider REITs like Blackstone (BX) for Whitman's influence.

• Overall: Trade thaw supports equities, but tariffs weigh on industrials; allocate 60% stocks, 40% bonds for balance.

Pro Tip: With TikTok's deal easing trade fears, buy tech dips in QQQ; hedge manufacturing with XLI for domestic shift.

6. Next Week's Companies Watchlist (September 23-29, 2025)

• September 23: Fed minutes on trade impacts; watch for TikTok follow-up.

• September 24: ISM Manufacturing PMI; gauge tariff effects on Outokumpu-like firms.

• September 25: Consumer Confidence; sentiment on leadership diversity.

• September 26: Blackstone earnings; spotlight Whitman's role.

• Ongoing: Trump-Xi call on September 26; monitor for trade/TikTok updates.

Stay Updated: Bookmark this page for next week's update. Follow Reuters, Bloomberg, and Fortune for corporate alerts. Pennington Capital is your partner in staying ahead of company news—empowering informed decisions.

Disclaimer: This update is for educational purposes only, not financial advice. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult a qualified financial professional for personalized guidance.