OpenAI Valuation Hits $325 Billion; Netflix Signs NFL Streaming Deal; Wall Street Focuses on Tech Earnings

OpenAI is now valued at $325 billion in private markets. Netflix secures NFL streaming rights. Wall Street tracks tech earnings and market performance.

iShook Opinion

Jul 18, 2025 - 13:04

Jul 18, 2025 - 13:07

OpenAI Valuation Hits $325 Billion; Netflix Signs NFL Streaming Deal; Wall Street Focuses on Tech Earnings

The stock market ended the week steady but cautious, as investors weighed fresh earnings, political pressure on the Federal Reserve, and new federal action on cryptocurrency regulation.

Tech stocks continued to lead gains in July, helped by enthusiasm around artificial intelligence. But for much of the broader market, momentum has slowed. Investors had hoped for signs of a Federal Reserve rate cut, but that possibility looks unlikely after recent inflation reports.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average is up 1.1% this month, the S&P 500 has gained 1.8%, and the Nasdaq Compositeleads with a 2.8% advance. Chipmakers like Nvidia and Taiwan Semiconductor are driving the tech-heavy Nasdaq higher, as demand for AI infrastructure grows.

Powell Faces New Fed Scrutiny

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is under new political fire over the central bank’s $2.5 billion headquarters renovation, a project that’s drawn criticism from President Trump.

Trump’s public attacks have put the Fed in an unusual position, raising concerns about whether the central bank can remain independent from political influence during an election year.

Bond market strategists are already warning about the fallout. Analysts at Barclays said if Trump removes Powell, long-term Treasury yields could spike by 50 basis points. The fear is that replacing Powell would signal weaker commitment to fighting inflation, which could shake investor confidence in government bonds.

One economist said privately that if Powell is forced out, markets could quickly adjust by pricing in higher inflation and fewer interest rate cuts in the months ahead.

Netflix Maintains Growth, Moves Into Sports Streaming

Netflix (NFLX) delivered strong earnings this week, showing no signs of slowing down despite raising subscription prices earlier this year.

The streaming platform posted better-than-expected revenue growth and lifted its 2025 forecast. Netflix also announced plans to expand into live sports, including an NFL double-header on Christmas Day—a first for the company.

Key numbers from Netflix’s quarter:

Subscription growth remained steady despite price hikes.
Revenue and profit margins both improved, beating Wall Street expectations.
The company is betting on new content, including Happy Gilmore 2, to drive viewership into year-end.

Analysts remain bullish. KeyBanc’s Justin Patterson told investors that Netflix has a proven track record of turning new releases into hits, giving it room to keep raising prices and grow ad revenue without losing customers.

Congress Approves Stablecoin Regulation

Lawmakers in the House passed the GENIUS Act on Thursday, marking the first major overhaul of cryptocurrency regulation in the U.S.

The bill sets clear rules for stablecoins, the digital currencies tied to the U.S. dollar. It also provides basic protections for consumers who hold stablecoins and outlines how banks and private companies can issue them.

The legislation now goes to President Trump, who is expected to sign it into law.

Crypto-related stocks surged after the vote. Coinbase (COIN), Webull (BULL), Circle (CRCL), and Robinhood (HOOD) all saw gains on Friday.

Nass Eddequiouaq, CEO of Bastion, a major stablecoin issuer, said the new rules are a breakthrough for the industry.

“This bill gives crypto companies the framework they need to operate at scale. We expect stablecoins to become part of everyday banking very soon,” he said.

Amex Reports Record Spending Growth

American Express (AXP) reported higher-than-expected earnings on Friday, showing that U.S. consumers are still spending heavily—even with tariffs and inflation in the background.

Second-quarter highlights:

Sales rose 9%.
Adjusted earnings climbed 17%.
Cardholder spending reached a record high.

Amex CEO Stephen Squeri said travel spending has cooled slightly, but everyday spending remains strong.

Since Squeri took over in 2018, Amex shares have gained 226%.

OpenAI Draws Wall Street Attention Without Going Public

In a rare move for a company that hasn’t gone public, JPMorgan started official research coverage on OpenAI, the artificial intelligence firm behind ChatGPT.

Analyst Brenda Duverce said OpenAI is positioned to change how people search online and use productivity tools. JPMorgan estimates the company is looking at a $700 billion market opportunity, especially as AI tools get built into software and cloud services.

OpenAI currently holds a private valuation of $325 billion, according to markets data. That makes it the second most valuable private company in the world, just behind SpaceX, which is valued at $443 billion.

Wall Street’s interest in OpenAI shows how AI has gone from a tech niche to a major investment theme—even before companies like OpenAI go public.

This Week’s Market Recap

Market Focus	Key Developments
Federal Reserve	Fed Chair Jerome Powell faces political pressure over a $2.5 billion headquarters renovation, drawing criticism from President Trump and raising concerns about central bank independence.
Streaming Media	Netflix raised its 2025 revenue and profit forecast after reporting strong subscriber retention. The company also secured NFL streaming rights for Christmas Day games, marking its move into live sports.
Cryptocurrency	The House passed the GENIUS Act, creating the first federal framework for stablecoins. The bill outlines new rules for issuers and banks, with broad bipartisan support.
Consumer Spending	American Express reported record second-quarter cardmember spending, up 9% year-over-year, even as consumers face higher prices from tariffs and inflation.
AI and Tech	OpenAI, now valued at $325 billion in private markets, received rare Wall Street research coverage despite not being publicly traded. JPMorgan initiated analyst notes on the company’s growth prospects.