Wsj What's News

The last couple of years have seen fewer mergers-and-acquisitions deals targeting U.S. companies, but a new presidential administration is bringing optimism for a pickup in M&A activity. WSJ’s Ben Dummett explains how a change in political leadership could pave the way for a reset of antitrust policies, what sectors might see more deals and what those deals might look like. Charlotte Gartenberg hosts. Further Reading As Trump Readies a Reset of Antitrust Policy, Look to These Sectors for Deals  Trump Aims to Remake Federal Trade Commission With Two Picks  Why Goldman Stands Out as a Trump-Era Winner on Wall Street  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How are discounts boosting Olive Garden owner Darden Restaurants? And how did an activist investor lift government contractor KBR? Plus, why did Berkshire Hathaway’s bets boost three companies? Host Karen Langley discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 20. For a growing number of men, what started as an interest in meme stocks or crypto has turned into a gambling addiction. WSJ markets reporter Gunjan Banerji went to Gamblers Anonymous meetings to understand more. And U.S. lawmakers are racing to avoid a government shutdown at midnight. Katy Stech Ferek, who covers Congress for The Wall Street Journal, gives us her read from the Hill. Plus, at least two people were killed and more than 60 wounded in an attack at a Christmas market in eastern Germany. You can follow the developing story on wsj.com. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Dec. 20. Most Democrats and several dozen Republicans join ranks to reject a revised spending measure, putting the U.S. on course for a government shutdown at midnight. Plus, Donald Trump threatens the EU with tariffs if it fails to increase U.S. energy imports. And Heard on the Street columnist Jon Sindreu explains the difference between being ultrarich, rich or merely affluent … and why that matters for banks trying to make their wealth-management offerings more inclusive. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 19. Aides and advisers stepped in to keep President Biden’s agenda on track despite the limitations of the oldest president in U.S. history. WSJ investigations reporter Rebecca Ballhaus tells us how this affected his presidency. And President-elect Donald Trump endorses a new deal that House Republicans have put together in an effort to avoid a government shutdown this weekend. Plus, sales of previously owned homes in the U.S. are on track to hit the lowest level this year since 1995, even as November saw sales numbers tick up. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Dec. 19. Late-breaking objections by the president-elect and Elon Musk to a bipartisan spending bill raise the prospects of a government shutdown. Plus, WSJ Europe finance editor Alex Frangos discusses how global markets are processing yesterday’s Fed-fueled selloff. And the Department of Justice sues CVS Health over its alleged role in contributing to the opioid crisis. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 18. The Federal Reserve drops interest rates by a quarter point, but signals intent to slow interest-rate cuts next year. And former students have filed a motion in a lawsuit against several elite universities, alleging that they colluded to determine students’ financial aid packages. WSJ higher education reporter Doug Belkin talks about how the suit taps into growing public frustration with the schools. Plus, reporter Richard Rubin talks about a new proposal in Congress that could cut taxes for Americans living abroad. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Dec. 18. Two of Japan’s biggest automakers - Honda and Nissan - are in talks over a tie-up that could create one of the world’s largest car companies. WSJ editor Peter Landers says the historical rivals are seeking to further share development costs, amid struggles for both companies in the vital Chinese market. Plus, U.S. authorities are considering a ban on the sale of internet routers from Chinese firm TP-Link, which have been linked to cyberattacks. And hedge funds are piling into utilities stocks, banking on the energy demand that’s powering the AI boom. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 17. President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet picks have a range of perspectives. Wall Street Journal senior political correspondent Molly Ball tells us what conflicts may arise as they govern. And the Fed is expected to cut interest rates tomorrow, but WSJ chief economics correspondent Nick Timiraos says what happens after that is far from certain. Plus, Luigi Mangione is indicted on murder charges over the killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Dec. 17. Kyiv says it was behind a high-profile assassination in the Russian capital, its latest attempt to strike targets far from the frontlines. Plus, U.S. officials warn that Turkey could be preparing for a large-scale incursion into Syria. And WSJ correspondent Brian Spegele explains how social frustrations tied to economic malaise in China are sparking alarm among leaders in Beijing. Kate Bullivant hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 16. Conflicts once viewed as disconnected have merged into what could be the opening shots of a massive confrontation. Chief foreign-affairs correspondent Yaroslav Trofimov reports on how opposing alliances are preparing. And President-elect Donald Trump and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son announce a $100 billion investment in U.S. projects. Plus, police say a student at a Christian school in Madison, Wis., is believed to have fatally shot at least two people. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 A.M. Edition for Dec. 16. The U.S. government is sending a drone-detection system to New York to help investigate a recent surge in drone sightings, even as federal agencies say there's no evidence national security is at risk. Plus, Apple plans to release thinner and foldable iPhones in a bid to revive sagging sales growth. And WSJ reporter Rebecca Picciotto explains how real-estate investment trusts are betting billions on rental homes as ownership slips out of reach for many Americans. Luke Vargas hosts.  Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

During this presidential election, the youth vote shifted in Trump's favor. The issues guiding young voters are shifting. What does this change tell us about how the next generation is thinking about Trump, politics and the role of government in their lives? We talk to WSJ’s Jimmy Vielkind about what he heard from Gen Z voters across the country while reporting Chasing the Base and Chasing the Vote, and to reporter and editor Aaron Zitner about the demographics and economics driving this shift. Charlotte Gartenberg hosts. Further Reading Young Voters Helped Fuel Trump’s Win  Trump Is Attracting Young Male Voters. Can Harris Change That?  Why Gen Z Voters Are America’s Most Disillusioned  Who Voted? A Younger, More Female Electorate  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How Walgreens got on the way to recovery. And why Alphabet’s and Oracle’s paths diverged. Plus, how GM ending its robotaxi program hit rideshare stocks. Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 13. Dollar stores are a bellwether for the spending of lower-income Americans and recent data shows they are feeling financial strain. WSJ Heard on the Street columnist Jinjoo Lee talks about the forces at play. And the new presidential planes that Donald Trump negotiated for during his first term will likely not be ready for him to fly in during his second term, either. We will hear what is going on at Boeing from Wall Street Journal aviation reporter Andrew Tangel. Plus, the U.S. prepares new rules that would restrict the sale of advanced AI chips, aimed at limiting China’s access. Alex Ossola hosts.  Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Dec. 13. The president-elect’s transition team explores ways to shrink, merge or even eliminate the top bank watchdogs in Washington. Plus, Trump advisers consider military action against Iran to stop its nuclear program. And the WSJ’s Jared Malsin is in Damascus, where the rebels who toppled the Assad regime are trying to chart the country’s future. Luke Vargas hosts.  Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 12. The cryptocurrency industry is hoping that under the Trump administration their relationship with banks will improve. Wall Street Journal finance reporter Angel Au-Yeung explains what that could look like. And the failed merger between supermarket operators Kroger and Albertsons will be a hit to their growing advertising businesses, says WSJ reporter Patrick Coffee. Plus, Warner Bros. Discovery restructures into two divisions, which could better position it for deals down the line. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Dec. 12. Arab meditators say Hamas has agreed to a pair of Israeli demands –including handing over a list of hostages it would release under a deal–in a move that could put diplomatic efforts to end their war back on track. WSJ senior Middle East correspondent Summer Said explains why the militant group may be displaying newfound flexibility toward negotiations. Plus, the Biden administration cracks down on bank overdraft fees. And Switzerland makes a bumper interest-rate cut, as investors size up the possibility future cuts cross into negative territory. Luke Vargas hosts.  Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 11. Bills introduced in the Senate and House seek to break up pharmacy-benefit managers, or PBMs. WSJ reporter Liz Essley Whyte explains what that could mean for companies and for consumers. And U.S. inflation ticked up last month. Wall Street Journal economics reporter Harriet Torry clues us in on what that might mean for the Fed when it meets next week. Plus, FBI Director Christopher Wray steps down before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Dec. 11. Donald Trump picks Andrew Ferguson to succeed Lina Khan as FTC chair, seeking to remake the agency. Plus, Trump pledges to speed up permitting for companies investing over $1 billion—and while reform in this area has garnered bipartisan support in recent years, the WSJ’s Siobhan Hughes says other parts of the president-elect’s agenda could meet resistance in Congress… though we could also see some surprising alliances. And GM walks away from its Cruise robotaxi program after nearly a decade and $10 billion in development. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices