Viewsroom: Recent Episodes

Reuters

Breakingviews columnists talk about the big numbers, crunchy deals and nasty spats in global business and economics, offering a weekly dose of financial insight that goes beyond the concise and provocative views readers get from our columns every day. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gabon’s government was overthrown by a military revolt, following similar unrest in Niger. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how instability in producers of key resources like manganese and uranium will lead global powers to hunt for more stable sources. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The People’s Republic is scrambling to stop the yuan’s weakening against the US dollar. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss capital flight pressures and tepid investor interest in the world’s second largest economy, and what that means for the wider world. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The chip designer is preparing a stock market listing in the US. Orders are already being lined up from customers like Amazon.com but in this Viewroom podcast Breakingviews columnists explain why it may not get a lofty valuation and how that could put off possible followers. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The stock market’s mood increasingly hinges on the vagaries of tech giants like Meta, Amazon and Apple. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how most of their recent earnings held up – even if only compared to muted expectations for their core businesses. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sandal-maker Birkenstock is among those angling to defy a downturn in stock-market debuts. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how corporate hopefuls on both sides of the Atlantic are trying to thaw the deepest freeze on public listings since the pandemic. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Federal Reserve and ECB once again hiked interest rates. Yet US price rises are easing with few signs of economic pain. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how this phenomenon, dubbed ‘immaculate disinflation’, complicates what policymakers do next. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The recovery in the world’s second largest economy is stalling. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how that weakness will test President Xi Jinping’s resolve to deleverage sectors including property and add urgency to find new growth engines. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The privately owned UK water company managed to cobble together a rescue from existing shareholders. But in this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss why the fresh funds may not be enough, and the threat of nationalisation hangs over the sector as a whole. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HSBC is quitting the financial hub and moving to smaller quarters. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how hybrid working is an existential threat for commercial property and how Canary Wharf’s pivot to residential and retail may only be a partial salve. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Russian president restored a semblance of calm in Moscow after an aborted mutiny. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate what this means for the country’s invasion of its neighbour. It’s helpful, but not necessarily transformative, for Kyiv’s resistance. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talk of reconstruction may seem premature with Russia still firing missiles at Kyiv. Yet that’s what policymakers and financiers gathered in London this week to debate. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the cost, the timetable, and who picks up the tab. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Premier League soccer club is in the final stages of a tense bidding war. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the merits of offers from a Qatari suitor and chemicals tycoon Jim Ratcliffe, and what options minority investors face if they are shut out. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Gulf state is slashing oil production in July and convinced OPEC+ to extend cuts to the end of 2024. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how these restrictions may still not be enough to convince investors to stop worrying about recession. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The seeds-to-pesticides group is planning a $9 bln stock market float in Shanghai this year. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how investors need to get comfortable with its high debt levels and use of toxic chemicals that could hurt its valuation. Visit the Thomson Reuters Privacy Statement for information on our privacy and data protection practices. You may also visit megaphone.fm/adchoices to opt-out of targeted advertising. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Protests broke out across the People’s Republic this week as authorities tightened lockdowns to contain the virus. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the difficulties of walking back a policy that leader Xi Jinping has convinced the country is necessary. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sam Bankman-Fried’s failed crypto exchange is a huge blow to the ailing sector. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how firewalls helped protect banks, how the saga will embolden regulators, and what the future looks like for digital currencies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The global climate meeting has mostly failed to lure the same corporate big hitters as Glasgow did last year. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how even if the gathering in Egypt’s Sharm El-Sheikh yields little progress, 2023 in the UAE could be better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

CEO Ulrich Körner is raising $4 bln of fresh equity and shrinking the Zurich-based group’s trading business to put it on a steadier footing. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the merits of the plan and what’s at stake if it fails. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Tesla boss is now the proud owner of the social media platform. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the billionaire’s plans to boost revenue, the implications for the electric carmaker’s shareholders, and what the saga tells us about mega-deals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 18 bln euro sportswear maker severed ties with the musician over offensive comments. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how the financial benefits to Adidas nevertheless outweighed the costs. That may spur other brands to pursue outspoken stars. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New finance minister Jeremy Hunt has scrapped most of his predecessor’s unfunded tax cuts, scuppering Prime Minister Liz Truss’s growth plan. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate what the U-turn means for markets – and whether Truss can survive. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A judge in Delaware has given the Tesla CEO until the end of the month to make good on his vow to buy the social media giant. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists delve into the many twists of this M&A saga, Musk’s options, and what’s likely to happen next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month’s quinquennial meeting will shed some light on President Xi Jinping’s policy priorities amid a slowing economy and Covid lockdowns. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists offer pointers on what to watch for from this staged but critical political event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sterling fell to a record low and gilt yields soared after finance minister Kwasi Kwarteng unveiled a raft of unfunded tax cuts. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain the long-term damage to the UK’s credibility and what will rebuild investors’ confidence. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Far-right leader Giorgia Meloni is favourite to become prime minister after Sunday’s election. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate how she will handle Rome’s debt, which is expected to reach 148% of GDP. And: the online retail giant’s antitrust battle. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Activist Dan Loeb backed away from his demand that the $203 bln media firm sell its sports network. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate whether it’s the right move. And the $94 bln mining giant’s attempt to secure copper supply may need heavier machinery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Russian President Vladimir Putin cuts off gas through a key pipeline, Breakingviews columnists discuss the response from UK and European governments, how the shutdown could have some longer-term benefits, and when Russia will feel the squeeze of lost revenue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Beijing will let companies submit to U.S. audit requirements. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists argue only weak firms will comply. Also, Pfizer and Moderna’s legal battle is unlikely to create a winner, and Britain’s prime ministerial hopefuls debate handouts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Automakers like Toyota still favour cars that run on both batteries and fossil fuels. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate whether this is smart given shoddy power grids and rising cell costs, or a dangerous distraction in the battle against climate change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America’s largest private employer’s market value fell $35 bln amid a profit warning. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how customers shifting to low-margin food is a harbinger for rivals. Also, the Dove maker is pushing quality versus quantity sales. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Homeowners in the world’s second-largest economy are refusing to pay mortgages on unbuilt homes. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists describe how government deleveraging policy destabilised the sector – and President Xi Jinping’s unpalatable options for fixing it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The assassination of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is an end of an economic era. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate how his party’s success could bring about big spending. Also, the euro’s decline is a problem for central bank chief Christine Lagarde. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tesco has pulled products made by the $47 bln baked bean producer over price rises. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate how this loss of variety could open the door for rivals to expand. Also, the People’s Republic’s means of hitting economic goals. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The digital brokerage is worth less than a quarter of its $32 bln IPO value. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists argue that its $7 bln cash pile and ample user base make it an attractive target. Also, Western leaders’ plan to restrict funds to Moscow may backfire. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Investment banks like HSBC and Citigroup are beefing up teams in the Middle East to rake in juicy IPO and M&A fees. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss why early investment is paying off. Also, the People’s Republic’s jobs crisis is likely to worsen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disney took half the viewing rights to the country’s top sport league which fetched $6.2 bln. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate who won. They also discuss Boris Johnson's plan to rip up his EU exit deal and BlackRock’s efforts to distribute voting rights. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The work from home revolution looks here to stay with nearly 80% of surveyed employers accepting it as the new norm. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss how this will be painful for office landlords. Plus, the $22 bln Japanese company’s mysterious future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

EY is considering splitting its audit unit from its fast-growing consulting practice. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate a possible $60 bln valuation and why the plan may create few winners. Also, inflation is creating a murky economic picture stateside. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The bank’s head of responsible investing believes policymakers are exaggerating the financial risks of climate change. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the ramifications of those remarks. Plus: The World Economic Forum is back, but the mood is dour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Terra unravelled while $75 bln Tether wobbled. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss why reforming stablecoins which are supposedly linked to the dollar could dent their allure. Also, the Wall Street firm’s vacation offering is unlikely to benefit staff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roman Abramovich is selling the soccer team to a group led by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly for $3 bln. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss the chunky valuation and the owner’s spending plans. Also, high prices are hitting the rich as well as the poor.

The $129 bln bank is under pressure from its largest shareholder to spin off its Asian unit. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss why the plan deserves short shrift. Also, the decision by oil giants to limit production will win few friends.

Tesla’s boss is close to clinching control of the social network, having secured financing from Wall Street. Breakingviews columnists discuss why the bet makes sense for banks in this Viewsroom podcast. Also, the streaming service’s subscriber pain may lead to bountiful change.

As Elon Musk dangles a $41 billion offer, Breakingviews columnists discuss whether anybody will end up buying the social network in this Viewsroom podcast. Plus, the Chinese ride-hailing firm cancels its U.S. listing less than a year after arriving, leaving shareholders stranded.

As Shanghai grapples with a coronavirus outbreak and almost one-third of the country’s population is under lockdown, Breakingviews columnists discuss the impact on China’s economy in this Viewsroom podcast. Plus, tiny Lithuania shows European countries how to give up Russian gas.

Outspoken political and business leaders are making big moves. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss why Twitter may have reaped the benefits from Elon Musk’s investment and how French president Emmanuel Macron needs to work hard to win over voters.

The war in Ukraine is spurring investors and governments to act fast. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists discuss foreign cash fleeing Beijing, the West’s rapid plan to de-Russify its energy mix and Vladimir Putin’s options for his $140 billion gold chest. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The pandemic continues to shape business and policy around the world. In this Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate a possible 21 bln euro bid for city-centre warehouses, the relaxing of restrictions in Hong Kong, and a recent conflab of M&A advisers in New Orleans. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The war in Ukraine is affecting far corners of global finance. In the Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists explain how the conflict helped bring nickel trading to a halt in London. And why oil giant Total and carmaker Renault are resisting the exodus by Western companies. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The shockwaves from President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine are reverberating around the world. In our Viewsroom podcast, Breakingviews columnists debate the country’s isolation, the impact on Asia, Europe’s plan to wean itself off Russian gas, and the fallout for banks.

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The imposition of sweeping financial sanctions by the West to punish President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine didn’t result in a Lehman-like moment in debt and equity markets. But there are still many unknowns to fret about, our columnists say in the Viewsroom podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As President Vladimir Putin launches the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two and the West prepares its response, Dasha Afanasieva and Gina Chon discuss what comes next. And Liam Proud explains how an embarrassing data leak is the Swiss bank’s latest headache. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Worries about an invasion of Ukraine have rattled markets, but Dasha Afanasieva says Russian investors are more sanguine. The European Central Bank faces a tougher inflation juggling act, argues Swaha Pattanaik. And Una Galani discusses the listing of India’s Life Insurance Corp. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Neil Young’s podcast protests have shone a light on a potential flaw in Spotify’s business model, says Liam Proud. Peloton highlights the danger of giving company founders too much voting power, Rob Cyran argues. And semiconductor M&A gives global antitrust regulators agita. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As António Horta-Osório quits the Swiss lender after less than a year, Liam Proud explains what happened and offers career advice. And Unilever’s 50 bln pound offer for the pharma giant’s consumer unit puts both CEOs on the spot, say Aimee Donnellan and Dasha Afanasieva. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The company led by Tim Cook hit another mega-milestone thanks to a lightning focus on the iPhone universe and investor willingness to accord it a market-beating multiple, Richard Beales explains. And Elizabeth Holmes draws bright lines between hype and fraud, Gina Chon says. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

M&A bankers will need to think small, in size, but big when it comes to helping clients meet net-zero climate targets. Watch for Big Pharma to tool up in the data arms race. And the Great Resignation will hit executive suites because running companies remotely is no fun. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Look for an end to the cult of revenue and another milestone for Microsoft. As net-zero efforts falter, investors ready a Plan B. Riyadh becomes strangely appealing. The World Cup pays dividends for the Gulf. And chips become Taiwan’s green calling card. Our columnists explain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gina Chon assesses how China’s 20 years of membership of the World Trade Organization have played out compared to expectations in 2001. And Jonathan Guilford test-drives Harley-Davidson’s deal to merge its electric-motorcycle unit with a blank-check company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the world gets to grips with a new coronavirus variant, Swaha Pattanaik looks ahead to how Omicron could frustrate attempts to rein in rising prices. Meanwhile, Gina Chon watches Twitter say goodbye to founder Jack Dorsey and usher in a new, still-quirky governance setup. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The board of Italy’s phone monopoly has a golden opportunity to end to years of creeping control, poor governance and dismal performance by considering a sale following the unsolicited $12 bln bid from KKR. And Gina Chon explains why Jay Powell has the hardest job in finance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Big lenders in the euro zone are doing deals, but not the kind investment bankers dream about. BNP Paribas is in U.S. retreat, BBVA bulks up in Turkey and KBC goes Bulgarian. Liam Proud explains. George Hay explains why the Anglo-Dutch oil major is dropping the Dutch bit. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Though Larry Culp’s move to separate the U.S. industrial conglomerate into three parts marks the end of an era, the decision was inevitable, John Foley argues. And the UN climate do kicks off its second week with one step backward. George Hay and Rob Cox check in from Glasgow. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

World and business leaders made some headway in pledges to limit planetary frying during the first week of COP26 in Glasgow, say George Hay and Rob Cox. Also, venture capitalists and startups mingled along the banks of the Tagus in Lisbon with Peter Thal Larsen and Karen Kwok. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As world leaders and corporate chieftains converge on Glasgow for the UN climate powwow, Rob Cox and George Hay talk about one European steel town’s struggle to transition from hydrocarbons to a green new era. And Lisa Jucca discusses the latest on UniCredit’s M&A options. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Australian climate policy is a work in progress, and Antony Currie fears the country’s net-zero plans may yet prove to be a damp squib. On the other hand, the South Korean drama is anything but: Jennifer Saba explains why the show is a major victory for Netflix and its investors. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The multilateral lender’s boss, Kristalina Georgieva, rode out data-rigging charges. Now she has got a lot to prove. Swaha Pattanaik ticks through how she can remake her legacy and reform the institution. Aimee Donnellan walks through the aisles of French supermarket finance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rivian drops its IPO prospectus, Volvo readies its public market return, Hertz brings on a car guy and GM gets a thumbs up from Engine No. 1. Antony Currie puts it all together. And what does Facebook’s outage mean for shareholders? Gina Chon and Richard Beales weigh in. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Trucker shortages, partly thanks to Brexit, have been blamed for all manner of UK economic hardships, from toilet paper scarcities to long queues at petrol stations. Ed Cropley and Peter Thal Larsen explain. And our columnists in Hong Kong discuss casinos and investment banking. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Global investors have woken up to the potential financial risks that the heavily indebted Chinese property developer poses. Breakingviews Asia columnists explain, though, that even in a worst-case scenario its effects beyond the country’s borders should be limited. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Beijing’s crackdown on Jack Ma’s fintech giant continues, but there may be some silver linings to the latest wrinkle, Robyn Mak tells Pete Sweeney. Meantime Dasha Afanasieva explains what a cigar spinoff at Swedish Match and carveouts at Royal DSM have in common. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As the Central American country adopts the cryptocurrency as a coin of the realm, Richard Beales and Gina Chon discuss the merits of stablecoins and the scramble by regulators to catch up with the market. Karen Kwok takes a slice at Roger Federer-backed running shoe outfit On. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Shareholders cheered the prolific Portuguese striker’s surprise decision to rejoin his former club in England. His three-year stint at Juventus, though, was hardly a clear financial victory. Plus: An $80 bln IPO valuation for electric-truck maker Rivian would be too racy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Markets have been hit by a series of crackdowns in private tutoring, data security and more. Underlying this is Beijing’s effort to limit rich excesses and boost middle-class wealth, which could curb the performance of the country’s biggest and best-known private companies. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Beijing was able to expand its influence in central Asia while America and its allies held back the Taliban. The Islamic fundamentalists’ return to power presents China with new challenges – and opportunities. Plus: CEO Mike Henry shakes up mining giant BHP. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A new U.N. report on global warming gives financiers fresh reasons to take bigger steps to help avert or mitigate the consequences, Breakingviews editors argue. A plan by the UK’s Prudential and the Asian Development Bank to close coal-fired power stations offers a model. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Square’s $29 bln takeover of Aussie fintech darling Afterpay shines a light on the “buy now, pay later” craze, which poses a big challenge to many established players in the banking and payments businesses, argue Melbourne-based editors Jeff Goldfarb and Antony Currie. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Some of the biggest investors, including Brookfield and TPG, are launching mega-funds to invest in the global transition to a net-zero economy in what could be the ultimate new asset class. Richard Beales and Rob Cox discuss. Plus, Beijing’s crackdown on after-school tutoring. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Tokyo games are struggling with rising Covid-19 infections, corporations pulling out, an unenthused Japanese public and now a bad Holocaust joke. Pete Sweeney and Rob Cox discuss. Meantime, John Foley says Robinhood resembles E*Trade 20 years ago – in good and bad ways. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Earnings of Wall Street’s largest banks confirmed that animal spirits among corporate chiefs and global investors are running high, while pandemic-shy consumers are getting their mojo back. John Foley walks Rob Cox through JPMorgan, Goldman, BofA, Wells Fargo and Citi results. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Why are private equity firms clogging the aisles at Britain’s WM Morrison to pull off a near-$9 billion purchase of the supermarket chain? Aimee Donnellan and Peter Thal Larsen explain. And our Asia columnists discuss Beijing’s new attitude to U.S.-traded Chinese companies. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

China’s Communist Party turns 100. The institution has never been so popular at home or resented abroad. Its leaders are experts at the nuances of control and long on ambition, Pete Sweeney says. Plus, Wall Street enlists individual investors to help price initial stock deals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From Morgan Stanley to BlackRock, the world’s top investment banks and money managers are back in their offices and super busy with mergers, IPOs, LBOs and other activities thumping. Plus, Soho House and Wise go public and green hydrogen megalomania on the Congo river. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Blackstone, KKR, Carlyle and other firms are flipping the leveraged buyout playbook with deals that, while less dependent on debt, don’t always add up for their backers. Meanwhile, investment banking is fast becoming the fragrant harbor’s monoculture. Our columnists discuss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Governments and companies are dangling incentives for people to get jabbed against Covid-19. But it will take more than free weed, lottery tickets and beer to reach herd immunity, Jeff Goldfarb explains. And Dasha Afanasieva says take the pastries, leave the Krispy Kreme shares. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A small activist fund upended Exxon Mobil’s board while Shell was dealt a setback in a Dutch courtroom. At the same time, Chevron shareholders backed a proposal to cut more emissions. The interests of both stakeholders and shareholders are rapidly aligning in fossil fuels. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The telephone company’s deal with Discovery, the reversal of a failed strategy to become a media juggernaut, opens a window into streaming warfare; and the creation of Southeast Asia do-everything internet group GoTo is a prelude of more to come. Plus, no Davos in Singapore. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

China’s census data showed the population grew just 0.53% every year in the decade to 2020, with fertility rates dropping to Japanese levels. That’s bad news for growth. And European rainmakers like Claudio Costamagna and Ian Osborne offer market-friendlier blank-check deals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Though special purpose acquisition vehicles are nothing new, the recent boom in fundraising and dealmaking has provided fertile hunting grounds for Breakingviews columnists. Lauren Silva Laughlin and Richard Beales walk through their new compilation “The Art of the SPAC.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Images of vast funeral pyres, overcrowded hospitals and empty streets have been emanating from India as the country grapples with surging Covid-19 infection rates. Una Galani surveys the situation on the ground from Mumbai and discusses the government’s response with Rob Cox. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The richest European soccer clubs, including Juventus and Real Madrid, swiftly aborted plans to create a breakaway competition. But as Liam Proud and Peter Thal Larsen explain, the financial appeal of a U.S.-style sporting cartel remains irresistible. Plus, Huarong’s woes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

For businesspeople eager to get back on the road, three lucky Breakingviews editors share their experiences of hopping across the Atlantic, traveling to India and navigating Europe’s arbitrary rules. Asia columnists discuss how Beijing has come down hard on Jack Ma’s tech empire. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Huawei makes telecoms, Haier dishwashers, Xiaomi phones, Evergrande condos. Now, these Chinese companies all want to make battery-powered vehicles too. And while on the subject of building, U.S. President Joe Biden is going big. Maybe too big for the bean counters in the Senate. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The extraordinary unwinding of Bill Hwang’s family office was one of those rare stories that connected Breakingviews columnists from Hong Kong, New York, Zurich, London, Melbourne and Washington into one big, hard-working family. Here are some of the lessons they learned. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Tayyip Erdogan’s abrupt firing of a third central bank governor forced investors to contemplate whether this might precipitate a run on financial assets in other developing markets, including South Africa. Breakingviews columnists discuss the implications. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Vaccination programmes are running apace in the UK, U.S., Israel and other nations, but they have worryingly stalled in Europe. This reflects more than just differing health systems, Breakingviews columnists argue. Plus, more on the shakeup of a historic Hong Kong trading house. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Big names in finance, like Credit Suisse and tycoon Sanjeev Gupta, are suffering collateral damage from the UK supply chain lender’s collapse. The sale of aircraft leasing brings GE closer to CEO Larry Culp’s light-bulb moment. And working from home risks a diversity disaster. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A plague year for the world was a relatively rich one for the heads of Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan and Wells Fargo; Southeast Asian tech conglomerate Sea navigated choppy waters to a $127 bln market value; Greensill’s problems may not be systemic, but they’re worth watching. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Toyota, Ford and GM are all trading at their highest level in years as investors start to pick some winners among traditional automakers. Fear of missing the next Tesla, though, means shareholders are keeping the heady valuations for upstarts like latest SPAC target Lucid Motors. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Blank check mania has crossed the Atlantic, bringing with it hopes of riches for well-connected financiers, underwriters, startup founders and ordinary investors. The U.S. example, though, offers some warning signs, our columnists suggest, as they ponder a vehicle of their own. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Elon Musk has gone full cryptocurrency. Tesla’s $1.5 bln bitcoin buy is a wink to virtual-investment, anti-establishment fervor, if a challenge to accounting rules, Richard Beales argues. Meantime, Japanese carmakers are going gaga for hydrogen, and Parisian finance is in tumult. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is handing the baton to Andy Jassy so he can spend more time with his rockets, a move that’s not always smooth sailing, Jennifer Saba tells Rob Cox. Meantime Mr. Whatever It Takes, Mario Draghi, is summoned to save Italy and Europe’s Hamiltonian moment. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Something completely wacky is happening with GameStop and a few other stocks favored by short sellers, and it’s likely to end very poorly for some armchair traders, Breakingviews columnists discuss. Plus, a visit to our Melbourne bureau for tennis and Google lessons. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The new U.S. president arrives with a long to-do list, good intentions and a swelling national debt pile. Gina Chon and Richard Beales talk with John Foley about what to expect. Plus: New lockdowns bring fresh financial problems in China, as Yawen Chen and Pete Sweeney explain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A Joe Biden-Xi Jinping reset will be unsatisfying; China’s economic revival will frustrate critics; Southeast Asia will be the next tech hot spot; HSBC will retreat from America; and Hong Kong’s exchange will rethink deals. Pete Sweeney, Jennifer Hughes and Robyn Mak discuss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Governments will become activist investors; U.S. airlines will merge; data centres will be the new ESG target; energy giants to consider renewable spinoffs; Tesla will buy Daimler; European soccer gets more American and more. Rob Cox, Peter Thal Larsen and Lauren Silva weigh in. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

European regulators’ cautious lifting of a ban on bank dividends leaves investors in limbo, plus details of an unusually bold growth strategy from Credit Suisse. And the collapse of China’s WeWork-like apartment rental middlemen has left many young tenants homeless and in debt.

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The World Economic Forum’s decision to hold its annual chinwag in Southeast Asia instead of Switzerland this coming spring isn’t as simple as it sounds, Davos vets Peter Thal Larsen and Una Galani tell Rob Cox. Meantime, Anna Szymanski breaks down the folk bard’s catalogue deal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The American president-elect has put forward a diverse and competent team of people to oversee economic policy, including Janet Yellen at Treasury. Across the pond, European banks engage in a bit of CEO and chairman musical chairs. Breakingviews columnists dig in with Rob Cox. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Moderna and Pfizer came out with encouraging news on the fight to immunize the world against COVID-19, giving hope the pandemic’s end is near. Meantime, China’s Sinovac finds its trials are undermined by a puzzling governance disaster. Breakingviews columnists weigh in globally. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Beijing took Alibaba, Tencent and others to task over monopolistic practices; and global financial markets got a boost from Pfizer’s revelation that its Covid-19 vaccination may be super-effective. Breakingviews columnists around the world weigh in on both developing stories. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Without a clear Senate majority, the former vice president will need to tack to the center when he occupies the White House. For Wall Street that’s a bullet dodged. For other industries, it’s a mixed bag. For multilateral institutions, it’s an improvement from Donald Trump. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If Joe Biden wins Donald Trump’s place as POTUS on Nov. 3, and the Senate turns Democrat, lots of things will change – chief among them tax and economic policy. But big tech companies and China’s Communist Party will gain no reprieve. Rob Cox, Gina Chon and John Foley discuss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mukesh Ambani can divide his $200 bln Reliance Industries and still rule, says India editor Una Galani. Meantime, European and U.S. multinationals are growing increasingly reliant on Chinese growth, seeding future financial and political risks, Rob Cox and columnists discuss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Airlines columnist Ed Cropley boards his first plane since Covid-19 hit, and experiences travel in the pandemic era on a visit to Munich. He also discusses the financial proxy war over Zambia’s debt restructuring. Meantime, Asia goes mad for all-singing mobile applications. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The widespread covering of mouths and noses to stifle Covid-19 has spawned a mini-manufacturing boom, with some downsides, Sharon Lam tells Rob Cox. Yet the economic benefits of mask mandates are plentiful, Lisa Jucca argues from Milan. Plus, Congress targets Big Tech bigly. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The first of the U.S. presidential debates was shambolic, with almost no substance on economic policy for investors or markets to sink their teeth into. On a lighter front, though, Italy’s Serie A soccer league has a chance to regain its glory. Breakingviews columnists discuss.

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As voters head into the final stretch of the U.S. presidential election, Breakingviews has released a new interactive tool to help Joe Biden or Donald Trump pick a cabinet of economic all-stars. Listen to our picks for the battling candidates and learn how the graphic works. (Build your teams: tmsnrt.rs/2EthFhO) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A merger of Credit Suisse and UBS has some merits on paper, but would be bloody in practice, says Liam Proud. Plus, the LVMH billionaire’s impeccably ruthless dealmaking is on full display with the Tiffany takeover. Pete Sweeney and Sharon Lam discuss Japan’s new man at the helm. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At their quadrennial convention, the GOP didn’t give much insight into what four more years of Trump would look like. But they were consistent in battering the Democrats and Joe Biden as a Trojan horse for socialism and other ills. Rob Cox, John Foley and Anna Szymanski recap. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Democratic National Convention wound up four days of speeches and spectacle with no unforced errors, a broadly appealing economic message and, above all, a call for a restoration of broken norms. Next up, the Republicans. Rob Cox, John Foley and Anna Szymanski recap. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The presumptive Democratic candidate to challenge Donald Trump for the presidency chose California Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate. Gina Chon and Rob Cox discuss the parallels with corporate succession planning and what the choice says about economic policy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The CEOs of Big Tech companies faced off against U.S. lawmakers during an antitrust hearing that raised new evidence about past acquisitions. Meanwhile, Japan’s Ootoya and Colowide engage in a food M&A fight. And: SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son’s next steps. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 750 bln-euro stimulus package agreed to by EU leaders this week was a test of the region’s political resiliency, may be a big deal for the single currency and could lead to more capital markets and M&A activity, EMEA Editor Peter Thal Larsen explains. Plus, a shot of Moutai. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Investment bankers have had a very nice lockdown indeed, says U.S. Editor John Foley. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson backtracks on 5G, delivering his pal Donald Trump a tech victory against China. Meantime President Xi Jinping takes some unusual tax pointers from Uncle Sam. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chinese companies’ access to American capital is imperiled for all sorts of reasons, says Hong Kong columnist Robyn Mak. The stingy LBO of New York-listed Sina by its CEO won’t help. Also, British fast-fashion retailer Boohoo’s not-quite dark satanic mills are in the spotlight. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The German fintech scandal shines a light on its hapless regulator; China’s new security law stinks up the fragrant harbor and Elon Musk hasn’t just surpassed Toyota in market value, he’s becoming as rich as Croesus. Breakingviews columnists around the world weigh in. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As America continues to grapple with the legacy of slavery, Breakingviews columnists debate the financial question of whether the government, and some corporations, have a debt to repay. And Pete Sweeney dives deep into the post-pandemic future of working from home - or not. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Equity capital markets bankers are having their day in the sun as companies scramble to raise money while central banks pump liquidity into the financial system, Breakingviews editors explain. Plus: Asia columnists Robyn Mak and Una Galani chew over Vietnam’s productive pandemic. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nothing sums up pandemic dealmaking quite like this: As a merger of America’s top shopping mall operators crashed and burned, two of the world’s biggest food-delivery companies joined forces. Also, Cathay gets a bailout and so might the Mets. Breakingviews columnists discuss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After the Covid-19 pandemic has passed, will we still shake hands, ride elevators, go to sports matches and go on dates? Will taxes surge to pay for massive government budget deficits? Breakingviews editors chew over some highlights from their new e-book on what will change. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo declared the Asian financial hub no longer autonomous from China, days after Beijing unveiled plans to ban sedition and subversion there. Breakingviews columnists in the city untangle what it means amid the trade war, pandemic and protests. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Major economies like Italy and Switzerland are attempting to return to normal, but with notable differences, as columnists in both countries discuss. And Sharon Lam in Hong Kong talks about the future of leisure and business travel with Global Editor Rob Cox. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Boss Larry Fink has lost his biggest shareholder, and former owner as U.S. bank PNC sells its 22% stake in the world’s largest money manager. But the exit could be beneficial for both firms. Plus: Sweden’s Covid-19 plan will be hard to replicate. And: online dating in a pandemic. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Great Lockdown will inevitably encourage governments to foster the creation of ever-larger “national champions” through corporate consolidation. Rob Cox, Edward Chancellor and Lauren Silva Laughlin discuss possible combos – and why this would be a bad outcome for capitalism. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Breakingviews columnist and founder Hugo Dixon discusses his column with Rob Cox on how taxpayer-funded bailouts are likely to encourage excessive risk-taking in the future and provoke new populist backlashes when the bills need to be paid. Also, where’s Kim Jong Un? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Breakingviews columnists in London, Mumbai and Brooklyn discuss what’s going on in the global energy markets amid the coronavirus crisis, as well as Facebook’s big Indian deal and the U.S. government’s attempt to prop up small businesses with the Paycheck Protection Program. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Breakingviews columnists check in from home in New York, San Francisco and Hong Kong to discuss disappearing Silicon Valley perks like free meals and booze, office activism at tech firms, the mystery of China’s 20 million lost mobile-phone subscribers and an ascendant TikTok. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Breakingviews columnists in Ireland, New York and Lantau check in with Editor Rob Cox to discuss Jamie Dimon’s annual letter and coming earnings onslaught, fraud at Luckin Coffee and, everybody’s favorite coronavirus obsession: a boom in sales of porn, weed, booze and junk food. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Breakingviews journalists around the globe check in with Editor Rob Cox to discuss Silicon Valley’s response to the coronavirus, how European regulators are forcing banks to hoard dividends, and one of the biggest corporate rescues yet of the crisis: Singapore Airlines. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From Milan to Mumbai to Manhattan, Breakingviews journalists are staying put to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Editor Rob Cox checks in with columnists in India, where 1.3 bln people are housebound; New York City, the epicenter of the U.S. crisis; and hard-hit Italy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The rapid economic slowdown caused by the spread of Covid-19 has brought to the fore the prospect of companies getting help from taxpayers. Which firms to target and what strings to attach will be the big questions. Plus: Pepsi, credit cards and cancer drugs drive virus-era M&A. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A major rift between Saudi Arabia and Russia has sent oil prices plummeting just as the Covid-19 outbreak saps demand. The fallout is pummeling U.S. shale producers and calling traditional energy-security concepts into question. Plus, market fallout in Japan, China and India. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

U.S. Fed Chairman Jerome Powell surprised markets with a rate cut ahead of schedule. Democratic presidential contender Joe Biden unexpectedly won the most states on Super Tuesday. Covid-19 may show up in China M&A clauses. The coronavirus is inspiring flights to safety. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Small businesses are hurting, while bankers sit idle and families struggle with school closures and other containment efforts. Despite having only some 80 coronavirus cases, life – as well as retail, tourism and real estate – feels noticeably different in the Asian financial hub. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The British fossil-fuel giant and the largest U.S. airline have each pledged to effectively stop emitting carbon over time. The ambition is encouraging and puts them ahead of most rivals. But both fall short on all-important details. There’s plenty of runway to do better. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Activist Elliott is targeting Masayoshi Son’s firm for poor governance and performance. SoftBank could appease the hedge fund by selling investments to finance buybacks. That could include Sprint, whose deal with T-Mobile US just got the nod. Plus: the race for the White House. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Neither car sales nor the potential of robo-taxis justifies the $136 bln electric-vehicle maker’s shares almost doubling this year. Defying logic, Elon Musk’s barely profitable firm is now the world’s second most valuable car company. Plus, the U.S. elections fiasco in Iowa. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

At the end of the World Economic Forum, Breakingviews’ three delegates reflected on the highs and lows of the annual gathering of world leaders, corporate executives and do-gooders. Overall, they conclude that Greta outdid Trump, and sustainability is now a boardroom fixture. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The outbreak of a contagious disease before the Lunar New Year holiday evokes memories of SARS’ human and economic toll in 2003. Beijing’s swift reaction this time, imposing travel bans on five cities as 18 died, is encouraging. Plus: the cost of the UK royal family’s new schism. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The international car boss who fled Japanese authorities is now lambasting Nissan and suing Renault for money due. Breakingviews columnists discuss why the latest twists overshadow the fraying global alliance of three automakers. Also, why China’s Geely wants Aston Martin. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Political unrest continues to roil the financial hub. For investors, though, it’s mostly business as usual as markets take protests in their stride. As Beijing replaces its top representative in the city, and makes other changes, that uneasy balance may be hard to sustain. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

CEOs increasingly talk a good game on climate change, but the financial implications of global warming have played a small role in dealmaking so far. That will change in the year ahead. Also: why the video-game industry should be bracing for a political backlash. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

From banning political ads to developing cryptocurrency plans, the CEO of Twitter and Square has been politically more astute than rivals like Facebook. That sets him up for a good 2020. Also: the different ways that shareholders, the Fed and M&A bankers will tackle climate risk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

House democrats are backing Trump’s deal with Canada and Mexico even as they charge the president with impeachment. A looming deadline heaping more tariffs on Chinese imports could be kicked down the road, too. The chances of bipartisan support elsewhere, though, are slim. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The German chancellor’s administration is in peril after coalition partner SPD chose left-wingers to lead the party. A snap 2020 election would probably end her 14 years in power and remove another of the world’s centrist governments. Plus: Australia’s colossal bank scandal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The country’s two main political parties are slugging it out over spending pledges before the Dec. 12 vote. But the campaign is also about how soon the UK will leave the European Union and the terms on which it will trade with its nearest neighbours. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After more than five months of unrest in the city, a prolonged violent siege on a university campus ratcheted things up anew. Blocked roads and trains shuttered schools as tear gas wafted through the central business district. Its status as a financial hub may be under threat. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Japanese firm is eyeing T-Mobile US CEO John Legere to take over leadership of WeWork. That is an additional twist in an already convoluted relationship. Legere is also trying to finalize a $26 bln deal with SoftBank’s Sprint, another asset in need of saving. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

McDonald’s has provided a map for other firms after ousting boss Steve Easterbrook over a consensual relationship with an employee. Elsewhere, Aramco’s IPO and Fiat Chrysler’s merger with Peugeot. Plus: Breaking Japan’s love of hard cash. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The $200 bln luxury conglomerate is making a $14.5 bln bid for Tiffany. The iconic brand known for putting its bling in blue boxes would be wise to accept the proposal. Plus: Venezuela’s leadership saga and a surreal debt drama collide. And: the world’s most expensive chocolate. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Beijing-based Kr Space switched from renting out space held on long-term leases to selling services after the shared-office market crashed. Following suit may help WeWork stem losses. Also: climate change and Canada’s election. Plus: the gloomy IMF and unrest in Latin America. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Donald Trump is touting the latest Sino-American talks as a real win, especially for farmers. China agreed to buy more agricultural goods like soybeans, but big issues like intellectual-property theft are still up in the air. Plus: The pros and cons of direct listings. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Workers downed tools over three weeks ago, despite last-minute concessions by the U.S. carmaker. Job-security fears are a sticking point. So is the union’s need to prove its worth after a kickbacks scandal. Plus: U.S. basketball plays smart defense on China’s Hong Kong backlash. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

That’s when the Facebook CEO rejected Yahoo’s $1 bln takeover bid. Now he uses the decision to justify his grip on control and decisions on data, privacy and the chance of a breakup under a Democratic president. Plus: How a spat over shrubbery almost felled Credit Suisse’s CEO. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Adam Neumann lost his CEO role and control of the shared-office provider after its valuation plummeted in preparation for a now-postponed IPO. But WeWork’s business model remains a problem. Plus: Thomas Cook’s collapse hits China’s Fosun. And: parsing financial climate pledges. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Saudi Arabia is quickly repairing the damage drones inflicted on its oil industry. But the fallout has implications for everything from security to U.S. shale drillers to climate change-driven alternative energy. Plus: Why are AB InBev and ESR restarting Hong Kong listing plans? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hiroto Saikawa is stepping down amid controversy over his pay. It has implications for the company’s rocky Renault alliance, and by extension for the French carmaker’s recent attempt to merge with Fiat Chrysler. Plus, is activist Elliott Management going soft on AT&T? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Done right, reforestation can capture much of the carbon causing climate change. It would improve crop yields and water quality and lessen the power of floods and storms like Hurricane Dorian. There are good financial returns to reap, too. Plus: the Alibaba competitor to watch.

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UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has prorogued parliament, cutting the time available for lawmakers to thwart a planned Oct. 31 EU departure. What does this mean for Brexit and the UK economy? Plus: we pick through the wreckage of China’s crashing automotive market. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A U.S. downturn is near, judging by past early warning signals from yield curves to bank valuations. But fallout from the 2008 crisis has sapped them of some predictive power. Plus: what the exit of Cathay Pacific’s CEO says about Beijing’s response to the Hong Kong protests. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The shared-office provider’s long-awaited IPO filing is packed with pointless life-affirming tropes. But it also details a host of conflicts of interest and other risks that should send investors running. Plus: India’s powerhouse Reliance is building a war chest for dominance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The White House’s decision to brand Beijing a currency manipulator is the latest move in a conflict riven by miscommunication, unrealistic expectations and no obvious way out. Plus: Why the LSE is paying $27 bln for Refinitiv, and which of the data firm’s owners comes out on top. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The meatless-burger maker is the best-performing IPO of the year by far. Now insiders are selling stock early as the company deals with rising competition, regulations and even a potential pea shortage. Plus: Using wine goggles to look at Western firms’ joint ventures in China. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Boris Johnson helped persuade Britons to vote to leave the EU. London’s former mayor now leads the country – and may find his pledge to quit the European bloc hard to keep. Meanwhile, U.S. watchdogs are circling Amazon, Alphabet, Apple and Facebook. Plus: Protests rock Hong Kong. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The $150 bln brewer of suds like Budweiser and Stella has scrapped its Asia unit’s Hong Kong float. CEO Carlos Brito now needs new ways to reduce the company’s debt. And as the second pulled IPO in weeks amid civil unrest, it puts the city’s financial hub under a spotlight. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chennai, the country’s Motor City, has run dry. Another 20 metropolises could follow by next year. The personal and economic toll is mounting. Plugging leaks, better crop choices and proper pricing can help. Often, as water problems elsewhere show, that requires good governance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

After much unedifying horse-trading, European leaders have finally agreed on who will head the commission, central bank and other top roles. That has implications for the bloc’s future. Plus: Why Africa’s growth figures make worrying reading for the continent’s democrats. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Neither profit nor investor pressure explain U.S. firms lining up to mark 50 years of the LGBT-rights movement. They may simply be doing the right thing. But the nation still has a long way to go. Plus: how the UK prime minister race affects the Bank of England’s next boss. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A star economist at the Swiss bank sparked outrage on Chinese social media after his remarks about the country’s pigs were misconstrued. UBS’s decision to put him on leave seems overdone. And: Those weighing the benefit of a Facebook cryptocurrency must ask if “In Zuck we trust.” See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Raytheon and United Technologies’ planned $114 bln tie-up raises questions about strategy, cost cuts and executive overreach. It’s prompted their shares to tank and activist Bill Ackman to oppose it. And Fiat Chrysler and Renault’s mooted merger has crashed. Can they salvage it? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The territory's government, under pressure from Beijing, is trying to ram through a rule change that would allow suspects to be transferred to mainland courts. Foreign executives have cause to be worried. Plus: Steve Bannon wants to ban Chinese IPOs from New York. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fiat Chrysler spurned Peugeot by offering to merge with France’s Renault, which is itself joined to Nissan. How will the pairings play out, and what does it mean for the automotive sector? Plus: Why fossil-fuel giants like BP are painting themselves a pale shade of green. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Qualcomm lost a lawsuit brought by one DC overseer, even as the DOJ intervened, while $26 bln T-Mobile US-Sprint merger is getting yanked around by agencies with opposing views. Doing business is hard when agencies no longer act in unison. Plus: Is Luckin Coffee going cold? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Washington and Beijing may yet find a way to end their escalating trade war soon. But for many businesses, the damage already inflicted will be hard to undo. Plus: CEO Mark Zuckerberg might not welcome more calls to break up Facebook, but shareholders could benefit. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Occidental boss Vicki Hollub corralled BofA CEO Brian Moynihan and investor Warren Buffett to her side to seal a $38 bln offer for Anadarko. Her tactics scared off rival bidder Chevron but may alienate her own shareholders. Plus: Malaysia’s reform efforts since the 1MDB scandal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Both Silicon Valley giants are looking for the next big thing after a slowdown in their main product – iPhone sales at Apple and online ads at Alphabet. Lower expectations mean Tim Cook’s outfit has more time to act. Plus: Activist Dan Loeb puts Sony back under the microscope. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Young, tech-savvy adults say everything from high prices to climate change may prompt them to leave the San Francisco area. Other U.S. cities can benefit. Also: Why CEO Jack Dorsey should favor Square over Twitter. And what to expect from Indonesian President Widodo’s second term. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

HBO’s hit series is ending as parent AT&T, Amazon, Apple and Walt Disney launch their claims to the streaming-video crown. Netflix, though, will be hard to usurp. Elsewhere, India’s weeks-long election gets underway. And global economic growth collides with nationalism’s rise. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. bank may be tempted to recruit from splashy peers like Goldman Sachs. But there are better reasons to poach from smaller firms. Meanwhile, the $170 bln Chinese liquor maker Kweichow Moutai is worth more than Diageo. Breakingviews columnists discuss the firewater’s draw. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ride-hailing firm is worth $30 bln after its stock-market debut, even though its losses are growing. Shareholders are betting a shift to autonomous driving will steer it to a profit, but that may be a long way off. Plus: Saudi Aramco lets investors drill into its finances. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Peugeot and Renault both seem keen to merge with the Italo-American carmaker. Either deal could improve earnings from smaller cars, but couldn’t plug all Fiat Chrysler’s gaps in Asia and new tech. Plus: Apple’s underwhelming new services. And can Huawei’s charm offensive succeed? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Putting Deutsche and Commerz together might create a national banking champion. A more likely outcome, though, would be a poorly performing behemoth. Meanwhile, Volkswagen boss Herbert Diess commits the mother of all CEO gaffes. Plus: sizing up a Chinese housing unicorn. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. aircraft maker is facing a crisis after a second crash involving an updated version of its workhorse 737 jet. There’s a financial hit to Boeing from countries grounding the plane; but there are geopolitical implications, too. Plus: China tries to stimulate its economy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The three-way takeover fight involving Newmont, Barrick Gold and Goldcorp is full of aggression and big egos. Breakingviews columnists unpick the gold-mining M&A frenzy and debate whether cooler heads can prevail. Plus: China telecom giant Huawei has a public-relations challenge. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kraft Heinz’s poor earnings, $15 bln writedown and accounting investigation forced the Berkshire Hathaway boss to admit he overpaid for the nuts-to-Velveeta cheese purveyor. Breakingviews columnists discuss what went wrong. Plus: Trump buys more time in his China trade spat. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Foreign carmakers are closing some UK plants as lawmakers defect from both the Labour and ruling Tory parties. How will this affect the looming deadline to quit the EU? Plus: Vegan diets are more than a fad. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Falling house prices and slowing Chinese growth are putting Australia’s record of almost 28 years of economic expansion at risk. The banking industry got dinged after a gripping year-long investigation. And a change of government looks likely. Breakingviews dives into the issues. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Overuse and climate change are sapping the Colorado river, source of a fifth of U.S. GDP and at least $1.3 trln of market value. The feds and basin states are struggling to adapt, but investors pay little heed. Plus, can India Prime Minister Modi’s budget help him win re-election? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The California utility may face up to $30 bln in wildfire costs. But shareholders see value and lenders were willing to stump up cash. The board’s desire to cut other expenses may have driven the decision. Plus: How U.S. charges against Huawei may affect the telco industry. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pessimism reigns supreme at the annual gathering in the Swiss Alps thanks to trade wars, the U.S. government shutdown and rising populism. Several major leaders stayed away entirely. The event remains a networker’s dream, but self-awareness and problem-solving are sorely lacking. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

People in the Middle Kingdom are buying fewer iPhones and cars, but Nike and others are chugging away nicely. Meanwhile, India’s struggling rural farmers are a force too big to ignore in this year’s general election. Plus: The Detroit auto show reflects the industry’s gloom. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rising rates, lower oil prices, wobbly markets and the backlash against Saudi Arabia could put Masa Son’s $97 bln fund on the spot this year. Elsewhere, some Indian tech startups may take the world by storm. Plus, Breakingviews picks three indicators to monitor the world economy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Big economies are throwing up tariffs, but East Africa’s common market could swell to 250 mln people if Ethiopia joins the club. Breakingviews columnists also predict this year will bring the end of easy money for Chinese startups, and a challenge to Tesla from Lyft and Uber. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Equity valuations are in the stratosphere and geopolitical risk is running hot. Breakingviews columnists predict how that’ll affect markets in 2019, from trade-war fallout to Indian privatizations, a Deutsche Bank rally and mining M&A. They also assess last year’s prognostications. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Macron hopes a 10 bln euro splurge from state coffers will mollify rioters calling him the “president of the rich.” But it’ll worsen the country’s deficit, risking an EU rebuke. It may, though, offer cover for Italy, whose debt load is causing friction with Brussels. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

U.S. President Donald Trump and China’s leader Xi Jinping agreed to a cooling-off period in an escalating tariff spat. Will the ceasefire yield results or is it a stalling tactic? The markets are spooked. Breakingviews columnists discuss the issue from both sides of the Pacific. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Experts reckon unrestrained global warming will lop 10 pct off U.S. GDP by 2100. California’s wildfires prove it’s already having disastrous effects. But investors and companies alike can be part of the solution. Plus, Carlos Ghosn’s arrest leaves three carmakers in disarray. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cabinet resignations, an angry coalition partner and a skittish currency greeted UK Prime Minister Theresa May’s draft agreement to quit the EU. Breakingviews columnists examine whether the current mess leads to Brexit with an EU deal, without a deal, or even to a new referendum. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Digital titans like Alphabet and Apple may rule the roost, but EU rules on data privacy are helping startups flourish on the other side of the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Facebook’s inability to police fake content spreads to Africa. Plus: Mumbai’s ride-share drivers go on strike See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. House of Representatives will soon be controlled by lawmakers opposing President Trump. That gives them more scope to push their agenda on trade, infrastructure and a perennial bogeyman, the banks. But as Republicans still run the Senate, policy changes will be minimal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Germany’s chancellor won’t seek re-election in 2021 and is stepping down as party chair next month after electoral setbacks. It may herald a rightward swing at home and less EU unity. Plus: investors’ embrace of Brazil’s far-right President-elect Jair Bolsonaro may prove risky. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Danish lender Danske has already lost its chief executive on news that one of its Estonian branches was used to launder Russian money. Now Nordea and others are facing questions. Plus: investors drive car stocks into a ditch - and Daimler's and Ford's dividends look vulnerable. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bankers and officials have ditched a huge Saudi shindig after Turkey accused the kingdom of killing a prominent journalist – but big deal fees and oil reserves make the kingdom hard to shun. Breakingviews columnists discuss the financial ramifications of the diplomatic crisis. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The crash cost the U.S. economy $30 trln, put 9 mln people out of work and as many families out of their homes. And it exposed how unprepared bankers, lawmakers and watchdogs were. Here we preview our podcast miniseries interviewing some of the movers and shakers of the time. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Amazon looks set to win the Pentagon’s $10 bln JEDI cloud contract, but Oracle is fighting back. Plus: Is it time for Airbnb to sell its China business? And should Elon Musk be worried about a Chinese Tesla lookalike listing in New York? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The feud between President Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump over steel tariffs threatens to turn other emerging markets cold. Breakingviews columnists discuss the global impact of Turkey’s currency meltdown. Plus: A bad bank in China gets whacked by political risk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

CEO Elon Musk’s tweet about wanting to take the company private is causing a stir. Unorthodoxy aside, its volatile boss and weak corporate governance means Tesla is better off the public roads. Plus, Pakistan’s likely new leader Imran Khan will have to go hat in hand to the IMF. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

That’s what CEO Les Moonves gets if he leaves the U.S. TV network – unless fired for cause. That’s rare in corporate America. But allegations he sexually harassed women put the board on the spot. Plus: Hong Kong battles the Big Apple for IPOs. And China faces a vaccine scandal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The sudden death of Fiat Chrysler’s CEO has robbed the car industry of one its most colorful – and successful – leaders. Antony Currie, Rob Cox and Lisa Jucca look back over his 14 years at the wheel and discuss what’s on the road ahead for his successor Mike Manley. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The search firm can easily cover the EU’s $5 bln fine for using its Android phone system to stymie rivals. But the order to stop forcing handset makers to pre-install its software could clip innovation. Plus: Goldman Sachs and Tesla put lackluster corporate governance on show. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. president has chosen a friend of big business in Brett Kavanaugh. But he faces bigger questions from Senate democrats about executive power. Plus: Commodity giant Glencore faces mounting risks in Washington, and what’s behind the Chinese yuan’s downward slide. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The tech hub is getting squeezed by new policy restrictions amid a looming trade war between the U.S. and China. How is the Valley holding up? Plus: India's state lenders are losing CEOs. Is running these banks into the ground part of the plan? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. president rejected hard-liners’ calls to ban China investing in sensitive U.S. tech. Yet he’s pushing for tariffs that could cost carmakers $45 bln and is livid Harley-Davidson will no longer make EU-bound bikes in the States. Plus: tapping China’s shale reserves. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Magic Kingdom and the cable company are driving up the price for parts of Twenty-First Century Fox in a global M&A battle that throws financial logic out the window. But does it make sense strategically? Plus: India’s cricket league takes a few pages from the NFL playbook. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The telco firm prevailed against the DOJ and can now legally buy Time Warner for $85 bln. The green light doesn’t mean that regulators will roll over for other deals however. T-Mobile US and Sprint may still be in the crosshairs. Plus: An Australian bank cartel runs into trouble. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Despite Facebook’s mounting problems, only a third of independent shareholders refused to reelect Mark Zuckerberg and Sheryl Sandberg to the board. Tesla and Netflix owners tend to follow the leader, too. Yet protest votes are useful. Plus: Chinese stocks make it into the MSCI. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Germany may not be the bookies’ clear favorite to lift the trophy. But a data dive into player values, population and other factors predicts the team will emerge victorious. Meanwhile, Italy stages an economic and political comic opera. Plus: Ant Financial’s $10 bln kitty. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Getting Beijing to force companies to buy more U.S. soybeans and oil may help the Trump administration claim a numbers victory. But it reinforces China’s statist instincts while ignoring most U.S. business beefs with Sino-American trade. Plus: has Tencent hit a peak? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The $5 bln sovereign-wealth fund’s scandal played a role in voters replacing Prime Minister Najib Razak with nonagenarian Mahathir Mohamad. Its resurgence could mean bad news for Goldman Sachs and Najib himself. Plus: Walmart nabs Flipkart in a big bet on e-commerce in India. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tesla’s CEO berated analysts for asking “boring, bonehead questions” after the electric-car maker reported a record quarterly loss. He then taunted Warren Buffett, suggesting his idea of corporate “moats” is sugary nonsense. Breakingviews columnists discuss why Musk is so testy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dealmaking is breaking records. But more tie-ups are being pulled. And recent proposed unions like T-Mobile US with Sprint and Xerox with Fujfilm come with regulatory or boardroom drama. Crisis throwbacks and the careless brag-song of Sainsbury’s CEO are sending warning signals. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Trump administration’s decision to ban U.S. companies from selling to the Chinese telecom giant is seriously hurting the company's business. And there’s no easy plan B for ZTE. Also: China has a new way to measure unemployment. Should investors take it seriously? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Upstarts like LendingClub and SoFi need to find ways to keep customers returning – just as traditional banks are fighting back and Goldman Sachs’ digital push into consumer lending takes off. Also: how Malaysia’s prime minister may be re-elected despite the 1MDB scandal. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A volley of words threatens a trade war between PRC leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump. Developing China has much at risk in fighting with the world’s largest economy. But American businesses are vulnerable too. Plus: Meituan goes all-in with local services.

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The music-streaming service enjoyed a mostly smooth stock-market debut despite largely bypassing investment banks. Ultimately, though, business success, not IPO hype, is what counts. Plus: Regulators and automakers are sparking up an altogether too cozy relationship. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Yi Gang, the head of the People’s Bank of China, has experience working in America. Once considered a liability, it now may be one of his great assets. And the mainland is courting companies to list shares locally, while China’s version of Hulu plans its IPO - in New York. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

China’s President Xi Jinping can now stay in power for life. Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein seems ready to retire after 12 years at the top. Yet five years may be the ideal length of service. Breakingviews columnists discuss the limitations to limitless rule. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Imposing levies on steel and aluminum has lost the president his economic adviser, ex-Goldman No. 2 Gary Cohn. That has shocked investors out of complacency. Also: Italy’s elections leave fringe parties in charge. And big deals may be back on the agenda for the mining industry. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A $1.8 bln scam at Punjab National Bank comes just months after the government injected $32 bln to bail out 20-odd state-run financial institutions. The scandal may increase calls for them to be privatized. Elsewhere: Will Sky be the limit for Comcast, Disney or Fox? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Broadcom has lowered its hostile bid for Qualcomm after its target upped its longstanding offer for NXP. That decreases the chance the two larger rivals can strike a deal – assuming regulators wouldn’t nuke it. Plus: Credit Suisse shines a rare light on Asian investment banking. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Higher wages, inflation fears and the prospect of faster than expected rate hikes are posing challenges market players haven’t seen for years. Comcast may spike Walt Disney’s potion to acquire Rupert Murdoch’s entertainment assets. Plus, Singapore’s airshow has everyone buzzing. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chair Janet Yellen forbids the $2 trln lender from growing bigger - on her last day in the job, and 17 months after Wells’ fake-accounts scandal hit. Meanwhile, fellow financial watchdog CFPB seems to be giving hacked Equifax a free pass. Plus: how Nintendo made a comeback. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

JPMorgan’s chairman and CEO intends to lead the bank until around 2023. Dimon has built a strong and successful company over the past 12 years. But the longer he stays, the harder it becomes to leave on an unambiguous high. Plus: Asian governments tackle bitcoin. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. president seems to be trying to right past trade wrongs. But business has long since moved on, meaning tariffs on washing machines and solar panels will do more harm than good. Also, Merkel and Modi disappoint in snow-ravaged Davos. Plus: Spotify’s Wall Street snub. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. president heads to the Swiss Alps confab that’s the antithesis of his “America First” ideology. He’ll have competition: keynote speaker Narendra Modi, with his “Make in India” policy. Plus: BlackRock’s Larry Fink pushes social activism. And why Ford is stalling. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Talk of buying fewer of Uncle Sam’s bonds may be Beijing’s way of showing some teeth as the Trump administration mulls import tariffs. But as with other retaliatory trade tactics, it would hurt China too. Plus, why Nelson Peltz doesn’t want to be called an activist investor. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

More government borrowing and less central bank buying will force bondholders to fend for themselves, Breakingviews predicts. Plus, passive funds will force out a CEO, electric vehicles give gasoline cars a run for their money and soccer clubs’ spending splurge will intensify. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Companies that sweep settlements for bad behavior under the carpet will feel shareholder ire in 2018, Breakingviews predicts. Plus, Apple will float past the EU’s roving eye, splintering political parties are a ticking U.S. time bomb and bank bosses may hang up their hats. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

That the Hong Kong Stock Exchange will join Riyadh in hosting the world’s largest IPO is one of Breakingviews’ 2018 predictions. We also explain the method to our fortune-telling and lay out why China will win the 5G standards race, and why Wall Street will learn to love bitcoin. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Disney’s $66 bln deal for the bulk of Rupert Murdoch’s entertainment empire is a reaction to the rapid rise of streaming-content providers like Netflix, and lets CEO Bob Iger delay retirement again. Elsewhere: the Democrats win in Alabama, and Chinese bike-sharing rides towards M&A. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Aetna CEO Mark Bertolini is bagging $500 million from selling the insurance company to drugstore chain CVS – despite only a middling performance as boss. Behind such healthcare mergers: a desire to cut out a surfeit of middlemen. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ride-hailing app has hit a damaging set of speed bumps including accelerating losses, a bruising court battle with Alphabet and covering up a security breach. But new Chief Executive Dara Khosrowshahi’s most important challenge is proving the firm can handle the long haul. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The telecom firm’s acquisition of Time Warner, owner of CNN, may hit regulatory hurdles in D.C. President Trump’s caustic tweets against the news network look self-interested, but watchdogs could yet legitimately rethink norms of competition. Plus: GE searches for a way forward. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The chipmaker’s hostile tilt at Qualcomm is a rare aggressive move in the sector. Qualcomm has its own issues, awaiting approval for its NXP deal and fighting Apple in court. It all suggests the tech sector is too frothy. Plus: Is Hong Kong losing its moxie as a financial center? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has a $500 bln plan to attract new business to the oil-dependent kingdom: build a utopian society on the Red Sea free of many of Saudi’s legal and cultural constraints. Plus: why tech and finance execs won’t be joining President Trump in Asia. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Xi Jinping emerged stronger at the end of China’s Communist Party Congress. His desire to consolidate control however may not help his plans to keep the Middle Kingdom’s economic engine humming. Plus: U.S. telecom firms try again to dial up a merger. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Chinese Communist Party’s 19th National Congress kicks off this week. Delegates at the week-long confab will select new leaders, including for key financial and economic posts. But the spotlight will be on Xi and whether he can consolidate his power and extend his reign. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Nelson Peltz narrowly lost his acrimonious bid for a P&G board seat. Honeywell’s decision to spin off two small units was less than Dan Loeb lobbied for. These are temporary setbacks. Past experience and the financial firepower at their disposal make activists a powerful force. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ford boss Jim Hackett’s plan to catch up with rival GM on electric and self-driving vehicles starts with $14 bln of cost cuts. China may be in pole position as it considers banning gasoline cars entirely. But plenty of factors could delay mass adoption of new technology. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. president and Republicans want to reduce the corporate tax rate to 20 pct from 35 pct. After a blistering defeat over Obamacare, the prospects of significant reform are slim. Meanwhile, Equifax’s CEO slinks out of the building. Plus: Puerto Rico’s prayer for relief. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Christian Democrats should win more votes than rivals. But they’ll need coalition partners to form a government. Choosing among them promises to be a nail-biter. Also: the Toys R Us bankruptcy won’t be a total loss for its private-equity owners. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bridgewater’s founder thinks his kindred spirit resides in China’s anti-corruption czar Wang Qishan. Both seek radical transparency – though Dalio’s hunt is tied to forging a business in the Middle Kingdom. Plus: Exxon’s salvation may lie in the oil fields of West Texas. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Texas is facing $180 bln in hurricane cleanup costs, the most of any U.S. natural disaster. The Lone Star State has the wherewithal and chutzpah to cover a large chunk, yet expects Washington to pick up most of the tab. Global water risks, meanwhile, may require $12 trln to fix. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. runs out of money in a month and the president is attacking lawmakers in his own party. That could prompt Republicans and Democrats to work together to keep the lights on. Plus: Rupert Murdoch could be overpaying for Sky. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Great Wall Motors wants to buy Jeep. That’d leave the Italian-American carmaker cash rich but devoid of profit in a fast-changing industry. Meanwhile, Uber tries to find a silver lining to the cloud its drivers are under. Plus: what makes China’s unicorns a different breed. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donald Trump’s inflammatory comments about white supremacists have lost him the support and advice of business leaders, leaving him increasingly isolated and ineffectual. Qatar’s stake in the LSE may prompt Saudi Aramco to shun the exchange for its IPO. Plus: M&A for the MAGA era. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. president needs Beijing’s help with North Korea even more after his recent warmongering outburst. Yet his administration just slapped petty import tariffs on Chinese aluminum. Also: what a Google engineer’s sexist memo says about the firm, Silicon Valley and society. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Questionable elections for a rubber-stamping new assembly may give President Nicolas Maduro more power. But the country’s people, economy - and some U.S. companies - will suffer. Also: Sprint, under a ton of debt yet overvalued, weighs its M&A options. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

CEO Mike Corbat pledged a huge earnings boost at the bank’s first investor confab in nine years. But Citi’s enduring crisis hangover will still leave it trailing most rivals. In China, HNA’s shadowy ownership may be a big problem for U.S. M&A. Plus: Google keeps clicking. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Republicans’ failure to replace Obamacare throws into doubt Washington’s ability to keep other high-profile election promises, not least cutting corporate levies. Meanwhile, President Trump’s fuzzy agenda for reforming NAFTA could give Canada and Mexico more bargaining power. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Tesla’s CEO is putting the firm’s reputation, and $50 million, on the line in a deal to quickly provide energy storage to South Australia. Over in Texas, a battle is brewing between investment icons Warren Buffett and Paul Singer over a long-suffering and oft-wooed energy company. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

It’s 20 years since the British handed the island and adjacent territory back to the mainland. Breakingviews’ Asia columnists explain how Hong Kong’s economy and society have changed and ask whether this once-dominant regional financial center can regain some of its lost luster. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The meal-kit delivery firm had an unappetizing IPO, barely opening above its much reduced price of $10 a share. Investors are starting to wise up to fluffy concoctions with little meat. The more discerning environment will make it difficult for half-baked companies with high risk. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Filling departed founder Travis Kalanick’s seat is no easy task, so we offer some suggestions. Elsewhere, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos’ seemingly crazy $13.7 bln offer for struggling grocer Whole Foods has some logic. Anbang lands in hot water in China. And the lure of 100-year debt. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Attempts to jump-start the ride-hailing app’s toxic culture stalled after board member and TPG founder David Bonderman’s sexist joke at a company meeting about sexism. The UK grapples with Brexit under a hung parliament. And could a Chinese invasion solve the North Korea problem? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Brits are about to elect a new government that’ll take the country out of the EU. Brexit, though, has taken a back seat in the campaign to deadly attacks in London and Manchester – and growing concerns about how the new masters of Whitehall will deal with social welfare. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The president is pulling America out of the climate agreement signed by 195 countries in 2015. But the continued commitment from cities, companies, investors – and China - will limit the damage. Meanwhile Goldman Sachs steps into a Venezuelan mess. Plus: advertisers as activists. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Basic economics - and decency - fall by the wayside in the administration’s pitch that it can create $2 trillion of revenue by cutting $3.6 trillion of costs. OPEC and U.S. fields battle for oil supremacy. Zimbabwe invents the 'zollar'. And Bill Ford escapes his CEO’s crash unscathed. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donald Trump’s promise to run the government like a business is proving difficult but Congress could act like strong independent directors to rein in his wayward management. China’s ambitious Silk Road project could leave its people holding the bag. Plus: job cuts at Ford. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Donald Trump’s surprise firing of the FBI director could bog down policies from tax cuts to regulatory reform and even throw the rule of law into question. South Korea elects a new leader to put its own presidential scandal in the past. Plus: Coach goes shopping for Kate Spade. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lucre from apps and other services should get investors in the party mood ahead of the company’s iconic device turning 10. Big Oil gets buoyed by rising prices – and the New York Times by more readers. And Coach shows the retail industry how to cope with upheaval, up to a point. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

France is about to choose a new president. The UK has called a surprise election. Germans head to the polls soon and Italians and Greeks could be close behind. As Brexit gets in motion and President Trump settles in, Europe’s election season will bring risks and opportunities. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The UK PM wants an early general election to strengthen her majority in parliament, stoking market hopes of a friendly exit from the EU. Those may be misplaced. Elsewhere, Trump’s Buy American, Hire American plan is deeply flawed. And Goldman takes a beating from Morgan Stanley. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Taking three days to offer a basic apology to the passenger dragged off a flight suggests deeper problems at the U.S. airline. Poor leadership and processes took a toll on Wells Fargo and Toshiba, too. Executives and boards ignore the lessons of cultural failures at their peril. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The JPMorgan CEO’s latest shareholder letter hands President Trump and Republicans plenty of tips and sound bites for rolling back post-crisis rules. But the administration’s failure to replace the Fed’s departing top regulator throws more doubt on a Dodd-Frank overhaul. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The activist’s proposal that the automaker split its stock to give some shareholders a perpetual dividend is a risky maneuver. President Trump’s plan for skilled-worker visas may make Canada great again. Plus, Republicans face high hurdles to overhaul the U.S. tax code. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ad kings have faced criticism over questionable content. Now Google is in the hot seat as brands like L’Oreal pull their digital spending. Also, Lyft finds an opening as Uber hits roadblocks. Plus: Not all is copacetic between Goldman Sachs alumni in Washington. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The chipmaker is shelling out $15 billion for autonomous-driving parts firm Mobileye, a cool 30 times estimated revenue. Intel missed the mobile-phone revolution. Is it finally on the right road? Plus: Washington bounces bitcoin’s bid for mainstream acceptance. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. president and congressional Republicans’ rush to ditch the Affordable Care Act is spawning pox-plagued legislation. Meanwhile, Deutsche Bank tries to get its financial house in order. And State Street’s fund managers are pushing to get more women on corporate boards. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The giant Japanese tech firm has been on a global M&A tear, but shareholders aren’t buying it. President Trump's mix of details-free policy pledges and jingoistic militarism looks dazed, confused and dangerous. Plus: Silvio Berlusconi's AC Milan sale puts Chinese buyers offside. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A former employee accused the ride-hailing company of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. It’s not only bad form but yet another road block for money-losing Uber. Plus, where do Kraft Heinz and its owner 3G go after their failed $143 billion bid for Unilever? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The president's vacillating over firing national security adviser Michael Flynn is the kind of mistake that gets corporate chiefs fired. Toshiba deals its way to a $6.3 billion loss. California's water woes are a national wake-up call. And Wall Street parties like its 2007. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Trump wants to "do a number" on post-crisis financial reforms, but overturning them will be tough. Paris emerges as the top city for financial types after Brexit. Plus, why a legal brief filed by Google and others against Trump’s immigration ban is such an unusual move. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

President Trump's trade-tariff threats and his temporary immigration ban risk undermining business-friendly policies like deregulation and tax cuts. Meanwhile, he has nominated a Supreme Court justice. And Under Armour takes center stage in the battle for shareholder rights. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Two competing tariff ideas from President Trump and congressional Republicans bring merits but mostly unforeseen risks. Meanwhile, any cut in the corporate tax rate will benefit hapless Yahoo and its Asian holdings. Plus, why it pays to bet against Davos Man’s thinking. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Team Trump is AWOL at the World Economic Forum's annual alpine shindig while Theresa May's Brexit plan has people on edge. That left it to China's Xi Jinping to defend globalization. Elsewhere, U.S. bank earnings disappoint. And Snapchat considers making investor rights disappear. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The president-elect's attempt to avoid conflicts of interest while in the White House is window-dressing that sets a bad example for his administration. Meanwhile, Trump's shadow hangs over the Detroit Auto Show. And his infrastructure plan is not as straightforward as it seems. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Breakingviews columnists offer their take on the year ahead: magic mushrooms could be an economic and investment hit, big business will take drones to the skies and Uber's IPO faces an uphill struggle. Plus: Harry Potter's 20th anniversary is a lesson in preparing for surprises. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Breakingviews columnists from Europe, Asia and the United States discuss what’s ahead, including Donald Trump and inequality, how smaller M&A deals will shine over big acquisitions, and why Disney may ponder buying Netflix. Plus, what we got right – and wrong – about 2016. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson, Donald Trump's pick for Secretary of State, is well versed in international dealmaking. But he's too close to Russia even for some Senate Republicans. Meanwhile, Goldman Sachs shuffles the top ranks and Wells Fargo's regulatory hubris comes back to bite. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The U.S. president-elect upended decades of diplomacy by taking a call from Taiwan's leader. But some U.S. companies will welcome his stance. And China has much to lose from any escalation. Also: Italy PM Renzi gets his marching orders. And there's no easy move to monetize chess. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The president-elect brought in a rare bipartisan player as Treasury secretary, Steven Mnuchin and saved 1,000 jobs in Indiana. But bigger economic challenges await. And he has yet to solve his business conflicts. Elsewhere, Dallas' pension woes put a $4 trillion industry on notice. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The social network is under fire for allowing erroneous and downright misleading media reports on its platform that may have swayed the U.S. presidential election. Meanwhile, Canada and Mexico prepare for a Donald Trump presidency. And Warren Buffett eats his words on airlines. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The incoming commander-in-chief's $1 trillion infrastructure pledge has buoyed builders and could even help the Fed. The bank stock rally, though, may lack a solid foundation – and Obamacare could be the election's Brexit analogy. Meanwhile, European political iconoclasts rejoice. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Americans aren't just voting for the 45th president. House and Senate elections affect everything from Wall Street to the Supreme Court. And marijuana and healthcare figure prominently in state ballots. Meanwhile, there's more brouhaha around Brexit. And GE is shaking itself up. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

CEO Randall Stephenson's $85 billion offer for Time Warner lacks strategic rationale, has politicians of all stripes criticizing it - and has destroyed shareholder value while denying owners a vote. All it lacks so far is an activist shareholder demanding it be scrapped. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The presidential candidate's poor showing is hurting his businesses, but a news network could pay off if he loses the election. Saudi Arabia's monster bond deal can't mask bigger problems. And bank earnings take in the Wells Fargo effect while Netflix investors lose the plot. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Canceling production of its self-combusting Note 7 smartphone puts the company's reputation as well as $17 billion or more at risk. Cities, businesses and investors are putting Trump and Clinton to shame on climate change. Plus: Brexit politics get shaken up by the pound's decline. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The social network's stalled user and revenue growth is sending shareholders of Salesforce and other potential bidders running for cover. Meanwhile, Yahoo's email scans for U.S. authorities have rattled buyer Verizon. Plus: Is John Stumpf's time as Wells Fargo CEO nearing an end? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Oct. 2 marks 100 days since Britain’s vote to leave the EU. How has the economy fared, and will the City of London weather Brexit? Breakingviews writers discuss trade deals, financial services and the scale of the challenge facing Prime Minister Theresa May. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The iPhone maker’s desire to enter the auto market could benefit from taking a stake in Elon Musk’s Tesla. Recent actions by the BOJ may help kick start the Japanese economy. And what it means that hedge fund manager Leon Cooperman is fighting the SEC rather than settling. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The bank that steered clear of the financial crisis breaks down after creating 2 mln fake accounts. New evidence undermines Donald Trump's claims few benefit from the U.S. economic recovery. And why Hanjin's corporate capsize may prompt attempts to fix to shipping industry woes. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The iPhone 7 may seem like an underwhelming upgrade, but it sets the company up well for the rise of augmented reality. Donald's Trump's plans to curb visas and send illegal immigrants home defy economic logic. And scandal-prone VW takes its truck ambitions stateside. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Viewsroom is taking a short break during the dog days of summer. To help us improve the show, lend the Viewsroom team your thoughts by rating us and giving us a review on iTunes. You can also reach our hosts directly on Twitter: Antony Currie @antonymcurrie Jen Saba @jennifersaba As always, you can read all of our columnists on Breakingviews.com See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

ValueAct is taking a softly-softly stance with its stake in Morgan Stanley – and is already doing better than its Amex flop. Private insurers are pulling out of Obamacare as the U.S. considers banning industry mergers. And millennials' relative poverty could be bad for democracy. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Drought, farmers, poor pricing and bad infrastructure in the world's second-most populous country hinder Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' vision; peer-to-peer lenders try to deal with a downturn; and Donald Trump's economic plan is more pinstripes than blue collar. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump battle over infrastructure needs, while Trump faces growing opposition from fellow billionaires. The ups and downs of Europe's lenders after a stress test with no fail grade. And why Uber is ceding to Didi the ride-sharing crown in China. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Democrats turn to Michael Bloomberg to woo independents and anti-Trump Republicans. Meanwhile, Yahoo sells up, Oracle buys CEO Larry Ellison's side-company. And how to rank earnings at Apple, Facebook and Twitter. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The confab to anoint Donald Trump the GOP presidential candidate is full of controversy, but short on business support and cogent financial policy. Tesla boss Elon Musk unveils his master plan, to underwhelming response. And there are silver linings to recent ho-hum bank results. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

New UK Prime Minister Theresa May is assembling a cabinet that may to deliver Brexit-lite. Meanwhile, the surprising success of Pokemon Go bodes well for much broader use of augmented reality. And Jamie Dimon has both selfish and smart reasons for boosting bank teller pay. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The humble four-fingered chocolate bar could play a key role in fending off bidders for Hershey. Meanwhile, the EU-shunning UK battles political instability, a tanking currency and a run on commercial property funds, while the economic pain of allowing in far fewer migrants looms. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hershey kisses off Mondelez’s $23 bln bid while media mogul John Malone manages his own sweetheart wrap of Lions Gate and Starz. Plus, presidential contender Donald Trump courts Bernie Sanders’ supporters and why Europe’s banks should be prepping for the U.S. stress test. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

British voters have been inundated with “facts” throughout the referendum on EU membership, but campaigners on both sides have been accused of playing fast and loose with the truth. Hugo Dixon – chairman and editor in chief of InFacts and the founder of Breakingviews - talks about the role of evidence in the referendum campaign, and outlines his vision for the future of the EU. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Microsoft’s willingness to plunk down $26 million for LinkedIn proves the software giant is slipping back to its old habit of illogical deals. Add Uber’s creative method of scooping up more money and Dropbox’s pronouncement that it is cash-flow positive and it could mean a cold wind is starting to blow in Silicon Valley. McDonald’s move to Chicago is a meaty win for the beleaguered city riddled with crime and a ballooning budget deficit. And finally, why lax gun laws in the U.S. are hurting the country’s influence abroad. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Imagine Britain votes on June 23 to leave the European Union. What happens next? Breakingviews writers George Hay, John Foley, Neil Unmack, Swaha Pattanaik and Olaf Storbeck discuss the possible consequences for markets, trade, growth and the future of the EU. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An executive at the iPhone maker proposed a bid for Time Warner, a move that would have been at odds with Apple founder Steve Jobs’ recipe for success: Reject “1,000 ideas” and focus on the very few excellent ones. Aging smartphones, a tepid stock price and a pile of idle cash, however, could make the mediocre look awfully tempting. Meanwhile, wrestler Hulk Hogan's privacy case against news website Gawker took a bizarre turn as tech entrepreneur Peter Thiel acknowledged backing the lawsuit. Facebook, facing its own free-speech imbroglio, may want to think twice about having Thiel on its board. And the U.S. Senate is mulling whether to continue funding a Lockheed-Boeing joint venture that supplies the Defense Department with rockets – using Russian engines. Elon Musk's SpaceX can do it cheaper and maybe better, suggesting the decision should be a no-brainer. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The presumptive Republican nominee for U.S. president boasted about the size of his 104-page financial disclosure statement filed this week with the Federal Election Commission. It may be HUGE, but what's the upside of flaunting your wealth to an electorate fed up with Wall Street and billionaires? And The Donald has yet to release his tax returns. Meanwhile, JPMorgan shareholders resoundingly bounced a proposal to study the possible benefits of splitting up the bank. Citigroup owners gave an equally chilly reception to a similar proposal last month. Why they're missing out on a potentially lucrative idea. And Pandora, the online music streaming service, is dealing with activist investor Keith Meister's demand that it explore putting itself on the block. The company insists it can turn things around in the cutthroat music business, but a sale makes a lot of sense. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mixed martial arts' premier promoter may be on the block for as much as $4 billion, putting it in some pricey company. Live sports events are what TV and cable viewers most want to see, though, and therein lies a lesson for the likes of fading ESPN and parent Disney. Uber drivers, meanwhile, scored a win in New York, where the ride hailing service blessed their affiliation with a labor union that could help them negotiate better benefits. And in California, legal documents revealed how much Uber might have owed drivers if they had won their lawsuit to be treated as employees. The numbers make a $100 million settlement look like peanuts. Finally, alternative lenders may face more regulation in the wake of a kerfuffle at Lending Club that cost the company's boss his job. Fortunately for them, Washington watchdogs can't seem to do much more than study the issue. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The newspaper chain's rejection of Gannett's hefty $815 million offer is a head-scratcher, hardly the sort of move that suggests the industry knows how to pull itself out of a prolonged slump. Can clever experiments like the New York Times' plan to deliver meals with the morning paper pump up profit? Meanwhile, Elon Musk's electric car company is accelerating production, claiming demand is outstripping supply. Maybe that's true, but technological glitches and a lack of capital could hold the company back. And bank customers may finally get their bite back. America's consumer watchdog – the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – is reviving class-action lawsuits after decades of corporate efforts to squelch people's right to go to court. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Abbott, Abbvie and Sanofi are each paying up for takeoverpartners, while protecting the planet could be the investment dealof the century. Plus: Facebook forges ahead while Apple ambles. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Peabody Energy's bankruptcy gives Big Oil a glimpse into the future, while energy losses are just one issue U.S. lenders have to contend with. Plus: startup news outlets face age-old problems. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Pfizer-Allergan deal comes to a screeching halt, while a document dump exposes the elite's offshore tax finagling. Plus: An heir apparent loses the keys to the Magic Kingdom. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The music-streaming service picks a golden-oldie CEO, while the mega-insurer sheds its too-big-to-fail tag. Plus: Even Wall Street pros can fall prey to determined swindlers. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A tournament head gets axed for demeaning the women's game, while two banks lighten CEO wallets. Plus: There's no drought of H2O optimism. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The funky pharma firm is coming to grips with mortality, while China's Anbang gobbles up U.S. hotels at high prices. Plus: Corporate America gets a Supreme Court nominee it can live with. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Gender quotas for directors don't work, a new study finds. And who's policing high-tech lenders and payments firms? Plus: the late Solomon Brothers boss changed Wall Street forever. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Trump and Hillary Clinton bash banks while taking their money, and the controversial investor sticks it out at Valeant and Herbalife. Plus: aging telecoms shake up cable TV. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Minnesota Fed boss shocked colleagues with a call to break up the banks, and the satellite TV firm has left investors confused. Plus: How the Supreme Court justice's death affects Corporate America. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Internet-retailer Amazon embraces bricks and mortar, while the soap opera around Viacom's aged founder continues. Plus, panic over the dangerous virus is Brazil's Achilles heel. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The social media giant rode mobile ads to riches, while Jack Dorsey's company watched bosses head for the exits. And Apple may be stuck in iPhone purgatory. All on the Viewsroom tech edition. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The falling price of oil is putting U.S. carmakers in a quandary – and may have contributed to the demise of Al Jazeera America. Plus: Volkswagen can’t seem to keep its foot out of its mouth. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Netflix goes global – big time, while China's richest man takes a stake in Hollywood. Plus: Automakers greet the New Year with GM's Lyft investment, a splash at the Consumer Electronics Show and plans to impress in Detroit with their own pow wow next week. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Breakingviews' volume of prescient insight for 2016 includes forecasts about M&A, oil, interest rates, the Olympics, Star Wars booty and much more. Ren Holding and Antony Currie pick their favorites. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Disney is destined to make a pile on the new Star Wars movie, and the Fed's big tease is over: Will rising interest rates revive old school metrics? Plus: what does the economy tell us about who will be president? See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Activist investors could be the big winners in a DuPont and Dow Chemical merger, and Yahoo should stop dithering its way to irrelevance. And what's with this game of chicken companies keep playing with antitrust enforcers? All on this week's edition of the Viewsroom. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 92-year-old controlling shareholder of Viacom and CBS is showing his age, while the Brazilian bank's boss is in jail: Should either remain at the helm? Plus, the case for chipping away at climate change. All in this week's edition of the Viewsroom. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A preview of the Viewsroom, a new Reuters podcast where each Breakingviews columnists will talk about the big numbers, crunchy deals and nasty spats in global business and economics, offering a weekly dose of financial insight that goes beyond the concise and provocative views readers get from our columns every day. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.