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☆ Altice USA in talks to sell Cheddar News to private equity firm Regent
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-11 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Altice USA is in talks to sell the financial news streaming service Cheddar News to LA-based private equity firm Regent LP, according to people familiar with the matter. Instead, Altice USA would participate in Cheddar's future performance as part of a so-called "earn out" structure. Since then, Altice USA, the fourth-largest U.S. cable provider, behind Comcast , Charter and Cox, has looked to shed assets as its stock price has plummeted. Altice USA has also considered selling U.S. cable asset Suddenlink but dropped those plans in late 2022. The New York Times reported Altice USA was considering selling Cheddar earlier this year.

Persons: Jon Steinberg, Dexter Goei, Steinberg, Goei, Regent, Ralph Lauren, Regent didn't Organizations: USA, Regent, Altice, CNBC, Altice USA, Comcast, Cox, Sightline Media, Sunset Magazine, Time Inc, Club Monaco, New York Times Locations: LA, USA, Altice USA, U.S, Tegna

☆ How Long Can the ‘Magnificent Seven’ Stocks Hold the Line?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

The latest stock-market rally has further increased the dominance of the top-seven companies in the S&P 500. Illustration by Alexandra Citrin-Safadi/WSJAs in the eponymous 1960s Western, the so-called “Magnificent Seven” stocks keep on winning. The S&P 500 is in a bull market, fueled by soft inflation data in the U.S. and Europe and the widespread belief that interest rates will start coming down early next year. Yet the stock market has become so top-heavy that speaking of a “bull market” carries less meaning than before. Without Apple , Microsoft , Alphabet , Amazon.com , Nvidia , Tesla and Meta Platforms—the high-growth, technology-related companies that analysts have dubbed the “Magnificent Seven”—the S&P 500 would only be up 9% this year, rather than 19%.

Persons: Alexandra Citrin Organizations: Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, Tesla Locations: U.S, Europe

☆ Worrying About Pandemics Is So 2020. Should It Be?
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

The Covid-19 pandemic has widened differences between rich and developing countries. Photo: Johis Alarcon/Bloomberg NewsAmid all the concerns about inflation, interest rates and wars this year, at least investors haven’t needed to worry about pandemics. Exhibit one: The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, is on shaky ground. This U.S. initiative, created by George W. Bush in 2003, claims to have saved the lives of about 25 million people around the world. This year, though, opposition led by Rep. Chris Smith—who claims PEPFAR has been hijacked to promote abortion—has foiled the effort.

Persons: Johis Alarcon, haven’t, George W, Bush, Chris Smith —, PEPFAR, — Organizations: Bloomberg, AIDS Relief, Rep Locations: U.S

WASHINGTON (AP) — One fall day in 2010, retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor slipped into the courtroom where she worked for nearly 25 years to take in an “amazing” sight. That was pretty amazing.”O’Connor lived to see four women serve at the same time on the Supreme Court. Political Cartoons View All 1277 ImagesO’Connor, who left the court in 2006, died Friday in Phoenix of complications related to advanced dementia and a respiratory illness, the Supreme Court said. “I had never expected or aspired to be a Supreme Court justice. —-Richard Carelli, a former Supreme Court reporter for The Associated Press who is now retired, contributed to this story.

Persons: Sandra Day O’Connor, O’Connor, “, ” O’Connor, Ronald Reagan, Samuel Alito, wasn’t, John, Donald Trump's, Alito, O'Connor, ”, Sandra Day, Bill Clinton, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, “ I’m Sandra, Ruth, ” Ginsburg, Barack Obama, Sonia Sotomayor, David Souter, “ It’s, Obama, Elena Kagan, Trump, Amy Coney Barrett, Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Ketanji Brown Jackson, she'd, SCOTUS, ” Ruth McGregor, O’Connor’s, Mary, David Letterman’s, Jon Stewart, John O’Connor, Scott, Brian, Jay, Potter Stewart, Richard Carelli Organizations: WASHINGTON, New York Times, Iraq, College of William, CBS, Supreme, Associated Press Locations: Phoenix, Arizona, Washington, United States, Virginia, Los Angeles

(AP) — Trevon Brazile had 19 points and 11 rebounds, Khalif Battle scored 21 off the bench and Arkansas held on to beat No. But then Arkansas went on a quick 7-0 spurt in 59 seconds just before the under-12 media timeout in the second half, prompting a Duke timeout as the Razorbacks’ lead grew to eight. It was down to three with 18 seconds to go, but Arkansas went 4 of 6 at the free-throw line down the stretch to stave off a collapse. Battle scored 15 in the second half. HOT AND NOTArkansas shot 61% from the field in the second half, including 4 of 9 from 3-point range.

Persons: Trevon Brazile, Tramon Mark, Bud, It’s, Eric Musselman, Kyle Filipowski, you’ve, ”, Jon Scheyer, “, you’re, Musselman, Mark, ” Musselman, Arkansas, Duke, Scheyer, Brazile's, Layden Blocker, Layden Blocker . Arkansas, Chandler Lawson, Bud Walton, Nolan Richardson, Scotty Thurman, ___ Organizations: Khalif, Arkansas, Razorbacks, Bud Walton Arena, Blue Devils, ACC, SEC, Devils, Duke, NCAA, NEXT Duke, Atlantic Coast Conference, Georgia Tech . Arkansas, Furman, AP Locations: FAYETTEVILLE, Ark, Bahamas, Arkansas, Layden Blocker .

☆ One identical twin went vegan while the other didn’t. See what happened
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Sandee Lamotte | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

A vegan diet differs from a vegetarian diet in that it eliminates not only animal flesh but dairy, eggs or any other ingredient derived from animals. In each pair, one twin was assigned a vegan diet, while the other was assigned an omnivore diet. “I feel like a lot of people who do a vegan diet think ‘Oh great, soda is vegan. Cutting back on eating meat and animal byproducts can be done slowly, bit by bit. Harvard’s Hu agreed: “While this study showed a vegan diet may provide additional advantages compared to a healthy omnivorous diet, it does not mean that everyone should become a vegan or vegetarian.

Persons: ”, Christopher Gardner, Gardner, “, ” Alice Lichtenstein, Frank Hu, ” Hu, ” Gardner, “ I’m, quinoa, there’s, Harvard’s Hu Organizations: CNN, Stanford Prevention Research Center, Nutrition Studies Research, Stanford, Tufts University’s Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, Harvard, of Public Health, JAMA Locations: Palo Alto , California, Chan, Boston, Brussels, Yukon

☆ Opinion: Nikki Haley is ready for her closeup
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Opinion Nicole Hemmer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Nikki Haley is instructive. But nowhere does it talk in depth about policy or what the Koch brothers’ organization represents within the Republican coalition. What makes Haley interesting in this race is not, in fact, her position in the polls but her position in the party. Haley was, after all, Trump’s ambassador to the United Nations, an interesting position for someone who so sharply diverges from Trump’s ostensibly non-interventionist foreign policy. Or maybe it’s Haley, the standard-bearer for a more inclusive Republican Party, defined by her identities as a woman and Indian-American.

Persons: Nicole Hemmer, Carolyn T, Robert M, “, Who, Clinton, Hillary Clinton’s, Donald Trump’s, ”, Trump, Voters don’t, —, Nikki Haley, Haley, George W . Bush, Paul Ryan, David, Charles Koch, Koch, it’s Haley, Patrick Hruby, Jon Stewart, Colbert Organizations: Rogers Center, Vanderbilt University, “ Partisans, Conservative, CNN, Trump, —, Voters, Republican, South Carolina Gov, Prosperity, The New York Times, GOP, United Nations, Social Security, Republican Party, United Auto Workers, Columbia Journalism, New York Times, Washington Post, Times, Post, Political Journalism Locations: Trump, Afghanistan, Iran, Ukraine, Charleston, Detroit

☆ The World’s Largest Buyer of U.S. Debt Isn’t Going Away
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Japan is the world’s top holder of U.S. government debt. Photo: kimimasa mayama/ShutterstockCould the largest foreign buyer of American debt suddenly stop buying? Here is a comforting thought: This problem is probably already behind us. At a time when government issuance is massively expanding and firms face a 2025 refinancing cliff, overseas investors have gone from holding 43% of U.S. debt a decade ago to holding just 30%. Adding to the worries, the Bank of Japan might start raising interest rates next year, giving some Japanese owners a reason to repatriate their money.

Persons: kimimasa Organizations: Bank of Japan Locations: Japan

☆ Why Stamping Out Crypto Bros Could Help Bitcoin
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Changpeng Zhao, founder and CEO of Binance, has pleaded guilty to money-laundering violations. PHOTO: REUTERS/Benoit TessierSuch is the wackiness of the crypto world that a regulatory crackdown might actually revive investor optimism. Earlier this week, Binance Chief Executive Changpeng Zhao pleaded guilty to money-laundering violations and agreed to pay a criminal fine of $50 million. Then, his company will pay $4.3 billion to, among other things, settle civil allegations related to sanctions evasion.

Persons: Changpeng Zhao, Benoit Tessier Organizations: Binance

☆ For Argentina, Dollarization May Work Better on YouTube Than in Reality
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Javier Milei wants to adopt the U.S. dollar as Argentina’s national currency. Photo: Luciano GonzALez Torres/Xinhua/Zuma PressArgentina’s anarcho-capitalist president-elect is right that the country desperately needs dollars. But his economic plan for getting them may be the wrong one. Javier Milei ’s victory over Economy Minister Sergio Massa in Sunday’s presidential election showed how eager Argentines are to embrace change. Milei, an outsider who became popular on YouTube and TikTok, has promised to “chain saw” public spending, eschew China-friendly overtures and, most eye-catchingly, “burn down” the central bank and adopt the U.S. dollar as the national currency.

Persons: Javier Milei, Luciano GonzALez Torres, Javier Milei ’, Sergio Massa Organizations: U.S, Xinhua, Zuma Press, Economy, YouTube Locations: Sunday’s, tatters, China

☆ House China cmte. chair Rep. Gallagher on Apple letter: We just want to understand what happened
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailHouse China cmte. chair Rep. Gallagher on Apple letter: We just want to understand what happenedHouse Select Committee on China Chairman Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.) joins 'Squawk Box' to discuss the committee's letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook questioning the reasons behind the cancellation of Jon Stewart's show on the company's streaming platform, the fallout from Chinese President Xi's dinner with top American CEOs, and more.

Persons: Gallagher, Mike Gallagher, Tim Cook, Jon Stewart's, Xi's Organizations: Email, China, Apple Locations: China

☆ Is the Stage Set for a Year-End Rally?
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Consumers saw inflation cool in October after gasoline prices fell and underlying price pressures eased. Photo: Brandon Bell/Getty ImagesStock investors are getting early Christmas presents: Third-quarter corporate earnings were strong and inflation keeps heading lower. With all the good news already priced in and bond yields offering stiff competition, though, there is less room for the usual seasonal rally. Investors are feeling optimistic following Tuesday’s lower-than-expected inflation data. The two indexes are up 17% and 7% respectively in 2023.

Persons: Brandon Bell Organizations: Getty Images Stock Locations: Europe

☆ Lawmakers want to know if China had anything to do with Apple's decision to cancel Jon Stewart's show
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-16 | by ( Polly Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Apple was asked by a House committee to explain its decision to cancel Jon Stewart's show. "The Problem with Jon Stewart," which streams on Apple TV+, was canceled last month. AdvertisementLawmakers have asked Apple to explain why "The Problem with Jon Stewart" was recently canceled. AdvertisementAfter being told he must be "aligned" with the company on topics, Stewart and Apple decided to go their separate ways. "If Jon Stewart can potentially be impeded from offering commentary on the CCP, what does this mean for less prominent personalities?".

Persons: Apple, Jon Stewart's, Jon Stewart, —, Tim Cook, Stewart, Ding Xuexiang Organizations: Apple, Chinese Communist Party, Service, New York Times, Communist Party, CCP, Getty, Business Locations: China, Beijing, Xinhua

☆ House lawmakers press Apple CEO on reports Jon Stewart’s show was canceled over China concerns
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-15 | by ( Liam Reilly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Did Apple and Jon Stewart part ways over China? The letter also asked Apple to make a public commitment that content potentially viewed as critical of the Chinese Communist Party would be welcome on the company’s services. “If these reports are accurate, it potentially speaks to broader concerns about indirect Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence over the creative expression of American artists and companies on CCP-related topics,” the committee said in the letter. Representatives for Apple and Stewart did not immediately respond to CNN requests for comment. China represents nearly a fifth of Apple’s sales and is by far the company’s fastest-growing region.

Persons: Jon Stewart, Tim Cook, Jon Stewart ”, —, Mike Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Illinois —, Apple, Stewart Organizations: CNN, Chinese Communist Party, Wednesday, Apple, Wisconsin Republican, Communist Party, CCP, Xi Locations: China, Wisconsin, Illinois, People’s Republic of China

REUTERS/Cheriss May/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters) - U.S. lawmakers asked Apple Inc to explain the abrupt end of political comedian Jon Stewart's television show on its streaming service, according to a letter made public on Wednesday, citing concerns that content related to China was behind the cancellation. The New York Times reported last month that Stewart's show on Apple's streaming service was ending, the result of creative differences. The newspaper said Stewart told members of his staff that potential show topics related to China and artificial intelligence were causing concern to Apple executives. The letter asked representatives of Apple for a briefing on its concerns by Dec. 15, 2023. U.S. lawmakers have long expressed concerns about potential Chinese government censorship given the ruling Communist Party’s strict media controls.

Persons: Jon Stewart, Mark Twain, Cheriss, Jon Stewart's, Stewart, Tim Cook, Apple, Michael Gallagher, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Xi Jinping, Joe Biden, Patricia Zengerle, Stephen Coates Organizations: The Kennedy Center, REUTERS, Rights, Apple Inc, New York Times, Apple, Times, Republican, Democratic, Chinese Communist Party, CCP, Economic Cooperation, Thomson Locations: Washington , U.S, China, San Francisco, Asia, U.S

☆ Private Debt Was Supposed to Collapse When Rates Rose. Instead It Is Everywhere.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-13 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Private-equity firms such as Blackstone are increasingly expanding into private debt. Photo: Jose A. Alvarado Jr. for The Wall Street JournalWall Street’s doom-mongers spent years warning that private lenders would be the next bubble to burst when central banks tightened policy. Instead, the funds are becoming even more ubiquitous as companies scramble to refinance debt in a higher interest-rate environment. The Westport, Conn.-based company operates 450 veterinary clinics and hospitals across the U.S. and has been owned by private-equity giant KKR since 2018. It has been a successful acquisition, but the company is facing a wall of debt maturities that can only be refinanced at higher cost.

Persons: Blackstone, Jose A, Alvarado Jr, mongers Organizations: Wall, Care Centers, The, KKR, Blue Locations: The Westport, Conn

☆ ‘Albert Brooks: Defending My Life’ Review: Comedy Meets Integrity
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-10 | by ( John Anderson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

Albert Brooks and Rob Reiner Photo: HBOThe status of Albert Brooks in American comedy is a curious thing. Is that a subtext of “Albert Brooks: Defending My Life”? Albert Brooks: Defending My Life Saturday, 8 p.m., HBOMany of the people whom director Rob Reiner has throwing bouquets during this documentary— Steven Spielberg , Larry David , Jon Stewart , Conan O’Brien and Sharon Stone among them—are all more famous than Mr. Brooks, but genuflect before his comedic genius. Larry David, whose own brand is all about kvetchiness, virtually gushes while recalling a compliment he got from Mr. Brooks. When David Letterman says, “I would rather have Albert’s career than my career,” you believe him.

Persons: Albert Brooks, Rob Reiner, “ Albert Brooks, Steven Spielberg, Larry David, Jon Stewart, Conan O’Brien, Sharon Stone, Brooks, David Letterman, “, ” Organizations: HBO

12 Arizona at its famously hostile arena on Friday night — the kind of marquee matchup that's getting trickier for coaches to schedule with lengthy conference slates, NCAA Tournament bids and even coaches' job security on the line. “I know you always hear people, fans of college basketball saying, ‘We need this.’ It's hard, it's really hard. It's become big business.”The game at Cameron Indoor Stadium opens a home-and-home series, with the Blue Devils visiting Tucson in 2024. By the time Duke returns the trip next year, Arizona will have left the Pac-12 for the Big 12. He won an NCAA title as a Duke player in 2010 and an assistant in 2015 and worked under Coach K for nine seasons.

Persons: — Jon Scheyer, Tommy Lloyd, Lloyd, ” Lloyd, “, Duke, there's, Scheyer, “ Tommy, It'll, it'll, ”, —, ” Scheyer, of Famer Mike Krzyzewski, Mark Few’s, John Marshall, ___ Organizations: Duke, Cameron, Blue Devils, CBS, North, UCLA, Ohio State, Atlantic Coast Conference, Michigan State, ACC, SEC, of Famer, Arizona, NCAA Locations: DURHAM, N.C, Arizona, Tucson, North Carolina, Kansas, Kentucky, Hill, Lexington, that's, Arkansas

☆ UBS’s Takeover of Credit Suisse Was a Steal. Now Comes the Bumpy Part.
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-07 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

UBS’s takeover of Credit Suisse led to a surge in earnings in the second quarter, but third-quarter losses underscore that integrating its rival will be a long process. UBS ’s first loss in nearly six years shouldn’t make investors take their eyes off the road. While the Swiss bank said Tuesday that third-quarter net income was a negative $785 million—almost twice as large as the median analyst forecast—its shares rose about 3% in early trading. Investors are wise to look through the fog and see that this was another set of encouraging figures.

Persons: UBS ’ Organizations: Credit Suisse, UBS Locations: Swiss

☆ The Big Problem With Government Debt Isn’t What You Think
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-06 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Investors are worried that Western governments are issuing more bonds than investors can buy. Whether the system that transacts in those bonds can bear the load could be a much more urgent issue. Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department said it would issue longer-term debt. Ten-year and 30-year government-bond yields, which had recently touched 16-year highs, have since fallen sharply.

Organizations: U.S . Treasury Department

☆ The Musk Versus Twitter of Trucking Mergers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-01 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Forward Air agreed to buy freight forwarder Omni Logistics. PAUL PAGE/THE WALL STREET JOURNALIn most children’s games, there are no takesies-backsies. A similar principle seems to apply when a company signs a pretty ironclad contract to buy another. Late on Tuesday, Dallas-based freight forwarder Omni Logistics said that it had filed a lawsuit against trucking company Forward Air asking for the Delaware Court of Chancery to enforce the merger agreement that both companies signed back in August. This follows a statement last week in which Forward said it might terminate the controversial acquisition, arguing that Omni—which happens to be one of its trusted suppliers—had failed to comply with merger obligations.

Persons: PAUL, — Organizations: Forward, Omni Logistics, Forward Air, Delaware, Omni Locations: Dallas

☆ Climate Risk Is Becoming Uninsurable. Better Forecasting Can Help.
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-30 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A new generation of mathematical modelers might be able to help defuse a looming insurance crisis. Floods, electrical storms and wildfires, together with raw-material inflation, are pushing up premiums for so-called catastrophe insurance. Some Americans are moving away from riskier places such as Florida, while others are foregoing cover. Insurers such as Allstate , State Farm and Farmers Insurance, owned by Zurich Insurance Group , are withdrawing from disaster-prone areas.

Organizations: Allstate, State Farm, Farmers Insurance, Zurich Insurance Group Locations: Florida

☆ Apple's China problem: how its ticket to success has become a liability
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailApple's China problem: how its ticket to success has become a liabilityApple can thank China for much of its success. In the early days, as Apple was on the brink of bankruptcy, it pivoted its manufacturing to China, capitalizing on a massive low-wage workforce, billions in government stimulus to build out enormous factories, and the loyalty of a rapidly growing middle class. But now, what was once a key to its success has increasingly become a liability. In just the past few weeks, it's seen a Chinese tax investigation into its biggest manufacturer Foxconn, accusations of censorship around Jon Stewart's canceled show, and has lost its market share dominance to competitor Huawei. This week on Tech Check, we dive into Apple's China problem, and why it's not going anywhere.

Persons: it's, Jon Stewart's Organizations: Apple, Huawei, Tech Locations: China

☆ Apple TV+ is raising prices and expanding its content ambitions — here are the shows and movies it wants now, per leaked Hollywood agency documents
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-27 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Apple TV+ is a small but influential player in the streaming wars. And Apple has signaled it wants to grow its streaming content slate at a time when other media companies are contracting. Apple is "always looking" for films that "highlight humanity," according to one of the agency documents. As a side hustle of a massive retail business, Apple TV+ can fly under the radar, insulated from economic pressures that have roiled the entertainment business. (Apple TV+ was the first streamer to win the best picture Oscar, in 2022, for "CODA," which it acquired at the Sundance Film Festival).

Persons: Martin Scorcese's, Reese Witherspoon, Apple, execs, Apple hasn't, Jason Sudeikis, Ted Lasso, Rose Byrne, Seth Rogen, Jon Stewart's, Isaac Asimov's, John Krasinski, Stephen Curry, Ridley Scott's, Napoleon, They're Organizations: Apple, Netflix, Disney, New York Times, Major League Soccer, Major League Baseball, New England Patriots, Sundance Locations: China

☆ Ukraine Hangover Makes European Banks Look Rougher than They Are
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-26 | by ( Jon Sindreu | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Shares in BNP Paribas fell even though the French bank beat third-quarter earnings expectations. PHOTO: Nathan Laine/Bloomberg NewsEuropean investment banks don’t tend to fare well when compared with their more profitable U.S. peers. But the war in Ukraine makes some comparisons unfair. Investors have been disappointed with the third-quarter results published by top European banks so far, with the stocks collectively down more than 3% this week. This is despite the fact that most of the companies have actually beaten analysts’ profit forecasts by a decent margin.

Persons: Nathan Laine Organizations: BNP, Bloomberg News, Investors Locations: Ukraine

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