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Easing Covid measures means accepting a rise in cases that is likely to get worse as winter approaches. Residents buy medications at a pharmacy in Shijiazhuang, China, last week. “There will always be complaints.”Though many people in China still support “zero-Covid,” the strict measures have also stoked growing resentment. China is thus now facing a dual challenge, said Donald Low, a professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “You’re going to see the Hong Kong story played out on a much larger scale” in mainland China, Low said.

☆ Morning Bid: Wild oil ride amid China and crypto woe
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] General view of the oil refinery, part of Grupa Lotos taken over by PKN Orlen in 2022, in Gdansk, Poland August 9, 2022. Turbulence in oil, China's COVID crunch and unravelling cryptocurrencies make for uncomfortable reading for investors starting to parse what looks like a recessionary year ahead. Higher interest rates and slowing economies dominate most 2023 outlooks, not least Tuesday's latest from the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development. Underlining the growth gloom, China's battle with COVID and its widening curbs only seemed to worsen. Pain in the crypto world continued, with many investors fearing the fallout from the collapse of exchange FTX is just beginning.

☆ Global shares shake off China COVID curbs, but investors stay cautious
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The dollar pulled back from strong overnight gains while oil took a pause from Monday's retreat. The MSCI All-World index of shares (.MIWD00000PUS) rose 0.2%, putting it on course for a second straight month of increases - its longest stretch of gains since late 2021. The dollar of the gains that took it to a 10-day high on Monday, when investors ditched risk assets over China's COVID flare-ups and was last down 0.2%. The dollar came under pressure in particular against the euro and the yen , which rose by 0.2% and 0.3%, respectively. Oil prices rose on Tuesday, a day after Saudi Arabia denied a media report that it was discussing an increase in oil supply with OPEC and its allies.

☆ Oil rises as Saudi comments outweigh recession concerns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Alex Lawler | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"Crude oil prices are trying to recover their losses," said Avatrade analyst Naeem Aslam. "That Saudi Arabia has denied there was any discussion about an increase in oil supply with OPEC and its allies has supported the market today." On Dec. 5. a European Union ban on Russian crude imports is set to start, as is a G7 plan that will allow shipping services providers to help to export Russian oil, but only at enforced low prices. Concerns over oil demand in the face of the U.S. Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes and China's strict COVID lockdown policies limited the upside. Additional reporting by Laura Sanicola and Isabel Kua Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China's key money rate hits near 2-year low, but softening seen fleeting
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SHANGHAI, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Liquidity conditions in China's interbank money markets eased further on Tuesday, as cash supply far outpaced demand, despite a huge withdrawal of funds by the central bank. Traders said declines in interbank rates were largely due to looser cash conditions after financial institutions cut leverage this month. While most other major economies are raising interest rates to tame inflation, Beijing is focusing more on propping up a slowing economy by keeping money rates low. And many market participants had taken advantage of the low repo rates to fund leveraged trades in bonds, traders said. However, markets are divided whether the falls in the money rates would be sustainable.

☆ 'Boomerang CEOs' don't always work out; Disney hopes this one bucks trend
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( David Randall | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

NEW YORK, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Can Walt Disney Co (DIS.N) bank on another hit sequel? That appears to be the hope behind the company's surprise decision to bring back former chief executive Bob Iger to replace Bob Chapek. During his first tenure from 2005 to 2020, Disney's annualised shareholder returns were more than 14%, well above its rival Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O) and the broader stock market, and in total in that period the stock rose more than 400%. Yet there are reasons to think that Disney may have made the right decision in bringing back Iger, Bingham said. “I think this is a game-changer," said Stephanie Link, chief investment strategist and portfolio manager at Hightower Advisors, about Disney.

☆ Morning Bid: COVID blues
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Anshuman Daga:A nationwide spike in COVID-19 cases in China is again the main talking point for weary global markets on Tuesday as Beijing shut parks and museums and more cities resumed mass testing. Last week finance minister Jeremy Hunt announced tax hikes and spending cuts to fix the country's balance sheet and its economic policy reputation after former prime minister Liz Truss's controversial "mini-budget". Brent crude futures steadied at $87.85 a barrel after plunging by more than $5 a barrel to 10-month lows. Still, Brent crude is up 13% so far this year, marking one of the strongest performances in any asset class. Concerns about Genesis follow the collapse of FTX, one of the world's biggest crypto exchanges, which has shattered investor confidence.

☆ Oil prices edge up as softer dollar outweighs China demand concerns
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Isabel Kua | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

SINGAPORE, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Oil prices inched higher on Tuesday as the dollar eased, but global recession worries and concerns about China's rising COVID-19 case numbers denting demand from the world's top crude oil importer weighed on sentiment. Brent crude futures rose 44 cents, or 0.5%, to $87.89 by 0513 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures for January began trading Tuesday, rising 30 cents, or 0.4%, to $80.34 a barrel. In the United States, crude oil stocks were estimated to have dropped by about 2.2 million barrels in the week to Nov. 18, a preliminary Reuters poll showed on Monday. The front-month Brent crude futures spread narrowed sharply last week, while WTI flipped into contango, which suggests supply concerns are easing.

REUTERS/Thomas PeterBEIJING, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Beijing shut parks and museums on Tuesday while more Chinese cities resumed mass testing for COVID-19, as China fights a fresh nationwide spike in cases that has deepened concerns about its economy. In the capital Beijing, cases have hit a fresh record high, prompting calls for more residents to stay put. There were two new deaths attributed to COVID-19, compared with three over the weekend, which were China's first since May. Beijing reported 1,438 new local cases, up from 962 on Sunday. "Reopening could be back and forth as policymakers may back down after observing rapid increases in cases and social disruptions.

☆ Bob Iger isn't the only CEO who was asked to come back. Here are 5 men who returned to run their former companies.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Alexandra York | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Bob Iger's return isn't unusual. Here are four other boomerang CEOs who've returned to the companies they once ran. Iger acted as Disney's CEO from 2015 to 2020. In the most recent quarter, the streaming service lost $1.47 billion, which is more than double the loss from 2021. Iger is one of a handful of boomerang CEOs who've returned to the companies they once ran.

☆ NBCUniversal layoffs are coming in January
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Layoffs will come in ad sales and marketing in the linear television business but won't affect theme parks. NBCUniversal is the latest major media corporation to plan layoffs, according to two company insiders and a third person closely familiar with plans. The axe will fall mainly in ad sales, marketing, and back-end functions at the traditional broadcast and cable business units, but will come division by division, two people said. Paramount Global also conducted layoffs last week, mainly in ad sales in New York and Los Angeles. NBCUniversal was the first major media firm to conduct a corporate restructure of its business back in 2020.

Bob Iger's return as Disney's CEO was met with surprise and relief by current and former employees. News of Bob Iger's return as Disney's CEO shocked the media world, but for many inside the company, the news touched off a mix of surprise as well as relief. Insider spoke with eight current and recently departed Disney employees about their reactions, hopes, and concerns for what's next. One theme park designer and former Disney employee, Taylor A. Baird, said he "almost cried" upon hearing about Iger's return because of his past success running the company. And there's still worry about where cuts will hit and how deep, and what's in store for Disney's streaming business.

☆ Disney is counting on Bob Iger to make hard decisions about its streaming and TV assets – or find someone who will
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Of course, while Iger said Disney was all-in on streaming, the reality was it wasn't, and it still isn't. Part of that shift was Disney's realization that it likely wasn't going to hit its target of 230 million to 260 million Disney+ subscribers by 2024. Disney shares have fallen nearly 40% this year. Disney shares surged during the pandemic even as theme parks closed and movies were kept out of theaters. "The old plan can't be the new plan," Greenfield said.

☆ Beijing shutters parks and malls as Covid cases hit fresh high
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Eunice Yoon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailBeijing shutters parks and malls as Covid cases hit fresh highCNBC's Eunice Yoon joins 'Squawk Box' from Beijing to report how China is reacting to one of its worst Covid outbreaks since April.

☆ World Cup 2022: What fans can't do in Qatar
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Amy Woodyatt | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —After years of anticipation – and controversy – since Qatar was awarded the World Cup, the tournament finally got underway on Sunday in Doha. DrinkingThe sale and consumption of alcohol has been a highly contentious issue since Qatar was first announced as the World Cup host 12 years ago. FIFA President Gianni Infantino attends a press conference at the Qatar National Convention Center (QNCC) in Doha on November 19, 2022, ahead of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football tournament. But it’s not the lowest-scoring country taking part in the World Cup; Saudi Arabia scores a 7 and Iran scores a 14. There is no legal guarantee of press freedom or freedom of expression in Qatar, the US Embassy in Qatar notes.

Iger is widely considered entertainment industry royalty, celebrated for his management acumen and creative chops. He turned Disney into a global powerhouse by acquiring marquee brands such as Pixar, Marvel, Lucasfilm and 21st Century Fox. Bob Chapek, left, and Bob Iger, in Orlando, Fla.,on Sept. 30, 2021. Shares of the Walt Disney Co. are down 40% this year, and layoffs are pending. But almost immediately, the entertainment industry media zeroed in on what was thought to be a frosty relationship between the two men.

☆ Robert Iger’s Return to Disney Has Many Fans Overjoyed
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Jacob Passy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Disney said Robert Iger would stay in the chief-executive role for two years before another CEO took over. To many members of Disney ‘s ardent fan base, Robert Iger ‘s return to the company’s helm is a storybook ending to a drawn-out corporate saga. Fans of the company’s theme parks and film franchises flocked to social media to celebrate the news when the Walt Disney Co. announced Sunday that Mr. Iger would return to the chief executive role he held for roughly 15 years. Disney fans scrutinize not only changes to its entertainment offerings, but also its boardroom moves and quarterly earnings.

Disney, in a shocking late Sunday announcement, said it had re-appointed Iger as chief executive, effective immediately, after Iger’s handpicked successor as CEO, Bob Chapek, came under fire for his management of the entertainment giant. Iger will help the company’s board develop a new successor, Disney said in a release. Chapek was named chief executive in February 2020, succeeding Iger, who had previously said he wouldn’t return to the role. Iger, who held the CEO role for 15 years at Disney, had favored Chapek as his successor. Chapek distanced himself from Iger with a series of decisions, including his new approach to streaming prices for Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+.

☆ Can Bob Iger fix Disney?
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Frank Pallotta | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

But If anyone can bring back the magic to the Walt Disney Company, the company believes Bob Iger may be uniquely qualified to do it. StreamingIn a shocking move, Bob Iger is returning as Disney's CEO. Disney’s streaming service — which includes ESPN+, Hulu and most importantly, Disney+ — had been the most vital part of the company’s vast media kingdom. In its statement reintroducing Iger as CEO, Disney said he was “uniquely situated to lead the company through this pivotal period.”Iger was instrumental in forming the modern Disney. With the media industry in turmoil, Disney hope Iger is up to the tall task of righting its ship.

☆ Disney board's decision to replace Bob Chapek with Bob Iger makes everyone look bad
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Alex Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The Disney board's decision to swap out Bob Chapek for Bob Iger as the company's CEO may be the right one for the company's future. The Disney board extended Chapek's contract for three more years on June 28. Bob is the right leader at the right time for The Walt Disney Company, and the Board has full confidence in him and his leadership team." Instead, because it extended his contract, the company is on the hook to pay Chapek tens of millions in severance. Disney's fiscal fourth quarter results weren't good, but Chapek also told investors streaming losses had cratered and reaffirmed the company's direct-to-consumer products would be profitable by 2024.

☆ Bob Chapek’s tenure marked by political missteps inside and outside of Disney
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Ramishah Maruf | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Now he’s saying “Goodbye, Disney (DIS).”Chapek’s rocky two-and-a-half year tenure at the head of the entertainment giant had a few wins. But Disney made the surprise announcement Sunday that its revered former CEO Bob Iger is making a return as the head of the company. Disney employees began staging walkouts, saying Chapek’s statements “utterly failed” to grasp the threat to LGBTQ communities. DeSantis quickly ripped Disney after Chapek’s public condemnation, calling the company a “woke corporation” with questionable business interests in China during a private event. Investors celebrated Iger’s return as CEO, sending Disney shares up nearly 7% Monday after dropping roughly 38% this year.

Disney , in a shocking late Sunday announcement, said it had re-appointed Iger as chief executive, effective immediately, after Iger's handpicked successor as CEO, Bob Chapek, came under fire for his management of the entertainment giant. Iger will help the company's board develop a new successor, Disney said in a release. Chapek was named chief executive in February 2020, succeeding Iger, who had previously said he wouldn't return to the role. Iger, who held the CEO role for 15 years at Disney, had favored Chapek as his successor. Chapek distanced himself from Iger with a series of decisions, including his new approach to streaming prices for Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+.

☆ Inside Bob Iger's return to Disney: A senior executive's outreach to the former chief followed months of complaints to the board about CEO Bob Chapek
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Claire Atkinson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Bob Iger is returning to Disney as CEO, ending the rocky tenure of his successor, Bob Chapek. This person said the board realized its chief executive simply wasn't up to the job after the high-level company executives shared their frustrations. "Bob Iger is one of the top executives of the last decade. Daniel and a handful of other top executives are expected to find out their fate in the next 24 hours, said the senior Disney Insider. "I'm really happy pleased that Bob Iger has accepted this has decided to come back at a critical time for the company," the senior Disney insider said.

☆ Bob Iger's return to Disney is fueling concern over future CEO succession plan: 'People would struggle to write down three names inside Disney' who could step up
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Lucia Moses | Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Former Disney CEO Bob Iger is back in his old job, in a move that shocked the media world. From cost cuts to streaming to a solid future succession plan, here's what they hope the CEO will tackle. Following the stunning announcement late Sunday night that former Disney CEO Bob Iger would be returning to his old job, the happiest place on earth might actually be Wall Street. "What I like about Bob Iger is Bob Iger has always been direct, he's been honest, he's been willing to make tough choices," Michael Nathanson, a senior research analyst and co-founder of the firm, said in a CNBC interview on Monday. Are you a Disney insider with insight to share about Bob Iger's return?

☆ Bob Iger is back. He's the steady hand that Disney needs as CEO to get it back on track
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-21 | by ( Kevin Stankiewicz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Iger has committed to serve two years as CEO and agreed to help the board develop his eventual replacement, according to Disney. The Club's take Iger will be the steady hand Disney needs in this critical moment. As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. Bob Iger, CEO, The Walt Disney Company Scott Mlyn | CNBC

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