WSJ What’s News

What are supermarkets and consumer brands saying about shoppers? And which companies are getting a boost from higher-income customers? Plus, who are the winners and losers after Netflix’s biggest acquisition? Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Dec. 5. The streaming company won the fight for Warner Bros. in a deal that would shake up Hollywood. But first it has to win approval from the Trump administration, which is already scrutinizing the acquisition, as Wall Street Journal entertainment reporter Joe Flint explains. And a key vaccine panel at the CDC voted to drop a longtime recommendation that all newborns get a first dose of hepatitis B vaccine. WSJ reporter Sabrina Siddiqui covered the vote. Plus, the WSJ reports that SpaceX is kicking off a secondary stock sale that would value the company at $800 billion, ahead of a potential IPO for the rocket maker next year. Pierre Bienaimé hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Nov. 20. Nvidia's highly-anticipated earnings report did not disappoint with soaring profits soothing investor jitters over the AI boom. Seema Shah from Principal Asset Management explores what this all means for markets going forward. Plus, the White House drafts a peace plan for ending the war in Ukraine, featuring major concessions from Kyiv. And with bids for Warner Bros. Discovery due today, WSJ entertainment reporter Joe Flint looks at the potential buyers and who’s the likely frontrunner. Caitlin McCabe hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Nov. 19. Traders have used debt to maximize their gains as they bought and sold crypto this year—now, with prices dropping, they’re turbocharging losses too. WSJ crypto reporter Vicky Ge Huang tells us what makes those bets so risky. Plus, Target says it will invest billions in its stores as it seeks to turn around slumping sales. And minutes from October’s Federal Reserve meeting show deepening divisions, putting a rate cut at the next meeting in question. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all want a little treat—even if we’re on a budget. That desire may be part of what’s shaping U.S. liquor sales; big spirits companies are seeing growth in the sales of their smaller bottles of liquor, while sales of the pricier larger sizes decline. What does that tell us about how consumers are feeling about their wallets? Host Alex Ossola discusses with Nadine Sarwat, director and equity research analyst at brokerage firm Bernstein. And finally, in this last episode of our alternative economic indicator series, WSJ investing columnist Spencer Jakab joins Alex to take stock of all four indicators in this series—Nevada employment, copper, heavy trucks and liquor—and the picture they paint about the broader U.S. economy.  Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Further Listening Alternative Indicators: Can Nevada Employment Predict Where the Economy is Headed? Alternative Indicators: What’s Dr. Copper’s Prognosis for the U.S. Economy? Alternative Indicators: What Big-Rig Truck Sales Reveal About the U.S. Economy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Nov. 19. After dropping for four straight sessions, markets are now bracing for today’s earnings report from AI-bellweather Nvidia. Plus, WSJ’s Anne Tergesen explains why millions of Americans are leaving behind old 401(k) accounts - costing savers billions in missed investment gains. And a rare Gustav Klimt portrait has shattered records, becoming the most expensive modern artwork ever sold at auction. Caitlin McCabe hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Nov. 18. A federal judge has dismissed the Federal Trade Commission’s antitrust case against Meta Platforms, which alleged that the company has a social-media monopoly. We hear from WSJ tech reporter Meghan Bobrowsky about what that means for Meta. Plus, President Trump said that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ”knew nothing about” the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, rejecting a CIA assessment at the time. Plus, the House has passed a bill to release government files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Nov. 18. As the market rout hits everything from stocks to crypto, WSJ’s Hannah Miao explains how concerns over missing government data and lofty AI valuations are fueling the downturn. Plus, a House vote on releasing the Epstein files is expected later today, as President Trump’s grip on the GOP seems to be slipping. And companies begin pushing out employees who aren’t using AI in their day to day work. Caitlin McCabe hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Nov. 17. As companies are laying off thousands of workers, they’re using new tactics like texting and emails and listen-only video calls to communicate to workers that they’ve lost their jobs. Chip Cutter, who covers workplace issues for the Journal, discusses what’s driving these new strategies and how workers are responding. Plus, the head of FEMA has resigned after about seven months on the job. And “Baby Shark Dance”—every toddler’s favorite jam—is YouTube’s most watched video ever. But that mind-blowing popularity hasn’t translated to major sales for the South Korean company behind it. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is U.S. manufacturing driving off a cliff or into the sunset—and taking the economy with it? Look no further than sales of heavy trucks. Trucking companies buy more of these big rigs when they expect they will have more stuff to ship, so declines in heavy truck sales often match up to economic contractions dating back to the 1960s. Now the data show that sales have been going downhill since 2023, falling off more dramatically since June of this year. Host Alex Ossola talks with Bob Tita, who covers manufacturing for The Wall Street Journal, and Avery Vise, vice president of trucking for data analysis and forecasting firm FTR Transportation Intelligence, about what that says about this moment in the economy, and what might be clouding the picture. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Nov. 17. The White House throws its weight behind the House vote to release DOJ files related to Jeffrey Epstein. WSJ’s Scott Patterson explains what’s behind President Trump’s surprising reversal. Plus, good news for travelers: the FAA is set to lift flight restrictions today. And WSJ Paris bureau chief, Stacy Meichtry on why France is seeing a disturbing wave of museum heists and details the frightening fate of priceless crown jewels. Caitlin McCabe hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gen Z and Millennials are tightening their purse strings, and the first businesses on the chopping block are fast-casual dining spots. The usual fan favorites like Chipotle, Sweetgreen and Cava are suddenly falling out of favor with young American consumers. WSJ reporters Heather Haddon and Matt Grossman discuss how these companies are responding, and what this shift says about the broader economy. Caitlin McCabe hosts.  Further Reading Chipotle’s Big Bet on Younger Consumers Is Unraveling Are the Economy’s Salad Days Over? Chipotle Says Gloomy Consumers Are Buying Fewer Burritos Fast-Casual Chains Struggle as Diners Ditch Pricey Bowls for Cheaper Eats Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What beefy problems were Tyson and vegan alternative Beyond Meat dealing with this week? And what sent tech stocks sliding this week? Plus, how did two media giants fare while a potential deal for some or all of Warner Bros. Discovery continues to unfold? Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Nov. 13. AI startup Anthropic said China’s state-sponsored hackers used its tools to automate cyberattacks against corporations and governments. WSJ’s Sam Schechner reports on the inflection point for hackers’ use of AI. Disney’s shares fell after a quarterly earnings report that fell short of Wall Street’s expectations. And California is eyeing a first-of-its-kind tax on billionaires. WSJ’s Paul Kiernan unpacks the ballot initiative for a wealth tax that’s already run into steep opposition. Sabrina Siddiqui hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Nov. 13. The U.S. government is back in business, but as WSJ’s Ken Thomas explains, don’t expect things to run at full tilt just yet. Plus, Democrats release a tranche of new emails from Jeffrey Epstein, in which the late financier discussed Donald Trump. And, WSJ’s Stu Woo details how a Chinese AI company worked around U.S. rules to access Nvidia’s highly coveted chips. Caitlin McCabe hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Nov. 12. The House of Representatives is set to vote this evening on a spending bill that would end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. WSJ reporter Anvee Bhutani walks us through what’s in the bill. Plus, Federal Reserve officials are divided as to whether it’s inflation or the labor market that is the bigger threat to the U.S. economy, stoking division ahead of the Fed’s December meeting. Journal chief economics correspondent Nick Timiraos explains what the disagreements mean for a possible rate cut. And the U.S. has minted its last pennies. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Nov. 11. Big companies that usually staff up for the holiday rush are adding fewer seasonal workers this year. WSJ economics reporter Justin Lahart digs into what’s behind uncertainty in the holiday jobs market and the complicated task of gauging the economic effect of government shutdown. Plus, large companies looking to take advantage of tax breaks passed by Republicans this year are finding they’re on the hook for taxes because of a 2022 law. We hear from WSJ tax policy reporter Richard Rubin about what companies are doing about it. And wealthy travelers continue to splurge on luxury hotels, where the average room cost is at a record high. Alex Ossola hosts. Send a voice memo to w-n-p-o-d at wsj.com with your experiences flying during the shutdown or leave a voicemail with your name and location at 332-214-8472.  Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Oct. 10. President Trump's application of pressure is a key factor in securing a cease fire in Gaza after two years of conflict. WSJ’s Anat Peled explains what happens next, including Israeli forces withdrawing from parts of the Gaza Strip preparations for the release of the remaining Israeli hostages. Plus, a federal judge halts the deployment of National Guard troops onto the streets of Chicago. And the Nobel peace prize is awarded to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado for her work promoting democracy and fighting dictatorship in the country. Kate Bullivant hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for Oct. 9. Israel and Hamas agree to the first phase of President Trump’s peace plan, with all hostages set to be released and Israeli troops to withdraw to an agreed-upon area. The WSJ’s Michael Amon explains what happens next. Plus, senior Republicans quietly advise the White House against mass layoffs and cuts during the shutdown. And France’s Macron says he plans to appoint a new prime minister, shelving the threat of snap elections… though as the WSJ’s Stacy Meichtry explains, the way out of the country’s fiscal quagmire is still far from clear. Kate Bullivant hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for Oct. 7. Gold prices soared to $4,000 a troy ounce for the first time, topping off an investor rush for the precious metal this year that has defied past patterns. David Uberti, who covers commodities for the Journal, joins to discuss what’s driving the surge in price. Plus, Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange, said it will invest up to $2 billion in crypto-based prediction platform Polymarket. WSJ reporter Alexander Osipovich explains why Intercontinental Exchange is interested in it. And brands desperate to connect with young people are fueling a boom in the business of Gen Z translation. We hear from WSJ marketing reporter Katie Deighton about the kinds of companies doing this translation, and how Gen Z is responding. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices