Few winners in Asia from Trump’s shock victory 9 Nov 2016 Rising protectionism and a weaker commitment to regional security are particularly worrying for South Korea, Japan and Taiwan. But heightened uncertainty could hit economies and markets across the continent. At least for China trade losses may be offset by geopolitical gains.
Trump may embody his own isolationist policy 9 Nov 2016 The reality-TV star clinched an unlikely White House victory. In winning over a majority of the electorate, he alienated nearly everyone in a position of power. That means checks and balances on his presidency could mark a huge test for the American experiment and economy.
American institutions are biggest election loser 9 Nov 2016 The modern era's most rancorous campaign damaged the legitimacy of several pillars of democracy and free markets. Congress was already at a nadir. Fold in the idea of a rigged system, where the FBI and free press are politically biased, and governing will be nearly impossible.
Risk markets bear brunt of Trump volatility 9 Nov 2016 Mexico's peso, a barometer of sentiment throughout the White House race, plunged 11 pct to a record low against the dollar, which also fell. Stocks in Asia sagged along with U.S. index futures. Treasuries and gold rose. The next president's calling card is uncertainty.
Disney can draw bigger audience to ratings fight 7 Nov 2016 The $150 bln media giant is squawking over Nielsen figures that show fewer households getting its ESPN sports network. Investors already are worried that the company's biggest business may be challenged. One way to combat confusion would be for Disney to release some data itself.
Valeant heralds second act of pricing pushback 8 Nov 2016 The embattled drugmaker slashed its profit forecast to below the lower end of a previous range. Some problems are specific to Valeant. The whole industry, however, faces mounting pressure from aggressive politicians and insurers, upending the business model of charging more.
Merger medicine fails to cure CVS Health 8 Nov 2016 The $80 bln drugstore chain warned that profit growth would slow down. Fewer customers and the loss of a couple big contracts were factors. Industry-wide pricing pressure adds to the challenge. Two big deals last year worth a combined $14 bln may be causing bad side effects.
Fat donkey-tail risk lurks in U.S. elections 7 Nov 2016 Investors are pricing in Hillary Clinton as the next president and Republicans hanging onto control of at least one congressional chamber. A Donald Trump win would shock and scare Mr. Market. There's also a small chance of a Democratic sweep, a less-discussed bearish outcome.
Shared to-do list no matter who nabs White House 7 Nov 2016 U.S. political rancor reached a depressing height in the 2016 campaign. But there is some bipartisan harmony on the need for a corporate-tax overhaul, infrastructure spending boost and immigration reform. Amid a dispiriting race, there's a sliver of hope for actual governance.
Cox: Trump would – briefly – make America great 7 Nov 2016 U.S. stocks are bound to freak out, Brexit-style, if the reality-TV star wins the White House. Yet the instability also would send investors in search of less risky assets. Beyond cash, those are mostly dollar-denominated. Longer-term, though, a President Trump is another story.
Larry Ellison stores hardball M&A tactics in cloud 7 Nov 2016 Oracle's founder has won his $9.3 bln battle for NetSuite, even though T. Rowe, the seller's biggest independent investor, made a strong case for a higher offer. Fear that Oracle would walk cowed shareholders - a reminder to prospective targets that Ellison takes no prisoners.
Och-Ziff turns paper-shuffling into winter sport 4 Nov 2016 The hedge fund's property arm and EPR are paying a Florida REIT $830 mln for 15 ski resorts. The deal has plenty of twists and turns, like EPR giving Och-Ziff a mortgage to fund part of the transaction. Long-term leases, though, mean the new owners can do little but groom the slopes.
Drug probe is caboose of consolidation train 4 Nov 2016 U.S. prosecutors are investigating Mylan, Allergan and others for colluding over generic-medicine prices. Lawmakers are on the case, too. But proving conspiracy is hard as barriers to entry and limited competition mean companies can raise prices in sync without acting illegally.
U.S. employers deliver an early Christmas gift 4 Nov 2016 They added a modest 161,000 new jobs last month. Wage gains accelerated, however, bringing the annual increase to 2.8 pct, the biggest since 2009. That could help lift consumer spending, an important engine of economic growth, heading into the holiday shopping season.
Review: The folly of shorting the American dream 4 Nov 2016 "Betting on Zero" dramatizes Bill Ackman's battle to prove Herbalife is a pyramid scheme that dashes most recruits' hopes of prosperity. The short-seller is still down on his $1 bln wager. But the nutrition marketer's attempts to muzzle the documentary could backfire.
Breakdown: Electionomics beyond Clinton vs. Trump 4 Nov 2016 The worlds of business and finance have other ballot-related cost-benefit analyses to consider. Hanging in the balance are the House speaker, the Senate banking chair and an important Wall Street ally. Important marijuana and Obamacare state votes also feature prominently.
Golden Globes make problematic prize for Wanda 4 Nov 2016 Wang Jianlin's company is already big in Hollywood. Now it is buying Dick Clark, the U.S. TV awards producer, for about $1 bln. The sellers should be happy. But Washington's Sino-sceptics may not want to see Wang rolling out the red carpet for many more entertainment firms.
California voters guinea pigs in drug-price trial 3 Nov 2016 The electorate decides next week whether to cap the cost of prescription medicine. If approved, Proposition 61 may initially be hard to implement. But as with reducing car emissions and legalizing marijuana, a yes vote from the Golden State could prompt a nationwide debate.
Auto-industry hazards wreck parts-maker deal 3 Nov 2016 American Axle's stock fell 15 pct even though its $1.6 bln agreed acquisition of Metaldyne should diversify earnings and bring hefty cost savings. Debt will be high, but manageable absent a nasty recession. Investors have become understandably cautious when it comes to cars.
Viewsroom: What to watch for beyond Clinton-Trump 3 Nov 2016 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.