Viewsroom

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.

News
401
Should Facebook root out fake news?
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...
11 min
402
The President Trump effect
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,...
17 min
403
What to watch for beyond Clinton-Trump
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...
20 min
404
AT&T's dog of a deal
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...
14 min
405
Airing Trump TV
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...
24 min
406
Samsung's fiery future
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 ge...
20 min
407
Viewsroom: Twitter's takeover meltdown
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...
33 min
408
Viewsroom: One hundred days of Brexit
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...
24 min
409
Apple’s driving ambition
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...
17 min
410
Wells Fargo stagecoach hits a ditch
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 attem...
15 min
411
Trump immigration plan deports $1 trillion
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 ...
22 min
412
A special message to our listeners
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...
17 min
413
Viewsroom: Wall St activism; Obamacare; Wealth gap
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...
16 min
414
India water woes; fintech; Trumponomics
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'...
16 min
415
U.S. election, European banks, Uber-Didi
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...
26 min
416
Clinton, Tech M&A, Facebook, Apple
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.
34 min
417
Republican convention, Tesla, banks
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...
22 min
418
Brexit | Pokemon Go | Minimum wage
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...
25 min
419
The Kit Kat defense; Brexit fallout
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...
16 min
420
Viewsroom: The art of sweet deals; Trump on trade
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...
23 min
421
Facts and fear in Britain’s EU referendum
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...
27 min
422
Clippy’s resume, Big Mac for Chicago, Lax gun laws
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...
26 min
423
Viewsroom: Breakingviews on Brexit
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...
14 min
424
Apple, Facebook and Uncle Sam should just say "no"
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...
20 min
425
Trump touts riches while banks blunt breakup talk
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...
24 min