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
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
402
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
403
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
404
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
405
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
406
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
407
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
408
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
409
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
410
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
411
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
412
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
413
The price of Ultimate Fighting, Uber drivers an...
Mixed martial arts' premier promoter may be on the block for as much as $4 billion, putting it in some pricey company. Live sports events are what TV and cable viewers most want to see, though, and therein lies a lesson for the likes of fading ESP...
22 min
414
Tribune stalls while Tesla puts pedal to metal
The newspaper chain's rejection of Gannett's hefty $815 million offer is a head-scratcher, hardly the sort of move that suggests the industry knows how to pull itself out of a prolonged slump. Can clever experiments like the New York Times...
23 min
415
Healthcare M&A, Climate change, Silicon Valley ...
Abbott, Abbvie and Sanofi are each paying up for takeoverpartners, while protecting the planet could be the investment dealof the century. Plus: Facebook forges ahead while Apple ambles.
23 min
416
Coal bust, Bank earnings, Millennial media
Peabody Energy's bankruptcy gives Big Oil a glimpse into the future, while energy losses are just one issue U.S. lenders have to contend with. Plus: startup news outlets face age-old problems.
22 min
417
M&A overdose, Panama papers, Disney demise
The Pfizer-Allergan deal comes to a screeching halt, while a document dump exposes the elite's offshore tax finagling. Plus: An heir apparent loses the keys to the Magic Kingdom.
24 min
418
Pandora putsch, MetLife slam, M&A scam
The music-streaming service picks a golden-oldie CEO, while the mega-insurer sheds its too-big-to-fail tag. Plus: Even Wall Street pros can fall prey to determined swindlers.
25 min
419
Tennis jerks, Boss bonuses, Water woes
A tournament head gets axed for demeaning the women's game, while two banks lighten CEO wallets. Plus: There's no drought of H2O optimism.
22 min
420
Valeant spiral, Chinese tourists, top-court pick
The funky pharma firm is coming to grips with mortality, while China's Anbang gobbles up U.S. hotels at high prices. Plus: Corporate America gets a Supreme Court nominee it can live with.
30 min
421
Sexist boards, fintech flaws, Gutfreund farewell
Gender quotas for directors don't work, a new study finds. And who's policing high-tech lenders and payments firms? Plus: the late Solomon Brothers boss changed Wall Street forever.
25 min
422
Wall Street frenemies, Ackman, AT&T
Trump and Hillary Clinton bash banks while taking their money, and the controversial investor sticks it out at Valeant and Herbalife. Plus: aging telecoms shake up cable TV.
23 min
423
Fed follies, Dish dish, Scalia scraps
The Minnesota Fed boss shocked colleagues with a call to break up the banks, and the satellite TV firm has left investors confused. Plus: How the Supreme Court justice's death affects Corporate America.
19 min
424
Bookstores back, Redstone out, Zika lurks
Internet-retailer Amazon embraces bricks and mortar, while the soap opera around Viacom's aged founder continues. Plus, panic over the dangerous virus is Brazil's Achilles heel.
25 min
425
Facebook, Twitter and Apple
The social media giant rode mobile ads to riches, while Jack Dorsey's company watched bosses head for the exits. And Apple may be stuck in iPhone purgatory. All on the Viewsroom tech edition.
25 min