Public Markets 8-Hour Briefing
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The S&P 500 wsj.com dropped 1.2% in its worst week since June, reflecting broader market volatility. Entrata investing.com is working with Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan on an IPO, signaling continued M&A activity. Natural gas prices braced for a volatile Sunday open amid a blizzard warning, as reported by Investing.com News wsj.com.
Corporate Moves & Legal
Centerview wsj.com settled a lawsuit over analyst working hours, resolving a case that examined junior bankers' grueling schedules. Latham & Watkins poached two partners from rival Wachtell Lipton, highlighting intense legal talent wars, as noted in Financial Times Companies ft.com. Honeywell may walk away from its Johnson Matthey catalyst deal, according to Bloomberg Markets investing.com, while Bloomberg Markets wsj.com reported similar developments.
Regulatory & Geopolitical
Trump ft.com demanded Netflix remove former Obama official Susan Rice from its board, escalating the streamer's bid for Warner's studios and HBO, per Wall Street Journal US Business ft.com. The Justice Department probed Netflix's power over filmmakers in its $72 billion Warner deal review, as detailed in Bloomberg Markets bloomberg.com. Trump investing.com also targeted Netflix amid a $108B bidding war for Warner Bros. Discovery, per Investing.com News wsj.com.
Economic Trends
The "AI scare trade" gripped US markets, with investors selling software firms over concerns about AI's impact, as Bloomberg Markets bloomberg.com reported. The Biggest New Fans of 401(k)s Are Small Businesses wsj.com gained access to retirement plans through pooled employer plans (PEPs), per Wall Street Journal Markets yahoo.com. Germany's recovery hung in the balance, with data expected to reveal if tariffs hampered its growth, per Bloomberg Markets bloomberg.com.
Market Reactions
Crypto held steady amid inflation and geopolitical risks, per Investing.com News yahoo.com. Riskiest CLO Funds bloomberg.com flashed warning signs as default fears spread, per Bloomberg Markets bloomberg.com. JPMorgan closed Trump accounts following the Jan. 6 attack, per Investing.com News investing.com.