Markets

U.S. to Target Crypto Use in Ransomware Attack Payments
Markets

U.S. to Target Crypto Use in Ransomware Attack Payments

The Biden administration is preparing an array of actions, including sanctions, to make it harder for hackers to use digital currency to profit from ransomware attacks, according to people familiar with the matter. The government hopes to choke off access to a form of payment that has supported a booming criminal industry and a rising national security threat.
Another Trade War, Another Stalemate?
Markets

Another Trade War, Another Stalemate?

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Invesco, Lucid, Diamondback: What to Watch When the Stock Market Opens Today
Markets

Invesco, Lucid, Diamondback: What to Watch When the Stock Market Opens Today

Futures tied to the S&P 500 were down 0.1% early Friday, pointing to a subdued end to a choppy week in markets. It is a big options and futures contracts expiration day, known as “quadruple-witching,” which often coincides with volatile trading. More than $750 billion of single-stock options expire Friday, according to analysts at Goldman Sachs. Here’s what we’re watching ahead of the market open.
Hong Kong Considers Allowing SPAC Listings
Markets

Hong Kong Considers Allowing SPAC Listings

Hong Kong is considering whether to allow listings of blank-check companies, potentially opening the doors to a wave of Chinese-focused deals involving special-purpose acquisition companies. Permitting SPACs would set up a competition with regional rival Singapore, which recently moved to allow such listings, and exchanges in New York, which have hosted a string of deals related to China and Southeast Asia. The two Asian financial hubs are acting even as U.S. regulators have hardened their stance toward SPACs.
A French Book-Publishing Takeover Worthy of Netflix
Markets

A French Book-Publishing Takeover Worthy of Netflix

The long-running saga at French book publisher Lagardère may at last be drawing to a close. A takeover by media giant Vivendi would make a good ending for shareholders in the troubled company and start a new chapter for its suitor. Vivendi, which is controlled by French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, said late Wednesday that it has agreed to buy the 18% stake in Lagardère built up by activist investor Amber Capital. Provided the deal gets approval from antitrust authorities, Vivendi will make a takeover offer for the rest of the company. Lagardère’s Paris-listed stock jumped 19% Thursday.
Stock Futures Point to Tepid Rise for Week
Markets

Stock Futures Point to Tepid Rise for Week

U.S. stock futures edged up ahead of fresh data on consumer sentiment, pointing to a subdued end to a choppy week in markets.  Futures tied to the S&P 500 edged up less than 0.1%, pointing to a tepid finish for the broad-market index that has gained 0.3% this week so far. Nasdaq-100 futures were relatively flat, while Dow Jones Industrial Average futures climbed 0.1%.