WSJ What’s News

Latest Episodes:

IEA Says Iran War Causing Biggest-Ever Supply Disruption Mar 12, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Mar. 12. Oil prices briefly topped $100 a barrel following a wave of new Iranian attacks on vessels in the Persian Gulf. WSJ reporter Chelsey Dulaney helps break down the economic winners and losers of what the International Energy Agency now says is the biggest oil supply disruption ever. Plus, President Trump returns to the tariff drawing board. And a new study finds AI isn't lightening workloads. Luke Vargas hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Iran Is Trying to Choke Off Traffic in the Strait of Hormuz Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Mar. 11. Three commercial ships were hit today near the Strait of Hormuz as Iran steps up its efforts to close off that critical shipping route for oil. WSJ Middle East correspondent Jared Malsin discusses why the Trump administration is turning down requests for military escorts through the strait, and what it would take to reopen it. Plus, U.S. inflation held steady in February. But, as we hear from Journal investing columnist Spencer Jakab, that data doesn’t incorporate the Middle East conflict, so the real question is what comes next. And the Trump administration is preparing to announce new tariff investigations that could result in higher tariffs on a number of countries. Alex Ossola hosts.

Boycotting Target: A WSJ Podcast Series

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

IEA Proposes Record Release of Oil Reserves Mar 11, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Mar. 11. The International Energy Agency is considering releasing 400 million barrels of oil into the market to counter the surge in crude prices from the U.S.-Israel war with Iran. WSJ reporters Matt Dalton and Rebecca Feng explain why the strategic release would be unprecedented and how it could drive oil prices up, instead of down. Plus, we look at how some of the biggest hedge funds got caught off guard by the war. And WSJ’s Alex Leary has the scoop on why Trump is obsessed with these $145 shoes. Luke Vargas hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Special Election in Georgia Is a Test of Trump’s Base Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Mar. 10. Today Georgia's 14th congressional district holds a special election to fill the congressional seat left vacant by former Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. WSJ national politics reporter Sabrina Siddiqui speaks with reporters Aaron Zitner and Cameron McWhirter about Republican voters’ stance on President Trump’s military campaigns. Plus, the Senate has introduced a new provision in its housing bill that would force large investors to sell homes within seven years of them being built. We hear from Journal reporter Rebecca Picciotto about how the industry is responding. And oil prices continue their slide as investors hope the world’s biggest economies will release strategic oil reserves. Alex Ossola hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Will the U.S. or Iran Decide When the War Ends? Mar 10, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Mar. 10. Iran says the negotiations to end the war are off the table, even as President Trump says the conflict will be over “very soon.” WSJ Middle East correspondent Jared Malsin discusses the leverage Tehran believes it still possesses. Plus, WSJ commodities reporter Ryan Dezember explains why Americans have been insulated from higher energy costs, despite a surge in global natural-gas prices after fighting began in the Middle East. And Nasdaq will collaborate with crypto platform Kraken to launch tokenized stocks on its exchange. Luke Vargas hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oil Slides in Wild Trading After Trump Suggests Iran War Could End Soon Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Mar. 9. It’s been a stunning day for oil markets. The U.S. oil benchmark dropped to about $85 a barrel, after surging above $119 last night. WSJ reporter David Uberti discusses how the Iran war is scrambling the outlook for fuel. Plus, Pixar’s “Hoppers” had the biggest opening weekend for an original animated movie since 2017. We hear from Journal entertainment reporter Ben Fritz about whether this could be a new franchise for Disney. And Anthropic has sued the Trump administration. Alex Ossola hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

$100 Oil Is Back Mar 09, 2026

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Mar. 9. Oil is surging past $100 a barrel as Iran strikes critical infrastructure in the Gulf, leading states to dial back production and halting traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. WSJ reporter Joe Wallace says higher fuel prices are just one likely outcome as the inflationary impacts of shipping disruptions mount. Plus, correspondent Benoit Faucon analyzes Mojtaba Khamenei’s selection as Iran’s next supreme leader. And why VW dealers are up in arms as the automaker looks to sell direct to consumers. Luke Vargas hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

America's Road to a DIY Retirement Mar 08, 2026

Show notes

Who should be responsible for an American retirement? For the early part of the nation's history, that was never a consideration. The fate of older Americans was on them. Then in the early 20th century, a host of movements ushered in company pensions and Social Security, helping to create the modern-day idea of retirement for many workers. But as pensions fade into 401(k)s and Social Security teeters, workers again find themselves bearing more responsibility and risk of financing their golden years.

This episode is part of The Wall Street Journal’s USA250: The Story of the World’s Greatest Economy, a collection of articles, videos and podcasts aiming to offer a deeper understanding of how America has evolved.

Further Reading:

The Struggle To Keep America’s Workers Safe

An Economy Built on Speculation

Americans Are Claiming Social Security Early, Fearful of Its Future

This New Investing Idea Isn’t Right for Your Retirement Plan

How to Keep This Hot Stock Market From Melting Your Retirement Dreams

Lloyd Blankfein Misses Being Goldman Sachs CEO—Mostly When There’s a Market Crisis

Wall Street Is Pushing Private Assets Into 401(k)s. We Asked Whether Anyone Wants Them.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What’s News in Markets: Oil Prices Surge, Bond Selloff, and Iran Fallout Mar 07, 2026

Show notes

What do rising oil prices mean for the stock market? And why did foreign stocks fall so sharply this week? Plus, how did the war in the Middle East scramble the 60-40 portfolio? Host Hannah Erin Lang discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Stocks Slide After Weak February Jobs Report Mar 06, 2026

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Mar. 6. The Labor Department said today that the U.S. lost 92,000 jobs in February—a greater drop than economists expected. WSJ economics reporter Justin Lahart discusses the sectors affected, and what this report means for the Federal Reserve. Plus, President Trump calls for “unconditional surrender” in Iran. And WSJ markets reporter Hannah Erin Lang says U.S. stocks dropped after the weak employment report, while oil prices continued their rise, notching their biggest weekly gain on record. Alex Ossola hosts.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.