WSJ What’s News - The Wall Street Journal

Latest Episodes:

What’s News in Earnings: Who Is Winning the Obesity-Drug Arms Race? Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

Bonus Episode for Nov. 4. The weight-loss-drug arms race is only heating up, as Novo Nordisk attempts to snatch drugmaker Metsera away from Pfizer. But can either company compete with Zepbound seller Eli Lilly? WSJ reporter Peter Loftus discusses what earnings from Big Pharma, including AbbVie, Bristol Myers Squibb and Merck, say about the future of the industry and how companies are responding to President Trump’s drug-pricing plans, including TrumpRx.

WSJ Heard on the Street columnist David Wainer hosts this special bonus episode of What's News in Earnings, where we dig into companies’ earnings reports and analyst calls to find out what’s going on under the hood of the American economy.

Further Reading:

Novo Nordisk Sweetens Offer for Metsera - WSJ

Pfizer Sues Seeking to Block Novo Nordisk’s Effort to Undo Weight-Loss Drug Deal

Why Pfizer Can Still Prevail in the Obesity Fight With Novo Nordisk

The Day Pharma’s Weight-Loss Gold Rush Intensified

Pfizer Profit Falls Amid Lower Covid-19 Drug Demand

Novo Nordisk Seeks to Outmuscle Pfizer With $9 Billion Bid for Metsera

Novo Nordisk to Shake Up Board After Obesity-Market Challenges

Mounjaro Powers Eli Lilly to Bumper Quarter of Earnings

AbbVie Lifts Profit Outlook as Sales Rise

Bristol Myers Squibb Profit Soars, Raises Revenue Guidance

Merck Profit Rises on Strong Keytruda Demand

GSK Lifts Guidance After Specialty Medicines Boost Sales

Novartis Expects to Ride Out Patent Losses With Sales, Profit Growth Ahead

Biogen Cuts Full-Year Earnings Guidance, Despite Third-Quarter Profit Rise

J&J Lifts Full-Year Sales Outlook, Fueled by Pharma, Med-Device Gains

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Trump Backs Cuomo in New York Mayoral Race Nov 04, 2025

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Nov. 4. It is election day with voters heading to the polls in states including New York, Virginia and New Jersey. WSJ’s John McCormick says that although Democrats are expected to win all three races, it will not necessarily ease the divided party’s troubles. Plus, WSJ’s Gavin Bade says there is a lot at stake for President Trump as his tariffs are set to go before the Supreme Court. And two major investors reject Elon Musk’s $1 trillion pay deal. Caitlin McCabe hosts.

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What Drove Kimberly-Clark’s $40 Billion Deal for Tylenol Maker Kenvue Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Nov. 3. In one of the biggest takeovers of the year, Kimberly-Clark has agreed to buy Tylenol maker Kenvue for more than $40 billion. WSJ business reporter Natasha Khan joins to discuss the strategy behind the deal. Plus, Chipotle has invested heavily in courting younger customers. Now, they’re feeling the economic pinch—and so is Chipotle. Journal reporter Heather Haddon talks about what the company is doing about it. And Mali may soon be the first country to fall to al Qaeda. We hear from WSJ security correspondent Benoit Faucon on what that would mean for the U.S.-designated terrorist group’s presence in Africa. Alex Ossola hosts.

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Shutdown Nears Record as Crucial Week Begins Nov 03, 2025

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Nov. 3. Democrats are pressing President Trump to come to the table as the government shutdown nears a record 35 days. Plus, WSJ’s Chelsey Dulaney breaks down why Europe’s former economic heavyweights are falling behind their southern neighbors. And we dig into the surprising comeback of one of the housing market’s riskiest loans — and why homebuyers are taking the gamble. Caitlin McCabe hosts.

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Business and Politics Collide in NYC Mayor’s Race Nov 02, 2025

Show notes

With the New York City mayoral election just days away, many Americans outside the city are following the race closely to see if the previously unknown democratic-socialist assemblyman Zohran Mamdani will defeat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. The results could have broad implications for the national business community and the Democratic party. WSJ reporters Joshua Chaffin and Kevin Dugan discuss what the mayoral race could mean for business and politics. Alex Ossola hosts.

Further Reading

Mamdani and Cuomo Trade Barbs in Tense New York City Mayoral Debate

Republican NYC Mayoral Candidate Curtis Sliwa Faces Pressure to Drop Out

Five Takeaways From the NYC Mayoral Debate

New York’s Richest Ask ‘How Dare He?’ as Mamdani Closes In on City Hall

Cuomo Pins Longshot Comeback on Reshaped New York Mayor’s Race

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What’s News in Markets: Nvidia Milestone, Mag 7, Chipotle Suffers Nov 01, 2025

Show notes

How did Nvidia close out the week after becoming the first $5 trillion company? And how did increased AI spending affect the members of the Magnificent Seven that reported earnings this week? Plus, what’s causing lower demand for fast-casual dining spots like Chipotle? Host Francesca Fontana discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them.

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Behind the Escalating Violence in Sudan Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Oct. 31. Sudan’s civil war is taking a jarring turn in Darfur, where an Arab-led militia is now using state-of-the-art drones and execution squads to dominate the region’s Black population. WSJ reporter Nicholas Bariyo, who is based in Uganda, shares the latest on the conflict. Plus, a federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to use emergency funds to pay for federal food assistance benefits as the government shutdown continues. And across the U.S., a growing number of home purchases are falling through. We hear from Journal personal finance reporter Veronica Dagher about what’s driving the rise, and what it says about the U.S. housing market. Alex Ossola hosts.

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Government Shutdown Threatens Food Stamps for Millions of Americans Oct 31, 2025

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Oct. 31. SNAP benefits, or food stamps, are set to end this weekend, if the U.S. government shutdown persists. WSJ’s Sabrina Siddiqui explains what that would mean for millions of Americans. Plus, after a busy earnings week WSJ’s Quentin Webb discusses how giant tech companies are continuing to bet big on artificial intelligence. And, WSJ’s Mark Maremont breaks down why the number of justifiable homicides by civilians in the U.S. is rising. Kate Bullivant hosts.
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JPMorgan Steps Into Fund Tokenization Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

P.M. Edition for Oct. 30. JPMorgan Chase said today that it tokenized a private-equity fund on its blockchain platform, an offering available to the wealthy clients served by its private bank. We hear from WSJ reporter Vicky Ge Huang about why the bank made this move, and whether others are making similar ones. Plus, earnings season continues, with companies including Amazon and Apple reporting strong quarterly results. And Prince Andrew is a prince no more—King Charles is stripping him of his royal titles. Alex Ossola hosts.

READ: Arnold Schwarzenegger Has Become Gavin Newsom’s Toughest Opponent Yet

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Trump, Xi Scale Back Trade Tensions Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

A.M. Edition for Oct. 30. President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping emerged from their first face-to-face meeting in six years with a temporary truce in their trade fight. WSJ’s Meridith McGraw explains what the superpowers’ agreement entails. Plus, Trump says the U.S. will begin testing nuclear weapons on an “equal basis” with Russia and China. And, WSJ’s Katherine Clarke details why the Hamptons luxury housing market is staging a comeback for the ages. Caitlin McCabe hosts.

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