Activision Blizzard's Workplace Problems Spurred $75 Billion Microsoft Deal

After a California lawsuit and a Wall Street Journal report, the company's stock was falling, board members were getting anxious-and the tech giant was ready to take a gamble.

 
China Notifies Firms of Tougher Investment Rules for Big Tech

The new regulations are likely to curb domestic technology giants from growing even bigger through acquisitions, according to people familiar with the issue.

 
Sony Shares Fall Sharply on News of Microsoft Deal for Activision Blizzard

Sony Group's shares fell nearly 13% in Tokyo on concerns about tough new competition for its videogame business from the newly announced combination of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.

 
Apple Says Senate Tech Bill Would Hurt Its Privacy Push

The iPhone maker said a proposal in Congress would weaken a privacy-protection tool it rolled out last year, adding that the change could benefit "irresponsible" companies profiting from user data.

 
BHP Metallurgical Coal Operations Disrupted by Australia Covid-19 Surge

BHP Group said a surge in Covid-19 cases in Australia is causing a shortage of workers at its coal pits that will likely constrain how much steelmaking coal the miner can produce in its fiscal year.

 
EQT Aims to Raise Almost $23 Billion for Buyout Fund

EQT AB expects to raise at least EUR20 billion, equivalent to about $22.81 billion, for a 10th buyout fund to further expand its U.S. presence, according to Per Franzen, a partner and global head of private capital's advisory teams.

 
Richemont Climbs as Sales Rise Suggests Earnings Upgrades

UPDATED: Richemont shares surged after the luxury-goods group posted consensus-beating quarterly sales, with analysts predicting upgrades to the company's earnings estimates for fiscal 2022.

 
ASML Posts Profit Gain, Cautions on First-Quarter Sales

UPDATED: ASML posted a net profit of $2 billion for the fourth quarter and forecast sales growth of 20% in 2022 despite lower sales guidance for the first three months of the year due to the delayed recognition of shipments.

 
Airlines Cancel Some Flights Ahead of U.S. 5G Wireless Launch

The flight suspensions occurred even as AT&T and Verizon agreed to limit signals within 2 miles of runways to address air-safety concerns.

 
BJ's Wholesale Club to Move Credit Cards to Capital One, a Blow to ADS

The warehouse club sued Alliance Data Systems, saying the card issuer isn't moving fast enough to transfer accounts.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 19, 2022 05:15 ET (10:15 GMT)

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