Bloomberg Businessweek

Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.

The US Justice Department released files from investigations into notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the culmination of a push that has had repercussions for prominent business leaders and politicians, including President Donald Trump.

The disclosure came after Congress overwhelmingly passed legislation in November compelling the department to make the files public. Trump had long resisted the move but relented and signed the bill as pressure from Republican lawmakers forced his hand.

The law required the release of investigative records, flight logs, travel documents, immunity deals, internal department communications and papers related to Epstein’s 2019 death. But the measure also includes protections for survivors and allows exceptions for ongoing investigations.

The Justice Department organized a team of more than 200 attorneys to work on determining which materials were responsive to the new law, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche wrote in a letter Friday to lawmakers.

“This process resulted in over 1,200 names being identified as victims or their relatives,” Blanche wrote in a letter reported by Fox News. The department redacted references to their names and any materials that could result in their identification, Blanche said.

However, Blanche also told lawmakers that “the volume of materials to be reviewed” meant it wasn’t possible to meet the law’s requirement to release all files by Friday. The department plans to complete the release of all files during the next two weeks, Blanche said.

Today's show features:

• Bloomberg News Senior Investigative Reporter Jason Leopold on the DOJ's Epstein files release
• Bloomberg News Senior Editor, Equities Americas Eric Weiner recaps the trading week
• Tye Brady, Chief Technologist at Amazon Robotics, on delivery preparations for customers during the holiday season using new robotic technology
• Dan Ahrens Portfolio Manager of the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF, on what the Trump Administration’s push to reschedule marijuana as a less-dangerous drug means for pot stocks

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.
Underlying US inflation rose in November at the slowest annual pace since early 2021, an unexpected improvement in a report muddled by the government shutdown.
The core consumer price index, which excludes the often-volatile food and energy categories, increased 2.6% in November from a year ago, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data out Thursday. The overall CPI climbed 2.7% in November from a year ago.
The longest-ever government shutdown prevented the BLS from collecting much of the October price data. That not only limited the agency’s ability to determine month-over-month changes for the broader measures of inflation, but some economists noted it likely impacted the annual November figures as well.
Despite numerous caveats, the report offers some hope that inflationary pressures are easing after remaining stuck in a narrow range since early this year. The BLS said the core CPI rose just 0.2% over the two months ended in November, restrained by declines in costs of hotel stays, recreation and apparel. Prices of household furnishings and personal care products rose.
However, several economists noted that the two-month change in key shelter categories, which are some of the biggest components of the CPI, was basically flat — calling the calculations into question.
Today's show features:

• Jason Granet, Chief Investment Officer of BNY, on the market outlook and the Federal Reserve’s path forward
• Frank Sorrentino, Founder and CEO of ConnectOne Bank, on the economic outlook and the health of community banking sector
• Bloomberg News Energy Reporter Will Wade on a planned $6 billion merger between Trump Media & Technology nuclear fusion developer TAE Technologies
• Michelle Korsmo, CEO of the National Restaurant Association, on the struggles of restaurant workers and smaller eateries amid rising inflation

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democratic Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, facing a deficit of as much as $10 billion in the next fiscal year, has named Sherif Soliman as New York City’s next budget director. The veteran of three previous mayoral administrations will oversee the Big Apple's $120 billion budget.
The move comes less than a month after the Mamdani transition team announced that it would be bringing Kathy Wylde, the outgoing President and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, into the fold. Wylde discusses her role within the new administration, and its relationship with the local business community. Kathy speaks with Carol Massar, Tim Stenovec and Bloomberg News Senior Producer Myles Miller on Bloomberg Businessweek Daily.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Family-owned-and-operated Feld Entertainment is a leading producer and presenter of live touring family entertainment experiences. The company's properties include Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, Monster Jam, Disney On Ice, Monster Energy AMA Supercross, and the SuperMotocross World Championship. Across the brand portfolio, Feld Entertainment has entertained millions of families in more than 80 countries and on six continents.

Juliette Feld Grossman is just the third CEO in Feld Entertainment's nearly six-decade history. She discusses consumer appetite for large-scale live entertainment as well as the company's big plans for 2026. Juliette speaks with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec on Bloomberg Businessweek Daily.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.
Volatility lashed Wall Street, pushing high-valuation technology shares and crypto lower while bonds pared losses after a senior Federal Reserve official signaled room for rate cuts.
A tech rout hit stocks amid growing skepticism about the artificial-intelligence trade. Nvidia Corp. sank 3.8%. Losses accelerated as the S&P 500 breached a key technical level, with the index down 1.2%. The Nasdaq 100 slid 1.9%. In late hours, Micron Technology Inc. gave an upbeat forecast.
Even the slightest hint of trouble around data centers is enough to spook investors banking on the AI boom. The latest hiccup revolved around Oracle Corp.’s financing for a data center in Michigan. While it’s largely moving along, Blue Owl Capital, a longtime partner in its AI infrastructure build-out, is not contributing equity. The shares sank.
For years, investing in big techs has been a no brainer, given their stalwart balance sheets. Now, there’s concern over whether the sector — which has soared during the bull market — can keep justifying its lofty valuations and ambitious AI spending.

Today's show features:

• Matthew Luzzetti, Chief US Economist for Deutsche Bank, on the labor market, inflation and the economic outlook
• Alli McCartney, Managing Director of Wealth Management with Alignment Partners at UBS, on key market indicators as the new year approaches
• Mike Bellin, US IPO Leader at PwC, on the IPO market outlook for 2026 and Bloomberg News Equities Reporter Natalia Kniazhevich on Medline’s first day of trading
• Katie Hubbard, President of US Capital Markets at Walton Global on earnings from Lennar and the US real estate landscape

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bitcoin is headed for the fourth annual decline in its history, and the first one that didn’t coincide with a major scandal or industry meltdown. While the latest decline is a much milder correction than in the previous three down years, it’s happened against a vastly different backdrop. Since the last major crypto crash in 2022, institutional adoption has widened, regulation has matured, and the industry has found its arguably most important champion in US President Donald Trump.

Fred Thiel, the CEO of MARA, which is the second largest publicly held bitcoin miner, explains why the remains committed to the world's leading cryptocurrency, and why he sees a market recovery on the horizon. Fred speaks with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec on Bloomberg Businessweek Daily.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.

Jared Kushner’s Affinity Partners is exiting from the takeover battle for Warner Bros. Discovery Inc.
The private equity firm this month emerged as a participant in Paramount Skydance Corp.’s hostile bid for Warner Bros., which valued the media and entertainment company at $108.4 billion including debt. Paramount is seeking to scupper Netflix Inc.’s agreed $82.7 billion deal for Warner Bros.
Affinity was helping to finance Paramount’s move. It now believes the dynamics ​of an investment have changed since it became involved in the process in October, a representative for the firm said.
Warner Bros. is planning to reject Paramount’s offer due to concerns about financing and other terms, people familiar with the matter said Tuesday. Affinity’s investment in the bid is about $200 million in equity, Bloomberg News has reported.

Today's show features:

• Bloomberg News Media and Entertainment Editor Felix Gillette on the latest in the
• R.C. “Chris” Whalen, Chairman of Whalen Global Advisors, on the health of the banking sector and the crypto market outlook
• Julia Pollak, Chief Economist for the US Department of Labor, on the November nonfarm payrolls report
• Larry Pitkowsky, Co-Founder, Managing Partner, and Portfolio Manager of GoodHaven Capital Management

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The cost of celebrating Christmas is climbing again. Now in its 42nd year, the PNC Christmas Price Index (PNC CPI) reveals that the cost of the gifts from the classic holiday carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas" has risen 4.5% compared to last year, outpacing the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Consumer Price Index (BLS CPI) October year-over-year reading of 3.0%. The PNC CPI, launched in 1984, is a light-hearted take on the BLS CPI and measures the change in prices consumers could expect to pay for True Love's gifts.

Amanda Agati, Chief Investment Officer with PNC Asset Management Group, breaks down the latest data explaining what Christmas really costs American consumers in 2025. Amanda speaks with Carol Massar and Tim Stenovec on Bloomberg Businessweek Daily.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Watch Carol and Tim LIVE every day on YouTube: http://bit.ly/3vTiACF.

The last full trading week of 2025 started with stocks, bonds and the dollar wavering as Wall Street geared up for key economic data that will help shape the Federal Reserve rate outlook.

On the eve of the jobs report, the S&P 500 closed mildly lower. A renewed tech slide saw Broadcom Inc. posting its worst three-day plunge since 2020. Oracle Corp. extended its multi-session selloff to about 17%. A rout in cryptocurrencies also kept a lid on riskier assets.

Treasury two-year yields edged down amid bets the Fed will cut rates twice next year to support the job market even as inflation shows signs of stickiness. The dollar barely budged, but closed at the lowest since October.

Following the Fed’s latest decision to slash rates, the November jobs report — due on Tuesday — is expected to show a sluggish labor market. The reading will also include an estimate of October payrolls — figures that were delayed by the federal shutdown. 

• Today's show features:
  Bloomberg TV and Radio International Economics & Policy Correspondent Mike McKee on the week ahead in economic data and global central bank activity 
• Meghan Robson, Head of US Credit Strategy for BNP Paribas, on the credit market outlook for 2026 and market jitters over tech sector capital spending
• Sally Librera, President, National Grid New York, on the state’s energy infrastructure and the creation of energy demand as a result of data center projects
• Bloomberg News Chief Wall Street Correspondent Sri Natarajan on McKinsey & Co. plotting a wide swath of layoffs

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

UiPath is a leader in agentic automation, empowering enterprises to harness the potential of AI agents to autonomously execute and optimize complex business processes. The company says its platform combines controlled agency, developer flexibility, and seamless integration to help organizations scale agentic automation safely and confidently, and that it supports enterprises as they transition into a future where automation delivers on the full potential of AI to transform industries.
Ashim Gupta, the CFO and COO of UiPath, discusses the firm's wide-ranging customer base and the key drivers behind the rally in its share price in 2025. Ashim speaks with Carol Massar, Tim Stenovec and Bloomberg News Senior Editor Nina Trentmann on Bloomberg Businessweek Daily.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.