What's News: Business & Finance -- WSJ

Verizon Communications is exploring a combination with cable firm Charter Communications, a move that would unite two giants in search of growth.

J&J agreed to acquire Actelion for $30 billion in an unusual deal that will spin out the Swiss biotech 's drug-discovery operations.

Google parent Alphabet said fourth-quarter revenue increased nearly three times as fast as profit, as it cast about for new sources of growth.

Workers at car plants in the U.S. are reaping the benefits of America's increasing demand for high-margin pickups and SUVs.

U.S. new-home sales posted a steep drop in December, an indication affordability challenges are beginning to cut into demand.

A rise in yields on German government bonds is a sign investors are gaining faith that Europe's economy is finally on an upswing.

China's Ant Financial, which is controlled by Alibaba's Jack Ma, unveiled a deal to buy U.S. money-transfer provider MoneyGram.

The Dow rose 32.40 to a record 20100.91, extending gains a day after crossing 20000 for the first time.

Microsoft posted big gains in its web-based, on-demand computing business, emerging as the stiffest competitor to Amazon's cloud unit.

Intel's quarterly profit slipped 1.4% despite solid sales growth, as the company invested heavily.

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 27, 2017 02:47 ET (07:47 GMT)

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