Jul 23, 2019

$1.4 billion printing merger canceled after U.S. antitrust objections

Dan Primack, author of Pro Rata

U.S. antitrust chief Makan Delrahim, after losing a lawsuit to block AT&T from buying Time Warner. Photo: Nicholas Kim/AFP/Getty Images

Chicago-based printing company Quad/Graphics on Tuesday canceled its $1.4 billion agreement to buy Wisconsin-based rival LSC Communications, following antitrust objections by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Why it matters: The Trump Administration's most-watched antitrust efforts have focused on technology companies, but this serves as a reminder that attention remains on traditional industries as well.

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Joann Muller
31 mins ago - Economy & Business

Ford names James Farley as new CEO amid ongoing turnaround effort

James Hackett, left, is retiring as Ford CEO. Jim Farley, right, takes over Oct. 1. Photo: Ford

Ford announced Tuesday that James Farley will take over as its next CEO, replacing James Hackett, 65, who is retiring after three years in the job.

Why it matters: It leaves Farley to complete the company's ongoing turnaround effort. The transition will be that much harder as the industry tries to navigate the coronavirus-induced economic slowdown which shuttered Ford plants for two months on the eve of some of its most important vehicle launches.

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Axios
Updated 2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Watch the full "Axios on HBO" interview with President Trump

In this episode of “Axios on HBO”, President Trump discusses his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the upcoming election and much more with National Political Correspondent Jonathan Swan.

The interview was filmed on Tuesday, July 28 and aired Monday, Aug. 3 on HBO.

Dion Rabouin
2 hours ago - Economy & Business

Mergers and acquisitions make a comeback

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

A slew of high-profile headlines led by Microsoft's expected acquisition of social media video app TikTok helped bring the Nasdaq to another record high on Monday.

Why it matters: The mergers-and-acquisitions market looks like it's bouncing back, joining the revived credit and equity markets as well as the market for new public companies through IPOs and special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs).

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