A slew of companies that were wobbling when 2023 started have crashed into bankruptcy in recent weeks.
Why it matters: The pileup illustrates the real-world consequences of the end of the free-money era, when lower interest rates made financing a cinch, providing Band-Aids for problems and extending the lives of otherwise flawed operations.
Pity anybody who ever had to work for Ray Dalio. That's the main message of "The Fund," Rob Copeland's definitive history of Bridgewater, the hedge fund that was founded by Dalio and rose to become the largest in the world.
Why it matters: Beyond the fact that Copeland depicts Bridgewater as a terrible place to work, the big question is whether the psychological torture inflicted by Dalio was in any way necessary for the fund's investment returns. Per the book, the answer seems to be a resounding "no."
Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales aren't just about shopping for holiday gifts — 64% of consumers plan to treat themselves, according to a new Shopify-Gallup survey.
Why it matters: The all-important holiday shopping season can be make-or-break for retailers and consumers are feeling pressure from inflation.
Jason Wagenheim is leaving BDG Media, the parent company of Bustle and a slew of other female-focused lifestyle brands, to lead the expansion of Footballco as its first-ever CEO of North America.
Why it matters: Footballco owns a stable of digital soccer websites primarily serving fans in Europe and the Middle East. Wagenheim has been hired to fuel the company's growth in North America ahead of the 2026 World Cup, which will be hosted in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
