You know about the ball dropin New York. But Americans in towns big and small have taken the idea of lowering things on New Year's Eve and made them local.
And sometimes they're very strange.
Why it matters: It's the last minute of the year. Who are you spending it with, and what are you watching fall? A twinkly ball on your television? Or something local and handcrafted, like, say, roadkill?
Why it matters: The 3.2% cost-of-living adjustment is much smaller than in the last two years. But it still provides a boost for consumers who are dealing with inflation and higher prices.
Pharma and biotech deal values spiked more than 35% in 2023, per data from the London Stock Exchange Group, running counter to the broad market.
Why it matters: Health care dealmakers are primed for a busy 2024 as financing markets recover, competition heats up and drug pricing regulation takes shape.
College football fans in California and Texas are driving ticket sales for this New Year's Six bowl games, according to data SeatGeek shared with Axios.
What's happening: The ticket reseller tracked regional sales for the sport's premiere bowl games, highlighting the top five states where fans are purchasing tickets.
Consumers will be feeling the impact of streaming services' price increases in 2024, as nearly every major streamer has bumped up their subscription fees.
Why it matters: The price hikes are part of media companies' push to recoup their investments on the expensive and largely unprofitable pivot to streaming.
Global merger and acquisition activity in 2023 fell 17% to $2.87 trillion, the lowest level in over a decade, according to London Stock Exchange Group data.
Why it matters: A slow M&A market can strain companies seeking growth or investment.
