Axios

Regulators on the other side of the Atlantic are cracking down on U.S. businesses.

The big picture: Amazon and iRobot's pulled deal Monday is just the latest example of Europe's tough stance on competition reviews.

The number of companies that went public in the U.S. last year grew by 42% over 2022, but was still down 24% from pre-pandemic 2019, according to EY and Dealogic, Hope writes.

Zoom in: Profitability has become more of a focus for investors.

• Reddit, which is reportedly eyeing a March listing, has delayed its plans for years to get closer to the black.

What we're watching: The potential for a Fed pivot on interest rates and last year's market surge "have ignited a sense of optimism heading into 2024," EY analysts write.

• But geopolitical tensions and November's White House race could dampen moods.

Amazon's Prime Video streaming service introduced ads to movies and television shows Monday and added a new ad-free tier for $2.99 a month.

Why it matters: The move follows recent subscription fee increases from Disney, Netflix, Max and Peacock.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is known for her tendency to overprepare. That apparently extends to all aspects of her life — including the first time she smoked pot.

Driving the news: In a candid interview, Yellen told NPR's weekly quiz show "Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!" that she "overprepared" for the first time she would smoke marijuana at a party as a college student.

In conversations with a slew of business leaders this month about the economic implications of generative AI, a recurring theme cropped up: that AI-driven productivity gains are the world's best hope to limit the pain of a demographic squeeze.

Why it matters: As computers get better at doing jobs humans have traditionally done, it creates the risk of mass displacement of workers.

Walmart will start giving its store managers stock grants this year on top of new pay raises, the retailer announced Monday.

Why it matters: It's the latest move by the nation's largest private employer and retailer to retain and reward managers in a competitive labor market.

The SEC approved a new set of rules for special-purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) this week, long after the damage was done by the recent mania.

Why it matters: It remains to be seen what effect they'll have on the future of blank-check companies.

Americans are taking their cash to the casino at record rates.

Why it matters: It may be another sign that the consumer mood — which has been incredibly sour in the post-pandemic era, is getting much sunnier.

You know the market has officially shaken off its doldrums when dividend recaps are back.

Catch up fast: A dividend recapitalization is what it's called when companies issue debt and use some of the proceeds to pay shareholders a dividend. Sometimes public companies do this — more often, it's those owned by private equity firms.