Axios

It was a good year for AI-linked companies in 2024, as they led the stock market with eye-watering returns.

• Execution problems plagued some well-known businesses, though, causing their shares to sink.

Why it matters: Those AI names helped the S&P 500 to its best two-year gain since the dot-com bubble of the late 1990s.

We know Elon Musk dominated the headlines in 2024, but the scale by which he overshadowed other CEOs is stunning.

Why it matters: It's a self-sustaining cycle — stories about Musk get clicks, and so publishers write more about Musk, who provides plenty of raw material.

Hackers connected to China's government successfully breached several Treasury Department workstations and accessed unclassified documents, according to a letter to Congress on Monday.

Why it matters: The U.S. government is already scrambling to respond to an ongoing China-backed hack of American telecom networks that targeted several high-profile officials.

The new year will bring new regulations on health care, social media use, schools and rent across the country.

Why it matters: Many of the new laws are aimed at expanding protections of workers, children and consumers.

A German government spokesperson on Monday accused Elon Musk of attempting to influence the results of the country's upcoming election by publicly backing its far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

Why it matters: Musk has become deeply involved in U.S. politics as one of President-elect Trump's most influential backers and is poised to take on a role in the next Trump administration.

We're commemorating the end of 2024 with a look back at the business stories that had the greatest impact on the world.

This year saw…