LA Post: Latest business news and finance headlines

Conservative US Supreme Court justices Thomas and Alito in spotlight after Democratic landslide

The US midterm election landslide that gives Democrats control of Congress starting in January is fueling questions about the longevity of the Supreme

November 04, 2026

Arts|Economy|Election|Europe|MidEast

Politics of fear failed to stop El-Sayed's historic US Senate win

The US president repeatedly branded him a jihadist. His Republican opponent questioned his loyalty to America.

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|Technology

Stocks surge, and the Dow soars 1,500 points as oil prices tumble following the US midterm elections

U.S. stocks soared after President Donald Trump’s party lost its sole control of Washington in the midterm elections

November 04, 2026

Economy|Environment|Political

Democrat permitting bill authors 'not going to wait' for new US Congress

The Democratic architects of proposed bipartisan energy permitting legislation said on Wednesday they would not delay the bill in hopes of securing a better deal next year when

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Political|Stock Markets

Brazil's Lula to reaffirm fiscal commitment in TV address, sources say

Brazil's reelected President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is expected to deliver a televised address on Sunday to recommit to budget discipline but without providing policy

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Science|Technology

Arm forecasts third-quarter revenue above estimates on AI spending boom

By Prathik Jayaprakash and Max A.

November 04, 2026

Economy|Environment|Health|Science

3M agrees to pay more than $7 billion to settle 'forever chemical' groundwater contamination claims

3M has agreed to pay up to $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits over groundwater contamination from potentially harmful chemicals in firefighting foam and other products

November 04, 2026

Arts|Economy|Election|Finance|US

Republicans confront a game-changing possibility: They can no longer count on Texas

November 04, 2026

Seven numbers that explain Democrats' US midterm triumph

Republicans suffered a sweeping midterm rout on Tuesday, losing control of Congress as voters abandoned President Donald Trump’s party

November 04, 2026

Economy|Election|Environment

How the Democratic sweep could change US energy policy

Big victories by Democrats in congressional races and beyond in midterm elections on Tuesday were a rebuke to President Donald Trump and will likely affect US energy and

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Political|US

Trump is still in charge, but Democrats gain leverage in coming economic debate

From tariffs to oil prices, deregulation to health policy and the freight-train expansion of artificial intelligence, Democratic control of Congress

November 04, 2026

Arts|Business|Economy

CVS to break up $117 billion business, separating pharmacies from insurance; shares fall

CVS Health said on Wednesday it will split in two, separating its retail pharmacies from the Aetna insurance business and pharmacy-benefit operations in

November 04, 2026

World shares advance as Democrats' victory eases political uncertainty

Global stocks rallied on Wednesday after Democrats seized control of both chambers of Congress in the US midterm elections,

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|World

US slaps sanctions on Indian, Turkish firms and people for aiding Iran

The US Treasury on Wednesday issued fresh sanctions against companies and individuals

November 04, 2026

Economy|Finance|Stock Markets

Markets cheer Democratic win, betting divided Washington means fewer policy shocks

Over the past two years, the Trump administration's sweeping policy shifts in the absence of opposition from a

November 04, 2026

Economy|World

Midterms are bad for incumbents – and even worse when energy prices are high

The US economy is built on energy prices. When people’s bills are high, they tend to vote against incumbents and their parties.

November 04, 2026

Economy|Election|Political

The main parties vying to form New Zealand's next government

New Zealand votes in a general election on November 7 with opinion polls pointing to another close contest between the ruling centre-right National-led coalition and

November 04, 2026

What are the main issues and policies in New Zealand's election?

New Zealanders vote on November 7 in an election dominated by the cost of living, housing, jobs, public services and how to deal with a more uncertain world.

November 04, 2026

Economy|Election|Political|Technology

Crypto’s midterm spending spree stumbles as Democrats rack up big wins

The crypto industry's roughly $200 million spending spree this election stumbled Tuesday, as some of its most expensive and high-profile

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy

US trade deficit narrows slightly in September; imports hit record high

The US trade deficit narrowed slightly in September, though imports increased to a record high amid an artificial intelligence spending spree by

November 04, 2026

Crime|Economy|Europe|Political

Ukraine's corruption police tie senior security officials to major criminal ring

Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators accused senior security officials on Wednesday of shielding a network of illegal businesses ranging from scam centres to

November 04, 2026

Economy|Environment|Political

US to loan about a third of heating oil reserve in bid to tame prices

The US Energy Department said on Wednesday it would loan 300,000 barrels of fuel oil to four companies from the nation's emergency heating oil reserve in an effort to

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Science|Technology

AI boom draws chip supply from other end-markets, Siltronic CEO says

An AI chip boom is redirecting semiconductor supply toward data centres and away from smartphones and PCs, constraining some end markets, Siltronic CEO Michael

November 04, 2026

Dollar declines after Democrats take US Congress in midterm elections

The dollar retreated on Wednesday but was off its earlier lows after a sweeping victory by Democrats in the US midterm elections removed a source of

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy

Irish tax revenue up 10% so far this year

Ireland's tax revenue rose 10.3% in the first 10 months of 2026 compared to a year earlier, excluding one-off proceeds from a ruling related to Apple back taxes, the finance

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Political|US|World

Canada says midterms won't change trade stance, sees talks with US officials

A senior Canadian cabinet minister said on Wednesday the US midterm results would not change Ottawa's stance towards trade talks with the US, adding he would speak soon to

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

Gold heads for biggest daily gain since August as dollar weakens

Gold surged more than 3% on Wednesday, on track for its biggest daily gain since mid-August as the dollar tumbled after Democrats swept the US midterm elections

November 04, 2026

Democrats' midterm sweep fuels $750 billion Big Tech rally

Democrats' midterm election sweep sent shares in US tech giants soaring on Wednesday as investors bet that potential curbs on new data-center

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

AI debt binge isn't crowding out Treasuries, TBAC says

AI-driven corporate borrowing isn't crowding out demand for US Treasuries, according to the latest meeting of the Treasury Borrowing Advisory Committee, which

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Health

CVS to split into two companies, in major breakup of its $117 billion healthcare empire

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|US

Wall St opens higher as Democrats win Congress; data center stocks slide

US stocks opened higher on Wednesday as investors bet a divided Washington after the Democrats' midterm sweep could limit sharp policy shifts, though data center-related stocks were

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy

Canada's services PMI shows sector shrinking for fifth straight month

Canada's services economy contracted for a fifth straight month in October as trade uncertainty and rising prices weighed on activity, S&P Global's Canada

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Environment|Finance|Technology

AI data-center stocks slide, renewables rally after Democratic US midterm sweep

Data-center stocks slid on Wednesday, while clean-energy shares rallied after Democrats seized control of Congress, prompting investors to

November 04, 2026

Arts|Economy|Election|Finance

Election stiffens the Fed's guardrails, but independence risks remain

Democrats' sweeping midterm victory strengthens the Federal Reserve against President Donald Trump's efforts to meddle with it, with the Senate's

November 04, 2026

Dozens dead and missing after Russian strike on Ukrainian aid centre, officials say

The death toll from a Russian bombing of an aid distribution point in Ukraine's southeastern Zaporizhzhia region on Monday has risen to 40,

November 04, 2026

Health insurers, hospitals rally after sweeping midterm win for Democrats

Shares of Medicaid-focused US health insurers and hospital operators rose in early trading on Wednesday as Democrats' sweep of the Senate and House of Representatives in the midterm

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

US services sector activity cools slightly in October; inflation remains elevated

US services sector growth slowed marginally in October amid a moderation in new orders, but supply chains remained strained, keeping prices for inputs elevated.

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Technology

HP picks GSK restructuring veteran Walmsley as CEO, shares jump over 6%

HP Inc on Wednesday named former GSK chief and Microsoft board member Emma Walmsley as CEO to steer the PC maker through a memory-chip crunch that has driven up

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Technology

From Iran to trade: how the US midterms impact the rest of the world

The US Democrats' "blue wave" of midterm election victories is already causing ripples across the rest of the world, where trade partners, strategic allies and enemies all

November 04, 2026

Uber's profit forecast disappoints as driver shortages, Middle East conflict hurt

Uber forecast fourth-quarter profit below Wall Street expectations on Wednesday, as a shortage of drivers, costlier fuel and the Middle East conflict choked ride-hailing growth from

November 04, 2026

Arts|Economy|Europe|Finance|World

ECB rate hike looks nearly certain after inflation rises to three-year high

Euro zone inflation rose to a three-year high last month on surging food and energy costs and was set to rise further in the coming months, firming up

November 04, 2026

Arts|Business|Economy|Food

McDonald's says US sales on the mend as promotions draw diners back

McDonald's said its US sales were improving on the back of promotions and marketing, following a decline in the third quarter as financially

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|Technology

Flutter pauses share buybacks to focus on cutting costs and debt

Online gaming giant Flutter will pause its share buyback programme to prioritise organic investment, deleveraging and cost-savings, its new CEO said on

November 04, 2026

Arts|Economy|Europe

Montenegro could sign accession treaty with EU in June 2027, European Commission says

BRUSSELS, Nov 4 - The European Union could conclude accession negotiations with Montenegro by the end of this year and could sign an accession treaty with the country as soon as June 2027, the

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Stock Markets

US Democratic win unlikely to ease firms' cost, tariff woes in near term, executives say

Global companies said on Wednesday that Democrats' capture of the United States Congress is unlikely to

November 04, 2026

Economy|Europe|Political

Ukraine needs to accelerate reforms to meet its EU accession goal, bloc’s executive says

BRUSSELS, Nov 4 - Ukraine would need to speed up reforms if Kyiv wants to meet its own European Union accession negotiation goal, the European Commission said in a report on Wednesday.

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Science|Technology

AI shopping agents could threaten Amazon and Walmart's ad business

By Juveria Tabassum, Nicholas P.

November 04, 2026

Trump's midterm drubbing could give trade partners room to resist

The drubbing for Donald Trump's Republicans in US midterm elections could embolden some trade partners to push back against his combative policies, although they may need to tread

November 04, 2026

Economy

Democratic sweep positive for US credit rating outlook, Scope Ratings says

The Democratic sweep of the US midterm elections is positive for the country's sovereign credit rating, Europe-based credit rating agency Scope Ratings said on Wednesday.

November 04, 2026

JPMorgan, HSBC say oil supplies are recovering from Middle East disruption

The global oil market has moved back into surplus after months of disruption caused by US-Israeli war with Iran, JPMorgan said in a note on Wednesday, while HSBC raised its forecasts

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

US private payrolls rise in October, ADP says

US private payrolls growth increased further in October, the ADP National Employment Report showed on Wednesday.

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy

US Treasury shifts language, opening door to auction size changes

The US Treasury Department on Wednesday altered its language regarding future auction sizes in a shift that analysts expect will

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

Canada's trade surplus widens to more than four-year high in September

Canada posted a trade surplus of C$5.35 billion ($3.83 billion) in September, the highest since May 2022, data showed on Wednesday, helped by gold and

November 04, 2026

McDonald's plans new value bundles next year after US traffic falls in third quarter

McDonald’s plans to introduce new value-oriented meal bundles early next year after a disappointing third quarter that saw lower traffic at U.S. restaurants

November 04, 2026

Economy|Political|World

International politicians react to Democrats winning US midterms

Governments and politicians around the world reacted to the Democrats winning the US midterm elections, a result that could have major implications for global trade, security and

November 04, 2026

Economy|Political

Iran's Khamenei says US hostility will persist regardless of party in power

Washington's hostility towards Tehran will not change through partisan shifts or any concessions to the US, and those who believe otherwise are “greatly mistaken”, Iran's

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy

Toronto home sales rise for first time in three months in October

Greater Toronto Area home sales rose for the first time in three months in October as lower selling prices offset the recent increase in borrowing costs to

November 04, 2026

Spain's Sanchez reshuffles cabinet after transport minister quits over train crashes

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Wednesday his deputy, Carlos Cuerpo, would provisionally run the Transport Ministry after

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

Global central banks hit pause in October after September hiking spree

Global central banks largely hit the pause button in October after a round of rate hikes the previous month, though policymakers and

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Election|Finance

‘How did we get here?’: Inside a losing GOP campaign defined by Trump

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Health

How CVS built a healthcare empire it now plans to split

CVS Health said on Wednesday it would split its retail pharmacy business from its insurance and pharmacy benefit operations, unwinding years of expansion that turned the drugstore

November 04, 2026

Economy|Finance|Technology

Tangled up in blue

US Democrats' historic sweep of both houses of Congress on Tuesday was well telegraphed

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Health

Novo hikes outlook again as it speeds up Wegovy pill rollout

Obesity drugmaker Novo Nordisk raised its 2026 outlook for the third time this year on Wednesday as quarterly sales

November 04, 2026

Asia|Business|Economy|Travel

Stranded cruise ship Odyssey leaves Cambodia with no passengers

A U.S. cruise ship that suspended its operations in Cambodia has left with only crew aboard, according to Cambodian officials

November 04, 2026

Economy|Stock Markets|Technology

European shares jump over 1% after Democrats sweep US Congress, Novo Nordisk surges

The European equity benchmark closed at a more than two-month high on Wednesday in broad-based gains after Democrats won control of both chambers of

November 04, 2026

Arts|Business|Economy|Europe

BMW takes second profit warning in stride as it ramps up cuts

Premium automaker BMW got a boost to shares on Wednesday despite slashing its financial targets for a second time this year and reporting a quarterly profit

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

Spanish services growth cools, still above trend, PMI shows

Spain's services sector saw strong growth in October, though the expansion was slower than in each of the previous three months as new business growth cooled and export sales fell, a

November 04, 2026

Arts|Business|Economy

Italy services growth accelerates but cost pressures intensify, PMI shows

Italy's service sector growth accelerated in October, a survey showed on Wednesday, but cost pressures intensified further, driven by turmoil in the Middle East.

November 04, 2026

James Talarico becomes first Democrat to win statewide in Texas since 1994

By Nolan D.

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

French services sector contracts in October at fastest pace since May, PMI shows

France's services sector contracted in October at its fastest pace since May, as protests in the euro zone's second-biggest economy contributed to a drop-off in domestic demand, a

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Europe

Germany services growth slows in October as demand slips, PMI shows

Germany's services sector expanded for a second straight month in October, but at a slower pace as new business fell and weaker demand weighed on hiring, a business survey

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Europe|Finance

Euro zone economic growth slows to four-month low in October, PMI shows

The euro zone's economic expansion slowed sharply but did remain resilient in October as demand — a key gauge of underlying momentum — came close to stalling while rising

November 04, 2026

Economy|Political|World

Colombia's congress passes bill replacing former president's 'total peace' approach

Colombia's Congress toughened the terms offered to members of illegal armed groups who hand themselves in by passing a bill proposed by President Abelardo De La Espriella

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Europe|Finance

Euro zone wage growth to rebound slightly next year, ECB says

Wage growth in the euro zone is likely to rebound slightly in the first nine months of next year based on the latest pay deals, the European Central Bank said on Wednesday

November 04, 2026

Africa|Economy|Political|US|World

South Africa says US midterm results usher in new era

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Wednesday that the results from midterm elections in the United States would usher in a new era in world relations,

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy

UK services growth hits 8-month high in October, PMI shows

British services companies last month reported the strongest growth since the start of the US-Iran conflict in February, helped by rising orders and employment, but they also noted

November 04, 2026

AMD's OpenAI, Meta chip deals trigger $1 billion quarterly charge

(Corrects paragraph 7 to show warrants issued to both companies, and not just OpenAI, carry share price thresholds) By Max A.

November 04, 2026

It's too early to call the outcome of California's proposal to tax billionaires

A California measure to tax the net worth of billionaires was too early to call Wednesday morning as the vote tally continued

November 03, 2026

Democrat Troy Jackson ousts Republican Senator Susan Collins in Maine

Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins conceded to Democrat Troy Jackson on Tuesday, scoring a major pickup for Democrats in one of the midterms’ most competitive

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

BMW reports lower Q3 earnings as restructuring spells more pain towards end of year

BMW's pre-tax earnings fell in line with expectations in the third quarter with hefty restructuring charges looming towards the end of the year, forcing another cut to its

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Election|Stock Markets|Technology

Market analysts react to Democratic sweep in US midterms

Democrats swept to majorities in both the US Senate and House in midterm elections on

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

Smith+Nephew cuts outlook after failed orthopaedics deal talks with J&J

Smith+Nephew cut its full-year revenue and profit forecast on Wednesday as the British medical device maker also confirmed that talks about a potential merger with Johnson &

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Europe|Fashion and Beauty

Jeweller Pandora slightly raises outlook and speeds up launches

Jewellery maker Pandora edged higher its near-term revenue and profitability targets on Wednesday, saying it expected a boost in demand

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Election|Finance|Stock Markets

Investors poised for US gridlock as Democrats projected to win control of House

(Corrects company name to State Street Investment Management from State Street Global Advisors in 7th paragraph) By Lewis Krauskopf, Suzanne McGee and Gregor Stuart Hunter NEW YORK/SINGAPORE, Nov 3 (

November 03, 2026

Economy|Election|Political|US

‘Epic’ blue wave helps Democrats take Congress in overwhelming rebuke to President Trump

Election Day turned into a massive rebuke of President Donald Trump: a blue wave not seen in 20 years that was built on transforming the economy and rising prices into a central line of attack.

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy

India services growth hits 4-month high as domestic demand improves, PMI shows

India's dominant services sector expanded at its quickest pace in four months in October as improved domestic demand boosted new business, although hiring turned subdued

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Technology

Toyota second-quarter profit seen climbing 18%, first increase in six quarters

Toyota is forecast to report its first increase in operating income in six quarters on Thursday, as a weaker yen and robust demand for its more profitable

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|US

Markets fret blue wave will drown data centres

A look at the day ahead in European and global markets from Wayne Cole.

November 04, 2026

Asia|Business|Economy|Travel

Cruise ship leaves Cambodia after forcing hundreds of passengers off

After disembarking more than 200 passengers who had paid tens of thousands of dollars to live on board for years, the Villa Vie Odyssey

November 04, 2026

Economy|Finance|Stock Markets|US

Rupee ends a tad higher as dollar slips after US midterms

The Indian rupee ended modestly higher on Wednesday, aided by a weaker dollar and lower oil prices as investors assessed the impact of US midterm election

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

Estee Lauder sets 2030 growth, margin targets as turnaround advances

Estee Lauder said on Wednesday it aims to lift its adjusted operating margin by as much as 5.6 percentage points over the next three years, as the cosmetics maker builds on progress

November 04, 2026

Arts|Business|Economy|Food

Lindt investors seek board shake-up at chocolate maker after CEO ouster

Influential investors in Swiss chocolate maker Lindt & Spruengli are calling for sweeping boardroom changes at the maker of Lindor truffles

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Technology

Oracle abandons $7 billion Tencent AI deal under Trump pressure, FT reports

Oracle has canceled a multibillion-dollar chip leasing contract with Tencent after bowing to pressure from the Trump administration, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday.

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance|Technology

Former elementary school teacher becomes newest paper billionaire in China

November 04, 2026

Trump’s personal push of Darline Graham in South Carolina comes back to bite his party

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

UAE non-oil firms raise prices at record pace in October, PMI shows

The United Arab Emirates' non-oil private sector expanded strongly in October as new orders accelerated and firms passed on surging costs at a record pace, a business survey

November 04, 2026

Business|Economy|Finance

China's services growth slows to three-month low as confidence weakens

China's services activity in October expanded at its slowest pace since July, with business confidence easing as firms grappled with fierce competition and rising costs, a

November 04, 2026

What Americans are saying about how they voted in the midterm elections

As Americans cast ballots in midterm elections that will decide control of Congress, voters told Reuters they were motivated by issues ranging from the cost of living to

November 04, 2026