Prologue Journal – Page 39203 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

Retail Sales to Show Americans’ Appetite to Spend in April

Wall Street Journal A Commerce Department report will gauge sales at restaurants, stores and online in an economy with a strong labor market, easing inflation and rising interest rates. https://www.wsj.com/articles/us-economy-retail-sales-april-2023-6cc8601e

Tesla Board Faces Shareholders Grumpy Over Elon Musk Oversight

Wall Street Journal Former Tesla Chief Technology Officer JB Straubel is up for board election. https://www.wsj.com/articles/tesla-annual-shareholder-meeting-2023-7c432d27

The Return to the Office Has Stalled

Wall Street Journal Offices remain half empty as companies settle into a hybrid work strategy that shows little sign of fading. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-return-to-the-office-has-stalled-e0af9741

Tentative Progress but No Deal Ahead of Biden Debt-Ceiling Meeting

Wall Street Journal The outlines of a possible deal to raise the debt ceiling and limit spending are starting to emerge, but negotiators are far from an agreement. https://www.wsj.com/articles/tentative-progress-but-no-deal-ahead-of-biden-debt-ceiling-meeting-bfc6e012

Default Fears Rattle Main Street Investors

Wall Street Journal A political stalemate could bring a historic U.S. default next month. https://www.wsj.com/articles/default-fears-rattle-main-street-investors-8747862b

ChatGPT’s Sam Altman Faces Senate Panel

Wall Street Journal Congress is looking to impose artificial-intelligence regulations, if it can reach a consensus. https://www.wsj.com/articles/chatgpts-sam-altman-faces-senate-panel-examining-artificial-intelligence-4bb6942a

The Health Menace Inside Your Sandwich

Wall Street Journal Research linking processed meat to health problems has many doctors urging people to skip deli meat, bacon and sausage. https://www.wsj.com/articles/processed-meat-bacon-deli-sausage-health-risks-6393de8d

Swiss Listings Have Been a Drag on Chinese Stocks

Wall Street Journal An expanded stock link between exchanges in China and Europe has helped companies raise money, but trading is anemic and prices have plummeted. https://www.wsj.com/articles/swiss-listings-have-been-a-drag-on-chinese-stocks-3ede52bf

Baker Hughes CFO Aims to Boost Dividends, Be More Judicious With Buybacks

Wall Street Journal Six months into the role, Nancy Buese is leading a pivot in how the oil-field services company returns cash to shareholders. https://www.wsj.com/articles/baker-hughes-cfo-aims-to-boost-dividends-be-more-judicious-with-buybacks-8bfc8013

OPEC+ countries 2.5 mb/d behind output plan in April — IEA

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. Production by members of the alliance fell by 400,000 barrels per day compared with March to 37.6 mln barrels per day, the report says https://tass.com/economy/1618075