In this edition of Weekly News Spotlight, we introduce a five-piece investigation into why U.S. utilities are ploughing headlong into a gas-fired power station building spree even as oversupply looms. We explore the progress, or lack of it, that China is making in shifting to a consumption-based economy, and look at the fallout from Berlin’s rent cap. In the U.K., we compare Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's policies with those of the U.S. left as Britain heads to a Dec. 12 election.

Power Markets in Focus

Overpowered: Why a US gas-building spree continues despite electricity glut

Lured by abundant supplies of cheap natural gas, U.S. utilities are in the middle of a power-plant construction boom that could saddle the country with dozens of obsolete fossil fuel plants within the next decade.

Deep Dives

In-depth features looking at the impact of major news developments in key industries.

Politics

So you think Bernie Sanders is a socialist? Take a look at the left in the UK

Whereas Prime Minister Jeremy Corbyn would renationalize key parts of the U.K. economy, the Democratic presidential candidates want a welfare revolution.

Global Markets

Chinese consumer not ready to shoulder weight of global growth

Inequality and a high rate of savings mean Chinese consumers are unlikely to drive global growth in the near term as the government works to unlock the spending potential of its 1.34 billion-strong population.

Financials

$50B in assets no longer the barrier to M&A it once was for regional banks

As bankers express concern about the growing trend of credit unions acquiring banks, those deals are only getting bigger.

Credit union's deal for $747M bank rounds out record year

Tampa, Fla.-based Suncoast CU, which had $10.41 billion in assets as of Sept. 30, is expanding its Florida footprint with the announced acquisition of Miami-based Apollo Bank, which had $746.8 million in assets as of Sept. 30.

Europe needs regulatory convergence to address 'dominance of American banks'

"Exaggerated" regulation in some areas is a burden for European lenders, according to a Bundesbank executive, while the CEO of UniCredit said banks on the continent are struggling to attract capital due to market fragmentation.

Insurance

Signs of social inflation evident in highest-in-14-years med mal loss ratio

Rising statutory direct incurred loss ratios and higher rates have begun to infiltrate a business line that had essentially been characterized by the inverse for much of the past decade.

Real Estate

Berlin's year of rent rebellion throws spotlight on Germany's housing shortage

Local industry figures fear the German capital's five-year rent freeze law will exacerbate the over 1 million unit housing shortfall.

Energy and Utilities

Governance in the spotlight as midstream partnerships fight to stay 'viable'

Outdated performance metrics and disappointing M&A could pressure midstream partnerships to reconsider relationship to investors in 2020, energy pipeline sector analysts and investment professionals said.

Consumer

Kering's reported interest in Moncler signals more M&A in luxury sector

The Gucci owner's last major acquisition was six years ago, but the pace of dealmaking may change as the biggest companies in the luxury sector look to grow and diversify through M&A.

Retailer

Retailers see more online shoppers over Black Friday; Cyber Monday sales jump

The number of U.S. consumers who shopped over the five-day period spanning Nov. 28 through Dec. 2 jumped 14% to 189.6 million, according to a survey by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

Healthcare

Investors doubt cannabis epilepsy drugs for children 1 year after approval

Medical cannabidiol treatments for children with serious diseases continue to face resistance from investors and other stakeholders, despite no evidence of safety concerns after years of retail self-medication and a 2018 drug approval. GW Pharma is among companies struggling with the fallout.

M&A Deals of the Week

Swiss Re to sell ReAssure to Phoenix Group

Metro in exclusive talks with X+Bricks consortium for hypermarkets sale

Euronext acquires majority stake in Nord Pool from Nordic, Baltic grid operators

BP ups stake in solar developer Lightsource to create joint venture

Ohio's Heartland BancCorp to acquire Kentucky-based Victory Community Bank

M&A set to reshape North Carolina banking in 2020

The Big Number

Saudi Arabia's ambitious stock exchange steps into the light with Aramco listing

The Tadawul has drawn a surge of foreign investment since its inclusion on the MSCI Emerging Markets Index, and hosting the world's largest ever IPO for the world's most profitable company will only increase its exposure.

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