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What’s Apple
News Unveils
Business & Finance Plans to
Apple joined the AI arms
race, saying it plans to bring
Bring AI
a more personalized version
of artificial intelligence to its
2.2 billion device users, in-
cluding striking a deal with
To iPhone
ChatGPT maker OpenAI. A1 Personalized system
OpenAI named well-known
tech executive Sarah Friar to offer features
as its next finance chief, say- using ChatGPT and
ing she would help the com-
pany grow in a complex op- stress privacy
erating environment. B4
BY AARON TILLEY
Former media executive
Edgar Bronfman Jr., backed
Apple joined the artificial
by Bain Capital, expressed
intelligence arms race, saying
an interest in buying the
MARKO DJURICA/REUTERS
U.S. NEWS
Brood Awakening
Two broods of cicadas have emerged simultaneously. One is Brood XIII, which comes out every
Cicadas broods, and Kosits was deter-
mined to see and hear both.
“You’re surrounded by these
lenge. “I felt it all the way
down,” he said.
“Why not take something
17 years, and the other is Brood XIX, which appears every 13. They last emerged together in 1803
and won’t coincide again until 2245. A guide to this year’s noisy spectacle: Inundate otherworldly sounds at an
amazing frequency and an as-
tonishing volume that indicate
that people already hate and
make it even worse,” said
Brady Potts, a manager at the
Illinois
Approximate range of Broods XIII and XIX Male cicadas have a series of species-specific that there is this mass of life brewpub, explaining the ratio-
based on historical records. mating songs that are performed to entice a surrounding you,” she said. nale for the pairing. In the
female. Organs called ‘tymbals’ produce sound “There’s something so positive first four or five days after the
by buckling a ribbed membrane, similar to the and energetic and life affirming shots hit the menu, the pub
way the lid of a can makes sound when pressed. Continued from Page One about it.” went through 22 bottles of
into his glasses. One landed Chicago-based composer Malört, up from about a bottle
Tymbal Cicadas hear with near his ear with a prickly grip Bryan Rheude dug deep into ci- every two weeks.
Brood XIII
organs on the and a loud buzzing sound. cadas to write a seven-act mu- Potts said the cicada shots
abdomen called “I had a little freakout ses- sical piece representing their weren’t even close to the
‘tympana.’ sion” before brushing it away, life cycle. He performed it out- worst-tasting of the pub’s ex-
he said. doors over the weekend at the periments, which have in-
The Cicadapocolypse is well Lincoln garden in Springfield cluded a Candy Cane Malört at
Brood XIX under way. as a member of a 10-piece en- Christmas and a Shamrock
Cicadas are emerging this semble dubbed the Cicada Shake Malört at St. Patrick’s
year in more than a dozen Symphony Orkinstra—spon- Day. “I would drink a Cicada
states mostly east of the Mis- sored by Orkin, the pest-control Malört 50 times over before I
sissippi River, but Illinois is firm. had a Ranch Malört,” he said.
facing an unusual crop. A 17- At an indoor rehearsal in Ev- When 15-year-old Anna
An air sac in the year brood of cicadas has anston last week, Rheude cued Liberman’s mother, Melissa
Scan to listen abdomen acts as a climbed out of the ground in up one of about 20 cicada Skinner-Liberman, invited her
to the distinct resonating chamber. the northern half of the state, sound clips on his laptop and to try some cicada-based
calls of the while a 13-year brood has sur- the ensemble came to life. Dur- dishes at a tasting at the Uni-
three varieties faced in the south—a rare con- ing the outdoor performance, versity of Illinois Extension Of-
surfacing now. Brood XIII vergence of the two broods the insects themselves pro- fice in Springfield, she wasn’t
Brood XIX
2024 that hasn’t happened since vided sonic backing. “I didn’t sure whether it would be great
Cicada brood emergences
1803. want it to be goofy or too child- or gross.
1960 ’70 ’80 ’90 2000 ’10 ’20 ’30 ’40 The alien-looking creatures like,” he said. “I want it to be a “The thing that was off-put-
with big eyes and a deafening little more meditative, like for- ting to me was that I could
mating call spend most of est bathing.” just see the bug there,” she
their lives underground, then In suburban Lombard, Mis- said. “But, you know, once I
The lifecycle of periodical cicadas is one of the longest known in the insect world.
emerge for a few weeks to feel ael and Gail Barrientos clinked got past that, everything was
the air under their wings and together their glasses at Noon fine.”
Adult male cicadas gather in the treetops Once fertilized, a female lays hundreds of make baby cicadas. Whistle Brewing before tossing Anna and her mom, who
and begin their chorus to attract a female eggs through her needle-like ‘ovipositor,’ For humans, the bugs gen- back cicada-infused shots of live in Springfield, had pledged
mate. Once a female chooses a partner, which slices the bark in newly grown erate disgust, fascination, art Jeppson’s Malört. The worm- to try all three dishes—a ci-
the male courts her with a series of parts of deciduous trees and creates a projects, business opportuni- wood-flavored digestif is fa- cada pesto pizza, tempura ci-
specific songs intended series of pockets for her eggs. By the ties and questions such as: mous in the Windy City for its cada bites with lime aioli and
to seal the deal. end of June the adults’ jobs are How loud is that? And what do bracingly bitter aftertaste. cicada ice cream sundaes. The
ING 3 –4 WE complete; they die before they taste like? “It is a little mellower,” said tempura was Anna’s favorite.
ATY JUNE EK their eggs hatch. Bille Marcum, a 36-year-old Misael of the effect of the ugly “I think just because it was
M RL
EA S project manager for a com- bug on the loathsome libation. disguised the most,” she said.
mercial roofer in Des Plaines, The couple, who live in Naper- Ken Johnson, a horticulture
Ill., said he lives about an hour ville and both work in health- educator with the extension
EA EG away in Plainfield, where there care, had planned a fancy din- service who came up with the
R
are no cicadas. “When I come ner but decided instead to try idea, said he picked the cica-
G
LY
up here to work, it’s like a dif- the Malört shots because they das from trees in his backyard
LA ID J
–M
ferent world,” he said of the didn’t think they’d get another and put them in a one-gallon
Y I UNE
NG
din and swarms of slow-mov- chance for 17 years. butter drum to humanely kill
ing bugs. The shot included an intact them in his fridge.
Last week, he walked to a but quite dead cicada. Gail, who “To me they kind of have an
YS
nearby park with a sound doesn’t even like Malört, drew asparagus taste, but then the
4–6 DA
meter. The top reading, near a the line at swallowing the bug. roasted ones had a little more
large willow tree, was 110 Misael rose to the chal- of a nutty flavor,” he said.
decibels, about as loud as a car
horn or a power saw from a
8 –1
loud.”
Jean Kosits, a 70-year-old
S
E MI D –L A
T N
bath.
US E
UG P M
nymphs dig to the surface. They typically burrow into the ground. They find a pitches, flew between trees
emerge at sunset, climb nearby vegetation rootlet upon which to feed during their like lumbering cargo planes
and anchor themselves to shed their skin. multi-year subterranean development. and littered the mulch-covered
paths.
Sources: John Cooley and Chris Simon, University of Connecticut, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology Department The Springfield area is the A cicada sundae concocted for a tasting event held at the
Erik Brynildsen and Camille Bressange /THE WALL STREET JOURNAL dividing line between the two University of Illinois Extension Office in Springfield.
CORRECTIONS
AMPLIFICATIONS Scammers emails a day from people com-
plaining that the watering
cups they received are made of
mode for the scam products.”
Merino socks
The ads carried Darn
Tough’s logo, images, photos
and wording, all scraped from
run,” he said, “flip a 75% or
80% badge over that image
and throw it up as a spon-
tent. They are multilingual,” Bee Cups in May from Ama- Tough website, while others
said Thomas Moga, a patent zon. “They feel very cheaply were aimed at shoppers who
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL attorney with Dykema. “Indi- made and smell awful,” said searched for socks or used
(USPS 664-880) (Eastern Edition ISSN 0099-
9660) (Central Edition ISSN 1092-0935)
viduals and small businesses Porter. “I don’t see them being other specific search terms.
(Western Edition ISSN 0193-2241) don’t have that at the ready. safe for any pollinators.” The fake websites could
Editorial and publication headquarters: 1211 They are really at a significant Rose offers disgruntled only be reached by those re-
Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10036
Published daily except Sundays and general legal
disadvantage.” buyers like Porter a $15 gift ceiving the bogus ads, making
holidays. Periodicals postage paid at New York, N.Y., Here are two small busi- card if they send in the imita- it tougher for Darn Tough to
and other mailing offices.
nesses battling these chal- tion cups, which are typically find them and take them
Postmaster: Send address changes to
The Wall Street Journal, 200 Burnett Rd., lenges: shipped from China. This down, he said.
Chicopee, MA 01020. spring, she took to Instagram Meta said it uses technol-
All Advertising published in The Wall Street to warn her 115,000 followers ogy to prevent fake ads from
Journal is subject to the applicable rate card,
copies of which are available from the Advertising
Bee drinking cups about the fakes. being posted and to detect and
Services Department, Dow Jones & Co. Inc., 1211
Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y. 10036. The
Jen Rose, a ceramist in Dal- The copycat explosion has remove them from Facebook
Journal reserves the right not to accept an las, used Instagram, TikTok had one unexpected benefit: and Instagram. “It’s against
advertiser’s order. Only publication of an
advertisement shall constitute final acceptance of and Facebook to build a follow- Sales are up 30% this year. our policies to run ads that de-
the advertiser’s order. ing for Bee Cups, tiny porcelain “The fact that all of my videos ceptively try to scam people,”
Letters to the Editor:
Fax: 212-416-2891; email: wsj.ltrs@wsj.com
vessels that hold water for bees were mass-produced by fake a Meta spokeswoman said.
Need assistance with your subscription?
and other pollinators. Rose has companies made me so much Darn Tough and some of
By web: customercenter.wsj.com; about 50 retail partners, but more visible,” Rose said. its customers have taken to
By email: support@wsj.com
By phone: 1-800-JOURNAL (1-800-568-7625) most of her handmade cups are Bee Cups recently hired a social media to warn would-
Reprints & licensing: sold through her website, law firm that works with Ama- be buyers about the fake list-
By email: customreprints@dowjones.com;
By phone: 1-800-843-0008
priced at $20 to $200. zon and other platforms to re- ings. Some fans have even in-
WSJ back issues and framed pages: wsjshop.com This April, hundreds of fake move the fake listings, but correctly posted warnings on
Our newspapers are 100% sourced from listings began popping up on finds it difficult to stay ahead. some of Darn Tough’s official
sustainably certified mills. Amazon.com and other shop- “I can’t pay my lawyers to go postings.
ping platforms using Rose’s after every single site,” said “It became very clear,” Dahl-
GOT A TIP FOR US? face and her images and vid- Rose, who received a $27,000 At top, authentic Bee Cups made from porcelain, left, and fake strom said, “that the consumer
SUBMIT IT AT WSJ.COM/TIPS eos to steal customers. Bee legal bill for the month of April. cups made from plastic. Bottom, a fake ad on Instagram and a has a hard time differentiating
Cups now receives about 25 “It feels like I’ve hit the viral fake website that used Darn Tough Vermont’s logo and images. between real and fake.”
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. * * * * * Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | A3
U.S. NEWS
posed him to hostile question- In his own closing state- with testimony from Hunter’s gested Kestan’s testimony had pattern of drug use and addic-
ing under cross-examination ment, Lowell dismissed the ex-girlfriend, his ex-wife and been rehearsed, prompting an tion in the months leading up
from prosecutors. case against Hunter as one Hallie Biden, the widow of his objection from prosecutors. to Hunter’s gun purchase and
“Mr. Biden rests his case,” based on suspicion and con- brother Beau, airing details Lowell said Kestan docu- following it.
Families WASHINGTON—Former
President Donald Trump’s pro-
posal to make workers’ tips 30
versity’s Budget Lab. “Money
finds a way to game the sys-
tem.”
Site to Shut nesses and employees to re- culture into new spaces. An
20
characterize taxed wages as un- auto-body shop could restrain
ALLISON DINNER/EPA/SHUTTERSTOCK
U.S. NEWS
Risky
Startups
Crowdfund
Continued from Page One
raise capital. Known as Regula-
tion A, the technique allows
businesses to annually raise as
much as $75 million while
complying with lighter-touch
rules than a traditional initial
public offering. These compa-
nies have raised billions of dol-
lars from hundreds of thou-
sands of Americans with little
oversight.
Aptera and Boxabl have
both relied on catchy social-
media campaigns that hype
their progress creating game-
changing technologies. Crowd-
funding platforms—such as
StartEngine and Republic—
match the fledgling firms with
novice investors who can be- Above, a screenshot from a video posted to Aptera’s YouTube of its three-wheeled car at a wind tunnel in Italy. Below, an Aptera prototype.
have more like fans than
shrewd financiers looking for idated the aerodynamic design Though Boxabl has touted a
a solid return. of its three-wheel car at a wind lengthy wait list of customers,
Shares bought through tunnel in Italy. It presented the most haven’t put down a de-
crowdfunding platforms aren’t results as proof of its prog- posit. Fewer than 10,300 paid a
listed on an exchange and ress. deposit of between $100 and
don’t freely trade. Investors are But the trip to the wind tun- $49,500, according to records
locked into their stake unless nel was mostly a chance to viewed by the Journal.
U.S.WATCH BALTIMORE
Channel Reopens
HEALTH
FDA Advisers Back Civil Rights Leader
OBITUARY
certified as safe for transit. tion, the drug, donanemab, Lawson introduced Gan-
Crews pulled the final steel would only be the second Alz- dhian principles to people
truss—a slab of concrete, ca- heimer’s drug cleared in the more familiar with biblical
bles and steel rebar—from Fort U.S. that has been shown to teachings, showing how di-
McHenry Federal Channel last convincingly slow cognitive rect action could expose the
week, clearing the way for the decline and memory problems immorality and fragility of
A U.S. Coast Guard boat approached cleanup operations on Monday at the Francis Scott Key port’s reopening, officials said. due to Alzheimer’s. racist white power structures.
Bridge in Baltimore as the main shipping channel fully reopened. —Ginger Adams Otis —Associated Press —Associated Press
A6 | Tuesday, June 11, 2024 * **** THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
WORLD NEWS
In Mideast, Blinken Presses Peace Plan
Secretary of state leave the government if Israel of Israeli forces from popu-
accepts a deal that halts the lated areas of Gaza and the re-
returns to region as war—more sway in the shrink- lease of some hostages held by
Israel and Hamas ing majority Netanyahu holds Hamas. The second phase
in government. would see a permanent end to
harden positions “Gantz leaving and the in- the hostilities, a full Israeli
creased influence from the withdrawal from Gaza and the
Secretary of State Antony far-right makes striking a release of remaining hostages.
Blinken began a three-day tour cease-fire deal a lot less Phase three would involve a
of the Middle East on Monday, likely,” said Yossi Mekelberg, a plan for Gaza reconstruction.
meeting with leaders in Egypt Middle East analyst at Lon- Israel and Hamas said that
and Israel to push a cease-fire don-based think tank Chatham the terms set out by Biden
Rescue
MARKO DJURICA/REUTERS
MARKO DJURICA/REUTERS
immediate cease-fire, the re- firefighting ensues and one of the Israeli Israel, eight months after The hostages were taken to of the freed men walking to-
Di
al-
ISRAELL
lease of hostages and, initially, commando teams runs into trouble, they were kidnapped and waiting vehicles and handed ward helicopters waiting to
lah
the withdrawal of Israeli requiring an extraction. taken to Gaza. bulletproof vests. “We have take them to Israel.
Sa
forces from populated areas in Sources: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (camp location); PlanetLabs (satellite image) the diamonds in our hands,” —Dov Lieber and
Gaza. The resolution passed the commandos radioed to the Marcus Walker
14-0, with Russia abstaining. come near the vehicles.” sought shelter in Nuseirat. Nova music festival, was in a command center. contributed to this article.
Tsur compared Saturday’s Some Palestinians said the “I am also angry because low-rise apartment block near The outbreak of gunfire
events to the street battle be- operation drove home again the Hamas chose to hide these peo- the Nuseirat market. About alerted Hamas. Militants
tween U.S. forces and Somali perception that their lives mean ple among us,” he said. “Why?” 200 yards away, Israeli officials blasted Israeli troops with Watch a Video
militants portrayed in the nothing, including to Hamas. Israeli officials said the op- said a Hamas militant, Abdul- gunfire and rocket-propelled Scan this code
book and movie, “Black Hawk “More than 200 were killed, eration had been planned for lah Al-Jamal, kept three male grenades. “It became a real, for a video on
Down.” The airstrikes and hundreds injured, for the sake weeks after Israel discovered hostages—Almog Meir Jan, An- intensive combat zone,” said Israeli bodycam
shelling were intended to “lay of four Israelis,” said 26-year- in May that Noa Argamani, drei Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv—in an Israeli military official. footage of the
down fire so that people don’t old Ahmed Wael, who has who was taken hostage at the his home alongside his family. The team carrying the hostage rescue.
Unveils AI
40%
eas of the operating system, in other software for some
such as using the AI to help time, including auto-reply for
with composing text. Apple 30 Microsoft emails and photo editing that
ers Conference, Apple said its The company has held talks January. Google parent Alpha-
new software will retrieve in- with Google and AI startup –10 bet is up more than 40% over
formation from across apps Cohere, The Wall Street Jour- the past year. Microsoft and
and scan personal information nal reported. –20 Google have rapidly incorpo-
to help users proofread text, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, rated generative AI across their
July 2023 ’24
call up photos of specific fam- who was on hand at the Apple products. Nvidia, the main chip
ily members or gauge traffic event but didn’t speak during OpenAI’s Sam Altman was at the event but didn’t speak. Source: FactSet provider in the AI boom,
patterns ahead of an atypical the livestreamed broadcast, reached a $3 trillion valuation
commute. Users can create said he was grateful for the device instead of shipping to companies. “That is an unac- has been characterized by on Wednesday and briefly ex-
images and emojis and con- opportunity to integrate Chat- the servers in the cloud. But ceptable security violation,” challenges including falling ceeded Apple’s market cap.
vert rough sketches into pol- GPT into Apple’s devices. He the company said for running he said on X. sales in China and regulatory “AI is the thing that can get
ished diagrams. wrote on X: “think you will re- larger AI models Apple will ChatGPT queries from Ap- scrutiny from a U.S. antitrust Apple out of the ditch,” said
An updated Siri will be able ally like it.” keep it private by running its ple devices will be routed to lawsuit and a new European Trip Miller, managing partner
to better understand natural Apple said the ChatGPT- own servers with what it calls OpenAI servers, but user in- law, both of which take aim at at Apple investor Gullane Cap-
language, process contextual based functions will be avail- Private Cloud Compute. It will formation won’t be shared how it manages third-party ital Partners.
information and take action in able later this year. An OpenAI only send data relevant to the with OpenAI, and the startup software. —Deepa Seetharaman
apps. Developers can use new spokesman declined to com- task to these servers. The data won’t be able to identify the Investors hoped Monday’s contributed to this article.
tools to take advantage of the ment about the terms of the isn’t stored or accessible by queries from specific Apple announcements would propel
AI systems. Most of these new partnership, as did Apple rep- Apple for further training, the users. Apple will use a version a new rally. Apple shares fell
Apple capabilities will be resentatives. company said. of ChatGPT that is available by almost 2% on Monday. Watch a Video
available later this year. Privacy is at the heart of Elon Musk, who is develop- elsewhere online for free, but “It’s important for them to Scan this code
For certain complex Siri re- Apple’s new AI capabilities, a ing an AI system dubbed xAI, those with premium ChatGPT start showing progress,” said for Joanna
quests, Apple will surface a feature that could further lock said if Apple integrates Ope- subscriptions will be able to Charles Rinehart, chief invest- Stern’s new
prompt to ask if the user users into its ecosystem. Most nAI “at the OS level,” he plans link their accounts. ment officer at Johnson In- video on Apple’s
wants to connect with Chat- processing will be done on a to ban Apple devices at his For Apple, the past year vestment Counsel, an Apple big AI push.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | A7
WORLD NEWS
Far Right in
France Turns
To a New Face
A 28-year-old helps The stigma around National
Rally, however, has begun to
attract younger fade with every passing elec-
voters to party tion. And Bardella is a nimble
politician who thrives at thread-
fighting immigration ing the needle between National
Rally’s dark past and his own
BY STACY MEICHTRY ambitions to push the party into
AND NOEMIE BISSERBE the mainstream. He made a
point of attending a march
PARIS—For a glimpse into against antisemitism that was
ANDRE PAIN/EPA/SHUTTERSTOCK
what the future holds for na- held after the Oct. 7 Hamas at-
tionalist parties that are as- tacks on Israel. Days before, a
cendant across Europe, look no TV interviewer asked him
further than Jordan Bardella. whether Jean-Marie Le Pen—
At 28 years old, the French the nonagenarian co-founder of
politician is soft-spoken, so- the party and father of Marine
cial-media savvy and appar- Le Pen—is an antisemite. In the
ently unbothered by the his- 1980s, the elder Le Pen had de- If his National Rally party prevails in the coming elections, Jordan Bardella is positioned to become prime minister.
torical baggage that has long scribed Nazi death camps as a
weighed down his political mere “detail” of history—a In 2014, Bardella began to
mentor, Marine Le Pen. claim he repeated in 2015. rise through the ranks of Le
On Sunday, Bardella led Le “I was born in 1995. You’re Macron Suggests Bardella Debate His Protégé Pen’s party, becoming general
Pen’s far-right opposition talking to me about an era I secretary of its branch in the
party, National Rally, to its big- didn’t experience,” Bardella Ahead of Sunday’s Euro- €9.4 million, about $10 mil- reference to Macron’s own Saint-Denis area. Five years
gest victory ever in European said. “I don’t believe Jean-Ma- pean elections, French Pres- lion, loan from a Russian struggles to maintain dia- later he became spokesman of
elections, prompting President rie Le Pen is an antisemite. ident Emmanuel Macron bank—a move that Attal said logue with Putin at the start the entire party, leading it to
Emmanuel Macron to dissolve Now I obviously wouldn’t make mobilized his own protégé, made the party beholden to of the Ukraine war. victory in European elections,
France’s National Assembly the comments he made about 35-year-old Prime Minister Russian President Vladimir “Was there naiveté with albeit by a much smaller mar-
and call snap elections. If Na- the ‘detail’ because, for me, the Gabriel Attal, to hold a one- Putin. The comment was a respect to Vladimir Putin, gin. When Marine Le Pen
tional Rally prevails at the bal- horrors of the Holocaust aren’t on-one debate with Jordan replay of an attack Macron with respect to the inten- stepped down as party presi-
lot box, Bardella is positioned a detail of history.” Bardella in a sign of used to stymie Marine Le tions of Vladimir Putin? The dent in 2021 to focus on un-
to become prime minister. While Bardella is a political Bardella’s growing stature. Pen during their debate in answer is ‘yes,’ ” Bardella seating Macron, Bardella suc-
Bardella’s victory drew upon protégé of Marine Le Pen, he Attal tried to embarrass the 2022 presidential race. said, adding that the naiveté ceeded her on an interim basis.
a wellspring of support he has doesn’t bear the political Bardella over National Rally’s This time Bardella re- came “from everyone. From He cemented that role by
cultivated among younger gen- weight of her family’s name. decision in 2016 to take a sponded with a glancing my side but also from yours.” trouncing party veteran Louis
erations of French voters who— He has made a name for him- Aliot, Le Pen’s former partner,
removed from the horrors of self on social-media platforms, in an internal party vote.
World War II—largely are tun- where clips of his repartee Today Bardella has become
ing out Macron and his at- with political opponents tend for Bardella in the snap elec- one of the blighted banlieues of making ends meet,” he said. the party’s heir apparent to
tempts to link Europe’s newest to go viral. tions because he is the only near Paris. Such suburbs have Bardella wasn’t simply a Marine Le Pen, a position that
nationalists to the authoritarian When Macron outraged candidate who can tackle immi- been the home of France’s Mus- product of the banlieues. In was solidified when Le Pen
movements of the 20th century. French farmers with a plan to gration and crime. “He knows lim minorities for decades, Saint-Denis, Bardella lived had a falling-out with her
A survey of 3,001 people by reduce diesel-fuel subsidies as how to talk to young people making them a fulcrum for with his mother, a nursery- niece Marion Maréchal.
pollster Elabe found that 32% of part of his effort to encourage about important issues.” France’s socioeconomic ten- school worker of Italian de- On Monday, a top National
those ages 19 to 34 voted for France’s economy to go green, Bardella has another advan- sions. Crime and drug-traffick- scent. After his parents di- Rally official said Bardella
Bardella, compared with 5% for Bardella turned up at Paris’s tage over his mentor. Le Pen ing are common features of life vorced, however, he would would be the party’s choice
Macron’s candidate. annual agricultural fair and often was at pains discussing in the banlieues, as are inci- spend weekends and holidays for prime minister if National
In calling early elections, was greeted like a rock star. her upbringing, having grown dents of police brutality. with his father, who ran a Rally manages to win the
Macron is betting that a coali- “He’s very, very good,” said up in the shadow of her father “That’s where I forged my small business and lived in a coming national elections.
tion of voters from mainstream Lucas Fluckiger, a 24-year-old and the controversies he en- first political convictions, be- more affluent Paris suburb. He Such an outcome, though un-
conservative and leftist parties engineer in the construction gendered. Bardella, however, cause like many families and attended private school in likely, would cripple Macron’s
will once again back him in a industry in eastern France— is leaning into his life story. people who live in these neigh- Saint-Denis, and studied geog- presidency, forcing him into a
“republican front” to keep Na- where National Rally won big. He grew up in a low-income borhoods, I’ve been confronted raphy at the Sorbonne Univer- power-sharing scenario known
tional Rally out of power. Fluckiger said he plans to vote housing project in Saint-Denis, with violence and the difficulty sity before dropping out. as cohabitation.
wrong in my life to end up in Wright for help, and they re- At a meeting of users share on doubt,” said Wright’s lawsuit,
this total dumpster fire right sumed their affair. antitrust lawyers YouTube and other which is pending in federal
now,” Dorsey texted in the Oc- He gave her work at his that spring, Dorsey internet platforms. court.
tober 2021 breakup. “Or why consulting firm. Wright’s cli- told a friend about President Biden Wright sought court per-
I’m so expendable to you.” ents included Google, Amazon, her affair with and a bipartisan mission to end his $35,000-a-
“I’m worried about me Facebook, Qualcomm and Wal- Wright. The friend group of lawmak- month spousal and child sup-
too,” Wright told Dorsey. “My mart. Wright listed his income said she heard a ers supported end- port. His income has
own spiral. But not trying to at $170,082 a month when his similar story from ing the legal pro- “effectively dried up,” Wright
make it about me.” wife filed for divorce that another George tections, a change said in his petition last Octo-
This account is based on in- year. She received their $3 Mason University that would, in ef- ber. His wife filed a legal re-
terviews with dozens of million house, a $714,326.56 law-school gradu- fect, make Google sponse, saying Wright’s loss of
Wright’s former law-school payment and $35,214 a month ate. It was Landry. Elyse Dorsey in Falls Church, Va. and others liable clients and income was effec-
students, lawyers and people in spousal and child support. Dorsey and Lan- for more online tively his own fault.
who know him, as well as Wright arranged a fellow- dry met to commiserate and bought a six-bedroom, 6,683- content. “He voluntarily resigned
court filings, divorce records, ship for Dorsey at the Univer- discuss a legal recourse. square-foot house for $3.1 mil- Wright signed a six-month, from his position at the An-
emails obtained from the FTC sity of Virginia during the In June 2022, the univer- lion in McLean, Va. $430,000 contract with Google tonin Scalia Law School rather
and George Mason University 2021-22 school year, and she sity’s investigator interviewed Edwards, who worked at for academic and opinion arti- than face termination pro-
through public-records re- moved to Charlottesville, Va. Robert Mahini, a senior anti- Wilson Sonsini, moved in with cles saying the change would ceedings as a result of multi-
quests, documents submitted Wright told Dorsey that trust lawyer for Google, and him. hurt the tech industry. He and ple allegations of his sexual
by Wright for his Senate con- Google, Facebook and Amazon she told Mahini about the Ti- his firm had contracts with misconduct with multiple
firmation hearing, lobbying- would pay for her studies. tle IX complaint. the American Enterprise Insti- women, including his former
disclosure reports and other Two months after their A Google spokesman said Tying the knot tute, $250,000 a year; Wal- students,” Anhvinh Wright
public records. breakup, Dorsey hadn’t re- Mahini was asked about the During the Biden adminis- mart, $1,250 an hour; and the said in her court filing. The
ceived any of the money. She funding and wasn’t told about tration, Wright was a vocal law firm Jones Day, $1,500 an court agreed this year to re-
feared it was all a ruse. In De- Wright’s sexual history with critic of Lina Khan, the FTC hour. duce Wright’s payments to
One room cember 2021, Dorsey filed the students. Mahini told the in- chair and a thorn in the side That spring, Wright’s law- $24,000 a month.
In 2010, Wright courted Title IX complaint with vestigator that the money of tech executives. Khan rose yer engaged in settlement In November, Dorsey and
two women he taught in his George Mason University. She owed to Dorsey was delayed to prominence as a Yale law talks with Dorsey and Landry. Landry were honored by the
law class. One was 24-year-old alleged she had been in a sex- because of an administrative student when she published a Wright wanted their silence. American Bar Association for
Angela Landry. He told her he ual relationship with Wright mistake. The company decided 2017 paper called “Amazon’s They asked for money. No deal bringing attention to sexual
had separated from his wife while a student and that he to delay any action regarding Antitrust Paradox.” The paper was reached. harassment in the antitrust le-
and that they lived in the later used his professional in- Wright until the university in- argued that Amazon, the 21st Wright announced in an gal community. “Their stories
same house only for the sake fluence to retaliate against vestigation was concluded, the century’s commerce titan, Aug. 7 tweet that he had re- struck a chord with me,” said
of their children. her. The university hired a law spokesman said. posed anticompetitive con- signed from George Mason Christine Wilson, a former
They started a sexual rela- firm to investigate. The investigator also sent cerns yet escaped antitrust University to work at his own FTC commissioner who knew
tionship during Landry’s sec- “I still have received zero an email to Shanbhag, telling scrutiny. law firm. Campus colleagues Wright. “Elyse and Angela
ond semester. dollars in funding,” Dorsey him the nature of Dorsey’s Shortly after joining the replied with praise for his have thriving careers at well-
Dorsey, a 23-year-old stu- wrote in a January 2022 email complaint and requesting an FTC in 2021, Khan reversed a work. respected law firms and gain
dent that year, asked career to Wright and the Federalist interview. Shanbhag, after policy Wright had won while Scrolling through her nothing by rocking the boat.”
counselors to help her find a Society, which coordinated the consulting with Facebook law- he served at the agency. phone that night, Cleveland To defend against Wright’s
summer internship in anti- fellowship funding. yers, declined to speak with Wright in 2015 persuaded fel- State University law professor defamation lawsuit, Landry
trust law. They directed her to The investigator requested that Ed-
Wright. She told Wright she hired by the university wards turn over all
was going through a divorce, told Wright about communications with
and Wright said he was, too. Dorsey’s sexual-harass- Wright related to his
That summer, Wright in- ment claim, as re- sexual relationships.
vited Dorsey on a trip to quired by law. Dorsey Wright and Edwards
Northern California where he alleged in her com- each responded with
said he was meeting with ex- plaint that Wright had motions seeking to
ecutives. At the hotel, Dorsey blocked payment of limit the information
learned Wright had booked her fellowship money, that Edwards would
one room with one bed. and she reacted have to disclose.
“In that moment, Ms. swiftly. On March 15, a Vir-
Dorsey felt powerless to say Dorsey contacted ginia court rejected the
no to her law professor and Nikhil Shanbhag, vice arguments and re-
now her direct manager—es- president and associ- quired Edwards to turn
pecially since he had made it ate general counsel of over additional docu-
clear that he was the gateway Facebook parent Meta, ments.
to obtaining a job in antitrust on Jan. 31, 2022. Shan- Two days later, Ed-
law,” according to Dorsey’s re- bhag oversaw Meta’s wards, 32 years old,
sponse to Wright’s lawsuit. antitrust arm and posted a photo of her-
Wright remained in sexual helped hire Wright as self on Instagram
relationships with Dorsey and a company consultant. wearing a diamond
Landry during their years in “I was relying upon ring.
law school and after they this funding,” Dorsey “I can’t wait to
graduated. He “found ways to wrote. At the time, marry you,” her post
remind Ms. Landry that he Wright was helping said.
had influence over her success Shanbhag and Face-
as a student and the promise book tame FTC opposi- This is the third arti-
of her career,” Landry alleged tion to the company’s cle in a three-part
in her response to Wright’s takeover of Within Un- WSJ profile.
PERSONAL JOURNAL.
© 2024 Dow Jones & Company. All Rights Reserved. * * * * THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | A9
‘Learning opportunity’
Solomon says a survey of Fizz us-
ers shows that 90% of high-school
and college users report feeling
more included and connected be-
cause of the app. He says the com-
pany works to improve content
moderation and that some of the
bullying that was reported on col-
lege campuses occurred before
An Anonymous-Messaging App
Fizz had better AI filters.
“What happened at Vermont
was an outlier,” Solomon says. “I
view it as a learning opportunity.”
After Fizz heard from upset
A
ing to the top. moved from the app. “I was cist shared screen-
n app lets high-school- Fizz was all anyone talked about. shocked and dismayed by how shots from students
ers post anonymously Students say they felt they had to quickly the app created harm,” who posted com-
about their classmates, keep checking the app in case says Bunting, who was himself the plaints about its re-
and police the rules something was posted about them. target of some posts. moval. Mathur says
themselves. I know “You started to feel like you he hopes Fizz can re-
what you’re thinking: couldn’t trust anyone,” says 15- Policing itself turn to CVU.
What could possibly go wrong? year-old Lio Miller. Miller was in a Fizz was created in 2020 by Stan- Other CVU stu-
Fizz, a private message board Dungeons & Dragons club, and a ford students Teddy Solomon and dents say they were
for colleges and high schools, Fizz user posted a yearbook photo Ashton Cofer, who wanted to con- relieved to see it go.
opened to students at Vermont’s of the group, calling it “nasty.” nect students when Covid can- Nikhil Blasius, stu-
largest high school in May. Within celed in-person classes. dent body co-presi-
hours, posts went from jokes and ‘Shocked and dismayed’ Solomon, now 22, says anonym- dent, says Fizz was
memes to public shaming of stu- Fizz is emerging as social media is ity was key to offering a more au- never a way to build
dents and speculation about under scrutiny for contributing to, thentic experience in which people connections. “It was
teachers’ sex lives. if not causing, teen anxiety. Bully- could feel comfortable being vul- advertised as a gossip
The two Stanford University ing and harassment on the app nerable. Each Fizz community is app,” he says.
students who started the app call have occurred at various colleges, limited to students with email ad- Gabriella Serafini
it “an uplifting digital space for according to campus newspapers. dresses associated with the school. was a target of gos-
Gen Z.” Instagram posts that ad- It has drawn comparisons to Yik Fizz took off at Stanford. Solo- sip. Someone took a
vertised it to the 1,300 students at Yak, an app that shut in 2017 be- mon and Cofer dropped out to Fizz’s arrival at Champlain Valley photo of her and her boyfriend
KELLY BURGESS FOR THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
Champlain Valley Union High cause of bullying and threats at work full time on the app, which was teased by an Instagram account from his Instagram account and
School described it as a place to colleges. (Yik Yak, now under new is at more than 240 colleges. They that followed students there. posted it to Fizz, along with spec-
share “anonymous CVU confes- ownership, has guardrails to pre- started rolling out Fizz to high ulation about what the couple did
sions and crushes.” The posts vent harassment.) Some schools, schools in April; it’s now at 60 of alone together.
were harmless at first. Then such as the University of North them. Solomon declined to share more than $40 million. The app is Serafini, 16, says she laughed
things turned vicious. Carolina, plan to block Yik Yak, user numbers, but market intelli- free to download and doesn’t make when she first saw jokes and
Teens, posting anonymously, Fizz and similar apps. gence firm Sensor Tower says Fizz any money. Mathur says Fizz plans memes on Fizz. It stopped being
made comments speculating about CVU students began reporting has 113,000 monthly active users, to run ads at some point. funny when it was about her. “No
classmates’ sexual orientation. They Fizz to administrators within more than double from a year ago. Community guidelines forbid one can know how hurtful some-
uploaded photos of students, mock- hours of its debut. Students went Fizz’s CEO is Rakesh Mathur, an posting private information about thing is until they’re the one being
ing their appearance and disabili- to guidance counselors in tears. entrepreneur who helped it raise users, as well as bullying, hate hurt,” she said.
Safeguarding Data
When setting up an app, use a
strong password or a password
manager, and turn on two-factor au-
thentication, which verifies identity
C
onsumers increasingly are us- actors could have the same easy ac- that connects to your phone or other
ing personal-finance apps to cess to your funds that you do. device to verify your identity. The lat-
manage their money, relying There also are concerns about ter provides very strong security—as
on them to pay, borrow, save, invest personal data. Apps may sell or long as you don’t lose it—but it may
and shop. While these tools can share some of your information not be necessary for all users.
make life easier, is it risky to give with third-party partners, creating Outside of the apps, keep your
multiple apps access to your finan- another point of vulnerability. devices and email accounts secure.
cial information? “Even if the original app has For example, consumers might want
Security experts say it depends. strong security measures in place, to turn on facial recognition—such
The more apps you they cannot fully as Face ID on Apple devices—so
use, the higher the control the data-se- that when a bank or app sends a
risk of hacks and curity practices of login code, it is secure. It is also crit-
data leaks. But there Apps may sell or their partners,” says rums, says Meredith Fuchs, chief le- nancial data such as transaction ical to use strong passwords and
are things consumers share some of Delicia Hand, senior gal officer at financial-technology history or account balances—with enable two-factor authentication on
can do to protect director, digital mar- firm Plaid and a former deputy di- partners such as service providers, email accounts that are used to ac-
themselves. your information ketplace at Con- rector at the Consumer Financial business affiliates and marketing cess financial accounts, experts say.
New online-only
banks, as well as digi-
with third-party sumer Reports. “If a
third party experi-
Protection Bureau.
Then, download the app you
partners.
Look for policies in which the
Gavin Reid, chief information se-
curity officer at cybersecurity com-
tal tools such as peer- partners. ences a data breach, want directly from the App Store or company only accesses data that it pany Human Security, uses two
to-peer payment users’ sensitive infor- Play Store to be sure you are get- actually needs to provide a service, email accounts—one for everyday
apps, personal-loan mation could be ex- ting the one you want and not a rather than collecting everything it use and another that is only for
apps and savings-and- posed, putting them copycat. Don’t download an app can. “The less data a company has things like financial accounts—in ad-
budgeting apps, are becoming more at risk for identity theft, financial from a link or a website, unless it is actually collected on you, the less dition to a physical security key. He
popular because they are convenient fraud or targeted scams.” the website of the company behind ultimate damage can be done if also advises deleting any apps you
and in some cases fun to use. Tradi- Here is a closer look at some pre- it, says Stuart Schechter, a security that data is stolen,” says Brian Cal- aren’t using to reduce risk.
tional banks and brokerages, mean- cautions you can take to use finance and human-behavior researcher at lahan, director of the Rensselaer Cy- “The biggest thing a consumer can
while, are adding options to their apps more safely. Harvard University. bersecurity Collaboratory at Rensse- do is make sure that they are keeping
apps to help customers better man- Review the app’s privacy policy laer Polytechnic Institute. the things that are private to them—
age their checking, savings, credit Review and verify to see how it collects and manages Review how the app handles un- private to them,” says Jess Turner,
cards, mortgages and investing. First, verify that the app you want customer data. Selling data has authorized charges or transactions, executive vice president, global head
While finance apps aren’t particu- to use is from a reputable company generally fallen out of favor, ac- if applicable. Hand says some apps of open banking and API at Master-
JON KRAUSE
larly vulnerable to hacking, any app with security and privacy policies in cording to Hand, but some apps may have more robust protections card. “So: not sharing credential infor-
could get hacked or breached, ex- place—and check to see if there are share user data—including names, than others or more streamlined mation, passwords or usernames,
posing users’ financial data or their complaints about it on online fo- emails and phone numbers, or fi- dispute-and-resolution processes. leaning in on things like biometrics.”
A10 | Tuesday, June 11, 2024 THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
PERSONAL JOURNAL.
abscess. we visited our local senior-dog having a child who will never talk stayed out. I’m not quite ready for then, we can get our fido fix by
From a dog’s perspective, we rescue one Saturday morning— back and that you don’t have to a dog in the house. doting on other people’s dogs.
Of Cheaper
contaminants,” says Dr. Katherine H. sterile compounding pharmacies
Saunders, a clinical assistant profes- that must adhere to numerous sani-
sor of medicine at Weill Cornell tary and compliance standards, says
To Ozempic
company. FDA-registered facilities.
If you opt for a compounded drug, If a doctor prescribes a com-
make sure the pharmacy is accred- pounded version of a GLP-1 drug,
ited by your state. And if a company ask if they are familiar with the
claims to be able to sell you a ver- pharmacy. If it’s a legitimate phar-
sion of a GLP-1 without a prescrip- macy it should be licensed in your
YOUR tion, don’t buy it. state. The National Association of
HEALTH The use of compound pharmacies Boards of Pharmacy has a list of
SUMATHI for weight-loss drugs is growing. In state boards on its website.
REDDY some cases, it’s an attractive option Another thing to look for is ac-
for people whose employer health creditation from the Pharmacy
plans are curbing coverage of weight- Compounding Accreditation Board.
M
illions of people are taking loss drugs. Shortages have some- The board is part of the Accredita-
Ozempic, Wegovy or Moun- times made it hard to find the regu- tion Commission for Health Care, a
jaro for weight loss. More lar versions. Demand for the drugs Mounjaro Mounjaro, has filed suits against nonprofit organization that has ac-
want to take the drugs, known as “There has been an explosion” in and Wegovy is high among people businesses to halt the sale of prod- credited more than 3,000 pharma-
GLP-1s, but the cost is too high. patients asking for compounded who want to lose weight. ucts claiming to contain tirzepatide, cies, about a third of which cur-
The price has people looking at GLP-1 drugs, says Dr. Jaime Alman- including some against compound- rently perform compounding.
less expensive compounded ver- doz, medical director of the Weight and effectiveness. Instead, most of ing pharmacies. Jaime McMinn, a 48-year-old hu-
sions. Compounded drugs are cus- Wellness Program and associate the pharmacies that are making man-resources executive who lives
tom versions of medications that professor of internal medicine at UT compounded GLP-1 drugs are regu- What to look for in Houston, has been taking a com-
are made by special pharmacies. Southwestern in Dallas. lated by state licensing boards. Scott Brunner, chief executive of pounded weight-loss drug for about
They’re gaining more attention, and The FDA has said it has received the Alliance for Pharmacy Com- six months. She says her insurance
not just for weight loss. Compounding ins and outs reports of adverse events after peo- pounding, which represents about wouldn’t cover the regular drugs.
Typically, people use compounded Many people think drugs coming ple took compounded semaglutide. 500 to 600 pharmacies, says it’s She pays about $295 a month to
drugs because the regular version is from compounding pharmacies are The agency also received reports of important to distinguish between buy the compounded form from a
in short supply or a patient needs a generic versions and are surprised some compounders using salt bad actors on the internet selling il- pharmacy recommended by her doc-
special formulation. Some com- to learn they aren’t. They also forms of semaglutide, which have licit substances and legitimate com- tor. She has lost about 45 pounds.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, SHUTTERSTOCK, ASSOCIATED PRESS
pounded drugs also cost less. With might not contain the same active different active ingredients than the pounding pharmacies. McMinn says she feels comfort-
weight-loss drugs, they cost a frac- ingredient as the FDA-approved approved drugs. To buy a drug directly from a com- able with sourcing the medication
tion of the more-than-$1,000-a- medications, Almandoz adds. “Poor compounding practices can pounding pharmacy, you need a pre- from an accredited compounding
month price tag for regular GLP-1s. Compounded drugs exist in a result in serious drug-quality prob- scription. This type of compounding pharmacy. “I also had more confi-
There are lots of legitimate, safe weird corner of the pharmaceutical lems, such as contamination or a pharmacy is regulated by state licens- dence knowing that my primary-
compounding pharmacies. However, world. The FDA allows pharmacies to drug that contains too much active ing boards. (There’s another category care physician—part of a large med-
with weight-loss drugs especially, make their own versions of medica- ingredient,” the FDA says on its of compound-making pharmacies ical hospital system here—endorsed
doctors, medical organizations and tions when there are shortages, as website. “This can lead to serious that distribute drugs to hospitals.) this particular pharmacy,” she says.
even the Food and Drug Adminis- there currently are with semaglutide, patient injury and death.” If you buy something marketed Her husband, Chris White, has
tration have warned that people the active ingredient in Ozempic and Novo Nordisk, which makes We- as, say, “research-grade sema- coverage to take a GLP-1 drug but is
need to be wary of bad actors sup- Wegovy, and tirzepatide, the main in- govy and Ozempic, has sued busi- glutide” online without a prescrip- unable to find it because of short-
plying fake or even dangerous prod- gredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound. nesses, including some compound- tion, that’s potentially dangerous. ages. He says he isn’t comfortable
ucts that could harm their health. However, the FDA doesn’t approve ing pharmacies, selling products “That’s not a compounded drug buying a compounded version and is
“We don’t know exactly what the the compounded medications, so the claiming to contain semaglutide. Eli and it’s not even a pharmacy,” says waiting until he can find the brand-
compounded products contain, what agency doesn’t verify their safety Lilly, which makes Zepbound and Brunner. name drug.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | A11
ARTS IN REVIEW
ART REVIEW Japan. A large-format hanging supplement the artworks without
Japanese Treasures
scroll, “Blossoming Plum Tree,” by diverting attention from them. In
Yamamoto Baiitsu (1783-1856) the most elaborate of these, a
threatens to overwhelm audiences touchscreen station outside of the
in inky sprays of firm branches Buddhist Temple Room, viewers
and tiny blossoms. Nearby, fans descend into a rendering of a clas-
Reopened galleries offer a grand view of the island nation’s art and history painted with landscapes in the sical temple as if in a videogame.
bunjinga scholarly As they select and rotate images
manner hang at mid- of seven carved Buddhist sculp-
BY MICHAEL J. HATCH chest level over a par- tures, touch points reveal icono-
tially unfurled hand- graphic meanings such as the
T
Boston scroll depicting a “wisdom-fist gesture” of a 12th-
he five Japa- bustling market in the century sculpture of Dainichi, Bud-
nese galleries early 19th-century sub- dha of Infinite Illumination. Fur-
of the Mu- urbs of Kyoto. ther touchpoints show recent
seum of Fine As curator Anne conservation discoveries like the
Arts, Boston, Nishimura Morse, who ink inscription of the Dainichi
reopened to has stewarded this col- sculpture’s interior, now fully legi-
the public on May 11 af- lection for nearly 40 ble through infrared reflectogra-
ter a nearly six-year hi- years, explained her phy. Primed with this knowledge,
atus. Many experts con- approach to me, viewers then enter the actual
sider Boston’s 100,000 “These [artworks] are Temple Room to experience the
Japanese artworks the meant to be seen in sculptures in a direct way, without
most comprehensive certain ways.” Artists screens or labels.
collection outside of and artisans designed To most, the Temple Room will
Japan, and historically these objects to be en- appear largely unchanged. Essen-
significant as well. The joyed by actual bodies tial updates to climate control,
late 19th-century Amer- and to encourage in- lighting, and object conservation
ican fascination with teractions between may have taken place here, yet the
Japanese culture had people on stage, in sculptures are the same ones ex-
its roots here, where temples, or over tea, hibited before renovations. As Ms.
Ernest Fenollosa experiences evoked Nishimura Morse explained, “I did
(1853-1908) and here through careful not want major changes because it
Okakura Kakuzō spatial organization has such strong memories for peo-
(1863-1913), the two and grouping. ple.” Having grown up with Bos-
most important early The other signifi- ton’s collection in the late 1990s, I
promoters of Japanese cant addition is the can attest to this. I remember this
culture abroad, once dedication of one gal- room as a refuge in which traces
served as curators. The cultural artworks shaped the social and Installation view of the renovated lery to the museum’s 50,000 Japa- of gilding on larger-than-life Bud-
and political network they built cultural lives of their owners. Buddhist Temple Room at the nese prints, to be shown in semi- dhist figures glittered in the low
between Japan and Boston en- At one end, three Nō theater Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. annual rotations. The current light, creating a nearly palpable
abled acquisitions of the highest robes reveal cascades of embroi- exhibit displays nearly 30, com- sense of wonder.
quality and importance, artworks dered or stenciled wisteria and pe- paring the work of contemporary Maintaining wonder is no easy
that went on to inspire American ony blossoms. To the left, the eyes among the arranged ceramics, lac- Japanese printmakers alongside feat, and Boston’s reinvestment in
Arts and Crafts artists in Boston of a carved and lacquered 18th- querware, and metal objects, as if that of their 19th-century prede- the strengths of its renowned Jap-
such as Arthur Wesley Dow and century theater mask stare out tea might be prepared for them cessors. Here viewers can under- anese collections shows its care
modernist writers like Ezra Pound. from below feathery inked eye- while they appreciate the 14th- stand how the mixture of poetic for long-term audience relation-
The newly refurbished galleries brows that define its wearer as a century Zen calligraphy and con- inscription and waterfowl in Mu- ships while speaking to the mu-
rise to the challenge this legacy young aristocratic woman. A video temporary bamboo flower basket nakata Shikō’s (1903-1975) “Hiro- seum’s most fundamental work,
poses, favoring intimate viewer ex- on the right demonstrates how the selected for the display alcove. shige’s Blue: The Color of Melan- the stewardship of culture. This
periences over gimmicks. gestures of the performers put At the gallery’s center, a large choly” draws on the composition care may be most evident in the
The central and largest gallery such textiles and carvings to full open space devoted to paintings of Utagawa Hiroshige’s (1797-1858) ritual prayers conducted in the
reveals the most profound effect. Around the corner, labels highlights differences in format “Flying Geese and Full Moon,” in Temple Room by monks from Mi-
changes. Since 1909, when the mu- accompanying an array of 18th- rather than typical visual themes which three long-necked birds de- idera Temple, Ōtsu, Japan, during
seum’s Huntington Avenue build- and 19th-century netsuke—cleverly or stylistic progressions. Benches scend in parallel formation past an the reopening events. A consecra-
ing opened, tapered timber col- worked miniature ivory, wood and placed before the six-panel folding inscribed Tang-dynasty Chinese tion occurs once, and though its
umns topped with wooden lacquer objects used by men as or- screen “Waves at Matsushima,” by poem about longing for home. sounds may no longer be audible
brackets have framed this room, namental fashion accessories—ex- Ogata Kōrin (1658-1716), situate The remaining three galleries to audiences, it remains present
MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON
simulating classical Japanese ar- plain how they would have pub- museumgoers at appropriate have been updated rather than re- nonetheless, underscoring the sa-
chitecture. Now a series of parti- licly signified style and taste for height to immerse them among configured. New labels throughout cred meaning of these sculptures
tion walls within these columns their original owners. the white-fingered waves that now engage audiences in a lighter within the otherwise secular mu-
creates two nested alcoves at ei- At the opposite end of this gal- thrash the feet of steep blue and question-and-answer style that seum space.
ther end of the gallery. Careful cu- lery, partitions cordon off a tea green isles in one of the most helps to break up extended histori-
ration in these intimate spaces en- room with tatami mats. The scene powerful examples of Rinpa school cal background into digestible Mr. Hatch teaches art history at
courages viewers to imagine how practically invites audiences to sit landscape painting outside of bites. Digital screens selectively Trinity College.
the fourth season of the ground co-founder returns to brian.kelly@wsj.com. ▶ Solve this puzzle online and discuss it at WSJ.com/Puzzles. S E P A N D E S S L E D
A12 | Tuesday, June 11, 2024 THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
SPORTS
JASON GAY his usual exquisite D. It’s a stark
reminder of the offensive talent
The Quiet Genius Taking the Boston Celtics he’s had to tamp down at times.
Also this: through two Finals
games, Holiday hasn’t forked over
If you need to win a basketball attack. Holiday has sacrificed the from 3-point range this season, stepped up in a more traditional out. Boston and Team USA have
game, however, Jrue Holiday is most. and this was a category where he way: scoring. On Sunday he led exactly what it takes to make it
precisely the kind of teammate He seems OK with it. While an- ranked among the league leaders, Boston with 26 points on 11-for-14 happen.
you want. other new Celtic, Kristaps Porzin- finishing eighth in the NBA. shooting, adding 11 rebounds to They have Jrue Holiday.
the league of unfair treatment. here is City, the former sad-sack up in the back of a London pub in deepest squads in soccer history. feel that his records in England
Nottingham Forest has also chal- team that turned into a juggernaut 1863. The charter, which formal- They didn’t do it to finish in sec- are in any danger of being
lenged the league’s authority by after being acquired by a member ized the breakaway of England’s ond place. scrubbed out.
claiming that referees were biased of Abu Dhabi’s royal family in top clubs from the structure which Tensions had been simmering “What’s going to happen is go-
against them, prompting an inves- 2008, hoping to do away with the had existed for more than a cen- between City and its rivals ever ing to happen,” he said this sea-
tigation from the English Football requirement that 14 of the 20 tury, transformed a dusty concern since the Premier League began son. “In this moment, we are inno-
Association. And Wolverhampton clubs agree on any prospective made up of local business owners trying to impose measures that cent until it’s proven.”
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | A13
OPINION
The Sliming of Byron Donalds BOOKSHELF | By Andrew Stuttaford
Be thankful
you didn’t
Society destroyed the black
family.
gether.’ ” The New Republic:
“Byron Donalds Cannot Stop
tive effects of the Great Soci-
ety weren’t limited to the
Those Crazy
Cosmonauts
have the week The Philadelphia Inquirer Praising the Jim Crow Era.” black community. Charles
Byron Don- first reported Mr. Donalds’s The outrage was fueled on Murray wrote a whole book
alds just had. remarks. But the reaction Twitter by the director of about how the War on Pov-
Mr. Don- reached a fever pitch when rapid response for the Biden erty’s expansion of the wel-
alds is an Af- the Biden campaign got into campaign, quickly followed fare state had devastating re-
MAIN
rican-Ameri- the act, tweeting this to Mr. by the Biden campaign itself. sults for America’s white
STREET
can Repub- Donalds: “A lot of people are By 10:22 a.m. the day after working class as well. These
The Wrong Stuff
By William
lican who offended that you would re- Mr. Donalds spoke, the Dem- include dysfunctions some- By John Strausbaugh
McGurn
represents peat Jim Crow three times, as ocratic National Committee times erroneously considered PublicAffairs, 272 pages, $30
Florida’s 19th if to suggest that was a time unique to poor African-Ameri-
O
Congressional District and is period to be nostalgic for.” cans: the collapse of family n Oct. 12, 1964, three smallish men, shrunk still more
now on the short list to be The Biden team tweet in- Twisting a black and marriage, dependency on by a strict diet, squeezed into an aluminum sphere 8
Donald Trump’s running mate. cluded the congressman’s de- government, and young male feet in diameter. Earlier in the year, Nikita Khrushchev
Which explains why over the nial. But it went on to say, Republican’s words alienation from work. learned that the Americans were planning to send the first
past week he has found him- “He did, in fact, say that.” about the black family The tragedy is that an hon- two-man capsule into orbit, and he wanted a Soviet trio in
self unfairly maligned as han- In fact, he didn’t say or est national debate might help space ahead of them. The red team had neither a three-man
kering for the old days of Jim suggest anything of the kind. during Jim Crow. clarify what went wrong and craft nor a rocket powerful enough to shoot such a craft into
Crow—the sordid racial caste Plainly what Mr. Donalds was what we ought to change to- space. The idea that they could quickly build both was ridicu-
system that reduced African- arguing is that as monstrous day. But the last thing Mr. lous, but not so ridiculous as thinking that the Soviet leader’s
Americans to second-class cit- and destructive as Jim Crow chairman had issued a state- Donalds’s Democratic critics demand could be ignored. So this particular sphere, a Vostok
izens and undergirded segre- was, it didn’t do the damage ment, followed an hour later want is an honest debate tailored for one (smallish) man, had been all but emptied out,
gation from a few years after to the African-American fam- by remarks on the floor by about the Great Society—es- given the minimum necessary refitting and relabeled Voskhod
the Civil War to the ily that the good intentions of House Minority Leader pecially within the black com- 1. The crew, according to author John Strausbaugh, had to do
mid-1960s. the Great Society did. Mr. Hakeem Jeffries. The NAACP munity. Mr. Donalds is an without bulky space suits and helmets and wore woolen lei-
It all started Tuesday, June Donalds was saying the black president and the Congres- added threat because he is a sure suits instead.
4. Mr. Donalds was in Phila- family was more intact during sional Black Caucus also potential vice presidential Sent on their way by an R-7, the Soviet space program’s
delphia as part of Republican Jim Crow, while his critics piled on. candidate at a time when Joe treacherously temperamental workhorse, Voskhod circled
outreach to black men. He was pretend he was saying these On Thursday Mr. Donalds Biden’s black support is slip- the Earth 16 times and returned home safely, much to the
visiting the city with his families were more intact be- went on MSNBC, where he ping. In 2020, Mr. Biden won relief of Sergei Korolev, the
friend Wesley Hunt—also an cause of Jim Crow. rightly objected to Joy Reid’s black voters 87% to 12%. But legendary “Chief Designer”
African-American Republican Nor is Mr. Donalds’s argu- characterization of his words. CNN’s polling average recently (his name was kept secret)
congressman—for an event ment new. Over the years She claimed he called Jim put his lead at 69% to 22%. who, more than anyone else,
called “Congress, Cognac, and variants have been expressed Crow a “golden era” for the Meanwhile, the congress- was responsible for triumphs
Cigars.” In the course of his by other black conservatives, black family. Mr. Donalds re- man isn’t backing down. from Sputnik to Yuri Gagarin’s
discussion, Mr. Donalds said from economist and Hoover plied that he was being gaslit, “Strong black two-parent flight into history as the first
this: Institution senior fellow and had merely stated that households are a great thing man in space. “Not for the
“During Jim Crow, the Thomas Sowell to the Jour- “during that time period the for the black community and first or last time,” writes Mr.
black family was together. nal’s Jason Riley in his book marriage rates of black Amer- our nation,” Mr. Donalds says. Strausbaugh in “The Wrong
During Jim Crow, more black “Please Stop Helping Us.” icans was significantly “It is an empirical fact that Stuff,” his brisk, rip-roaring
people were not just conser- Over the next few days, higher.” President Johnson’s Great So- account of the Soviet side of
vative—because black people outrageous headlines contin- As Brad Wilcox of the Insti- ciety was debilitating to the the space race, Korolev “had
have always been conserva- ued to twist Mr. Donalds’s tute for Family Studies says, institution of the black family. pried open the jaws of Defeat,
tive-minded—but more black words. The New York Times: “There is no question that Democrats who maliciously stuck his head in, reached all
people voted conservatively. “No, Byron Donalds, Jim Crow marriage was stronger in twisted my words last week the way down Defeat’s throat,
And then . . . Lyndon John- Didn’t Create Stronger Black black America prior to the are gaslighting you because and yanked out Victory.”
son—you go down that road, Families.” Politico: “Byron 1960s than it was after the they know their policies have Despite the occasional misfire—not the worst word to
and now we are where we Donalds expresses nostalgia 1960s.” been destructive of black use in this context—Mr. Strausbaugh’s style is appealingly
are.” for the Jim Crow era, when Mr. Donalds might have families.” sardonic, amusing and a touch gonzo. The author has a
Meaning that LBJ’s Great ‘the Black family was to- pointed out that the destruc- Write to mcgurn@wsj.com. sharp eye for the bizarre, which lends itself nicely to a
story of remarkable dysfunction and remarkable achieve-
ment, told against a background where the darkness is not
Alito Stands Falsely Accused of Candor But the differences between American astronauts and
Russian cosmonauts should not be overstated. To be sure, the
public image in America of the early astronauts was, as Mr.
By James Taranto justice as though she were a comes the key exchange: no mention of it. “Alito’s com- Strausbaugh writes, “bland.” They were depicted as clean-cut
religious conservative.” She Ms. Windsor: “I think it’s ments add to the controversy examples of how high (literally) an everyman could rise in
J
ustice Samuel Alito began met him by joining the Su- taking us to the brink of, you surrounding the conservative their society. But much the same could be said of Soviet
the week facing an accusa- preme Court Historical Soci- know, very serious and per- justice,” the magazine asserts, imagery of wholesome cosmonauts in their happy Soviet
tion of excessive candor. ety and buying a ticket to its haps, like, non-repairable rifts before rehearsing other recent homes. In reality, while Cape Canaveral was never Cape
Although the charge was lev- annual dinner last week (and in the country. And I for one attacks on him. But there’s no Fidelity, some cosmonauts, especially Gagarin and his succes-
eled by Rolling Stone magazine, also in 2023), where she sur- am someone, like—I support actual controversy, only a par- sor in space, Gherman Titov, took misbehavior much further,
it seemed plausible because he reptitiously recorded the con- your ruling on Dobbs. I sup- tisan pile-on. taking advantage of their celebrity and relative untouchability
is unusually outspoken for a versations. She posted the au- port, like—I am very pro-life, Ms. Windsor, now presum- to make up for their austere Soviet past, womanizing and
sitting jurist. But it’s a bum dio recordings to Twitter. but, like, you know, I don’t ably expressing her honest drinking on a scale so epic that it had room for farce
rap. In this instance, what Jus- know how we bridge that gap. view, tells the magazine: “One (Gagarin leaping or falling off a pretty nurse’s balcony to
tice Alito had to say was about You know, like, how do we get of the main drivers for me in escape his irate wife) and tragedy. Titov was involved in an
as interesting as a seminar on Rolling Stone tries to people—” this work is showing Ameri- incident somewhat reminiscent of the events at Chappa-
real-estate law. Justice Alito: “I wish I cans that we are at a cross- quiddick a few years later. It was, of course, covered up.
The magazine claims that make a scandal out of knew. I wish I knew. I don’t roads: Do we embrace the idea In January 1966, Korolev died at the age of 59, shortly
Justice Alito “spoke candidly surreptitiously taped know. It’s not—I don’t think of secular democracy and up- after a surgeon, bloodily botching a routine procedure in his
about the ideological battle it’s something we can do.” hold that tradition, or do we intestine, discovered a large malignant tumor and started
between the left and the anodyne remarks. Ms. Windsor: “But the start to transition into a hacking away. Korolev’s name was revealed to the wider
right—discussing the diffi- court can’t do anything to—” Christian theocracy?” world in his obituaries, although not even an oblique
culty of living ‘peacefully’ Justice Alito: “We have a Apparently she agrees that, reference to his suffering under Stalin was permitted.
with ideological opponents in She asks Justice Alito a very defined role. We need to as Rolling Stone put it, it’s The death of the Chief Designer may have been the
the face of ‘fundamental’ dif- series of leading questions, do what we’re supposed to do, difficult to live “ ‘peacefully’ moment at which the Soviets, already struggling—thanks, in
ferences that ‘can’t be com- to which he responds po- but this is a bigger problem. with ideological opponents in no small part, to bureaucratic in-fighting—finally lost the
promised.’ ” litely, expressing anodyne This is way above us. So I the face of ‘fundamental’ race to be first to put a man on the moon and, if only sym-
The “interlocutor,” Lauren views such as this: “American wish I knew the answer. I do.” differences that ‘can’t be bolically, much more than that. In the end, Sputnik and
Windsor, turned out to be ly- citizens in general need to That’s the only discussion compromised.’ ” At least she Gagarin turned out to be harbingers of a false new dawn,
ing to Justice Alito. Rolling work on this, to try to heal of jurisprudence in the 6½- didn’t lie about that. leaving only the Wrong Stuff behind.
Stone describes her as “a lib- this polarization, because it’s minute recording. The Rolling
eral documentary filmmaker” very dangerous. I do believe Stone article, which runs Mr. Taranto is the Jour- Mr. Stuttaford is the editor of National Review’s Capital
who “asked questions of the it’s very dangerous." Then more than 1,800 words, makes nal’s editorial features editor. Matters.
A14 | Tuesday, June 11, 2024 THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
OPINION
REVIEW & OUTLOOK LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
A Reckoning for Biden’s Labor Chief Does the GOP Want to Win With Larry Hogan?
Rather than demonize former agree, and it shouldn’t be respected.
P
resident Biden is using executive power along with the two other Democratic members
to change labor law to favor unions, and in the board’s 3-1 majority. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (“Lara Mr. Hogan’s attempt to placate his
Trump Denounces Larry Hogan,” state’s liberal population is nothing
his National Labor Relations Board Appellate courts have withering words for
Review & Outlook, June 5), the more than camouflage for his left-
(NLRB) has been the tip of his the NLRB’s recent turn. Over- Trump campaign should give him leaning tendencies.
spear. That’s why he wants the Reconfirming the NLRB turning the Stern Produce de- some leeway. He has a chance to turn No funds from the Republican
Senate to rush through the re- chair would extend a cision in March, Judge Ray- a Senate seat red in a deep-blue state. Party should be directed to the Hogan
nomination of a regulator who mond Randolph called the Suppose a Sen. Hogan would campaign. His presence in the Senate
might as well work for the lawless record. board’s reasoning “nonsense” support the policies of a President would be another sign of Republican
AFL-CIO. and scored the majority for Trump 75% of the time. This is better disunity and confusion of purpose.
The White House plans to twisting the law. than the 99% of the time his Demo- TIMOTHY MICHAEL
renominate Lauren McFerran to chair the NLRB, “Years ago the Board took an expansive view cratic opponent would support the Columbus, Ohio
hoping to keep her in the seat for another five of the scope of the Act,” he wrote, referring to Biden administration.
years. Her current term expires in December, the National Labor Relations Act that anchors To be effective as president, There is no such thing as a princi-
Mr. Trump would need Mr. Hogan in pled disagreement with Mr. Trump. If
but Mr. Biden wants the Senate to move fast. federal labor law. “Over time, it ‘presse[d] the
the Senate as part of a majority more one takes a position contrary to his,
She’ll need the support of at least 50 Democrats, rationale of that expansion to the limits of its than Mr. Hogan needs Mr. Trump as one is vilified, ridiculed and shunned,
and this might be a tough vote for some incum- logic.’” In other words, the NLRB has unbound president. In politics, sometimes regardless of the political conse-
bents running for re-election this year. itself to aid the interests of unions. expediency trumps loyalty. quences. While Mr. Trump presents
That’s because the agency has shed any ve- In that case as well as recent complaints PETER DODGE himself as the ultimate pragmatist, in
neer of fairness during her tenure, trampling against Home Depot and others, the NLRB board St. Augustine, Fla. truth he is the ultimate egoist.
the rights of small and large businesses. A series reversed a previous ruling by one of its own ad- TIM KELLY
of rulings since 2021 have stretched the protec- ministrative law judges who had ruled for the Your editorial is off-base. Mr. Hogan Naples, Fla.
tions in labor law wide enough to make workers company. Progressives used to blast GOP-ma- is a RINO of the first magnitude. If
virtually unfireable, as long as they belong to jority boards for overruling the agency’s sup- elected, he would join the other Maybe Ms. Trump is using a varia-
Senate RINOs who regularly are tion on the trick that Democrats use:
a union or wish to join one. posedly neutral jurists. Now the board’s Demo-
a herd of cats. Attack the Republican and watch him
One target of the NLRB’s abuse is Stern Pro- crats have gone so far that even career Ms. Trump’s comment was right collect more votes from Democrats
duce, a grocery distributor in Arizona. In 2021 employees want to rein them in. on target. The Trump verdict in and independents.
the company issued a warning to two of its driv- Congress has noted the shift, and even some New York is ludicrous, as most legal JOSEPH A. CAPONE
ers for serious workplace violations: covering Democrats believe the agency has swung too far. scholars and respected trial attorneys Oakton, Va.
up a surveillance camera, and a threatening joke Sens. Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema and Angus
about a colleague’s sexual orientation. Both em- King joined Republicans in voting to rescind the
ployees admitted to their actions, but Ms. Mc- NLRB’s recent joint-employer rule, which breaks
Ferran ruled that the company’s warnings were precedent to help unions organize franchise They Don’t Ask for Your ID Outside the Mall
illegal intimidation because the two workers businesses. President Biden vetoed the biparti-
had tried to unionize years earlier. san Congressional Review Act resolution and let In “Enlist the App Stores to Pro- verification at entry to app stores is
tect Kids Online” (op-ed, June 1), Joel the equivalent of ID’ing a customer
Dozens of rulings fit the same pattern, with the harmful rule take effect.
Thayer argues that lawmakers should attempting to enter a shopping mall
the NLRB tearing up the rights of businesses or i i i
force app stores to verify users’ ages because one store inside is selling
non-union workers. Its 2023 Cemex ruling is Mr. Biden has timed his appointments to the to stop children from accessing cigarettes, but it doesn’t want to ID
among the most destructive, making it easier labor board to minimize resistance. He broke social-media platforms. It is correct customers itself for fear of the
for unions to gain recognition without winning with tradition by not choosing a Republican to that social-media companies have related liability.
workers’ support on a secret ballot. Ms. McFer- fill an open seat when the previous chairman, designed harmful platforms and As the op-ed points out, age-verifi-
ran called the new standard “free and fair, and picked by President Trump, retired in 2022. In- algorithms that are dangerous to cation technology is available. Social-
efficient,” but not so much for employers, nor stead Mr. Biden waited until now to select a Re- children. But age-gating app stores media platforms could enable parents
the workers who will be pressured to join publican at the same time he has renominated is a barely concealed effort by social- to block access to their apps by de-
unions against their will. Ms. McFerran. He hopes presenting the two as media companies to point the finger fault. Additionally, lawmakers in
These decisions send a clear message to em- a package will make it easier for vulnerable at anyone but themselves. some states, frustrated that social-
This solution wouldn’t stop chil- media giants have failed to make
ployers: Roll over for union activists, or the Democrats to approve Ms. McFerran.
dren from reaching harmful social- their apps safer for children, have
NLRB will turn any management decision into It’s an offer the Senate should refuse. Reap- media platforms. For example, in- passed legislation mandating that
a labor violation. That strategy was made ex- proving the sitting chairman would be business stead of downloading Facebook from social-media platforms use age-verifi-
plicit by Jennifer Abruzzo, whom President Bi- as usual in a Senate that has whooped through an app store, an underage user could cation technology. It’s important that
den appointed as general counsel in 2021 and too many of Mr. Biden’s progressive nominees. simply open up a web browser on any lawmakers take steps to protect our
who took office with a list of employer protec- The economy and the rights of workers will suf- phone, tablet or computer and type in kids on social-media platforms. Let’s
tions she vowed to overturn. Ms. McFerran has fer if Ms. McFerran is confirmed again after her www.facebook.com. make sure we get it right.
rubber stamped this agenda in her rulings, demonstrably lawless record. Mr. Thayer uses the example of a DOUG COLLINS
bricks-and-mortar shop asking for ID Gainesville, Ga.
from a customer attempting to buy Mr. Collins, a Republican, was a
United Nations, Climate Censor cigarettes. It’s an apt metaphor but
incorrectly applied. Requiring age
U.S. representative for Georgia’s ninth
district, 2013-21.
T
he United Nations has lousy ideas about might worry about the forced labor of Uyghurs
nearly everything these days, but some- in Xinjiang.
times even Turtle Bay outdoes itself. In the U.S. the First Amendment protects Next-Gen Weapons Won’t Win Today’s Wars
Secretary-General Antonio Gu- freedom of speech, and the David Gompert rightly points out conflict with a peer adversary.
terres did that last week when The Secretary-General Supreme Court has said that that “Keeping Ahead of China Requires In the 1980s, when the U.S. defense
he said countries should ban wants to ban advertising includes commercial speech. Investment in Military R&D” (op-ed, industry made major technological
advertising for fossil fuels. Mr. Guterres tried to analo- May 30). But the most important breakthroughs in areas such as
“Many in the fossil fuel in- by fossil-fuel companies. gize a fossil-fuel advertising imbalance in China’s favor isn’t in stealth technology, we spent twice as
dustry have shamelessly ban to restrictions on market- technology, but capacity. much on procurement as we did on
For example, China’s fleet is now R&D. Now we spend almost as much
greenwashed—even as they ing tobacco and other “prod-
bigger than ours. The Chinese have on R&D as we do on procurement.
have sought to delay climate action,” Mr. Gu- ucts that harm human health.” But tobacco and been engaged in a massive buildup R&D spending has also been in-
terres said. “I urge every country to ban adver- alcohol are illegal for minors in the U.S. and of munitions while the U.S. military creasing at a much faster rate than
tising from fossil-fuel companies. And I urge other countries. Fossil fuels remain a legal and is dangerously low on the precision- procurement spending. Consider that
news media and tech companies to stop taking regulated resource that supplies 60% of U.S. guided munitions it would need in a over fiscal years 2021-23, R&D
fossil-fuel advertising.” electric power. spending increased by $34 billion
“Greenwashing” is the word climate alarmists In 2024, Mr. Guterres has visited Oman, Ku- while procurement of ships, planes
use to attack anyone who disagrees with them. wait, New York, Nairobi, Bahrain, Santiago, Trump Supporters Work and munitions increased by only
Mr. Guterres lacks the power to enforce an adver- Brussels, Egypt, Jordan, Switzerland, and St. $18 billion.
And Give to Charity Too R&D is important, and we’ll still do
tising restriction, and thank goodness. But he is Vincent and Grenadines, and more. Does his
using his bully pulpit to call for what amounts to plane fly on solar power? By taking sides, Peggy Noonan plenty of it, but new spending in the
undercuts her argument that near term needs to be focused on
global censorship of anyone speaking on behalf The U.N.’s climate advocates are losing the
Republicans and Democrats shouldn’t buying larger quantities of weapons
of the industry that supplies most of the world’s argument because their alarmism isn’t matched demonize each other (“We Are Start- systems that already exist. The next
energy. He wants to censor anyone who doesn’t by solutions that democratic voters are willing ing to Enjoy Hatred,” Declarations, war might not wait until the next-
sign up to the U.N. climate agenda. to accept, or that would do much about global June 1). “The elites who oppose generation weapons are ready in the
Has he heard of freedom of speech and temperatures, no matter what you think of the Trump,” she writes, “attend fundraisers 2030s.
press? Then again, this is the fellow who in- science. Take a look at the wipeout of the for hospitals and libraries. . . . They WILSON BEAVER
dulges China and Vietnam on the Human Rights greens in Europe’s weekend elections. Censor- are among the hardest working people Heritage Foundation
Council, so maybe he doesn’t care. If he did he ship is so much easier than persuasion. in America. . . . They run the institu- Washington
tions you’ll rely on if you have a heart
attack on the sidewalk or a story that
The Fall of Germany’s Greens needs exposing or a court case that
needs taking.”
Who’s Locking Up Whom?
In his letter “The Shoe on the
Whether or not this is a convincing
I
f the big story of this weekend’s European The larger explanation for the Green Party corrective to the charge of elitism is
Other Foot” (June 4), Ken Valero
Parliament elections is that voters are flop is flagging voter interest in climate suggests that President Trump would
open to question. But, in attempting
drifting right, one question is why they’re change—and exasperation with the costs of have acted with less decorum than
to be evenhanded, Ms. Noonan omits
drifting from parties of the Green policies. Five years ago, President Biden did were their posi-
a comparable corrective to the Demo-
left. In Germany it’s more like Voters are souring on climate ranked among the top cratic view of Trump supporters as
tions reversed, with the former in
power and the latter on trial. But this
a stampede as that country’s the costs of net-zero voter concerns. A pandemic, “toothless, smelly Walmart shoppers.”
isn’t a hypothetical.
Green Party emerged as the European war, energy-price I give to charities, read books, write
When incontrovertible evidence
biggest loser. climate policies. crisis and inflation wave reviews, study ancient Greek and, like
arose that Secretary of State Hillary
The Greens, one of three later, not so much. Security so many other Republicans who sup-
Clinton had mishandled classified
port Donald Trump, have all my teeth.
parties in Berlin’s governing policy and immigration now documents, Mr. Trump in his usual
HELAINE L. SMITH
coalition, won 11.9% of the vote for Germany’s top the list of voter priorities. New York
style led chants of “lock her up.”
96 seats in the EU Parliament, compared to Voters have noticed that the Green promise When elected president, however,
a combined 30% for the center-right Christian of affordable renewable energy is as distant as Mr. Trump didn’t prosecute her. That
showed the kind of judgment and
Democratic Union and Christian Social Union ever. Crucial German industries such as autos NYC Gets What It Wanted decorum to which President Biden
(CDU/CSU) which are in opposition in Berlin. and chemicals are struggling under sky-high en-
While your editorial’s criticism of and his allies can only aspire.
This is down from the Greens’ 20.5% share in ergy prices and anti-carbon regulations. This Alvin Bragg’s priorities is on target STEPHEN W. HOUGHTON II
the 2019 European Parliament elections and election also is a sign that many voters may (“While Bragg Was Having a Trump New York
the 15% the party took in national elections share the frustrations of farmers who took to Trial . . . ,” June 3), he didn’t run for
in 2021. the streets last winter to protest climate-based Manhattan district attorney on a
Turnout was higher this year than in 2019, tax increases on cars and fuel. tough-on-crime theme. He ran on the
so that steep drop in vote share means the This marks a stunning reversal for Robert theme of prosecuting Donald Trump.
Pepper ...
Greens lost an enormous number of voters. Habeck and Annalena Baerbock, the most senior There was no bait and switch. Joe And Salt
Their tally this weekend was nearly three mil- Green politicians in Mr. Scholz’s administration. Biden campaigned for president to
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
lion shy of their count in 2019. Their support Mr. Habeck is minister for the economy and cli- unite our divided country—now that
among voters under age 30 has all but col- mate protection and Ms. Baerbock is foreign was bait and switch.
You ask, “Is this what the people
lapsed, to a 12% share, down 19 percentage minister, and for a time they were the most
want from their government?”
points from 2019, according to exit polls. popular politicians in Germany. Apparently, for the good people
Part of this is German fatigue with the na- The consequences of this election shock of Manhattan, it is.
tional coalition government led by Olaf Scholz may extend beyond Germany. Voters across HENRY BARRON
of the Social Democratic Party (SPD). The SPD’s Europe this weekend turned to parties that are Denver, N.C.
vote share fell nearly two percentage points to disinclined to sacrifice economic security to-
13.9%, and the party tallied some 370,000 fewer day for the speculative future benefit from
Letters intended for publication should
votes than in 2019. Of the three governing par- costly net-zero climate policies. That this hap- be emailed to wsj.ltrs@wsj.com. Please
ties only the Free Democrats (FDP) improved pened in the European Union’s largest country include your city, state and telephone
their absolute vote count, although not enough is a warning to Brussels to back off its own number. All letters are subject to
to stave off a small decline in their vote share green agenda. America’s Democrats may also editing, and unpublished letters cannot “And then one day you learn
be acknowledged.
given higher turnout. want to pay attention. that all that glitters is not glitter.”
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | A15
OPINION
T
he 2015 Paris Agreement
aspired to “reduce the
and disruption of rapid decarbon-
ization are immediate and substan-
tial. The world has many more ur-
Debate
risks and impacts of cli-
mate change” by elimi-
nating greenhouse-gas
gent needs, including the provision
of reliable and affordable energy to
all. It’s therefore likely that Downs’s
Hamas
emissions in the latter half of this Phase IV will begin as “climate fa-
century. The centerpiece of the tigue” sets in, “climate action” By Gary Saul Morson
strategy was a global transition to fades into the background, and pub- And Morton Schapiro
low-emission energy systems. lic attention shifts to a different
‘H
After nearly a decade, it’s timely perceived threat (such as artificial ave you ever met anyone
to ask how that energy transition is intelligence). This would be fol- who lives in Gaza?” A
progressing and how it might fare lowed by the long twilight of Phase friend posed the question
in the future. A useful framework V, when the issue of decarboniza- when one of us argued that the
for that assessment is the “issue at- tion flares sporadically, but the as- death of Palestinian civilians is the
tention cycle” described in 1972 by sociated regulations and institu- price that must be paid in a war that
E
urope’s elites have been hud- especially by Muslims, led the poll put a brake on the self-destructive Britain to leave the EU was a key not only to those nearby.
dling in a defensive crouch to with almost 32%. President Emman- race to net-zero carbon emissions reason for Brexit. He has been flay- Tolstoy believed the opposite: We
shield themselves pre-emp- uel Macron’s Renaissance party and address Europe’s chronic struc- ing the Tories under Rishi Sunak for owe the greatest responsibility to
tively from what they regard as the scored less than half that. The polit- tural economic problems. failing to deal with immigration, for our family and friends, somewhat
catastrophe of a looming second ical shock was so great, with Ms. Le The big losers everywhere were its green obsessions and for produc- less to our neighbors and fellow citi-
Donald Trump presidency. From Pen now firmly established as favor- the Green parties, which lost 21 of ing socialist-level taxation and zens, and much less to abstract peo-
their chancelleries, newsrooms, aca- ite in the 2027 presidential election, their 73 European seats, providing spending. ple we know little about. Responsi-
demic common rooms and plush colorful confirmation of the progres- He may not win a seat because of bility works by concentric circles. It
corporate and bureaucratic corner sives’ retreat everywhere. an electoral system that punishes never disappears, but it diminishes
offices, they have watched with hor- Elites worry about the rise What about the U.K., that former small parties, but his influence over with distance.
ror political trends on this side of European Union member that has its an annihilated postelection Conser- There is no easy way to resolve
the Atlantic. They can’t believe that of right-wing populism in own national election on July 4? vative Party may grow dramatically this or similar disputes. Does it mat-
instead of gratefully returning Joe America. Now the problem Isn’t the Conservative Party about to It was said of the 1848 revolu- ter that Hamas uses Gazans as hu-
Biden and his enlightened Demo- be crushed by Labour—which is tions in Europe—when sundry liber- man shields? How much collateral
crats for four more years of the has hit closer to home. thoroughly green, woke and global- als, socialists and nationalists tried damage is acceptable in a hostage
green revolution, vast increases in ist—in what polls suggest may be but failed to overthrow the anciens rescue, like the one just completed?
state spending and further devotion the biggest defeat for the Tories régimes of the Continent—that Eu- Is it worth considering that on Oct.
to the modern religion of diversity, that Mr. Macron stunned the coun- since their founding nearly 200 rope, unlike America 70 years ear- 7 Hamas not only murdered civilians
equity and inclusion, American vot- try by announcing immediate par- years ago? lier, had reached a turning point and but also raped and mutilated them?
ers from no-name places between liamentary elections ahead of the True, but look beyond who will failed to turn. Perhaps Europe, emu- Or that it has announced an inten-
New York and California may suc- Paris Olympics next month. His step through the door of 10 Downing lating America this time, is now tion to do the same whenever cir-
ceed again in placing in the White thinking seemed to be that by Street on July 5. A tectonic shift is turning after all. cumstances allow? If one refrains
House the man these Continental translating the right’s victory in from the collateral damage needed
elites regard as the greatest threat elections to a largely impotent Eu- to eliminate Hamas, is one responsi-
to democracy ever.
But it turns out that it isn’t the
American electorate our cultured Eu-
ropean Union Parliament into con-
trol of a legislatively meaningful na-
tional Parliament, he might manage
Congestion Pricing and ble for the deaths likely to happen
as a result?
On the other hand, doesn’t the
ropean friends most have to fear. It’s
their own people. It isn’t the loud-
mouthed New Yorker with his de-
to expose their lack of governing ca-
pability in the run-up to 2027. It’s a
high-risk bet.
Kathy Hochul’s Whims killing of innocent civilians, even
when necessary, brutalize a people?
In Jewish tradition, one shouldn’t
plorable views on fossil fuels, immi- In Germany the Social Democratic By Joe Colangelo new routes. Ms. Hochul’s reversal celebrate the drowning of Pharoah’s
gration and national security, but Party of Chancellor Olaf Scholz was means my company has wasted time armies in the Red Sea because they,
the rising tide of populist leaders in roundly rejected, as were his green Cranford, N.J. and resources. too, were God’s children.
N
their own countries that pose the and liberal coalition allies. The right ow that Gov. Kathy Hochul has The change is mystifying. Why But remembering that one’s ene-
largest threat to Europe’s comfort- wing Alternative for Germany made announced an indefinite pause would New York do all that work only mies are human doesn’t have to
able establishment. big gains, as did the center-right to New York City’s congestion to scrap the program at the last min- make one soft. The proverb “to un-
The past weekend’s elections for Christian Democrats. In Spain Prime pricing, many drivers doubtless are ute? Will the governor change her derstand is to forgive” gets it wrong.
the European Parliament provided Minister Pedro Sánchez’s Socialist rejoicing and public-transit advocates mind again in a few months? The deci- Sometimes getting to know people
the clearest evidence yet that large Party was beaten into second place are licking their wounds. I’d like to sion undermines years of planning and makes it less easy to sympathize
numbers of voters have had enough by the mainstream conservatives, share another perspective as a busi- research and leaves state leaders with them.
of the bipartisan progressive-green- but again populist right-wing parties ness owner affected by the change. scrambling to fill a new budget hole. The truth is that not everyone is
secularist-globalist consensus under made the biggest advances. The only Some of the plan’s critics had a How many other businesses were plan- redeemable. Think of the Nazi lead-
which they have been governed for incumbent major European leader point about its flaws. But the policy ning for traffic-pattern changes? How ers and the Khmer Rouge. Yet even
years. France, Germany, Spain, Italy not to see her party trounced was was poised to provide a crucial cash many people sold their cars or moved? their followers surely included some
and smaller countries saw huge ad- Giorgia Meloni, whose populist infusion for the Metropolitan Trans- misguided people who imagined
vances by parties of the right that Brothers of Italy is already the main portation Authority and reduce city they were acting for the greater
oppose mass immigration, reject ex- governing party. traffic by an estimated 17%. The gov- The plan had flaws, but good.
treme climate measures and resist Much of the media—on both sides ernor’s sudden cancellation of the Such moral questions aren’t sim-
the continuing dissolution of their of the Atlantic—has reacted with policy has left many questioning its the biggest problem for ple. War almost always involves
broader implications. New York businesses is the tragedy for the innocent, but it is of-
I operate Boxcar, a business-class ten necessary. France now regards it
commuter bus line that serves New sudden changes in rules. as a mistake that it didn’t use vio-
PUBLISHED SINCE 1889 BY DOW JONES & COMPANY Jersey residents who travel into lence to prevent the Rwandan geno-
Lachlan Murdoch Manhattan. Our business had to cide. Still, it is all too easy to excuse
Executive Chairman, News Corp adapt to many arbitrary rules during Companies can succeed in good military intervention as inevitable.
Rupert Murdoch Robert Thomson
Chairman Emeritus, News Corp Chief Executive Officer, News Corp Covid, but in recent years, things and bad economies, in onerous and One needs to think seriously and ju-
Emma Tucker Almar Latour have been steady. As the pandemic laissez-faire regulatory environ- diciously when the lives of many
Editor in Chief Chief Executive Officer and Publisher subsided, commuters showed greater ments. The death knell for invest- hang in the balance.
Liz Harris, Managing Editor DOW JONES MANAGEMENT: willingness to pay for comfortable ment is an unpredictable, whims- Regardless of what policy one fa-
Charles Forelle, Deputy Editor in Chief Mae M. Cheng, EVP, General Manager, and safe rides into the city. based rule-making process, which vors on a given occasion, it should
Elena Cherney, Senior Editor; David Crow, Leadership; David Cho, Barron’s Editor in Chief;
Executive Editor; Chip Cummins, Newswires; Jason P. Conti, General Counsel, Chief
We didn’t lobby for congestion makes it almost impossible to plan be clear that the shouting of slo-
Taneth Evans, Associate Editor; Brent Jones, Compliance Officer; Dianne DeSevo, Chief People pricing, but once the rules were set, for the future. gans, some of which call for indis-
Culture, Training & Outreach; Alex Martin, Print Officer; Jared DiPalma, Chief Financial Officer; I followed the rollout closely. I ex- Boxcar will be OK in the long run, criminate killing, is itself an immoral
& Writing; Michael W. Miller, Features & Artem Fishman, Chief Technology Officer;
pected to see higher demand for our but such market unpredictability is approach to complex moral dilem-
Weekend; Prabha Natarajan, Professional Products; David Martin, Chief Revenue Officer, Business
Bruce Orwall, Enterprise; Philana Patterson, Intelligence; Dan Shar, EVP, General Manager, services as new riders sought to unhelpful. I’ve never asked for any mas.
Audio; Amanda Wills, Video Wealth & Investing; Ashok Sinha, SVP, Head of avoid the $15-a-day charge. I also ex- special rules, but I’d like at the very
Communications; Josh Stinchcomb, EVP & Chief pected to be able to offer faster com- least if our elected officials could be Mr. Morson is a professor of
Paul A. Gigot Revenue Officer, WSJ | Barron’s Group;
Editor of the Editorial Page Sherry Weiss, Chief Marketing Officer
mutes. straight with us about what the rules Slavic literature at Northwestern
Gerard Baker, Editor at Large
EDITORIAL AND CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS:
We worked hard to prepare for the are. University. Mr. Schapiro is a profes-
1211 Avenue of the Americas, New York, N.Y., 10036 rollout by investing in new capacity, sor of economics and president
Telephone 1-800-DOWJONES additional marketing and research on Mr. Colangelo is CEO of Boxcar. emeritus at Northwestern.
A16 | Tuesday, June 11, 2024 * *** THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
WORLD NEWS
Child-Sex Trade
Rises, Alarming
Medellín Leaders
Once world’s cocaine springlike climate has, since
the pandemic, lured an influx
capital, Colombian of foreigners, among them
city is battling the tech entrepreneurs, digital no-
mads and foreign retirees.
exploitation of minors The appeal of a safer city
also attracts sex tourists, who
BY KEJAL VYAS come here searching for un-
would have been within earshot. and foreign media into the
The broadcast began with North. Pyongyang reupped its
the South Korean national an- aerial campaign.
them. A news anchor deliv- That prompted Sunday’s
ered reports that the U.S., loudspeaker broadcast, which
South Korea and Japan had also featured a reference to
condemned the Kim regime’s South Korea’s Samsung Elec-
missile tests and military co- tronics being a popular smart-
operation with Russia. And phone brand around the world.
then there was K-pop. Within hours, Kim’s youn-
One of the BTS hits chosen ger sister, Kim Yo Jong, North
was 2020’s “Dynamite,” which Korea’s go-to critic of the U.S.
WATER POWER: Women sought relief Monday at a tap in Prayagraj, India, where daily highs have been exceeding 110 degrees. has racked up nearly two bil- and South Korea, warned of a
lion views on YouTube and “new counteraction” should
SUDAN INDIA MALAWI SWITZERLAND topped the Billboard Hot 100 the transmissions continue.
list. BTS, short for Bangtan So- K-pop, in particular, has
Displaced People Leading Ministers Vice President’s Peace Conference nyeondan, or “Bulletproof Boy served as a barometer for re-
Exceed 12 Million Retain Their Posts Plane Is Missing Set for Weekend Scouts,” is a seven-member lations between the North and
The number of internally India’s Narendra Modi, A military plane carrying Nearly 90 countries and band whose fans worldwide South—and is a sore spot for
displaced people in Sudan newly sworn in for a third Malawi‘s vice president and organizations, half from Eu- officially dub themselves the Kim Jong Un, who wants to
has reached more than 10 term, named a cabinet Mon- nine others went missing rope, have confirmed attend- “ARMY.” Sung in English, the limit exposure to the outside
million, the U.N.’s Interna- day that left the top four Monday, the president’s of- ing the Swiss-hosted Ukraine “Dynamite” tune includes ref- world inside his impoverished
tional Organization for Migra- ministries in the same hands fice said. The plane carrying peace summit over the week- erences to the basketball star country. In 2015, after loud-
tion told the Associated despite his Hindu nationalist 51-year-old Vice President end, Switzerland’s president LeBron James, King Kong and speakers boomed out several
Press on Monday, while more party’s having unexpectedly Saulos Chilima left the south- said Monday. However, Rus- the Rolling Stones. “So watch songs by the girl group Girls’
than two million other people lost its majority. Subrahman- ern African nation’s capital, sia won’t be there. me bring the fire,” the lyrics Generation, Kim declared a
have been driven abroad, yam Jaishankar remains ex- Lilongwe, at 9:17 a.m. but Moscow hasn’t been in- go, “and set the night alight.” “semi-war state” and ordered
mostly to neighboring Chad, ternal affairs minister, Amit failed to land as scheduled vited but says it wouldn’t The two Koreas—which tech- North Korea to fire artillery
South Sudan and Egypt. The Shah home minister, Nirmala around 45 minutes later at have attended anyway as the nically remain at war with one shells near the border.
IOM said the internally dis- Sitharaman finance minister Mzuzu International Airport, conference is based on the
placed include 2.8 million who and Rajnath Singh defense about 230 miles to the north. peace proposals of Ukrainian
fled their homes before the minister. Aviation authorities lost President Volodymyr Zel-
current war began. Sudan has After landslide wins in 2014 contact when the plane went ensky that Russia rejects.
a population of 47 million. and 2019, Modi’s Bharatiya Ja- off radar, according to Mala- President Viola Amherd
Sudan’s latest conflict be- nata Party this time won just wian President Lazarus Chak- told reporters that the sum-
gan last year when tensions 240 seats in the lower house wera’s office. The president mit, on Saturday and Sunday,
between the leaders of the of Parliament, well short of canceled a trip to the Baha- will seek to chart a path to-
military and the paramilitary the 272 needed for a majority. mas and ordered a search- ward possible peace nearly 28
Rapid Support Forces ex- But the combined total for and-rescue operation, his of- months after Russian forces
ploded into open fighting in the BJP and other members fice said. invaded Ukraine. Most partici-
IM SUN-SUK/YONHAP/ASSOCIATED PRESS
the capital, Khartoum, and of the National Democratic Al- Chilima had been arrested pants will be top country
elsewhere in the country. The liance coalition is 293 seats, in late 2022 on corruption leaders, she said, with about
war has wrecked Sudan, killing enough to form a government charges over allegations of half represented at the head-
more than 14,000 people and with Modi at the helm. influence peddling, but the of-state or head-of-govern-
wounding thousands of others, This is the first time the prosecutors surprisingly ment level, and “a handful”
while pushing its population to BJP under Modi has needed dropped them last month. from organizations like the
the brink of famine. The IOM support from its regional allies That led to criticism that United Nations. French Presi-
said less than one-fifth of the to form a government after a Chakwera’s administration dent Emmanuel Macron and
funds it has sought for the re- decade of commanding the wasn’t taking a hard enough German Chancellor Olaf
sponse have been delivered. majority in India’s Parliament. stance against graft. Scholz are expected to attend. A balloon, presumably sent by North Korea and carrying
—Associated Press —Associated Press —Associated Press —Associated Press trash, landed Monday in a field in Incheon, South Korea.
BUSINESS & FINANCE
© 2024 Dow Jones & Company. All Rights Reserved.
6,000
Food at home
ing out more than ever, the
restaurant business is emerg-
ing as the hottest corner of
restaurant spending, analysts
say. Single households are less
likely to grocery shop than
and up 10 percentage points
from 2003, according to the
U.S. Agriculture Department’s
Bailey Mack, a 32-year-old
resident of Louisville, Ky., who
works in business development,
U.S. Strike
retail real estate. families. Economic Research Service. almost always ate home-cooked
4,000 Food services accounted for It is a far cry from the Total restaurant sales have dinners growing up. Restau- BY PAUL BERGER
more than 19% of all retail depths of the pandemic, when never been higher. They are rants were for special occa-
2,000 leases last year, rising in re- tens of thousands of restau- on track to top $1.1 trillion sions like birthdays or when Dockworkers at America’s
cent years to the highest pro- rants permanently closed. Four this year, a 5.4% increase from family from out of town visited. East Coast and Gulf Coast sea-
portion for any category since years later, robust restaurant 2023’s record high, according As an adult, she still con- ports canceled labor talks that
0 data firm CoStar Group began leasing has helped power the to the National Restaurant sidered dining out an expen- were due to start this week
2000 ’05 ’10 ’15 ’20 tracking the statistic in 2007. retail-real-estate sector to its Association. sive treat. Then the pandemic and raised the possibility of a
Note: Includes Supplemental Nutrition The uptick reflects how strongest position in years. Money spent on dining out hit. When restaurants re- strike later this year at some
Assistance Program and Special Supplemental Americans are spending more “It has definitely come as a has been rising for years. In opened, Mack met with of the country’s biggest trade
Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and time and money at restaurants, surprise,” said Brandon Svec, 2018, the average household friends at her neighborhood gateways.
Children purchases, as well as food purchased by
government through social-assistance programs from fine-dining hot spots to national director of U.S. retail spent slightly more money burger-and-fries joint and The International Long-
Source: USDA-Economic Research Service fast-casual chains. Low unem- analytics for CoStar. “We dining out for the first time Please turn to page B11 shoremen’s Association can-
celed talks set for Tuesday in
Newark, N.J., to protest the
A Evolution.....................................B10 O
Fund
AE Industrial Partners......B4
Allianz...............................................B3
AMC Entertainment.............B1
G
GameStop......................................B1
General Mills...........................B10
OpenAI............................................B4
P
Paramount Global..................B1
Investors
Exit Memes
American Airlines................B12 GoodLeap......................................B6
Anglo American....................B12 R
I
A.P. Moller-Maersk...............B2 Red Lobster...............................B11
Apple..................................................A1 Ikea......................................................B1
Regis Resources...................B10
Aptera Motors...........................A1 K Richemont..................................B12
ARK Investment Kraft Heinz................................B10 Continued from page B1
S
Management...........................B1 L ments, which has recently
Skydance Media.......................B1 launched funds with AI and
B LVMH Moët Hennessy Southwest Airlines.............B11
BHP..................................................B12 Louis Vuitton.......................B12 GLP-1 themes.
StepStone.....................................B6
Boxabl...............................................A1 Mazza closed Roundhill’s
M T meme-stock ETF last year, in
BUSINESS NEWS
screen to appear on
central display; no
Volvo shares fell as much as
3.4% in early trading in Stock-
holm on Monday, but finished
tended driver information and
infotainment,” the company
said Monday.
Opposed
reports of accidents
with a gain of 2.2% at 36.50
kronor, equivalent to $3.46.
The company last year de-
No other Volvo models are
affected, and the issue will be
fixed through an over-the-air
By Norway
BY DOMINIC CHOPPING
STOCKHOLM—Volvo Car
has recalled all of its new fully
layed the launch of its flagship
electric SUV, the EX90, to
mid-2024, due to software
bugs as it implements new
software update. There have
been no reports of related ac-
cidents or personal injuries, it
added.
Fund
electric EX30 sport-utility ve- and increasingly advanced Björn Annwall, the com- BY ELIOT BROWN
IMAGO/ZUMA PRESS
hicles after discovering a bug technology into its cars. pany’s chief commercial offi-
in its display software. “Internal investigations cer and deputy chief execu- Norway’s $1.6 trillion sov-
The Swedish automaker be- have identified a potential is- tive, said earlier this month ereign-wealth fund said it is
gan delivering the new model sue on EX30 cars, which can that the EX30 has quickly be- voting against Elon Musk’s
in late 2023 but is now recall- result in a test screen being come one of the bestselling Volvo, which began delivering the fully electric EX30 in late $46 billion pay package at
ing the nearly 72,000 cars it displayed on the center dis- fully-electric cars in Europe. 2023, is now recalling all of the nearly 72,000 it has produced. Tesla.
Norges Bank Investment
Management, the central
BY MEGAN GRAHAM
CLEMENS BILAN/EPA/SHUTTERSTOCK
amount, which would take sev-
eral weeks, before moving for-
ward with a bid, said some of
Continued from page B1 the people. Bain’s investment
and whether other potential committee would also have to
bidders can arrange the neces- approve a formal bid.
sary financing. Bronfman has held high-pro-
A sale of National Amuse- file roles in the music industry
ments would mean that Para- since 1995, when he sought to
mount would have a new con- diversify his family’s Seagram Cognizant Technology So- shares for Belcan, which pro- which has forecast 2024 rev- debt, adding that it will boost
trolling shareholder, while the business into the world of me- lutions has struck a deal to vides digital engineering ser- enue of $18.9 billion to $19.7 its share-repurchase plan in
Skydance deal, as it is being dia and entertainment. That buy Belcan, a supplier of en- vices for customers in the billion, said it expects to an effort to maintain its full-
discussed now, would give non- year, he led Seagram in its ac- gineering research-and-devel- commercial aerospace, de- achieve more than $100 mil- year 2024 share-count guid-
Redstone Paramount share- quisition of MCA, whose record opment services, from pri- fense, space, marine and in- lion in annual revenue syner- ance of 497 million.
holders the opportunity to cash division it renamed as Univer- vate-equity firm AE Industrial dustrial verticals, and is ex- gies within three years of the Aerospace and power-gen-
out at a premium to where the sal Music Group. Bronfman Partners for about $1.3 billion pected to generate deal, slated to close by the eration investor AE Industrial
stock is trading. subsequently oversaw Univer- in cash and stock. annualized revenue topping end of September. Partners, based in Boca Ra-
Under the terms of the deal sal’s acquisition of PolyGram to Cognizant on Monday said $800 million. Cognizant said it plans to ton, Fla., acquired Belcan in
with Skydance being discussed, create the world’s largest re- it would pay $1.19 billion in The Teaneck, N.J., profes- fund the cash portion of the 2015.
Skydance and its backers, corded-music company. cash and issue 1.47 million sional-services company, deal with cash on hand and —Colin Kellaher
which include RedBird Capital The Bronfman family sold
Partners and Ellison’s father, Seagram to French conglomer-
Oracle co-founder Larry Elli-
son, will put $1.5 billion on Par-
amount’s balance sheet, which
ate Vivendi in 2000. Bronfman
later resigned as executive vice
chairman of Vivendi Universal
Science around 16% of the timber it
used for its products from
Russia and Belarus.
tions on traditional forensic
testing methods allow World
Forest ID to predict the chemi-
nies in Europe must perform
additional due diligence on
timber and other commodities
it can use to pay down debt.
The deal provides for an-
other $4.5 billion to buy out
in 2001. He returned to the mu-
sic industry three years later,
when he led an investor group
Helps Track Although commercial labs
have offered forensic testing
for timber and other products
cal signatures of trees har-
vested in areas where the
group didn’t take samples.
found to contribute to defores-
tation. World Forest ID has al-
ready started collecting sam-
about 50% of nonvoting shares
at $15 each and offer non-Red-
stone voting shares $23 a
that bought Warner Music
from Time Warner.
In 2011, Bronfman stepped
Timber for years, sampling and testing
protocols are often inconsis-
tent and treatment of the data
The results so far are im-
pressive, said Boeschoten, who
peer reviewed a paper
ples of two other commodities:
soy and cacao.
Forensic testing could
piece, or roll into the new down as CEO of Warner Music is rudimentary, said Victor Deklerck and his team pub- transform how companies
company. after the business was bought Continued from page B1 Deklerck, World Forest ID’s lished in March in the journal comply with the new regula-
Advisers for National by Access Industries, the firm ber origin. After Russia in- head of science. Since its in- Nature Plants. “It was really tions—as well as how govern-
Amusements, Paramount and controlled by billionaire Len vaded Ukraine, the nonprofit ception, the nonprofit has cool to see what they are al- ments enforce the measures.
Skydance were negotiating Blavatnik. In 2016, he made saw an opportunity to test its sought to develop a more so- ready able to do on a small Unlocking those capabilities
throughout the weekend on the multiple attempts to acquire methods as part of efforts to phisticated approach to testing scale,” she said. won’t be easy, however. Ex-
final hurdles to a deal, includ- Time Inc. that were subse- prevent sanctioned timber timber origin. panding World Forest ID’s ap-
ing how to handle potential quently rejected. Bronfman has from entering the EU. The group started with rig- proach, for example, could re-
shareholder lawsuits, some of served as the executive chair- Enforcing sanctions on Rus- orous sampling. It hired spe- Expanding the work quire analyzing potentially
the people close to the situa- man of Fubo since April of sian and Belarusian timber has cialists at a Danish nonprofit World Forest ID’s model tens of thousands of samples
tion said. 2020. posed a challenge for EU mem- to collect samples across Eu- identified false origin claims in of organic commodities from
Some investors have been —Laura Cooper ber states because imported rope by extracting 10-millime- 40% to 60% of cases, according across the world.
critical of how the Redstones contributed to this article. timber may travel through ter diameter cores of wood tis- to the paper. Deklerck said the “It’s still nascent,” said
several countries and be mixed sue. Following the invasion of test was designed to be con- Marc Jessel, chief system in-
with wood from other sources Ukraine, World Forest ID fo- servative to minimize the tegrity officer for the Forest
Watch a Video: Behind the Scenes before arriving in the bloc. cused in particular on species chance of incorrectly identify- Stewardship Council, a certi-
With Disney’s Top Imagineer commonly exported from Rus- ing shipments as illegal. fier of sustainably harvested
sia, including birch, pine and Belgium’s federal health- wood. Jessel said his organiza-
oak. and-food safety agency, which tion has joined with World
Tracking wood World Forest ID currently oversees timber-related regu- Forest ID to test wood species
To stop illegal timber, cus- uses two tests to identify the lations, has several ongoing from Gabon, but has yet to
toms agents and corporate au- chemical composition of wood cases using World Forest ID’s make such testing a regular
ditors primarily look for incon- samples. One measures the ra- reference data to back up fo- part of its supply-chain audits.
sistencies or other red flags in tios of stable isotopes, which rensic tests of timber shipped “We still don’t have a glob-
paper trails that are created as vary based on factors such as into the country, according to ally valid database of all of the
timber travels from forest to rainfall or temperature. The spokeswoman Annelies Wyn- sorts of isotope profiles of all
factory floor. Some companies other test measures trace ele- ant. the different species across the
and independent certification ments such as magnesium and A growing regulatory re- world and it’s going to take a
PRESTON JESSEE
bodies also conduct on-site copper, which vary based on gime is putting pressure on while to get there,” he said.
visits of suppliers. But such the soils in which trees grow. companies to crack down on But World Forest ID could
visits are costly and can only The group interpolates re- commodities tied to environ- be the first to produce such a
be done on a small percentage sults spatially using advanced mental degradation or human database, Jessel said, adding,
of the supply chain. statistical methods and ma- -rights violations. “We believe the approach they
Scan this code to watch a video as Lanny “It’s really hard to check af- chine learning. Those innova- Starting next year, compa- stand for is the way to go.”
Smoot, the Disney inventor behind some of ter the wood has left the forest
the company’s most-advanced tech—from where it actually came from,”
lightsabers to “magic” floors—shares a rare said Laura Boeschoten, a re-
look inside Disney’s long-secretive R&D lab. searcher at Columbia Univer-
sity who has studied timber-
origin verification methods.
Trade data and media re-
ADVERTISEMENT ports since Russia’s invasion of
Ukraine suggest timber suppli-
The Marketplace
To advertise: 800-366-3975 or WSJ.com/classifieds
ers and traders in intermedi-
ary countries have evaded
sanctions by re-exporting Rus-
sian wood to the EU. The Euro-
pean Commission last year
ANNOUNCEMENTS TRAVEL launched an investigation fol-
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t
COMMODITIES wsj.com/market-data/commodities
Metal & Petroleum Futures Sept 679.00 679.00 655.25 656.40 –22.50 72,314 Sept 1.2725 1.2745 1.2696 1.2741 .0009 29,942 Mini S&P 500 (CME)-$50 x index
Contract Open
Cattle-Feeder (CME)-50,000 lbs.; cents per lb. Swiss Franc (CME)-CHF 125,000; $ per CHF June 5351.50 5375.75 5338.25 5371.25 15.50 2,095,039
Aug 255.550 259.400 255.500 258.650 3.725 23,830 June 1.1161 1.1178 1.1142 1.1164 –.0004 88,134 Sept 5412.50 5439.50 5402.25 5435.25 15.75 106,548
Open High hi lo Low Settle Chg interest
Oct 257.000 260.975 257.000 260.200 3.750 7,885 Sept 1.1274 1.1293 1.1257 1.1280 –.0004 6,945
Mini S&P Midcap 400 (CME)-$100 x index
Copper-High (CMX)-25,000 lbs.; $ per lb. Cattle-Live (CME)-40,000 lbs.; cents per lb. June 2920.20 2934.30 2889.80 2930.40 5.70 38,250
June 4.4750 4.5690 4.4750 4.5565 0.0620 2,187
Australian Dollar (CME)-AUD 100,000; $ per AUD
June 182.425 184.175 182.175 183.925 1.750 15,023 Sept 2944.10 2965.00 2924.10 2962.60 5.90 18
June .6581 .6613 .6578 .6608 .0020 186,086
July 4.4475 4.5570 4.4310 4.5435 0.0600 107,941 Aug 177.575 180.150 177.575 179.975 2.800 126,188 Mini Nasdaq 100 (CME)-$20 x index
Gold (CMX)-100 troy oz.; $ per troy oz. Sept .6599 .6629 .6594 .6625 .0020 22,967
Hogs-Lean (CME)-40,000 lbs.; cents per lb. Mexican Peso (CME)-MXN 500,000; $ per MXN
June 19025.00 19129.75 18974.25 19109.75 72.00 241,476
June 2290.60 2309.30 2290.50 2307.70 2.50 555 June 92.200 92.575 92.125 92.250 –.275 13,542 Sept 19278.50 19381.00 19227.75 19362.50 73.50 10,053
July 2299.50 2319.30 t 2292.90 2315.10 1.90 2,166 June .05426 .05484 t .05352 .05447 .00021 249,482 Mini Russell 2000 (CME)-$50 x index
July 93.500 94.050 92.475 92.900 –.600 72,129
Aug 2311.00 2331.30 2304.50 2327.00 2.00 365,042 Lumber (CME)-27,500 bd. ft., $ per 1,000 bd. ft. Sept .05350 .05405 t .05276 .05369 .00019 17,111 June 2027.70 2038.00 2005.80 2035.90 6.70 464,364
Oct 2330.00 2353.70 2327.20 2349.60 2.00 19,266 July 511.50 516.00 508.50 510.50 –1.50 8,331 Euro (CME)-€125,000; $ per € Sept 2050.00 2060.70 2028.70 2058.60 6.60 4,388
Dec 2356.80 2376.40 2349.80 2372.30 2.00 40,650 Sept 525.50 527.00 521.00 524.00 –3.00 3,026 June 1.0775 1.0786 1.0737 1.0766 –.0044 614,022 Mini Russell 1000 (CME)-$50 x index
Feb'25 2379.00 2398.40 2374.20 2394.70 1.70 6,781 Milk (CME)-200,000 lbs., cents per lb. Sept 1.0831 1.0831 1.0782 1.0812 –.0044 66,576 June 2912.40 2930.60 2911.50 2927.30 7.40 6,111
Palladium (NYM) - 50 troy oz.; $ per troy oz. June 19.53 19.73 19.51 19.70 .20 4,036 Sept 2932.00 2958.20 2946.60 2955.20 8.70 2
June 909.50 909.50 909.50 896.40 –13.10 4 July 20.13 20.63 19.84 20.61 .65 4,953 Index Futures U.S. Dollar Index (ICE-US)-$1,000 x index
Sept 912.50 932.50 892.50 910.50 –13.10 24,987 Cocoa (ICE-US)-10 metric tons; $ per ton. June 105.02 105.36 105.01 105.11 .26 30,670
Platinum (NYM)-50 troy oz.; $ per troy oz. July 9,933 10,038 9,411 9,687 –246 23,141 Mini DJ Industrial Average (CBT)-$5 x index Sept 104.63 104.99 104.63 104.75 .25 8,440
June 1028.00 1030.50 1028.00 972.50 4.70 25 Sept 9,126 9,194 8,633 8,916 –247 43,531 June 38852 38945 38719 38929 72 102,121
July 970.90 981.70 968.70 976.70 5.60 67,477 Coffee (ICE-US)-37,500 lbs.; cents per lb. Sept 39246 39353 39125 39339 73 3,148 Source: FactSet
Silver (CMX)-5,000 troy oz.; $ per troy oz. July 225.00 226.45 219.05 221.40 –3.40 67,764
June 29.590 29.690 29.285 29.769 0.434 125 Sept 224.70 226.55 219.05 222.00 –2.90 96,179
July 29.250 29.935 29.230 29.874 0.434 119,571 Sugar-World (ICE-US)-112,000 lbs.; cents per lb.
Crude Oil, Light Sweet (NYM)-1,000 bbls.; $ per bbl. July 18.95 19.30 18.60 18.63 –.37 255,186 Bonds | wsj.com/market-data/bonds/benchmarks
July 75.35 78.29 75.23 77.74 2.21 269,326 Oct 18.82 19.15 18.56 18.59 –.29 262,459
Aug
Sept
74.97
74.63
77.85
77.33
74.94
74.55
77.33
76.82
2.11
2.02
288,974
220,177
Sugar-Domestic (ICE-US)-112,000 lbs.; cents per lb.
July 37.83 37.83 37.83 37.83 … 89
Tracking Bond Benchmarks
Oct 74.18 76.74 74.08 76.25 1.93 129,808 Sept 37.15 37.30 36.85 37.16 .32 2,081 Return on investment and spreads over Treasurys and/or yields paid to investors compared with 52-week
Dec 73.34 75.64 73.20 75.17 1.76 189,321 Cotton (ICE-US)-50,000 lbs.; cents per lb. highs and lows for different types of bonds
Dec'25 69.78 71.39 69.69 71.01 1.22 108,808 July 73.84 t 74.28
71.28 71.81 –2.03 63,952 Total Total
NY Harbor ULSD (NYM)-42,000 gal.; $ per gal. Dec 72.89 t 73.30
71.27 71.59 –1.30 122,794 return YTD total Yield (%) return YTD total Yield (%)
July 2.3550 2.4247 2.3540 2.4147 .0630 91,424 Orange Juice (ICE-US)-15,000 lbs.; cents per lb. close return (%) Index Latest Low High close return (%) Index Latest Low High
Sept 2.3900 2.4552 2.3873 2.4445 .0591 58,642 July 421.00 436.05 416.95 429.35 5.60 7,054
Gasoline-NY RBOB (NYM)-42,000 gal.; $ per gal. Sept 417.70 431.40 415.00 425.90 4.25 3,202 Broad Market Bloomberg Fixed Income Indices Mortgage-Backed Bloomberg Fixed Income Indices
July 2.3767 2.4275 2.3722 2.4109 .0283 110,048
2032.64 -1.4 U.S. Aggregate 5.080 4.490 5.740 2001.24 -1.7 Mortgage-Backed 5.300 4.620 6.050
Aug 2.3632 2.4137 2.3580 2.3983 .0322 81,849
Natural Gas (NYM)-10,000 MMBtu.; $ per MMBtu. Interest Rate Futures -1.6 Ginnie Mae (GNMA) 5.310 4.640 6.020
U.S. Corporate Indexes Bloomberg Fixed Income Indices 1977.75
July 2.980 3.096 2.862 2.906 –.012 237,068 Ultra Treasury Bonds (CBT) - $100,000; pts 32nds of 100%
Aug 3.055 3.163 2.945 2.977 –.019 113,377 June 123-230 124-110 123-060 123-130 –31.0 32,970 3091.68 -0.9 U.S. Corporate 5.520 5.020 6.430 1176.65 -1.7 Fannie mae (FNMA) 5.290 4.620 6.050
Sept 3.031 3.128 2.929 2.958 –.013 183,143 Sept 124-110 124-120 123-110 123-180 –31.0 1,682,064 1821.87 -1.2 Freddie Mac (FHLMC) 5.230 4.540 6.190
3006.71 0.4 Intermediate 5.430 4.950 6.350
Oct 3.100 3.189 3.005 3.034 –.010 142,654 Treasury Bonds (CBT)-$100,000; pts 32nds of 100%
Nov 3.398 3.480 s 3.318 3.347 –.004 109,010 June 116-290 117-120 116-210 116-250 –20.0 4,040 4063.90 -3.6 Long term 5.690 5.160 6.600 581.96 -1.1 Muni Master 3.594 3.038 4.311
Jan'25 4.026 4.124 3.995 4.020 .019 92,846 Sept 117-140 117-150 116-230 116-290 –20.0 1,647,606
586.60 -2.0 Double-A-rated 5.130 4.540 5.760 410.30 -2.0 7-12 year 3.366 2.721 4.097
Treasury Notes (CBT)-$100,000; pts 32nds of 100%
Agriculture Futures June 108-295 109-005 108-250 108-265 –7.0 3,701 835.63 -0.5 Triple-B-rated 5.710 5.250 6.700 471.54 -0.9 12-22 year 3.826 3.388 4.742
Sept 109-080 109-085 109-005 109-030 –7.0 4,354,237
Corn (CBT)-5,000 bu.; cents per bu. 5 Yr. Treasury Notes (CBT)-$100,000; pts 32nds of 100% High Yield Bonds ICE BofA 447.34 -0.4 22-plus year 4.333 4.070 5.274
July 448.75 452.75 447.75 451.60 3.00 596,354 Global Government J.P. Morgan†
June 105-202 105-232 105-192 105-205 –3.2 3,916 536.55 2.0 High Yield Constrained 7.958 7.620 9.560
Dec 467.00 470.50 466.75 468.25 1.00 457,586 Sept 106-017 106-022 105-302 105-315 –3.7 6,291,117
Oats (CBT)-5,000 bu.; cents per bu. 2 Yr. Treasury Notes (CBT)-$200,000; pts 32nds of 100% 522.46 3.1 Triple-C-rated 13.275 12.616 15.455 532.47 -2.1 Global Government 3.590 2.950 3.810
July 349.50 349.50 333.00 333.40 –14.50 1,880 June 101-210 101-217 101-201 101-208 –.2 602
3603.33 1.7 High Yield 100 7.068 7.030 9.101 797.00 -0.7 Canada 3.530 3.090 4.260
Dec 368.00 369.25 356.75 358.40 –8.25 1,404 Sept 101-282 101-292 101-271 101-283 –.7 3,906,741
Soybeans (CBT)-5,000 bu.; cents per bu. 30 Day Federal Funds (CBT)-$5,000,000; 100 - daily avg. 469.35 2.9 Global High Yield Constrained 7.731 7.552 9.440 347.47 -2.5 EMU§ 3.365 2.669 3.790
July 1179.25 1190.75 1175.50 1188.25 9.00 294,656 June 94.6725 94.6725 94.6700 94.6700 –.0025 172,689
Nov 1159.00 1163.25 1152.50 1158.60 1.00 261,653 356.50 3.0 Europe High Yield Constrained 6.309 6.207 8.022 637.81 -3.4 France 3.330 2.540 3.630
July 94.6750 94.6750 t 94.6700 94.6750 349,559
Soybean Meal (CBT)-100 tons; $ per ton. Three-Month SOFR (CME)-$1,000,000; 100 - daily avg. U.S Agency Bloomberg Fixed Income Indices 452.03 -3.3 Germany 2.760 2.020 3.030
July 360.50 369.20 360.10 368.00 7.30 159,535 March 94.6475 94.6475 t 94.6450 94.6450 903,546
Dec 355.40 359.80 354.60 358.60 3.10 130,015 June 94.6550 94.6575 t 94.6525 94.6525 –.0025 1,358,948
1785.20 0.2 U.S Agency 5.050 4.380 5.390 270.24 -3.1 Japan 1.430 0.710 1.460
Soybean Oil (CBT)-60,000 lbs.; cents per lb. 0.5 10-20 years 5.060 4.360 5.370
1581.36 490.34 -3.7 Netherlands 2.980 2.260 3.320
July 43.60 43.91 43.11 43.66 .03 200,781
Dec 44.17 44.54 43.72 44.09 –.14 154,967
Currency Futures 3359.25 -2.6 20-plus years 5.010 4.500 5.740 780.33 -3.9 U.K. 4.540 3.790 4.880
Rough Rice (CBT)-2,000 cwt.; $ per cwt. Japanese Yen (CME)-¥12,500,000; $ per 100¥
July 18.28 18.28 17.63 17.72 –.45 2,950 2715.34 -0.4 Yankee 5.360 4.860 6.110 858.72 1.2 Emerging Markets ** 7.811 7.205 8.842
June .6384 .6389 .6369 .6374 –.0019 278,651
Sept 15.49 15.60 15.33 15.51 –.04 5,093 Sept .6471 .6478 .6457 .6461 –.0019 34,427 *Constrained indexes limit individual issuer concentrations to 2%; the High Yield 100 are the 100 largest bonds † In local currency § Euro-zone bonds
Wheat (CBT)-5,000 bu.; cents per bu. Canadian Dollar (CME)-CAD 100,000; $ per CAD ** EMBI Global Index Sources: ICE Data Services; Bloomberg Fixed Income Indices; J.P.Morgan
July 626.00 627.00 606.25 607.50 –20.00 164,308 June .7267 .7272 .7257 .7268 –.0009 262,769
Sept 648.25 648.25 629.50 630.60 –18.50 101,279 Sept .7281 .7288 .7273 .7283 –.0009 33,058
Wheat (KC)-5,000 bu.; cents per bu.
July 665.25 665.25 642.25 643.75 –22.00 92,323
British Pound (CME)-£62,500; $ per £ Global Government Bonds: Mapping Yields
June 1.2714 1.2738 1.2689 1.2734 .0009 230,615
Yields and spreads over or under U.S. Treasurys on benchmark two-year and 10-year government bonds in
selected other countries; arrows indicate whether the yield rose(s) or fell (t) in the latest session
Cash Prices | wsj.com/market-data/commodities Monday, June 10, 2024 Country/
Coupon (%) Maturity, in years Latest(l) 0 1 2 3 4
Yield (%)
5 6 Previous Month ago Year ago
Spread Under/Over U.S. Treasurys, in basis points
Latest Prev Year ago
These prices reflect buying and selling of a variety of actual or “physical” commodities in the marketplace—separate 4.875 U.S. 2 4.883 s l 4.870 4.866 4.604
from the futures price on an exchange, which reflects what the commodity might be worth in future months. 4.375 10 4.468 s l 4.428 4.503 3.744
Monday Monday Monday 4.250 Australia 2 3.997 3.997 4.031 4.009 -90.0 -59.8
l -89.4
Copper,Comex spot 4.5565 Wheat,No.2 soft red,St.Louis-u 6.0500
Energy Iron Ore, 62% Fe CFR China-s *109.3 Wheat - Hard - KC (USDA) $ per bu-u 6.7775
3.750 10 4.232 l 4.232 4.333 3.959 -24.0 -20.7 21.6
Coal,C.Aplc.,12500Btu,1.2SO2-r,w 79.400 Steel, HRC USA, FOB Midwest Mill-s *740.0 Wheat,No.1soft white,Portld,OR-u 6.5500 2.500 France 2 3.225 s l 3.171 3.062 3.100 -166.6 -172.6 -150.7
Coal,PwdrRvrBsn,8800Btu,0.8SO2-r,w 13.600 Battery/EV metals Food
BMI Lithium Carbonate, EXW China, =99.2%-v,w 14275
3.500 10 3.229 s l 3.103 3.004 2.924 -124.3 -133.6 -81.8
Metals BMI Lithium Hydroxide, EXW China, =56.5% -v,w 12825 Beef,carcass equiv. index 2.900 Germany 2 3.128 s l 3.092 2.986 2.913 -176.4 -180.5 -169.4
Gold, per troy oz BMI Cobalt sulphate, EXW China, >20.5% -v,m 4416 choice 1-3,600-900 lbs.-u 294.75
BMI Nickel Sulphate, EXW China, >22%-v,m 4416 select 1-3,600-900 lbs.-u 279.43 2.200 10 2.684 s l 2.618 2.524 2.378 -178.8 -182.2 -136.4
Engelhard industrial 2309.00
2304.40 BMIFlakeGraphite,FOBChina,-100Mesh,94-95%-v,m 485 Broilers, National comp wtd. avg.-u,w 1.3211 3.600 Italy 2 3.656 s 3.604 3.554 3.501 -129.3 -110.6
Handy & Harman base l -123.5
Butter,AA Chicago-d 3.0800
Handy & Harman fabricated 2557.88 Fibers and Textiles Cheddar cheese,bbl,Chicago-d 196.75 3.850 10 4.092 s l 3.959 3.820 4.104 -38.0 -48.1 36.1
LBMA Gold Price AM *2338.00
Burlap,10-oz,40-inch NY yd-n,w 0.8125 Cheddar cheese,blk,Chicago-d 189.75
LBMA Gold Price PM *2310.80 0.400 Japan 2 0.385 s l 0.349 0.318 -0.064 -450.6 -454.9 -467.1
Krugerrand,wholesale-e 2400.22 Cotton,1 1/16 std lw-mdMphs-u 0.6806 Milk,Nonfat dry,Chicago lb.-d 119.50
Maple Leaf-e 2423.30 Cotlook 'A' Index-t *84.65 Coffee,Brazilian,Comp-y 2.2704 0.800 10 1.039 s l 0.973 0.909 0.435 -343.3 -346.6 -330.7
Hides,hvy native steers piece fob-u n.a. Coffee,Colombian, NY-y 2.4824
American Eagle-e 2423.30 2.800 Spain 2 3.312 s l 3.265 3.205 3.168 -157.9 -163.2 -143.9
Wool,64s,staple,Terr del-u,w n.a. Eggs,large white,Chicago-u 2.4750
Mexican peso-e 2790.64
Flour,hard winter KC-p 17.90 3.250 10 3.455 s l 3.359 3.315 3.360 -101.8 -108.0 -38.2
Austria crown-e 2265.20 Grains and Feeds Hams,17-20 lbs,Mid-US fob-u n.a.
Austria phil-e 2423.30 0.125 U.K. 2 4.417 s l 4.379 4.310 4.561 -47.5 -51.8 -4.5
Bran,wheat middlings, KC-u,w 88 Hogs,Iowa-So. Minnesota-u 89.13
Silver, troy oz. Pork bellies,12-14 lb MidUS-u n.a.
Corn,No. 2 yellow,Cent IL-bp,u 4.2500 4.250 10 4.334 s l 4.264 4.173 4.239 -13.9 -17.5 49.6
Engelhard industrial 29.9500 Pork loins,13-19 lb MidUS-u 1.3290
Corn gluten feed,Midwest-u,w 103.2
Handy & Harman base 29.6900 Corn gluten meal,Midwest-u,w 420.8 Steers,Tex.-Okla. Choice-u 185.00 Source: Tullett Prebon, Tradeweb ICE U.S. Treasury Close
Handy & Harman fabricated 37.1130 Cottonseed meal-u,w n.a. Steers,feeder,Okla. City-u,w 298.75
*£23.6600
LBMA spot price
(U.S.$ equivalent) *30.2650
Hominy feed,Cent IL-u,w
Meat-bonemeal,50% pro Mnpls-u,w
115
313
Fats and Oils Corporate Debt
Coins,wholesale $1,000 face-a 23099 Oats,No.2 milling,Mnpls-u 4.0350 Degummed corn oil, crude wtd. avg.-u,w n.a. Prices of firms' bonds reflect factors including investors' economic, sectoral and company-specific
Other metals Rice, Long Grain Milled, No. 2 AR-u,w 36.25 Grease,choice white,Chicago-h 0.4350 expectations
LBMA Platinum Price PM *981.0 Sorghum,(Milo) No.2 Gulf-u n.a. Lard,Chicago-u n.a.
Platinum,Engelhard industrial 975.0 SoybeanMeal,Cent IL,rail,ton48%-u,w 382.20 Soybean oil,crude;Centl IL-u,w 0.4213 Investment-grade spreads that tightened the most…
Palladium,Engelhard industrial 925.0 Soybeans,No.1 yllw IL-bp,u 11.6500 Tallow,bleach;Chicago-h 0.4600 Spread*, in basis points
Aluminum, LME, $ per metric ton *2578.5 Wheat,Spring14%-pro Mnpls-u 8.3525 Tallow,edible,Chicago-u 0.5050 Issuer Symbol Coupon (%) Yield (%) Maturity Current One-day change Last week
KEY TO CODES: A=ask; B=bid; BP=country elevator bids to producers; C=corrected; D=CME; E=Manfra,Tordella & Brookes; H=American Commodities Brokerage Co; Western Union WU 6.200 6.01 Nov. 17, ’36 154 –258 n.a.
K=bi-weekly; M=monthly; N=nominal; n.a.=not quoted or not available; P=Sosland Publishing; R=SNL Energy; S=Platts-TSI; T=Cotlook Limited; U=USDA; V=Benchmark Toronto–Dominion Bank TD 4.456 5.39 June 8, ’32 91 –228 93
Mineral Intelligence; W=weekly; Y=International Coffee Organization; Z=not quoted. *Data as of 6/7
Source: Dow Jones Market Data Netflix NFLX 5.375 5.22 Nov. 15, ’29 74 –191 71
Citigroup C 4.125 5.34 July 25, ’28 86 –161 n.a.
Philip Morris International PM 4.250 5.82 Nov. 10, ’44 114 –148 109
Borrowing Benchmarks | wsj.com/market-data/bonds/benchmarks PulteGroup PHM 6.000 5.67 Feb. 15, ’35 121 –125 122
–120
Money Rates June 10, 2024 Goldman Sachs
NatWest Markets
GS
…
6.250
5.416
5.63
5.45
Feb. 1, ’41
May 17, ’27
95
77 –118
89
77
Key annual interest rates paid to borrow or lend money in U.S. and international markets. Rates below are a
guide to general levels but don’t always represent actual transactions. …And spreads that widened the most
Banco Santander … 6.350 6.35 March 14, ’34 188 30 176
Week —52-WEEK— Week —52-WEEK—
Inflation Latest ago High Low Latest ago High Low Credit Agricole … 3.250 5.86 Jan. 14, ’30 139 17 n.a.
April index Chg From (%) Bristol–Myers Squibb BMY 3.250 5.14 Feb. 27, ’27 46 5 n.a.
level March '24 April '23 Policy Rates Federal funds 4 130
Oracle ORCL 6.500 5.77 April 15, ’38 132
Euro zone 4.50 4.50 4.50 3.75 Effective rate 5.3300 5.3300 5.3500 5.0800
U.S. consumer price index Intesa Sanpaolo* … 7.200 6.12 Nov. 28, ’33 166 3 164
Switzerland 2.00 2.00 2.25 2.00 High 5.6500 5.6500 5.6500 5.4000
All items 313.348 0.33 3.3 Low 5.3100 5.3100 5.3300 5.0500 Commonwealth Bank of Australia … 5.837 5.85 March 13, ’34 138 2 133
Core 317.978 0.28 3.6 Britain 5.25 5.25 5.25 4.50
Bid 5.3300 5.3300 5.3300 5.0700 General Motors GM 5.200 6.26 April 1, ’45 158 2 150
Australia 4.35 4.35 4.35 4.10 5.3500
International rates Offer 5.3500 5.3700 5.0800 Toronto–Dominion Bank TD 4.693 5.28 Sept. 15, ’27 61 2 58
Overnight repurchase
Week 52-Week
Treasury bill auction High-yield issues with the biggest price increases…
Latest ago High Low U.S. 5.40 5.40 5.48 5.04 4 weeks 5.270 5.270 5.325 5.010 Bond Price as % of face value
13 weeks 5.250 5.250 5.345 5.130 Issuer Symbol Coupon (%) Yield (%) Maturity Current One-day change Last week
Prime rates U.S. government rates 26 weeks 5.165 5.155 5.350 4.975 0.67
Xerox … 6.750 8.64 Dec. 15, ’39 84.000 82.800
U.S. 8.50 8.50 8.50 8.25 0.34
Discount Other short-term rates Telecom Italia Capital … 7.200 7.85 July 18, ’36 95.000 91.500
Canada 7.20 7.20 7.20 6.70
Japan 1.475 1.475 1.475 1.475 5.50 5.50 5.50 5.25 Teva Pharmaceutical Finance Netherlands III … 3.150 6.09 Oct. 1, ’26 93.750 0.13 93.954
Week 52-Week 0.12
ZF North America Capital … 4.750 6.22 April 29, ’25 98.750 98.750
Latest ago high low
Prime Security Services Borrower … 5.750 6.15 April 15, ’26 99.305 0.11 99.250
Key Interest Rates Call money John Deere Capital … 4.900 5.08 June 11, ’27 99.516 0.04 n.a.
7.25 7.25 7.25 7.00
Data are annualized on a 360-day basis. Treasury yields are per annum, …And with the biggest price decreases
on actively traded noninflation and inflation-indexed issues that are Commercial paper (AA financial)
Paramount Global PARA 6.875 7.25 April 30, ’36 97.012 –0.65 97.233
adjusted to constant maturities. Data are from weekly Federal Reserve 90 days 5.28 5.33 5.54 5.14
Rakuten … 11.250 8.66 Feb. 15, ’27 106.050 –0.41 106.000
release H.15.
Week Ended 52-Week Week Ended 52-Week
Secured Overnight Financing Rate John Deere Capital … 5.050 5.22 June 12, ’34 98.661 –0.20 n.a.
Jun 7 May 31 High Low Jun 7 May 31 High Low 5.33 5.34 5.40 5.05 Mauser Packaging Solutions Holding … 7.875 7.09 April 15, ’27 102.000 –0.13 102.250
Federal funds (effective) 6-month 5.38 5.43 5.58 5.19
–0.12
1-year 5.12 5.20 5.46 4.76
Value 52-Week Regal Rexnord RRX 6.050 5.95 Feb. 15, ’26 100.154 100.353
5.33 5.33 5.33 5.07 Latest Traded High Low
–0.10
2-year 4.78 4.93 5.14 4.24 HAT Holdings I … 3.750 6.09 Sept. 15, ’30 87.956 87.000
Commercial paper 3-year 4.56 4.74 4.97 4.01 DTCC GCF Repo Index Transocean RIG 7.500 8.95 April 15, ’31 92.688 –0.06 93.373
Nonfinancial
5-year 4.37 4.57 4.86 3.84
7-year 4.35 4.57 4.90 3.81 Treasury 5.359 26.102 5.504 5.079 *Estimated spread over 2-year, 3-year, 5-year, 10-year or 30-year hot-run Treasury; 100 basis points=one percentage pt.; change in spread shown is for Z-spread.
1-month n.a. 5.31 5.34 5.09 MBS 5.400 47.200 5.689 5.102
2-month n.a. 5.31 5.37 5.14 10-year 4.35 4.55 4.87 3.73 Note: Data are for the most active issue of bonds with maturities of two years or more
3-month 5.32 n.a. 5.40 5.20 20-year 4.57 4.76 5.20 4.02 Source: MarketAxess
Weekly survey
Financial Treasury yields (secondary market)
1-month 5.35 5.32 5.43 5.09 Latest Week ago Year ago
1-month 5.28 5.27 5.33 5.01
2-month
3-month
n.a.
5.31
5.33
5.34
5.51
5.53
5.19
5.20
3-month
6-month
5.25
5.15
5.26
5.17
5.35
5.34
5.10
5.00
Freddie Mac Dividend Changes
Discount window primary credit 30-year fixed 6.99 7.03 6.71 KEY: A: annual; M: monthly; Q: quarterly; r: revised; SA: semiannual; S2:1: stock split and ratio; SO: spin-off.
TIPS
5.50 5.50 5.50 5.25 15-year fixed 6.29 6.36 6.07
5-year 2.09 2.23 2.55 1.71 Amount Payable / Amount Payable /
Treasury yields at constant 7-year 2.06 2.21 2.47 1.62 Notes on data: Company Symbol Yld % New/Old Frq Record Company Symbol Yld % New/Old Frq Record
maturities 10-year 2.04 2.20 2.45 1.53 U.S. prime rate is the base rate on corporate Kiora Pharmaceuticals KPRX 1:9 /Jun11
20-year 2.11 2.27 2.49 1.53 Increased
1-month 5.48 5.49 5.60 5.17 loans posted by at least 70% of the 10 largest
3-month 5.52 5.46 5.62 5.36 Long-term avg 2.18 2.34 2.59 1.64 U.S. banks, and is effective July 27, 2023. Other Espey Mfg & Elec ESP 3.1 .20 /.175 Q Jun24 /Jun17 Foreign
prime rates aren’t directly comparable; lending Great Elm 6.75% Nts 2025 GECCM 2.2 .4266 /.42188 Q Dec31 /Dec15 Banco Bradesco Ord ADR BBDO 9.4 .06805 Feb10 /Jun20
Notes on data: practices vary widely by location; Discount rate Banco Bradesco Pref ADR BBD 6.9 .07485 Feb10 /Jun20
is effective July 27, 2023. Secured Overnight Reduced
Federal-funds rate is an average for the seven days ended Wednesday, weighted according to rates BanColombia ADR CIB 3.2 .89825 Q Jul12 /Jun27
Financing Rate is as of June 7, 2024. DTCC GCF Sabine Royalty Tr UBI SBR 8.5 .5376 /.59773 M Jun28 /Jun17
on broker trades; Commercial paper rates are discounted offer rates interpolated from sales by Repo Index is Depository Trust & Clearing
Global Indemnity GBLI 4.5 .35 Q Jun28 /Jun21
discounted averages of dealer bid rates on nationally traded certificates of deposit; Discount window Corp.'s weighted average for overnight trades in Initial Himalaya Shipping HSHP ... .04 M Jul05 /Jun17
primary credit rate is charged for discounts made and advances extended under the Federal applicable CUSIPs. Value traded is in billions of Great Elm 8.5% Nts 2029 GECCI 8.5 .4309 Jun30 /Jun15 Trane Technologies TT 1.0 .84 Q Sep30 /Sep06
Reserve's primary credit discount window program; rate is average for seven days ended Wednesday; U.S. dollars. Federal-funds rates are Tullett
Inflation-indexed long-term TIPS average is indexed and is based on the unweighted average bid Prebon rates as of 5:30 p.m. ET. Stocks Special
yields for all TIPS with remaining terms to maturity of 10 years or more; Barrett Business Svcs BBSI 4:1 /Jun24 Utz Brands UTZ 1.3 .021 Jul03 /Jun17
Sources: Federal Reserve; Bureau of Labor
Sources: Federal Reserve; for additional information on these rate data and their derivation, Statistics; DTCC; FactSet; Desktop Metal DM 1:10 /Jun11 Note: Dividend yields as of 3:30 p.m. ET
please see, https://www.federalreserve.gov/datadownload/Build.aspx?rel=H15 Tullett Prebon Information, Ltd. Sources: FactSet; Dow Jones Market Data
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. * * * Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | B9
Closing Chg YTD iShMSCI EAFE EFA 81.21 –0.07 7.8 iSh0-3MTreaBd SGOV 100.43 0.02 0.2 SPDR S&PMdCpTr MDY 535.62 0.18 5.6 VangdLC VV 245.64 0.36 12.6
Monday, June 10, 2024 iSh MSCI EM EEM 42.29 0.59 5.2 JPM EqPrem JEPI 56.63 0.19 3.0 VangdMegaGrwth MGK 303.21 0.29 16.8
ETF Symbol Price (%) (%) SPDR S&P Div SDY 129.04 –0.02 3.3
Closing Chg YTD iShNatlMuniBd MUB 106.06 –0.09 –2.2 JPM UltShIncm JPST 50.32 0.02 0.2 TechSelectSector XLK 216.15 0.26 12.3 VangdMC VO 243.17 0.45 4.5
ETF Symbol Price (%) (%) iShCoreMSCIEM IEMG 53.22 0.51 5.2 iSh1-5YIGCpBd IGSB 51.01 –0.02 –0.5 PacerUSCashCows COWZ 54.89 0.38 5.6 SMH VangdRealEst VNQ 83.24 0.34 –5.8
VanEckSemicon 255.86 1.45 46.3
CommSvsSPDR XLC 84.61 0.25 16.4 iShCoreMSCITotInt IXUS 69.06 0.22 6.4 iSh1-3YTreaBd SHY 81.27 0.01 –0.9 ProShUltPrQQQ TQQQ 67.83 1.06 33.8 VangdSC Val VBR 183.50 –0.04 2.0 VangdRuss1000Grw VONG 90.76 0.42 16.3
CnsmrDiscSel XLY 178.23 0.32 –0.3 iShCoreS&P500 IVV 538.33 0.30 12.7 iShRussMC IWR 81.32 0.53 4.6 SPDRBbg1-3MTB BIL 91.53 0.02 0.2 VangdS&P500ETF VOO 492.41 0.33 12.7
VangdExtMkt VXF 168.11 0.59 2.2
DimenUSCoreEq2 DFAC 31.96 0.25 9.3 iShCoreS&P MC IJH 58.53 0.14 5.6 iShRuss1000 IWB 293.06 0.32 11.7 SPDR DJIA Tr DIA 389.29 0.21 3.3 VangdST Bond BSV 76.29 ... –0.9
VangdDivApp VIG 181.74 0.24 6.7
EnSelSectorSPDR XLE 90.67 0.76 8.1 iShCoreS&P SC IJR 106.45 –0.45 –1.7 iShRuss1000Grw IWF 352.63 0.39 16.3 SPDR Gold GLD 213.54 0.92 11.7 VangdSTCpBd VCSH 76.92 –0.03 –0.6
VangdFTSEAWxUS VEU 59.60 0.20 6.2
FinSelSectorSPDR XLF 41.32 –0.39 9.9 iShCoreS&PTotUS ITOT 117.08 0.37 11.3 iShRuss1000Val IWD 175.92 0.26 6.5 SPDRPtfDevxUS SPDW 36.26 0.14 6.6 VangdShortTrea VGSH 57.71 ... –1.1
IUSG VangdFTSEDevMk VEA 50.62 0.14 5.7
GrayscaleBitcoin GBTC 61.73 0.41 78.3 iShCoreS&PUSGrw 123.33 0.42 18.5 iShRuss2000 IWM 201.89 0.34 0.6 SPDRS&P500Value SPYV 49.24 0.14 5.6 VangdSC VB 218.58 0.30 2.5
iShCoreTotUSDBd IUSB 44.95 –0.13 –2.4 VangdFTSE EM VWO 43.45 0.53 5.7
HealthCrSelSect XLV 146.97 0.37 7.8 iShS&P500Grw IVW 89.32 0.39 18.9 SPDRPtfS&P500 SPLG 63.00 0.32 12.7 VangdTaxExemptBd VTEB 49.87 –0.12 –2.3
iShCoreUSAggBd AGG 96.54 –0.08 –2.7 iShS&P500Value IVE 183.60 0.16 5.6 SPDRS&P500Growth SPYG 77.38 0.39 18.9 VangdFTSE Europe VGK 69.54 –0.30 7.8 VangdTotalBd BND 71.61 –0.15 –2.6
IndSelSectorSPDR XLI 122.71 0.31 7.6
InvscNasd100 QQQM 191.28 0.39 13.5 iShEdgeMSCIMinUSA USMV 83.28 0.23 6.7 iShSelectDiv DVY 121.68 –0.23 3.8 SPDR S&P 500 SPY 535.66 0.31 12.7 VangdGrowth VUG 362.23 0.30 16.5 VangdTotIntlBd BNDX 48.38 –0.31 –2.0
InvscQQQI QQQ 464.83 0.40 13.5 iShEdgeMSCIUSAQual QUAL 168.83 0.40 14.7 iSh7-10YTreaBd IEF 92.75 –0.22 –3.8 SchwabIntEquity SCHF 39.38 0.05 6.5 VangdHiDiv VYM 119.22 0.25 6.8 VangdTotIntlStk VXUS 61.34 0.26 5.8
InvscS&P500EW RSP 165.00 0.27 4.6 iShGoldTr IAU 43.63 0.90 11.8 iShShortTreaBd SHV 110.17 0.02 0.0 SchwabUS BrdMkt SCHB 61.99 0.36 11.4 VangdInfoTech VGT 551.75 0.35 14.0 VangdTotalStk VTI 263.83 0.33 11.2
iShBitcoin IBIT 39.59 0.43 ... iShiBoxx$IGCpBd LQD 106.74 –0.21 –3.5 iShTIPSBond TIP 105.90 –0.14 –1.5 SchwabUS Div SCHD 77.77 –0.15 2.2 VangdIntermBd BIV 74.30 –0.17 –2.7 VangdTotWrldStk VT 112.27 0.23 9.1
iShCoreDivGrowth DGRO 57.54 0.21 6.9 iShMBS MBB 91.07 –0.16 –3.2 iSh20+YTreaBd TLT 90.89 –0.67 –8.1 SchwabUS LC SCHX 63.33 0.36 12.3 VangdIntrCorpBd VCIT 79.46 –0.13 –2.2 VangdValue VTV 160.97 0.36 7.7
iShCoreMSCIEAFE IEFA 75.33 ... 7.1 iShMSCIACWI ACWI 112.31 0.29 10.4 iShUSTreasuryBd GOVT 22.41 –0.13 –2.7 SchwabUS LC Grw SCHG 97.45 0.35 17.5 VangdIntermTrea VGIT 57.77 –0.09 –2.6 WT FRTrea USFR 50.41 0.02 0.3
been appointed editor in chief only said yes to money,” he other variables involved in Council, a trade association.
of Vice News. said. mining the metal make equi- Yet there are still plenty of
“It’s your baby that you Smith said he sees Vice’s ties a riskier bet than the reasons to think sluggish gold
built, that you birthed,” Smith production arm—one of the metal itself. stocks won’t keep pace even if
said of his decision to stick company’s remaining assets, Still, some analysts are be- metal prices shoot to new
with Vice, which he helped along with the Virtue creative coming more optimistic about highs.
create 30 years ago. agency—as the company’s the outlook for gold stocks as For one, the growth in gold
Smith will host a series of growth engine. But the studio they forecast even higher exchange-traded funds has
shows, starting with “Vice group faces competition from metal prices that could gift made it easier for investors to
News: The Truth?”—a new deep-pocketed rivals. miners a huge bump in mar- get direct gold-market expo-
video podcast that will feature Shane Smith will host ‘Vice News: The Truth?’ Vice recently sold “Holly- gins at a time when most have sure, potentially lessening the
talk-show host Bill Maher as a wood Ending,” a documentary been struggling to contain cost
recurring guest. Smith said slamic State. room in his current home, he it developed about Zach Hor- inflation. Gold futures price
the show’s aim is to report The company attracted a mostly uses it to read books witz, an actor who scammed UBS envisages gold reaching
$2,500 a troy ounce
facts free of political bias and flurry of investments from leg- about philosophy. investors, to Amazon MGM $2,800 a troy ounce before the
expose misinformation. The acy media companies that “I collected wine, but I can’t Studios. end of 2025. Citi projects gold
2,400
show will be on Maher’s pod- were seduced by Vice’s appeal drink it anymore because I get Smith, known for being the at $3,000 an ounce within that
cast network and Vice TV. to younger audiences, as well hangovers,” he said. ultimate salesman, once said time.
Smith will also create content as private-equity firms. It Many entrepreneurs move he wanted Vice to be 10 times Gold now sells for roughly 2,300
on the company’s news-related eventually went bankrupt as it on to the next venture after a the size of CNN, ESPN or MTV. $2,380 an ounce, up from
social-media channels. failed to reach its lofty tar- failure and view it almost as a Advertisers and investors ate about $1,800 an ounce 18 2,200
Despite his title of editor in gets. badge of honor. Smith said the it up. By the end of 2015, the months ago.
chief, Smith will have no man- Last year, a group of lend- average entrepreneur has gone company’s list of investors had In recent times, investors 2,100
agement responsibility, Vice ers led by Fortress took over bankrupt three times. Once a grown to include Disney ($400 have been wary about whether
said. And his unit, which now Vice for $350 million, a frac- high-roller blackjack player million) and A&E ($250 mil- some miners will be able to dig 2,000
focuses on long-form docu- tion of the peak valuation of who has been known to lose lion). up as much gold as they plan
mentaries, bears little resem- $5.7 billion after the company and win $1 million in a night, Vice was put in a precari- at the cost they say they can, 1,900
blance to what was once failed to find a buyer. Smith is betting that for him, ous position in 2017 when it which has weighed on stock
known as Vice News: Vice ex- Beyond wiping out inves- bankruptcy will happen just accepted $450 million from prices. 1,800
ited the day-to-day news busi- tors and causing hundreds of once. buyout firm TPG, which valued In Australia, the world’s top July 2023 ’24
ness earlier this year, laying job losses, Vice’s downfall also “He had a tendency to get Vice at $5.7 billion. The deal source of gold after China and
off hundreds of staffers in the hit Smith’s net worth—though ahead of himself,” said former had Vice pay TPG quarterly Russia, miners have faced op- Source: FactSet
process. It also recently sold he still has done well for him- MTV Networks Chief Executive dividends at a time when it erational challenges, including
Refinery29, its women’s life- self. Over the years, Smith Tom Freston. “At his heart, de- was already struggling, people heavy rainfall. One analyst said need to bet via stocks, said
style-focused site, for a frac- took more than $100 million in spite all the business failings familiar with the matter said. it would take a “heroic” effort London-based analysts at Libe-
tion of what it paid. equity out of Vice as new in- that they’ve been through, Several directors, including from most operations run by rum. Gold mines are also now
In an interview, Smith re- vestors came in, according to Shane was a daring journalist former Disney executive Kevin Evolution Mining, for example, significantly less productive
flected on Vice’s collapse, for people familiar with the situa- and that was his main pas- Mayer and Jay Hoag, co- to achieve guidance that com- than they were roughly two
which he said he bore some tion. Until this spring, Vice sion.” founder of private-equity firm pany provided to the market decades ago, undermining eq-
responsibility—describing re- continued to pay him between Smith, who described Fres- TCV, raised concerns about the for the year through June. uity returns, they said.
cent layoffs as “cuts into your $1 million and $2 million in ton as a mentor, said Freston deal. But Smith, who had vot- However, risks to miners’ Cost inflation following the
flesh” and criticizing his own annual salary. And for years, once told him not to be so ar- ing control, told people he was production and costs pale in Covid pandemic and Russia’s
abilities as an operator. But he Vice paid him $1,400 in rogant. But Smith said his ar- excited about the valuation. comparison to the prospect of invasion of Ukraine has had a
put most of the blame on tech monthly perks, according to rogance is what put Vice on “The TPG funding was a gold price like $2,800 an big role in decoupling gold
platforms such as Meta Plat- his 2022 divorce agreement. the map. unanimously approved by the ounce, UBS analyst Levi Spry stocks from the gold price, ac-
forms’ Facebook, Amazon and Smith declined to discuss Disney, one of Vice’s inves- Vice board,” Smith said in a said in a recent note. cording to Tom Palmer, chief
Alphabet’s Google, which si- his compensation beyond say- tors, in 2016 considered buy- statement. Spry raised price targets executive of Denver-based
phoned off a large portion of ing that he got paid based on ing the company outright, at In recent years, as the com- across the clutch of Australian Newmont, the world’s biggest
the advertising revenue that what he was bringing in. one point proposing around pany continued to struggle, gold stocks he watches, all of gold miner.
once went to Vice and other Speaking near a wood- $3.5 billion. Vice turned to Saudi Arabia. which he recommends inves- “You’ve seen the gold-in-
news outlets. burning fireplace in the draw- Ben Sherwood, then a se- Smith had spent time with tors buy, including Evolution. dustry cost curve climb $200
“They killed independent ing room of New York’s Green- nior Disney executive whom Crown Prince Mohammed bin He upgraded his recommenda- to $300 an ounce, and I think
publishing,” he said. wich Hotel last week, Smith CEO Bob Iger had tasked with Salman during his time re- tion on Regis Resources to gold equities are in the dol-
Started in the mid-90s as pondered what he could have evaluating Vice’s content oper- porting in the region. buy from sell. drums because investors are
an edgy punk magazine, Vice done differently. ations, visited the company’s More recently, the company A structural shift in gold saying: ‘Can gold companies
became famous for making “Did we go too fast and get Brooklyn production offices in reached a deal to create cul- prices is under way, Spry said, generate the free cash flow
videos on the cheap as well as addicted to the money? Proba- September 2016 and attended ture-related content for a rooted in strong demand from necessary to run their busi-
for its profane, gonzo journal- bly,” he said of Vice’s early a boozy dinner with Smith, Saudi media conglomerate, ex- central banks as well as small ness, to reinvest back in the
ism. Over the years, Vice, and expansion. film director Spike Jonze and pected to generate tens of mil- investors, who have been buy- business and to deliver re-
often Smith himself, took re- He spends his time taking others. lions, according to people fa- ing bars and coins because of turns?’ ” Palmer said at an in-
porting risks, including sneak- walks near his home in Mal- After the meetings, Sher- miliar with the matter. But the concerns about war and the dustry event on Thursday.
ing into North Korean labor ibu, Calif., which he purchased wood told Iger that he had project was canceled, and the economy. And so, for many, ETFs and
camps in Siberia, smoking after selling his Santa Monica concerns with the business money never came. He isn’t alone in taking a the precious metal itself have
weed with the president of home for $48 million in 2021. model underpinning Vice’s —Robbie Whelan contributed shine to gold-mining stocks. become fundamentally more
Uruguay and embedding with While he still has a drinking content operation, including to this article. RBC Capital Markets recently appealing, he said.
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL. * * * * * * Tuesday, June 11, 2024 | B11
MARKETS
will parse its economic projec- soft-landing trajectory that in- global easing cycle,” Jean ment strategy and research at carrier. THREE-YEAR NOTES
tions and Chair Jerome Powell’s vestors are increasingly confi- Boivin, head of the BlackRock Glenmede. Monday’s quiet trading ex- Applications $142,991,557,100
commentary for clues on how dent about,” said Jason Draho, Investment Institute, wrote in a Among individual stocks, tended a weekslong trend of low Accepted bids
" noncompetitively
$59,876,059,100
$203,488,400
interest rates might move this head of asset allocation Ameri- report. Nvidia, the S&P 500’s best per- market volatility. The S&P 500 " foreign noncompetitively $150,000,000
year. cas at UBS Global Wealth Man- Stocks shrugged after the former in 2024, was again driv- hasn’t dropped more than 1% in Auction price (rate) 99.905415
(4.659%)
Stocks have advanced in re- agement. “If it does, be prepared payrolls report, but derivatives ing the index higher on Monday. a day since April. Interest rate 4.625%
cent weeks on optimism that in- for more all-time market highs.” traders priced in lower odds of The chip maker’s shares closed Trading overseas has been Bids at clearing yield accepted
Cusip number
53.41%
91282CKV2
flation is falling toward the Recent economic reports rate cuts in the coming months. up 0.75% on the first day of choppier. French bank stocks The notes, dated June 17, 2024, mature on June 15,
Fed’s 2% target and that the have delivered surprises, how- Traders are currently pricing in trading after a 10-for-1 stock and government bonds sold off 2027.
■ Where investors are placing bets in food and agriculture tech Complimentary online access for
■ Washington policy, from farm policy to shifts in dietary guidelines WSJ subscribers
■ Threats to the global food supply, from the effects of climate change Use code: WSJ
to armed conflict
■ Transformative consumer trends
The Wall Street Journal’s Global Food Forum will take place on June 25-26
at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago.
© 2024 Dow Jones and Company, Inc. All rights reserved. 6DJ0427
B12 | Tuesday, June 11, 2024 THE WALL STREET JOURNAL.
Executive Robert Isom recently and ticket agents and travel men. Some research suggests that
backtracked on his plans to steer clerks, official data show, which payment and customer-acquisition
customers away from agents, the amounted to about 0.2% of the costs would offset the small bene-
American Society of Travel Advi- country’s workforce. By 2010, with fits from more direct distribution.
sors cheered. fliers flocking to airline sites and “I don’t believe there are travel
“I’m really grateful he under- online agencies such as Expedia, agencies out there that are unnec-
stood that working with channel both of these numbers had been essary anymore,” said Jay So-
partners to bring about change in cut in half. The reservation and rensen, president of airline con-
the industry is the way to go,” sales expenses of big U.S. airlines sulting firm IdeaWorksCompany. The trend of unseating middlemen was launched by online travel bookings.
ASTA head Zane Kerby said in an fell to 4% of operating costs, from What Raja wanted to achieve—
interview. above 15% in the 1990s and employees choosing flights to give Annual U.S. full-time wage and Major U.S. airlines, reservation and
ASTA’s spat with American roughly 10% in 2000, according to priority to their preferred carrier salary workers, by occupation sales expenses as a percentage of
started last year, when the carrier the Bureau of Transportation Sta- and loyalty program—was pre- total operating costs
pulled 40% of its tistics. cisely what corporations’ travel
fares, mostly related Since 2010, arrangements aim to avoid. Com- 300 thousand people Reservation and 20.0%
to business travel, though, all of these panies use an external travel man- transportation
from many online Last year, figures have re- ager to retain control over compli-
ticket agents and 17.5
250 travel clerks
booking platforms. It American mained broadly un- ance, which has slipped in recent
Travel agents
then said it would changed, even as times, and to help with financial 15.0
restrict frequent- gutted its many carriers con- reporting. 200
flier-mile awards to tinue to think there Likewise, many wealthy individ-
bookings made on its
corporate are customers out ual travelers who accrue loyalty
12.5
own website and sales team. there who should re- points and have complex itinerar- 150 10.0
“preferred” agencies. alize they can dis- ies are still attached to using
Spearheaded by pense with travel bricks-and-mortar agents or spe- 7.5
Chief Commercial agents. cialist sites. 100
Officer Vasu Raja, the strategy Last year, American gutted its To be sure, American wasn’t 5.0
was about getting more customers corporate sales team, believing just trying to cut costs. A core is- 50
to book through American’s web- that direct channels and well- sue is that legacy sales channels, 2.5
site and mobile app, cutting out crafted loyalty programs could cut which use the so-called Global Dis-
all but the largest agencies. the need to pay travel-agency fees tribution System, don’t allow 0 0
A couple of weeks ago, however, and woo companies with perks much customization. Specialist in- 2000 ’05 ’10 ’15 ’20 1990 ’95 2000 ’05 ’10 ’15 ’20
the airline downgraded the earn- and discounts. Raja emphasized termediaries Sabre, Amadeus and
ings and revenue guidance it had the postpandemic trend toward Travelport operate their own GDS Sources: Federal Reserve (jobs); Bureau of Transportation Statistics (airline costs)
given investors in March. Its “hybrid” flying, which involves networks that assemble data on
shares are since down 14%. employees combining business and price, scheduling and availability adoption has been sluggish, as it savvy at using the customer infor-
United Airlines, Air Canada, leisure trips. These are more likely on behalf of agencies. is often uneconomical for agents. mation they do have. The broader
Lufthansa and British Airways are to be booked directly. Airlines are now pushing a new So it makes sense that Ameri- lesson from American’s about-face
among the other full-service air- The Fort Worth, Texas-based standard, the New Distribution Ca- can wanted to preserve those few may be that an adversarial ap-
lines to have either removed fares carrier said 80% of its 2023 book- pability, which can funnel elec- “preferred” agencies with NDC ex- proach won’t work. It is the adop-
from legacy channels or applied ings happened through nonlegacy tronic queries directly to them. pertise while cutting the rest tion of NDC by aggregators and
surcharges on reservations made channels, compared with 55% at Fliers avoid the patchwork of in- loose. GDS providers that will eventually
through them. Many are investing the end of 2019, and that staff termediaries that make it a pain But airlines need to watch out further airlines’ cause.
heavily in so-called direct distribu- cuts have saved costs. to buy extras or change a flight, that the costs don’t end up out- Middlemen can seem useless
tion, which was originally the turf However, American has admit- and airlines can more easily tailor weighing the benefits, particularly until you actually remove them.
of low-cost airlines. ted that the end result, at least in fares and offers to customers. But since they haven’t proven very —Jon Sindreu