How Starbucks Is Dodging Dismal Consumer Sentiment

A.M. Edition for April 29. President Trump instructs aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iran, to compel the regime to give up its nuclear ambitions. Plus, tech stocks prepare to take center stage during earnings season as AI jitters resurface on Wall Street. And against a backdrop of consumer anxiety, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol says a focus on experience and faster service is luring customers back to its coffee shops. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Correction: Mike Johnson is the House Speaker. An earlier version of this podcast incorrectly referred to him as the House Majority Leader. (Corrected on April 29) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for April 28. The United Arab Emirates says it’s leaving OPEC. WSJ foreign correspondent Georgi Kantchev explains how the exit will affect the powerful oil cartel and energy markets. Plus, a Senate bill meant to create more homes isn’t law yet, but it’s putting a freeze on many developments in the burgeoning build-to-rent industry. We hear from Journal housing reporter Rebecca Picciotto about how this affects future home construction projects. And former FBI Director James Comey faces Justice Department charges for a second time. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for April 28. OpenAI is failing to hit revenue and user targets as it sprints toward an IPO. Plus, WSJ climate and energy reporter Ed Ballard explains why the Trump administration is paying two more companies not to develop offshore wind projects. And as AI continues to reshape the jobs market, we look at how internships are more important than ever - and becoming harder to find. Luke Vargas hosts Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for April 27. Prosecutors have charged 31-year-old Cole Allen, the suspect in the shooting outside the White House Correspondents’ dinner, with attempting to assassinate President Trump. Plus, an update from the middle of earnings season: first-quarter profits are expected to climb higher for big U.S. companies. Journal special writer Theo Francis helps explain how they’re navigating gloomy consumers. And would you pay $50 for a movie ticket? Entertainment reporter Ben Fritz joins to discuss why a certain kind of movie fan is doing it. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for April 27. After an attack outside the White House Correspondent’s Association dinner, WSJ’s Washington coverage chief Damian Paletta explains how simple security flaws exposed the president to another gunman. Plus, budget airlines appeal for government assistance as higher jet fuel prices threaten the struggling sector. And WSJ’s Stephen Wilmot reports on how China’s electric carmakers are looking to cash in on big American-style SUVs. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Divorce can be one of the most financially disruptive events in a person’s life. It’s not just about who gets the dog. It's about calculating the true value of a family business, and figuring out if you can actually afford the taxes on the vacation home you just “won” in court. Host Imani Moise speaks with Kristen Shearin, a certified divorce financial analyst, about the math you should do before saying “I do." Further Reading The Cost of Divorce Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When will the oil shock fade? And why are defense companies losing ground despite booming demand? Plus, how AI is giving legacy tech a second act. Host Imani Moise discusses the biggest stock moves of the week and the news that drove them. Sign up for the WSJ's free Markets A.M. newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for April 24. The Justice Department will end its probe into Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. WSJ chief economics correspondent Nick Timiraos discusses what that means for President Trump’s Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh. Plus, weapons makers have seen war boost their sales, but their stocks have taken a hit. We hear from Drew FitzGerald, who covers defense for the Journal, about why investors are wary. And, after a rocky start, the Las Vegas Sphere is now the highest-grossing arena in the world. Entertainment reporter Katherine Sayre tells us why we might be seeing more Spheres around the world. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A.M. Edition for April 24. Twin shortages of fertilizer and fuel in the wake of the Iran war are spooking consumers across Asia and raising fears of weak harvests. But as HSBC’s Frederic Neumann tells us, the effects of rising food prices are likely to spread around the world and linger well into 2027. Plus, U.S. authorities charge a U.S. soldier who took part in the operation to capture Nicolás Maduro with using classified information to earn more than $400,000 on Polymarket. And Intel shares surge more than 20 percent in off hours trading, as the chip maker beat earnings estimates. Luke Vargas hosts. Sign up for the WSJ’s free What’s News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

P.M. Edition for April 23. SpaceX is expected to go public in June, and the move could mean big things for CEO Elon Musk. The company’s board has already granted him a “moonshot” pay package, and he’s expected to control the company through supervoting shares. Journal reporter Corrie Driebusch discusses why investors are all for it. Plus, it’s a gloomy day for tech workers as Meta plans to lay off 10% of workers while Microsoft offers buyouts. And the Trump administration reclassifies marijuana as a less dangerous drug, which could be a boon for the multibillion-dollar cannabis industry. Alex Ossola hosts.  Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Explore our series on the financial realities of divorce. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices