WSJ What’s News

Disney Names Its Theme Parks Chief as Bob Iger’s Successor

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Key takeaways

  • Josh D’Amaro is set to take over as Disney's CEO, focusing on expanding the parks and consumer products business.
  • Investor confidence in Disney remains hesitant due to economic uncertainties and past leadership transitions.
  • Argentina's government is encouraging citizens to deposit stashes of U.S. dollars in banks as part of economic recovery efforts.
  • The House has successfully moved to end a government shutdown but negotiations around immigration policy continue.

Summary

Transition at Disney: Josh D’Amaro Named CEO

Disney has announced Josh D’Amaro as the new CEO, succeeding Bob Iger. D’Amaro, who has extensive experience managing Disney's theme parks and cruise ships, is stepping into a role considered pivotal for the company’s growth. His success is supported by the appointment of Dana Walden, an experienced entertainment executive, to work closely with him. Investors, however, remain cautious due to Disney's stagnant stock and the challenges of transitioning from traditional television to digital platforms.

Investor Reactions and Future Prospects

Investor sentiment toward Disney is mixed, particularly after the previous CEO transition failed. Bob Iger’s emphasis on ensuring a smooth transition this time aims to give D’Amaro the autonomy to lead without the overshadowing presence of Iger. Despite the optimism around D’Amaro's appointment, investors express concerns over economic vulnerabilities and the effectiveness of the parks business, especially in a potential recession.

Financial Challenges in Argentina: Javier Milei's Struggle

In Argentina, President Javier Milei faces the daunting task of convincing citizens to deposit their significant cash reserves, estimated at over $250 billion, in banks rather than hoarding them. His government is implementing tax amnesty initiatives to encourage this behavior, yet skepticism remains among Argentines due to historical economic crises. The hope is that increased liquidity in banks can spur economic growth and ease the current austerity measures.

Government Shutdown Negotiations

In U.S. politics, the House has passed a $1.2 trillion funding measure to end the partial government shutdown, though immigration negotiations continue. The passage of this bill represents an effort to stabilize government operations amidst ongoing debates about immigration enforcement.

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Show notes

P.M. Edition for Feb. 3. Disney has chosen Josh D’Amaro to succeed Bob Iger as its CEO. WSJ entertainment reporter Ben Fritz discusses how the theme parks executive is likely to approach the role and how investors are reacting. Plus, the House approved a measure to end the partial government shutdown, but the negotiations over immigration enforcement aren’t over yet. And in Argentina, decades of financial crises mean people have kept a stash of billions of U.S. dollars. We hear from WSJ reporter Samantha Pearson about why Argentina’s President Javier Milei is trying to get citizens to put them in the bank. Alex Ossola hosts.


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