Bitcoin's ETF Approval Rumor, Pfizer Slashes Annual Outlook, Activist Shareholder Shakes Up News Corp's Status Quo: Today's Top Stories

Bitcoin's ETF Approval Rumor, Pfizer Slashes Annual Outlook, Activist Shareholder Shakes Up News Corp's Status Quo: Today's Top Stories

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Bitcoin Spiked On False ETF Approval Rumor

  • Bitcoin (BTC/USD), the ace cryptocurrency, spiked on unverified reports of the approval of an iShares Bitcoin ETF.

  • BlackRock said the information is false, according to Fox Business journalist Eleanor Terrett. 

  • The company's Bitcoin ETF application is still under review, BlackRock, which owns iShares, told Fox.

Albemarle Backs Out Of Acquisition Offer For Australia's Liontown Resources

  • Mining giant Albemarle Corporation (NYSE: ALB) said it will not pursue a binding agreement to purchase Liontown Resources Ltd (OTC: LINRF) and has withdrawn its non-binding offer to Liontown's Board of Directors. 

  • The decision comes as Albemarle nears the end of its exclusive due diligence process.

  • Albemarle cited the growing complexities associated with the proposed transaction as a factor in its decision.  

Pfizer Cuts Annual Revenue Guidance By $9B Amid COVID-19 Vaccine Sales Slump, BioNTech Warns €900M Write-Offs

  • Friday, Pfizer Inc (NYSE: PFE) slashed its full-year earnings and revenue guidance, citing decreasing demand for its COVID-19 products.

  • The company now expects 2023 sales of $58 billion-$61 billion, down from its previous guidance of $67 billion-$70 billion versus consensus of $66.0 billion.

  • BioNTech SE (NASDAQ: BNTX) flagged write-downs of up to €900 million, reflecting similar charges to Pfizer.

Drug Retailer Rite Aid Grappling With Lawsuits Files For Bankruptcy

  • Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in New Jersey and said it would begin restructuring to reduce its debt. Elixir Insurance is not included in the Chapter 11 process.

  • Rite Aid is evaluating its store portfolio, and in connection with the court-supervised process, the company will close additional underperforming stores. 

  • Rite Aid also said lenders agreed to provide $3.45 billion in new funding to "provide sufficient liquidity" as it embarks on its restructuring plan.

AstraZeneca's Tagrisso-Chemo Combo Under FDA Priority Review For The Most Common Form Of Lung Cancer

  • AstraZeneca Plc's (NASDAQ: AZN) supplemental New Drug Application for Tagrisso (osimertinib) in combination with chemotherapy has been accepted and granted Priority Review in the U.S. for locally advanced or metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor-mutated (EGFRm) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

  • The Prescription Drug User Fee Act date, the FDA action date for their regulatory decision, is anticipated during the first quarter of 2024.

Honeywell Projects New Business Jet Deliveries To Shoot Up 10% In 2024: Here's Details