Why Investors Are Looking Beyond the U.S.

SPEAKER_1 (0:00)

Every business is asking the same question. How do we make AI work for us? No more waiting. With NetSuite by Oracle, you can put AI to work today. NetSuite is the number one AI cloud ERP, trusted by over 43,000 businesses. It's the unified suite that brings your financials, inventory, commerce, HR, and CRM into a single source of truth. That connected data is what makes your AI smarter, helping you make fast decisions. If your revenue is at least in the seven figures, get our free business guide, Demystifying AI, at netsuite.com/wallstreet.

Luke Vargas (0:32)

The FAA halts flights to and from El Paso, Texas for security reasons. Plus, the Warner drama rolls on as activist Ancora pushes for Paramount's deal over Netflix, and investors look abroad as US stocks underperform the rest of the world.

Hannah Erin Lang (0:48)

It really seemed like investing in domestic companies was really the only way that US investors could win. And though we haven't seen America give up its lead on other countries across the world, lots of global indexes are outperforming the S&P 500 this year.

Luke Vargas (1:02)

It's Wednesday, February 11th. I'm Luke Vargas for the Wall Street Journal, and here is the AM Edition of What's News, the top headlines and business stories moving your world today. The US is considering seizing more tankers carrying Iranian oil in a potential tightening of the screws on the regime in Tehran. However, we report that the Trump administration has thus far held off on the move concerned about provoking a retaliation or triggering a surge in oil prices. Middle East correspondent Dov Lieber said Iran will be the main focus of talks today between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump in Washington as concern grows within Israel that the US and Iran could agree to a nuclear deal that's not in its interests.

Dov Lieber (1:48)

One of Netanyahu's main fears is that should the Trump administration strike a deal with Iran, it could actually give Iran the sanctions relief it needs to improve its economy. It could give the regime legitimacy and bring it back from the brink just when Israel sees its greatest nemesis down and on the mat. Israel's positions regarding the talks on Iran are different from what we understand to be the opinions of the rest of the region who want to see Iran reek, but they don't necessarily want to see the United States go to war with Iran. The results of which are a mystery.

Luke Vargas (2:20)

Trump has threatened to use force against Iran should diplomatic talks fail. The Federal Aviation Administration is halting all flights to and from El Paso, Texas for ten days for special security reasons. The FAA said the restrictions would apply to commercial, cargo and general aviation and told travelers to contact their airlines for more information. No specific explanation was provided for the restrictions, but an earlier notice cited drone activity over El Paso. The FAA and El Paso International Airport didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, daily life in Cuba is grinding to a halt as a US oil blockade designed to cut the country off from Venezuelan support takes its toll. Cuban authorities have begun furloughing state workers, sending children home from school early and rationing dwindling fuel supplies, which journal aviation reporter Ben Katz said includes putting out a notice saying that aircraft visiting the island can't refuel there.

Ben Katz (3:19)

What we've seen since then is airlines cancelling flights to and from the island. Some of the short-haul flights are still flying where an aircraft can carry enough fuel to be able to make it to Cuba and then back. But we're seeing a lot of airlines, especially from Europe and from Canada, rejig their schedules and try and figure out how they can maintain, if at all, their flights. Those long-haul flights, especially from Europe, from Canada, Canada is one of the biggest sources of tourism for Cuba. That poses a very big hit on the Cuban economy. We also know that some airlines are sending their aircraft empty just to repatriate some tourists who would like to get off the island. And we've also seen disruption in Cuba itself, tourists being shepherded between different hotels to try and avoid some of the blackouts and the electricity cuts.

Luke Vargas (4:04)

Cuba's last oil delivery on January 9th was from Mexico, which has since halted supplies under US pressure. In Canada, nine people have been killed and a further 25 injured in a mass shooting in British Columbia. Part of the shooting happened at a secondary school, and police believe that two additional victims found dead in a house were connected to the same incident. Ken Floyd of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the suspected shooter was a woman wearing a dress.