Business News Digest

| January 13, 2020 8:05 AM

Here are AP Business News' latest coverage plans, top stories and promotable content. All times EDT. For up-to-the minute information on AP's coverage, visit Coverage Plan at newsroom.ap.org.

TOP STORIES:

FURNITURE RENTALS — It's the newest way to fill a home: Feather, Fernish and other startups are lending furniture, hoping to appeal to people in their 20s and 30s who are still figuring out where they'll work and live and don't want to be tied down by their stuff. In the past, furniture rental happened at places like Rent-A-Center. But those stores were aimed at low-income shoppers who couldn’t afford a fridge or couch. These online startups are targeting high-income city dwellers who want to fill their homes with $1,400 pink sofas or $980 leather benches, without having to commit. By Joseph Pisani. SENT: 700 words, photos.

MARKETS & ECONOMY:

FINANCIAL MARKETS — U.S. stocks rose in early trading Monday as investors looked ahead to the signing of an initial trade deal with China and the potential for future talks. SENT: 440 words, photos. UPCOMING: Will be updated through 5 p.m.

The Treasury Department releases federal budget data for December. By Martin Crutsinger. UPCOMING: 130 words after release of report at 2 p.m. 250 words by 2:45 p.m.

BUDGET DEFICIT — The Treasury Department releases federal budget data for December. By Martin Crutsinger. UPCOMING: 130 words after release of report at 2 p.m. 250 words by 2:45 p.m., photos.

INDUSTRY:

US VEHICLE OF THE YEAR — The new mid-engine Chevrolet Corvette is being named the North American Car of the Year. The Kia Telluride took Sport Utility of the Year honors and the Jeep Gladiator won the Truck of the Year Award. By Tom Krisher. SENT: 240 words, photos.

WOODWARD-HEXCEL — Woodward and Hexcel are merging in an all-stock deal that would create one of the largest suppliers in the aerospace and defense industry. By Michelle Chapman. SENT: 420 words.

HEMP REGULATIONS-WORRIED GROWERS — Hemp was ushered in as a federally legal agricultural crop under the groundbreaking 2018 Farm Bill. But now, draft rules for growing the cannabis plant closely related to marijuana have farmers up in arms. By Gillian Flaccus. SENT: 1,080 words.

MARIJUANA-LEGALIZATION-NORTHEAST — Marijuana legalization looked like it was on a roll in the Northeast a year ago. It had already passed in three of the region’s states and was a priority for governors in three more, including populous New York. Then legislative efforts stalled, and a vaping sickness stirred new concerns. By Jennifer Peltz. SENT: 950 words, photos.

BROKERAGES-SERIAL FRAUD — A former Pennsylvania stockbroker who was kicked out of the securities industry and ordered to pay millions of dollars in damages to customers he allegedly fleeced faces trial on criminal fraud charges. Anthony Diaz was fired by five brokerages and resigned from another amid persistent customer complaints and rules infractions. By Michael Rubinkam. SENT: 500 words.

TECHNOLOGY & MEDIA:

BUNDESLIGA-AMAZON — Statistics on sports broadcasts give context to what happened. The German Bundesliga and Amazon Web Services want to provide a data-based guess on what will occur next. By Ronald Blum. SENT: 390 words.

PERSONAL FINANCE:

NERDWALLET-LIZ WESTON-NO REGRETS RETIREMENT — Not having enough savings is an oft-cited concern, and an important one, but money is not at the center of every regret reported by retirees. Planning professionals share five common concerns (and tips for avoiding them), including putting off travel while you’re still healthy enough to enjoy it. By Liz Weston of NerdWallet. UPCOMING: 770 words, photo.

INTERNATIONAL:

CHINA-AUTO SALES — China's auto sales fell for a second year in 2019 as a trade war with Washington and an economic slowdown depressed consumer confidence and demand for electric vehicles weakened. By Joe McDonald. SENT: 650 words.

GERMANY-AUSTRALIA-COAL MINE — Germany's Siemens has decided to stand by a contract linked to a coal mine in Australia that climate activists had called for it to drop. SENT: 240 words, photos.

Business News Supervisor Richard Jacobsen (800-845-8450, ext. 1680). For photos (ext. 1900.) For graphics/interactives (ext. 7636.) For access to AP Newsroom and technical issues: [email protected], or 877-836-9477. Questions about transmission of financial market listings, call 800-3AP-STOX.

The digest for AP's Money & Markets service can be found at markets.ap.org. For questions about M&M content, contact Greg Keller at (212) 621-7958.