Open Markets Institute

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Today in Monopoly - Wednesday, October 31

Here are some stories we had our eye on today:

Facebook’s Vision for the Future: Less News Feed, More Stories

New York Times, Mike Isaac

The Silicon Valley company predicted that the next few years would be tough, but said Facebook was looking to a future where it would move beyond News Feed, the stream of content that is the core of the platform. The social network said it would instead focus more on different mediums like ephemeral messaging, private chats and video — even though none of those make as much money as the News Feed does.

 

Companies Raise Prices, Betting Consumers Can Pay More

Wall Street Journal, Austen Hufford and Annie Gasparro

U.S. companies are raising prices on everything from plane tickets to paint, passing on higher costs for fuel, metal and food to their customers after years of low inflation. Coca-Cola Co. and Arconic Inc. on Tuesday said they raised prices inthe third quarter. Top airlines, manufacturers and food makers have also announced price hikes over the past week.

 

The quest for a fairer way to tax the tech giants

Financial Times, Editorial Board

In an ideal world, there would be a more comprehensive international fix to this conundrum. Until that happens, it will be tempting for big economies to take their own initiatives in an effort to catalyse the more concerted international approach that is needed.

 

Facebook and the midterms: who’s trying to influence your vote?Financial Times, Hannah Kuchler

Advertisers now have to say who paid for an ad, but not who they – or their funders – are

 

The rise of corporate debt must be managed

Financial Times, Editorial Board

Central banks’ use of monetary tools to stop the crisis was a successful experiment. The world did not plunge into a depression, which was a real possibility. Unwinding the banks’ policies is an experiment that is still ongoing. Managing the rapid rise in corporate debt will be part of that process.