Let the big dogs handle this one – Corporate buyers stepped in during recent equity volatility: The ratio of stock buyers to sellers rose to 0.46 in March, up from 0.31 in January, putting the measure on pace for the highest monthly reading since June of last year and back near its historical average. A low buy-sell ratio is a sign of caution among corporate insiders. (Source: Bloomberg)

But is Bollywood ok?? – India’s Nifty 50 stock market is experiencing its longest slump in nearly three decades, which had wiped out roughly $1 trillion in market capitalization from September 2024 through 3/13. Consumer spending had already slowed in the world’s fifth-largest economy, but uncertainty about potential impacts from Trump administration policies are further threatening growth prospects. (Source: Reuters)

Big biz for Wiz – Google has struck a deal to buy cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion in what would be the tech giant’s biggest-ever deal and a significant step in its aggressive expansion into cloud computing. The purchase would not only be the biggest cybersecurity acquisition to date, but would also rank among the top 20 most expensive software company takeovers in history. (Source: AP News)

If it's not too much trouble... – Would-be homebuyers may not mind a (mild) economic slowdown because it could help make home purchases more affordable. Both new mortgage and refinancing applications rose during the first week in March after mortgage rates slid below 7% while uncertainty roiled markets. New-home construction also rose 11% in February, another sign of pent-up demand. (Source: Politico, 3/18/25)

Just a little razzle dazzle before the big show – In the lead up to its IPO, fintech firm Klarna inked a deal with Wal-Mart, the largest US retailer, to exclusively provide buy now, pay later loans for Wal-Mart customers. The buy now, pay later market has grown rapidly in recent years, particularly among consumers with limited credit profiles that would typically be considered sub-prime loan candidates. (Sources: TechCrunch and Forbes)

O, beware, my lord, of jealousy – The revival of “Othello” starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal brought in $2.8 million in a single week, making it the top-grossing play in Broadway history. The Shakespearean tragedy knocks out the previous record holder, “Harry Potter and The Cursed Child,” which grossed a $2.7 million week in 2023. (Source: Deadline)

Next they'll want fake IDs for face creams  – A new bill is being reintroduced in California aimed at setting age limits on anti-aging skin care products. The proposed bill would make it illegal for companies to sell over-the-counter anti-aging products to shoppers under 18 years old and would target ingredients such as retinoids and retinol, as well as products that use alpha-hydroxy acids—which can do more harm than good to young skin. (Source: The New York Times)

Gilligan’s space station – Two stranded NASA astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, finally splashed down off Florida’s coast on 3/18, nine months after their faulty Boeing Starliner craft extended what was to be a week-long stay on the International Space Station. (Source: Reuters)

Can I join them for penguin arts and crafts? – Six African penguins are settling into a new “retirement home” habitat designed to offer more comfort as the birds age. More than half of the aquarium’s penguin colony has met or surpassed their typical life expectancy of 10–15 years in the wild, so staff created a designated space for birds experiencing medical conditions related to advanced age. (Source: New England Aquarium)

Give the people what they want – Unlike the Tampa Bay Rays, who have struggled with attendance, the Savannah Bananas, an exhibition barnstorming baseball team similar to the Harlem Globetrotters, commemorated their first game in an NFL stadium by playing in front of a sold-out crowd of 65,000 at the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. (Source: CBS Sports)