Sitting at the table for peace talks. And a growing case. Japans food exports hit another record last year as more people around the world crave japanese cuisine. This years u. S. President ial Selection Process has kicked off with a key vote in iowa after a tight threeway contest. Ted cruz has gone on the republican side. The democratic side is still too close to call. Cruz wasnt the frontrunner coming to iowa, but he managed to come out on top. The texas senator is considered a hardline conservative. Hes taken a tough stance against Illegal Immigrants and in his approach with dealing with Islamic State militants. Cruz beat his main rivals, real estate mogul donald trump and florida senator marco rubio. On the democratic side, former secretary of state Hillary Clinton has beaten vermont senator Bernie Sanders by a razorthin margin. Results from iowa are the first real indication of which way voters are leaning. They could affect the course of the Selection Processes in other states le
Flooded. Reporter here on marsh road on highway 101, i want to show you what was happening earlier today. You can see the pockets of floods that caused so many problems for drivers earlier today. It was flooded across all lanes. The flooding caused traffic backups for two miles and a sig alert was called at 12 07. Some motorists reported delays of a half hour. The same area flooded causing major delays back in december, but once again as you can clearly see, both directions south and northbound highway 101 here at marsh road in men low park are moving very slowly at this hour. Reporting live in men low park Marianne Favro nbc bay area news. Marianne thanks very much. The california Highway Patrol has been busy all day as you might imagine regarding spinouts. This one was in the east bay near northbound 880 and 238. Drivers slowed way down across a flooded area. They proceeded through with caution but others did what is recommended and that is turnaround find some other way to get there
This is what we are talking about for the next hour. Lets get straight to our top company stories. Holcim and lafarge have approved a merger that will create the worlds biggest cement maker. The new company will be led by the lafarge ceo. He tells us more about this major markets event. Manus cranny, you have been speaking to some insiders. What is their take . Their take is that lafarge is born down with debt. Holcim has some huge capital expenditure. They need to get together and get more efficient. They need to move together to actually improve the situation. My understanding is there are a couple of billionaires on the Stock Holdings of both companies. Both stocks reacting nicely today. In terms of market reaction, you have the egyptian billionaire on the lafarge a roster of holdings. Thomas schmidt hiding on holcims roster, they are the people. It is about improving the debt load for lafarge and the capital expenditure, the ability of holcim to commit on that. It is a game changer
That the rate may have been manipulated lower, which at the surface says people are getting lower mortgages. But remember, it is a zerosum game here. A continuing story. The three banks need to respond to the antitrust complaint in writing and at a hearing. Lets get our morning brief. Overnight, u. K. Inflation accelerating faster than forecast on a higher airfares and shipping costs. That is a little bit in the weeds. No Economic Data to speak of in the u. S. Earnings. Number of home depot just reported. Earnings per share is a little bit lighter than what analysts were looking for. Nate net sales coming in a little bit light. Analysts were looking for 20 billion. In terms of fullyear forecast, it terms looks to be a little bit higher. Additional buybacks over the rest of the year. Early to say if there are any shares trading. We will you know if they move. Goods, dicks sporting and tj maxx will be reporting before the bell. Into it is coming up after the bell. What do you make of sal
Took him to countdown. I am manus cranny. I am anna edwards. Bloomberg reporters are standing by across the world ready to deliver the stories that will drive your day. In mumbai, the votes are counted in the worlds biggest election. Jonathan ferro is following Credit Suisses potential deal with u. S. Tax authorities. Hans nichols is in berlin with details on key votes for the swiss. Zeb eckerte on is in hong kong as japan debates beefing up its military. Later, they are crafted with the most precise workmanship. These are not the most expensive pair of glasses you will ever buy. How one startup is trying to up and the business of highend eyewear. It is vote counting day in india. The election was the Worlds Largest taking place over more than a month. Nine rounds of voting. 551 million votes were cast. Joining us for more on the latest is sent hundred. What parties are leading . Looks like heodi is ahead in the polls in the moment. It definitely seems like that. Like you were pointing