Good morning from the Financial Times.
Today is Friday, February 21, and this is your FT news briefing.
EU debt markets could be in for a shake up and Walmart is dusting the dirt off its shoulder.
Plus, Donald Trump doesn't want to be responsible for defending Europe and that's forced the EU to move quickly.
The alarm bell's gone off several times and the snooze button has been pressed, but that's no longer an option.
Marc?
I'm Marc Filippino and here's the news you need to start your day.
Investors want the European Union to revamp rules around debt securitization.
Just a quick refresher.
Debt securitization is when things like risky corporate loans or mortgages are packed up into one chunk that banks then sell off to investors.
These kinds of securities are now heavily regulated because of their key role in the global 2008 financial crisis.
But bond giant Pimco and Italian insurer Generali told the EU that those safeguards are now strangling the market.
They're hoping that reforms would kickstart sectors in the EU and uk.
For what it's worth, Brussels is investigating ways to revive the debt market.
The idea being that a thriving market could attract more financing for businesses and households.
About a decade ago, Walmart was staring down a big threat to its dominance.
Amazon overtook its market capitalization and made its big box stores look outdated.
But now Walmart has come roaring back.
Here to tell us how Walmart did It is the FT's consumer editor, Greg Meyer.
Hi, Greg.