He's the next mayor
I left LA for Chicago why?
Stocks move higher: Lots of mixed messages this morning (possible leadership change in Italy, still no word on fiscal cliff talks, McDonald's has a good month). Dow is up about 30 points.
Airplane leasing firm sold to Chinese: A group led by New China Trust Co. is buying a majority stake in L.A.-based International Lease Finance, which had been owned by AIG. The deal values the company at $5.28 billion. (LAT)
Amgen acquires gene firm: DeCode Genetics, which is based in Iceland and has been linking genetic mutations to disease, is being bought by the Thousand Oaks-based biotech company in a $415-million deal. From DealBook:
DeCode, which is privately held, has used the population of Iceland to identify genetic variations linked to schizophrenia, cancer and numerous other diseases. Just this year, for instance, it published a study identifying a rare mutation that protects people from getting Alzheimer's disease, a second on a mutation that significantly raises the risk of Alzheimer's, and a third suggesting that older men are more likely to father children with autism.
Fisker looking for investor: The cash-strapped Anaheim-based electric car maker is bringing in an investment bank to find potential partners. From the WSJ:
"We are in serious discussions with multiple strategic partners," said Tony Posawatz, the chief executive officer in an interview on Friday from London, where he was courting investors. "We've been working with Evercore on the identification of a strategic partner." Evercore, which is known for advising companies like General Motors Co. through bankruptcy restructuring, wasn't hired to chart a course for a Chapter 11 filing for Fisker, Mr. Posawatz says, but rather to seek out possible buyers and investors.
Disney moving ships out of L.A.: Another blow for the local cruise business - four Disney liners will end their extended run on the West Coast by the first half of 2014. (AP)
Box office report: "Skyfall" landed in the top spot, with only $11 million, followed by "Rise of the Guardians" ($10.5 million), and "Twilight: Breaking Dawn -- Part 2" ($9.2 million). (THR)