WSJ What’s News serves as the flagship daily news briefing from The Wall Street Journal, providing listeners with a concise overview of the events shaping the global economy, financial markets, and international politics. As one of the longest-running news podcasts, it functions as an audio extension of the Journal's newsroom, prioritizing reporting that influences business decisions and market movements.
The podcast is structured to deliver high-frequency updates, typically releasing two episodes every weekday. The morning edition is designed to prepare listeners for the start of the business day, while the afternoon edition recaps the closing of the markets and the most significant developments from the previous several hours. Each weekday episode usually lasts between ten and fifteen minutes, focusing on efficiency and factual delivery.
During the weekend, the program shifts its editorial focus. The Saturday edition, "What’s News in Markets," offers a comprehensive wrap-up of the week’s financial trends, focusing on asset classes, economic indicators, and investor sentiment. The Sunday episode departs from the brief update format to offer a "Deep Dive," which provides an in-depth exploration of a single significant topic. These long-form segments often feature interviews with specialized Journal reporters who have spent weeks or months investigating a particular subject, ranging from technology shifts to geopolitical conflicts.
The editorial scope is international, covering major developments across the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. While the primary focus remains on business and finance—such as central bank policies, corporate earnings, and trade agreements—the show also covers broader political and social issues that have the potential to impact global stability.
Produced by the Wall Street Journal’s dedicated audio team, the show maintains a rotating cast of hosts, including journalists like Annmarie Fertoli and Luke Vargas. The production style is direct and objective, adhering to traditional journalistic standards. The show aims to provide a professional audience with the necessary context to understand complex economic news without the use of sensationalist commentary or opinion-based segments.