Marketplace Morning Report for Wednesday August 6, 2014
First up, more on the news that Walgreens has abandoned the idea of moving its tax headquarters from the US to Switzerland. This would have been a huge example of what are called "inversions": controversial, but presently legal, maneuvers to lower US tax bills. Walgreens is, however, going ahead with a $10 billion dollar deal to buy full control of the pharmacy chain Boot's, which has a real headquarters in Britain but a tax headquarters in Switzerland. Plus, marketers know where we've been and what we're buying. The NSA -- and Google -- may be reading our email. But what about our kids, and the data gathered by their schools, the states, and the educational tech companies clamoring to get into the digital classroom? Some parents are unnerved. Politicians are reacting.
First up, more on the news that Walgreens has abandoned the idea of moving its tax headquarters from the US to Switzerland. This would have been a huge example of what are called “inversions”: controversial, but presently legal, maneuvers to lower US tax bills. Walgreens is, however, going ahead with a $10 billion dollar deal to buy full control of the pharmacy chain Boot’s, which has a real headquarters in Britain but a tax headquarters in Switzerland. Plus, marketers know where we’ve been and what we’re buying. The NSA — and Google — may be reading our email. But what about our kids, and the data gathered by their schools, the states, and the educational tech companies clamoring to get into the digital classroom? Some parents are unnerved. Politicians are reacting.
