On Episode #14 of the Zacks Friday Finish Line podcast, Content Writer Ryan McQueeney and Editor Maddy Johnson take on this week’s biggest news from the investment and financial world.

The hosts started the episode with a pair of headlines surrounding Spotify. According to some reports, the music streaming giant is looking to buyout one of its many competitors, SoundCloud. At the same time, the company announced a soft-launch in Japan this week, becoming the first music streamer to offer a free, ad-supported service in that country.

Check out the full details here: Spotify News Round-Up: Japan Launch, Reportedly Acquiring SoundCloud

Maddy and Ryan also took a look at two IPO announcements. Jose Cuervo, the world’s largest tequila maker, filed for an IPO that could be worth up to $1 billion. Also this week, luxury resort company Playa Hotels announced its intentions to hold an IPO valued at $100 million.

You can find coverage for both IPOs here: Playa Hotels & Resorts Files for $100 Million IPO & Tequila Maker Jose Cuervo Announces $1 Billion IPO

The hosts also touched on this week’s jump in oil prices following the decision by OPEC to cut its oil output for the first time since 2008. After two days of deliberation, OPEC member nations decided to reduce output to 32.5 million barrels per day (bpd) from current production of 33.24 million bpd.

For the full story, go here: Crude Oil Spikes 4.8% on OPEC Agreement to Cut Oil Output

Finally, this week’s main story was the ongoing Twitter TWTR buyout rumors. With companies like Salesforce CRM, Alphabet GOOGL, and Disney DIS all reportedly interested, it appears like a Twitter takeover could be on the horizon. Maddy and Ryan looked at all of the rumors and offered their own insights into which potential companies would make the most sense to take over the struggling social media site.

For more coverage on Twitter and its potential suitors, check out these stories:

• Disney is Reportedly Mulling a Bid to Buy Twitter

• Here's Why Salesforce Shouldn't Buy Twitter, But Google Should

• Disney Could Buy Twitter to Save ESPN

As always, thanks for checking out this week’s episode of the Zacks Friday Finish Line, and make sure to check back next week for even more news from the investment and financial world!

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