Dealbook looks back at a crazy Thursday of healthcare company deals [with Abbott/St. Jude taking the prize for biggest] and concludes that the industry appears to be “convinced, regardless of tax benefits [or common financial sense], that bigger is not only better, it is necessary” – NYTimes [and WSJ]

AbbVie’s acquisition of Stemcentrx for $5.8 billion was part of yesterday’s merger madness, too – NYTimes

Here’s the deal behind Facebook’s new stock class.  [Spoiler alert: it’s all about the Zuck] – Marketplace

The Upshot offers three theories on what’s ailing US productivity, an important yet rather elusive concept in economics that’s open to some interpretation—especially these days – NYTimes

FINRA’s kicking off a new practice of sending out monthly “report cards” to brokerage firms it suspects have allowed spoofing or other phony trades – Law360

A combination of low gas prices and pent-up desire for new cars helped propel Ford to the best quarter in its 112-year history – NYTimes

Most other US corporate profits, however, were down, marking a 3-quarter decline and “the longest slide in earnings since the financial crisis.” The “energy slump and slowing global growth” haven’t been helping the cause – WSJ

As a ninth grader, I was shining my shoes for inspection and stressing about my impending braces.  Natalie Clarke, meanwhile, is calling out Bank of America brass over its failure to raise its share price. This is not a young woman who is screwing around – WSJ

She’s already done wonders for Red Lobster.  Can Queen Bey do the same for actual lemonade? Is there reason to doubt this woman? – MarketWatch

Leicester City’s improbable bid to clinch the Premier League title this weekend has all the makings of a Cinderella story, complete with a 15th-century monarch’s bones, the emergence of unexpected talent, and, well, pizza. Let’s see if the Foxes can finish it  off – NYTimes