GE could break itself apart, bitcoin is still sliding, and more trending news

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General Electric may be headed for a breakup. The news from CEO John Flannery comes after the 125-year-old company disclosed it would take a $6.2 billion hit related to its insurance business. In November, Flannery announced a turnaround plan that included a renewed focus on power, aviation, and healthcare — all of which could now become separately traded public businesses as soon as spring. GE shares have fallen 40% over the past year as conglomerates face pressure to break up operations or increase efficiency. ? Share your thoughts: #GEbreakup

Bitcoin has lost more than $30 billion in value in the past 24 hours. After dropping 25% yesterday, the digital currency has continued to slide — falling as low as $9,966 this morning (down nearly 50% from its December 17 high). Other cryptocurrencies, such as ethereum and ripple, have also continued to drop. Yesterday’s slump came amid fears of crackdowns in China and South Korea, but some analysts suggest the moves are more about the currencies’ volatility: “This is what you’d expect in a nascent market with a lot of misinformation,” Charles Hayter of CryptoCompare told The Wall Street Journal. ? Share your thoughts: #BitcoinDrop ? Share your thoughts: #BitcoinDrop

House Republicans unveiled their version of a plan to avoid a government shutdown Friday. The measure doesn’t address DACA — the core concern of Senate Democrats — but the Children’s Health Insurance Program, another expired program dear to Democrats whose votes the GOP needs to pass a stopgap funding bill. In the race to Friday’s deadline it’s unclear what plan’s overall prospects might be; even if it clears the House, passage in the Senate “is no sure bet,” warns The New York Times. ? Share your thoughts: #GovtShutdown

The maker of Nutella will buy Nestlé’s US candy business for $2.8 billion — a deal that will turn Italian Ferrero into the third-biggest US confectionery company. The unit, which includes Butterfinger and Baby Ruth, is being sold as the Swiss company seeks to shed unhealthier products in favor of items such as coffee and pet food. Meanwhile, Ferrero has sought to expand its footprint in the US, with previous purchases including Ferrara, the maker of Red Hots and Lemonhead candies, and Fannie May. ? Share your thoughts: #FerreroNestle

The Dow rose above 26,000 for the first time yesterday, surging more than 250 points before falling to around 25,792. This latest milestone, bolstered by economic optimism and the hope of strong quarterly earnings, marks the fastest 1,000-point rise for the 30-stock index; it only crossed 25,000 on January 4. The other two major stock indexes, the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq composite, gained early in the day but finished lower. ? Share your thoughts: #DowRecord

Idea of the Day: Dread going to work? It might be your workplace — but you can take steps to create a more rewarding environment, says Aha! CEO Brian de Haaff. It’s all about what he calls “micro-actions” that can “add up to macro-level change” in your office.

“A little team spirit goes a long way. Investing in the people around you, supporting them, and building them up will make the days more fulfilling.”

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— Lorraine K. Lee / Share this using #DailyRundown