Good morning! It’s Daniel de Visé with your Daily Money, on a surprisingly busy pre-Christmas week.

Two of Japan's biggest automakers, Honda and Nissan, have reportedly begun merger talks, Mike Snider reports.

The two Japanese-headquartered firms are looking to join their families to contend with an ever-challenging industry increasingly focused on electric vehicles.

Another rate cut?

Despite stubbornly high inflation and a sturdy economy and job market, the Federal Reserve is expected to cut interest rates again today.

What gives?

📰 More stories you shouldn't miss 📰

• Federal regulators warn of credit card schemes
• California Amazon workers approve a strike
• Clock is ticking on Visa-Mastercard settlement
• Walmart employees testing body cameras
• Meet MotorTrend’s 2025 Truck of the Year

📰 A great read 📰

We've been revisiting favorite stories from our colleagues. Here's one from my Daily Money co-writer, Betty Lin-Fisher!

Liza Likins, who sang backup for Stevie Nicks and Linda Ronstadt, was lonely and depressed after her husband died in 2020. When a handsome blond-haired man who resembled her late husband started messaging her on Facebook, Likins rebuked him for four months.   

But eventually, Likins was lured into a relationship with "Donald," who worked mining gold in Australia.  

Or so she thought.  

About The Daily Money

Each weekday, The Daily Money delivers the best consumer and financial news from USA TODAY, breaking down complex events, providing the TLDR version and explaining how everything from Fed rate changes to bankruptcies impacts you.

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA Today.