Weekend roundup: Pushing back against Apple and Google | Threat to discount brokers | Why investors don’t worry about Manafort and Cohen

MarketWatch rounds up 10 of its most interesting topics over the past week.

1. Maybe a 30% cut is too much

Apple












AAPL, +0.04%










and Google (the main subsidiary of Alphabet












GOOG, +0.68%











GOOGL, +0.66%










) often take a 30% cut when you purchase content through the iPhone App Store or Google Play. Netflix












NFLX, +3.18%










Spotify












SPOT, +1.55%










 and other companies are pushing back, and it might save you money.

2. If you can’t beat discount brokers, join them

Charles Schwab












SCHW, +0.76%










 and other discount brokers changed the game by offering cut-rate services to investors. Decades later, J.P. Morgan Chase












JPM, +0.14%










 might be starting a trend as it fights to regain market share by offering free trades.

3. investors shrug off Trump’s latest legal woes

Here’s why stock investors don’t seem worried about the multiple convictions of Paul Manafort, President Trump’s former campaign chairman and the guilty please of Michael Cohen, the president’s former lawyer.

4. Aretha Franklin shows what you need

When Aretha Franklin died on Aug. 16, she left no will. Here’s why it is very important for you to have one.

5. Retail’s on fire

Jeff Reeves highlights seven retail stocks that illustrate the excellent investment trend for the sector.

Read on: Retailers are hot again — here are the earnings and sales winners

6. Trump’s gift to big banks

Some startling numbers show how the tax cuts signed into law by President Trump in December are giving banks a tremendous boost.

7. Amazon’s pharmacy

Read this if you believe Amazon.com












AMZN, +0.53%










might wipe out traditional drugstore chains, including Walgreens












WBA, +0.23%










 

8. Trump’s proposal for corporate reporting

The president has asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to study the effects of a move to semiannual corporate reporting to replace quarterly earnings mania. Here’s what this radical change might mean to you as an investor.

9. Who lends $21 trillion to Uncle Sam?

The answer may surprise you.

10. The mysterious Ryanair

Ryanair












RY4C, -0.14%










  says it is trying to speed up its boarding process, but the discount airline may only be confusing its customers with its new baggage rules and fees.

Want more from MarketWatch? Check out our Personal Finance Daily or other newsletters, and get the latest news, personal finance and investing advice.

Have this weekly roundup sent to your inbox. Subscribe to MarketWatch’s free Weekly Roundup newsletter. Sign up here.