Bz Nwz




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Today’s Issue Cluster: Oil

Canada – Vancouver property boom yields calls to rein in speculation
Ship – Stranded ships on Great Lakes create icebreaking logjam
World – Inflation may help determine how fast labour markets recover from recession



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DATA POINTS

Japan – Dec: Inflation quickens to over five-year high; 1.3% from 1.2% / WSJ / R / B / AP

Japan – Jan: Markit manufacturing PMI at 8-year high; 56.6 from 55.2 / R

EZ – Jan: Inflation Rate Builds Rate Pressure on ECB; 0.7% from 0.8% / B / NYT / WSJ / AP

Germany – Dec: Retail Sales Fall; -2.5% from +0.9% / WSJ

US – Dec: Consumer Spending Increase Slows; +0.4% from +0.6% / B / R / AP / WSJ *

US – Jan: Chicago Business Barometer Fell; 59.1 from 60.8 / R / B

US – Jan: Final UMich consumer sentiment decreased; 81.2 from 82.5 / R / cr *

US – Q4: Labor costs rise; +0.5% from +0.4% / R



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MARKETS

EMs – Fear of contagion FT * * * * * * * * * * *

EMs – Struggle to cope with a new world E * *

EMs – Selloff’s Spread to Europe Is Sign of Broad Fear WSJ *



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ECONOMICS

US – Economy Shows Signs of Gearing Up FT / WSJ / wsj / wsj * * * * *



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POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

EU – Euro Zone’s Next Reform Candidate: Germany WSJ *



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MONETARY POLICY

RBI – Rajan hits out at uncoordinated global policy FT / B

TCMB – Turkey prepared to tighten policy further FT



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FINANCE

US – Banks Start to Ease Limits on Lending WSJ * *

US – Bank profits hit a post-crisis record last year q *



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REAL ESTATE

Canada – Vancouver property boom yields calls to rein in speculation G&M *



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SERVICES

Cable – Writers Talks Face May 5 Deadline WSJ *

Cable – Time Warner Cable lays out operating plan as it fends off takeover R / FT

Cable – Five years of cord-cutting at Time Warner Cable / q *

Cable – Time Warner Cable Avoids Fights in Latest Content Deals WSJ *

Cable – ESPN’s Internet Rollout Tests Television Cash Cow WSJ * * *



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MANUFACTURING




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TECH

Mobiles – How Google’s Costly Motorola Maneuver May Pay Off WSJ / FT / NYT / R / WSJ / FT * *

Mobiles – Nintendo Remains Defiant Against Smartphone Revolution WSJ *

Mobiles – Global smartphone shipments / E *



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TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Stranded ships on Great Lakes create icebreaking logjam CBC *



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COMMODITIES

Commodities – Producers face second year of falling prices FT *



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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Pumping Up the US Economy WSJ *

Oil – US Production Keeps Rising Beyond the Forecasts NYT *

Oil – ‘America returns to gas-guzzling’ FT *

Oil – US ready for a light crude awakening G&M *

Oil – US Exports Face Obstacles WSJ / FT *

Oil – Groups pressed to restrain spending FT *

Oil – Companies Struggle to Justify Soaring Project Costs WSJ *

Oil – Serica points up perils of North Sea exploration FT *

Oil – Investment cannot hide North Sea problems FT *

Oil – Shell to stop drilling in Alaska in 2014 FT / AP / WSJ *

Oil – China’s Iraq Imports Surge WSJ * *

Oil – China begins receiving crude from Russia CD *

Oil – Shale boom brings Latin American oil bonus for Indian refiners R *

Oil – Companies See Africa as a Market WSJ

Oil – Shale Boom Forces Pemex to Find New Buyers WSJ *

Oil – Gasoline and Diesel Consumption / a * *



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LABOR & EDUCATION

World – Inflation may help determine how fast labour markets recover from recession E *



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HEALTH




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ENDNOTES

Old Mexico lives on E *



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Today’s Issue Cluster: Meat

Bonds – Fracking boom is helping bolster Treasuries demand
India – Banks seek refuge in home loans
Delivery – Canada Post will phase out home delivery in smaller cities and suburbs first



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DATA POINTS

China – Jan: HSBC Manufacturing Contracts; 49.5 from 50.5 / WSJ / FT / B *

Philippines – Q4: GDP Growth Slowed on Impact of Typhoon; +6.5% from +6.9% / WSJ / AP / B

EZ – Jan: Confidence Shows Patchy Recovery; 100.9 from 100.4 / B / R / WSJ

Germany – Jan: Joblessness Fell More Than Forecast ; -28k to 2.93m / B

UK – Dec: Home-Loan Market Rebounds to Best in Six Years; 72k from 71k / B / R

Spain – Q4: Economy Picks Up Pace; +0.3%, -0.1% yr / WSJ

Belgium – Q4: Economy Sees Fastest Growth in Almost Three Years; +0.4% from +0.9% / B

Brazil – Dec: Unemployment Rate Falls to Record Low; 4.3% from 4.6% / B

US – Q4: Economy Grew as Consumer Spending Picked Up; +3.2% from +4.1% / WSJ / AP / R / FT / B / NYT *

US – Dec: NAR Pending Sales of Existing Homes Slump Most Since 2010; -8.7% from -0.3% / B *

US – Week: Jobless Claims Climbed More Than Forecast; +19k to 348k / R / WSJ / B *



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MARKETS

Bonds – Markets wrestle with Reverse Rotation FT *

Bonds – Fracking boom is helping bolster Treasuries demand B

Bonds – Gilts face end of 24-year bull run FT *



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ECONOMICS

EMs – Sell-off in currencies continues FT / FT * *

EMs – Slide Tests How Much Nations Learned From Past WSJ *

EMs – Turkey: Have equities discounted enough? FT *



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POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY




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MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Sticks with $10b taper FT / WSJ / NYT / R / AP / B / WSJ * *

Banxico – Inflation Puts Tightening on Bank of Mexico Agenda wsj

MNB – Hungary Hints at Further Rate Cuts Despite Sliding Forint WSJ

CBR – Russia Prepared to Let Ruble Slide WSJ

RBNZ – Expects to Start Raising ‘Soon’ B



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FINANCE

China – Four factors keeping investors nervous N *



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REAL ESTATE

India – Banks seek refuge in home loans R *



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SERVICES

Delivery – Canada Post will phase out home delivery in smaller cities and suburbs first G&M



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MANUFACTURING

Planes – Boeing plans to raise deliveries by 10% FT / WSJ / R / FT *



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TECH

Mobiles – Google Sells Motorola To Lenovo For $2.9b FT / WSJ / AP / B / R / nyt *

Mobiles – Apple, Samsung Confront New Rivals in China WSJ *



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TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

US – Reid threatens Obama’s trade agenda FT / WSJ / AP

TPP – US trade debate prompts fears of delay in talks FT / WSJ

EU/US – ‘Will US-EU Trade Become Too Free?’ S / WSJ * *

World – Trade reaches new high / cd *



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COMMODITIES

Meat – Spring thaw to briefly relieve hot US beef prices R / WSJ

Meat – China has an unexpected pork glut q * *

Meat – How People Consume Around The World bi *

Meat – ‘A lot can be done to make consumption less bad for the planet’ E / E *

Meat – Resurgent bird flu culls poultry industry X

Meat – Pig-killing PEDv virus moves into Canada G&M / CBC / R / CBC / WSJ *

Meat – Canadian pork industry trying to forestall deadly virus G&M *

Meat – Canada warns of trade retaliation as U.S. fails to change labelling rules CBC



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HEALTH

H7N9 – China halts poultry trading after new cases AP / AP / B / q * *

H5N8 – SK expands poultry cull on bird flu fears R

Stem Cells – Japan team discovers a quicker source FT / NYT / WSJ



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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Energy – Icy Chill Sets Energy Prices on Fire WSJ *

Energy – Price gap with the US to hurt Europe for ‘at least 20 years’ FT

Energy – Gradually decoupling from economic growth ft * * * *



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LABOR & EDUCATION

Pensions – Germany: Moves to Raise WSJ

Pensions – Obama Signs Order for Retirement Accounts WSJ *

Pensions – US: funding gap closes, driving corporate profits R / bi *



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ENDNOTES

Ghost stations of the London Underground motw *



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Today’s Issue Cluster: Japan

EMs – ‘Fragile Five’ Is the Latest Club of Emerging Nations in Turmoil
Netflix – And the future of television
Auto – “Peak travel” theory hitting a few bumps?



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DATA POINTS

Germany – Feb: GfK Consumer Sentiment Reaches Six-Year High; 8.2 from 7.7 / WSJ

SK – Dec: Industrial output quickest in more than four years; +2.6% from -0.8% / FT



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MARKETS

EU – Portugal: Sets course for ‘clean’ bailout exit FT *

EMs – ‘Fragile Five’ Is the Latest Club of Emerging Nations in Turmoil NYT *



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ECONOMICS

Japan – Is Abenomics Misguided? Officials Not Ready to Concede wsj

Japan – Abe Stresses Resolve to Sustain Growth WSJ / FT * *

Japan – China rejects Abe’s WW1 comparison with Pacific tensions FT / WSJ

Japan – No Longer an Export Powerhouse wsj

Japan – Canon to Return Some Production to Japan WSJ

Japan – Government Stimulus Lifts Economy NYT *

Japan – Abe Eyes Land-Price Reflation to Spur Construction Boom B

Japan – Bond market signals lack of inflation faith FT

Japan – M&A: rising sum FT *

Japan – New savings accounts could be game changers FT *



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REAL ESTATE

Japan – Can Rising Property Values Spur Spending? WSJ *



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MONETARY POLICY

BOJ – Easing may not compensate for Federal Reserve’s taper FT *

TCMB – Turkey Raises Overnight Lending Rate to 12% WSJ / FT / NYT / B / R / B *

SARB – South Africa Follows Emerging Markets in Raising Key Rate WSJ / B / AP / FT

EMs – Impact of Rate Decisions Fades Fast FT / WSJ *



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POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Thailand – Government Holds to Plans for Voting WSJ / FT / R / AP / B / E *



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FINANCE

EU – Bank reforms set out to reduce complexity and curb speculation FT / AP / NYT / R

EU – Banks Show Signs of Healing WSJ *



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SERVICES

Consumer – Japanese diaper makers are fighting a new competitor: Chinese diaper pirates q * *

Consumer – No easy money in skin care for fashion brands R *

Consumer – L’Oréal Pulls Garnier Brand From China WSJ *

Consumer – A vigorous competition among sportswear-makers e *



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MANUFACTURING




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TECH

Netflix – Gears Up to Expand in Europe WSJ *

Netflix – And the future of television NYer *



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TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Auto – A Cooling of Americans’ Love Affair With Cars WSJ *

Auto – “Peak travel” theory hitting a few bumps q *

Auto – Traffic Forecasts / mr *



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COMMODITIES

Cocoa – Bulls in the ascendant as supply tightens FT *



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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

NatGas – Fracking Boom Keeps Home Heating Bills in Check WSJ *



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LABOR & EDUCATION




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HEALTH

Demog – Japan: How nation stood up to old age FT *



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ENDNOTES

Pareidolia update: Hungry helicopter eats delicious soldiers kottke *



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Today’s Issue Cluster: Mobiles

China – Trade Puzzle Revived as HK Data Diverge
US – Inventory of New Homes Remain Low
Crops – Genetic Weapon Against Insects Raises Hope and Fear in Farming



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DATA POINTS

Taiwan – Q4: Economy Expanded More Than Estimated; +2.92% from +1.66% / B / WSJ

UK – Q4: Economic Recovery Slows Slightly; +0.7% from +0.8% / WSJ / FT / B / AP * *

Italy – Jan: Consumer Confidence Rises Even as Doubts on Economy Linger; 98.0 from 96.4 / WSJ

US – Dec: Durable goods orders unexpectedly plunge; -4.3% from +2.6% / R / AP / B / WSJ *

US – Nov: Home Prices in 20 Cities Rise Most on Year Since February 2006; +13.7% from +13.6% / R / AP / WSJ / B *

US – Jan: Conf Bd consumer confidence jumps more than expected; 80.7 from 77.5 / R *



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MARKETS

Argentina – Eases Limits on Dollar Purchases to Calm Market WSJ

India – Investors Lose Faith WSJ *



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ECONOMICS

China – Another Look at the GDP Numbers wsj *

China – Trade Puzzle Revived as HK Data Diverge B

China – The market is growing furiously, but getting tougher for foreign firms E * *

China – In three parts E *



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POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Inches back from the brink ahead FT / WSJ / AP / NYT / B / R / *



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MONETARY POLICY

EMs – Pressure mounts to lift rates FT / FT / e * *

RBI – India raises interest rates to combat inflation FT / WSJ / B / R / AP / ET / WSJ *

TCMB – Turkey Central Bank Chief Hints at Rate Rise WSJ / WSJ *

EMs – Central bank fightback boosts currencies FT / B * *



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FINANCE

US – Banks Prune More Branches WSJ *



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REAL ESTATE

US – Inventory of New Homes Remain Low wsj *



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SERVICES




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MANUFACTURING

Defense – UK: Gates criticism strikes chord FT *



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TECH

Mobiles – Apple bruised as iPhone sales disappoint FT / R / AP / NYT / B / WSJ / q * * *

Mobiles – Apple iPhones to Come Out With Bigger Screens WSJ / q * * *

Mobiles – Apple plants seeds for the next big thing FT *

Mobiles – Apple China Mobile launch could spark costly subsidy war R / WSJ / CD

Mobiles – China’s ambitious handset makers face tough sell in US R / R / FT

Mobiles – China smartphones: Xiaomi the money FT *

Mobiles – Nokia Bodes Ill for Microsoft WSJ *

Mobiles – Google to launch its Moto X smartphone in UK, France and Germany FT

Mobiles – Phablets May Not Make for Fab Profits WSJ *

Mobiles – Global smartphone shipments top 1b in 2013 FT / R *

Mobiles – AT&T pauses Vodafone pursuit FT / WSJ / FT * *



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TRADE & TRANSPORTATION




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COMMODITIES

Crops – Ethanol Exporters Search for a Port WSJ *

Crops – US Farm Bill Compromise Will Change Programs NYT

Crops – China’s Taste for Corn Grows WSJ *

Crops – National Potato Council Lobbies for Spuds WSJ

Crops – Extreme Weather Wreaking Havoc on Food as Farmers Suffer B / AP / FT

Crops – Genetic Weapon Against Insects Raises Hope and Fear in Farming NYT *



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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Alt – Solar: China’s industry rebounds R / FT / R *



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LABOR & EDUCATION

US – Obama to Raise Minimum Wage Under Federal Contractors FT / NYT / WSJ / B / R / AP

US – Obama Tries New Tack for Long-Term Jobless WSJ *



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HEALTH

Pharma – Hepatitis C: Treated – at a price FT * * *



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ENDNOTES

Place-Name Etymology for the Americas rc *



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Today’s Issue Cluster: EU




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DATA POINTS

Germany – Jan: Ifo Business Confidence Rises as Growth Pickup Seen; 110.6 from 109.5 / AP / WSJ / B / FT / q *

Japan – Dec: Trade Deficit Doubles; -¥1.302t from ¥645.7b / WSJ / R / B / K

US – Dec: Sales of New Homes Fell More Than Forecast; -7% / AP / R / B / b * * *



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MARKETS

EMs – Markets Tumble as Fear Spreads WSJ / FT / R *

EMs – Crises Squeeze Two Latin Leaders WSJ *

EMs – Turkey Stems Emerging-Markets Slide WSJ / bi *

EMs – Similarities with 1997 crash only go so far FT * *

EU – Proposals to overhaul sovereign debt raising fears FT / bi * *



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ECONOMICS

EU – France: Economic Activity Contracts for Third Straight Month WSJ

EU – France: Hollande tackles ticking ‘baguette bomb’ FT *

EU – France: Hollande under pressure to deliver after policy ‘U-turn’ FT *

EU – Germany: Snubs Export Critics as Surplus Outstrips That of China B

EU – Forecasts of GDP growth in Europe to 2015 / AFP *

EU – GDP per inhabitant of subdivisions relative to the average / motw *

EU – From order to chaos, to… something in between / r *



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MONETARY POLICY

ECB – Poised for battle to ward off deflation FT / WSJ / B / FT *



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POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

EU – Germany: Young Buoy Anti-Euro Alternative WSJ *

EU – UK: Businesses blast 50p tax plans by Labour FT / FT



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FINANCE

EU – Bank deleveraging slows as eurozone recovers FT *

EU – Spain: Investors warm to banks FT



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REAL ESTATE

EU – UK: Recovery likely to widen wealth gap between London and regions FT *

EU – UK: Home buyers left behind in two-speed housing market FT *

EU – UK: Prices in London decoupling from income levels: Fitch q *

EU – UK: Housebuilders struggle to raise output FT

EU – UK: The explosion of London property prices / motw *

EU – UK: London Property-Market Growth Cools After 2013 Surge B



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SERVICES

Online – Stores think local to grow global FT *



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MANUFACTURING

Small Boats – Manufacturers ‘more confident than ever’ as sales recover G&M



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TECH

Data Storage – Seagate, Western Digital Ready For ‘Hybrid’ Data IBD



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TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Rail – Crop and shale boom slows American lines FT

Rail – Accidents Surge as Oil Industry Takes the Train NYT *

Rail – US study renews focus on risks of shipping from Alberta oil sands CP



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COMMODITIES

Steel – Imports Into US Surge WSJ *



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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Propane – Scarce in US As Cold Spell Lifts Demand, Prices WSJ / R / AP / B

NatGas – US Supplies Tighten WSJ / FT *

NatGas – BC’s multibillion-dollar path to an energy powerhouse G&M * *



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LABOR & EDUCATION

EU – Italy: Euro Jobless Record Not Whole Story as Italians Give Up B

EU – Migration within the Union r *



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HEALTH

Demog – UK: More than a quarter of young British adults live with parents FT *



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ENDNOTES

Famous movie quotes as charts fd * *



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Today’s Issue Cluster: Latin America




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DATA POINTS

Canada – Nov: Dollar gets some breathing room as inflation ticks up; +1.2% from +0.9% / FP / G&M / CBC / B

Singapore – Q4: Home Price Posts 1st Drop in 2 Years; -0.9% was -0.8% / B

World – Markit PMIs / IBD *

World – Growth forecast / r *



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MARKETS

Currencies – Developing-World Gets Battered WSJ / FT / R / B * *

Currencies – Yuan: Continues Its Rise For Global Payments WSJ / FT

Currencies – Rupee: India Lures Back Bond, Currency Investors WSJ

Currencies – Yen: SK Central Bank Concerned About Devaluation WSJ

Currencies – Aussie: Central Bank’s Ridout Seeks Fall WSJ



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ECONOMICS

Argentina – Peso plunges after central bank stops intervening FT / WSJ / B / AP / NYT / FT * * *

Argentina – Kirchner Reappears, Sidesteps Economy WSJ / FT

Argentina – Default-Era Chaos Relived as Blackouts Follow Looting B

Argentina – Restricts Online Shopping to Stem Reserve Slide WSJ / FT

Argentina – The government is struggling to stay on its feet E *

Argentina – Still lying after all these years E *

Argentina – Woes Push Investors Away WSJ *

Brazil – Challenging year forces rethink of growth strategies FT *

Brazil – Class Struggle Goes to the Mall WSJ *

Peru – Middle class prospers from investment-driven growth FT

Peru – Coca production r *

Mexico – ‘New taxes will hit the poor hardest’ E *

Cuba – Castro’s unhurried reforms of Cuba economy falter FT *

Puerto Rico – Harbour of debt FT / AP * * * *

Puerto Rico – Flock North Away From Battered Economy WSJ *

LatAm – A gradual rebalancing of relations with Spain E * *



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POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

US – New Data Muddle Debate on Economic Mobility WSJ / NYT / AP / wapo / r * * * * *



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MONETARY POLICY

RBI – Seen holding rates on January 28 on easing inflation R

BCB – Tombini Signals Rate Rise as Brazil Prices Unexpectedly Slow B / WSJ



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FINANCE

EU – Germany, France attack plan to curb big banks R



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REAL ESTATE

US – Home Sales Expected to Cool After Big Year WSJ *

US – Housing Stock Is Getting Older wsj *



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SERVICES

Tobacco – Big firms are maintaining their poise, but quietly wheezing E *

Tobacco – Nicotine levels in cigarettes went up 15% between 1999 and 2011 bg

Tobacco – Tied to More Deaths, Types of Illness WSJ

Tobacco – US explores ‘end game’ FT *

E-Cigarettes – In Rural Jails, a Calming Vapor NYT
Marijuana – Legal Businesses Should Have Access to Banks, Holder Says NYT

Marijuana – Legal Weed Lures Investors to Industry BW *



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MANUFACTURING

World – ‘Animal spirits’ of spending jostle for release FT *



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TECH

PCs – Chromebooks Take Other Mobile PCs to School WSJ *



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TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Rail – Lac-Mégantic disaster: Watchdog issues recommendations CP / G&M

Rail – Safety Board Calls for Tougher Standards for Shipping Crude Oil WSJ / NYT

Rail – After crude-by-rail accidents, experts mull US oil market impact R

Pipeline – Keystone Decision on Collision Course With Midterms WSJ / AP



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COMMODITIES

Platinum – South African miners strike to demand higher wages FT / R / AP / WSJ / WSJ

Gold – China becomes top consumer in 2013 FT



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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT




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LABOR & EDUCATION

Spain – Job Market May Be Turning Around WSJ *

UK – A striking recovery in the labour market E *



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HEALTH

Pharma – Drug Makers Tiptoe Back Into Antibiotic R&D WSJ *

Fertility – More Women Try to Get Pregnant With Medical Help WSJ *



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ENDNOTES

The Chemicals in Our Food mr *



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Today’s Issue Cluster: Alternative Energy

World – Rising CEO confidence in economy
Australia – Record Loan Spree as House Prices Soar
Retail – A ‘tsunami’ of store closings expected to hit retail



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DATA POINTS

China – Jan: HSBC flash PMI falls, first contraction in six months; 49.6 from 50.5 / R / B / WSJ * *

China – 2013: Fiscal revenue rises; +10.1% / X / WSJ *

Japan – Oct: Price Gauge Rises Most Since 1998; +0.3% / B

SK – Q4: Expansion Matches Estimates; +0.9% from +1.1% / FT / B

EZ – Jan: Markit Business Activity Picks Up; 53.2 from 52.1 / WSJ / FT / B / R

EZ – Jan: Household confidence rose; -11.7 from -13.5 / B

Spain – Q4: Jobless rate remains high; 26.03% from 25.98% / B / AP / FT / WSJ

Ireland – Dec: House Prices Rise; +0.3%, +6.4% yr / WSJ

Canada – Nov: Retail sales hit record on winter gear and cars; +0.6% / B / R *

US – Week: Jobless Claims Up; +1k to 326k / WSJ / AP / R / B *

US – Jan: Markit manufacturing growth slows; 53.7 from 55.0 / R *

US – Dec: Conf Bd Leading Indicators Rose; +0.1% from +1.0% / B / AP

US – Nov: NAR Home Prices Rise Small as Recovery Slows; +0.1% / B

US – Nov: NAR Home sales edged up; +1.0% / AP / R / WSJ *



---

MARKETS

EMs – IMF warns on exposure to capital flight FT / WSJ * * * *

EMs – ‘Two-Track Future Imperils Global Growth’ WSJ *



---

ECONOMICS

World – Rising CEO confidence in economy R *



---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Protesters pour into Kiev as fears of violence grow FT / WSJ / AP / R / B / NYT / R

Ukraine – Political crisis hits its currency FT *

Ukraine – Yanukovich railroads towards police state FT

Ukraine – Ukrainian vs. Russian Language According to a Social Network / motw *



---

MONETARY POLICY

BOJ – Sticks to Record Easing as Inflation Picks Up WSJ / FT / B / K

RBA – Australia Inflation Jump Deepens Rate Dilemma WSJ / B

ECB – To Maintain Easy-Money Policies for Extended Period WSJ

BOE – In no rush to raise rates as unemployment plunges FT / R / WSJ / ft / bi / FT * * *

BOC – Holds rate as inflation fears weigh R / B / CP / FP / G&M * *

RBI – India mulls inflation targeting FT / WSJ / R / PTI / wsj *



---

FINANCE

World – Costliest disasters in 2013 r *



---

REAL ESTATE

Australia – Record Loan Spree as House Prices Soar B / B



---

SERVICES

Retail – Banks and stores trade barbs over data breaches R

Retail – Version of Target Malware Linked to Young Russian WSJ

Retail – A ‘tsunami’ of store closings expected to hit retail CNBC



---

MANUFACTURING

Planes – Boeing Adding Workers to Address Dreamliner Problems WSJ / R

Planes – Business-Jet Makers Predict Sales Rebound WSJ / R / FT



---

TECH

Netflix – Added more than 2m US customers last quarter FT / WSJ / NYT / AP / B / R / IBD / WSJ / q * * *

eBay – Icahn Calls for PayPal Split FT / WSJ / R / IBD *

Amazon – Lucrative Role as Middleman WSJ *



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TRADE & TRANSPORTATION




---

COMMODITIES

Water – Severe Drought Grows Worse In California NYT / WSJ / FT / AP * *

Water – China’s shortage is so bad it could turn out the lights q * *

Water – Dams Threaten Europe’s Last Wild Rivers S *



---

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Alt – EU sets out new climate change goals FT / WSJ / NYT / R / B / AP / WSJ / S / FT / WSJ *

Alt – Doldrums And Clouds Bring Green Electricity Production To A Halt in Germany Welt *

Alt – German industrial base at risk if green energy shift fails R / WSJ / NYT / FT *

Alt – Solar: Utilities Feeling Rooftop Heat Start Fighting Back B / wapo / AP * *

Alt – Solar: Catching Rays in CA, and Storing Them NYT * *

Alt – Solar: Projects finally getting boost in NY AP *

Alt – Solar: Sharp says to end panel production in US R

Alt – Solar: China pledges further support for industry R

Alt – Solar: China sets final duties on US materials R / CD



---

LABOR & EDUCATION

China – Shoppers will have to pay more as the world’s factory comes under wage and labour strain FT / B * * *



---

HEALTH




---

ENDNOTES

Apple computers are 30 years old: Macintosh 128k vs iPhone 5c q *



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Today’s Issue Cluster: Oil Transport

Canada – Fitch changes tune on ‘over-heated’ housing market
Planes – Bombardier Inc plane orders tumble
Internet – Will ‘Fat Five’ tech stocks come back down to earth?



---

DATA POINTS

UK – Nov: Jobless drop puts spotlight on central bank; 7.1% from 7.4% / B / AP

EZ – Q3: Government Debt vs GDP Falls for First Time Since Crisis; 92.7% from 93.4% / WSJ

Ghana – Q3: GDP growth falls; +0.3% from +6.1% / R

Australia – Q4: Surprise inflation spike closes door on interest rate cut; +0.8%, +2.7% yr / SMH / ABC / Aus / B / WSJ

US – Dec: AIA Billings Index declines; 48.5 from 49.8 / cr *

World – 2014: IMF Raises Growth Outlook; +3.7% was +3.6% / WSJ *



---

MARKETS

Currencies – Lira: Turks Seek Gold, Dollars WSJ / FT / WSJ / FT * *

Currencies – Won: Worries appear overblown for Korea’s manufacturers FT

Currencies – Peso: Argentina Caps Wild Week With Big Slide in Black Market WSJ

Currencies – Peso: Chile comes under pressure FT *

Currencies – Loonie: Tumbles to near four-year low FT *



---

ECONOMICS

Deflation – World: ‘Ogre’ is latest monster to scare global economy FT / R / WSJ * *

Inflation – US: Where art thou? ft * *



---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Thailand – Declares State of Emergency for Bangkok WSJ / FT / R / NYT * *

Thailand – Unexpectedly Holds Rate After Emergency Declared B / WSJ *



---

MONETARY POLICY

MNB – Hungary Slashes Rates to Record Low WSJ



---

FINANCE

US – Banks Sit Out Riskier Deals WSJ *

US – Rural lender highlights difficulties of community banks FT *

US – Profits Show Biggest Banks are Back From the Brink WSJ *



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REAL ESTATE

Canada – Fitch changes tune on ‘over-heated’ housing market FP / G&M / G&M

Australia – Fitch says homes expensive but crash unlikely ABC / Aus / SMH / WSJ



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SERVICES




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MANUFACTURING

Planes – Bombardier Inc plane orders tumble in ‘challenging year for aviation’ R / G&M / FP / CBC / G&M

Planes – Bombardier cutting 1,700 employees from its aerospace division WSJ / R / CP



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TECH

Internet – Amazon Considering Online Pay-TV Service WSJ

Internet – Will ‘Fat Five’ tech stocks come back down to earth? N

Internet – Facebook May Lose 80% of Its User Base by 2017: Study vocativ *



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TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline – Keystone southern leg to begin transporting oil WaPo *

Pipeline – The odds are increasing for Keystone XL approval FP / AP / CP / R

Rail – Safety fears prompt call for US oil transport regulation FT / WSJ

Rail – ND Senators Want Stiffer Safety Rules NYT / R

Rail – Cities Grapple With Oil-Train Safety WSJ *

Rail – Canada Plans Tougher Tank-Car Standards WSJ

Rail – Oil transport gathers steam as new capacity comes on line FP *



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COMMODITIES

Gold – Analysts most bearish since 2002 FT

Aluminum – Alcoa surges on hopes for global sector FT

Iron – Prices Tumble as Chinese Buyers Beat a Retreat WSJ / FT / Aus * *

Copper – China Lights the Way WSJ *



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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT




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LABOR & EDUCATION

World – Jobs growth in poor countries by income group e *



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HEALTH




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ENDNOTES

All 9 Best Picture nominees were filmed in jurisdictions with movie production incentives cd *



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Today’s Issue Cluster: China Economy & Finance

Credit Cards – After Target hack, Verifone smart card readers could shine
Batteries – Disposables’ days are numbered
H7N9 – Rise in Bird Flu Cases in China Stokes Worry Before Peak Travel Time



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DATA POINTS

China – Q4: Economic growth eases; +7.7% from +7.8% / R / AP / B / FT / WSJ / NYT / CD * *

China – Dec: Home prices rise; +0.4%, +9.9% yr / R / WSJ / FT / B / CD

China – Dec: Industrial output pace slows; +9.7% from +10.0% / X *

China – Dec: Retail sales up; +13.6% from +13.7% / CD *

China – Dec: Urban fixed-asset investment growth cools; +19.6% from +19.9% / X *

Australia – Dec: TD Securities inflation rate may keep rates on hold; 0.7% from 0.2% / ABC / SMH

NZ – Q3: Outpaces Crawling World Economy; +3.5% / WSJ *

NZ – Q4: Inflation Accelerates, Boosting Case for Rate Rises; +0.1%, +1.6% yr / B

Canada – Nov: Manufacturing sales up; +1% / CP / R

EZ – Q3: House Prices Post Strong Gain; +0.6%, -1.3% yr / WSJ

Germany – Jan: ZEW Investor Confidence Unexpectedly Falls; 61.7 from 62.0 / B / WSJ / AP

Italy – Nov: Industrial Orders Jump on Surge in Domestic Demand; +2.3%, +3.0% yr / WSJ



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MARKETS

Frontiers – Begin to lose their allure FT

EMs – Investors shrug off gloom FT *



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ECONOMICS

China – Economic growth continues to cool FT * * *

China – Growth pattern poised to mirror Asian neighbours FT * *

China – Growth adds “more than a Turkey” in 2013 / ft * *

China – Nominal GDP growth now less than half its pre-financial crisis level / b *

China – Electricity output and other real activity indicators tick up / b *

China – A Shift From Exports to Consumption NYT

China – Consumers don’t seem to be going along for the ride WSJ *

China – Growth Figures Show Rapidly Narrowing Gap With US Economy nyt *

China – 2013 economic cooldown marks shift to less heady growth R

China – Provinces Set Lower Growth Goals for 2014 B

China – Workforce Slide Robs Xi of Growth Engine B

China – Investors Shift Back on Optimism About Structural Changes WSJ * *

China – Debt bubble continues to expand b *

China – The Rise of an Innovation Machine WSJ *



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FINANCE

China – Money Market Rates Soar WSJ *

China – Central Bank Providing Short-Term Cash to Lenders WSJ / R / B

China – Banks Get Greater Freedom on Small Loans WSJ / WSJ

China – Heat Rises on a Shadow Lender WSJ / B

China – Banks face sub-10% profit growth FT

China – Could these be the most undervalued banks in Asia? FT

China – Credit to GDP ratio ends 2013 close to 200% b *

China – A Credit Bubble About to Pop? a *



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POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Iran – Easing of sanctions raises hopes for economy FT / WSJ / NYT



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MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Next Cut in Bond Buys Looms WSJ *

Fed – ‘Needs to do more’ to stimulate economy FT *



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REAL ESTATE




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SERVICES

Credit Cards – 2 nabbed at Texas border in fraud case AP

Credit Cards – Target Tried Anti-Theft Cards WSJ *

Credit Cards – After Target hack, Verifone smart card readers could shine R

Credit Cards – Cybercrime firm says uncovers six active attacks on US merchants R / FT

Credit Cards – Executives Offer to Quit Over Leaks in South Korea WSJ / NYT / B / R



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MANUFACTURING

Batteries – Disposables’ days are numbered E *



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TECH

Internet – Investors appear to have taken leave of their senses FT * * * *

Internet – Special tax rules for companies ‘not viable’ FT *



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TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Auto – Peak car? R / ft * *



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COMMODITIES

Platinum – South Africa’s AMCU union to strike at world’s top producers R / B / AP / FT / ft * *



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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – US demand growth outstrips China in 2013, says IEA FT

Oil – China’s Iraq Imports Surge as Beijing Diversifies Crude Sources WSJ

Oil – Iran Exports, US Shale Put Picture In Flux IBD



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LABOR & EDUCATION

World – Youth-to-adult jobless ratio hits peak FT *



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HEALTH

H7N9 – Rise in Bird Flu Cases in China Stokes Worry Before Peak Travel Time NYT / B

H5N8 – South Korea confirms bird flu, expands culling R / B



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ENDNOTES

Fatal lightning strikes in US have gone down to almost zero; thank urbanization a *



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Today’s Issue Cluster: Retail




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DATA POINTS

UK – Dec: Retail Sales Post Surprise Surge; +2.6%, +5.3% yr / WSJ / B

US – Nov: JOLTS Job Openings Little Changed; 4.0m / cr *

US – Dec: Builders Begin Work on More Homes Than Forecast; -9.8% / B / R / WSJ *

US – Q4: NMHC Apartment Market Conditions Softer; 41 from 46 / cr *

US – Dec: Industrial output up; +0.3% / R / WSJ / B *

US – Jan: UMich consumer sentiment dips; 80.4 from 82.5 / R *



---

MARKETS

Treasuries – Poised for jump in foreign inflows FT / * *

Treasuries – China, Japan Boost Bond Buying to Record Highs WSJ

Munis – US urged to examine oversight of $4t bond market FT



---

ECONOMICS

World – Global growth outlook / r *



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POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Thailand – Protests Wane Despite Calls to Shut Down Bangkok NYT / WSJ / FT / B

Thailand – Explosion hits Bangkok protesters, wounding dozens AP / FT

Thailand – Turmoil Bruising Economy Spurs Pressure for Second Rate Cut B



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MONETARY POLICY




---

FINANCE

China – Shadow banks face major test FT

US – Competition for banking business lurks in the shadows FT



---

REAL ESTATE

Canada – Record house prices and low interest rates fuel fears of a bubble FT *



---

SERVICES

Retail – Breaches: Neiman Marcus Intrusion Went Undetected From July to December NYT

Retail – Breaches: Target intrusion appears to be part of broader scam AP / WSJ

Retail – China: Lux Loses luster in China as wealthy flee R / FT * * * *

Retail – US: Shopping Spree Is Over For Investors in Stocks WSJ *

Retail – US: Stores Confront New World of Reduced Shopper Traffic WSJ *

Retail – UK: Brick-and-Mortar Legacies Weigh Heavily as Shoppers Surge to the Web R / WSJ

Retail – Japan: Will acquisitions dot the i’s for Seven & i? N *



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MANUFACTURING

Autos – EU Car Sales Continue to Decline WSJ / AP / NYT / q * *

Autos – Global Sales by Region / b *



---

TECH

Cloud – IBM plans rapid expansion FT / WSJ



---

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION




---

COMMODITIES

Metals – Coins: Change for a Nickel? US Mint is Weighing It WSJ *

Metals – Aluminum: Premiums hit record high on tight physical market FT

Metals – Steel: Makers must step on gas to keep car work FT / WSJ *



---

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Air – EU Climate Targets to Stop Short of Ambitions WSJ / NYT

Air – Pollution makes some ponder emigration CD *

Air – Here Are Some Great Things About Toxic Air According to China TV Time / q *

Air – Biggest Emitter China Best on Climate Because of Its Political System, UN Says B



---

LABOR & EDUCATION

Tech – Merrill Lynch: Long Robots, Short Humans ft *



---

HEALTH

Tech – Google zooms in on smart contact lenses FT / WSJ / AP *

Diet – US Eating Habits Take a Healthier Turn, Study Finds WSJ *



---

ENDNOTES

Eyeing the Academy Award nominees e *



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