Archive for February, 2014

28 February 2014

Thursday, February 27th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Oil

Cards – China falls out of love with cash
Retail – Samsonite trumps LVMH as China moves downmarket
Water – California supplies nearly half of all US fruits, veggies, and nuts


DATA POINTS

EZ – Feb: Inflation stabilizes in ‘danger zone’; +0.8% from +0.8% / FT / WSJ / NYT / AP / B / R

EZ – Jan: Unemployment stable; 10.8% from 10.8% / AP

Germany – Jan: Retail Sales Highest Monthly Figure for Seven Years; +2.5% from -2.1% / WSJ

France – Jan: Lower car sales, heating bills weigh on consumer spending; -2.1%, -0.5% yr / R

Italy – Dec: Unemployment Rises to Record High; 12.9% from 12.7% / B

Sweden – Q4: Economic Growth Surged; +1.7%, +3.1% yr / WSJ *

Japan – Jan: Industrial output rises; +4.0% / B / R / WSJ / K *

Japan – Jan: Auto output rises; +14.5% / K

Japan – Jan: Housing starts rise for 17th straight monthly gain; +12.3% / K

Japan – Jan: Jobless rate flat; 3.7% / K *

Japan – Jan: Consumer prices rise; +1.3% / K *

China – Feb: CREI Home Prices Continue Slowdown; 10.8% from 11.1% / WSJ

India – Q4: GDP Growth Slows as Interest-Rate Increases Dim Outlook; +4.7% from +4.8% / B / FT / ET

Canada – Q4: Consumers Power Growth Rate; +2.9% from +2.7% / B / R / FT / G&M / CBC / FP *

US – Q4: Economy’s Growth Was Slower; +2.4% was +3.2% / NYT / AP / WSJ / B / R / FT * *

US – Feb: Chicago PMI Grows Faster; 59.8 from 59.6 / B

US – Jan: NAR pending home sales edge up; +0.1% from -5.8% / R *

US – Feb: UMich consumer sentiment inches up; 81.6 from 81.2 / R *


MARKETS

Ukraine – Crimea’s parliament calls for referendum on region’s future FT / WSJ / NYT

Ukraine – On the edge FT * * * *

Ukraine – The February revolution E * *


ECONOMICS

Brazil – Economic growth allays recession fears FT / WSJ

Brazil – Loss of faith FT * * *

Argentina – Devaluation Hurts Regional Standing WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

India – Popular support for Modi gathers force FT / NYT / FT * *

India – ‘Tea parties’ add twist to digital election FT * *

India – Hearing the Faint Pulse of Growth WSJ *

India – Modi signals shift in favor of big retail R


MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Yellen Repeats Fed Likely to Keep Trimming Asset Purchases FT / WSJ / NYT / R / B / AP


FINANCE

Cards – China falls out of love with cash FT * * *


REAL ESTATE

UK – ‘Über middle class’ reshapes Oxford FT *

UK – Average House Sale Values / motw *


SERVICES

Retail – For Some Stores, Less Red Is New Black WSJ / FT / NYT / WSJ / FT *

Retail – Samsonite trumps LVMH as China moves downmarket R * * *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Mobiles – Missing at World Congress: Innovation WSJ / FT

Mobiles – $25 Firefox smartphone a possible threat to Apple, Google N


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Deal Reached on Panama Canal Expansion WSJ / R / AP / B

Air – Qantas to axe 5,000 jobs amid A$252m loss FT / q * * * *

Air – Budget Carriers Set to Take Off in China WSJ


COMMODITIES

Water – Drought Threatens SE Asia Food Price Gains Amid Haze B

Water – Drought Brings Malaysia Water Clash to End WSJ

Water – Rain could be too late to save Brazil harvest FT *

Water – California supplies nearly half of all US fruits, veggies, and nuts mj *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Venezuela Could Force Market to Take Stock WSJ *

Oil – South Sudan’s factions vie for control of fields FT / E *

Oil – Protests shut Libya’s Wafa lines R *

Oil – Petrobras cuts $16b from investment plan FT

Oil – The North Sea: Running on fumes E *

Oil – Services groups offer a way in to national oil companies FT *

Oil – Weakens on Ukraine worries R / WSJ / WSJ *

Oil – Prices higher than forecasts R *

Oil – Conflict in US Industry, Awash in Crude NYT *

Oil – Canada sands costs beat those of US tight oil FP *

Oil – Russian crude exploring Asian markets N *


LABOR & EDUCATION

Australia – Job Losses Spread Unevenly as Mining Boom Wanes wsj / SMH / ABC *


HEALTH

Insurance – US Health Plans Rush to Size Up New Clients WSJ *

Insurance – Public Sector Cuts Part-Time Shifts to Bypass Law NYT


ENDNOTES

74,476 Reasons You Should Always Get The Bigger Pizza npr *


27 February 2014

Wednesday, February 26th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Energy Transport

Metals – Indonesian exports set to resume on tax compromise
E-cigs – EU Approves Tough Rules
Pensions – States: Efforts to Rein In Public-Sector Costs Falling Short


DATA POINTS

EZ – Feb: Economic Confidence Unexpectedly Rises; 101.2 from 101.0 / B

EZ – Jan: Private-Sector Lending Falls Again; -2.2% from -2.3% / WSJ

Germany – Feb: Unemployment Falls for Third Month; -14k from -28k / R / B

France – Jan: Unemployed at Record High; +0.3% / WSJ / FT

Spain – Q4: Economic Growth Slower Than Expected; +0.2% was +0.3% / WSJ / R / B / WSJ

Ireland – Q4: Jobs Growth Bolsters Recovery Hopes; +61k / WSJ

Swiss – Q4: Economy Expands Less Than Forecast as Exports Decline; +0.2% / B

Ghana – 2013: Economy grew; +5.5% / R

Brazil – Q4: GDP grew; +0.7% from -0.5% / R *

US – Jan: Orders for Durable Goods Decrease; -1.0% from -5.3% / R / WSJ / AP / B / r *

US – Week: Jobless Claims Climbed to One-Month High; +14k to 348k / AP / WSJ / R / B *


MARKETS

Currencies – China Pushed Yuan Lower FT / WSJ / B / FT / FT *

Currencies – Ukraine Unrest Hits Ruble WSJ *

Currencies – Firms Bank on Bitcoin Bounce Back WSJ / B / R


ECONOMICS

EU – Stocks join in periphery revival FT *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

US – Republican tax plan targets private equity profits FT / WSJ / AP / B / wapo * * *

US – Obama Looks at Tax Changes For Roads NYT / WSJ / AP


MONETARY POLICY

BCB – Brazil Slows Pace of Interest Rate Increases FT / B


FINANCE

China – Concern Over Hong Kong Banks’ Growing Lending WSJ


REAL ESTATE

US – Builder Borrowing Picks Up WSJ / WSJ * *


SERVICES

E-cigs – EU Approves Tough Rules NYT

E-cigs – Senators look for marketing limits AP

E-cigs – Industry on tenterhooks ahead of US regulation R

E-cigs – The Hot Debate: A Path to Tobacco, or From It? NYT


MANUFACTURING

Planes – Airbus Plans to Boost A320 Jet Production WSJ / FT / NYT / R / AFP *


TECH

Mobiles – Handset Makers Go Big on Smartphones NYT / WSJ

Mobiles – Low-price superstars N * * *

Mobiles – Boeing Readies a Secure Smartphone FT / WSJ / R *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Energy Transport – No Conflict of Interest Found in Favorable Review of Keystone WSJ / NYT

Energy Transport – Nebraska court deals fresh blow for Keystone FT / R / B / CP / WSJ / NYT / AP

Energy Transport – Obama’s Keystone Decision Expected in a ‘Couple’ of Months B / AP

Energy Transport – Without Keystone, oil trains may cause six deaths per year R

Energy Transport – Bakken Shale Oil Carries High Combustion Risk WSJ *

Energy Transport – To Make Shipping Oil Safer, Railroads Agree to 8 Measures NYT / B / AP / WSJ

Energy Transport – Bitumen shippers seen as losers in new US oil-by-rail order B / WSJ

Energy Transport – Fossil Fuel Basins and Northwest Ports motw *

Energy Transport – Canada a principal source of US energy imports EIA * * * *

Energy Transport – Northeast’s Record Natural Gas Prices Due to Pipeline Dearth BW *


COMMODITIES

Metals – Indonesian exports set to resume on tax compromise N

Metals – Falling Iron-Ore Prices Pinch Producers WSJ *

Metals – China’s Steel Province Not Cutting Capacity Fast Enough WSJ / FT / Cj

Metals – China imports boom a very mixed blessing r * * * *

Metals – Aluminium market risks disappearing into the shadows r * *

Metals – Copper Rebounds as Worries About Chinese Property Sector Ease WSJ / B *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Air – European Parliament Agrees Tough Automobile CO2 Targets WSJ

Air – China has vowed to challenge its growth model FT * *


LABOR & EDUCATION

Pensions – States: Efforts to Rein In Public-Sector Costs Falling Short NYT / FT *

Pensions – States: RI scales back its reforms E *


HEALTH



ENDNOTES

New Photo Of North Korea From Space, Only Pyongyang Visible Y *


26 February 2014

Tuesday, February 25th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Mobiles

US – Housing recovery uneven across markets, study finds
Crops – Number of US farms declines, farmers getting older
MERS – Camels Linked to Spread of Virus in People


DATA POINTS

Germany – Mar: GfK consumers increasingly confident; 8.5 from 8.3 / AP

UK – Q4: Growth unrevised; +0.7% was +0.7% / R / B / r *

South Africa – 2014: Cuts growth forecast; +2.7% was +3.0% / R

Mexico – Jan: Biggest trade deficit since the recession; -$2.2b / R *

US – Jan: New home sales hit five-and-a-half year high; +9.6%, +2.2% yr / R / B / AP * * * *

US – Week: MBA mortgage applications slip; -8.5% / R / b * *


MARKETS

Currencies – Long winter leaves dollar bulls shivering FT *

Currencies – Renminbi slides to six-month low against the dollar FT / WSJ * *

Currencies – PBOC Engineered Yuan’s Decline WSJ

Currencies – Rupiah recovers despite Indonesia’s fragile economy N *

Currencies – Bitcoin exchange fears $400m theft FT / WSJ / R / B *


ECONOMICS

EU – Forecasts Weak Growth, Warns About Debt WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Moscow puts armed forces on alert FT / WSJ / B / AP

Ukraine – Crimean Leader to Fight for Autonomy WSJ / FT / B / NYT / ft * * * *

Ukraine – Was Country Tapered? CFR *

Ukraine – GNI per capita motw *

Turkey – Flee or Resign, Opposition Tells Erdogan Over Tape FT / WSJ / R / B

Thailand – Boycott Bites Shares of Companies Tied to Prime Minister WSJ *

Venezuela – Protest Ranks Grow Broader NYT / FT / ft *


MONETARY POLICY

BOJ – Kuroda: Japan getting on track towards reaching price target R / ft *


FINANCE

China – $12t corporate debt pushes up refunding costs, drives mergers R *


REAL ESTATE

US – Home Prices in 2013 Notch Biggest Annual Gain Since 2005 WSJ *

US – Housing recovery uneven across markets, study finds R

US – Foreign appetite for properties remains strong FT


SERVICES

Online – P&G’s Pact With Amazon Angers Target WSJ *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Mobiles – Smartphone Makers Aim at EMs With Low-End Devices WSJ / WSJ

Mobiles – For Smartphones, Price Is the New X Factor WSJ *

Mobiles – Samsung Unveils Latest Galaxy Phone WSJ / FT / AP / nyt / B *

Mobiles – Samsung Builds Retail Clout in Europe, North America WSJ *

Mobiles – BlackBerry to offer BBM to Windows Phone and Nokia X platforms FT / R / AP / CBC / G&M / WSJ

Mobiles – Ford To Swap BlackBerry For Microsoft WSJ

Mobiles – Microsoft Broadens Number of Makers of Windows Phones WSJ / R

Mobiles – Nokia Unveils Its First Android Phone WSJ / R / FT

Mobiles – Sony Tries to Crack Smartphone Market WSJ *

Mobiles – HTC Unveils New Mid-Tier Device WSJ

Mobiles – Flagship smartphones compared / r *

Mobiles – Chip Makers Vie to Power Faster Networks WSJ / R

Mobiles – AT&T Eyes Flexibility, Cost Savings With New Network Design WSJ / FT

Mobiles – Ericsson Expands on IBM’s Turf With Services Push B

Mobiles – WhatsApp in voice threat to telecoms sector FT / WSJ / FT


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Two Chinese Companies Form Alliance WSJ


COMMODITIES

Crops – Monsanto at centre of intensifying debate on food FT

Crops – Big Data Comes to the Farm, Sowing Mistrust WSJ * *

Crops – Grain traders’ profits hit as US farmers hoard corn FT

Crops – Australia offers aid to farmers as drought bites FT * *

Crops – Thailand’s rice mountain offers grain of hope to neighbors FT *

Crops – Oats Stuck in Canada Clog the Market WSJ * *

Crops – Number of US farms declines, farmers getting older AP *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Nuclear – Japan Sees Key Role WSJ / FT / NYT *


LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH

MERS – Camels Linked to Spread of Virus in People NYT / AP / mers * *


ENDNOTES

Age Distribution for Scientific Genius plotly / ilc *


25 February 2014

Monday, February 24th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: China



DATA POINTS

EU – 2014: Revises growth forecasts up slightly; +1.2% was +1.1% / AP / WSJ / FT / B / R

Germany – Q4: GDP growth driven by exports; +0.4% was +0.4% / B / AP / R / r *

South Africa – Q4: GDP quickens but overall expansion still lacklustre; +3.8% from +0.7% / R / B

US – Feb: ConfBd Consumer Confidence Drops; 78.1 from 79.4 / WSJ / R / B / r * *

US – Dec: S&P/Case-Shiller home prices gained; +0.8%, +13.4% yr / R / AP / B *


MARKETS

Currencies – Investors shaken as renminbi’s reputation as ‘one-way bet’ sours FT / WSJ / WSJ *

Currencies – Yuan’s Decline Hit South Korean Won Hard WSJ *

Currencies – Frontier market havens come under threat as frailties appear FT *

Currencies – Ruble Cracks Seen Before Ukraine’s Deadly Descent B

Currencies – Turkey, Ukraine Come Under Pressure WSJ

Currencies – Zloty’s Gains in Ukraine Crisis Show Polish Strength B

Currencies – Bitcoin exchange Mt. Gox disappears WSJ / FT / R / AP / WSJ / q *


ECONOMICS

China – State-Owned Sector Gets a New Boost WSJ *

China – Bridging the fiscal chasm E *

China – ‘Silencing zombie steel mills no solution for smog’ R *

China – Spending big on science q * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

China – Training for ‘short, sharp war’, says senior US naval officer FT / wsj / R *

China – Survey finds US as the “ideal country” ft * *


MONETARY POLICY

ECB – Inflation rise eases pressure to counter deflation threat FT


FINANCE

Non-banks – Lending steps out of the shadows FT

Non-banks – Chinese banks Rush to Match Tech Firms in Race for Online Deposits WSJ

Non-banks – Step up EU funding deals FT *


REAL ESTATE

China – Bank Suspends Some Property Loans WSJ / CD

China – Developers Cut Prices, Raising Concerns About Sector’s Health WSJ

China – Shenzhen property heads for dizzy heights FT *

China – Is red-hot housing market finally beginning to cool down? WSJ / r * * *


SERVICES

Retail – Online sales complement high street, says study FT

Retail – Wal-Mart’s China syndrome a symptom of international woes R

Retail – Chinese tourists to drive luxury market X / CD *


MANUFACTURING

Defense – Pentagon wants to shrink the US Army WSJ / FT / R * *

Defense – BAE issues profit warning FT *


TECH

PCs – Microsoft Said to Cut Windows Price 70% to Counter Rivals B / R *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

TTIP – US farmers attack Europe on trade talks impasse FT

TPP – US companies attack Japan and Canada over tariffs FT / R / wapo *

TPP – Talks stall on US-Japan stand-off FT / B

India/US – New Delhi to block trade probes, ready for fight at WTO R


COMMODITIES

Steel – Detroit’s Aluminum Diet NYT / WSJ / FT *

Steel – ArcelorMittal confidence grows FT / WSJ *

Steel – Storm clouds gather for seaborne iron ore FT / X


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Air – Justices Divided on EPA Greenhouse-Gas Case WSJ / NYT / B / AP / R / WaPo / wsj


LABOR & EDUCATION

China – Cramped courtroom hints at power of labor movement FT


HEALTH



ENDNOTES

Some countries excel at summer sports while slipping up on snow e*


24 February 2014

Sunday, February 23rd, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Telecoms

BOJ – Likely to expand asset buying by summer
Livestock – Impact of deadly virus on hog supply, prices greater than expected
NatGas – Harsh US winter roils market, upends some strategies


DATA POINTS

China – Jan: New Home Prices Rise, But at Slower Pace; 8.98% from 9.17% / WSJ / FT / R / B / b *

EZ – Jan: Inflation stable at low level; 0.8% / AP / R / B

Germany – Feb: Ifo business morale reaches highest level in two and a half years; 111.3 from 110.6 / R / AP / WSJ

US – Feb: Markit services growth slows; 52.7 from 56.7 / R


MARKETS

Tech – Hunger for growth feeds 2014’s market appetite FT *


ECONOMICS

EU – Companies limp out of recession FT *

EU – Yearns to bridge gap on recovering economies and earnings FT *

EU – Euro Area Crawls in Recovery as Car Sales Hint at Growth B

EU – Economists Sound the Alarm on Deflation NYT

EU – Disappointing data curb enthusiasm on UK recovery FT *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – EU ready to offer financial aid FT / WSJ / AP / NYT / WSJ / FT / WSJ / FT *

Venezuela – Protesters vow to turn Caracas into another Ukraine FT / AFP / WSJ / B / FT

Thailand – Vows to ‘deal with’ Bangkok protesters FT / B / AP / R / NYT / B


MONETARY POLICY

BOJ – Likely to expand asset buying by summer R / B *


FINANCE



REAL ESTATE

US – Cooling Home Sales Only Partly Due to Bad Weather B / WSJ *

US – Existing Home Sales vs. Mortgage Purchase Applications / b *

US – Fannie and Freddie pay back the taxpayer R / B / AP / FT / NYT / WSJ *

US – MBA National Delinquency Survey / cr *


SERVICES



MANUFACTURING

3D Printing – Next Big Thing Or No Big Deal? IBD


TECH

Telecoms – Netflix Agrees to Pay Comcast to End Traffic Jam WSJ / R / AP / NYT / B / WSJ

Telecoms – Groups blast EU net neutrality plans FT / WSJ *

Telecoms – US cell carriers look to new models AP

Telecoms – Dish’s Ergen Says ‘Nothing Positive’ About Comcast Deal WSJ *

Telecoms – Comcast and Time Warner Cable / r *

Telecoms – EU Firms Retreat on Roaming Fees WSJ *

Telecoms – EU Struggles to Catch Up With US on 4G Investment WSJ *

Telecoms – Austrian takeover is a touchstone for dealmakers FT *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES

Livestock – WTO Dispute Looms as Russia Digs In on EU Pork Ban WSJ

Livestock – Impact of deadly virus on hog supply, prices greater than expected R

Livestock – Farmers see good times after lean years G&M

Livestock – NZ lamb goes to pot in China R *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

NatGas – Harsh US winter roils market, upends some strategies R

NatGas – Mild winter makes EU less reliant on Russian gas via Ukraine R *

NatGas – Central Europe wants LNG to cut dependence on Russia FT * * *


LABOR & EDUCATION

LatAm – Revamped price index sets stage for tough Argentina pay talks FT *

LatAm – Unemployment / r *


HEALTH

Hospitals – Hit with shortage of intravenous saline in US R

Hospitals – Pediatrics Group Balks at Rise of Retail Health Clinics WSJ *

Hospitals – Address a Drug Problem WSJ

Hospitals – A Push for Less Testing in Emergency Rooms WSJ *

Hospitals – Focus on the Supply Chain WSJ *

Hospitals – Seek Tools to Save Money WSJ *


ENDNOTES

50 most popular tourist destinations jb *


21 February 2014

Thursday, February 20th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Natural Gas

Ukraine – Russia is prepared to fight a war over Crimea
Rail – BNSF to move into tank car ownership with safer oil fleet
Water – El Nino threatens to return, hit global food production


DATA POINTS

UK – Dec: Retail Sales Decline Most Since April 2012 on Clothing; -1.5% from +2.5% / B

Spain – Dec: Exports Mark Record Year; +2.9% / B

Sweden – Feb: Sentiment Drops; 103.8 from 107.7 / WSJ

Mexico – Q4: Growth misses forecasts; +0.2% / FT / r *

Canada – Jan: Inflation Accelerates Most Since 2012 on Heating Costs; 1.5% from 1.2% / WSJ / B / R / G&M / CBC

Canada – Dec: Retail sales plunge most in a year; -1.8% from +0.5% / R / CBC / B *

US – Jan: NAR existing home sales slump to 18-month low; -5.1% / WSJ / R / AP *


MARKETS

Bitcoin – Aficionados wash their hands of Mt Gox FT *

Bitcoin – A look at its economy r *


ECONOMICS

UK – Prolonged low inflation forecast as Carney’s luck continues FT *

UK – Recovery Still Lacks Balance WSJ * *

UK – Growth belies slip in productivity FT *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Yanukovich accepts calls for election FT / NYT / WSJ / AP / B / R * *

Ukraine – Russia is prepared to fight a war over Crimea FT

US – Obama Budget Plans Reflects Partisan Lines WSJ / AP / FT / BNYT / R / B /

US – Republican to unveil plan for sweeping overhaul of tax FT

US – Sales Tax rates by zip code, 2012 / motw *


MONETARY POLICY

RBA – Central bank walks a currency tightrope FT / B / FT *


FINANCE

Australia – Big four are still straight-A students in market’s eyes FT *


REAL ESTATE

US – Mortgage Troubles Near Prerecession Levels WSJ *

US – Banks under pressure to step up new mortgage business FT *

US – Housing Inflation Starts to Rise wsj *

US – Salary Needed To Buy A House In 25 Major Cities / bi *


SERVICES

F&B – Diamonds and deals as Danone struggles for China bounce R / WSJ / FT / FT * *

F&B – Palm planters, politicians test Wilmar’s new green credentials R / B *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

WhatsApp – ‘Sticker shock’ purchase offers Facebook mobile leverage FT / WSJ / R / AP / nyt / FT / WSJ / FT / WSJ / FT / q / q * * * * *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Rail – BNSF to move into tank car ownership with safer oil fleet R / WSJ

Ship – Panama Canal Work Set to Resume This Week WSJ / NYT / R / AP / B


COMMODITIES

Water – The drying of the West E / am * *

Water – El Nino threatens to return, hit global food production R *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

NatGas – Massachusetts Approves a Power Plant With an Expiration Date NYT

NatGas – Cheap US coal has made gas-fired electricity uneconomic in the UK FT * * *

NatGas – Oregon LNG facilities could be key to exporting Canadian gas to Asia FP

NatGas – Arctic Winds Put Fire Under Gas WSJ / G&M / r * *

NatGas – China and Russia at the Altar WSJ *


LABOR & EDUCATION

EU – Spain: Exodus from the country threatens its recovery FT * * *

EU – Germany: Woos older workers as supply of young employees dries up FT *

EU – High unemployment putting the ECB in isolation r *


HEALTH

H1N1 – Flu season hitting working-age adults hardest AP

H7N9 – Pandemic Potential Seen in Gene Changes of Bird Flu B / X

H10N8 – China Reports Another Case of New Bird Flu Strain NYT


ENDNOTES

Which US Cities Get the Best Weather motw / kn *


20 February 2014

Wednesday, February 19th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Nuclear Power

World – Emerging Nations Demand Western Support
Germany – House prices overheating, Bundesbank warns
UK – London Leads House Price Increases as Item Club Sees Bubble


DATA POINTS

China – Feb: HSBC flash PMI hits seven-month low; 48.3 from 49.5 / R / WSJ / AP / B / X *

China – Q4: Consumer confidence soars in Nielsen index; 111 from 110 / CD *

Japan – Jan: Trade Deficit Balloons to Record; -¥2.79t (-$27.3b) from -¥1.63t yr / WSJ / FT / R / B / K *

Japan – Feb: Reuters Tankan manufacturing mood down, seen sliding further; +18 from +19 / R *

Singapore – Q4: Economy Expanded After Production Pick-Up; +6.1% from +0.3% / B / WSJ

EZ – Jan: Markit factory gauge unexpectedly slipped; 53 from 54 / R / B * *

Canada – Jan: Number of home sales fall; -3.3% / CBC

US – Jan: ConfBd Leading Economic Indicators Rose; +0.3% / B

US – Feb: Markit factory activity growth hits nearly four-year high; 56.7 from 53.7 / R

US – Feb: Philly Fed Manufacturing Survey Indicates Contraction; -6.3 from +9.4 / cr *

US – Jan: Consumer prices rise marginally; +.01% from +0.2% / R / B / AP * *

US – Week: Jobless Claims Fell; -3k to 336k / WSJ / R / B / AP *


MARKETS

Munis – Boosted by tax breaks FT *


ECONOMICS

World – Emerging Nations Demand Western Support S * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Kiev truce ends in violence and gunfire FT / WSJ / NYT / R / B / AP *


MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Strong support for tapering FT / WSJ / R / NYT / AP / B


FINANCE

China – Shadow banking loans are expanding — so is the risk N *

China – Swelling Debt Spreads Among Local Governments wsj *

China – At Risk of a Debt Crisis? Not Really, Bank Says wsj *

China – 2014 GDP Forecasts by Quarter Holding Steady, For Now / b *

China – Has the world’s biggest trade deficit—in services E *


REAL ESTATE

Germany – House prices overheating, Bundesbank warns FT / B

UK – London Leads House Price Increases as Item Club Sees Bubble B / r *

Canada – Seeks Soft Landing for Highflying Housing WSJ *


SERVICES

Media – The stars are aligned for Spotify’s IPO q *

Media – Music chiefs put faith in digital streaming power FT *

Media – FCC Plans Sweeping Changes to Bolster AM Radio NYT


MANUFACTURING

Firearms – Security Companies Target New Markets, Tech And Sales IBD


TECH

Internet – FCC to Try Again on ‘Net Neutrality’ WSJ / FT / NYT / AP / R / B / WSJ

Internet – Google eyes fibre expansion in metro areas FT / WSJ / R / bi *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Rail – Roads and Mexican Government on Collision Course WSJ / R / B


COMMODITIES

Fish – ‘Peak salmon’ swims into view as supply slows FT / q * *

Fish – Catfish is going to be Made in the US once again q * *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Nuclear – Uneconomic US plants at risk of being shut down FT / R / B *

Nuclear – Supply cuts light up uranium prospects FT *

Nuclear – US Waste Solution Seen in NM Desert Salt Beds NYT *

Nuclear – EDF to extend life of its UK power plants DT / T / B *

Nuclear – Poland moves a step closer E * *

Nuclear – Japan re-start bogged down in safety checks and paperwork R / R *

Nuclear – SK approves $7b reactor plans in boost for power R *


LABOR & EDUCATION

EU – Unemployment equals US ft * *

EU – The Swiss Virus: Europe Gripped by Immigration Worries S / q / motw / motw * * * *


HEALTH

Stem Cells – Scientists Struggle to Replicate Research Breakthrough WSJ


ENDNOTES

LA’s Plan For a Massive Rail Transit System By 2040 bi *


19 February 2014

Tuesday, February 18th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Gaming

Russia – A Return to Cyprus, a Favorite Tax Haven
US – More weak economic data puts cracks in weather theory
Crops – The 21st century belongs to soybeans


DATA POINTS

UK – Q4: ILO Unemployment Climbs Bolstering BOE Low-Rate Case; 7.2% from 7.1% / B / r / r * *

Greece – 2013: Posts First Current-Account Surplus; +€1.2b from -€4.6b / WSJ

Canada – Dec: Wholesale trade tumble the latest data to disappoint; -1.4% / R

US – Jan: Housing construction down 16.0% from -4.8% / AP / WSJ / B

US – Jan: Housing permits fell for a third month; -5.4%, +2.4% yr / R *

US – Week: MBA mortgage applications fall; -4.1% / R *

US – Jan: AIA Architecture Billings Index increases slightly; 50.4 from 48.5 / cr *

US – Jan: Producer Prices Up With New Measure; +0.2% / WSJ / AP / R / B *

US – Q4: Consumer debt rises by most since 2007; +2.1% / R / B / NYT / WSJ / cr * * *


MARKETS

Bonds – Markets weigh risks of eurozone QE FT *

Stocks – Opportunities Lurk in Emerging Markets WSJ *


ECONOMICS

China – Fund Shifts Focus From Energy WSJ *

Russia – A Return to Cyprus, a Favorite Tax Haven NYT / q *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Nine killed as Kiev descends into violence FT / WSJ / NYT / R / B / AP *


MONETARY POLICY

MNB – Hungary Cuts Key Rate Again WSJ


FINANCE

EU – Smaller businesses still struggle to find affordable funding FT * * *

US – Fed pushes on with new rules for overseas banks FT / WSJ / WSJ *


REAL ESTATE

US – Housebuilders hurt by fall in sentiment FT / WSJ

US – More weak economic data puts cracks in weather theory R / R / b *

US – Some Hot Housing Markets Cooled WSJ

US – Home Sellers Return for Spring as Buyers Get Relief B

US – Lenders return to securitised mortgages FT *

US – Hedge Funds Preparing for $1t Property Bill B

US – Is Housing Unaffordable? It Depends on How You Chart It wsj * *

US – Plains farmland holds value, but market soft R *


SERVICES

Gaming – Pataki: Online gambling will fuel terrorism, organized crime CNBC / FT / AP

Gaming – Detroit Counting on Casino Cash WSJ *

Gaming – The Cheapest, Richest Casino in Macau WSJ *

Gaming – Vietnam bets on loosening laws to lure high rollers R *

Gaming – Casino gambling faces long odds in Japan N

Gaming – Who gambles the most? e *


MANUFACTURING



TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

NAFTA – Clouds Emerge Ahead of Trade-Bloc Party WSJ / FT / NYT *


COMMODITIES

Crops – Coffee jumps 10% on fund buying FT / WSJ *

Crops – China Fuels Australian Olive-Oil Rush WSJ *

Crops – Bumper profits threaten US ethanol support FT *

Crops – The 21st century belongs to soybeans wapo * *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Air – Obama set to order new fuel standards for US trucks WSJ / AP / NYT

Air – EPA Emission Rules Face Test at High Court WSJ *


LABOR & EDUCATION

US – Minimum wage rise may cost half million jobs, says CBO FT / WSJ / AP / NYT / B / R / q * *


HEALTH



ENDNOTES

Personality by US region mr *


18 February 2014

Monday, February 17th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Brazil

Tobacco – Experts increasingly contemplate end of smoking
Cable – A Bigger Comcast May Beget More Deals
Metals – Copper: Chinese imports herald renewed market tension


DATA POINTS

Japan – Q4: Growth Figures Disappoint; +1.0% from +1.1% / WSJ / AP / R / B / NYT / K *

China – Jan: Lending soars to four-year high; Y1.32t from Y.48t / WSJ / FT / R

China – Jan: FDI rose; +16.1% from +3.3% / R / CD *

Thailand – Q4: GDP Growth Slows as Unrest Increases Rate-Cut Pressure; +0.6% from 1.4% / B / R

EU – Jan: Auto Sales Rise for a Fifth Straight Month; +5.5% / NYT

Germany – Feb: ZEW Economic Expectations Fall Sharply; 55.7 from 61.7 / WSJ / AP / R / B

Germany – 2013: Home Prices Rose Most in Decade on Cheap Finance; +4% / B

UK – Jan: Inflation within target for 1st time in 4 years; 1.9% from 2.0% / AP / R / WSJ / B

UK – Feb: House Prices Rise Again; +3.3% from +1.0% / WSJ

Sweden – Jab: Inflation Rate Fall Puts Pressure on Riksbank; +0.2% / WSJ / r *

US – Feb: NAHB homebuilders plunge into pessimism; 46 from 56 / WSJ / R *

US – Feb: NY Fed manufacturing growth slows; 4.48 from 12.51 / R *

US – Dec: Foreign demand for assets falls / R *


MARKETS

EMs – Rebound triggers bargain assets hunt FT *


ECONOMICS

Japan – Driving Past the Speed Bump WSJ / FT / NYT / R / N / b / b * * * * *

US – Severe winter masks economic recovery FT / WSJ / B / b * *

EZ – Recovery Picks Up Slightly WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Italy – Renzi sets out plans for first 100 days FT / WSJ / NYT / R / AP / B


MONETARY POLICY

BOJ – Stands pat on policy, extends special loan schemes R / B / WSJ / FT / AP / WSJ / N / K

BOJ – Fed Shows Need For More Easing Amid Yen Rally B *


FINANCE

World – Banks braced for multibillion-dollar forex fines FT *


REAL ESTATE

Brazil – Housing bubble fears as economy teeters FT

Brazil – Wave of hotel mergers brews as middle class grows R

Brazil – Banks Could Owe More Than $140b WSJ

Brazil – Economy Seen in a Major Downturn WSJ / FT *

Brazil – Dilma’s Tight Skirt e *

Brazil – A parched southern summer may cause electricity crisis E / R *

Brazil – New World Cup Woe: Transport WSJ / G *


SERVICES

Tobacco – Experts increasingly contemplate end of smoking AP

Marijuana – US to let banks do business with licensed pot shops FT / WSJ / B / AP / NYT / R


MANUFACTURING

Planes – Small-Aircraft Makers Score Big Orders in Asia WSJ / R / WSJ


TECH

Cable – A Bigger Comcast May Beget More Deals NYT *

Cable – Comcast-TWC Deal Opens Door for Net Neutrality WSJ

Cable – Charter looks for way back into Time Warner deal FT *

Cable – As Services Expand, Bills Keep Rising NYT

Cable – Raising consumer concerns over broadband pricing FT *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Ports, Shipping Companies Retool for Bigger Panama Canal WSJ


COMMODITIES

Metals – Platinum: South Africa mine strikes boost price hopes FT *

Metals – Gold: Demand falls 15% in 2013 FT / WSJ

Metals – Gold and Silver: Fever Returns WSJ *

Metals – Copper: Chinese imports herald renewed market tension r * *

Metals – Indonesian minerals ban bites as well as barks r *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Electricity – California’s Freeze-Dried Power Market WSJ *

Electricity – Crisis-hit European utilities square up to technological revolution FT FT * *


LABOR & EDUCATION

US – Workers at Volkswagen Reject Forming a Union WSJ / FT / R / NYT / AP

US – Labor Regroups in South After VW Vote FT / WSJ / R / NYT *


HEALTH

Obesity – As World’s Kids Get Fatter, Doctors Turn to the Knife WSJ *


ENDNOTES

The Most Popular Winter Olympic Sport In Every Country bi *


14 February 2014

Thursday, February 13th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Defense

Argentina – ‘A century of decline’
Cable – Customers Chafe at Megamerger of Two Low-Rated Companies
Doctors – As US Health Care Shifts, A Switch to Salaried Jobs


DATA POINTS

EZ – Q4: Recovery gains traction; +0.3% from +0.1% / FT / WSJ / AP / B / R / q *

Germany – Q4: Beats Growth Estimates; +0.4% from +0.3% / B / AP

France – Q4: Returns to growth; +0.3% from -0.1% / FT / B *

Italy – Q4: Economy Registers First Quarterly Growth Since 2011; +0.1% from flat / B / WSJ

Portugal – Q4: Economy Grew at Faster Pace; +0.5% from +0.3% / B

China – Jan: CPI Steady; 2.5% from 2.5% / WSJ / FT / B / R / X *

China – Jan: PPI down; -1.6% / X

Canada – Dec: Factory sales hit by aerospace weakness; -0.9% / CBC / R

US – Jan: Factory Production Falls by Most Since 2009; -0.8% from +0.3% / WSJ / AP / R / B *

US – Feb: UMich consumer sentiment holds steady; 81.2 / R

US – Jan: Export prices rise for third straight month; +0.2% / R / WSJ


MARKETS



ECONOMICS

US – Malaise Mounts as Spending Slips WSJ / R *

US – Old Man Winter Taking a Toll, for Now, Economists Say WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Argentina – Revises ‘bogus’ inflation figures FT / B

Argentina – ‘A century of decline’ E * * *


MONETARY POLICY

BI – Indonesia Holds Key Rate as Narrower Deficit Aids Currency B

SR – Riksbank Keeps Key Rate Steady WSJ / r *

PBOC – Chinese-style “tapering” eclipses US taper in scale ft * *


FINANCE

EU – German Thriftiness Vexes Banks WSJ *


REAL ESTATE

China – Shadow Lenders Turn to Property WSJ *


SERVICES

F&B – EM Slowdown Hurts European Consumer-Goods Sector WSJ *

F&B – Magnit keeps crown as Russia’s leading grocer FT *


MANUFACTURING

Defense – World Spending to Grow After Years of Decline B

Defense – More Money, More Power for Asian Militaries wsj / afp / r * * *

Defense – Unassuming aircraft a drawcard at Asia’s arms bazaar R

Defense – US hears conflicting accounts on Lockheed’s $400b F-35 fighter FT

Defense – Boeing looks to Congress to fund fighters after Navy skips F-18 orders R

Defense – Rolls-Royce warns of flat profits as US defense spending cuts hit FT

Defense – US aerospace companies *


TECH

Cable – TWC Long Viewed Comcast as Preferred Partner WSJ / FT / R * * * *

Cable – Deal to Test Comcast CEO’s Washington Clout WSJ / FT / NYT / WSJ * * *

Cable – Customers Chafe at Megamerger of Two Low-Rated Companies B / q / q / q / q * * * * *

Cable – Tech Companies Push for Greater Wi-Fi Access WSJ

Cable – Apple in Talks to Revamp Set-Top Box WSJ


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

World – Fears grow over another bad year for global trade FT *

US – ‘Why trade deals remain on track’ WSJ / FT / FT

EU/China – ‘Trade frictions likely to grow’ CD


COMMODITIES

Soybeans – Offer Better Payoff for Farmers WSJ *

Cocoa – World’s Sweet Tooth Heats Up WSJ *

Rice – Thai Subsidy to Expire WSJ *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Alt – The $2.2b Bird-Scorching Solar Project WSJ / AP / NYT *


LABOR & EDUCATION

EU/US – Taking Stock of Labor Markets on Both Sides of the Atlantic WSJ *


HEALTH

Doctors – As US Health Care Shifts, A Switch to Salaried Jobs NYT

Doctors – US Patients’ Costs Skyrocket; Specialists’ Incomes Soar NYT * *


ENDNOTES

North American Highway Marker Shields motw / motw / motw * * *