Archive for July, 2014

1 August 2014

Thursday, July 31st, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Cybersecurity

Ukraine – Energy Companies Rethinking Russia After New Round of Sanctions
WTO – Rural votes, old traumas drive India’s WTO brinkmanship
Water – California’s Exceptional Drought Just Keeps Getting Worse


MAJOR DATA POINTS

China – Jul: Official PMI hits 27-month high on strong orders; 51.7 from 51.0 / R / WSJ / B *

US – Jul: Adds jobs as hiring slows; +209k from +288k / FT / NYT / WSJ / B / R / AP *

US – Jul: ISM factory activity expands at fastest pace in 39 months; 57.1 from 55.3 / R *

US – Jul: UMich consumer sentiment dips; 81.8 from 82.0 / R *

US – Jun: Consumer spending up; +0.4% from +0.3% / AP / WSJ / B / R / BEA *


MARKETS

Stocks – US: Bears Who Won Big During Finance Crisis Are Growling Again WSJ

Stocks – Japan: It’s all coming together N *

Stocks – Indonesia: Widodo’s presidential victory halts market rally FT * *

Stocks – Saudi: Catch Rally While You Can B *


ECONOMICS

US – Inventories collapsed in the winter and came back strong in spring wapo * *

US – One Big Factor in the Economic Uptick: Government Spending wsj *

US – Business Puzzle: Record Debt and Record Cash WSJ * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – EU identifies 5 Russian banks it is sanctioning AP / R / FT / B

Ukraine – Sanctions will damage Russia if not lifted quickly AP

Ukraine – Russian stocks are incredibly cheap FT / q *

Ukraine – Russia Eyes Banning US Chicken And Some EU Fruit B

Ukraine – Energy Companies Rethinking Russia After New Round of Sanctions NYT / WSJ

Ukraine – Already taking toll on western businesses FT / AP / AFP

Ukraine – West’s Sanctions Playbook Faces Challenge With Russia WSJ *


MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Can Remain Patient on Rate-Hike Debate After Data WSJ / R


FINANCE

US – ‘Too Big to Fail’ Report Hedges on Big Banks’ Funding Edge WSJ *

US – Regional Banks Push Congress to Amend ‘Systemically Important’ Tag WSJ *


REAL ESTATE



SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH

Cybersecurity – Smartphones Become Next Frontier WSJ

Cybersecurity – Checking In From Home Leaves Entry for Hackers NYT

Cybersecurity – UglyGorilla Hack of US Utility Exposes Cyberwar Threat B

Cybersecurity – Hacking Into Tomorrow’s Banking Crisis WSJ *

Cybersecurity – Tech groups race to reinvent passwords FT *

Cybersecurity – Corporate Boards Race to Shore Up Protections WSJ

Cybersecurity – Insurers struggle to get grip on burgeoning cyber risk market R

Cybersecurity – US Accuses Chinese Executive of Hacking to Mine Military Data WSJ / NYT / FT / NYT / AP / WSJ

Cybersecurity – Russian Hackers Targeting Oil and Gas Companies NYT / wsj / FT

Cybersecurity – Microsoft says cybercrime bust frees 4.7 million infected PCs R / R

Cybersecurity – Defending the digital frontier E *

Cybersecurity – Attackers have multiplied and become far more professional E *

Cybersecurity – Basic security hygiene goes a long way E / E *

Cybersecurity – Providing incentives for good behaviour E / E *

Cybersecurity – The perils of connected devices E / E *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

WTO – Indian objections sink deal FT / WSJ / R / R

WTO – Rural votes, old traumas drive India’s WTO brinkmanship R *


COMMODITIES

Water – Weather experts lower El Niño forecasts FT

Water – California’s Exceptional Drought Just Keeps Getting Worse B / NYT *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT



LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH

Pharma – Drug pricing: Bitter pill FT * * *

Pharma – Resistance Taking Sting Out of Top Malaria Drug WSJ *

Pharma – Drugmakers juggle non-core assets FT *

Pharma – FedEx charges raise online pharmacy issues AP / WSJ


ENDNOTE

Approval of US Leadership by Country reddit *


31 July 2014

Wednesday, July 30th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Autonomous Vehicles

Huawei, Xiaomi’s gnaw at Samsung’s share
Oil – India Drops Sea Claim to Unlock Offshore Reserves
US – Labor Ruling Bewilders Franchisers


MAJOR DATA POINTS

EZ – Jul: Inflation Slowed to Lowest Since 2009; 0.4% from 0.5% / B / FT / R / AP / NYT *

EZ – Jun: Unemployment Unexpectedly Declined; 11.5% from 11.6% / B / WSJ *

US – Week: Jobless Claims Rise; +23k to 302k / WSJ / R *


MARKETS

Bonds – Top-rated government bonds defy gravity FT / FT * *

Bonds – Asian Borrowers Gaining Upper Hand in Sales WSJ *


ECONOMICS

NZ – Kiwi’s milk-powered rally turns sour FT * *

Australia – Wave of Cash Returns WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Argentina – Defaults after last-minute talks fail FT / WSJ / R / AP / B / NYT / B * *


MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Yellen sees first dissent in favour of tightening FT / WSJ / NYT / R / AP / B *

Fed – Growth Rebound Stokes Debate WSJ * *

Fed – US banks braced for large deposit outflows FT


FINANCE

Germany – Five Landesbanks now face threatening ECB stress tests FT *


REAL ESTATE

Germany – Low interest rates sway habits towards home ownership FT *


SERVICES

Online – India’s Flipkart Raises $1b in Fresh Funding WSJ / NYT *

Online – Amazon $2b investment sparks India ecommerce war FT / AP / R / q *

Online – Google to Add Ratings to Look More Like Amazon wsj *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Mobiles – Samsung Feels Pressure Over Sales WSJ / FT / R / B / WSJ *

Mobiles – Is Huawei Eating Samsung’s Lunch? wsj / WSJ / R / q *

Mobiles – Xiaomi’s star rises as Chinese handset makers gnaw at Samsung’s share R


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

AVs – UK insurers worry driverless cars are ‘existential threat’ FT / wsj

AVs – Battle looms over plans for driverless Tube trains FT

AVs – Daimler Demonstrates a Self-Driving Truck NYT / FT / R *

AVs – Cars could drive selves sooner than expected after European push R

AVs – Google: Driverless cars are mastering city streets AP / FT / R / wsj

AVs – Google’s Next Phase: No Brakes or Steering Wheel NYT / WSJ / FT / AP / R / nyt *

AVs – China’s Baidu follows Google steer with self-driving car FT

AVs – Laser Eyes Pose Price Hurdle for Driverless Cars WSJ *

AVs – Driverless Cars Are Data Guzzlers WSJ *

AVs – If Robots Drove, How Much Safer Would Roads Be? nyt / NJ / AP


COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – US Exports Ready to Sail WSJ *

Oil – Cash-Poor Venezuela Weighs Sale of Citgo WSJ *

Oil – Libya says its fields are safe from the fighting R *

Oil – Kurds struggle for energy autonomy FT * *

Oil – India Drops Sea Claim to Unlock Offshore Reserves B *


LABOR & EDUCATION

US – Labor Ruling Bewilders Franchisers NYT


HEALTH



ENDNOTE

NASA rover breaks out-of-this-world distance record AFP *


30 July 2014

Tuesday, July 29th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: US Economy



MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – Jun: Industrial Output Suffers Worst Fall in Over 3 Years; -3.3% / WSJ / FT / B *

EZ – Jul: Business Confidence Holds Up; 102.2 from 102.1 / WSJ / R / B *

US – Q2: Economy grows; +4.0% from -2.9% / FT / AP / B / NYT / WSJ / R *

US – Jul: ADP Private Sector Slows Pace of Hiring; +218k from +281k / WSJ / B / R / AP *


MARKETS

Stocks – Chinese Market Takes Off WSJ *

Stocks – Investors Sift Through China’s Discount Bin WSJ *

Stocks – HK Finally Joins Rally WSJ *

Stocks – China Explains “Confused Signals” in US Asset Prices cfr *


ECONOMICS

US – Federal Government the Lone Star of Dreary Q1 wsj * * *

US – Economy Heating Up During Summer WSJ / AP

US – Americans Paying Bills on Time at a Historically High Rate wsj *

US – The productivity puzzle FT *

US – Potential Stagflation? Bloomberg GDP forecast vs. CPI b *

US – The Typical Household, Now Worth a Third Less NYT *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – EU, US set Russia sanctions FT / WSJ / NYT / R / AP / B / WSJ *

Ukraine – Russia sanctions threaten to blow EZ off course R / FT / FT / AFP / B

Ukraine – BP flags concerns about impact of sanctions FT / WSJ / AP / FT / WSJ / q * * * *

Ukraine – Russia Risk Propels Europe Bonds to Record Highs WSJ *

Ukraine – EU Ban Targets Russian Banks $15b Debt B *

Ukraine – Financial window closes for Moscow businesses FT * * * *

Ukraine – Russian state banks and corporate sector likely to suffer FT * * *

Ukraine – Russia bans Polish fruit and veg R *

Ukraine – Russians’ Alarm Grows Over Putin’s Tactics NYT / AP / WSJ *


MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE

EU – Investment banks bounce back FT *

EU – Lloyds Pays £226m to Settle Rate Probe FT / WSJ / NYT / FT * *


REAL ESTATE

US – Housing Slowdown? The Case-Shiller Index in Five Charts wsj * * * * *

US – Millennials: forever renters or delayed homeowners? r *

US – NMHC Survey: Apartment Market Conditions Tighter in Q2 2014 cr *

US – Is the Private Mortgage-Bond Market Dead or Dormant? wsj *

US – Zillow to Buy Rival Trulia WSJ / FT / NYT / B / WSJ / WSJ * *


SERVICES

Retail – US Shoppers Open Up Their Wallets—Selectively WSJ *

Retail – Battle for Poor Shoppers Fuels Dollar-Store Deal WSJ *


MANUFACTURING

Ships – Increased Oil Imports Spur Plans to Build More Vessels C


TECH

Twitter – User Growth Picks Up WSJ / FT / NYT / R / B / q * * * *

Amazon – Ambitions, lack of profits, unnerve investors R / WSJ / B

Facebook – Answers Critics With Mobile-Ad Surge WSJ / bi * *

Inspur – NSA Concerns Give Chinese Server Maker a Boost WSJ *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Shale – US: Forecasts for higher oil prices misjudge the boom r *

Shale – US: ‘Fracking could turn out to be a bubble’ q *

Shale – US: Exxon Says It Is Getting Singled Out Over Fracking WSJ

Shale – US: Denton rejects fracking ban AP

Shale – Mexico: Japan eager to join development YS *

Shale – UK: Britain reopens way for fracking AP

Shale – Google trends for ‘peak oil’ and ‘fracking’ cd *


LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH

Ebola – Africa Strains to Contain Virus WSJ / FT / B / B / FT / r / E * * * * *


ENDNOTE

The Most Common Items Lost on NYC Transit 538 *


29 July 2014

Monday, July 28th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Japan



MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – May: Case-Shiller Home-Price Growth Slows Sharply; +9.3% from +10.8% yr / WSJ / R / B * *

US – Jul: ConfBd consumer confidence jumps; 90.9 from 86.4 / AP *


MARKETS

Currencies – Euro stamina challenged by Draghi’s mettle FT *

Currencies – Trading Falls Into Torpor WSJ *


ECONOMICS

Japan – After Tax Increase, Signs of Recovery in Consumption wsj *

Japan – Demand Exceeds Supply for First Time Since 2008 B

Japan – In corporate tax reform, Abenomics giveth, and taketh away R *

Japan – Abenomics picks up speed E * * *

Japan – Households say worse off under Abenomics / b *

Japan – Seeks to Lure Investors With Improved Corporate Governance WSJ *

Japan – Boosting Growth: Some Low-Hanging Fruit wsj *

Japan – Companies outside metropolises performing well N *

Japan – ‘Export-Champ Days Are Left Behind’ B *

Japan – Sees Record Number of Foreign Travelers wsj * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Japan – Abe’s Support Dips Below 50% in Fallout Over Easing Pacifism B / N

Japan – Abe faces rising disenchantment FT *

Japan – Ruling Party Lost Regional Election WSJ *


MONETARY POLICY

BOJ – Slower Japan Inflation Highlights Reflation Task B / wsj


FINANCE

Japan – Going it alone is no longer an option for stagnant banks FT


REAL ESTATE

Japan – Housing loan demand collapses ft *

Japan – Office market bottoms out N *

Japan – Construction costs at 21-year high N *

Japan – Tokyo to get an Olympic facelift N *


SERVICES

Media – Turner TV Tops Time Warner’s To-Do List WSJ *

Media – Fox Bolsters Cash with BSkyB Deal FT / WSJ / NYT / q * * * * * * *

Media – Riches and Risks for Fox in Time Warner Takeover WSJ / NYT / FT / B / WSJ / FT *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Japan – Electronics companies are starting to turn themselves around E * *

Japan – Sony’s Walkman Makes Comeback WSJ *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Rail – Albany Nears Hub Status as 100-Car Trains Jam Port B


COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – OPEC’s Two-Decade Ride on Global Growth Stalls B *

Oil – Saudi market reforms invite access to growth FT *

Oil – Kurdish Gambit Hits Troubled Waters WSJ *

Oil – Cuba’s vast untapped reserves still untapped AP *

Oil – Prospectors Shift Back to Wealthy Lands WSJ * *


LABOR & EDUCATION

Japan – Midnight Hours Thwart Abe’s Plans for More Working Moms B

Japan – Plenty of demand, not enough hands N / FT *


HEALTH



ENDNOTE

Where cats are more popular than dogs wapo * *


28 July 2014

Monday, July 28th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Metals

Ukraine – Europe Toughens Stance against Putin
Mobiles – India prepares for ‘big bang’ in smartphone use
TTIP – US-EU trade talks sour amid chlorine chicken fears


MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – Jun: Pending home sales unexpectedly fell; -1.1% / R / WSJ / B *


MARKETS



ECONOMICS

EU – UK: Longest slump in a century ends FT / FT / ft * * * * * * * *

EU – France: Rich Fleeing Hollande Taxes Find Portugal Haven B

EU – Greece: A fragile calm FT / E / B / R * * * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Germany set to back sanctions FT / WSJ *

Ukraine – Europe Toughens Stance against Putin S *


MONETARY POLICY

ECB – ‘Euro Zone Relies Too Much on Bank’ WSJ / FT *

ECB – No euroarea member met inflation target in June / b *


FINANCE

Brazil – Rousseff injects $20bn into banking sector FT / WSJ * *


REAL ESTATE

UK – London Housing Market Stagnates as Hometrack Sees Rapid Cooling B

UK – House Prices Rise as London Surge Hits Record, ONS Says B / FT

UK – London property market ‘losing momentum’, says Rics FT

UK – ONS data weaken case against mansion tax FT *

UK – London Mapped; Green = social, blue = rent, orange = mortgage, red = wholly-owned G *


SERVICES

F&B – Moscow launches Mac attack in beef with west FT / WSJ

F&B – Rapid China expansion comes back to bite western food chains FT *

F&B – Japanese Food Firms Eye Southeast Asian Markets WSJ *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Mobiles – BlackBerry looks to partnerships FT / FT * *

Mobiles – Apple iPhone Rollout Boosts Asia’s Component Makers WSJ *

Mobiles – Tablet magic wanes as Jobs’ dream realised FT * *

Mobiles – India prepares for ‘big bang’ in smartphone use FT

Mobiles – Ready to Wear? Bn * * *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

WTO – India’s ‘cereal economy’ threatens deal FT / WSJ / FT / wsj * * *

TTIP – US-EU trade talks sour amid chlorine chicken fears AP / FT


COMMODITIES

Metals – Steel: Nucor confident of favorable rulings vs import ‘tsunami’ R

Metals – Steel: Iron miners ramp up output to offset price weakness FT

Metals – Steel: Brittle View of China Demand WSJ *

Metals – Aluminium: Prices hit 17-month highs FT *

Metals – Rhodium: Poised for Biggest Monthly Advance Since 2009 B / q *

Metals – Lead: Jumps to highest in eight months FT

Metals – Gold: China demand falls by a fifth FT / WSJ / WSJ

Metals – Gold: Miners Trim Costs While Waiting For Next Rally IBD

Metals – Gold: Glow Dims, Even in Rockets’ Red Glare WSJ *

Metals – Palladium: Gain Sets Up Platinum Switch in Cars B *

Metals – Platinum: Anglo American to shed assets FT / R

Metals – South Africa: Open to curbs on strike action FT

Metals – China: Base metals import picture fragments r * *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Carbon – Australian Repeal Deals Blow to Global Emission Plans WSJ / r / r * *


LABOR & EDUCATION

EU – France: The Number That Many Businesses Fear NYT

EU – France: A union walkout shows how hard reform will be E *

EU – Germany: Woos Immigrants for Skilled Workers NYT

EU – Germany: Approves Minimum Wage From 2015 WSJ / AP / FT / NYT

EU – Computerisation: 54% of jobs at risk bruegel *


HEALTH

Ebola – Latest outbreak is getting worse r / B / AP / WSJ *

Ebola – Outbreak poses threat to African economies FT *


ENDNOTE

The Middle East Friendship Chart slate / bp *


25 July 2014

Thursday, July 24th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Ukraine

Air – Profits Tell of a Turnaround by Major Airlines
Crops – Midwestern farmers fighting explosion of ‘superweeds’
Coal – China’s Plan to Limit Use Could Spur Consumption for Years


MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – Jun: Slower Inflation Highlights BOJ Reflation Task; 3.3% from 3.4% / B / WSJ / R *

Russia – Q2: Avoids Slipping Into Recession; +0.1% / WSJ

Germany – Jul: Ifo business confidence drops for 3rd month; 108.0 from 109.7 / B / AP *

UK – Q2: Economy grows to surpass pre-crisis peak; +0.8%, +3.1% yr / AP / B / FT / WSJ *

US – Jun: Durable goods orders rebound; +0.7% from -1.0% / R / WSJ / B *


MARKETS

Bonds – Investors Retreat From Junk WSJ / FT * *

Bonds – Wall Street Takes a Shine to Argentina WSJ / NYT *


ECONOMICS

US – Obama presses to close corporate tax loophole ‘inversions’ R / NYT / WSJ / FT

US – Warned of up to 25 groups eyeing foreign switch to cut tax FT / WSJ / NYT *

US – Tax Inversions Turn Into Campaign Fodder WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Russian Central Bank Raises Key Interest Rate WSJ / AP / B

Ukraine – EU Narrows Divide Over Russian Sanctions WSJ / B / R / FT / WSJ

Ukraine – Russian ties, trade lie behind EU sanctions rift R / NYT *

Ukraine – Russian execs fear lasting damage from plane crash AP / AP / WSJ

Ukraine – German lawmakers raise doubts about Russia hosting soccer World Cup R *

Ukraine – Russia and Kiev at odds over gas deal FT * * *


MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE

US – Wall Street trades home mortgages for corporate credit FT * *


REAL ESTATE

US – New-Home Slowdown Pressures Recovery WSJ *

US – It’s unusually tough right now to find a newly built home wapo *

US – The Foreclosure Fade wsj * * * * *

US – Is It Really That Hard to Get A Mortgage? wsj *

US – AIA: Architecture Billings Index increased in June cr *


SERVICES

Cigs – Tobacco smoking in the US wapo *

Cigs – Why Social Epidemics Spread Faster in Some Countries Than Others MIT *

E-Cigs – Officials Focus on Ads Aimed at Youths NYT

E-Cigs – Which countries have banned electronic cigarettes vox *

E-Cigs – What Do We Really Know About the Safety? 538 *


MANUFACTURING

Planes – Attacks Spur Debate on Antimissile Systems for Passenger Jets WSJ *


TECH

Qualcomm – China a step closer to sanctions FT / WSJ / R *

Amazon – Losses widen, shares drop R / WSJ / FT / NYT / B / q * * *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Air – Fatalities Worst Since 2010 WSJ / FT / AP / WSJ / q * *

Air – Profits Tell of a Turnaround by Major Airlines NYT

Air – New Startup Airlines Crowd the Skies WSJ


COMMODITIES

Crops – Corn: Farmers Face a Cash Crunch WSJ * *

Crops – Midwestern farmers fighting explosion of ‘superweeds’ R

Crops – Soil degradation r *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Coal – China’s Plan to Limit Use Could Spur Consumption for Years NYT

Coal – China’s Energy Plans Will Worsen Climate Change, Greenpeace Says NYT

Coal – Japan to Step Up Support for Overseas Use WSJ


LABOR & EDUCATION

EU – Spain: Labor market turns the corner FT / AFP / AP / q * *

EU – Spain: Has implemented more reforms towards flexibility / b *

EU – Spain: Still no relation between reforms & performance / b *

EU – Spain: Still waiting to feel recovery in their pockets FT *


HEALTH



ENDNOTE

What’s across the ocean from beaches in the Americas wapo *


24 July 2014

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Canada



MAJOR DATA POINTS

SK – Q2: Growth Slows More Than Forecast on Consumption Drop; +0.6%, +3.6% yr / B / AP

Japan – Jun: Trade deficit widens; -$8b from -$1b / AP / WSJ *

China – Jul: HSBC flash PMI rises to 18-month high; 52.0 from 50.7 / R / WSJ / B *

EZ – Jul: Markit PMI picking up steam despite France; 54.0 from 52.8 / AP / B / R / NYT *

US – Jun: New home sales post biggest drop in almost a year; -8.1% to 406k from 442k / R * *

US – Week: Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Level Since 2006; -19k to 284k / WSJ / R / B *

US – Jul: Markit factory expansion slows; 56.3 from 57.3 / R * *


MARKETS

Currencies – Intervention fears hit Asian EMs FT

Currencies – Interest in Riskier Bonds Stirred, Not Shaken WSJ *

Currencies – Weaker Euro is a Bear Necessity WSJ

Currencies – Dollar Dominance Intact as US Fines on Banks Raise Ire B *

Currencies – Japan’s retail investors pile into US dollar funds FT *

Currencies – Rupee Buoyed by India’s Near-Record Reserves B *


ECONOMICS

Canada – ‘Alberta Oil Clout Dominating Unbalanced Economy’ B

Canada – Feds should run small deficit to create thousands of jobs: report CP

Canada – A Central Banker’s Unusual Approach WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

EU – Luxembourg tax regime: Under siege FT * * *

EU – A New Plan to Boost Straggling Investments S *

EU – Infrastructure Cutbacks Worry Economists WSJ *


MONETARY POLICY

BOE – Carney signals raise in interest rates FT / R / B

RBNZ – Raises rates, but set to pause for a while R / WSJ / B

MNB – Hungary Central Bank Cuts Main Rate More Than Forecast B / WSJ


FINANCE

Canada – Big 5 Banks Now Big 3 as Assets Diverge B *


REAL ESTATE

Canada – Housing bears stand their ground as prices keep rising G&M *


SERVICES



MANUFACTURING

Planes – Boeing Earnings Take Hit Over Problems in Air Force Tankers NYT / FT / WSJ / R

Planes – Airbus, Boeing Add to Massive Backlogs at Farnborough Air Show WSJ / FT

Planes – Emirates calls on Airbus to revamp A380 superjumbo FT / R

Planes – Aircraft Makers Narrow Engine Options WSJ

Planes – Bombardier to cut 1,800 jobs, aerospace head retires R


TECH

Internet – Google’s Vint Cerf: Good That US Will No Longer Be Bodyguard bi

Internet – EU says policy applies to Google’s US website FT


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES

Sugar – Investors Bank on Squeeze WSJ *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil Sands – Under fire on Canada’s East Coast G&M

Oil Sands – Foreign investors ‘scared off’ M&A expert says FP

Oil Sands – Linked to higher cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan NP *

Oil Sands – Canada energy deals rebound as shale trumps R *


LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH



ENDNOTE

The main etymologies of European currencies (pre-euro) motw *


23 July 2014

Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: US Health Insurance

EU – ECB will disclose unprecedented data after bank stress tests
HK – Top Properties Resist Market Forces
Crops – Coffee: Almost half of the world actually prefers instant


MAJOR DATA POINTS



MARKETS

Bonds – Behind the Trading Burst That Shored Up Wall Street’s Bottom Line WSJ *

Bonds – Crunch time for Treasuries as end of QE looms FT * *


ECONOMICS

Asean – Long on optimism FT * *

Asean – Midnight feasters give businesses plenty to feed on N *

Asean – ‘Asia shifts away from Japan to China’ CD *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Indonesia – Widodo elected president FT / WSJ / NYT * * * *

Indonesia – Widodo Targets Growth Unseen Since 1990s Asia Crisis B / R / R / r * * * *


MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE

EU – NY Fed hits at Deutsche Bank’s ‘unreliable’ reports FT / WSJ / NYT / B

EU – Reality check for banks FT * *

EU – ECB will disclose unprecedented data after bank stress tests R *

EU – Credit crisis far from over for small businesses FT *


REAL ESTATE

HK – Top Properties Resist Market Forces NYT

Singapore – Property Market Continues Softening WSJ / FT


SERVICES

F&B – As Cereal Slips, a New Battle Over Breakfast Dollars WSJ * *

F&B – Meat Prices Rising More Than Fresh Fruits and Vegetables wsj *

F&B – Consumers Forgo Meals in Favor of Snacks Several Times a Day WSJ * *

F&B – China’s food scandal / r *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Mobiles – Apple revenue lags Street view despite strong China growth R / FT / WSJ / NYT / NYT / B / R / wsj / q * * * * *

Mobiles – As Phone Growth Slows, Carriers Turn to Tablets WSJ *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Rail – Train operators are cashing in on shale gas FT * * *

Rail – US Seeks New Rules for Transport of Fuel WSJ

Rail – Car Shortage in US Pushes Up Lease Rates WSJ


COMMODITIES

Crops – Grain: Huge supplies on tap, USDA says R / WSJ / FT *

Crops – Quinoa: Rides the ‘Superfoods’ Wave WSJ *

Crops – Coffee: Almost half of the world actually prefers instant wapo * *

Crops – Sugar: China imports set to lose sweet spot CD *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

NatGas – Australian Coal-Seam Projects Blow Past Budgets WSJ *

NatGas – Prices Drop on Greater-Than-Expected Surplus WSJ * *

NatGas – Putin suggests ending Gazprom pipeline monopoly FT

NatGas – Pipeline Plan Roils Rural Massachusetts NYT *


LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH

Insurance – Subsidy Loss May Boost Premiums B / AP / FT / WSJ / NYT / B / R / wapo / a * * * *

Insurance – Some Governors Face Fallout Over Health Law Ruling WSJ *

Insurance – Sign-Ups Not the Only Way to Gauge Health Law’s Success WSJ * * *

Insurance – ‘ObamaCare Funding Cliffs Imperil Coverage, Access’ IBD *

Insurance – Sick Drawn to New Coverage in Health-Law Plans WSJ *

Insurance – Premiums Rise at Big Insurers, Fall at Small Rivals Under Health Law WSJ *

Insurance – ER Visits Rise Despite Law WSJ *


ENDNOTE

World map of rail gauges motw *


22 July 2014

Monday, July 21st, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Mobiles

Ukraine – Sanctions on Russia Hit German Economy Hard
Livestock – Roosters’ fertility problem hits US chicken supply
Coal – US Power Plant Turns to Russia for Shipment


MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – Jun: Consumer Prices Rose; +0.3% from +0.1% / WSJ / AP / R / B * *

US – Jun: NAR home resales rises to eight-month high; +2.6% / B / WSJ / R / AP * *


MARKETS

Private Placements – US faces competition from Europe FT * *


ECONOMICS

BRICs – Critics warn the group is bound by frustration FT *

BRICs – Hurling BRICS at the World Bank and the $ cfr *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – European Businesses Could Be Forced to Act WSJ / FT / R / B / WSJ

Ukraine – European sanctions on Russia seen limited for now, despite tough talk R / FT

Ukraine – Sanctions on Russia Hit German Economy Hard S *

Ukraine – EU threatens Russia with more sanctions, but words ring hollow R / FT / WSJ / S / q *


MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE

US – Dodd-Frank has made banks safer but slowed economy, data show FT *

US – Top banks see loan losses fall amid stricter lending standards FT

US – For Banks Near Cutoff, Bigger Isn’t Necessarily Better WSJ *

US – Wall Street Adapts to New Regulatory Regime WSJ

US – House Republicans Take Aim at Dodd-Frank WSJ / WSJ *


REAL ESTATE



SERVICES

Ads – Mobile Spending Leaps, but Trails User Growth WSJ *

Ads – Facebook clicks on the ‘buy’ button to measure effectiveness FT * * *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Mobiles – Next iPhone Will Offer Bigger Screens WSJ *

Mobiles – Intel’s Answer to iPad: Cheap Prices WSJ * *

Mobiles – Revenue from Google Play set to overtake Apple’s app store in 2018 q *

Mobiles – Sprint, T-Mobile Could Raise $10b for Spectrum Auction WSJ

Mobiles – Wireless Operators’ Growing Pains WSJ *

Mobiles – Slim Owns TracFone That Could Serve as Building Block WSJ / R *

Mobiles – China Mobile to build 500,000 4G base stations X

Mobiles – Huawei gains from China telecoms spending FT

Mobiles – China on the verge of becoming saturated q *

Mobiles – China’s Xiaomi Targets India in Smartphone Sales Push B / R


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES

Livestock – China Meat Supplier ‘Appalled’ by Allegations WSJ / FT

Livestock – Worries Over Meat Supplier Spread to Japan WSJ / FT

Livestock – Rising Prices, Exports Have Meat Producers On A Roll IBD

Livestock – Roosters’ fertility problem hits US chicken supply R *

Livestock – Beef pollutes more than pork, poultry, study says AP *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Coal – US Power Plant Turns to Russia for Shipment B

Coal – Fuels Brewpubs in Wyoming as Kentucky Mines Misery B *

Coal – Project at KY plant to catch CO2 AP / NYT


LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH



ENDNOTE

Consumption Spreads Faster Today: The 100-Year March of Technology a *


21 July 2014

Sunday, July 20th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Latin America

China – First Mortgage Debt Since Crisis Shows Li Concern
Milk – ‘The coming global glut’
US – White House Sees Few Labor Dropouts Returning


MAJOR DATA POINTS



MARKETS

Bonds – EM debt issuance hits record high FT * *

Bonds – Junk debt appetite wanes FT *


ECONOMICS

Argentina – Stopping a repeat of debt war FT / FT / B *

Argentina – If Debt Dispute Settled, More Claims Could Come WSJ

Argentina – Looks to China and Russia for support FT *

Puerto Rico – Real-Estate Investors See No Problems WSJ / WSJ * *

Mexico – Economy refuses to spark FT *

Mexico – Foreigners enthuse over Nieto’s reforms; locals are warier E * *

Colombia – Economy surges R *

Chile – Limits to growth FT * * *

Brazil – Lessons From Their War on Poverty 538 *

LatAm – Chases goals off the pitch FT * *

LatAm – Poverty, violence drive Central American exodus to US R *

LatAm – ‘Time to improve criminal justice’ E * * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE

G20 – Carney leads push to break ‘too big to fail’ impasse FT *


REAL ESTATE

China – Posts Sharper Fall in Home Prices in June WSJ / B / b / b * *

China – First Mortgage Debt Since Crisis Shows Li Concern B / q * * *

China – Rich look abroad as home prices fall, others stay put R


SERVICES

Cigs – Jury Slams R.J. Reynolds With $23b in Damages WSJ / FT / AP / NYT / AP


MANUFACTURING

Defense – Japan Inc. Now Exporting Weapons WSJ

Defense – As China Stalks Satellites, US and Japan Prepare to Defend Them BW *

Defense – Cut Weapons Now, but Then What? WSJ *

Defense – Britain Frets Over Cost of Restoring Carriers WSJ *

Defense – Top five arms dealing nations and their biggest clients / afp *


TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES

Milk – America’s Move to Soy Hobbles Dairy WSJ *

Milk – ‘The coming global glut’ q *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Prices fall to lowest in 3 months / r *

Oil – Supply setbacks will push price higher FT *

Oil – US: White House Opens Door to Exploring Atlantic NYT / B / R / AP

Oil – Iraq: Kurds pump from Kirkuk in defiance of Baghdad FT

Oil – China: Flexes Might With Energy Giants WSJ *


LABOR & EDUCATION

US – Wages remain stubbornly static, slowing the recovery FT *

US – Lower Job Churn Hurts Young Workers WSJ *

US – Young Workers, Short Tenures WSJ * * *

US – White House Sees Few Dropouts Returning wsj / bi * * * *


HEALTH

Pharma – Competition, Stock Surge Fuel Boom in Mergers WSJ / bi * *

Pharma – AbbVie $54b Deal for Shire to Reduce Taxes FT / WSJ / NYT / FT / WSJ * * *

Pharma – Who Should Pay the Bill for Wonder Drugs? BW *


ENDNOTE

New York’s rumored, very unofficial “dollar van” routes wapo *