Bz Nwz




---

Today’s Issue Cluster: Carbon Policy

Air – Rapid growth leaves Asian lines searching for pilots
Rubber – Seven countries allying to halt price slide
Currencies – Bitcoin: Sputters as adoption stalls



---

MAJOR DATA POINTS

China – Dec: HSBC Manufacturing PMI Slips; 49.6 from 50.0 / WSJ / AP / B *

US – Nov: Pending Home Sales Rise; +0.8%, +4.1% yr / WSJ / AP / R / B

US – Oct: Case-Shiller home price growth slows for 11th month; +4.5% / AP

US – Week: Jobless Claims Climbed More Than Forecast; +17k to 298k / B / R / WSJ / AP / cr *



---

MARKETS

Currencies – No relief in sight for some of the battered FT *

Currencies – Dollar: Surge Pummels Companies in EMs WSJ *

Currencies – Bet on rising renminbi still a safe one FT

Currencies – Bitcoin: Sputters as adoption stalls R / B / WSJ / q / WSJ * *



---

ECONOMICS




---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Greece – Samaras Has Four Weeks to Trump Syriza B / NYT / e * *

Greece – Syriza no longer terrifies some investors FT / WSJ / AFP *



---

MONETARY POLICY




---

FINANCE




---

REAL ESTATE

UK – House price inflation slows to 13-month low R / FT * *

UK – London House Prices Will Stagnate Next Year, RICS Says B / B



---

SERVICES

Delivery – UPS, FedEx Got Back On Time This Holiday WSJ

Delivery – Ecommerce model proves difficult to drive FT



---

MANUFACTURING




---

TECH




---

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Air – Crash May Mean Four-Year High Air Deaths B / 538 * * *

Air – Malaysia Mystery Fails to Spur Changes WSJ

Air – Rapid growth leaves Asian lines searching for pilots AP

Air – India’s SpiceJet struggles to stay aloft FT / WSJ *

Air – Major airline considering “Economy Minus” LAT

Air – US lines: turning the page FT *



---

COMMODITIES

Rubber – Loses Steam as Southeast Asian Producers Strategize WSJ

Rubber – Seven countries allying to halt price slide N *



---

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Carbon – World: ‘Pope’s edict on climate change will anger deniers’ G

Carbon – World: Climate Talks Yield Plan to Spread Burden of Emission Cuts WSJ *

Carbon – US: Regulatory Push Coming from Obama Administration WSJ *

Carbon – US: Obama Professor Tribe Calls Key EPA Rule ‘Overreach’ B / FT

Carbon – EU: Paris and Berlin seek to delay cuts in car emissions standards FT

Carbon – Japan: CO2 emissions hit record as fossil fuel consumption rises R *

Carbon – India: Modi, Favoring Growth, Pares Back Environmental Rules NYT



---

LABOR & EDUCATION




---

HEALTH

H3N2 – Severe Flu Cases on the Rise in US WSJ / LAT / dm *



---

ENDNOTE

Meta: Best Of ‘Best Of 2014’ List 538 *



---




---

Today’s Issue Cluster: Gaming

Greece – Syriza is leading in polls
Mobiles – Xiaomi Finds Patent Problems Chasing Apple and Samsung
Oil – Canadian Surge to US Gulf Puts Mexico on Defensive



---

MAJOR DATA POINTS

Argentina – Q3: Contracts First Time Since 2012 on Default; -0.5%, -0.8% yr / B

US – Oct: Growth in Home Prices Continued to Downshift; +4.6% from +4.8% / WSJ / R / AP / B *

US – Dec: ConfBd consumer confidence rises; 92.6 from 91.0 / R / WSJ / B *



---

MARKETS




---

ECONOMICS




---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Greece – Fears for fresh crisis after poll called FT / NYT / WSJ *

Greece – Vote Shouldn’t Unseat Eurozone B / WSJ / nyt / FT *

Greece – Syriza is leading in polls G *



---

MONETARY POLICY




---

FINANCE




---

REAL ESTATE




---

SERVICES

Gaming – Crime: FBI Takes Aim at High-Roller Junkets WSJ *

Gaming – Macau: A somber 15th anniversary of handover N / N / NYT / WSJ / B * * *

Gaming – Macau: Chinese GDP Growth vs. Gaming Revenue Growth / b *

Gaming – Macau: Revenue vs. Visitors from China / b *

Gaming – Macau: Dependent on baccarat q *

Gaming – NV: Chinese VIPs Flee Vegas Baccarat Amid Crackdown at Home B

Gaming – NV: Caesars Merger Seen Aiding Debt Load WSJ / WSJ / FT

Gaming – NY: Board Backs Three Upstate Casinos NYT / WSJ / NYT *

Gaming – PA: In Faded Vacationland, Gambling’s Promise Falls Short NYT *

Gaming – NJ: Trump Taj Mahal Expected to Remain Open, for Now WSJ *

Gaming – NJ: Report Sees a Cloudy Future for Atlantic City WSJ *

Gaming – PA: Philadelphia Casino Project Adds to Frenzy NYT *

Gaming – CT: Tribes Open to Cooperation on a Casino WSJ *



---

MANUFACTURING




---

TECH

Mobiles – Xiaomi fundraising values group at $45b FT / NYT / WSJ / WSJ / WSJ * *

Mobiles – Xiaomi Finds Patent Problems Chasing Apple and Samsung B

Mobiles – Huawei’s sales shoot up after copying Xiaomi’s online strategy R



---

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION




---

COMMODITIES

Iron – Proves 2014’s commodity turkey FT / WSJ *

Iron – Australia’s West Humbled by Slump WSJ *



---

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Firms Pull Back on Rigs as Prices Fall WSJ

Oil – Tanker market benefits from rout FT

Oil – Canadian Surge to US Gulf Puts Mexico on Defensive B

Oil – Petrobras finds itself in deep water FT / R / WSJ * * * *

Oil – Slump sours Africa debt sweet spot FT * *

Oil – Collapse stokes crises in producing countries FT / NYT / WSJ / AP *

Oil – Tough Lessons in Downside of Cheap Gas WSJ *



---

LABOR & EDUCATION




---

HEALTH

Ebola – After Slow Response, WHO Seeks to Avoid Repeat WSJ * *

Ebola – Sierra Leone seeing 80-100 new cases daily AP / NYT / NYT *

Ebola – How It Roared Back NYT * *

Ebola – US Buys Up Gear, Leaving Little for Africa WSJ

Ebola – Drug Makers’ Varied Strategies IBD

Ebola – Vaccine Appears Safe in Early Test WSJ



---

ENDNOTE

College Football’s Bloated Bowl Season 538 *



---




---

Today’s Issue Cluster: Nuclear Power

Russia – Germany Cools to Investment
Retail – Xmas spending may have hit a 7-year high
Water – US: Supply for Almonds in California May Run Dry



---

MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – Nov: Inflation Slows in Blow to Abe; 0.7% from 0.9% / WSJ / AP / R / B / FT

Russia – Nov: GDP falls for first time in five years; -0.5% / FT / R



---

MARKETS

Bonds – US Sentiment Is Worst Since Disastrous ’09 as Fed Shifts B

Bonds – US Muni Market Is on a Tear WSJ *

Bonds – Junk Market Turns Negative WSJ *

Bonds – Drought looms for EU bank investors FT * *



---

ECONOMICS

Japan – Abe Approves $29b Stimulus Package WSJ / B / AP

Japan – What will Abe do with his mandate? E *

Japan – Stocks count on Abe’s third arrow hitting home FT / B * *

Japan – The 94% Plunge That Shows Abenomics Losing Global Investors B

Japan – Abenomics Finally Gets Working for the Average Worker WSJ



---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Russia – Ruble’s Recovery Runs Out of Steam WSJ / WSJ / FT / R / B *

Russia – Central Bank Acts to Stabilize Financial Sector WSJ / FT *

Russia – Germany Cools to Investment NYT *



---

MONETARY POLICY




---

FINANCE




---

REAL ESTATE

Japan – Long property slump is ending E / B *



---

SERVICES

Retail – Bricks and mortar loses out in online rush FT / IBD *

Retail – Shoppers’ Late Rush Gives Hope to Stores WSJ *

Retail – Christmas returns hit new high FT

Retail – Xmas spending may have hit a 7-year high wapo *

Retail – Web Store Unloads Old Items Offline WSJ

Retail – Stores Save Discounts for Bargain Hunters WSJ *



---

MANUFACTURING




---

TECH

Uber – SK Officials Indict Uber CEO WSJ / R / FT

Uber – Chicago plans app so taxis can compete R / nyt

Uber – Rise of the car-sharing apps poses threat to auto sector R

Uber – Medallion company stock price been significantly dropping cd*

BlaBlaCar – Gains Traction WSJ *



---

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION




---

COMMODITIES

Water – US: Supply for Almonds in California May Run Dry NYT

Water – Brazil: Late response to drought in industrial heartland E *

Water – Brazil: Drought Worsening / b *

Water – China: Diversion starts to flow FT *

Water – Stress Maps wapo * *



---

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Nuclear – SK: Plant Operator Hacked WSJ / B / R / WSJ / R *

Nuclear – Ukraine: Turns off reactor after ‘accident’ Ind

Nuclear – India: Ambitions Rattle Tsunami-Hit Coast WSJ * *

Nuclear – India: Looks to sway Americans with insurance plan R *

Nuclear – US: EPA Wrestles With Carbon Emission Rules NYT

Nuclear – Carbon Free, but Not Free of Unease NYT



---

LABOR & EDUCATION




---

HEALTH

Malaria – Real and present danger FT * *

Malaria – Deaths halved since 2000 AFP *



---

ENDNOTE

World’s Biggest Data Breaches iib *



---




---

Today’s Issue Cluster: Alcoholic Drinks

Online – ‘Isn’t taking over any time soon’
China – Shadow banking adapts and grows as rules tighten
Air – US lines confront cheap oil’s flip side: costly hedges



---

MAJOR DATA POINTS

France – Nov: Strikes record unemployment high, again; +0.8%, +5.8% yr / AFP / B

US – Week: Jobless Claims Fall; -9k to 280k / WSJ / R / AP / B / cr *



---

MARKETS




---

ECONOMICS

Online – SK Bargain Hunters Push Retailers to Slash Prices WSJ *

Online – Alibaba’s Tmall Global Site Stumbles WSJ *

Online – ‘Isn’t taking over any time soon’ q * * * *



---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Russia on Verge of Junk as S&P Puts Rating on Negative Watch B

Ukraine – Russia Moves to Stave Off Panic Among Depositors B / WSJ / B *

Ukraine – Russia International Reserves / r *

Ukraine – Russia Crisis Makes East European Firms Fret Over 1998 Redux B / FT



---

MONETARY POLICY




---

FINANCE

China – Shadow-Banking Boom Is Over WSJ *

China – Shadow banking adapts and grows as rules tighten R * *



---

REAL ESTATE




---

SERVICES

F&B – A tough year for big name players in the global alcoholic drinks market FT * *

F&B – Asahi chief toasts future of Japan’s alcohol market FT *

F&B – All Hail King Whiskey A * *

F&B – Chinese Dreams of a Château Wither on the Vine WSJ *

F&B – Bud Crowded Out by Craft Beer Craze WSJ / wapo *

F&B – Microbreweries shake up Europe’s beer market FT *

F&B – Craft beer revolution makes cans cool again q *

F&B – Raising a mug to emerging markets N *

F&B – Heineken Seeks to Grow Global Brand Portfolio WSJ *

F&B – SABMiller Considers Best Route to a Global Beer Brand WSJ / FT / WSJ * *

F&B – Alcohol consumption / E *

F&B – Who drinks the most beer and wine / r *

F&B – The price of making a plastic bottle E *



---

MANUFACTURING




---

TECH




---

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Air – Budget Lines Fly Higher on Lower Oil WSJ

Air – US lines confront cheap oil’s flip side: costly hedges R *



---

COMMODITIES




---

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Saudis dig in to protect Opec’s market share FT *

Oil – Firms’ Predicament: Who Should Cut Output? WSJ / FT *

Oil – China’s Dark Shadow Looms Over Future WSJ *



---

LABOR & EDUCATION

US – Things Are Looking Up for Employment NYT *

US – The Vanishing Male Worker NYT / motw *

US – The Rise of Men Who Don’t Work nyt / bp * * *

US – Women Are Leaving Jobs Behind nyt *

US – Key Differences in Being Out of Work for Men and Women nyt *

US – As Robots Grow Smarter, American Workers Struggle to Keep Up NYT * *



---

HEALTH




---

ENDNOTE

Most-played holiday songs mostly from ’40s & ’50s wapo *



---




---

Today’s Issue Cluster: MENA

x



---

MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – Q3: Economy Posts Strongest Growth in More Than a Decade; +5.0% was +3.9% / WSJ / FT / R / B / AP / NYT *

US – Nov: New Home Sales Fall; -1.6%, -1.6% yr / WSJ / R / B / cr *

US – Nov: Durable Goods Orders Unexpectedly Fell; -0.7% from +0.3% / WSJ / R / AP / B

US – Nov: Consumer spending up; +0.6% from +0.3% / AP / B / WSJ / cr *

US – Dec: UMich Consumer Sentiment at Seven-Year High; 93.6 from 88.8 / B / WSJ / R



---

MARKETS




---

ECONOMICS

Iran – Oil Price Drop, Nuclear Deal Delay Unsettle Economy WSJ / WSJ *

Iran – Indian Essar’s planned oil-for-steel deal tests sanctions R *

Iran – Got Less, and More, Than Expected From Sanctions Relief B

Iran – The story of the world’s most elaborate sanctions regime E * *

Libya – Oil Production Drops as Fighting Spreads to Port B / FT * *

Egypt – Tourists return after 3-year break FT * *

Egypt – Investors eye energy opportunities as Cairo slashes subsidies FT * *

Turkey – Finance minister promises reforms to rebuild reputation FT * *

Iraq – Soaring public spending hits war financing FT * * *

Afghanistan – Minerals Await Vital Railroads BW *

Pakistan – Still having trouble keeping lights on N *

Tajikistan – Looks to China as Russian remittances dry up FT * *

Kazakhstan – Opens up to stave off economic crisis FT *



---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Iran – The revolution is over E / E * *

Turkey – Leader Cements Power NYT / WSJ / nyt / nyt *



---

MONETARY POLICY




---

FINANCE




---

REAL ESTATE

Dubai – Home Prices Rise, but More Slowly WSJ / q *

Persian Gulf – Hotel Industry Enjoys a Boom WSJ *



---

SERVICES




---

MANUFACTURING




---

TECH

Mobiles – Xiaomi: Valued at More Than $45b WSJ *

Mobiles – Xiaomi: Valuation Backed By More Than Buzz WSJ *

Mobiles – Xiaomi: Never mind the profits FT *

Mobiles – BlackBerry: Revenue Falls 34% WSJ / WSJ * *



---

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Rising anger as Nicaragua canal to break ground WSJ / AP / R / B / E / FT *

Ship – The world’s largest vessel / r *



---

COMMODITIES

Copper – Protesters Clash With Police in Central Myanmar WSJ

Copper – World’s Biggest Miner BHP Shifting Focus From Iron Ore B / WSJ *

Copper – Glencore forecasts deficit FT

Copper – Bears bet on surplus r *

Metals – Supply is key to commodities’ volatile year FT * *



---

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Opec leader vows not to cut output even if price hits $20 FT

NatGas – Slides to Near a Two-Year Low WSJ *

NatGas – Glut Isn’t Deterring Southwestern Energy NYT

NatGas – Abundance of Supply and Debate NYT



---

LABOR & EDUCATION




---

HEALTH




---

ENDNOTE

NOAA map: Probability of a white Christmas wapo *



---




---

Today’s Issue Cluster: Oil

Stocks – China Worth Double Other BRICs Combined B *
China – Planning to Purge Foreign Technology
Nickel – Shortage Propels Philippines Mining Boom



---

MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – Nov: Existing-Home Sales Tumble; -6.1%, +2.1% yr / WSJ / B / R



---

MARKETS

Stocks – China Worth Double Other BRICs Combined B *

Stocks – Shanghai Market Rally Is Coming Under Strain WSJ *

Currencies – Yuan: Slide Gathers Steam WSJ

Currencies – Yuan: China Warms to More Flexibility WSJ *

Currencies – Yuan: PBOC, Traders Tussle WSJ / FT *



---

ECONOMICS

China – Revises Its GDP Calculations WSJ *

China – Faces Headwinds As It Tries to Prop Up Growth WSJ *



---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY




---

MONETARY POLICY




---

FINANCE

China – Flurry of bank deals hints at renewed confidence FT

China – Angst over online lenders may be over the top FT

China – Planning to Purge Foreign Technology B



---

REAL ESTATE

China – A silver lining to the housing cloud E *



---

SERVICES

Delivery – Crunch Time for FedEx and UPS NYT / B / WSJ

Delivery – Ecommerce groups rush to deliver the goods FT *



---

MANUFACTURING




---

TECH




---

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Road – Cities Target Elevated Levels of Pedestrian Deaths WSJ *

Road – Safety Gear Helps Reduce US Traffic Deaths WSJ *

Road – Boomer Deaths in Motorcycle Crashes Rise WSJ *



---

COMMODITIES

Nickel – Shortage Propels Philippines Mining Boom B

Nickel – Gains after Indonesia reaffirms ore export ban FT *

Nickel – Bucks Weakness in Raw Materials WSJ * *



---

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Gulf Exporters Blame Non-OPEC Producers for Glut WSJ / FT / R / B

Oil – Opec takes a big bet by holding output FT *

Oil – Saudi Arabia prepared to raise output FT / WSJ * *

Oil – Saudi: No conspiracy behind oil prices AP / NP / bi

Oil – Midtier Explorers Suffer With Price Drop WSJ *

Oil – Surplus opens storage profit opportunity FT *

Oil – Propane, Other Fuel Prices Feel the Burn WSJ

Oil – Shale byproduct prices track plunge FT

Oil – Railcar Bottleneck Looms WSJ

Oil – Investors in beat-up bonds lean on banks for rescue R *

Oil – North Sea: Sinking Price Is Hard on Producers NYT *

Oil – Mexico: Shock to tilt energy opening in private sector’s favor R / WSJ *

Oil – Venezuela: Shakes Debt to Its Foundations WSJ *

Oil – Colombia: puts on a brave face as price plunges FT * *

Oil – South Sudan: Under economic attack from fall in price FT *



---

LABOR & EDUCATION

China – Economy Searches for Jobs WSJ *



---

HEALTH




---

ENDNOTE

The days of the year when Americans are most drunk wapo *



---




---

Today’s Issue Cluster: Nuclear Power

Stocks – ‘A new tech bubble seems to be inflating’
Steel – How China data masks scale of glut
Pensions – Illinois risks default if it fails to tackle crisis



---

MAJOR DATA POINTS

Germany – Jan: GfK consumer confidence rising; 9.0 from 8.7 / WSJ



---

MARKETS

Currencies – Dollar: Strength set to resume in 2015 FT *

Currencies – Dollar: EMs view to a killing FT *

Currencies – Asia: No New Financial Crisis, Say Veterans of 1990s WSJ *



---

ECONOMICS

US – Oil Rout Spreads Across Markets WSJ *

US – Texas Could Be Headed for Recession, JP Morgan Economist Says wsj

US – Plunge in Oil Prices Brings Jitters to Texas City WSJ *

US – Good Times for Texas-North Dakota May Turn Bad B * *

US – Lower Oil Poses Bigger Risk for Workforce B *



---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Arguing over Russian reserves: $400b or half that? R *

Ukraine – Russia Expanded Gold Reserves for 8th Month Amid Ruble Rout B

Ukraine – Foreign banks retreat from crisis-hit Russia FT * *

Ukraine – Ruble Pressures Auto Makers to Rethink Russia Business WSJ

Ukraine – Signs of Russian Export Cut Lift Wheat WSJ *



---

MONETARY POLICY

SNB – Introduces Negative Interest Rates WSJ / FT / NYT / AP / B / R / WSJ / WSJ * * *



---

FINANCE




---

REAL ESTATE




---

SERVICES

Retail – Can Wal-Mart Clerks Ship as Fast as Amazon Robots? WSJ *

Retail – Luxury: Exclusively for everybody E / E / E / E * * * * *



---

MANUFACTURING




---

TECH

Stocks – ‘A new tech bubble seems to be inflating’ E * *



---

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION




---

COMMODITIES

Steel – China Capacity Transfer Is ‘Imaginary’ B *

Steel – How China data masks scale of glut R *



---

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Nuclear – Uranium: Miners upbeat on China growth FT / FT * *

Nuclear – Uranium: Rallies as Asia Warms WSJ *

Nuclear – Japan: Puts Two More Reactors on Uncertain Restart Path WSJ / B

Nuclear – Japan: Ice wall failure sends Tepco back to drawing board N *

Nuclear – China: Will need many more plants, say researchers FT / B / E *

Nuclear – China: Moves to Keep Work Local WSJ *

Nuclear – India: Russia pledges 10 more reactors FT / N

Nuclear – US: Bill for shutting plants will reach $100b FT

Nuclear – US: Russian Concessions on Safety Put Focus on Reactors B

Nuclear – US: Can Government Revive It? WSJ * *

Nuclear – Germany: A power-producer is breaking itself up to face the future E *

Nuclear – France: Changing of the guard at the top of the sector FT * *

Nuclear – Ukraine: A proper tomb for Chernobyl is nearing completion E *

Nuclear – World: Energy Firms Raise Stakes in Projects WSJ *

Nuclear – World: Scientists Work on Lighter, Cleaner Technology NYT



---

LABOR & EDUCATION

Pensions – Illinois risks default if it fails to tackle crisis E *

Pensions – Bill Seen as Model for Further Cuts WSJ *



---

HEALTH




---

ENDNOTE

Deutsche Bank’s Top Economist Declares The ‘Chart Of The Decade’ bi *



---




---

Today’s Issue Cluster: Latin America

Ukraine – Merkel says Russia sanctions remain ‘unavoidable’
Air – Discount carriers take off in Southeast Asia
Sands – Canadian exporters narrowly survive EU ‘dirty oil’ vote



---

MAJOR DATA POINTS

China – Nov: Home Prices Fall at Slower Pace; -0.6% from -0.8% / WSJ / NYT / B *

Germany – Dec: Ifo Business More Bullish as Euro Weakens; 105.5 from 104.7 / WSJ / B / AFP *

US – Week: Jobless Claims Fall; -6k to 289k / B / WSJ / R / AP / cr *



---

MARKETS




---

ECONOMICS

Cuba – US Companies Consider the Possibilities of Trade WSJ / FT / NYT / WSJ / WSJ *

Cuba – As economy stagnates, economists press for deeper reforms R *

Mexico – Offers First Oil Blocks to Private Firms WSJ / FT / AP

Mexico – Oil price plunge raises energy reform concerns FT * *

Mexico – Security woes threatening Nieto’s record of success FT / WSJ

Panama – Building Boom Leaves Glut of Hotels, Offices WSJ / WSJ

Venezuela – Default risks spike R *

Venezuela – Fears grow amid falling oil prices FT * *

Venezuela – ‘On borrowed time’ E *

Venezuela – Investors weigh debt default FT *

Venezuela – Why it’s looking at a world of pain gp * *

Venezuela – Trims Oil Diplomacy WSJ

Venezuela – Loses faith in socialist government FT * *

Brazil – Investors Cheer Next Economic Czar WSJ *

Brazil – Braces for austerity FT * *

Brazil – Rousseff back on path to economic orthdoxy FT / FT * *

Brazil – Dilma changes course E *

Brazil – Drought Unleashes Flood of Sales for Some Firms WSJ

Brazil – Gherkin acquisition shows growing appetite for M&A FT * *

Argentina – Stocks Get Boost From Investors With Taste for Risk WSJ *

Argentina – Seeks its own shale boom FT

Chile – Economy still ‘moribund’ as growth remains weak R *

Chile – Rethinks its free market experiment FT * * *

LatAm – The great deceleration E *

LatAm – Pacific pumas E *



---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Putin’s Year of Defiance and Miscalculation WSJ / FT / AP / NYT / R / B / WSJ *

Ukraine – Merkel says Russia sanctions remain ‘unavoidable’ AFP / AFP

Ukraine – Russians Quit London Luxury Homes as Only Super-Rich Stay B

Ukraine – Ruble Strengthens After Central Bank Acts WSJ / FT / NYT / FT

Ukraine – Foreign ‘speculators’ say it wasn’t us R *

Ukraine – Russian Controls Would Risk Capital Chaos WSJ *

Ukraine – Traders Betting Russia’s Next Move Will Be to Sell Gold B / WSJ

Ukraine – Ruble collapse hits Asian carmakers’ ambitions in Russia R * *

Ukraine – Major country exports to Russia are of ‘negligible importance’ bi *



---

MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Signals tightening by mid-2015 FT / WSJ / R / B / AP / NYT *

Fed – What Did Greenspan Do with “Considerable Time” Pledge in ’04? cfr *



---

FINANCE




---

REAL ESTATE




---

SERVICES

Delivery – Amazon Confirms Rollout of One-Hour Service WSJ / B

Delivery – Port Delays Leave Retail Goods Stuck in Transit WSJ

Delivery – FedEx breaks run of better results FT



---

MANUFACTURING




---

TECH




---

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Air – The low-frills, long-haul gamble FT * * *

Air – Discount carriers take off in Southeast Asia N *



---

COMMODITIES




---

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Sands – Canadian exporters narrowly survive EU ‘dirty oil’ vote CP

Sands – Fort McMurray yields to caution R / G&M *

Sands – Canada’s US Oil Imports Dwarf Saudis’ Share B *



---

LABOR & EDUCATION




---

HEALTH




---

ENDNOTE

Currency names around the World reddit *



---




---

Today’s Issue Cluster: Tobacco

World – US, China Economic Role Reversal Roils EMs
Aluminum – US Primary Imports Surge
Oil – Asian Consumers See Little Trickle-Down



---

MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – Nov: Exports Slow Despite Weak Yen; +4.9% from +9.6% / R / WSJ / B / ft *

US – Nov: Oil Drives Decline in CPI; -0.3% from flat / AP / WSJ / B * *



---

MARKETS

Currencies – Ruble: State Media Says Crisis Under Control B / WSJ / FT / R / NYT / AP *

Currencies – Ruble: Markets Take Wild Ride WSJ *

Currencies – Ruble: Russia Takes Ukraine’s Spot in Currency Abyss / B *

Currencies – Ruble: Picking Through the Ruble with Banks WSJ *

Currencies – Ruble: EMs grapple with crisis FT *

Currencies – Ruble: EM sell-off claims bigger scalps FT * *



---

ECONOMICS

World – Oil Dragging Down Prices Faster Than Official Price Index Can Capture wsj * *

World – Oil plunge sparks credit market fears FT

World – Bond Investors Are Skittish Over EMs NYT *

World – US, China Economic Role Reversal Roils EMs B

World – Saudis punishing two rivals, Russia and Iran r



---

POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Ruble Drop Sparks Broader Russian Worry WSJ / FT / NYT / AP / R / B / IBD / RT *

Ukraine – Central bank accused of doing too little to halt ruble crisis FT *

Ukraine – The Politics of IMF Crisis-Country Growth Projections cfr *

Ukraine – New Russia Sanctions Bill Will Be Signed by Obama, White House Says NYT / AP / FT / B / AP / WSJ

Ukraine – Decline in Ruble Starting to Hurt Western Multinationals WSJ / WSJ



---

MONETARY POLICY




---

FINANCE

UK – Stress Test Gives Major Banks Clean Bill of Health WSJ / FT / FT *



---

REAL ESTATE




---

SERVICES

E-Cigs – Surpass regular cigs in teen use AP / NYT / WSJ

E-Cigs – Have not been a gateway to traditional smoking – ONS g * *

E-Cigs – Tech takes off as regulation looms AP

E-Cigs – Contain up to 10 times the carcinogens: Japan research AFP

Cigs – China’s tobacco monopoly gasps over smoking curbs plan FT / NYT / FT *

Cigs – A Growing Trend: Graphic Warnings statista *

Snus – A Lesser Warning? Maybe NYT *



---

MANUFACTURING




---

TECH




---

TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Air – Shortage of pilots grounds China general aviation CD

Air – Single-Pilot Cockpit Idea Floated in NASA Study WSJ



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COMMODITIES

Aluminum – US Primary Imports Surge R * *

Aluminum – Dominant holder highlights problems in market FT * *



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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Price falls below $60 FT / WSJ / WSJ * *

Oil – Price fall threatens $1t of projects FT

Oil – The squeeze on ‘supertankers’ FT *

Oil – Prices Need More Than a Crisis WSJ *

Oil – Early slowdown signs emerge for US producer states R

Oil – Past price slumps show US drillers’ inertia r *

Oil – Industry twitches ears in anticipation of potential deals FT

Oil – Winners and losers of price plunge FT *

Oil – Asian Consumers See Little Trickle-Down WSJ *

Oil – Cheap Price Won’t Drive China’s Sluggish Cars WSJ *



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LABOR & EDUCATION




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HEALTH




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ENDNOTE

Geography of Top-Level Domain names nesensa *



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Today’s Issue Cluster: Bonds

Delivery – Amazon job posts hint at global ambitions for same-day delivery
Beef – Fewer US Cows Means Higher Costs for Leather Bags
NatGas – Oil Plunge Dims Outlook for LNG Projects



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MAJOR DATA POINTS

China – Dec: HSBC PMI contraction first in seven months; 49.5 from 50.0 / R / B / WSJ

EZ – Dec: Markit Business Activity Lifts Slightly; 51.7 from 51.1 / B / WSJ / AFP *

Germany – Dec: ZEW investor confidence spikes higher; 34.9 from 11.5 / AP *

US – Nov: Housing Starts Fell; -1.6% / WSJ / R / B *

US – Dec: Markit factory activity growth at 11-month low; 53.7 from 54.8 / R *



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MARKETS

Bonds – Oil’s Not Well In Junk Thanks To Low Prices IBD *

Bonds – Cheap energy debt fails to tempt rally FT * * *

Bonds – Junk Worries Spread Beyond Oil WSJ *

Bonds – Fed Bubble Bursts in $550 Billion of Energy Debt B *

Bonds – Investors Look to Cull the Herd WSJ *

Bonds – Funds Load Up on Cash WSJ *

Bonds – Foreign Investors Pile In WSJ * *

Bonds – China’s Treasury Holdings Fall to Lowest Since February 2013 B

Bonds – Banks Drink Deep From Uncle Sam’s Debt Fountain WSJ

Bonds – Investors Are Writing Off Inflation for Years, If Not Decades B

Bonds – One Hundred Years of History Means Bears Destined to Lose B

Bonds – Eurozone spreads widen on ‘Grexit’ fears FT *

Bonds – France Cut by Fitch to ‘AA’ B / AFP

Bonds – S&P cuts Italy to BBB-, just above junk R / B / r *

Bonds – Eurozone markets position for QE FT *

Bonds – Sting in tail of UK’s low borrowing costs FT * *

Bonds – Argentina: Faces pressure to strike deal with ‘hold-out’ creditors FT * *

Bonds – EMs: The good, the bad and the ugly FT *

Bonds – FMs: Last-Minute Spree Caps Record Year for Sales WSJ *



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ECONOMICS

EU – Oil Slump Could Cause Deflation bi * *

EU – European economist at Japanese bank says Europe would be lucky to end up like Japan ft *



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POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

EU – Investment risks of ‘protest’ parties FT * * *

EU – The Economic Consequences of Syriza WSJ / WSJ / WSJ * *



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MONETARY POLICY

CBR – Russia Moves to Help Lift Sinking Ruble WSJ / FT / NYT / AP / B / R / MT * * *

CBR – Ruble Sinks to 80 Defying Surprise Rate Increase B / FT / WSJ / NYT / AP / WSJ / RT *

CBR – Russia biggest trade partners are China, Germany / b *



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FINANCE

US – Businessman Files to Set Up Rare New Bank WSJ *

US – Fed Sets Tough New Capital Rule for Big Banks WSJ / FT



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REAL ESTATE




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SERVICES

Online – Google Shopping to Counter Amazon WSJ



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MANUFACTURING




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TECH




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TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Delivery – Amazon job posts hint at global ambitions for same-day delivery R

Delivery – Amazon Tests Bike Messengers in NYC WSJ

Delivery – Amazon Tells FAA It May Move Drone Testing Outside US B

Delivery – Same-Day Service for Some Online Shoppers WSJ

Delivery – Self-Driving Trucks Could Revolutionize B



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COMMODITIES

Beef – Cow Economy Faces a Pinch WSJ

Beef – Fewer US Cows Means Higher Costs for Leather Bags B

Beef – Peak Burger? BW *

Beef – Costs Rise as Japan Imports Priciest Since Mad Cow B

Ham – Why Prices Are Fatter This Holiday BW *




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ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

NatGas – Oil Plunge Dims Outlook for LNG Projects WSJ * *

NatGas – Price for LNG in Asia Falls to Lowest Level in Nearly Four Years WSJ *

NatGas – Lures Private Equity to Power Industry B



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LABOR & EDUCATION




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HEALTH




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ENDNOTE

The most common score in basketball, football and baseball wapo * * *



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