Archive for June, 2015

30 June 2015

Monday, June 29th, 2015



Today’s Issue Cluster: Asean

Ship – South-East Asia is the new piracy capital of the world
Cocoa – Rising prices eat into chocolate bars
Carbon – Coal power plants feel the heat of Alberta’s new tax rules


MAJOR DATA POINTS

EZ – Jun: Inflation Rate Eased; +0.2% from +0.3% / WSJ / AP / AFP *

Canada – Apr: Surprise Contraction Opens Door to 2nd Rate Cut; -0.1% from -0.6% / B / G&M

US – Apr: Case-Shiller Home Price Index Flattens; +4.2% from +4.3% / WSJ / cr *

US – Jun: ConfBd consumer confidence jumps; 101.4 from 94.6 / AP / R


MARKETS



ECONOMICS

Asean – Economies turn sluggish as exports sag N *

Myanmar – New kyat note brings back bad memories N

Myanmar – Opens its banking sector to foreign entrants N *

Thailand – Falls further into deflation FT *

Thailand – Eases capital curbs in effort to revive economy FT / WSJ * *

Thailand – Economy tests the junta’s steering skills N *

Thailand – Household debt begets a major dilemma N *

Malaysia – Ringgit Sinks to 9-Year Low vs. Dollar WSJ *

Indonesia – Consumer growth story falters R *

Indonesia – No more Mr nice guy FT * *

Indonesia – High-Yield Corporate Bonds Are Stars in Asia WSJ *

Indonesia – Oil industry r *

Indonesia – ‘Held back by bad policy as much as bad infrastructure’ E * *

Brunei – Oil-dependent nation struggles to diversify N *

Vietnam – Scraps foreign ownership limits in investment push FT *

Vietnam – Hanoi is eager to seize the chance for economic reform N *

Vietnam – Wooing investment from a former foe N *

Vietnam – Mobile Revolution Catapults Millions Into the Digital Age WSJ *

Vietnam – Bkav launching high-end smartphones N *

Philippines – Port gridlock puts growth in the slow lane FT *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY

World – ‘Picts’ most exposed to Fed rate rise fallout FT * *

World – Low rates hold back global growth, BIS warns FT *


FINANCE

M&A – Maths, not history, drives mergers and acquisitions FT * *

M&A – Record valuations drive 2015 boom FT *


REAL ESTATE



LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH

Silicon Valley – Inside the winners’ circle FT * * * *

Silicon Valley – How to short ‘unicorns’ FT *

Silicon Valley – ‘Why This Tech Bubble Is Less Scary’ wsj

Silicon Valley – Talk of bubbles does not really lead to a burst SFC *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – South-East Asia is the new piracy capital of the world e *

Ship – Kra Isthmus shortcut would mean big shifts in Southeast Asia N *


COMMODITIES

Cocoa – Rising prices eat into chocolate bars FT

Cocoa – Ghana’s Seeks $1.8b Loan for 2015-16 Crop WSJ

Cocoa – Sector hits at new Ivory Coast export rules FT * *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Carbon – Supreme Court tells EPA to consider industry costs FT / WSJ / B / AP / NYT

Carbon – Big differences hold up deal FT * *

Carbon – EU climate policies lead to US trees being cut down WaPo

Carbon – Coal power plants feel the heat of Alberta’s new tax rules FP *

Carbon – G-7 pact cements long-term coal market decline N *


HEALTH



ENDNOTE

Populations of the US, Canada and Europe by latitude prooff *


29 June 2015

Sunday, June 28th, 2015



Today’s Issue Cluster: Greece

China – A Shortage of Tools for Betting Against Market
Travel – ‘Asia’s most visited cities need more than Chinese tourists’
TPP – US doesn’t favor deal as much as others


MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – May: Industrial Production Slumps; -2.2% from +1.2% / B / AFP

EZ – Jun: Consumer Confidence Unchanged; -5.6 / WSJ *

US – May: NAR pending home sales rise to nine-year high; +0.9%, +10.4% yr / R / B


MARKETS

China – Stocks Are Battered Anew WSJ *

China – Rout bolsters view bull run is over FT / WSJ / NYT * * *

China – Shadow lending crackdown looms over stock market FT *

China – Beijing may see silver lining in ballooning stock market FT * *

China – A Shortage of Tools for Betting Against Market WSJ *


ECONOMICS

China – Deflation flatters GDP figures FT * *

China – Rural ghost towns are on the rise N *

China – Plan for Local Debt Amounts to a Bailout WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Greece – Tsipras gambles political future on bailout referendum FT / WSJ / NYT

Greece – Banks Will Not Open Monday WSJ / FT / NYT / B

Greece – Fragile Banks Leave Tsipras Few Options WSJ / FT *

Greece – Wave of contagion expected after ‘Grexit’ chances rise R / WSJ / WSJ *

Greece – Capital outflows, then and now ft *

Greece – Bucking upward trend of the other peripheries / b *

Greece – Full Default Would Be 4x All Previous Defaults Combined cfr *

Puerto Rico – Governor Says Debts Are ‘Not Payable’ NYT / WSJ *


MONETARY POLICY

PBOC – Cuts benchmark interest rates FT / WSJ / NYT / R / AP / B *

PBOC – Rate Cut Hacks a Perilous Path WSJ / WSJ * *

PBOC – Easing Makes It Cheaper to Raise Cash at Home WSJ *


FINANCE

China – Moves to scrap long-held loan-to-deposit cap FT / WSJ * *


REAL ESTATE

Australia – Housing prices going through the roof N *

Australia – Property Lending Sparking Fears of Banking Crisis WSJ *


LABOR & EDUCATION

China – Seeks productivity salvation in robots FT / CD * * * *


SERVICES

Travel – ‘Asia’s most visited cities need more than Chinese tourists’ R *

Travel – Chinese tourism boom growing N *


MANUFACTURING

Textiles – US Asks Vietnam to Cut Out Chinese Supply WSJ *

Textiles – How a US Maker Came to Embrace Free Trade WSJ * *

Textiles – The Weakening Of Chic: Basic Apparel Makers Rally IBD


TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

TPP – Progress in Japan shakes up sake and crackers FT

TPP – Why everyone is so keen to agree new trade deals e * *

TPP – US doesn’t favor deal as much as others q *

TTIP – ‘Nein Danke’ – smaller German firms see threat R


COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT



HEALTH



ENDNOTE

Shape of Australia reddit *


26 June 2015

Thursday, June 25th, 2015



Today’s Issue Cluster: Latin America

Ship – Rates for US-bound containers drop on tepid global demand
Crops – Robust consumption in Asia boosting fruit prices
Insurance – Ruling May Have Just Killed State-Based Exchanges


MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – May: Consumer prices tepid; +0.1% AFP / AP / FT

US – Jun: UMich consumer sentiment rises; 96.1 from 90.7 / R


MARKETS



ECONOMICS

SK – Cuts growth forecast as MERS saps spending AP

SK – MERS Outbreak Prompts Stimulus WSJ

SK – External Headwinds Delay Recovery b * *

SK – Pins hopes on creative economy to end chaebol reliance FT *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

LatAm – Learning the lessons of stagnation E * * * *

LatAm – Open more bank accounts but fail to use them FT * *

LatAm – Super-rich are multiplying faster than anywhere else AFP *

Mexico – Suffers the costs of lawlessness FT *

Venezuela – Bond soars above mounting chaos of shortages FT * *

Brazil – Jobs disappear as Brasilia hunts for sources of growth FT *

Brazil – ‘Economic Fault Lies Not in Its Stars, But in Itself’ b *


MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE

Mexico – Banks say US clampdown has damaged legitimate activity FT * *

Mexico – Technology is taking finance where banks fear to tread E *


REAL ESTATE

Canada – Oil Slump Has Calgary Awash in Vacant Office Space WSJ * *


LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES

Ads – Former Google exec raises $10m to block the blockers FT

Ads – Push for big data escalates as viewers tune out of TV FT * * *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Games – SK makers go mobile FT *

Games – Microsoft has significantly lagged Sony this time round e *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Oil Tankers Are Filling Up and Raking It In WSJ *

Ship – Rates for US-bound containers drop on tepid global demand N *


COMMODITIES

Crops – Rain delays to US planting lift corn and soya prices FT * *

Crops – Robust consumption in Asia boosting fruit prices N *

Crops – World’s kitchens brace for olive oil price shock FT * *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Alberta doubles carbon tax on large emitters by 2017 FT / G&M / FP *

Oil – Russia takes over as top supplier to China FT *

Oil – Opec share of market fell to lowest since 2003 / b *


HEALTH

Insurance – Obamacare ruling ignites health stocks FT / WSJ / 538 * *

Insurance – Ruling May Have Just Killed State-Based Exchanges nyt

Insurance – Americans Who Prefer to Go Without WSJ * * *


ENDNOTE

An unprecedented 3-way tie leading into Canada’s Fall election reddit / 308 * *


25 June 2015

Wednesday, June 24th, 2015



Today’s Issue Cluster: US Real Estate

Fed – Rate hike fears make Asia vulnerable to capital outflows
Auto – Driving is making a comeback in the US
Diamonds – Uncertain future for global trade as profits vanish


MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – May: Consumer Spending Rises; +0.9% from +0.1% / AP / B / R / WSJ *

US – Week: Jobless Claims Tick Up; +3k to 271k / WSJ / AP / B


MARKETS

Euro – Greek drama poses long-term risk FT * *

Euro – Paradox Lies at Heart of Eurozone’s Plight WSJ *


ECONOMICS



POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Rate hike fears make Asia vulnerable to capital outflows N / N *

Fed – Warning signs are already popping up as the rate hike looms N * * * *


FINANCE

Pensions – OECD warns over solvency as low rates bite FT *

Pensions – Hedge-Fund Bet Hits Portfolios WSJ *


REAL ESTATE

US – New and Existing Home Sales at Multi-Year Highs WSJ / WSJ / WSJ *

US – Call It a Comeback for Risky Home Buyers WSJ

US – More Renting, and Paying More, as Homeownership Falls NYT *

US – Middle-Aged Americans Causing Red-Hot Rental Market B *

US – Housing Recovery Leaving Poorer Neighborhoods Behind WSJ

US – Architecture Billings increase / cr *

US – Investors Gird for Storage Wars WSJ *


LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES

Retail – Ahold, Delhaize Agree to a Merger WSJ / FT / NYT / WSJ * * *

Retail – Wal-Mart’s Big Box Shows Cracks WSJ *


MANUFACTURING

F&B – Trouble Brews for ‘Imported’ Beers Made in US WSJ *

F&B – Will the Corona Flow Fast Enough to Meet Demand? WSJ *

F&B – Carlsberg beats foreign brewers to Myanmar N *

F&B – BRICs have significant increases in alcohol consumption / b *

F&B – Campus bottled water ban didn’t work aei

F&B – Nestlé Taps Into Bottled Water On-Demand WSJ *


TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Auto – Driving is making a comeback in the US r * *

Auto – Drivers Log Record Miles Sending Gasoline Imports Higher B *

Truck – ATA Index increased 1.1% in May / cr *


COMMODITIES

Diamonds – Uncertain future for global trade as profits vanish R

Diamonds – Producers Form Group to Fight Synthetics WSJ

Diamonds – Japan’s exports surge to record levels N *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Shale – Boom Sends Propane Prices to 13-Year Low B *

Shale – Propane Prices Feel Heat of Supply Glut WSJ *

Shale – ‘US Industry Could Be Swallowed By Its Own Debt’ B

Shale – Refracking: Act Two for the Revolution b *

Shale – UK Panel to Decide on Fracking WSJ / WSJ / FT *


HEALTH

H5N2 – Egg report reveals depth of impact of bird flu AP / q *

MERS – SK Retailers Pinched NYT

Medical Gloves – Share valuations of world’s top makers surge R *


ENDNOTE

Best-selling beers in the world bi *


24 June 2015

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2015



Today’s Issue Cluster: Tobacco

World – Biggest Economies to Feel the Impact of China’s Slowdown
Rail – Oil shipments set to boom, study finds
NatGas – US industrial usage falls unexpectedly


MAJOR DATA POINTS

Germany – Jun: Ifo business confidence dropped; 107.4 from 108.5 / B / ifo *

US – Q2: GDP Revised to Smaller Contraction; -0.2% was -0.7% / WSJ / R / NYT / AP / B / FT *

US – May: Durable goods orders fall; -1.8% from -1.5% / WSJ / AP


MARKETS

China – Shifts to Stocks as Indians Buy Gold WSJ *

China – State-backed cheerleaders buoy markets FT *

China – Market Feels Malaise of Good Economic News WSJ * *

China – Rally resumed, or dead cat bounce? FT *


ECONOMICS

World – Surging Dollar Boosts Europe, Japan as US Slows B *

World – Debt default risk not just a Greece story FT * *

World – Foreign Reserves Slip in EMs, Raising Risks WSJ *

World – Challenging the EM Consensus WSJ *

World – Biggest Economies to Feel the Impact of China’s Slowdown B * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Might Not Raise Rates in September B * *

Fed – US productivity – the dog that isn’t barking ft * *


FINANCE



REAL ESTATE



LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES

Cigs – Scientists wonder if nicotine could be as benign as caffeine R

Cigs – In twist, scientists join tobacco companies to fight cancer R

Cigs – Industry Picks Up Tailwind as Smoker Suits Dealt Setback B

Cigs – Appeals Court Issues Mixed Ruling on US Warnings WSJ

Cigs – Big Tobacco Challenges UK Packaging Order WSJ / NYT / FT

Cigs – Beijing bans lighting up indoors FT / AP / NYT

Cigs – China Smokers to Inhale Higher Taxes WSJ

Cigs – State smoking bans / motw *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Online – Borders Matter Less and Less in E-Commerce WSJ

Online – Alibaba Stumbles in American E-Commerce Market WSJ

Online – Alibaba Dreams Globally But Acts Locally WSJ *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Rail – Oil shipments set to boom, study finds CBC

Rail – Oil industry challenges rules meant to stop train explosions AP / NYT

Rail – Roads Can’t Keep Enough Boxcars in Service WSJ *


COMMODITIES

Water – Global supplies are ‘in distress’, scientists warn FT / wapo *

Water – The Numbers Behind Agricultural Use WSJ *

Water – Almonds Just Surpassed Peanuts As America’s Favorite Nut dv *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

NatGas – US industrial usage falls unexpectedly R *

NatGas – A Halloween Horror Story WSJ *


HEALTH



ENDNOTE

State GDPs per capita: DC almost triple that of the runner-up fixr *


23 June 2015

Monday, June 22nd, 2015



Today’s Issue Cluster: US Real Estate

Pipeline – Canada oilpatch could lose $100b without new lines
Aluminum – Surging production promises more pain
Drugs – Sold Online in China in an Unbridled Market


MAJOR DATA POINTS

China – Jun: HSBC manufacturing activity contracts slightly; 49.6 from 49.2 / AFP / R / WSJ *

EZ – Jun: Markit PMI picks up pace; 54.1 from 53.6 / FT / AP / B *

US – May: New home sales rise to seven-year high; +2.2% from +8.1% / R / WSJ / B / cr *

US – May: Durable Goods Down; -1.8% from -1.5% / WSJ / R / AP

US – Jun: Markit factory activity growth at slowest since 2013; 53.4 from 54.0 / R


MARKETS

Currencies – Swiss franc resists attempts to weaken FT * * *

Currencies – Renminbi liberalisation leaves capital controls intact FT *

Currencies – Euro buoyancy suggests markets looking beyond Grexit FT * *


ECONOMICS



POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Greece – Athens Bailout Proposals Lift Hopes of Deal WSJ / FT / R / B / WSJ *

Greece – Least favourite pupil gets another extension FT *

Greece – The crisis years in context ft *


MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE



REAL ESTATE

US – Rising Mortgage Rates to Test Housing Market’s Strength WSJ *

US – Low-Down Mortgages Picking Up WSJ *

US – Many homes still owe more on mortgages than property is worth B *

US – Chinese take lead among foreign buyers of homes FT

US – ‘Home Prices Return to Sanity’ nyt *

US – Cement Makers Find Right Mix For Pricing Power IBD


LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH

Streaming – Apple’s deep pockets pose threat to Spotify FT * * * *

Streaming – Hulu Steps Up Its Fight Against Netflix WSJ *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Pipeline – Cheap Gas Fuels Push For Mergers WSJ / WSJ

Pipeline – Canada oilpatch could lose $100b without new lines CBC *


COMMODITIES

Platinum – Slammed by Supplies, Dollar WSJ * *

Copper – Supply glut takes shine off short-term price outlook FT * *

Copper – Falls to Six-Week Low WSJ / FT *

Aluminum – Surging production promises more pain r *

Aluminum – A brief history of premiums r * *

Aluminum – ‘Bauxite supply no hindrance to China’s boom’ R * *

Scrap – US Is Awash in Glut WSJ *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Power – Iberdrola calls for reforms to back ‘efficient’ renewables FT *

Power – Global energy subsidies fuel climate change, says IMF study WSJ * *

Power – Line standoff holds back Germany’s green energy drive R *

Power – ‘Fossil Fuels Just Lost the Race Against Renewables’ B *


HEALTH

Drugs – Sold Online in China in an Unbridled Market NYT

Drugs – Silk Road Founder Sentenced to Life in Prison WSJ

Drugs – Silk Road successors e *

Drugs – Worker Use Appears to Rise WSJ *

Drugs – Colombia Takes U-Turn WSJ
Cultivation Declines *
Eradication pays off in Colombia *
Growing presence in Peru *
Comeback in Colombia *
Shrinking supplies *
Declining use *

Drugs – The International Trade am *


ENDNOTE

Facial Hair of Male World Leaders dv *


22 June 2015

Sunday, June 21st, 2015



Today’s Issue Cluster: Aviation

BOJ – US-Japan policy gap behind Nikkei uptrend
Hemp – Welcome to the Cannabis Revolution
Alt – Wind: World’s largest floating turbine nearly complete


MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – May: NAR existing home sales jump to 5-1/2-year high; +5.1% / R / WSJ / AP *


MARKETS

Japan – Hedge fund bets against shares hit record levels FT


ECONOMICS



POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY

BOJ – Holds fire on stimulus as economy picks up AFP / R / B / N

BOJ – US-Japan policy gap behind Nikkei uptrend N *


FINANCE



REAL ESTATE



LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES

Hemp – Industry enters 2nd year with hazy market potential AP

Hemp – GOP-controlled House backs state medical marijuana laws AP

Hemp – Welcome to the Cannabis Revolution S *


MANUFACTURING

Planes – Markets: Airbus deals exceed Boeing FT / WSJ *

Planes – Markets: Demand strong, but turbulence cannot be ruled out E *

Planes – Supplier: Wary as Airbus and Boeing push output envelope R

Planes – 747: Boeing Gets Cargo Boost at Paris Air Show WSJ / R

Planes – A400M: Airbus to resume deliveries R

Planes – A320: Airbus outlines ambitious plans FT

Planes – C Series: Bombardier leaves Paris ‘satisfied’ but without orders R


TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Air – Stocks Could Soar Up to 50% Bn * *

Air – Profits soar but concern rises for sector’s prospects FT * * *

Air – Lines hit headwinds from investors R / FT / WSJ

Air – Investors Shouldn’t Bail Out WSJ *

Air – IATA hikes profit forecast to $29b R / B *

Air – Record 65m passengers boarded US lines in March / b *

Air – Europe’s Top Lines to Spend Billions to Win Back Passengers WSJ

Air – Qatar CEO defends Gulf carriers FT / WSJ / R / FT

Air – MERS outbreak now No. 1 aviation sector risk R

Air – China Travel Sites Take Flights of Fancy WSJ *


COMMODITIES

Gold – Gains Allure as US Economy Stumbles WSJ * *

Gold – Peak Doesn’t Mean New Price Heights WSJ * *

Gold – Woes Pile Up for South African Producers WSJ *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Alt – Wind: UK onshore subsidies to end early under plan FT / WSJ *

Alt – Wind: World’s largest floating turbine nearly complete N *


HEALTH

Insurance – Cigna Rejects Anthem Takeover Bid WSJ / FT / NYT / R / B

Insurance – Anthem Had Raised Offer for Cigna WSJ / NYT / FT / R / AP *

Insurance – Humana’s Baby-Boomer Focus Makes Insurer a Prize B / B *

Insurance – UnitedHealth, Anthem Seek to Buy Smaller Rivals WSJ *

Insurance – Humana Won’t Get Lost in Merger Shuffle WSJ / WSJ *

Insurance – Investors Debate the End of the Stock Surge WSJ *

Insurance – Bracing for Affordable Care Act Ruling WSJ / NYT


ENDNOTE

Map where purple shows potential visibility for Mount Fuji motw *


19 June 2015

Thursday, June 18th, 2015



Today’s Issue Cluster: Greece

China – Consensus bubble?
Prisons – US system has stopped growing
Cocoa – Ghana Faces Massive Crop Shortfall


MAJOR DATA POINTS



MARKETS

China – Shares record worst week in 7 years FT / WSJ / NYT * *

China – Blue-chips lag in ballooning stock market FT *

China – Consensus bubble? ft *

China – Shares follow an inverse path FT *

China – Fund Flows a Growing Headache for Beijing WSJ *

China – Push by executives to take their firms private WSJ *

China – ‘Let Them Have Their Internet Laggards’ WSJ *


ECONOMICS

China – Slowdown Eases, But Slog Remains WSJ / WSJ * *

China – Credit expansion continues to slow in May / b *

China – Overseas lending dominated by One Belt, One Road strategy FT *

HK – Economy is bound ever more closely to China’s E * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Greece – EU Calls Emergency Summit FT / WSJ / R / B

Greece – ECB not sure if banks would open on Monday R / b *

Greece – Banks: Athens’ Achilles heel FT / WSJ / R / B / NYT / WSJ / FT *

Greece – Study: Things really can’t get that much worse ft *

Greece – What Comes Next If Deal is Reached b *

Greece – Central bank warns of ‘painful’ EU exit FT / R / AP

Greece – Bank Fears Don’t Add Up for Eurozone WSJ / NYT *

Greece – Growing Support in EZ for Exit NYT / FT / E *

Greece – A paradox: many elderly are broke despite costly pensions R *

Greece – Five Years of Misery / B * * * *

Greece – Euro Resilient Amid Crisis WSJ *


MONETARY POLICY

PBOC – China central bank admits defeat in war on deflation FT * *


FINANCE

China – HSBC faces uphill battle to bolster business FT * *

China – Visa and MasterCard face down techno-nationalism FT * *


REAL ESTATE

China – Property market shows further signs of stabilising FT / b / b * *

China – Idle Home Builders Hold Economy Back NYT / FT *

China – Housing market led by robust demand FT * * *

HK – Apartments Are Fit for a Mosquito WSJ * *


LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES

Prisons – US system has stopped growing E * *

Prisons – Turning Into Nursing Homes in Japan B


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Telecoms – “Wi-Fi first” great for consumers, disruptive for firms E *

Telecoms – SoftBank: Placed on hold FT * *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

TPP – Revived by US House vote WSJ / FT / R

FTAs – Of China, EU and US / reddit *


COMMODITIES

Cocoa – Ghana Faces Massive Crop Shortfall WSJ

El Niño – Commodity markets braced for impact FT / E *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Bringing China and the Arab world closer E * *

Oil – Saudi Arabia and China Drift Apart WSJ * *

Oil – Venezuela Loans Go Awry for China WSJ *

Oil – Longest Glut in at Least Three Decades B *


HEALTH



ENDNOTE

Germany kids channel explaining what Grexit means b *


18 June 2015

Wednesday, June 17th, 2015



Today’s Issue Cluster: E-Cigs

Fed – Who’s Who in the FOMC ‘Dot Plot’
India – Soon to be third largest oil consumer
Shale – US: ‘Small frackers face extinction’


MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – Q1: Current account widens on weak exports; -$113b from -$103b / R / AP

US – May: Consumer Prices Rise; +0.4% from +0.1% / R / WSJ / AP / B

US – May: ConfBd posts solid advance; +0.7% from +0.7% / AP

US – Week: Jobless Claims Fall; -12k to 267k / WSJ / B


MARKETS

India – Domestic investors board equity run FT * *

India – Domestic Investors Add Fuel to Stocks WSJ *


ECONOMICS

India – Counts on ocean rim exports N * *

India – Soon to be third largest oil consumer q * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Signals Rate Hikes at a Gradual Pace WSJ / NYT / AP / R / B *

Fed – First increase as soon as September FT / B / wsj / e * *

Fed – Who’s Who in the FOMC ‘Dot Plot’ B *

Fed – ‘Let the Economy Overheat’ WSJ / NYT *

Fed – Tricky Message WSJ *

Fed – Given Green Light by Pay Prospects WSJ *

Fed – Productivity Growth Could Change Rate Path wsj *

Fed – Yellen’s market-moving power on show FT *


FINANCE

India – Only slowly being repaired E *


REAL ESTATE

India – A Glut of Mall Space WSJ *


LABOR & EDUCATION

US – Overtime Pay Push Sets White House, Businesses at Odds WSJ *


SERVICES

E-Cigs – Usage surges in past year R *

E-Cigs – Use Rises Sharply Among Teens NYT / R / WSJ / AP / R / st * *

E-Cigs – ‘A consumer-driven revolution born from a bad dream’ R*

E-Cigs – Maker Models Supply Chain on Electronics Industry WSJ

E-Cigs – Debate hots up in UK FT

E-Cigs – In China “Vaping” may not be a way to quit smoking E *


MANUFACTURING

Ships – Scrapped as Freight Rates Fall WSJ *


TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Asia-Europe Freight Rates Fall Below Fuel Costs WSJ

Ship – The oil cash-and-carry trade does the tanker contango FT

Ship – El Niño’s Pacific typhoon link threatens lanes FT

Ship – Egypt says New Suez Canal to open Aug 6 R

Ship – Nicaraguan Canal Plan Riles Landholders WSJ *


COMMODITIES

Iron – Miners look beyond current price rebound with concern FT * *

Iron – China invests heavily to keep prices down WSJ *

Steel – Firms in US Scrap Old Methods to Compete WSJ *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Shale – US: ‘Small frackers face extinction’ R

Shale – US: ND production has peaked r * *

Shale – US: Lower breakeven prices / b *

Shale – UK: Lancashire gives go-ahead to Cuadrilla fracking FT / FT *

Sands – Leaner times for Canada’s ‘Fort McMoney’ FT * * *


HEALTH



ENDNOTE

Curviness of roads globally motw *


17 June 2015

Tuesday, June 16th, 2015



Today’s Issue Cluster: Africa

China – ‘The Bubble Is Going to Burst’
Lighting – LEDs Become Competitive With Fluorescent Lights
H5N2 – Bird flu leads to cheaper chicken in US


MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – May: Exports Rise Less Than Forecast; +2.4% from +8.0% / B / R / AP / b *


MARKETS

China – Firms Put Cash to Work in Stocks WSJ *

China – Hedge fund industry blooms as stocks boom FT * *

China – ‘The Bubble Is Going to Burst’ B

HK – Bourse’s Perfect Rally at Risk as Trading Spike Ends B *


ECONOMICS

Africa – Economies to Grow 4.5% on Average in 2015 WSJ *

Africa – Sub-Saharan Economic Growth Rate to Stall in 2015 WSJ *

Africa – Sub-Saharan deal machine starts to stutter FT * *

Africa – Sub-Saharan debt boom comes to an end FT *

Africa – Nestlé cuts workforce as middle class growth disappoints FT * *

Africa – Badly run networks deny electricity FT * *

Africa – Commodity prices: No longer the kiss of death e *

Africa – Foreign Fears Take Toll on Tourism WSJ *

Africa – Leaders sign ‘Cape to Cairo’ free trade bloc deal AFP / FT * *

Africa – Falling crude price hits prospects for east FT *

Africa – Nigeria projected to hit $1t in GDP by 2030 / q *

Nigeria – OPEC-US Oil Tussle Takes Toll WSJ *

Nigeria – Needs Opec’s help to market its crude surplus FT *

Nigeria – The big oil fix FT / WSJ / AP * *

Nigeria – What the milk trade reveals about the country E *

South Sudan – Struggles to Survive WSJ *

Ethiopia – Neither a sprint nor a marathon E *

Kenya – Falling oil price adds spurt to grassroots FT *

Kenya – Walmart lines up for slice of retail FT * *

Rwanda – Chinese manufacturers move in as wages rise at home FT

Ghana – Reaches $1b deal with IMF FT * *

Zimbabwe – Signs look dire for economy FT * *

Zimbabwe – Ditches ‘worthless’ currency for the US dollar FT / B * *

Angola – Industrial sector counts the cost of cheap oil FT *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE

Insurance – Companies Playing a Game of Thrones WSJ *

Insurance – European companies build up capital FT *


REAL ESTATE



LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES

Ads – London’s digital groups hit by complex changing business FT * *

Ads – Apple to enable iPhone users to block FT

Ads – Snapchat looks to convert young user base into gold FT * * * *


MANUFACTURING

Lighting – LEDs Become Competitive With Fluorescent Lights NYT *

Lighting – Scientists Develop World’s Smallest Light Bulb WSJ *


TECH

Online – Chinese Shoppers Flock to Web WSJ *

Online – Alibaba Vs. Amazon: A Clash Of E-Commerce Titans IBD


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT



HEALTH

H5N2 – Egg Prices Up, but Slowing Demand Prevents Shortages NYT

H5N2 – Bird flu leads to cheaper chicken in US AP


ENDNOTE

Greenland as big as Africa? Mercator projection 14x off vizual *