Archive for January, 2016

1 February 2016

Sunday, January 31st, 2016



Today’s Issue Cluster: Metals

Bonds – The $29t Debt Hangover That Could Spark a Recession
BOJ – Negative rates split board down the middle
Zika – Vaccine for Virus May Be Years Away, Disease Experts Warn


MAJOR DATA POINTS

China – Jan: Official manufacturing PMI eases; 49.4 from 49.7 / R / WSJ / B

China – Jan: Caixin manufacturing PMI edged up; 48.4 from 48.2 / WSJ

US – Jan: ISM Manufacturing Contracted for a Fourth Month; 48.2 from 48.0 / B

US – Jan: Markit Manufacturing up; 52.4 from 51.2 / m

US – Dec: Consumer spending softens; flat from +0.5% / R / WSJ

US – Dec: Construction spending edges up; +0.1%, +8.2% yr / MW


MARKETS

Bonds – Capital markets make slowest start in over a decade FT *

Bonds – Pipeline of big sales to test investor risk appetite FT *

Bonds – The $29t Debt Hangover That Could Spark a Recession B *

Bonds – Money Managers Seek Bargains in EU Markets WSJ *

Bonds – State-backed debt growth lifts default fears FT *


ECONOMICS



POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Japan – Message to Foreign Buyers: Hands Off WSJ *


MONETARY POLICY

BOJ – Introduces Negative Interest Rates WSJ / FT / NYT / R / FT *

BOJ – Strategy to spur banks to lend B *

BOJ – Negative rates split board down the middle B *

BOJ – Negative bond yield universe hits $5.5t FT *

BOJ – Negative-Rate Plunge More Like a Toe in the Water WSJ * *

BOJ – Analysts Turn to AI to Decode Bank’s Signals WSJ *

BOJ – Central Banks Go to New Lengths to Boost Economies WSJ *


FINANCE

Japan – Megabanks are on the march in Southeast Asia N *


REAL ESTATE



LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES

Metals – Doomsday Scenarios Could Become Reality WSJ *

Metals – Producers forced into output shift FT *

Metals – Supermines Add to Supply Glut WSJ *

Metals – Key Funding Source for Miners Is Depleted WSJ *

Metals – Collapse stops here, say (most) analysts r *

Metals – 3D Printing May Give Miners a New Dimension WSJ *

Gold – Miners say output has peaked FT / WSJ / FT * *

Gold – South African Miners Sift Discarded Ore Waste WSJ *

Platinum – Miners Digging Deeper Hole WSJ

Steel – Overcapacity has worsened woes of unprofitable industry E *

Steel – Global industry expected to return to growth FT

Nickel – ‘An ugly start to what may be a brutal year’ R *

Cobalt – Child labour concerns center on production in Congo FT

Tin – Chinese producers jump on the cutback bandwagon R *

Aluminum – Still too much production R *

Lithium – An increasingly precious metal E * *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT



HEALTH

Zika – Shares of These Companies Are Moving As the Virus Spreads B

Zika – Race for vaccine gathers momentum as virus spreads R

Zika – Vaccine for Virus May Be Years Away, Disease Experts Warn NYT

Zika – New Weapon to Fight Virus: The Mosquito NYT


ENDNOTE

Map of mean national flag colors motw *


29 January 2016

Thursday, January 28th, 2016



Today’s Issue Cluster: Oil

World – Cement makers sustain net profit margin recovery
Ship – Crude Carriers Cutting Speeds as World Swims in Glut of Oil
Zika – Vaccine may be ready for emergency use this year: developer


MAJOR DATA POINTS

Taiwan – Q4: GDP Shrinks as China Drags; -0.28% from -0.63% / B

France – 2015: Emerges from stagnation; +1.1% from +0.2% / FT / B *

Spain – 2015: Economy grew; +3.2% / AFP

US – Q4: Economy Growth Anemic; +0.7% from +2.0% / WSJ / FT / NYT / R / B * *

US – Q4: Worker Pay Rose; +0.6% from +0.6% / B

US – Jan: UMich Consumer Sentiment Stumbles; 92.0 from 93.3 / WSJ


MARKETS

EMs – Investors sell debt at record pace FT *

EMs – Outflows persist for seventh month FT *


ECONOMICS

EMs – The Brics are dead; Long live the Ticks FT * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE

World – Banks Push to Manage Asians’ Rising Wealth WSJ *

World – After Crisis, Banks’ Model Faces Disruption WSJ *


REAL ESTATE

World – Cement makers sustain net profit margin recovery B *


LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Crude Carriers Cutting Speeds as World Swims in Glut of Oil B *

Ship – Trading houses get creative in exporting US oil FT *


COMMODITIES

Pistachios – Market faces return of ‘king of nuts’ from Iran FT * *

Almonds – Prices crushed by demand slump and bumper harvest FT *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Russia says Saudis proposing 5% global cut R / FT / WSJ *

Oil – Saudis Maintain Spending, China Diesel Use Falls B * *

Oil – Tour of Middle East shows China’s growing stake E *

Oil – China Slowdown Stokes Fears of Peak Demand WSJ *

Oil – China slowdown to fuel Asia refining glut FT

Oil – Russian Output Grows as Prospects Shrink WSJ *

Oil – US Output to Fall to 8.1 mbpd in 2016, Genscape Says / b *

Oil – Key to Surviving the Bust: Beware of Cheap Debt B *

Oil – Falling price raises prospect of bailouts for crude producers FT *

Oil – Slump Sets Scene for Mergers WSJ *

Oil – Markets seethe with interesting yet spurious correlations FT *

Oil – Banks Rip Up Forecasts WSJ *

Oil – Prices have neither halted production nor stimulated growth E * * *


HEALTH

Zika – Brazil investigates if ‘common mosquito’ is transmitting virus DT *

Zika – Rio Olympics Feared as Way for Virus to Go Global NYT

Zika – WHO warns large parts of the world at risk FT / WSJ / R / NYT *

Zika – Virus could become ‘explosive pandemic’ BBC *

Zika – Vaccine may be ready for emergency use this year: developer R


ENDNOTE

How much do World Leaders earn am *


28 January 2016

Wednesday, January 27th, 2016



Today’s Issue Cluster: Currencies

Russia – Tough budget rhetoric masks laxer reality
Italy – Investors cool on bad loans accord
UK – Property shows no sign of cooling


MAJOR DATA POINTS

EZ – Q3: Household real income per capita up; +0.5% from +0.1% / eu *

US – Jan: NAR Pending home sales almost flat; +0.1% from -1.1% / R / WSJ

US – Dec: Durable Goods Orders Tumbled; -5.1% from -0.5% / WSJ

US – Week: Jobless Claims Fell; -16k to 278k / WSJ / R / AP


MARKETS

Currencies – Market in thrall to Fed FT *

Currencies – China mouthpiece warns Soros against shorting renminbi FT / R

Currencies – China Trying to Allay Global Concerns WSJ *

Currencies – China Can’t Paper Over Policy Contradictions WSJ *

Currencies – Yuan’s Fall Is Just ‘Noise’ Amid Deeper Woes WSJ

Currencies – Risk matters for China’s property sector FT

Currencies – Breaking the HK dollar peg FT *

Currencies – Stronger yen casts shadow over equities FT * *

Currencies – Investors Betting on Continued Yen Strength WSJ *

Currencies – Bitcoin Breaking Up? WSJ


ECONOMICS

Russia – Problems move from the acute to the chronic E *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Russia – Tough budget rhetoric masks laxer reality R *


MONETARY POLICY

Fed – March Rate Hike Less Likely B / WSJ / FT / NYT / R *


FINANCE

EU – Bank debt sales 18% down FT

Italy – Investors cool on bad loans accord FT * *

Italy – Offloading bad debt to private buyers could go awry FT *

Italy – Scrambles to Resuscitate Banks WSJ / WSJ *

Spain – Santander: No Margin for Error WSJ / FT *

Germany – Cautious Savers Find New Taste for Risk WSJ *


REAL ESTATE

UK – Property shows no sign of cooling B

UK – Property insolvencies rise as ‘zombies’ are killed off FT *

UK – Landlord housing wealth eclipses owner-occupiers with mortgages FT * * * *

UK – Skills shortage slows housebuilding FT


LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES



MANUFACTURING

F&B – Smaller Sizes Add Pop to Soda Sales WSJ *

F&B – Energy Drinks, Bottled Water On Tap For Soda Giants IBD


TECH

Streaming – Why Apple Hasn’t Won the TV War WSJ *

Streaming – So Far, Amazon and Netflix Are Sundance’s Top Buyers NYT

Streaming – Netflix Adds More Subscribers Than Expected WSJ *

Streaming – Netflix Investors Like What They See B / NYT *

Streaming – Netflix’s Utopian Plan to Conquer the World B / B * *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT



HEALTH



ENDNOTE

Building heights in London motw*


27 January 2016

Tuesday, January 26th, 2016



Today’s Issue Cluster: Mobiles

Fed – Bets on Negative Rates by End-2017 Jump Above 10% Chance
Insurance – Sees Opportunity As Tech Creates New Risks
Pharma – Drug shortages in US ERs have increased 400%


MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – Dec: New single-family home sales jump; +10.8% / R / B *


MARKETS



ECONOMICS

US – ‘Worried about a recession? You shouldn’t be’ B *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Bets on Negative Rates by End-2017 Jump Above 10% Chance B *


FINANCE

Insurance – Faces driverless cars challenge FT *

Insurance – Sees Opportunity As Tech Creates New Risks IBD


REAL ESTATE



LABOR & EDUCATION

Pensions – Despite Cuts, More Woes WSJ *

Pensions – States’ Woes Split Democrats and Union Allies WSJ *


SERVICES

Media – Apple plans to offer subscription content through News app R

Media – Apple News App Is Off to a Rocky Start WSJ *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Mobiles – iPhone Sales Grow at Slowest Rate WSJ / NYT / FT / R / B * *

Mobiles – What About Peak iPhone? WSJ *

Mobiles – Apple seeks app to change perceptions FT * *

Mobiles – China’s Smartphone Slump Bites Apple WSJ / R

Mobiles – Can Apple Keep the iPhone Buzzing in China? WSJ * *

Mobiles – Stock slide is perplexing B *

Mobiles – For Apple Suppliers That Track Its Stock, Look to Alps, TDK B *

Mobiles – Apple’s Slowing iPhone Sales Take Bite Out of Suppliers WSJ / R *

Mobiles – Apple Pushes to Bolster Market Share in India WSJ *

Mobiles – The Two Apples aa *

Mobiles – Search Deal with Apple Shows Google’s Vulnerability WSJ *

Mobiles – China’s smartphone makers fret as growth slows N * *

Mobiles – Xiaomi Under Pressure to Prove Value to Investors WSJ *

Mobiles – Phablet Popularity Soars / statista *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

NatGas – Cheap Fuel Pinches Power Generators WSJ *

NatGas – East Coast Snowstorm Boosts Battered Producers WSJ *

NatGas – US exports to Mexico may reach 7 Bcfd by 2020 / b *

NatGas – Iran Seeks Rapid Reboot for Exports WSJ *


HEALTH

Pharma – Drug shortages in US ERs have increased 400% WaPo

Pharma – Superbugs from China now being found all over B *

Pharma – Scientists Try Old-Fashioned Killer for Superbugs WSJ *


ENDNOTE

How the world’s richest people built their fortunes MW *


26 January 2016

Monday, January 25th, 2016



Today’s Issue Cluster: Shale

Brazil – Heads for Worst Recession Since 1901, Economists Forecast
Ship – Renting a Ferrari Costs More
Zika – WHO issues warning over ‘explosive spread’


MAJOR DATA POINTS

SK – 2015: Export growth slows to trickle as China demand wanes; +0.4% / FT

US – Nov: Case-Shiller Home Price Growth Picks Up; +5.3% from +5.1% / WSJ / AP

US – Jan: ConfBd Consumer Confidence Increased; 98.1 from 96.3 / WSJ / B *


MARKETS

Brazil – Junk Bonds in Europe Find Greatest Losses B * *


ECONOMICS

Brazil – Heads for Worst Recession Since 1901, Economists Forecast B *

Brazil – Inflation Won’t Hit Target Anytime Soon B* *

Brazil – Debt dilemma FT * *

Brazil – Political tension inflames market malaise FT * *

Brazil – Biotech blossoms as state aid dries up FT *

Venezuela – Fears of Default Grow Amid Drop in Oil Prices WSJ / FT / AP *

Venezuela – Central bank curbs fuel fears over hyperinflation FT

Venezuela – Heading for a crash E / e * *

Puerto Rico – Debt restructuring falls apart FT / NYT

LatAm – Faces longest recession since 1980s FT *

LatAm – To Stagnate on Venezuela, Brazil, World Bank Says B *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY

BCB – Surging inflation leaves Brazil’s rate setters with headache FT * *

BCB – Brazil Signals Rate Rise on the Radar B *


FINANCE



REAL ESTATE



LABOR & EDUCATION

Brazil – Economy shed 1.5m payroll jobs in 2015 AP


SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Rates for very large crude carriers fall FT *

Ship – Renting a Ferrari Costs More B *

Ship – Investors seeking the bottom should bring scuba gear FT / WSJ *

Ship – Maersk Coping With Trade Slump WSJ *

Ship – Long Beach Imports Rise WSJ / cr *


COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Shale – Downturn brings reckoning to the industry FT / FT / R * *

Shale – ‘Running Out of Survival Tricks as Opec Ramps Up Pressure’ B *

Shale – About to Lose Oil Output Equivalent to OPEC Member B *

Shale – Saudis ‘will not destroy the US industry’ DT

Shale – ND oil-by-rail shunned on East Coast R / B *

Shale – More quakes rattle OK but state avoids tough measures AP *

Shale – Firm Resists Call to Shut Down Amid Earthquakes WSJ / NYT *

Sands – Canada’s Carbon Cap May Crimp Reserves WSJ / FT *


HEALTH

Zika – Virus Continues to Expand in Brazil WSJ

Zika – WHO issues warning over ‘explosive spread’ FT / R *

Zika – Anticipating the international spread of virus lancet *


ENDNOTE

Languages of South America motw *


25 January 2016

Sunday, January 24th, 2016



Today’s Issue Cluster: US Economy



MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – 2015: Trade deficit narrows as oil prices tumble; -78% / AFP / AP

Russia – 2015: Worst year since global financial crisis; -3.7% from +0.6% / AP / AFP

Germany – Jan: Ifo business confidence hits 11-month low; 107.3 from 108.6 / AFP / m *


MARKETS

World – Shareholders Have $27t Locked in Bear Markets B *

World – Battered EMs Race to Stem Outflows WSJ *

World – EMs stressed debt reaches record levels FT *

World – Core inflation nears post-millennium high FT * *


ECONOMICS

US – Deeper Dive Shows Recession Alert Mute B *

US – Recession Warnings May Not Come to Pass WSJ *

US – Global Malaise Spurs Growth Worries WSJ *

US – Economic Growth Cracking B * *

US – RBS: The chance of an imminent recession is 75% bi *

US – Growth and Employment Data Tell Different Stories NYT *

US – Industry weighed down by dollar and oil FT / NYT * *

US – Market Is Flashing an Inflation Warning Sign WSJ *

US – What’s Wrong With The PPI? Rent Is Too Damn High wsj *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY

World – Inflation Lows Vex Central Bankers WSJ *

Fed – Talk of ‘policy error’ grows FT / wsj * *


FINANCE

US – The good times are ending before they had really begun E *


REAL ESTATE

US – Home Sizes Expand, Along With Prices WSJ

US – Hope for First-Time Home Buyers B *

US – New Homes Make Room for Airbnb Crowd WSJ

US – Hotels Ramp Up Deal Making as an Antidote to Airbnb WSJ

US – Negative Equity Hits One in Five in MD / B *

US – Home cost as % of income is 20%; NJ at 26% / B *

US – Apartment Markets Recede: NMHC cr *

US – AIA billings edge up / cr *


LABOR & EDUCATION



SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

eTaxi – SF’s Biggest Taxi Operator Files Chapter 11 WSJ

eTaxi – Uber dismisses Chinese rival Didi over subsidies FT

eTaxi – Uber pushes into public transit R


COMMODITIES

Diamonds – De Beers looks to bring clarity to market FT

Diamonds – Miners face more price cuts in 2016 FT

Diamonds – Too much supply and too little demand FT *

Gemstones – Mining Company Strives to Spark Dazzling Demand WSJ *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT



HEALTH



ENDNOTE

Parliament of Übermensch e *


22 January 2016

Friday, January 22nd, 2016



Today’s Issue Cluster: Oil

France – Hollande jobs plan for ‘economic emergency’
BOE – UK not strong enough for rate rise, says Carney
Italy – Banks Lead European Decliners on Bad Loans Concerns


MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – Jan: Markit Manufacturing PMI resilient; 52.4 from 52.6 / m *

EZ – Jan: Markit Composite PMI fell; 53.5 from 54.3 / AFP / WSJ

US – Jan: Markit manufacturing PMI rebounds; 52.7 from 51.2 / m

US – Dec: NAR Existing-Home Sales Rebound; +14.7% / WSJ / R

US – Dec: ConfBd leading indicators dip; -0.2% from +0.5% / CNBC


MARKETS

EU – Corporate-Bond Spreads Rise to Recession Levels WSJ *

EU – Investors shun riskier European bonds FT *


ECONOMICS

Switzerland – A Test Case for Currency Shock WSJ *

France – Hollande jobs plan for ‘economic emergency’ FT / WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

France – Hollande’s travails FT * * *

EU – Latest Fault Line: Italy Versus Germany WSJ


MONETARY POLICY

ECB – Keeps rates on hold amid turmoil B *

ECB – Draghi Hints at More Stimulus in March WSJ / FT / AP / R *

ECB – China Worries Weigh WSJ *

BOE – UK not strong enough for rate rise, says Carney FT * * * *


FINANCE

EU – Market Turmoil Hinders Banks’ Recovery WSJ *

Italy – Banks Lead European Decliners on Bad Loans Concerns B


REAL ESTATE



LABOR & EDUCATION

EU – Unemployment rates / motw *


SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Notches Biggest Percentage Gains Since October WSJ / R / WSJ *

Oil – Saudi Arabia says $30 oil is ‘irrational’ FT / WSJ *

Oil – $15 Oil? It’s Already Here, in Canada WSJ *

Oil – ‘Almost as cheap as the world has seen in 50 years’ FT *

Oil – IEA Sees Risk of Oversupply WSJ / B

Oil – Speculators Raise Bets on Falling Prices to All-Time High B *

Oil – Prices Aren’t as Cheap as They Look WSJ *

Oil – Iran to boost output by 500k barrels FT / WSJ / B / FT / B *

Oil – Iran Could Quickly Send Prices Even Lower WSJ *

Oil – Saudi Arabia and Iran Tussle Over Exports to China WSJ *

Oil – Asian Companies Retreat as China Demand Dwindles WSJ *

Oil – Idled rigs stack up as crisis grips North Sea FT *

Oil – Canada legacy projects still in the pipeline B *

Oil – Giants Start Losing Safety Net as Refining Margins Squeezed B *

Oil – Russia’s Two Giants Diverge in Bond Market Amid Sub-$30 Oil B *

Oil – The ND Crude That’s Worth Less Than Nothing B *

Oil – ‘Some See Age of Oil Coming to End’ B *


HEALTH



ENDNOTE

2012 French presidential election; Red=Hollande, Blue=Sarkozy motw *


21 January 2016

Wednesday, January 20th, 2016



Today’s Issue Cluster: Pharma

Canada – Proponents of tiny-houses decide to upsize
Australia – Sydney Home Prices Have Biggest Drop in Four Years
Crops – Cauliflower is so hot right now you may not be able to afford it


MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – Week: Jobless claims rise to six-month high; +10k to 293k / R


MARKETS

Loonie – Economists warn BOC rate cut could erode value G&M *

Canada – World in Turmoil Parks Its Cash in Bonds for Safe Keeping B *


ECONOMICS

Canada – Slashes 2-year growth forecast FT

Canada – Can other industries pick up the slack? G&M *

Canada – Ontario is the largest sub-national debtor in the entire world fp

Canada – $8 Cauliflower Shows the Pain of Falling Oil Prices NYT

Australia – Hiring and exports key to outlook B *

Australia – Northern pivot FT * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY

BOC – Canada keeps key interest rate unchanged AP / G&M


FINANCE



REAL ESTATE

Canada – Grapples With Housing Bubble Risk WSJ *

Canada – Luxury-Home Sales Buoyed by Slumping Currency B *

Canada – Hot housing market hides growing regional chills G&M * *

Canada – Proponents of tiny-houses decide to upsize G&M *

Australia – Sydney Home Prices Have Biggest Drop in Four Years B * *


LABOR & EDUCATION

Australia – Jobs Data Roller Coaster Seen Taking Another Loop B *


SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES

Crops – Cauliflower is so hot right now you may not be able to afford it wp *

Crops – Sugar business is getting better, but remains sour FT *

Crops – Surplus is Bad News for US Farms B / AP *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT



HEALTH

Ebola – Death hours after West Africa declared free of virus DW / AP *

Dengue – Prompts Hawaii campground, trail, road closures AP

Swine Flu – At least 12 deadly cases reported in Russia AFP

Zika – Spreading virus a new economic strain for LatAm AP / B / AP / NYT / AP *

Pharma – Health Threats Spur Vaccine Hunt WSJ *

Pharma – Drug Makers Call for Incentives to Develop Antibiotics FT / NYT

Pharma – New Diagnostic Tools Emerge in War Against Superbugs WSJ *

Pharma – Drug Companies to Try a Unified Front Against Cancer NYT / FT

Pharma – Person ‘brain-dead’ after French drug trial FT / AP / WSJ

Pharma – Major drugmakers push back in US price debate R / WSJ

Pharma – Dealing With Fewer Biotech Targets WSJ *

Pharma – Sell-off threatens to stifle appetite for IPOs FT * * *

Pharma – Indian Drugmaker Takes Second Shot With Generic Nexium WSJ

Pharma – Singapore Developer of Alzheimer’s Drug Plans US IPO WSJ


ENDNOTE

See Your DNA Visualized on a Patterned Scarf ha *


20 January 2016

Tuesday, January 19th, 2016



Today’s Issue Cluster: China Economy

China – Capital flight worse than thought
PBOC – Monetary Policy on Treadmill to Nowhere
Iron – China Industry Shrinks for First Time Since 1991


MAJOR DATA POINTS

EZ – Q3: House prices increase; +1.0%, +2.3% yr / eu *

US – Dec: Housing Starts Fall; -2.5% from +10.1% / WSJ / R / AP

US – Dec: Consumer Prices Decline; -0.1% from flat / WSJ / R / AP *


MARKETS

China – Targets short selling with new reserve ratio FT / FT / WSJ * * *

China – Confused by Yuan? It’s Intentional WSJ *

China – Blame, anger, frustration as rescue looks defeated R / WSJ / R

China – High Stock Valuations Worry Investors WSJ *

China – Strategists Bracing for Deeper Bear Market B *

China – The Quiet Side of Beijing’s Market Intervention WSJ *

China – Focus on trading curbs distracts from speculation BW *

China – Jittery Savers Could Pose Capital-Flight Threat WSJ / R *

China – Capital flight worse than thought FT *

China – Dumps Treasuries B *


ECONOMICS

China – GDP lowest since 1990 FT / WSJ *

China – Adds G20-sized economy every year FT *

China – The economy in Q4 / B *

China – Long Slog Increases the Pain WSJ *

China – Borrowing surges in December FT / B *

China – Getting Less and Less Bang for Its Credit Buck B *

China – Hefty Trade Surplus Is Dwarfed by Outflows WSJ *

China – Debt and swath of heavy industry are the real tripwires FT / NYT

China – Oil Prices Stopped Falling at $40 a Barrel for Customers B *

China – Global groups pay a heavy price for slowdown FT *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Taiwan – Tsai Vows Economic Fix, Keeping Peace With China B / FT / B *

HK – Weakening link with China FT *


MONETARY POLICY

PBOC – Monetary Policy on Treadmill to Nowhere WSJ *


FINANCE



REAL ESTATE

China – No Place Like Home for Property Companies’ Debt WSJ *

China – Property prices rise for an 8th month / b *

China – Strong property data masks big problem: unsold homes R


LABOR & EDUCATION

China – Company expansions help generate 7.2m new jobs FT

China – Unemployment is rising, but is not always visible E *


SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES

Iron – China Industry Shrinks for First Time Since 1991 B *

Iron – Oil Prices Become a Problem for US Steelmakers B *

Iron – Chinese steel imports push UK mills to brink of ‘catastrophe’ FT

China – To Divine Commodity Demand, Keep Eye on Credit WSJ *

China – Commodities demand: an explainer FT * * * *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT



HEALTH



ENDNOTE

China Without its Autonomous Regions reddit*


19 January 2016

Monday, January 18th, 2016



Today’s Issue Cluster: World Markets

US – Bank Stocks Fall, Baffling Some
Retail – Lux Sales Cool in Hong Kong, Paris
H7N8 – Bird Flu Returns to US Poultry Industry


MAJOR DATA POINTS

China – 2015: GDP slowest since 1990; +6.9% from +7.3% / FT / WSJ / R / NYT / AP / B *

Germany – Jan: ZEW investor morale slides as EM slowdown bites; 10.2 from 16.1 / R

US – Jan: NAHB Home Builders Remain Optimistic; 60 from 60 / WSJ


MARKETS

Markets – Dow Tumbles Amid Global Rout WSJ *

Markets – Grapple With China Woes, Fed Policy WSJ *

Markets – The Case for Chaos in Trying to Pick Bottom of US Rout B * *

Markets – High anxiety FT * * *

Markets – ‘Doom mongers have their day in the sun’ FT * *

Markets – ‘This Meltdown Isn’t a Repeat of 2008’ WSJ *

Markets – A bear will be over before you know it MW *


ECONOMICS

World – IMF predicts pick-up despite market turmoil FT * *

World – The Crisis Economy, Where Tumult Reigns WSJ *

World – Momentum fading for economic growth R * *

World – 2016’s Worst Economic Performers B * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY



MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Almost Certain to Keep Rates Unchanged at Next Meeting WSJ

Fed – Economists Think March for Rate Raise WSJ *

Fed – Probability of Fed Rate Hike/Cut at March Meeting / b *


FINANCE

US – Bank Stocks Fall, Baffling Some WSJ *

US – Equity funds hit by outflows for second straight week FT *

US – Big US banks reveal oil price damage FT *

US – Big Banks Are Being Treated Like Penny Stocks WSJ *


REAL ESTATE



LABOR & EDUCATION

EMs – Global trends limit fallout of falling renminbi FT * * *


SERVICES

Retail – US sales dip feeds economy fears FT / WSJ *

Retail – Holiday Sales Rose 3% WSJ

Retail – Wal-Mart to Close 269 Stores WSJ / NYT / FT / WSJ / WSJ *

Retail – Divide opens between German discounters FT *

Retail – Tesco shares gain after Christmas sales beat expectations FT *

Retail – Lux Sales Cool in Hong Kong, Paris WSJ * *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Streaming – Netflix’s Global Growth Faces New Threats WSJ *

Streaming – Netflix’s ‘Euphoric’ Rally Looks Vulnerable WSJ *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES

Poultry – Are Food Companies Playing Chicken With Prices? WSJ *

Poultry – Global demand growth / FAO *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT



HEALTH

H7N8 – Bird Flu Returns to US Poultry Industry NYT / AP


ENDNOTE

How Mickey Mouse Evades Public Domain bp *