Today’s Issue Cluster: Russia
Ship – Cheaper fuel to boost container shipping
Rare Earths – China ends export tax
Hospitals – Rural facilities struggle to survive
Japan – Apr: Markit PMI contracts for first time in 11 months; 49.7 from 50.3 / R
SK – Q1: GDP data add strength to calls for further stimulus; +0.8% from +0.3% / FT / AFP
China – Apr: HSBC PMI contracts to one-year low; 49.2 from 49.6 / R / WSJ / b *
EZ – Apr: Markit PMI hit by French weakness; 53.5 from 54.0 / FT / NYT / WSJ *
US – Apr: Markit factory activity growth slows; 54.2 from 55.7 / R
US – Mar: New home sales tumble; 481k from 543k / R / WSJ *
US – Week: Jobless claims edge up; +1k to 295k / R
Stocks – EU: American Activist Investors Take Another Charge WSJ *
Stocks – US: Should Withstand Tepid Earnings WSJ *
Russia – Economy shrinks 2-4% despite Putin’s positive spin FT * *
Russia – Workers Take Aim at Putin as Economy Exacts Its Toll NYT
Russia – Borrowers unable to repay dollar loans AFP
Russia – Industrial companies count the cost of doing business FT * * *
Russia – Brussels accuses Gazprom over gas stranglehold FT / NYT / AP / WSJ *
Russia – Gazprom and the EU test energy ties that bind FT / NYT / q * * *
World – Who is right about the equilibrium interest rate? ft *
World – Gender Gap Persists for Bank-Account Holders WSJ * *
EU – Gears up to take the fight to people smugglers FT *
EU – Rich Smuggling Trade Fuels Deadly Migration WSJ * *
EU – Refugee Surge in Germany Puts Pressure on Small Towns WSJ *
EU – Anti-immigration mood weighs on EU politicians FT * *
Telecoms – Google Wireless Service Undercuts Phone Plans WSJ *
Telecoms – Comcast Won’t Founder Without Time Warner Cable Deal WSJ / NYT / WSJ *
Recycling – High Costs Put Cracks in Glass Programs WSJ *
Recycling – Becomes a Tougher Sell as Prices Drop WSJ / E *
Ship – Cheaper fuel to boost container shipping r *
Ship – LA traffic increases following labor deal cr *
Rare Earths – China ends export tax FT
Copper – Producers position for price recovery FT *
Lead – Gets the Lead Out WSJ *
Iron – Steelmakers braced for China slowdown FT *
China – Hedge funds bend nonferrous metals markets N * *
Oil – Latest Fear: A Price Shock After Spending Cuts B
Oil – ‘US Role Signals Jagged Future’ B / NYT
Oil – Industry’s Battle Cry: Exports Now! WSJ
Oil – Speculators divided over US prices r *
Oil – 5 years after BP spill: What’s changed in offshore drilling AP *
Oil – Saudi Arabia’s keeps pumping at high levels / b *
Oil – Pemex prepares to expand production after decade of decline FT *
Oil – Angola seeks $10b for infrastructure despite price collapse FT * *
Oil – The arctic holds ~525 BBOE; production years away / b *
Hospitals – University Facilities Now Source of Worry for Schools WSJ *
Hospitals – Rural facilities struggle to survive WaPo
Government economist: US worth $22.98 trillion wsj *
