30 May 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Tech Security

E-Cigs – Quality issues push production to US from China
US – Construction Lending Climbs, Now Sits 66% Below Boom-Era Peak
Gold – With London ‘fix’ under fire, China seeks bigger sway in trade


MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – Apr: Inflation Quickens to Fastest Since 1991; 3.2% / R / WSJ / B / AP / b *

US – Apr: Consumer spending down; -0.1% from +1.0% / AP / B / R / WSJ / r *

US – May: UMich consumer sentiment down; 81.9 from 84.1 / R / r *


MARKETS

Bonds – Mom and Pop Investors Return to Munis WSJ * *

Bonds – Investors borrow to boost returns FT *


ECONOMICS

Asia – Companies now need to reform E / E / E / E * * * * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Thailand – Military Rulers Make Policy Moves WSJ / R / WSJ * * * * * *

Thailand – Coup won’t drive car firms, but rivals beckon R / r *


MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE



REAL ESTATE

US – Housing on the Mend, Ever So Gradually NYT *

US – Borrowers Tap Their Homes at a Hot Clip WSJ *

US – Housing Investors Settle Into a Holding Pattern WSJ *

US – Housing Recovery’s Missing Link: First-Time Buyers WSJ *

US – Signs of a Suburban Comeback WSJ *

US – Mortgage Probes Shift to Smaller Banks WSJ *

US – The Most Expensive Places bi *

US – Construction Lending Climbs, Now Sits 66% Below Boom-Era Peak wsj *

US – A Growing Number Of American Homes Are Now ‘Obsolete’ bi *


SERVICES

E-Cigs – Lose steam to larger vaporisers FT / WSJ *

E-Cigs – Scientists warn WHO not to classify as tobacco products R / FT / FT *

E-Cigs – Burning Insurance Question: Are ‘Vapers’ Smokers? WSJ

E-Cigs – Quality issues push production to US from China R

E-Cigs – Sweets makers work to keep names off products AP


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Security – China Hacking Is Deep and Diverse, Experts Say WSJ

Security – US to Rev Up Hacking Fight WSJ / FT / R / AP / R

Security – German fears of China cyber spying reinforced by US charges FT

Security – China Says US Also Engages in Hacking WSJ / R

Security – China Suggests US fabricated evidence for cyberattacks R / WSJ *

Security – China Said to Study IBM Servers for Bank Security Risks B

Security – China Pulls Cisco Into Dispute on Cyberspying NYT

Security – China clamps down on US consulting groups FT

Security – Fears drive Palo Alto FT

Security – Tech Giants Try to Prevent Next Heartbleed nyt / r *

Privacy – Google bows to EU ruling FT / R / NYT / FT / WSJ / NYT *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

US/EU – Elections pose new threat to trade deal FT

US/China – Washington prevails in WTO car case NYT / FT / WSJ / B / X *

World – OECD warns on trade slowdown FT *


COMMODITIES

Palladium – Global Auto Sales Help to Drive Demand WSJ *

Iron – Bulls and bears split by rising supply FT / WSJ *

Gold – With London ‘fix’ under fire, China seeks bigger sway in trade R

Platinum – South Africa’s New Mining Minister Attempts to End Strike WSJ

Platinum – Protracted strike pushes South Africa towards recession R / FT *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Carbon – EPA’s Approach to Spark Court Challenges WSJ / AP *

Carbon – Rules threaten coal plants in West Virginia FT *


LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH



ENDNOTE

Google Maps’ impressive attention to detail kottke *


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