8 August 2014

August 7th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Shipping

Ukraine – US poultry, pork and nut industries to bit hit hardest
NatGas – Deep Water Fracking Next Frontier for Offshore Drilling
Biotech – Start-Ups Work on Drugs for Pets


MAJOR DATA POINTS

China – Jul: Export surge lifts trade surplus to record high; +$47b / FT / WSJ / R / AP / B *

Germany – Jun: Exports Bounce Back; +4.5% from -3.4% / WSJ / AP *

US – Q2: Productivity Rises; +2.5% from -4.5% / WSJ / B *

US – Jun: Wholesale inventories rise less than expected; +0.3% from -0.3% / R *


MARKETS

Argentina – Banks reportedly discuss default exit FT / AP / AP / B / R

Argentina – Unresolved debts FT * *


ECONOMICS

FMs – Boom Prompts Warnings as Investors Pile In WSJ *

World – China manufacturing gathers pace, Europe falters, US steady R *

World – G7 GDP Since The Crisis / bi *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – EU stands ready to support farmers from sanctions fallout FT / B * * * * *

Ukraine – US poultry, pork and nut industries to bit hit hardest wapo / AP / WSJ * * *

Ukraine – Lufthansa and Finnair among heaviest users of Siberian airspace R / FT *


MONETARY POLICY

ECB – Draghi warns eurozone recovery at risk FT / WSJ / NYT / AP / B / R *

BOE – Holds as Interest-Rate Debate Heats Up WSJ / R / B / AP / FT

BOI – India’s Rajan sounds alarm on asset bubbles FT / B / wsj / r / b * *


FINANCE

US – Banks told to steer billions to hard-hit areas FT / FT * * * *


REAL ESTATE

US – Foreclosure Starts Hit Pre-Crisis Low WSJ / wsj *

US – How Weak Is Housing? wsj * * * * *


SERVICES



MANUFACTURING

Ships – New techniques show the damage done by subsidies at the heart of global trade E *


TECH



TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Iron Ore Busting 1.3b Tons Spurs Boom B

Ship – Suez becoming canal of choice for Asia-US shipments N *

Ship – Egypt plans to dig new Suez Canal costing $4b R

Ship – A High Seas Comeback for Sails? WSJ

Ship – Arctic Ice Melt Seen Freeing Way for South Korean Oil Hub B


COMMODITIES

Metals – Titanium: Boeing, United Technologies Stockpile Parts WSJ

Metals – Rare Earths: China Export Curbs Again Found to Violate Trade Law NYT / AP

Metals – Palladium: Weakens as bulls head for exit FT

Metals – Zinc: Positioning shows investor bullishness FT

Metals – Nickel: Rises as stockpile concerns recede FT

Metals – Aluminium: Gains industrial lustre FT

Metals – Mining: Looking to Other Industries for Cost-Cutting Ideas WSJ *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

NatGas – Deep Water Fracking Next Frontier for Offshore Drilling B

NatGas – Falling Prices Dim Utility Stocks WSJ

NatGas – China growth faces hurdles FT * *

NatGas – Painted Pony Seen Luring Suitors in Canada LNG Race B

NatGas – Exxon eyes cheaper, floating LNG option for BC project FP *


LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH

Biotech – FDA lifts hold on experimental Ebola drug AP / B / NYT / FT / AFP / R / WSJ / R * *

Biotech – Start-Ups Work on Drugs for Pets NYT

Biotech – How to spot a market bubble / ft *


ENDNOTE

How hairy men are around the world am *


7 August 2014

August 6th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: China




MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – Week: Jobless Claims Fall; -14k to 289k / WSJ / R / B / AP *


MARKETS

Currencies – A critical autumn nears for EMs FT * *

Currencies – Dollar’s Rally Picks Up Steam WSJ *

Currencies – Hong Kong Ramps Up Intervention to Curb Local Currency WSJ *

Currencies – Hong Kong Dollar Signals A-Share Rally B *


ECONOMICS

China – Yuan Gap Evaporates as PBOC Cuts Interventions B *

China – Yuan Rising as Economy Shows Signs of Improvement WSJ / WSJ *

China – Risk-averse Beijing seen pushing back plans to free yuan R *

China – Winners and losers in the great rebalancing E *

China – Debt tops 250% of national income FT / B *

China – Internet sector to get bigger q * *

China – Select Economies 20% or more Dependent for Exports / b *

China – Stimulus – 2014 vs 2008 / b *

China – Says can build what it wants on S.China Sea isles R *

China – Expands Offshore Oil Fleet for Contested Waters WSJ *

China – Keeps fishing fleet connected in disputed waters R *

China – Japan condemns ‘dangerous’ acts in defence white paper FT / WSJ / AP *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Russia to block US & EU agricultural imports WSJ / FT / NYT / AP / B / wsj *

Ukraine – Russia Retaliation Inflicts Worst Euro-Area Scars on Finland B / R / b * *

Ukraine – Moscow kickback set to squeeze western airlines FT *


MONETARY POLICY

PBOC – Wades Into Fiscal Waters as China Boosts Stimulus B / WSJ / B


FINANCE

China – Overseas Borrowing Exposes to US Interest Rate Rises WSJ *

China – Is Shadow Loan Problem Not That Dark? IBD *

China – Sweetens Stimulus With Teaspoon of Reform WSJ *

China – Too big to fail banks b *


REAL ESTATE

China – Average Housing Prices Fall for Third Straight Month WSJ

China – Home Glut May Worsen as Developers Avoid Price Drop B

China – ‘Downward pressure from the housing sector will be immense’ ft **

China – Investors Bet on Large Property Developers WSJ *

China – Skyscraper Mania as Ambitions Trump Economy B

China – Property Cooling Prompts Revival of Builder Bonds B

China – Investors Stung by Losses After Exiting Struggling Property Fund WSJ

China – ‘Property Market Is No Bubble’ wsj *


SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH

TVs – Hisense Takes Aim at Sony BW *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Coal – Beijing will ban construction of new power plants R / ABC *

Coal – Gore: ‘Strong economic case for divestment’ FT


LABOR & EDUCATION

China – Jobless Rate Is 5.1%. Or Maybe It’s 4.1%. B

China – Beijing Has Top-Secret View of Employment WSJ *

China – Strikes have officials looking to robots N *


HEALTH

Demog – China: More Girls Are on the Way BW *


ENDNOTE

China vs. US Favorability Across the World; Beijing Wins Middle East pew *


6 August 2014

August 5th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Africa

M&As – Wall Street’s dark day
Rail – Oil group wants highest-danger label for Bakken
Oil – Gulf: Armed with new technology, oil drillers revisit Gulf of Mexico


MAJOR DATA POINTS

Germany – Jun: Factory orders decrease; -3.2% from -1.6% / AP / B *

Italy – Q2: Falls back into recession; -0.2% from -0.1% / FT / B / NYT / AFP *

US – Jun: Trade Gap Narrows; -$42b from -$45b / WSJ / B / R *


MARKETS

M&As – How Tax Inversions Became the Hot Trend WSJ * *

M&As – Corporate acquirors take early aim at their target’s investors FT * * *

M&As – Walgreens drops plans to relocate its headquarters FT / WSJ / AP / R / B / NYT

M&As – Fox Withdraws Time Warner Bid WSJ / FT / NYT / R / B *

M&As – Sprint Abandoning Pursuit of T-Mobile WSJ / R / B / FT / NYT

M&As – Gannett to hive off publishing operations FT / WSJ *

M&As – Wall Street’s dark day FT


ECONOMICS

Africa – Aims to Boost Trade with US WSJ / AP / FT / WSJ *

Africa – Beijing invites US to link up FT / FT / FT e *

Africa – Corporates gain appetite for debt FT *

Africa – Investors chasing high returns are ready to overlook dangers FT * * *

Africa – Booming Lion Economies Gear Up to Emulate Asians B

Africa – Mobile Data Use Doubles wsj *

Africa – A dogged firm has brought fast broadband to landlocked areas E *

Africa – Pentagon confronts militant dilemma FT *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Putin Orders Retaliatory Measures WSJ / FT / B

Ukraine – Strong links with Russia are putting Merkel’s policy to the test FT * * * *


MONETARY POLICY

RBA – Australia Holds Key Rate at Record Low WSJ

RBI – India holds rates in inflation fight FT / WSJ *


FINANCE

US – Tells Big Banks to Rewrite ‘Living Will’ Bankruptcy Plans WSJ / FT


REAL ESTATE

US – Mortgage Standards Ease for First Time Since Housing Bust WSJ *

US – Is There Really a Shortage of Construction Workers? wsj * *

US – CoreLogic: House Prices up 7.5% AP / cr *


SERVICES

Retail – Shoppers Are Fleeing Physical Stores WSJ *


MANUFACTURING

Robots – Surgical Model Fails to Show Advantages WSJ

Robots – Rise of China N *


TECH

Cybersecurity – Russian Gang Said to Amass 1.2b Stolen Internet Credentials NYT / wsj / B


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Rail – Oil group wants highest-danger label for Bakken R

Rail – Bitumen-only trains expand oil sands reach FP


COMMODITIES

Coffee – Unseasonal rains in Brazil sends price higher FT

Coffee – Producers Sell More at Home, Driving Up the Price of a Cup WSJ *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – Libya: Risks Remain to Supply Despite Reopening of Ports, Fields WSJ

Oil – Mexico: Passes Fresh Energy Laws, Advancing Sector Reform WSJ / NYT

Oil – Gulf: Armed with new technology, oil drillers revisit Gulf of Mexico R

Oil – Refiners: Surge in European Use of Diesel Cars Is Challenge for NYT

Oil – Majors: ‘Should Consider Downsizing’ WSJ *



LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH

Demog – Africa: Projected urban growth motw *

Demog – Africa: Fertility rates for each country / motw *

Demog – Africa: HIV Prevalence / reddit *


ENDNOTE

Writing Systems around the world motw *


5 August 2014

August 4th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Autos

Ukraine – Buildup Makes Russia Battle-Ready
Shale – Nigeria oil imports from US almost match exports
Delivery – Walmart Canada free shipping may soon become the new normal


MAJOR DATA POINTS

Indonesia – Q2: GDP Grows at Slowest Pace in Five Years; +5.12% from +5.22% / WSJ / AFP *

EZ – Jun: Retail Sales Growth Highest Since Early 2007; +0.4% from +0.3% / WSJ *

US – Jul: ISM Services Sector Expands; 58.7 from 56.0 / WSJ / R / AP / B *

US – Jul: Markit services growth dips, still strong; 60.8 was 61.0 / R * *

US – Jun: Factory orders rise solidly; +1.1% from -0.6% / R *


MARKETS

Bonds – Investors blow froth off junk market FT *

Bonds – Municipal Debt Ebbs As Banks Loan IBD *


ECONOMICS



POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Buildup Makes Russia Battle-Ready NYT / B

Ukraine – US chicken farmers latest caught in Russia sanction crosshairs R

Ukraine – Year of BICs for Pimco as Brazil to China Gain B *


MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE

US – Insurers Post Lackluster Results WSJ / BW

US – Struggling Life-Insurance Companies Look to Middle-Class for Revival WSJ *


REAL ESTATE



SERVICES

Delivery – As Walmart Canada declares ‘war’ in online retail, free shipping may soon become the new normal CP / AP

Delivery – For FedEx and UPS, a Cheaper Route: the Post Office WSJ *


MANUFACTURING

Autos – World: New car sales up 3% in Q2 N *

Autos – China: Luxury carmakers slash prices FT / WSJ / WSJ *

Autos – China: Foreign Makers Introduce the Car Loan WSJ *

Autos – China: Mercedes-Benz Sales Surge WSJ / R / q *

Autos – Japan: After hybrid success, Toyota gambles on fuel cell AP

Autos – India: Finding Utility WSJ *

Autos – US: Sales growth slowed in July R / AP / FT / WSJ / NYT *

Autos – US: Auto sales party seen increasingly dependent on easy money R *

Autos – US: EPA Asks Car Makers to Road Test Fuel-Economy Claims WSJ *

Autos – US: Sales of Big SUVs Pulling the Weight at GM NYT

Autos – US: The Recovery of Heavy Truck Sales cr *

Autos – US: BMWs Made in America Surging as Biggest Car Export B / FT

Autos – Mexico: BMW to build $1b car plant FT / R

Autos – Mexico: Speeding Past Brazil in Cars BW *

Autos – Venezuela: Industry in a Free Fall WSJ

Autos – EU: Carmakers put the champagne on ice as sales inch forward FT / WSJ * * *

Autos – EU: VW and Fiat Chrysler deny report of merger talks R / ft

Autos – EU: Peugeot and Fiat discussed merger FT

Autos – EU: Daimler chief warns on potential for cyber attacks on cars FT / R

Autos – Mena: Ford targets ‘final frontier’ of Africa and Middle East FT

Autos – Turkey: Carmakers boost exports as domestic sales falter N *


TECH

Chips – Sales Tracking Toward Another Record in 2014 WSJ

Chips – Betting that Moore’s Law won’t matter in the internet of things q * *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Digital – Data protectionism FT * *


COMMODITIES

Sand – Demand Takes Off Thanks to Fracking WSJ *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Shale – Big Spenders Needn’t Fight the Fed WSJ *

Shale – US: Dispute Flares Over Burned-Off Natural Gas WSJ *

Shale – Africa oil trade with US wanes after revolution FT *

Shale – Nigeria oil imports from US almost match exports B *


LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH

Insurance – More Surgery, Maternity Care, ER Visits Boost Hospital Admissions WSJ / NYT *


ENDNOTE

How liberal or conservative are America’s cities? e *


4 August 2014

August 4th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: US Labor

EU – Will banking “big bang” loosen lending?
US – Affordable Housing Drives Middle Class to Cities Inland
Ship – Rates Drop as China Hydro Power Cuts Coal Need


MAJOR DATA POINTS

China – Jul: Official services PMI dips; 54.2 from 55.0 / R / WSJ *

EZ – Jun: Producer Prices Rise for First Time in 2014; +0.1%, -0.8% yr / WSJ *

UK – Jun: Markit Homebuilding Expands at Fastest Rate Since 2003; 68.0 from 66.8 / B *


MARKETS

Bonds – Tokyo Funds Snap Up European Debt WSJ *

Bonds – Europe’s haven eyes stormy high-yield FT * *

Bonds – Junk-Debt Liquidity Concerns Bring Sales WSJ * *


ECONOMICS

EU – Delivers earnings growth for the first time in three years FT *

EU – ‘Problem Is Equity, Not Debt’ WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

EU – Handful of countries clearly opposed to the Euro eu *

EU – One-third say they don’t feel European q *


MONETARY POLICY

ECB – Draghi Picked Tough Time to Diet WSJ *


FINANCE

EU – Will banking “big bang” loosen lending? R

EU – UK banks step up opposition to new financial services tsar FT


REAL ESTATE

UK – London’s employers warn of economic effect of soaring costs FT *

UK – Long-distance London commuters push up local house prices FT

US – Affordable Housing Drives Middle Class to Cities Inland NYT *


SERVICES



MANUFACTURING

Yachts – Berths boom as super-rich rekindle love affair with luxury FT

Yachts – ‘A Job Engine, Not Self-Indulgence’ NYT


TECH

Mobile – Sprint and T-Mobile Play the Waiting Game WSJ

Mobile – France’s Iliad Makes Bid for T-Mobile US WSJ / FT / NYT / R / R *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Ship – Rates Drop as China Hydro Power Cuts Coal Need B


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Coal – A Dozen States File Suit Against New Rules NYT / B

Coal – China’s industry says times are hard, outlook worse CD

Coal – EPA Emissions Plan Draws Protest in Pittsburgh WSJ

Coal – US exports abroad AP *


COMMODITIES

Crops – Cocoa: High prices no match for a sweet tooth FT

Crops – Almonds: California drought poses threat to supplies FT

Crops – Rice: Drought-Resistant Strains Sows Wealth in India WSJ

Crops – Rice: Cambodia Looks For Place on the World’s Plate NYT


LABOR & EDUCATION

US – Hiring Settles Into Steady Gains WSJ / FT / R * *

US – Unemployment rose to 6.2% / r *

US – July jobs report: Stagnant wages r *

US – Jobs Report Shows High-Wage Sectors Finally Digging Out WSJ / wsj * *

US – Why So Few Are “Marginally Attached” to the Labor Force wsj * * * *

US – With Jobs, It’s the Taking Part That Counts WSJ *

US – It’s still hard out there for the unemployed 538 *

US – Two charts / q * *

US – Wages, Benefits Rise at Fastest Pace in Almost Six Years WSJ

US – Mid-Wage Work Comes Back B *

US – ‘Layoffs are becoming rare’ AP

US – ‘Near Economic, Jobs Speed Limit Already?’ IBD *


HEALTH

Ebola – African states seal off outbreak epicentre AFP *

Ebola – ‘Moving faster than efforts to control it’: WHO FT / NYT / AFP *

Ebola – Taxis, planes and viruses: How deadly virus can spread R *

Ebola – 35 countries one flight away from affected countries q *


ENDNOTE

The most commonly-spoken languages in London motw *


1 August 2014

July 31st, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Cybersecurity

Ukraine – Energy Companies Rethinking Russia After New Round of Sanctions
WTO – Rural votes, old traumas drive India’s WTO brinkmanship
Water – California’s Exceptional Drought Just Keeps Getting Worse


MAJOR DATA POINTS

China – Jul: Official PMI hits 27-month high on strong orders; 51.7 from 51.0 / R / WSJ / B *

US – Jul: Adds jobs as hiring slows; +209k from +288k / FT / NYT / WSJ / B / R / AP *

US – Jul: ISM factory activity expands at fastest pace in 39 months; 57.1 from 55.3 / R *

US – Jul: UMich consumer sentiment dips; 81.8 from 82.0 / R *

US – Jun: Consumer spending up; +0.4% from +0.3% / AP / WSJ / B / R / BEA *


MARKETS

Stocks – US: Bears Who Won Big During Finance Crisis Are Growling Again WSJ

Stocks – Japan: It’s all coming together N *

Stocks – Indonesia: Widodo’s presidential victory halts market rally FT * *

Stocks – Saudi: Catch Rally While You Can B *


ECONOMICS

US – Inventories collapsed in the winter and came back strong in spring wapo * *

US – One Big Factor in the Economic Uptick: Government Spending wsj *

US – Business Puzzle: Record Debt and Record Cash WSJ * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – EU identifies 5 Russian banks it is sanctioning AP / R / FT / B

Ukraine – Sanctions will damage Russia if not lifted quickly AP

Ukraine – Russian stocks are incredibly cheap FT / q *

Ukraine – Russia Eyes Banning US Chicken And Some EU Fruit B

Ukraine – Energy Companies Rethinking Russia After New Round of Sanctions NYT / WSJ

Ukraine – Already taking toll on western businesses FT / AP / AFP

Ukraine – West’s Sanctions Playbook Faces Challenge With Russia WSJ *


MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Can Remain Patient on Rate-Hike Debate After Data WSJ / R


FINANCE

US – ‘Too Big to Fail’ Report Hedges on Big Banks’ Funding Edge WSJ *

US – Regional Banks Push Congress to Amend ‘Systemically Important’ Tag WSJ *


REAL ESTATE



SERVICES



MANUFACTURING



TECH

Cybersecurity – Smartphones Become Next Frontier WSJ

Cybersecurity – Checking In From Home Leaves Entry for Hackers NYT

Cybersecurity – UglyGorilla Hack of US Utility Exposes Cyberwar Threat B

Cybersecurity – Hacking Into Tomorrow’s Banking Crisis WSJ *

Cybersecurity – Tech groups race to reinvent passwords FT *

Cybersecurity – Corporate Boards Race to Shore Up Protections WSJ

Cybersecurity – Insurers struggle to get grip on burgeoning cyber risk market R

Cybersecurity – US Accuses Chinese Executive of Hacking to Mine Military Data WSJ / NYT / FT / NYT / AP / WSJ

Cybersecurity – Russian Hackers Targeting Oil and Gas Companies NYT / wsj / FT

Cybersecurity – Microsoft says cybercrime bust frees 4.7 million infected PCs R / R

Cybersecurity – Defending the digital frontier E *

Cybersecurity – Attackers have multiplied and become far more professional E *

Cybersecurity – Basic security hygiene goes a long way E / E *

Cybersecurity – Providing incentives for good behaviour E / E *

Cybersecurity – The perils of connected devices E / E *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

WTO – Indian objections sink deal FT / WSJ / R / R

WTO – Rural votes, old traumas drive India’s WTO brinkmanship R *


COMMODITIES

Water – Weather experts lower El Niño forecasts FT

Water – California’s Exceptional Drought Just Keeps Getting Worse B / NYT *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT



LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH

Pharma – Drug pricing: Bitter pill FT * * *

Pharma – Resistance Taking Sting Out of Top Malaria Drug WSJ *

Pharma – Drugmakers juggle non-core assets FT *

Pharma – FedEx charges raise online pharmacy issues AP / WSJ


ENDNOTE

Approval of US Leadership by Country reddit *


31 July 2014

July 30th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Autonomous Vehicles

Huawei, Xiaomi’s gnaw at Samsung’s share
Oil – India Drops Sea Claim to Unlock Offshore Reserves
US – Labor Ruling Bewilders Franchisers


MAJOR DATA POINTS

EZ – Jul: Inflation Slowed to Lowest Since 2009; 0.4% from 0.5% / B / FT / R / AP / NYT *

EZ – Jun: Unemployment Unexpectedly Declined; 11.5% from 11.6% / B / WSJ *

US – Week: Jobless Claims Rise; +23k to 302k / WSJ / R *


MARKETS

Bonds – Top-rated government bonds defy gravity FT / FT * *

Bonds – Asian Borrowers Gaining Upper Hand in Sales WSJ *


ECONOMICS

NZ – Kiwi’s milk-powered rally turns sour FT * *

Australia – Wave of Cash Returns WSJ *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Argentina – Defaults after last-minute talks fail FT / WSJ / R / AP / B / NYT / B * *


MONETARY POLICY

Fed – Yellen sees first dissent in favour of tightening FT / WSJ / NYT / R / AP / B *

Fed – Growth Rebound Stokes Debate WSJ * *

Fed – US banks braced for large deposit outflows FT


FINANCE

Germany – Five Landesbanks now face threatening ECB stress tests FT *


REAL ESTATE

Germany – Low interest rates sway habits towards home ownership FT *


SERVICES

Online – India’s Flipkart Raises $1b in Fresh Funding WSJ / NYT *

Online – Amazon $2b investment sparks India ecommerce war FT / AP / R / q *

Online – Google to Add Ratings to Look More Like Amazon wsj *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Mobiles – Samsung Feels Pressure Over Sales WSJ / FT / R / B / WSJ *

Mobiles – Is Huawei Eating Samsung’s Lunch? wsj / WSJ / R / q *

Mobiles – Xiaomi’s star rises as Chinese handset makers gnaw at Samsung’s share R


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

AVs – UK insurers worry driverless cars are ‘existential threat’ FT / wsj

AVs – Battle looms over plans for driverless Tube trains FT

AVs – Daimler Demonstrates a Self-Driving Truck NYT / FT / R *

AVs – Cars could drive selves sooner than expected after European push R

AVs – Google: Driverless cars are mastering city streets AP / FT / R / wsj

AVs – Google’s Next Phase: No Brakes or Steering Wheel NYT / WSJ / FT / AP / R / nyt *

AVs – China’s Baidu follows Google steer with self-driving car FT

AVs – Laser Eyes Pose Price Hurdle for Driverless Cars WSJ *

AVs – Driverless Cars Are Data Guzzlers WSJ *

AVs – If Robots Drove, How Much Safer Would Roads Be? nyt / NJ / AP


COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – US Exports Ready to Sail WSJ *

Oil – Cash-Poor Venezuela Weighs Sale of Citgo WSJ *

Oil – Libya says its fields are safe from the fighting R *

Oil – Kurds struggle for energy autonomy FT * *

Oil – India Drops Sea Claim to Unlock Offshore Reserves B *


LABOR & EDUCATION

US – Labor Ruling Bewilders Franchisers NYT


HEALTH



ENDNOTE

NASA rover breaks out-of-this-world distance record AFP *


30 July 2014

July 29th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: US Economy



MAJOR DATA POINTS

Japan – Jun: Industrial Output Suffers Worst Fall in Over 3 Years; -3.3% / WSJ / FT / B *

EZ – Jul: Business Confidence Holds Up; 102.2 from 102.1 / WSJ / R / B *

US – Q2: Economy grows; +4.0% from -2.9% / FT / AP / B / NYT / WSJ / R *

US – Jul: ADP Private Sector Slows Pace of Hiring; +218k from +281k / WSJ / B / R / AP *


MARKETS

Stocks – Chinese Market Takes Off WSJ *

Stocks – Investors Sift Through China’s Discount Bin WSJ *

Stocks – HK Finally Joins Rally WSJ *

Stocks – China Explains “Confused Signals” in US Asset Prices cfr *


ECONOMICS

US – Federal Government the Lone Star of Dreary Q1 wsj * * *

US – Economy Heating Up During Summer WSJ / AP

US – Americans Paying Bills on Time at a Historically High Rate wsj *

US – The productivity puzzle FT *

US – Potential Stagflation? Bloomberg GDP forecast vs. CPI b *

US – The Typical Household, Now Worth a Third Less NYT *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – EU, US set Russia sanctions FT / WSJ / NYT / R / AP / B / WSJ *

Ukraine – Russia sanctions threaten to blow EZ off course R / FT / FT / AFP / B

Ukraine – BP flags concerns about impact of sanctions FT / WSJ / AP / FT / WSJ / q * * * *

Ukraine – Russia Risk Propels Europe Bonds to Record Highs WSJ *

Ukraine – EU Ban Targets Russian Banks $15b Debt B *

Ukraine – Financial window closes for Moscow businesses FT * * * *

Ukraine – Russian state banks and corporate sector likely to suffer FT * * *

Ukraine – Russia bans Polish fruit and veg R *

Ukraine – Russians’ Alarm Grows Over Putin’s Tactics NYT / AP / WSJ *


MONETARY POLICY



FINANCE

EU – Investment banks bounce back FT *

EU – Lloyds Pays £226m to Settle Rate Probe FT / WSJ / NYT / FT * *


REAL ESTATE

US – Housing Slowdown? The Case-Shiller Index in Five Charts wsj * * * * *

US – Millennials: forever renters or delayed homeowners? r *

US – NMHC Survey: Apartment Market Conditions Tighter in Q2 2014 cr *

US – Is the Private Mortgage-Bond Market Dead or Dormant? wsj *

US – Zillow to Buy Rival Trulia WSJ / FT / NYT / B / WSJ / WSJ * *


SERVICES

Retail – US Shoppers Open Up Their Wallets—Selectively WSJ *

Retail – Battle for Poor Shoppers Fuels Dollar-Store Deal WSJ *


MANUFACTURING

Ships – Increased Oil Imports Spur Plans to Build More Vessels C


TECH

Twitter – User Growth Picks Up WSJ / FT / NYT / R / B / q * * * *

Amazon – Ambitions, lack of profits, unnerve investors R / WSJ / B

Facebook – Answers Critics With Mobile-Ad Surge WSJ / bi * *

Inspur – NSA Concerns Give Chinese Server Maker a Boost WSJ *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION



COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Shale – US: Forecasts for higher oil prices misjudge the boom r *

Shale – US: ‘Fracking could turn out to be a bubble’ q *

Shale – US: Exxon Says It Is Getting Singled Out Over Fracking WSJ

Shale – US: Denton rejects fracking ban AP

Shale – Mexico: Japan eager to join development YS *

Shale – UK: Britain reopens way for fracking AP

Shale – Google trends for ‘peak oil’ and ‘fracking’ cd *


LABOR & EDUCATION



HEALTH

Ebola – Africa Strains to Contain Virus WSJ / FT / B / B / FT / r / E * * * * *


ENDNOTE

The Most Common Items Lost on NYC Transit 538 *


29 July 2014

July 28th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Japan



MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – May: Case-Shiller Home-Price Growth Slows Sharply; +9.3% from +10.8% yr / WSJ / R / B * *

US – Jul: ConfBd consumer confidence jumps; 90.9 from 86.4 / AP *


MARKETS

Currencies – Euro stamina challenged by Draghi’s mettle FT *

Currencies – Trading Falls Into Torpor WSJ *


ECONOMICS

Japan – After Tax Increase, Signs of Recovery in Consumption wsj *

Japan – Demand Exceeds Supply for First Time Since 2008 B

Japan – In corporate tax reform, Abenomics giveth, and taketh away R *

Japan – Abenomics picks up speed E * * *

Japan – Households say worse off under Abenomics / b *

Japan – Seeks to Lure Investors With Improved Corporate Governance WSJ *

Japan – Boosting Growth: Some Low-Hanging Fruit wsj *

Japan – Companies outside metropolises performing well N *

Japan – ‘Export-Champ Days Are Left Behind’ B *

Japan – Sees Record Number of Foreign Travelers wsj * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Japan – Abe’s Support Dips Below 50% in Fallout Over Easing Pacifism B / N

Japan – Abe faces rising disenchantment FT *

Japan – Ruling Party Lost Regional Election WSJ *


MONETARY POLICY

BOJ – Slower Japan Inflation Highlights Reflation Task B / wsj


FINANCE

Japan – Going it alone is no longer an option for stagnant banks FT


REAL ESTATE

Japan – Housing loan demand collapses ft *

Japan – Office market bottoms out N *

Japan – Construction costs at 21-year high N *

Japan – Tokyo to get an Olympic facelift N *


SERVICES

Media – Turner TV Tops Time Warner’s To-Do List WSJ *

Media – Fox Bolsters Cash with BSkyB Deal FT / WSJ / NYT / q * * * * * * *

Media – Riches and Risks for Fox in Time Warner Takeover WSJ / NYT / FT / B / WSJ / FT *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Japan – Electronics companies are starting to turn themselves around E * *

Japan – Sony’s Walkman Makes Comeback WSJ *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

Rail – Albany Nears Hub Status as 100-Car Trains Jam Port B


COMMODITIES



ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Oil – OPEC’s Two-Decade Ride on Global Growth Stalls B *

Oil – Saudi market reforms invite access to growth FT *

Oil – Kurdish Gambit Hits Troubled Waters WSJ *

Oil – Cuba’s vast untapped reserves still untapped AP *

Oil – Prospectors Shift Back to Wealthy Lands WSJ * *


LABOR & EDUCATION

Japan – Midnight Hours Thwart Abe’s Plans for More Working Moms B

Japan – Plenty of demand, not enough hands N / FT *


HEALTH



ENDNOTE

Where cats are more popular than dogs wapo * *


28 July 2014

July 28th, 2014



Today’s Issue Cluster: Metals

Ukraine – Europe Toughens Stance against Putin
Mobiles – India prepares for ‘big bang’ in smartphone use
TTIP – US-EU trade talks sour amid chlorine chicken fears


MAJOR DATA POINTS

US – Jun: Pending home sales unexpectedly fell; -1.1% / R / WSJ / B *


MARKETS



ECONOMICS

EU – UK: Longest slump in a century ends FT / FT / ft * * * * * * * *

EU – France: Rich Fleeing Hollande Taxes Find Portugal Haven B

EU – Greece: A fragile calm FT / E / B / R * * * *


POLITICS & FISCAL POLICY

Ukraine – Germany set to back sanctions FT / WSJ *

Ukraine – Europe Toughens Stance against Putin S *


MONETARY POLICY

ECB – ‘Euro Zone Relies Too Much on Bank’ WSJ / FT *

ECB – No euroarea member met inflation target in June / b *


FINANCE

Brazil – Rousseff injects $20bn into banking sector FT / WSJ * *


REAL ESTATE

UK – London Housing Market Stagnates as Hometrack Sees Rapid Cooling B

UK – House Prices Rise as London Surge Hits Record, ONS Says B / FT

UK – London property market ‘losing momentum’, says Rics FT

UK – ONS data weaken case against mansion tax FT *

UK – London Mapped; Green = social, blue = rent, orange = mortgage, red = wholly-owned G *


SERVICES

F&B – Moscow launches Mac attack in beef with west FT / WSJ

F&B – Rapid China expansion comes back to bite western food chains FT *

F&B – Japanese Food Firms Eye Southeast Asian Markets WSJ *


MANUFACTURING



TECH

Mobiles – BlackBerry looks to partnerships FT / FT * *

Mobiles – Apple iPhone Rollout Boosts Asia’s Component Makers WSJ *

Mobiles – Tablet magic wanes as Jobs’ dream realised FT * *

Mobiles – India prepares for ‘big bang’ in smartphone use FT

Mobiles – Ready to Wear? Bn * * *


TRADE & TRANSPORTATION

WTO – India’s ‘cereal economy’ threatens deal FT / WSJ / FT / wsj * * *

TTIP – US-EU trade talks sour amid chlorine chicken fears AP / FT


COMMODITIES

Metals – Steel: Nucor confident of favorable rulings vs import ‘tsunami’ R

Metals – Steel: Iron miners ramp up output to offset price weakness FT

Metals – Steel: Brittle View of China Demand WSJ *

Metals – Aluminium: Prices hit 17-month highs FT *

Metals – Rhodium: Poised for Biggest Monthly Advance Since 2009 B / q *

Metals – Lead: Jumps to highest in eight months FT

Metals – Gold: China demand falls by a fifth FT / WSJ / WSJ

Metals – Gold: Miners Trim Costs While Waiting For Next Rally IBD

Metals – Gold: Glow Dims, Even in Rockets’ Red Glare WSJ *

Metals – Palladium: Gain Sets Up Platinum Switch in Cars B *

Metals – Platinum: Anglo American to shed assets FT / R

Metals – South Africa: Open to curbs on strike action FT

Metals – China: Base metals import picture fragments r * *


ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT

Carbon – Australian Repeal Deals Blow to Global Emission Plans WSJ / r / r * *


LABOR & EDUCATION

EU – France: The Number That Many Businesses Fear NYT

EU – France: A union walkout shows how hard reform will be E *

EU – Germany: Woos Immigrants for Skilled Workers NYT

EU – Germany: Approves Minimum Wage From 2015 WSJ / AP / FT / NYT

EU – Computerisation: 54% of jobs at risk bruegel *


HEALTH

Ebola – Latest outbreak is getting worse r / B / AP / WSJ *

Ebola – Outbreak poses threat to African economies FT *


ENDNOTE

The Middle East Friendship Chart slate / bp *