Financial Markets and Economy
No Rebound in Sight for S&P 500 as Futures Signal Further Drop (Bloomberg)
U.S. stock-index futures pointed to more losses after equities started 2016 with the worst performance in 15 years.
Bank of America: China could be heading for its own credit crunch (Business Insider)
The trading year started with a bang in China.
U.S. stocks set to continue selloff as investors brace for ‘wild swings’ (Market Watch)
U.S. stock futures slumped on Tuesday, indicating another day of sharp losses ahead, after a surprise cash injection from China’s central bank failed to calm investors’ nerves.
Ex-Soros's Bessent Raises $4.5 Billion for New Hedge Fund Firm (Bloomberg)
Scott Bessent, who oversaw George Soross $30 billion fortune for the last four years, will be managing $4.5 billion by the end of the first quarter, one of the largest hedge fund startups ever.
Europe: The fear is back (Business Insider)
European markets are struggling on Tuesday morning, after briefly recovering from their huge crash on Monday when horrible economic data out of China sent markets into a panic.
The benefits of lump-sum investing (Market Watch)
At some time or another, many investors must decide what to do with a lump sum of money — whether from a work bonus, a large tax refund or a family inheritance.
The initial inclination might be to spend this unexpected cash on that upcoming vacation or the next must-have digital device. However, if you want to invest the money into stocks, you’re left with a question: Should you put the money to work over time through what’s known as dollar-cost averaging or into the market all at once with a lump sum?
Next's Weak Holiday Sales Open Prospect of Buyback Resumption (Bloomberg)
For more than a year, Next Plc has abstained from buying back its own stock because the share price was too high. Disappointing Christmas sales should change that.
China's 'National Team' is doing everything in its power to stop stocks crashing — here’s the playbook (Business Insider)
The Chinese government is buying up shares to prop up its stock markets, repeating a tactic used during last year's meltdown.
Stocks Stabilize After China Turmoil (Wall St Journal)
Global stocks swung between small gains and losses on Tuesday after a sharp opening-day selloff, as investors remained cautious following turmoil in Chinese markets.
Futures markets indicated a small opening loss for the S&P 500. Changes in futures aren’t necessarily reflected in market moves after the opening bell.
Oil prices reverse gains as supply worries weigh (Market Watch)
Crude oil prices reversed earlier gains Tuesday, as concerns about an expanding global glut weighed on sentiment, even as tensions in the Middle East remained high.
Why More Retailers Could Default in 2016 (Bloomberg)
Last year was grim for retailers. This year could be even worse.
U.K. Stocks Little Changed as Tesco Advance Offsets Drop in Next (Bloomberg)
U.K. stocks were little changed after a three-day slump into the New Year.
York Capital partner Michael Weinberger to start his own hedge-fund firm (Market Watch)
A top partner at York Capital Management is leaving to launch his own hedge-fund firm in the second half of this year, according to letters reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
York veteran Michael Weinberger, who oversees billions in U.S. stock investments for the New York hedge-fund firm, will stay on at York through the end of January, spend time with his family and then gear up to launch his own fund, according to a letter by Weinberger that was distributed Monday.
2015 Was Best-Ever Year for M&A; This Year Looks Pretty Good Too (Bloomberg)
After a record-breaking year for acquisitions, executives are looking for more.
Stocks Hold Steady After Starting Year With a Sell-Off (NY Times)
The fears among investors that sent shares tumbling on the first trading day of the year appeared to have abated on Tuesday, as Asian stocks closed slightly down and European shares moved higher.
While Chinese markets showed signs of volatility, investors seemed to have calmed from a sell-off on Monday, which sent Chinese stocks plummeting nearly 7 percent and preceded a series of losses around the world.
Default Swaps Show Optimism as Philippines Enters Election Year (Bloomberg)
If global investors are worried by Philippine elections in May, theyre keeping it under wraps in the bond market.
Bond Market's Wrath Awaits Gulf Exporters Stung by Crude's Slump (Bloomberg)
Its about to get a lot more expensive for Gulf region borrowers to fill the holes in their budgets caused by slumping oil prices.
This Car Market Is So Hot That Even Volkswagen Sales are Jumping (Bloomberg)
In Mexico’s red-hot domestic auto market, even embattled Volkswagen AG is doing well.
China Said to Intervene in Stock Market After $590 Billion Rout (Bloomberg)
China moved to support its sinking stock market as state-controlled funds bought equities and the securities regulator signaled a selling ban on major investors will remain beyond this weeks expiration date, according to people familiar with the matter.
Politics
Obama to Expand Gun Background Checks and Tighten Enforcement (NY Times)
President Obama will announce executive actions on Tuesday intended to expand background checks for some firearm purchases and step up federal enforcement of the nation’s gun laws, White House officials said Monday, once again trying to sidestep a gridlocked Congress on a politically divisive issue.
Bernie Sanders to warn Wall Street: ‘Greed is not good’ (Market Watch)
Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Tuesday will seek to cast himself as Wall Street’s toughest cop and rebut criticism from the Clinton campaign that his policies aren’t comprehensive enough.
In a policy speech on Tuesday in New York City — just blocks away from Wall Street itself — Sanders is expected to lay out more details of his plan to crack down on the industry. He will reiterate his calls for breaking up banks that are too big to fail and to reinstate the Glass-Steagall Act, which separated commercial and investment banking. Hillary Clinton, his chief rival and the front-runner for the Democratic nomination, opposes that measure.
Trump and Cruz send shivers down GOP spines (Politico)
With only weeks before GOP primary voters first cast their ballots, the level of alarm among establishment Republicans about the enduring dominance of Donald Trump and Ted Cruz is reaching new heights.
In private conversations with several former aides, Mitt Romney, who in March will keynote the National Republican Congressional Committee’s annual fundraising dinner, has expressed rising frustration about Trump’s prolonged lead in polls and has argued that the real-estate mogul could inflict lasting damage on the party’s brand.
Obama’s Middle East Balancing Act Tilts Toward Iran (Bloomberg View)
As the cold war between Iran and Saudi Arabia heats up, the Barack Obama administration is trying to straddle the fence and not take sides, but its actions tell a different story — they all seem to favor Tehran.
Following the Saudi government’s announcement Saturday that it had executed 47 prisoners, including a popular Shiite cleric, the U.S. State Department did two things. First, it issued a statement expressing concern that Riyadh’s actions were “exacerbating sectarian tensions.” Then Secretary of State John Kerry called Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, urging him to try to de-escalate the crisis.
Trump releases first TV ad in 2016 Republican presidential race (Reuters)
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on Monday released his first television commercial in the 2016 race for the White House with a 30-second spot highlighting his stance on Muslims, immigration and terrorism.
Technology
Gene-Editing Drugmaker Backed by Google, Gates Files for IPO (Bloomberg)
Editas Medicine Inc., the drugmaker whose backers include Bill Gates and Google Ventures, filed to become the first publicly traded company to specialize in a new technology to edit flaws in genes.
You Can Soon Talk To Your Volvo With The Microsoft Band 2 (Popular Science)
If you’re planning on buying a Volvo, there might finally be a reason to pick up a Microsoft Band.
At CES today, Volvo and Microsoft are announcing a partnership where users would be able to start their car, initiate GPS, and turn on the heat, all by remotely talking to their Microsoft Band 2. The integration will also be able to trigger the car’s horn, lock the doors, and flash the lights. (The technology seems primed for practical jokes.)
This Amazing App Sees Objects For Blind People (Fast Company)
It's nowhere near perfect, but this free Android app is a must-try for everyone, blind or sighted.
Standing with my eyes closed in the bathroom, I aim my phone in the air. It vibrates, more and more, until it's buzzing with excitement. "Toilet," it announces in a female robot voice. "Shower," it adds a few moments later. My phone is seeing for me, and it's scary-remarkable. Like the first time Dragon Dictate understood my speech, or Facebook picked my head out of a crowd.
Health and Life Sciences
How You Can Protect Your Children From Brain Injury (Medicine Net Daily)
There are a number of things parents and coaches can do to protect young athletes — and non-athletes — from a concussion, an expert says.
Low-fat or high-fat – does it matter? (BBC)
Is fat the great evil of our time responsible for seducing us into an early, extra-wide, grave with its delicious succulence?
Or is it as misunderstood as it is mouth-watering? And in need of a welcome return to our plates?
As the campaign against sugar has ratcheted up over the past year or two, there have been growing voices trying to redeem fat.
Life on the Home Planet
Employers show bias against people with disabilities (Futurity)
A study with more than 6,000 fictitious cover letters reveals employers are less likely to interview qualified applicants who disclose disabilities.
Delhi embraces car restrictions on key working day (BBC)
New restrictions on private cars, which are being enforced to tackle hazardous pollution levels in Delhi, faced their first serious test on Monday as residents headed back to work following the New Year weekend.
Humor
OREGON CONSIDERS WALL TO KEEP OUT ANGRY WHITE MEN (Borowitz, New Yorker)
Oregonians are fed up with irate male Caucasians pouring into their state and bringing with them guns, violence, and terrorism.
