Financial Markets and Economy
There's a lot of evidence to show negative interest rates are nothing but bad news for the global economy (Business Insider)
Evidence that negative interest rates aren't working to stimulate global growth is getting hard to ignore.
SocGen Swings From Biggest Bull on Europe Stocks to Most Bearish (Bloomberg)
The biggest bull on European stocks just buckled.
Alibaba in talks with banks for up to $4 billion loan (Market Watch)
Chinese Internet giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. is in discussions with banks for a loan of up to $4 billion to fund expansion plans, including acquisitions, according to people familiar with the matter.
Alibaba’s plans to add to its war chest come after it spent billions of dollars on investments and acquisitions over the past year, both in China and overseas markets such as India.
R.B.S. Reports Multibillion Dollar Loss in 4th Quarter (NY Times)
The Royal Bank of Scotland reported on Friday a multibillion-dollar loss in the fourth quarter that was worse than analyst expectations, driven by 2.21 billion pounds, or about $3 billion, in additional provisions for legal and regulatory matters.
In Argentina's Economy, It Takes Three to Tango (Bloomberg View)
With inflation ticking up and strikes on the horizon, critics of Argentina's President Mauricio Macri are sharpening their attacks on his economic policies. The truth is, however, that the new president came into office with few good — much less easy — choices, and is so far making the best of them.
Auto parts maker Magna's profit falls due to strong U.S. dollar (Business Insider)
Canadian auto parts maker Magna International Inc reported a 6.4 percent fall in quarterly profit, hurt by the impact of a strong U.S. dollar.
Net income attributable to Magna fell to $483 million, or $1.19 per share, in the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, from $516 million, or $1.23 per share, a year earlier.
Hedge-Fund Assets Below $3 Trillion for First Time Since 2014 (Bloomberg)
Assets managed by hedge funds globally last month fell to less than $3 trillion for the first time since the industry hit the milestone in May 2014, according to data from eVestment.
European markets are zooming (Business Insider)
European markets look set to end the week on a positive note, with all the major indices trading up at the open on Friday.
Here’s why it’s too late, too foolhardy to ditch stocks now (Market Watch)
Just as this market seems to be finding its feet, the crashy calls are building and “1929” -style charts are making the rounds again.
Technical strategist Tom DeMark, known for making some spot-on calls in the past, says an ugly spring awaits. He sees another 8%-to-10% selloff for the S&P 500 ahead. And that’s even though “90% of the stock market has already bottomed” this year, he says.
Invesco Buys Glencore, BHP Debt as Bondholder-Friendliness Grows (Bloomberg)
Invesco Ltd., the manager of about $741 billion of assets, is buying large miners’ bonds as the industry cuts costs and shareholder payouts to withstand a slump in commodity prices.
The Myth of the Barter Economy (The Atlantic)
Imagine life before money. Say, you made bread but you needed meat.
But what if the town butcher didn’t want your bread? You’d have to find someone who did, trading until you eventually got some meat.
Japan January core CPI flat, keeps policymakers under pressure (Business Insider)
Falling fuel costs kept Japan's core consumer prices unchanged in January from a year earlier, well below the central bank's 2 percent target, highlighting the daunting task policymakers face in attempting to lift Japan out of stagnation.
Dow futures flirt with 100-point jump, set to bump up weekly gain (Market Watch)
U.S. stock futures signaled a step up at the open Friday, putting the market on track to add to a sizable weekly gain, as bullish investors seized on stocks regaining a key chart level.
How the Fed's Cold War With Congress Could Harm the U.S. Economy (Bloomberg)
Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen’s relations with Congress look as strained as those of her predecessor, and that could undermine the central bank’s ability to confront the next crisis.
Oil prices dip on continued oversupply, despite news of meeting to freeze output (Business Insider)
Crude oil prices dipped in early trading on Friday as reports of a meeting by oil producers to freeze output failed to convince traders that enough effort was being made to rein in ballooning global oversupply.
French Fourth-Quarter Growth Revised Up on Investment Spending (Bloomberg)
The French economy grew faster in the fourth quarter than initially estimated as household spending recovered quickly after the Nov. 13 terrorist attacks.
Shanghai G20 talks to feature hunt for ways to calm markets, lift global growth (Business Insider)
The world's financial leaders will meet in Shanghai starting on Friday to discuss ways to calm global markets and spur economic growth, and are likely to declare their readiness to take action if conditions worsen.
Chinese policymakers sought on Thursday to reassure trading partners that they can manage their economy and financial markets smoothly while driving structural reforms, following recent concern voiced by foreign officials and economists about Beijing's recent record.
China Inc. Retreats From Dollar Bond Market With 50% Cost Saving (Bloomberg)
Chinese companies that rushed to the exit from the U.S. dollar bond market have few regrets. Theyve cut borrowing costs by about half while avoiding risks from a slumping yuan.
Gold's Largest Inflows Since June 2009 Unleash Bullish "Golden Cross" Pattern (Zero Hedge)
For the first time since Gold suffered a "death cross" in 2014, the largest 3-week inflows into gold funds since June 2009 have set up a so-called bullish "golden cross" pattern in the precious metal.
Politics
Who's Sweating Now? Not Marco Rubio (Bloomberg View)
For the first time in 10 Republican debates, Senator Marco Rubio owned the night.
With his back against the wall, yet to win a nominating contest, Rubio didn't prove he would be a better president, but by going toe-to-toe with Donald Trump showed he had improved as a debater. What a big mistake it was to lay off Trump for months, afraid of blow back. With nothing left to lose, Rubio stopped playing nice. It might be in time.
Clinton And Sanders Differ From Obama On One Issue Key To South Carolina (Think Progress)
On Saturday, voters in South Carolina will head to the polls for the Democratic primary in the state, but there is one divisive local issue they won’t be able to use for their decision.
That’s because as the election season progresses, more and more Democrats — including, now, both of the party’s presidential contenders — are distancing themselves from the Obama administration on the issue of offshore drilling in the Atlantic.
Goodbye Jeb Bush, Hello Donald Trump (The Atlantic)
Reaching a milestone in his campaign, Donald Trump scored his first Capitol Hill endorsements on Wednesday from Republican Representatives Chris Collins of New York and Duncan Hunter of California. “I think he will unite our party much quicker than most people think,” Collins said in an interview, predicting that Republicans will quickly coalesce behind Trump. What’s more, Collins added that plenty of members of Congress are already in Trump’s corner, even if they haven’t made their admiration public. “A number of members are supporting Trump but have different unique reasons why they’re not ready to step out and endorse him,” he said. That’s a stark contrast from the prevailing notion that the Republican establishment is anti-Trump.
Technology
Why it wouldn’t be so weird if Apple released a phone called the iPhone 5se (Quartz)
In a few weeks, Apple is going to release a new phone that won’t be on its number-and-S release cycle. If reports are to be believed, it’s going to unveil a new, cheaper, edition of its now two-year-old iPhone 5S phone, called the iPhone 5se. (The “se” apparently stands for “special edition.”)
Health and Life Sciences
Ask Well: Why Daily Weight Lifting Can Be Dangerous (NY Times)
I have always read that in weight training, one should rest a day between workouts targeting the same muscle groups. Is there proof that targeting them on consecutive days is harmful? What about people who have some heavy lifting in their day jobs?
Health Problems Can Plague Seniors After Cancer Surgery (Medicine Net Daily)
After cancer surgery, certain older patients face an increased risk for injuries and problems that can keep them in a hospital longer and slow their recovery, new research reveals.
The researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, reviewed data from more than 939,000 people, aged 55 or older. All had undergone major cancer surgery in the United States between 2009 and 2011.
Life on the Home Planet
Decline of Species That Pollinate Poses a Threat to Global Food Supply, Report Warns (NY Times)
The birds and the bees need help. Also, the butterflies, moths, wasps, beetles and bats. Without an international effort, a new report warns, increasing numbers of species that promote the growth of hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of food each year face extinction.
Ukraine’s Endless War, Endless Suffering (The Daily Beast)
It was wet and freezing cold inside: bare earth floor with a dozen mattresses scattered around it, unfinished tea in an aluminum mug, a few pieces of bread on a plate on top of a dark green wooden box with army ammunition; a bunch of muddy rubber boots by a pile of bags with sand, a soldier’s jacket drying on a nail in dim light. It could be a scene of the soldiers’ life in World War I, but it is modern times.
