Dr. Ed's Blog

January 31 (Friday)

Markets
Stocks End Day With Push to Gains W
Asia shares struggle to stabilize after punishing week R
The Inverting Yield Curve Is About More Than Recession This Time B
Commodities’ Drop Deepens on Fears Coronavirus Will Dent Chinese Demand W
Coronavirus Spurs Fresh Fears About Growth in Emerging Markets W

Central banks
The World Is the Dog, the Fed Is the Tail W

Virus
WHO declares China coronavirus that’s killed more than 200 a global health emergency C
Trump says coronavirus outbreak is ‘all under control’ and a ‘very small problem’ in US C
Coronavirus live updates: China says death toll hits 213, confirmed cases rise to 9,692 C
Passengers May Leave Italy Ship; Tests Show No Virus Danger  B

US
U.S. Economy Heads Into 2020 With Steady Growth W
U.S. economy misses Trump’s 3% growth target in 2019 R

US politics
Impeachment trial turns to whistleblower ahead of possible weekend finish R

Industries & companies
Airlines: Southwest Failed to Prioritize Safety, Government Says W
Consumer: Maker of Lipton Cools on Tea W
FAANGs: Amazon soars after huge earnings beat C
FAANGs: Amazon holiday sales jump as one-day shipping pays dividends, stock up 13% R
FAANGs: AWS generated revenue of $9.95 billion in Q4, up 34% from a year ago C
FAANGs: Jeff Bezos’ net worth jumps by over $12 billion after Amazon’s big quarter C
Financials: Deutsche Bank Posts Big Loss as Overhaul Bites W
Financials: Visa Posts Record Profit on Higher Spending W
Financials: U.S. banks could invest in venture capital funds again under ‘Volcker rewrite’ R
Media: Star Wars Game Helps Lift Sales, Profit at Electronic Arts W
Tech: IBM’s Ginni Rometty Steps Down as CEO W
Wireless: Verizon Adds Wireless Users, Takes Another Hit on Yahoo Unit W

Corporate finance
Reynolds Raises $1.2 Billion in Top IPO by Household Goods Maker B

YRI
Daily Markets Overview

January 30 (Thursday)

Markets
Stock Gains Slip Away in Final Hours W
Virus anxiety weighs on Asian stocks, boosts safe-haven bid R
Utilities Stocks Set for Biggest Monthly Gains Since 2016 W

Central banks
Fed holds rates steady, affirms commitment to higher inflation C
Fed keeps rates steady, to tailor Treasury bill purchases later this year R
Coronavirus outbreak poses risk to U.S. Fed’s economic outlook R

Virus
Coronavirus live updates: China says death toll rises to 170 as cases rise beyond 7,700 C
Amazon restricts employee travel to China ‘until further notice’ as coronavirus spreads C
More Japanese evacuated from China virus epicentre as death toll climbs R

US
U.S. fourth quarter goods trade deficit widens, prompting growth forecast cuts R

US politics
Trump impeachment trial: Senators seek answers on John Bolton, Ukraine aid timing and the president’s motives C

Geopolitics & trade
Trump signs USMCA, ‘ending the NAFTA nightmare’; key Democrats not invited R
Trump ally Steve Bannon is making a documentary ‘takedown’ of Chinese leader Xi as US seeks ‘phase two’ trade deal C

Industries & companies
Aerospace: Boeing Posts First Annual Loss Since 1997 as MAX Costs Surge W
Autos: Tesla spikes on earnings beat, says Model Y production underway C
FAANGs: Facebook Earnings Rise, but Expenses Eat Into Margins W
FAANGs: Facebook’s new metrics show it’s still a one-trick pony C
Tech: Microsoft stock rises on earnings beat and better-than-expected guidance C

Offbeat
No, Banks Don’t Hold the Key to Climate Change

YRI
Daily Markets Overview

January 29 (Wednesday)

Markets
U.S. Stocks Rise Amid Global Efforts to Contain Virus W
Dow rallies more than 180 points, rebounding from its worst day since October C
Outbreak Tests Faith in Global Economy W

Credit
Blink and you missed it: the U.S. yield curve inverted again R
Falling Yields Drive Bond Buyers to REIT Stocks W
Green-Bond Trading Is Going Electronic W

Central banks
Fed Faces Decisions on Its Balance Sheet W
In post-repo squeeze twist, Fed may nudge up interest paid to banks R
ECB’s Lagarde extends mandate of top Draghi aide R

US
U.S. business investment weak; consumer confidence at five-month high R
Durable-Goods Orders Rise, Masking Manufacturing Weakness W
U.S. economy on path to ‘solid’ 2020 growth; budget deficits to top $1 trillion R
U.S. National Debt Will Rise to 98% of GDP by 2030, CBO Projects W

Europe
Italy’s 2020 deficit target ‘very easily reachable’: Economy minister R

US politics
Trump impeachment defense wraps up after less than allotted 24 hours C
‘Time for this to end’: Trump team asks for acquittal at impeachment trial R
Trump Team Wraps Up Impeachment Defense With Bolton Testimony in Question B

Virus
China vows to beat ‘devil’ virus as countries rush to evacuate citizens R
Officials See Low Risk of Extensive U.S. Coronavirus Infections W
US health officials fast-track coronavirus vaccine, hope to start clinical trial in three months C

Geopolitics & trade
Trump’s Middle East peace plan calls for two states, with Palestinian capital in east Jerusalem C
U.K. Allows Huawei to Build Parts of 5G Network, Countering White House W

Industries & companies
FAANGs: Apple iPhone sales return to growth, pushing profits above expectations R
Industrials: 3M to Cut More Jobs Amid U.S. Manufacturing Slump W
Restaurants: Starbucks outpaces earnings estimates but warns coronavirus could hit fiscal 2020 C
Tech: Software Giant SAP Shows Signs That Revamp Is Bearing Fruit W

Offbeat
How to Misinform Yourself About the Coronavirus
iPod inventor, Thiel Capital among backers of battery company Advano in new funding C

YRI
Daily Markets Overview

January 28 (Tuesday)

Markets
Dow drops 400 points as coronavirus fears rise, travel stocks slide C
U.S. stock rally faces major test as China virus spreads R
These US stocks have the most exposure to China’s consumer market getting hit by coronavirus fears C
World’s Pile of Negative Debt Surges by the Most Since 2016 B

Central banks
Fed’s first hurdle in 2020: Dispensing with ‘QE Lite’ R
Fed Officials Weigh New Recession-Fighting Tool: Capping Treasury Yields W
The Fed Won’t Take Away Markets’ Punch Bowl W
ECB’s Mersch Warns Loose Policy Raises Risk of Market Drop B

Global
New Cloud Over Global Growth: Synchronized Housing Slowdown W

Virus
US companies suspend China operations, restrict travel as coronavirus outbreak spreads C
Honda Evacuates, Starbucks Stores Shut: Virus Impact on Business B
Confusion and lost time: how testing woes slowed China’s coronavirus response R
Wuhan Mayor Points to Beijing for Lack of Transparency Over Virus W
U.S. Advises Citizens to Reconsider China Travel Over Virus B
CDC is monitoring 110 possible coronavirus cases across 26 states in US C

Europe
EU tells UK it will ‘never, never, never’ compromise on single market R
Italy Establishment Has Upper Hand Again After Salvini Loss B

US politics
Trump’s Impeachment Defense Challenged to Address Bolton Revelations B
Legal Fight Over Bolton Testimony Would Enter Uncharted Territory W

Geopolitics & trade
U.S. Disputes Taliban Claim It Shot Down Plane Over Afghanistan B

Industries & companies
Aerospace: Boeing secures more than $12 billion in financing to help weather 737 Max crisis C
Autos: GM investing $3 billion to produce all-electric trucks, autonomous vehicles C
Pharma: J&J scientific officer ‘pretty confident’ they can create coronavirus vaccine as outbreak widens C
Pharma: ‘Pharma bro’ Martin Shkreli, company sued for ‘illegally monopolizing’ drug C
Retail: Bath & Body Works’ owner could see sales of hand sanitizer and soap rise as deadly coronavirus spreads C

Corporate finance
Regulators Probe Potential Dean Foods Merger W
Sprint Continues to Lose Customers as It Waits for T-Mobile Verdict W

Offbeat
Ultrafast Trading Costs Stock Investors Nearly $5 Billion a Year, Study Says W

YRI
Daily Markets Overview

January 27 (Monday)

Markets
Momentum Indicators Help Preserve Stock-Market Rally W
Boom in exchange traded funds continues with socially responsible investing and active management C
The Hidden Factor Making Junk Bonds Less Risky W

Virus
China Urges Calm Over Virus in ‘Critical Period’ W
How coronavirus is beginning to hit China’s economy C
Hong Kong bans entry of visitors from China virus province R
World Health Organization chief to meet Chinese officials in Beijing as coronavirus deaths rise C
Behind the Global Race to Contain China’s Killer Bug B
Three More Cases of Coronavirus Confirmed in U.S. W

Europe
After Brexit-settling election, UK firms see business bounce R

US politics
Trump’s Defense Says Democrats Have Failed to Make Impeachment Case W
Trump says lead impeachment Democrat Schiff has not paid ‘price, yet’ R
Warren Says She’s Ready to Fight After Des Moines Register Nod B

Geopolitics & trade
Trump increases tariffs on derivative steel, aluminum products from some countries R
In Bid for Trump Trade Deal, EU Turns to Shellfish from Soybeans B

Industries & companies
Aerospace: Boeing’s 777X, the world’s largest twin-engine jet, completes maiden flight C
FAANGs: Apple Was Headed for a Slump. Then It Had One of the Biggest Surges Ever. W
Retail: The Pharmacist Is Out: Supermarkets Close Pharmacy Counters W
Tech: Microsoft health’s Peter Lee says medical data needs to be opened up so patients can get better access C

Corporate finance
Europe’s Banking Regulator Paves the Way for Bank Mergers W

Offbeat
Ignore the Fake Climate Debate W
Louise Linton sides with Greta Thunberg after husband Steve Mnuchin takes jab at climate crisis activist NN
What’s Missing at Davos: True Communication BR
Sports Gambling Will Be a Huge Opportunity. Bet on These Stocks. BR
NBA superstar Kobe Bryant dies in helicopter crash at 41 C
At the Grammys, a New Guard in the Spotlight and a Nasty Fight Backstage W

YRI
Daily Markets Overview

January 25 (Saturday)

Markets
The S&P 500 has worst day since October as virus fears mount R
Dow drops 170 points to end the week as coronavirus fears grow C
After Months of Calm, Volatility Finally Resurfaces in Stocks B
Transport Stocks Are Still Flashing Warning Signals W

Credit & commodities
Bonds look like they are flashing a warning for global markets C
Yuan Falters as China Battles Wuhan Virus W

Central banks
After virus scare, markets look to Fed rate policy to keep stock rally going C
Climate Change—and Ideas for Tackling It—Dominated Davos W

US
U.S. Business Activity Increases in Early 2020 W
Refinancing Boom Fuels Mortgages to Postcrisis Record W

China & coronavirus
China heads into Lunar New Year on shutdown as virus spreads to Europe R
China’s Hubei province confirms 15 more deaths due to coronavirus C
CDC confirms second US case of coronavirus and is monitoring dozens of other potential cases C
Disneyland in Shanghai, McDonald’s in Wuhan to Shut Temporarily Amid Virus Outbreak W

US politics
Trump impeachment prosecutor, Adam Schiff, is becoming Exhibit A in president’s defense R
‘Take her out’ — Trump reportedly caught on tape ordering the removal of Ukraine ambassador C
Mike Pompeo cursed out NPR reporter for asking about removal of Ukraine ambassador, she says C
Democrats Argue That Trump Tried to Block Impeachment W

Geopolitics & trade
U.S. Treasury Secretary Mnuchin expects next China trade talks in ‘near future’ R
EU, China and 15 others agree temporary fix to WTO crisis R
Pentagon Blocks Clampdown on Huawei Sales W
U.S. says 34 troops diagnosed with traumatic brain injury after Iran strike R

Industries & companies
Aerospace: Boeing Mulls Another Cut to 787 Output in New Threat to Cash B
Pharma: Bayer’s Latest Roundup Trial Postponed Amid Settlement Talks W

Cybersecurity
Bezos Hack Report Puzzles Cyberexperts W

Offbeat
Have We Reached Peak Globalization? B
Why Invest? A 22-Year-Old’s Tough Questions About Capitalism W

YRI
Daily Markets Overview

January 24 (Friday)

Markets
S&P 500 ekes out gain, erases losses after WHO calms coronavirus fears C
Commodities Fall Alongside Global Stocks With Coronavirus Spreading W
Energy Companies Darken S&P 500 Profit Picture W

Central banks
Lagarde Sets ECB on Policy Autopilot While It Stops to Think B
ECB Indicates It Will Leave Negative Rates In Place for Some Time W
Central Banks Warm to Issuing Digital Currencies W

China
Wuhan Virus Could Hit China’s Economy Harder Than SARS W

US politics
Democrats use words of Trump allies against him R
House Democrats Say Trump’s Stonewalling Puts ‘Nixon to Shame’ B
Video: We watched 400+ minutes of the trial so you can watch 2 NN

Geopolitics & trade
Trump Invites Netanyahu, Gantz to White House to Discuss Peace Plan W
Facing Pushback From Allies, U.S. Set for Broader Huawei Effort W

Industries & companies
FAANGs: Amazon just opened its biggest office building — and it’s not in the United States NN
FAANGs: Amazon Prime Video Gives Amateur How-To’s, Conspiracy Theories a Stage W
FAANGs: Jobs, Cook, Ive—Blevins? The Rise of Apple’s Cost Cutter W
FAANGs: Why Apple killed the floppy disk and headphone jack before you were ready to give them up NN
Financials: Former Wells Fargo CEO John Stumpf barred from industry, to pay $17.5 million for sales scandal C
Pharma: Bayer Discusses Settling Roundup Claims for $10 Billion B
Tech: Intel’s stock jumps 7% on better-than-expected earnings and revenue C
Tech: Intel’s Bullish Sales Forecasts Powered by Data Center Revival B
Utilities: PG&E Makes Peace With Bondholders; Strife With Governor Continues W

Cybersecurity
FDA issues cybersecurity warning on GE medical equipment that monitors patients C
Tech Firms Volunteer to Beef Up Presidential Campaigns’ Cybersecurity W

Corporate finance
Xerox to Nominate 11 Candidates to Replace HP’s Board W

Offbeat
Coronavirus cases rise to more than 650 worldwide as infection spreads to new countriesC
WHO Says Coronavirus Remains Local Chinese Emergency for Now B
George Soros rips Trump and Xi, says the ‘fate of the world’ is at stake in 2020 C
George Soros warns Trump of potential economic doom before election C
Help! I’m Trapped Inside TikTok and I Can’t Get Out W

YRI
Daily Markets Overview

January 23 (Thursday)

Markets
Stocks close little changed, IBM leads tech shares higher C
Tech sector pushes the S&P 500 to slight gain R
Investors Rattled by Coronavirus Look to Past Epidemics W
European High-Yield Bond Rally May Be Over-Hyped W

US
U.S. home sales surge to near two-year high; supply at record low R
U.S. Existing-Home Sales Wrapped Up 2019 on Solid Note W

Europe
Italy’s 5 Star Leader Resigns as Support SinksW

China
China’s Wuhan shuts down transport as global alarm mounts over virus spread C
WHO postpones decision on declaring China coronavirus a global health emergency C
China’s Trying to Break Its Addiction to Corporate Bank Loans B

US politics
Democrats Make Case for Removing Trump From Office W
Schiff Draws Dark Portrait of Trump in Impeachment Trial Opening B

Geopolitics & trade
China’s Finance World Opens Up to Foreigners, Sort Of B
After China trade deal, Europe and U.K. next on Trump’s to-do list R
Europe Girds for Trade Battle W
Soleimani killing adds dangerous new dimension to Iraq unrest R

Industries & companies
Aerospace: Boeing wants to resume 737 Max production months before the planes return to service C
Autos: Tesla short sellers could help Elon Musk score a payday worth hundreds of millions C
Autos: Germany’s Luxury Car Makers Lose their Shine W
Financials: U.S. regulators closing in on additional ‘Volcker Rule’ easing R
Financials: Opinion: Big banks’ businesses are improving, putting their stocks in a sweet spotMW
Media: CBS Bets Big on ‘Star Trek: Picard’ to Boost Streaming W
Pharma: Johnson & Johnson’s Profit, Sales RiseW

Technology
IBM Earnings Hint at Signs of Turnaround W

Offbeat
Davos Has a Credibility Problem N
Two UN Sleuths Linked Saudi Crown Prince to Bezos Phone Hack B
Congress to Weigh Surveillance Laws in Wake of Watchdog Report on FBI W
ByteDance Is Seeking a New CEO for Its TikTok Business B

YRI
Daily Markets Overview

January 22 (Wednesday)

Markets
Stocks Fall on China Virus Fears W
Natural-Gas Prices Fall Below $2 W

US
Housing market falling short by nearly 4 million homes as demand grows C
President Trump Lauds U.S. Economy as He Opens World Economic Forum W

China
Fancy Meals and Loans for Friends: China’s Banks Face Costly Cleanup W

US politics
Trump impeachment trial: Here are the highlights from the first day of debate in the Senate C
As Trump Impeachment Trial Begins, McConnell Changes Some Rules W
Hillary Clinton: ‘Nobody Wants to Work With’ Bernie SandersW
Bernie Sanders Fans Slam Hillary Clinton After She Says ‘Nobody Likes Him’ B

Geopolitics & trade
Trump Doubles Down on Threats to Impose Tariffs on European Cars W
Trade Tensions With Europe Flare as Trump Flexes Economic Muscle W
Mnuchin Warns U.K., Italy Over Digital-Tax Plans W

Industries & companies
Aerospace: Boeing doesn’t expect regulators to sign off on 737 Max until mid-2020 C
Airlines: United Airlines profits surge nearly 40% on cheaper fuel and strong demand C
Autos: Tesla’s Post-China Challenge: Bats and Bombs in Germany W
FAANGs: Netflix paints a happy face on growing threat of U.S. competition C
FAANGs: New Low-Cost iPhone to Enter Mass Production in February B
Technology: IBM rises as much as 5% on strong earnings report C

Offbeat
CDC confirms first US case of coronavirus that has killed 6 in China C
Saudi Crown Prince Hacked Jeff Bezos’s Phone, Analysis Suggests B
When Social Media Is Too Much, Some Teens Tune Out W
Derek Jeter, Larry Walker elected to the 2020 Baseball Hall of Fame C

YRI
Daily Markets Overview

January 21 (Tuesday)

Markets
How the Dow Could Hit 30,000 Five Years Ahead of Schedule BR
Stocks appear detached from reality, rallying for two things that may not happen C
Wealthy investors see nothing that will stop this relentless bull market C
A theory on who’s doing all the buying that’s pushing stocks higher and higher C
‘Where do we put our money?’ is biggest issue for the Davos crowd, top fund manager says C
Europe’s Cheap Debt Draws Record Borrowing by U.S. Companies W

Global
IMF Predicts Global Economy Will Rebound in 2020 W

US
Home ownership is the West’s biggest economic-policy mistake E

US politics I
Trump urges Senate to reject impeachment as affront to US Constitution C
Trump’s China Deal Is His Hedge Against Impeachment Damage B
In impeachment document, Democrats say Trump endangers security, Trump denies R
Impeachment Vote Will Test Senate’s Most Endangered Democrat W
How Trump Has Kept Solid GOP Support Through Impeachment W

US politics II
The 2020 Democratic field is outraising Trump by a huge margin — that didn’t happen to Obama or Bush C
Dershowitz Says Voters Should Judge President Trump’s Conduct B
Biden Says Video Released by Sanders Campaign Is ‘a Lie’ B
Trump Administration to Soon Issue Guidance on Medicaid Block Grants W
Pharma and Biotech Aren’t Worried About Democratic Candidates’ Attacks Against Drugmakers BR

Geopolitics & trade
China Trade Deal Looks Like a ‘Modest Positive.’ But Large Uncertainties Remain. BR
The Great U.S.-China Tech Divide W
Hong Kong Leaders Rebuff Protest Demand as Violence Persists B
Iran aims to examine downed plane’s black boxes, no plan yet to send them abroad R

Industries & companies
Aerospace: Boeing is in talks to borrow $10 billion or more as 737 Max crisis wears on C
Autos: Tesla blasts customer complaints of sudden unintended acceleration as ‘completely false’ C
Autos: The Investor Clash Behind Tesla’s Surge Toward $100 Billion in Market Value W
FAANGs: Cash, Plastic or Hand? Amazon Envisions Paying With a Wave W
Media: Disney Stock Looks Attractive for the Next 10 Years, Bill Priest Says BR
Media: ‘Bad Boys For Life’ breaks January box office record, ‘Dolittle’ meets expectations C

Corporate finance
‘Blank-Check’ Companies Are Hot on Wall Street. Investors Can’t Ignore Them. BR

Offbeat
China confirms coronavirus can pass person-to-person; WHO calls emergency meeting C
China Unveils Plan to Reduce Single-Use Plastic by 2025 B
An intensifying climate crisis threatens more than half of the world’s GDP, research claims C
Some Strategists Say Get Ready for ‘Peak Decade’ B
SpaceX capsule splashes down off Florida after rocket failure test R

YRI
Daily Markets Overview