Dr. Ed's Blog

May 21 (Friday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets
What Commodities Prices Are Saying About Inflation | W

Central banks
Fed to Publish Paper on Digital Currency This Summer | W

US I
U.S. proposes global minimum corporate tax rate of 15%, with an eye on something even higher | C
Biden orders climate change risk strategy to economy | C
Behind on your rent? There’s a $45 billion pot of money for that | C

US II
Who’s afraid of inflation? | Washington Examiner
Real-Estate Frenzy Overwhelms Small-Town America: ‘I Came Home Crying’ | W
As Amazon, McDonald’s Raise Wages, Small Businesses Struggle to Keep Up | W
The Pandemic Created a Child-Care Crisis. Mothers Bore the Burden. | N

China
Divorces fall 70% in China after government orders couples to cool off | NN

Geopolitics & trade
Israel and Hamas agree to cease-fire over Gaza conflict | C

Industries & companies
Energy: The U.S. Is Not Ready For An All-Electric Future | OilPrice.com
Industrials: Deere investments look ‘transformational,’ investor says ahead of earnings | C

Corporate finance
Kansas City Southern Expected to Terminate Canadian Pacific Deal | W

Cryptocurrency
U.S. regulators signal stronger risk, tax oversight for cryptocurrencies | R
Bitcoin Price Bounces After Cryptocurrency Crash Shocks Market | W

Virus
CDC mask guidelines could increase risk of spreading Covid at work and in public, scientists say | C
Iowa Bans Face-Mask Mandates in Schools, Joining Texas | W
 
Offbeat
Drones Flying Near Airports, Infrastructure Prompt U.S. Action | W

May 20 (Thursday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets
Markets Decline Globally, and Fed Hints at a Policy Review | W

Central banks
The Fed hinted it could reconsider easy policies if economy continues rapid improvement | C
Fed Officials Signal Open to Taper Talk at ‘Upcoming Meetings’ | B
Fed Signals Eventual Shift From Easy-Money Pandemic Policies | W
Fed Officials Voice Support for New Tool to Smooth Market Stress, Minutes Show | W

US
America Is on a Road to a Better Economy. But Better for Whom? | N
The U.S. Travel Surge Isn’t Coming—It’s Here | W
House Republicans introduce $400 billion transportation bill | C
Taxes will likely rise for wealthy regardless of President Biden’s plans | C

Japan
For some of Japan’s lonely workers, COVID-19 brings a homecoming | R

Geopolitics & trade
Asia Covid surges could hit supply chains, raise U.S. inflation: Expert | C
Israel Pressured by Biden, Mideast Allies to End Fighting | W
 
Industries & companies
Autos: Ford to halt production of F-150, Bronco Sport due to chip shortage | C
Fitness: Equinox says CDC’s new mask guidance sparked surge in member sign-ups | C
Retail: Target, TJX Sales Surge as Shoppers Return | W
Tech: Apple’s head of software says current level of Mac malware is not acceptable | C
Tech: Cisco (CSCO) earnings Q3 2021 | C
 
Corporate finance
Embattled Chinese Property Tycoon Turns to Electric Cars. Cue $87 Billion Valuation. | W
Oatly $1.4 billion IPO priced 84.4 million shares at $17 each | C

Cybersecurity, cryptocurrency, & climate
Colonial Pipeline CEO Tells Why He Paid Hackers a $4.4 Million Ransom | W
The crypto collapse: Here’s what’s behind bitcoin’s sudden drop | C
How Green Is Wall Street? Ranking Banks by Funding Oil, Coal, Renewables | B

Virus
India’s Covid-19 Daily Death Toll Hits World’s High | W
Covid-19 Shots for Teens Can Hit Legal Snags and Parental Pushback | W

May 19 (Wednesday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets
Stocks Fall as Shares Tied to Economy Retreat | W

US
Home construction sees biggest drop since pandemic hit. Here’s why | C
Surging lumber prices weigh on U.S. homebuilding | R
Early loss of extra unemployment benefits leaves many families in a panic | C
Inflation’s Magic Number Is Four | W
Biden, Yellen Seek Backing for $2.3 Trillion Infrastructure Package | W
Senate Republicans do not offer Biden officials new infrastructure plan | R

China
China’s Biggest ‘Bad Bank’ Tests Beijing’s Resolve on Financial Reform | N
 
Japan
Japan’s Recovery From Pandemic Slows | W

Geopolitics & trade
Gaza Deaths Mount as Israel Says Hamas Leaders Are Its Target | W

Industries & companies
Autos: Ford reveals new electric F-150 Lightning pickup during Biden’s visit to Michigan plant | C
Energy: Colonial Pipeline Hack Shows Risk to US Energy Independence | N
Financials: U.S. Bank Stocks Shine as Investors Bet on an Economic Recovery | W
Financials: Bank of America to Raise U.S. Minimum Hourly Wage to $25 by 2025 | W
Financials: JPMorgan Chase Puts CEO Contenders in Charge of Consumer Operation | W
Retail: Walmart Sales Growth Helped by Stimulus | W
Retail: Walmart is doubling down on ‘rollbacks’ as inflation pushes prices higher | C
Retail: Home Depot Sales Surge, Extending Growth During Covid-19 Pandemic | W

Virus
Covid’s Next Challenge: The Growing Divide Between Rich and Poor Economies | W
Why Covid-19 Vaccines Are Showing Up in Unusual Places | W
Top FDA official says fully vaccinated people could need Covid booster shots within a year | C
Texas Gov. Abbott threatens to fine cities and local officials if they impose mask mandates | C

Corporate finance
The WarnerMedia-Discovery deal was structured to make a future sale easier | C
Oatly, a Maker of Oat Milk, Is About to Have Its IPO | N

Cryptocurrency
Cryptocurrencies are close to reaching a big milestone versus gold by one Wall Street firm’s count | C

May 18 (Tuesday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets
Wall St weighed down by inflation jitters | R
Dow dips 50 points to start the week as tech weakness continues | C
U.S. Stocks Finish Lower to Start the Week | W
Despite Lumber Boom, Few New Sawmills Coming | W

Central banks
Fed’s Kaplan says inflation readings could remain elevated at year end | R

US I
Pandemic Hit Less-Educated Workers Hardest, Fed Survey Shows | W
U.S. Senate Republicans readying new infrastructure proposal | R
Child Tax Credit Expansion Kicks In July 15 With Monthly Payments to Families | W

US II
How to Navigate a Hot Housing Market | N
Renting vs. Buying a Home: Which Is Smarter? | US News
White House releases the Bidens’ tax return, showing their income dropped | C
Pro-tax millionaires launching protests in front of Jeff Bezos’ home | C

Europe
EU eyes another go at more unified European business taxation | R

China
China’s Economic Recovery Slowed in April | W

Geopolitics & trade
After Gaza’s Deadliest Day, Israel Says It Is Targeting Hamas Tunnels | W
Biden tells Netanyahu U.S. supports ceasefire as Israel, Hamas conflict escalates | C

Industries & companies
Financials: Credit Suisse Faces Banker Talent Drain After $5.5 Billion Archegos Hit | W
Media: WarnerMedia-Discovery deal pressures ViacomCBS and NBCUniversal | C

Virus I
WHO: Pandemic far from over despite vaccinations | C
Covid-19 Hospital Patients Tend to Be Younger Now | W
A New Covid-19 Vaccine Challenge: Persuading Hesitant Parents to Get Their Kids the Shots | W
U.S. Commits to Exporting More Covid-19 Vaccines by End of June | W

Virus II
Do Vaccinated People Have to Wear Masks in NY? No, Starting Wednesday, May 19 | B
Do You Still Have to Wear a Mask in California? Mandate to Remain Until June 15 | B
Target, CVS and Starbucks update mask policy for vaccinated customers | C

Corporate finance
AT&T Agrees to Merge Its WarnerMedia Assets With Discovery | W
Elliott Urges Duke Energy to Consider Separation Into Three Companies | W
 
Cryptocurrency
From Bitcoin to Dogecoin: What’s Driving Cryptocurrencies’ Rise and the Challenges Ahead | W
Elon Musk impersonators stole more than $2 million in crypto scams | C

May 17 (Monday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets I
Stocks Rise to End Turbulent Week of Trading | W
Stay-at-Home Stocks Have Been Crushed. Here Are Ones That Could Still Win Long Term. | BR
 
Markets II
Income Investors, Meet GARY: It Brings Growth and Reasonable Yield | BR
Why Rising Inflation Will Continue to Boost Lumber, Copper, and Steel | BR
Investments to Buy as Inflation Rises: Oil Stocks, Baseball Cards, Luxury Watches and Other Hedges | BR

Central banks
Central Banks Jump Into Climate-Change Policy Fray | W

US I
Consumer-price inflation in America jumps up to 4.2% | E
Inflation Is Here and Hotter Than It Looks. What It Means For You. | BR
Inequality Would Widen if U.S. Policies Spur Sustained Inflation | W
Here’s What Could Stop Inflation in Its Tracks | BR

US II
The coming global economic boom could have a sting in the tail | E
Companies Are Flush With Cash—and Ready to Pad Shareholder Pockets | W
States are ending federal unemployment benefits early. Here’s what to know and what’s at stake | C
In America, a million evictions take place in a normal year | E
Afternoons Are the New Rush Hour in the Suburbs | W

China
China’s census shows its population is nearing its peak | E
 
Geopolitics & trade
Israel air strikes kill 42 Palestinians, rockets fired from Gaza | R
U.S. trade chief pressured to lift duties on Canadian lumber | R

Industries & companies
Energy: Colonial Pipeline resumes normal operations after hack, but many gas stations still face shortages | C
Media: AT&T in Talks to Combine Media Assets, Including CNN, With Discovery | W
Pharma: Are drug patents worth it? | E
REITs: KKR and Blackstone REITs Will Benefit From the Reopening | BR
Retail: Retailers Try to Solve Labor Imbalances by Retraining Staff | W
Tech: Behind the Epic-Apple Trial Is a Booming App Market Worth Fighting Over | W

Virus
There have been 7m-13m excess deaths worldwide during the pandemic | E
Ten million reasons to vaccinate the world | E
How can more covid-19 vaccines be made available? | E
A worrying new wave of covid-19 is hitting South-East Asia | E
CDC director defends telling fully vaccinated they can go without masks amid confusion in states, cities | C

Offbeat
Park visits predict changes in birth rates during the pandemic | E

May 15 (Saturday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets
Stocks Rise to End Turbulent Week of Trading | W
Commodities Boost Economic Recoveries, Mirroring Aftermath of Financial Crisis | W

US
U.S. retail sales pause, record savings seen supporting spending | R
U.S. Shoppers Continued Stimulus-Fueled Spending in April | W
U.S. import prices increase solidly in April | R
The U.S. Economy Is Back. Businesses Aren’t Ready. | W
Less than 3% of U.S. small businesses could face tax hikes under Biden plan -White House | R
San Francisco tech companies are sitting on record amounts of empty office space and offering perks to lure tenants | C

Geopolitics & trade
Israeli-Palestinian Strife Widens as Frantic Calls for Calm Go Unheeded | N
Israel’s New Challenge: Violence Among Its Own Citizens | W
U.S. tariff review considers commodity shortages, inflation -official | R

Corporate finance
IPO Market Faces a Critical Juncture | W
Payment tech company Marqeta files for IPO as value tops $16 billion on private markets | C

Virus I
CDC cheered and criticized for new mask guidance; retail workers don’t want to be vaccine ‘police’ | C
New Jersey will still require masks indoors despite new CDC guidelines | C
Walmart drops store mask requirement for customers, employees who are fully vaccinated | C
Shoppers and diners, here’s why you shouldn’t expect masking rules to change overnight | C

Virus II
Parents Rush to Get Covid-19 Vaccines for Their Children | W
Covid variant from India more transmissible and threatens England lockdown easing, Boris Johnson says | C

Cryptocurrency
The IRS Is Coming for Crypto Investors Who Haven’t Paid Their Taxes | W

Offbeat
BlackRock Plans Staff Return in September, With Some Remote Work | B

May 14 (Friday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets
Stocks Rise, Snapping Three-Day Losing Streak | W
Cramer: New mask rules mean drop lockdown stocks for reopening plays | C

Central banks
Fed’s Waller Says Inflation Jump Likely Temporary, Urges Patience | W

US I
U.S. Jobless Claims Fall to Another Pandemic Low | W
Amazon, McDonald’s, Others Woo Scarce Hourly Workers With Higher Pay | W
Inflation Is Here. What Now? | N
Home prices are skyrocketing around the world | NN

US II
Biden Asks Republican Senators to Bring Him Reworked Infrastructure Proposal | W
As Trillions Flow Out the Door, Stimulus Oversight Faces Challenges | N

Geopolitics & trade
Israel Begins Ground Operations Against Hamas in Gaza | W

Industries & companies
Autos: GM to begin production of new driverless Cruise vehicle in early 2023 | C
Autos: Tesla’s Musk Renews Critique of Bitcoin, Talks Up Dogecoin | B
Financials: JPMorgan, Others Plan to Issue Credit Cards to People With No Credit Scores | W
Media: Disney+ subscriber growth slowing like Netflix, with much lower ARPU | C

Virus
Doctor says new CDC mask rules allow ‘vaccinated people can go back to normal’ | C
CDC says fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear face masks indoors or outdoors in most settings | C
CDC still requires masks for air, train and bus travel, despite new guidance | C
Vaccine Patent Waivers Deserve a Warning Label | W

Cybersecurity
Colonial Pipeline paid $5 million ransom to hackers | C
Colonial Pipeline Begins Restart: Latest News on the Shutdown | N

Cryptocurrency
Elon Musk Has Lost $20 Billion Since Hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’ | yahoo.com
Ethereum Luminary Makes $1 Billion Covid-19 Gift—in Shiba Inu Coin | W
Coinbase CFO on crypto investors, dogecoin and growing competition | C

May 13 (Thursday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets
Stocks Extend Slide on Inflation Data | W
Inflation spooks stocks and raises fear the Fed is wrong on price hike | C
Treasury Yields Climb Following Consumer-Price Data | W

Central banks
Fed’s Clarida ‘Surprised’ by Inflation Report, But Stresses Need to See More Data | W
Analysis: What U.S. inflation signs would cause Fed to change course? | R

US I
April’s inflation surge wasn’t as drastic as it looked, but the real test is still ahead | C
Consumer Prices Jumped as Economic Recovery Picked Up | W
Meet The Inflation Profiteers | Forbes.com
Housing-Market Surge Is Making the Cheapest Homes the Hottest | W

US II
U.S. Ran Record $1.9 Trillion Budget Deficit in First Seven Months of Fiscal Year | W
Republicans Reject Tax Increases After Biden Infrastructure Talks | W
Biden sees infrastructure compromise, despite Republican ‘red line’ on taxes | R
Secret Service seizes $2 billion in fraudulent Covid unemployment payments, returns funds to states | C

Geopolitics & trade
Hamas hits deep in Israel, which vows to keep pummelling Gaza | R
China Weighs New Economic Envoy to U.S. | W

Industries & companies
Financials: European banks: Q1 full house is no winning hand just yet | R
 
Corporate finance
Hertz shares surge by more than 50% after selecting $6 billion turnaround bid | C

Cybersecurity
Colonial Pipeline restarts after hack, but supply chain won’t return to normal for a few days | C
Biden signs executive order to strengthen cybersecurity after Colonial Pipeline hack | C
DarkSide, hacker group behind pipeline attack, claims three new victims | C

Virus
Covid in India: Variant and Deaths Spur New Lockdowns as Crisis Grows | B
CDC Recommends Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine for 12- to 15-Year-Olds | W
CDC says 28 blood clot cases, 3 deaths may be linked to J&J Covid vaccine | C
Mixing Astra and Pfizer Shots Triggers More Fatigue, Headaches | B
Ohio ending Covid mask mandate June 2, sets up vaccine incentives | C

Offbeat
Elon Musk says Tesla will stop accepting bitcoin for car purchases | C
Janus Global Bonds Head Nick Maroutsos Succeeded Bill Gross, Leaving for Family | B
Cheating at School Is Easier Than Ever—and It’s Rampant | W

May 12 (Wednesday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets
Stocks Fall as Dow Posts Worst Day Since February | W
Stock futures are flat after Dow’s worst day since February | C
Asia shares wallow near one-month lows on inflation anxiety | R

Central banks
Fed’s Bullard says ‘it’s too early to talk taper’ while the pandemic continues | C
Fed’s Brainard and Other Central Bankers Affirm Steady Monetary Policy Stance | W
Fed officials sift through tea leaves of weak U.S. jobs report | R

US I
Inflation: April’s CPI data could show a massive year-over-year gain | C
Inflation watch: Credit Suisse’s Golub on latest data and market moves | C
Bridgewater Founder Ray Dalio Raises Inflation Concerns Over Federal Spending | W

US II
U.S. Job Openings Reach Record as Hiring Slows | W
Missouri, Tennessee join U.S. states cutting pandemic payments | R
Unemployed Americans worry about getting cut off from benefits early | C
As the U.S. economy restarts from the pandemic, parts of it are severely broken | C
Americans Up and Moved During the Pandemic. Here’s Where They Went. | W

China
China’s Census Highlights Its Looming Population Problem | W

Geopolitics & trade
Israel, Hamas Prepare for Wider Conflict as Fighting Intensifies | W
Businesses beware: The ghost of Hong Kong should be a warning | TheHill

Industries & companies
Financials: Credit-Card Debt Keeps Falling. Banks Are On Edge. | W

Cybersecurity
Colonial: Spot gas shortages may worsen if pipeline doesn’t reopen soon | C
Pipeline Shutdown Has East Coast Drivers Making a Run on Gas | W
Beyond Colonial Pipeline, Ransomware Cyberattacks Are a Growing Threat | W

Technology
Google Plans to Double AI Ethics Research Staff | W

Virus
Covid-19 Vaccine Data on Children Under 12 Expected by Late Fall, Officials Say | W
Abbott CEO says it has a team of ‘virus hunters’ on new Covid variants | C
‘CDC’s credibility is eroding’ amid conflicting mask guidance, ex-Obama official says | C

May 11 (Tuesday)

YRI
Dr. Ed’s latest video podcast
Daily Markets Overview
Today’s Morning Briefing

Markets
Nasdaq futures slip after Big Tech selling pushes stocks off records | C
China Is Hot Again as Foreign Bond Buyers Yearn for Yield | B
Corn Is the Latest Commodity to Soar | W

Cybersecurity
How the Colonial Pipeline Became a Vital Artery for Fuel | N
Hacking group DarkSide responsible for Colonial Pipeline shutdown | C
Biden prepared to take additional steps after Colonial Pipeline ransomware attack | C

US
Biden Disputes Argument That Enhanced Unemployment Benefits Are Hampering Economy | W
Joe Biden addresses unemployment insurance after April jobs report | C
Biden Administration to Start Doling Out $350 Billion in Aid to State, Local Governments | W
Yellen’s goof hands GOP a potent campaign issue | TheHill
Policymakers Used to Ignore Child Care. Then Came the Pandemic. | N

China
When Covid Hit, China Was Ready to Tell Its Version of the Story | N

Japan
Japan March household spending posts biggest monthly rise in 18 months | R
Japan Urged to Push Pension Funds to Adopt ESG Principles | B

Geopolitics & trade
U.S. Ship Fires Warning Shots at Iranian Boats in Hormuz Straits | W

Industries & companies
Autos: Looking to Buy a Used Car? Expect High Prices, Few Options | W
Biotech: BioNTech’s Covid-19 Vaccine Success Sparks Investments in German Biotech | W
Hotels: Marriott Points to Rising Demand Amid Covid-19 Vaccine Rollout | W
Restaurants: Restaurants are ‘sucking wind’ but battling back amid worker shortage | C
Retail: Mall owner Simon’s CEO sees shopper ‘euphoria’ as people return to stores| C

Virus
Pfizer Covid vaccine: FDA clears use in kids ages 12 to 15 | C
WHO classifies triple-mutant Covid variant from India as global health risk | C
Seychelles, the World’s Most Vaccinated Nation, Sees Renewed Covid-19 Surge | W