January, 2020

• 19 January

  Capital controls become disturbingly popular

  

  In the late 20th century, economists generally accepted the notion that financial capital should be allowed to flow freely between countries. But economists are beginning to question this consensus. That could lead to less open financial and currency policies around the world, or herald the coming of a new global monetary order. There are a number of reasons that free ...

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• 19 January

  ‘Valuation cases’ wanted for a red-hot rally in equities

  

  Bloomberg Stack up US equities next to almost anything that is used to measure value right now, and the picture can elicit anxiety. Up 13 of the past 15 weeks, the S&P 500 is trading at historically high levels versus earnings, expected profits and sales. Does that mean there’s no way to justify putting more money into a market where ...

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• 19 January

  Currency volatility dips to its lowest level ever

  

  Bloomberg Stocks may be grabbing most of the headlines, but equities aren’t the only asset class in uncharted territory. Global currency volatility has dropped to the lowest level ever recorded. After the US and China put pen to paper on a trade deal that reaffirmed an agreement not to devalue their currencies, the JPMorgan Global FX Volatility Index is trading ...

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• 19 January

  Hedge-fund demand is booming, says Grayscale

  Bloomberg Traditional hedge funds, pensions and endowments are boosting cryptocurrency holdings, according to the biggest Bitcoin trust provider. Grayscale Investments, which lets accredited investors own Bitcoin and other coins via its funds, said it took in $608 million last year, surpassing the total amount raised the previous six years. The majority of the inflows — about 71% — came from ...

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• 19 January

  Boeing lags behind Airbus in race for China’s next big order

  

  Bloomberg The long-awaited trade agreement between the US and China may pave the way for Boeing Co to resume sales to the world’s second-largest aviation market, but the American giant has much catching up to do against European archrival Airbus SA. China Aviation Supplies Holding Co, which buys planes on behalf of the nation’s airlines, has been in talks with ...

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• 19 January

  Flybe rescue may include subsidies for some UK routes

  

  Bloomberg The UK government is considering subsidising some routes operated by regional airline Flybe as part of the rescue deal struck with the owners of the country’s biggest domestic carrier, according to a person with knowledge of the matter. Any decision to grant Flybe routes so-called public service obligation status would come on top of a deferral of air passenger ...

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• 19 January

  Ethiopia aims to build Africa’s largest airport

  

  Bloomberg Ethiopia plans to start building Africa’s largest airport at $5 billion within six months and continue the ascendancy of its national carrier, the most profitable on the continent. The new airport, 70 kilometres from the existing Bole International Airport in the capital Addis Ababa, will be able to handle as many as 100 million passengers yearly, Ethiopian Airlines Chief ...

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• 19 January

  Air India targets first class, business fliers

  

  Bloomberg Air India Ltd is trying to make itself more attractive to potential bidders by deploying a greater number of high-end seats for the lucrative London market and adding new flights by repairing grounded aircraft. The carrier started using Boeing Co 777 jets for flights to London from New Delhi, replacing the smaller 787 Dreamliner that now flies three times ...

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• 19 January

  Gap backs away from plan to spin off Old Navy brand

  

  Bloomberg Gap Inc, the apparel retailer that’s searching for a new chief executive officer, said it will no longer seek to establish Old Navy as a standalone company. The plan, announced under previous CEO Art Peck, was to spin off Old Navy on the premise that its fast growth wasn’t being reflected in Gap’s stock price. However, Old Navy’s performance ...

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• 19 January

  Amazon wants shoppers to pay with a wave of hand

  Bloomberg Amazon.com Inc is planning to create terminals which would allow customers to make payments in-store with a wave of the hand, Dow Jones reports citing people familiar with the matter. The company plans to pitch the terminals to coffee shops, fast-food restaurants and other merchants and has recently began working with Visa Inc, according to the report. Amazon is ...

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