February, 2019

• 11 February

  Undoing the damage of Trump’s nuclear blunder

  The Trump administration’s decision to pull out of the 1987 treaty with Russia on intermediate-range nuclear forces is a mistake. For all its faults, the pact was one of the West’s great Cold War triumphs, and it continued to serve US interests. Fortunately, if the administration is willing to think again, there’s a way to correct the error. The White ...

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• 11 February

  US-China trade deal may be unpleasant for investors

  

  When data showed China’s industrial production and retail sales slowed significantly in the final months of 2018, US President Donald Trump took credit, telling Fox News that “China’s economy, if it’s in trouble, it’s only in trouble because of me.” The implication is that global trade is a zero-sum game, and losses in China resulting from US tariffs translate to ...

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• 11 February

  Walmart Plan B for UK isn’t about Brexit

  

  When J. Sainsbury Plc announced its 7.3 billion-pound ($9.5 billion) acquisition of rival Asda in April, it looked like the British grocer had beaten the mighty Walmart Inc. But if the takeover falls apart, it is the US retailer that will emerge from the wreckage the least damaged. The Competition and Markets Authority is expected to rule on the transaction ...

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• 11 February

  Apple matchmakers may finally be in business

  

  Even in the ever-changing technology industry, there are some constants. One of those is matchmakers suggesting Apple Inc. buy Netflix Inc. or (insert hot internet/media company of the moment). I have tended to dismiss these ideas, including the Netflix (and other) acquisition suggestions this week from a JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock analyst. Apple typically builds everything on its own, ...

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• 11 February

  Stocks advance as key week for trade kicks off

  

  Bloomberg US equity futures climbed with stocks in Europe at the start of a week that could be pivotal for the global trade outlook. The dollar strengthened for an eighth day. Contracts on the S&P 500 reversed earlier declines and the Stoxx Europe 600 Index gained as investors looked ahead to high-level trade talks this week between Chinese Vice Premier ...

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• 11 February

  China’s bullish start to year gains momentum as small caps increase

  

  Bloomberg The bullish mood building in China’s equity market is entering a new phase, with investors flocking to riskier stocks as trading reopened on Monday. The ChiNext Index closed 3.5 percent higher in Shenzhen for a second straight session, its best two-day performance since October. A gauge of Shanghai-traded large caps added 1.1 percent following the Lunar New Year break. ...

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• 11 February

  German minister backs ‘national champion’ bank

  

  Bloomberg German Finance Minister Olaf Scholz signalled support for a “national champion” in the banking industry, amid speculation that the government is seeking to drive forward a potential merger of Deutsche Bank AG and Commerzbank AG. While he stopped short of explicitly spelling out a plan for Germany’s biggest lenders, Scholz’s comments at a Bloomberg event in London are the ...

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• 11 February

  British, US banks at loggerheads over Brexit ties

  

  Bloomberg With weeks to go before Brexit, it’s not just UK politicians who are bitterly divided over the country’s withdrawal from the European Union — large banks are also at loggerheads. British lenders and their Wall Street rivals are pushing widely different views on Brexit, a clash that was highlighted at a meeting last week with UK government officials, people ...

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• 11 February

  SocGen eyes Saudi opportunities

  

  Bloomberg Societe Generale SA sees more opportunities in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom seeks to diversify its economy away from oil, the bank’s chief executive officer for the Middle East said. “One of the major things is the launch of the renewable energy program which is a big thing for all the countries in the region and we will definitely ...

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• 11 February

  EIB plans to double Kenya funding if red tape eases

  Bloomberg The European Investment Bank (EIB) plans to double its funding for infrastructure development in Kenya this year if government bureaucracy in approving projects eases. The Luxembourg-based lender targets to disburse 200 million euros ($227 million) of loans, half of which will be available for the Kenya Ports Authority to refurbish berths at East Africa’s busiest sea-port in Mombasa county, ...

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