Weekend Reading: 1-2 February 2020

Global Macro / Markets / Investing:

• Facebook plunges, wiping out more than $50 billion in market value – CNBC
• The Global System Nearing Financial and Climate Collapse – Global Research
• Mortgage rates plunge to second lowest level in three years amid coronavirus concerns – MarketWatch
• Power to the People: Winning Public Control of Electric Utilities – Next System
• Amazon soars after huge earnings beat – CNBC
• Asia shares struggle to stabilise after punishing week – Edge Markets
• Coronavirus declared global health emergency by WHO – BBC

Americas:

• The US economy is expected to achieve moderate growth in Q4 2019 – Economo
• U.S. GDP Growth Masks Biggest Decline in Imports Since 2009 – Bloomberg
• U.S. Growth at Slowest Since 2016, Complicating Trump’s Pitch – NY Times
• Capitalism in America: the Coming Crisis – CounterPunch
• Powell: Phase 1 China deal potentially positive for USA economy – Igorb News
• 50% of undergraduate students aren’t earning a bachelor’s degree—here’s what they’re studying instead – CNBC

Europe:

• Norway’s ‘northernmost Chinatown’ eyes Beijing’s Arctic investments – Euractiv
• Germany posted weakest economic growth in 6 years – Igorb News
• Swedish media calls for action against attacks from Chinese officials – The Guardian
• Scottish independence: Yes leads as Remainers increasingly back splitting with UK – YouGov.UK
• France passes landmark law to stop unsold goods being thrown away – The Guardian
• Europe wants single data market to break U.S. tech giants’ dominance – Reuters

Asia:

• Bursa Malaysia monitoring coronavirus impact, says CEO – Malay Mail
• Coronavirus: closure of Russia-China border sparks trade fears – FT
• No China Tariff Rollback Even If Global Economy Feels Coronavirus Pain, Says US Trade Adviser – Ib Times
• China’s Health Commissioner in Hubei Says Coronavirus Deaths Have Risen to 162 in Province – Japan Times
• China unleashes forced confessions to control Coronavirus rumours – SafeGuard Defenders
• Forced Organ Harvesting: “One of the worst mass atrocities of this century” – Health Europa

Trans-Tasman:

• Drought funding overseen by Bridget McKenzie went to ineligible councils – The Land
• Quid pro coal: Morrison support for NSW renewables contingent on fossil fuel expansion – Renew Economy
• We have the vaccine for climate disinformation – let’s use it – The Conversation
• Regenerative agriculture a contentious trend still stirring emotions in Australia’s farming industry – ABC
• Immigration boosts house prices by $6500 a year – Domain
• Regenerative agriculture a contentious trend still stirring emotions in Australia’s farming industry – ABC
• Scott Morrison strikes $2bn deal with NSW to boost gas supply – The Guardian
• This proposed lawsuit could test whether a judge can be sued for sending someone to jail – ABC
• Why Australia’s severe bushfires may be bad news for tree regeneration – University of Melbourne
• Scott Morrison’s sports rorts defence leaves his credibility in tatters – New Daily
• China to Australia flights: Coronavirus fears spark calls for flight ban – News.com.au
• Canberrans can now grow and smoke cannabis, though some questions remain unanswered – ABC
• Australia is facing further economic uncertainty – Igorb News
• Sharp rise in real estate commissions at the end of last year – Interest.co.nz
• Big decline in residential property sales to overseas buyers – Interest.co.nz

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Leith van Onselen

Leith van Onselen is Chief Economist at the MB Fund and MB Super. Leith has previously worked at the Australian Treasury, Victorian Treasury and Goldman Sachs.

Latest posts by Leith van Onselen (see all)

• Aussie property values rise another 0.9% in January - February 1, 2020
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