Democrats score first electoral wins in Trump era: Politico
Trump’s agenda for his two-day China visit: trade and N. Korea: AP
China’s trade surplus with US narrows in Oct: Reuters
N. Korea dismisses Trump’s diplomatic outreach: CNN
Job openings in US remain strong in Sep: CNBC
Consumer credit rises in Sep, touching 10-month high: ABA Banking Journal
US economic growth has defied forecasts by the left: RCP
Economic confidence in US remains positive in Oct: Gallup
In previous installments of replicating indexes I profiled the style-analysis methodology and presented an example using a hedge fund index. Now let’s turn to a strategy of replicating the S&P 500 Index with a handful of stocks that are considered socially responsible investments (SRI).
Continue reading
Trump in S. Korea talks of using military force if necessary: Reuters
Rising energy stocks help lift markets in Europe and Asia on Tuesday: WSJ
Is a war brewing between Saudi Arabia and Lebanon? Reuters
Global growth rate ticks up in October, according to survey data: IHS Markit
Eurozone growth is strong at start to Q4; job pace at decade high: IHS Markit
Hedge funds are a key force driving Bitcoin to a record $7400: NY Times
Crude oil rises to two-year high: Bloomberg
Broadly defined commodities posted the strongest gain for the major asset classes last week, based on a set of exchange-traded products. The advance marks the second time in as many weeks that commodities topped the performance list.
Continue reading
More than two dozen killed in church shooting in Texas: CNN
Saudi prince with hefty US investments is arrested: LA Times
Trump in Asia says Japan is “winning” with free trade: USA Today
US commerce secretary kept investments linked to Russia, Putin: NY Times
US job growth rebounds in Oct but wage growth slows: Reuters
ISM Non-Mfg Index edges up to 9-year high in Oct: CNBC
US Services PMI in Oct points to “strong” growth: IHS Markit
Factory orders in US rise 1.4% in Sep: ABC News
Sep US trade deficit widens; 2017 on track to exceed 2016: Politico
House tax bill expected to add $2 trillion-plus in US debt: CRFB
● 
By Cristobal Young
Summary via publisher (Stanford University Press)
In this age of globalization, many countries and U.S. states are worried about the tax flight of the rich. As income inequality grows and U.S. states consider raising taxes on their wealthiest residents, there is a palpable concern that these high rollers will board their private jets and fly away, taking their wealth with them. Many assume that the importance of location to a person’s success is at an all-time low. Cristobal Young, however, makes the surprising argument that location is very important to the world’s richest people. Frequently, he says, place has a great deal to do with how they make their millions.
Continue reading
Private payrolls in the US posted a solid gain last month, marking a dramatic improvement after September’s nearly flat increase. Companies added 252,000 workers in October, according to this morning’s release from the Labor Department – a robust revival vs. the trivial 15,000 rise in the previous month.
Continue reading
It’s no secret that global interest rates have been low in recent years, but a recent study by the Bank of England (BoE) finds that the decline exceeds records going back to the 13th century. Piecing together a new dataset, the research advises that the latest bond bull market that’s driven yields down is even more extraordinary than previously known.
Continue reading
Trump picks Jerome Powell to head Federal Reserve: NY Times
House Republicans roll out tax-cut plan: CBS News
Will the new tax plan boost economic growth? CSM
US jobless claims fell last week, close to a 44-1/2 year low: Reuters
Job cut announcements by US firms continue to trend down: Challenger Gray
Economists expect US Q4 GDP growth of 2.9%, down from Q3’s 3.0%: CNBC
US productivity beats expectations; rises 3.0% in Q3: RTT
Global Mfg PMI ticks up in Oct to 6-1/2 year high: IHS Markit
The Global Market Index (GMI) — an unmanaged, market-value weighted portfolio comprised of the major asset classes — is expected to earn an annualized 4.8% risk premium (return over the “risk-free” rate) in the long run, based on analysis of data through Oct. 2017.
Continue reading
