Financial Markets and Economy
Euro-Area Economic Confidence Surges to Highest in a Decade (Bloomberg)
Euro-area economic confidence jumped to the highest in almost a decade this month, a testament to a continued improvement that may soon prompt a policy shift at the European Central Bank.
European Bank Bulls Seek ECB Tapering Hints as France Risk Fades (Bloomberg)
Investors are waiting to see whether Mario Draghi joins in the optimism that has engulfed the region’s stock market since the French vote. If he does, one clear winner will be banks.
The Pound Is ‘Very Cheap’ for This Currency Strategist (Bloomberg)
The pound rose to its highest level since October versus the dollar, which faltered after investors cited a lack of clarity in tax plans unveiled by President Donald Trump’s administration.
Riksbank Is Split Over Unexpected Move to Step Up Stimulus (Bloomberg)
Sweden’s central bank in a split decision unexpectedly extended its bond buying program into the second half of the year and delayed any potential tightening as policy makers take no chances on inflation backsliding.
European stocks are giving a collective thumbs down to Trump's tax plan (Business Insider)
European stocks are lower on Thursday as investors take their lead from a negative session in the USA on Wednesday following President Trump's long-awaited tax plan announcement.
Economy is starting slow under Trump, but still in good shape (CNN)
President Trump's economy isn't bursting out of the gates.
All signs are that it is starting 2017 with more of the same sluggish growth the U.S. experienced during President Obama's term.
Trump targets NAFTA; Tech earnings; U.S. tax plan (CNN)
Trump railed against the trade deal as a candidate and as recently as last week declared it harmful to U.S. workers.
Here comes the ECB … (Business Insider)
The governing council of the European Central Bank (ECB) holds its April meeting on Thursday, and while fireworks are unlikely, the bank's rate decision and the monthly press conference will be keenly watched given recent improvements in the single currency area.
BOJ Cuts Inflation Forecast While Keeping Stimulus Unchanged (Bloomberg)
The Bank of Japan kept its stimulus policies unchanged while lowering its inflation forecast, underscoring that any exit from its unprecedented monetary easing remains far away.
Australia Debt Revamp Opens Door to More Infrastructure Spending (Bloomberg)
Australia’s government is signaling it wants more leeway in next month’s budget to borrow for large infrastructure projects, taking up proposals from both the central bank and IMF.
The Bank of Japan cuts its inflation forecast (Business Insider Australia)
The BOJ, which has an inflation target of 2%, cut its inflation projection for fiscal 2017 to 1.4% from 1.5%. However, it maintained it aims to achieve its price target by next year. It nudged up up its growth expectations for the year and said it will continue to use its two policy rates and asset purchases to spur price growth.
Dip Buyers Rescue China Stocks as Leverage Crackdown Intensifies (Bloomberg)
Chinese shares steadied as investors assessed the government’s intensifying focus on tackling risks in the financial system.
Why Trump should have ditched the mortgage-interest deduction (Market Watch)
President Trump’s tax plan is the mortgage-interest deduction’s saving grace. But Americans might be better off if it was jettisoned in the name of tax reform.
U.S. stocks set to tip higher with earnings deluge in focus (Market Watch)
Wall Street stocks were set to edge higher at the open Thursday, as investors digested a wave of mostly upbeat corporate results, following the revelation of the broad strokes of President Donald Trump’s eagerly awaited tax plan.
Mexican peso, Canadian loonie gain after Trump administration backs down on Nafta (Market Watch)
The Mexican peso and Canadian dollar advanced against the U.S. dollar on Thursday, after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration backed away from threats to abandon the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Crude oil slides to 4-week low as fears grow over rising U.S. output (Market Watch)
Crude oil futures dropped to a four-week low on Thursday as growing concerns over rising U.S. production gripped the market.
The killjoy factors that could stop stocks from cresting to highs (Market Watch)
A two-day rally for stocks came to a halt after the White House’s one-page tax-plan outline left many in the markets unimpressed, and with doubts about how it will all get paid for.
Companies
Cisco: Two Disturbing Revelations (The Structure Of Price, Seeking Alpha)
Cisco Systems Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO), as the leader in the cyber security space, has suffered two disturbing revelations regarding security flaws in their switching gear and firewalls in recent weeks which are damaging to their reputation.
HSBC Bolsters Its Saudi Presence With RBS Bank Merger (Bloomberg)
HSBC Holdings Plc is set to strengthen its position in Saudi Arabia with the potential merger of its local venture with Royal Bank of Scotland Group Plc’s.
United to Pay Oversold Fliers Up to $10,000 After Dragging Furor (Bloomberg)
United Continental Holdings Inc. will offer as much as $10,000 to passengers who voluntarily give up their seats on oversold flights, one of 10 changes the airline is adopting after a customer was dragged off a plane by security officers.
Most Valuable India Bank Plans Largest Perpetual Debt Offering (Bloomberg)
HDFC Bank Ltd. is planning India’s biggest offering of perpetual debt as it seeks to bolster capital after missing a world-beating streak of profit growth that lasted two decades.
Qantas offers first ever direct UK to Australia flights from £1,135 (The Guardian)
Tickets for the first non-stop flight from the UK to Australia went on sale on Thursday as Qantas launched a direct flight between London and Perth.
Samsung to investors: We don't need to change … too much (CNN)
Samsung Electronics likes itself just the way it is.
The South Korean tech giant on Thursday rejected pressure from an activist shareholder for a major overhaul of its complicated structure.
Nokia Sales Top Estimates as Network Slump Begins to Ease (Bloomberg)
Nokia Oyj reported first-quarter sales that topped analysts’ estimates as a slump in wireless-network demand began to ease and the company reaped more revenue for its patents.
Technology
Why You Won’t Be Flying in a Taxi Anytime Soon (Bloomberg)
The idea is certainly audacious: Thwart traffic in congested cities by flying over it. Quick, quiet, clean, cheap.
This concept—which requires a new type of battery-powered vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (VTOL)—is Silicon Valley to its core in terms of self-liberation and greater efficiency.
Google built an app that takes perfect nighttime photos — but you can't use it (Business Insider)
Google has come up with a way to make your nighttime photos look less grainy and, frankly, substandard — but unfortunately it's just an experiment for now.
Airbuddy Is The Smallest And Lightest Dive Gear Ever Created (Digital Trends)
If you’ve always wanted to try scuba diving but have been put off by the high cost of gear and the prolonged certification process, a new Kickstarter campaign just might be a dream come true.
Samsung's chip business kept things looking up to start 2017 (Engadget)
Samsung's Q1 2017 earnings are in, showing the company's highest quarterly profit since Q3 2013. That's despite the Galaxy Note 7 recall, and a markdown in the price of its Galaxy Note 7, apparently because the company's chip business (making memory, processors and camera sensors for phones) is booming.
Propel raises $4M to make the social safety net more tech savvy and user friendly (Tech Crunch)
Some big names are making an investment in food stamps — specifically in Propel, a startup that helps food stamp recipients manage their benefits.
Politics
Boris Johnson says UK could join US attack on Syria without approval from MPs (Business Insider)
The British government would agree to a request from Donald Trump to attack Syria, even without the support of the UK parliament, Boris Johnson has said.
Trump Tax Plan Leaves Congress, Ryan With Heavy Lift (Associated Press)
President Donald Trump's plan to overhaul the U.S. tax code leaves much of the heavy lifting to Congress, while ignoring years of hard work by the guy who will have to do a lot of that lifting: House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Le Pen's replacement as FN leader 'questioned existence of gas chambers' (The Guardian)
Marine Le Pen’s replacement as acting leader of Front National during the final days of her French presidential campaign is facing criticism over past statements he made apparently questioning the existence of Nazi gas chambers.
Angela Merkel: Britain has 'illusions' about how easy Brexit will be (Business Insider)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said suggested that Britain has 'illusions' about how straightforward Brexit will be.
Speaking in German Parliament, she said the new relationship between Britain and the EU could not be negotiated before exit terms were finalised.
GOP repeal bill would unravel protection for sick Americans (Politico)
Republicans’ latest bid to dismantle Obamacare threatens to turn back the clock on protections for the sickest Americans — and stealthily undermine one of President Donald Trump’s biggest health care promises.
Life on the Home Planet
Feeling sleepy? You might be at risk of falsely confessing to a crime you did not commit (The Conversation)
If you are one of the millions of people who have listened to the podcast “Serial” or watched Netflix’s series “Making a Murderer,” you may believe there are innocent people in prison.
Man plotted attacks on Buckingham Palace and Elton John concert (The Guardian)
A teenager has admitting plotting to bomb targets in London, having researched potential targets including Buckingham Palace and an Elton John concert.
Russian warship collides with freighter in Black Sea (The Guardian)
A Turkish coastal safety official said all 78 crew members had been evacuated from the Russian ship. The official did not give any details on the Togo-flagged ship or the condition of its crew.
Philippine Extremists Are Losing Ground In Islands Favored By Tourists (Forbes)
After Philippine government troops foiled an attack by the violent Islamic State-linked rebel group Abu Sayyaf this month in a spot popular with foreign travelers, about 400 Japanese tourists cancelled a trip to a nearby island. The cancellation made sense.
