$16.6 billion
That is how much the Swiss National Bank said its gold holdings fell in value last year.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)
19
For the first time in at least 19 years, the New York Stock Exchange in 2013 landed more initial public offerings of technology and Internet companies than the Nasdaq Stock Market.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)
$1 Billion
FireEye said Thursday it is paying nearly $1 billion to buy closely held Mandiant, a computer security firm known for outing Chinese hackers.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)
$4.35 Billion
Fiat agreed to get full control of Chrysler in a $4.35 billion deal, ending a standoff that had clouded the future of both companies.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)
70
At least 70 journalists were killed on the job around the world in 2013, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)
$3 Billion
Saudi Arabia pledged $3 billion to bolster Lebanon’s armed forces, in a challenge to the Iranian-allied Hezbollah militia’s decades long status as Lebanon’s main power broker and security force.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)
49.6%
Share of American 16-24 year-old that will be working or looking for work in 2022, down from 66.1% in 1992, according to the Labor Department.
It has been a rough few years, to say the least, for America’s young people. The unemployment rate for 16-24 year-olds neared 20% during the recession, and remains a brutal 14.1% even after four and a half years of economic recovery. Less than half of Americans under 25 were working in November; less than a quarter were working full-time. Economists now speak openly about the prospects of a “lost generation” of American youth.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)
6
Japanese shares closed at a six-year high Tuesday, propelled steadily upward as investors look to developed Asia for returns and show growing faith in Japan’s reform agenda.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)
1/3
A third of Americans will return at least one gift after the holidays, according to a FedEx survey.
(Source: Wall Street Journal)
Do you think that the high Operating Margins will hold in 2014?
The major drivers for the high Operating Margins in 2013, viz. productivity, technology and cheap imports, should help again next year. Other factors like cheap energy and lower effective tax rates should continue to help as well. Plus, we do not see excesses in business investment, inventory or debt (personal or commercial) in 2014.
Persistently high profit margins should help equities in 2014.