Opening Bell: 1.11.16
It's Ermotti Versus Blankfein in China as UBS Pledges Expansion (Bloomberg)
UBS and Goldman Sachs are the only foreign firms that can offer a full range of services in China through their securities joint ventures, a key advantage over rivals. With long-dominant local firms like Citic Securities Co. under pressure from a government crackdown on financial-industry misconduct, Ermotti is eyeing a rare opportunity to take market share.
Oil Seen Heading to $20 by Morgan Stanley on Dollar Strength (Bloomberg)
Oil is particularly leveraged to the dollar and may fall between 10 to 25 percent if the currency gains 5 percent, Morgan Stanley analysts including Adam Longson said in a research note dated Jan. 11. A global glut may have pushed oil prices under $60 a barrel, but the difference between $35 and $55 is primarily the U.S. dollar, according to the report.
Investor group offers to buy American Apparel for $300 million (Reuters)
The offer, which includes $90 million of new equity and a $40 million term loan, has the support of American Apparel founder and former Chief Executive Dov Charney, Hagan Capital and Silver Creek said on Monday.
Apple is in a 'disastrous' situation: Trader (CNBC)
Looking at the tech giant's long-term chart, Gordon noted that the long-term uptrend is in danger of being breached. "We are on the verge of a technical breakdown," he said. "If we push through the $96 level in Apple, that's a big problem." If that uptrend line were to break, Gordon projected that the stock could fall as low as $81.
Suspect ordered to eat 48 bananas to recover swallowed gold chain (UPI)
Ghaware was presented with four dozen bananas and ordered to eat them in an attempt to recover the chain. The tactic was successful and the chain passed through the suspect's system Friday, police said...The chain's owner decided to keep the item in a plastic bag and took it to a local jeweler to exchange for a new piece untainted by the suspect's digestive tract, police said.
Drug Makers Shire and Baxalta Agree to a $31 Billion Union (Dealbook)
Under the terms of the deal announced on Monday, Shire would pay $45.57 in cash and shares, or a total of $31 billion. That price represents a 37.5 percent premium to Baxalta’s share price before Shire first announced in August that it had made a takeover approach. Based on the 30 trading day volume-weighted average of Shire’s stock, however, the deal is valued at $47.50 a share, or about $32 billion.
Fed Eyes Margin Rules to Bolster Oversight (WSJ)
Margin requirements—rules limiting what portion of stocks or bonds can be purchased through borrowing—are moving up the Fed’s to-do list as officials fret about whether they have adequate tools to suppress dangerous asset bubbles that could lead to another financial crisis. They also allow the Fed to exert influence on all financial firms, not just banks.
Upstart IEX exchanges blows with investors over high-frequency trading (NYP)
The biggest bone of contention: IEX wants to slow down trading from broker dealers — except for IEX’s own electronic router, excluding it from the proposed 320-microsecond delay implemented for everyone else. That proposal has potential competitors and angry market-watchers jamming the switchboards to DC regulators.
Python Bites Woman On The Nose As She Goes In For Kiss (HP)
A Chinese tourist got a terrifying surprise when going to smooch a reticulated python at an animal park in Thailand over the weekend. Video posted online shows the serpent surging up into the air, locking its jaws onto the woman's nose and refusing to let go. The Phuket News identified the tourist as 29-year-old Jin Jing. Bystanders scream out in horror as the animal's two handlers desperately try to remove it from the woman's face. The clip then cuts out. The snake was eventually detached and the woman was taken to Phuket International Hospital, where she received five stitches in her nose, according to The Phuket News.