News
1/31/2007

Big Chinese Miner Looks Abroad __Wall Street Journal
Ling Wen has helped build China Shenhua Energy Co. into one of the world's biggest listed coal companies. Now, he is setting his sights on something even bigger: creating a diversified mining concern that could be China's global challenger to the likes of Rio Tinto PLC or BHP Billiton PLC.

Confidence in Miners__Wall Street Journal
Despite speculation that the China-driven commodities boom could be faltering, analysts remain confident that BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto will continue to ride the dragon.

Ping An to Get Its Shanghai IPO __Wall Street Journal
Ping An Insurance (Group) Co., China's second-biggest life insurer by premiums after China Life Insurance Co., won approval for an initial public offering of shares on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, the China Securities Regulatory Commission said.

China stocks tumble on policy worries__Financial Times
Chinese shares fell nearly 5 per cent on fears that the government would act to cool down the mainland stock market, which has witnessed a dramatic rally over the past 15 months.

Warning on China stock market ‘bubble’__Financial Times
The Chinese stock market is developing into a “bubble” and investors are in danger of behaving irrationally, a leading Chinese legislator said.
Beijing urged to probe utility privatisation __Financial Times
China’s central government is being urged to investigate possible illegal transfers of shares in the privatisation of one of the country’s biggest power companies in a case that could have significant political fallout.

China’s feverish stock market too hot for comfort__Financial Times
At the start of 2004, a man in Beijing tried to set himself on fire. To complain about the collapse in share prices. Fast-forward two years and the country is in the grips of a bout of stock market fever.


1/30/2007

Stock Frenzy In China Stokes Official Concern __Wall Street Journal
Chinese regulators are concerned about stock investors mortgaging their homes or borrowing against credit cards to take part in the market's rally.

A U.S. Law Firm Takes A New Route Into China __Wall Street Journal
A Chinese law firm formed a strategic alliance with a U.S. firm, in the first formal tie-up between a Western law firm and one in mainland China.

Anheuser's China Push Shows Brewing Fight __Wall Street Journal
Anheuser-Busch plans to widen distribution of its local brand in China in a bid to catch up with rival SABMiller in the world's largest beer market by volume.

Taiwan, China near tourism breakthrough__Financial Times
Taiwan and China are nearing an agreement to allow mainland tourists to visit the island directly as early as March or April in what would be another step forward in their efforts to improve economic interaction.

Former futures regulator joins Nybot board__Financial Times
The Intercontinental Exchange said it had appointed Fred Hatfield, a former US futures industry regulatory commissioner, as a member of a new board of directors at its recently-acquired subsidiary, the New York Board of Trade.


1/29/2007

Behind a Link Of NYSE, Tokyo Are Two Friends __Wall Street Journal
The Tokyo Stock Exchange is expected to sign a new cooperative alliance with the NYSE as early as the next few days.

Shanghai Recovers Cash From Corruption Scandal __Wall Street Journal
Shanghai's mayor said investigators recovered all the money siphoned away from city social-security funds in one of China's most politically divisive corruption scandals.

Lenovo Head In Americas Resigns Post __Wall Street Journal
Lenovo Group Ltd., struggling to improve its performance in the U.S. market, said Americas President Scott D. Smith has resigned to "pursue other interests."

Cnooc Seeks Hunt Oil Stake In Yemen's First LNG Effort __Wall Street Journal
China National Offshore Oil Corp. is in talks to buy Hunt Oil Co.'s stake in Yemen's first liquefied-natural-gas project to help it meet China's fast-rising energy needs, according to company officials familiar with the situation.

Google links hitches in China to local rivals__Financial Times
China’s efforts to ‘purify’ the internet by cracking down on websites such as Google may be as much driven by protectionism as ideology, the founders of the US search engine said.



1/26/2007

Greenberg Wagers on China's IPOs __Wall Street Journal
AIG's former chairman, Hank Greenberg, is back in business in China, pursuing deals through a joint venture he has set up with Citic Securities.

Citigroup Adds Three Outlets In Prosperous Chinese Cities__Wall Street Journal
Citigroup Inc. opened three consumer outlets in China Thursday, bringing its total in the country to 16 as global banks ramp up their expansion in high-income cities.

Fund Managers Look to China __Wall Street Journal
International fund managers turned increasingly bullish on Chinese equities within an Asian portfolio, despite that market's record gains in the past year, while continuing to be wary of equally buoyant Indian equities.

The increasing power of hedge funds__Wall Street Journal
Hedge funds are increasingly borrowing shares to swing the outcomes of company votes. Regulators fear this phenomenon is escalating just as shareholder voting is gaining importance as a way to improve corporate governance.

Low funding ‘threatens’ US futures regulator__Financial Times
The US futures industry regulator, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, is at “critical levels” in its funding and staffing that threaten its ability to carry out its mission, a commissioner at the agency will warn.

Branson puts his cards on the table__Financial Times
Sir Richard Branson this week paid an uncharacteristically low-profile visit to Macao, the tiny Chinese special administrative region that is the world’s largest gambling market.



1/25/2007

China Close to Ending Global Firms' Tax Break__Wall Street Journal
China appears close to ending tax breaks for foreign companies, a sign Beijing no longer finds incentives necessary.

China Orders Corruption Probe Of Former Drug-Agency Official__Wall Street Journal
China's cabinet has ordered a thorough investigation into the case of the country's former drug-administration chief, who was fired on suspicion of taking bribes, part of the government's anticorruption crackdown.

As China's Stock Market Soars, Class B Shares Lead '07 Charge__Wall Street Journal
Class A shares have gotten all the attention in China's booming stock market, but some analysts believe B shares could be the better performer in 2007, thanks in part to expectations that a long-awaited consolidation of the two markets is near.

China Faces Increasing Pressure For More Energy Transparency__Wall Street Journal
Calls are growing for more transparency in China's energy statistics to give experts a better shot at calculating how much oil the country uses each year, instead of relying on educated guesswork.

China’s Hu seeks to ‘purify’ internet__Financial Times
Hu Jintao, Chinese president, has called for tighter controls on the internet, ordering government and Communist party cadres to “purify” the web and tap into new technology to guide and manage online opinion more closely.

Challenge for Beijing as boom likely to continue__Financial Times
The Chinese economy has been surpassing expectations for years and the 2006 gross domestic product figures, released even beat the confident predictions made days ago by senior Beijing officials.



1/24/2007

Sustained Robust Growth Challenges Beijing __Wall Street Journal
China is expected to report that the economy grew last year at about the 10.5% rate announced in a preliminary government estimate, meaning that China's GDP has expanded by 10% or more in real terms for four straight years.

China to Charge Top Statistician In Connection With Pension Probe __Wall Street Journal
China said the nation's former top statistician will face criminal charges in connection with Shanghai's corruption scandal surrounding misuse of pension funds.

Marsh Gets License in China To Work as Insurance Broker __Wall Street Journal
Marsh & McLennan said its insurance-brokerage unit has become the first foreign company to obtain a license to operate a wholly owned venture in China, in a sign of how Beijing is following through on pledges to allow strong competitors into parts of its financial sector.

Macao surpasses Las Vegas as gambling centre__Financial Times
Macao surpassed the Las Vegas Strip to become the world’s biggest gambling center in 2006, measured by total gambling revenue, according to industry analysts and government figures.

China tourism to feel Olympic strain__Financial Times
One of the world’s most senior tourism officials has warned that China’s travel industry remains strained by a shortage of qualified hospitality staff even as it prepares to host the 2008 Beijing Olympics.



1/23/2007

In China, Posturing Stalls Usual Politics __Wall Street Journal
China's elite is preparing for a secretive meeting later this year that will set policies for the next five years. Lobbyists and deal makers expect that the political jockeying will make it difficult to get things done.

China Mobile to Buy Paktel in First Foreign Deal__Wall Street Journal
China Mobile Communications Corp. agreed to buy a small Pakistani wireless company for $284 million, the first foreign acquisition for the world's biggest cellphone-network operator and the latest sign of Corporate China's ambition to expand internationally.

China Opens Door to UBS__Wall Street Journal
UBS Securities is expected in the first quarter to open China's first full-service brokerage run by a foreign firm.

Shanghai Port Could Top Hong Kong's__Wall Street Journal
Hong Kong was the second-busiest container port by throughput last year, statistics show, but if its slow growth continues, analysts said Shanghai will surpass it by the end of this year.

Beijing's Silence Fuels Stock Surge__Wall Street Journal
China's benchmark stock index rose to another record after a high-level government work conference on finance refrained from issuing policies to cool the red-hot stock market.

Beijing to diversify investment strategies__Financial Times
China is to diversify the use of its swelling foreign exchange reserves, a policy change that is likely to mean a rise in investment in overseas securities and more purchasing of foreign technology and raw materials.



1/22/2007

China Opens Door to UBS__Wall Street Journal
UBS Securities is expected in the first quarter to open China's first full-service brokerage run by a foreign firm.

NBA in China Gets Milk To Sell Hoops__Wall Street Journal
The NBA is set to announce an extensive marketing deal with Chinese milk producer Mengniu, as the league ramps up its presence there in the run-up to the Olympics.

China Shift on Reserves Isn't Likely to Hit Dollar__Wall Street Journal
China's decision to expand the uses of its $1.06 trillion in foreign-exchange reserves isn't likely to result in immediate selling of the U.S. currency.

Beijing Injects Funds Into Reinsurer __Wall Street Journal
China Reinsurance received a $4 billion injection via state investment agency Central Huijin, putting the reinsurer on track for an expected IPO.

China Lender Sets Price Range __Financial Times
Midsize Chinese lender Industrial Bank Co. plans to raise as much as 16 billion yuan ($2.06 billion) from its initial public offering of Class A shares.

Political cycle will drive the Chinese economy this year __Financial Times
Economists struggling for a fix on the trajectory of China’s economy this year have focused on traditional drivers of growth, such as exports, investment and even consumer spending.

Millicom to sell Paktel stake to China Mobile __Financial Times
Millicom International Cellular said it would sell its 88.9 per cent stake in Paktel to China Mobile for $284m.



1/19/2007

It's Called the Forbidden City for a Reason __Wall Street Journal
A brewing controversy over a Starbucks in Beijing's Forbidden City highlights a marketing challenge for companies in China: netizens who escalate a single consumer complaint into a national issue.

LSE to Raise Stock Buyback To Ward Off Nasdaq Bid__Wall Street Journal
The London Stock Exchange on Thursday announced plans to raise its share buyback program by as much as £250 million ($491 million) and increased its growth forecasts in a final attempt to ward off a hostile bid from Nasdaq Stock Market Inc.

China Targets Buildings In Bid to Curb Pollution__Wall Street Journal
China must invest $193 billion over 15 years to make its buildings more energy-efficient, a Beijing official said.

China refuses to be open on transparency __Financial Times
Chinese officials declined to respond to requests for details of new rules approved by top leaders this week that are intended to boost government transparency.

China ready to build ‘ultra high voltage’ line __Financial Times
State Grid, China’s dominant power transmission company, is readying construction of the first of a series of 2,000km “ultra high voltage” lines to bring electricity from deep inland to the coast.

China ‘exploiting Kyoto loophole’ __Financial Times
Factories in China and carbon traders are exploiting a loophole in climate change regulations that allows them to make big profits from greenhouse gas emissions trading.

Intel seeks to make chips in China __Financial Times
China’s government is considering a plan by Intel of the US to build a chipmaking plant in the north-eastern city of Dalian, say local industry officials. 



1/18/2007

Capital-Flow Data: Net Exit From U.S. __Wall Street Journal
Foreigners continued to snap up long-term U.S. securities in November, but Americans were also busily sending their investment dollars overseas.

China Profit-Tax Plan Rattles Developers __Wall Street Journal
China unveiled a profit tax on real-estate developers, in a further move to cool property-sector investment that drove property stocks lower.

China May Ease Tether; Yuan Gains __Wall Street Journal
The yuan strengthened to a fresh high against the U.S. dollar for the third straight day, amid speculation that Beijing may allow the currency to rise at a faster pace in order to curb China's growing trade surplus.

China, EU Begin Talks On Wider Cooperation __Wall Street Journal
The EU and China began negotiations on expanding cooperation, a process expected to take at least a year.

Starbucks faces Forbidden City ban __Financial Times
Online protests sparked by a polemic published by a TV anchorman on his personal blog may lead to removal of outlet from the former imperial palace in Beijing.

Bernanke warns of threat to US prosperity __Financial Times
Fed chairman Ben Bernanke warned in stark terms of the long term threat to US prosperity posed by the soaring cost of unfunded entitlement programmes such as Medicare and Social Security.


1/17/2007

CBOE Finds Knock on IPO Door__Wall Street Journal
CBOE's legal battle with the Chicago Board of Trade is forcing the options exchange to return to the drawing board in its efforts to become a shareholder-owned company.

Chinese Cabinet to Map Out Financial-Sector Overhauls__Wall Street Journal
China's cabinet will begin a closed-door meeting Friday to map out overhauls of the financial sector, according to two government officials familiar with the plans.

Bank of America Quietly Targets Barrier to Growth __Wall Street Journal
Bank of America is pushing to raise the cap barring any bank from acquisitions that would give it more than 10% of the U.S.'s total bank deposits.

Stronger renminbi finds key backing __Financial Times
The Chinese ministry responsible for promoting exports has backed a further appreciation of the renminbi, removing one of the last remaining institutional lobbies in Beijing against a stronger currency.

Balance tips towards Japan rate rise__Financial Times
The Bank of Japan has made clear it will pursue forward-looking policy. Under this flexible framework, the bank does not need dramatic change to justify a move toward increasing interest rates.


1/16/2007

Beijing Vows to Rein in Trade Surplus __Wall Street Journal
China's leadership is increasingly determined to bring its much-criticized trade surplus under control, as a consensus appears to be building that the imbalance is an economic problem for the country and not simply a political irritant.

China Weighs Funding for Airlines__Wall Street Journal
China is weighing a plan to inject $2.05 billion into its three major airlines to offset rising fuel costs and cut debt.

Hong Kong warned on Chinese IPO dependence__Financial Times
Hong Kong’s status as a global financial centre is under threat because it is too dependent on Chinese initial public offerings, warned one of the city’s highest-profile business chiefs.

East Asian boost for biofuels__Financial Times
East Asian countries agreed on an energy security pact that would help boost south-east Asia’s expanding biofuels industry.

Democrats look to boost investor rights__Financial Times
Signs are emerging of a Democratic effort to boost shareholder rights in the US after a lawmaker said he planned to hold “informational hearings” on the harmonisation of regulatory systems between the US and Europe.



1/15/2007

Despite Slow Start to 2007, Overseas Shares May Pick Up__Wall Street Journal
An uncertain outlook for the U.S. economy and the relative appeal of some foreign stock markets make a compelling case for investors to lay some bets overseas, despite many foreign markets lagging in the first two weeks of 2007.

NYSE Seat-Holder Suits Allowed to Proceed__Wall Street Journal
Lawsuits by three former New York Stock Exchange membership-seat holders over disclosures by the Big Board and its chief executive, John Thain, before details of its merger with Archipelago Holdings Inc. became public can proceed, a state judge has ruled.

Investors Scent Steady Growth For Chinese Fragrance Makers__Wall Street Journal
Investors are sniffing out an often overlooked play on China's consumer market -- the domestic flavors and fragrances industry, with its strong ties to the nation's huge tobacco business.

Beijing Mulls Rules For NYSE, Nasdaq __Wall Street Journal
China's securities regulator is drafting rules on the establishment of foreign stock-exchange representative offices in the country, a prerequisite for NYSE Group Inc. and Nasdaq Stock Market Inc. to open formal offices here, a senior Chinese regulator said.

China introduces small fuel price cut__Financial Times
Beijing has announced a small cut in the retail price of petrol and jet fuel in response to pressure from domestic consumers for the government to pass on the benefits of the recent weakening in global oil markets -
 
Euro displaces dollar in bond markets__Financial Times
The single currency has become the world’s pre-eminent currency in international bond markets, outstripping the dollar-denominated market for the second year in a row.
 
Indian lawyers agree first joint initiative __Financial Times
Lawyers from the UK and India plan this week to strike a ground-breaking deal on co-operation, in a sign of the growing rich-country push for big emerging legal markets to open up to foreign entrants.



1/12/2007

NYSE's Designs on Tokyo__Wall Street Journal
NYSE Group Inc.'s move to buy part of India's leading stock exchange could provide a template for an even bigger deal in Asia in which it has expressed an interest: an alliance with the Tokyo Stock Exchange.

Yuan, China Hit a Milestone__Wall Street Journal
The yuan topped the Hong Kong dollar's value for the first time since China's 1994 currency-system shift.

China's Merger Boom Continues __Wall Street Journal
China had a surge in mergers and acquisitions in 2006 as both domestic and foreign companies moved to add Chinese assets, and M&A is likely to be robust again this year.

U.S. Banks Oppose New Capital Rules __Wall Street Journal
Citigroup Inc., J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., and two other large U.S. banks brought concerns about pending international capital standards known as Basel II to White House officials as crucial deadlines for the standards approach.

Beijing to set out finance reform at party conclave __Financial Times
China will set its priorities for finance reform for the next five years at a party conclave. It is expected to focus on rural banking and an enhanced role for the country’s largest financial holding company.

Beijing stalls on mutual fund launches__Financial Times
Beijing has effectively halted the launch of new domestic equity funds amid concerns that the country’s stock markets risk overheating.


1/11/2007

How Wall Street 'Sweeps' the Cash __Wall Street Journal
Securities firms are reaping bigger profits from "cash sweeps," which move investors' idle cash into insured bank deposits. And most investors either don't notice or don't care that Wall Street's gains are coming at their expense.

NYSE Extends Reach to India __Wall Street Journal
New York Stock Exchange parent NYSE Group Inc. and three other investors are buying a 20% stake in India's National Stock Exchange for about $460 million, a deal that moves the rapid stock-exchange consolidation race to Asia and eventually could make investing overseas easier.

China to Let Yuan Bonds Be Sold in Hong Kong __Wall Street Journal
China intends to permit its companies to sell yuan-denominated debt securities in Hong Kong, a policy change that will give foreigners access to the investments and reinforce Hong Kong's importance as a marketplace for fund raising.

Hedge Funds to Tap the Public __Wall Street Journal
Two large hedge-fund firms, Brevan Howard Asset Management LLP and Polygon Investment Partners LLP, plan to raise money by listing funds on public markets, people familiar with the matter said.

China fails to hit target for saving energy __Financial Times
China failed last year to meet its target for improved energy efficiency, underlining the challenge faced by Beijing in balancing the need for fast economic growth with higher environmental standards.


1/10/2007

Thailand Tightens Rules On Foreign Investment __Wall Street Journal
Thailand's government approved plans to force some foreign investors to cut holdings in firms deemed vital to national security.

Asian Films Reel Them In__Wall Street Journal
China's box-office receipts grew 32% last year to a record $336 million, rounding out a banner year for moviegoing in eastern Asia as domestic films trumped Hollywood fare in the region's top markets.

London's Office Envy __Wall Street Journal
Hedge funds are proliferating in London, sending rents skyrocketing and vacancy rates plunging in the city's Mayfair district.

US trade deficit with China reaches record $214bn__Financial Times
The politically-sensitive trade gap is on total to exceed $230bn, increasing the pressure on Hank Paulson, Treasury secretary, to persuade Beijing to allow its currency to appreciate -

Joint venture approval could open floodgates__Financial Times
China Life could become the first Chinese insurer to invest in overseas stock markets, following the regulatory approval of a new joint venture with Franklin Templeton, the US fund manager.


1/9/2007

NYSE to Seek Trading-Rule Delay __Wall Street Journal
Much-anticipated new trading rules, scheduled to start going into effect in early February, may be pushed back so the New York Stock Exchange can prepare its systems for the new trading, according to people familiar with the matter.

Shares Bought in the Dark __Wall Street Journal
Anonymous trading pools have become increasingly popular among brokerage firms, trading boutiques and stock exchanges. But critics say the rapid growth of "dark pools" could lead to less competitive trading prices for small investors.

Chien Is IBM China CEO __Wall Street Journal
International Business Machines Corp. named Dah-Chuen Chien to succeed Henry Chow as chief executive for China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, effective immediately. Mr. Chow, who has been chairman and chief executive of IBM's Greater China Group for almost 12 years, will keep his post as chairman.

Price surge lifts China Life’s global rank__Financial Times
Shares in China Life more than doubled in their first morning of trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, making the Chinese life insurer the third biggest in the world by market value.

Chinese talent key to company hiring spree__Financial Times
China supplied about 1,500 engineers recruited by industrial services giant Emerson in a recently completed hiring spree, demonstrating the depth of the country’s engineering talent.

Canada launches WTO case on US subsidies__Financial Times
Canada has launched a dispute at the World Trade Organisation over the use of “trade-distorting” agricultural subsidies by the US.



1/8/2007

China Cashes In on Global Warming __Wall Street Journal
China is turning its environmental problems into a financial asset through payments for "carbon credits," capitalizing on corporate and governmental efforts to curb global warming.

China Acts to Ease Economic Risks__Wall Street Journal
Chinese regulators loosened some foreign-exchange limits and unveiled measures aimed at offsetting inflation.

Chinese Official Who Quit on Spill Is Back in Politics__Wall Street Journal
China's former environment minister, who resigned over the mishandling of a major industrial accident, has been given a job overseeing environmental policies, state media and government Web sites reported Saturday.

Buyout Byproduct: Big IPOs__Wall Street Journal
The past several years have been heady ones for corporate buyouts by private-equity firms in the U.S., which could set up 2007 and beyond for some megasize IPO activity as these new owners look to exit from their investments.

China’s mutual funds break $100bn level__Financial Times
Investments in Chinese domestic mutual funds have passed the $100bn mark for the first time, reflecting buoyant stock markets and a record inflow of fresh money into equity products.

US and EU revive hopes of trade deal__Financial Times
Negotiations between the US and the European Union have revived hopes that a deal can be struck on the stalled Doha round of world trade talks by the end of the month, according to EU and American officials.

1/5/2007

Next IEA chief to engage China and India__Financial Times
The International Energy Agency must more actively engage China and India if it is to maintain relevance, executive director-elect Nobuo Tanaka said.

No Consensus On Regulating Hedge Funds__Wall Street Journal
Hedge funds are coming under increasing scrutiny, but global policy makers differ about proposals to regulate them.

Former Hedge-Fund Manager To Pay $110,000__Wall Street Journal
A former New York hedge-fund manager will pay $110,000 to settle charges of fraudulent trading in three so-called PIPE deals, private investments in public equity.

China's Option Play__Wall Street Journal
Stock options may be losing favor in the U.S., but in China the government is opening the door to their wider use -- and encouraging stodgy state-run companies to issue them as an incentive for traditionally low-paid executives.

HSBC Trade Marks Birth Of China Rate Benchmark__Wall Street Journal
HSBC Holdings PLC said Thursday it traded the first yuan nondeliverable interest-rate swap based on the new Shanghai interbank offered rate, the day the Chinese benchmark was launched.

China Sets Share Rules__Wall Street Journal
China's domestic stock exchanges said they will restrict trading in listed companies that haven't participated in the nontradable-share overhaul program, pressuring these companies to carry out the change.
 

1/4/2007

Hospital Caters to China's Wealthy and Poor __Wall Street Journal
A private hospital in Beijing is offering patients six levels of service in an effort to strike a balance between the universal access to health care the communist system once promised and higher efficiency a market mechanism can bring.

Yuan's Ascent Begins to Pinch Chinese Exporters __Wall Street Journal
China's yuan has crept up 6% since July 2005, eroding already thin profit margins for a number of Chinese businesses.

China's New Shibor Rates Aim to Aid Money Market __Wall Street Journal
China is launching a set of market-determined interest rates called Shanghai interbank offered rates, a move aimed at deepening the onshore money market.

China to Revamp Rescue Agency For Banks as It Upgrades a Lender __Wall Street Journal
China will restructure state-run investment agency Central Huijin Investment Co. to make it more market-oriented, the official Xinhua news agency reported yesterday, citing central bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan.

The CEQ on FT.com: Chasing the mythical China consumption boom__Financial Times
There is no question that China is becoming wealthier and that urban consumers are buying an ever wider range of products. But stories of a Chinese consumption boom are largely fantasy.

MIC gets private equity approaches__Financial Times
SMIC, the largest contract chipmaker in China, has received approaches from private equity companies, but the company said no concrete discussions are currently underway.


1/3/2007

Caveat Investor: IPOs Of Hedge, Equity Funds __Wall Street Journal
Hedge-fund and private-equity firms are increasingly providing some juicy details about their operations as they issue stock and bonds to the public. But it isn't clear whether investors should be eager buyers.

Will Private Equity Suffer a Pushback? __Wall Street Journal
Life has been easy lately for Wall Street's private-equity buyout kings. But their ambition won't go unchecked forever, Dennis Berman writes.

Manufacturing in China Shows a Slight Decline __Wall Street Journal
China's Purchasing Managers Index fell to 54.8 in December from 55.3 in November.

Regional Indexes Gain Ground As Banks, Insurers Boost Hong Kong __Wall Street Journal
Asian-Pacific markets closed firmer as banks, insurers and mobile operator China Mobile led Hong Kong higher.

China’s IPOs set to surpass HK__Financial Times
Mainland China’s equity markets will surpass Hong Kong’s in 2007 as favoured locations for Chinese companies to raise capital as the boom in China’s initial public offerings comes home, PwC says.

China the main draw for EM funds__Financial Times
Investors pumped record amounts of money into emerging market equity funds last year.