>>> Fed's Evans (dove, FOMC 2014 alternate): Tapering QE asset purchases by meas

Fed's Evans (dove, FOMC 2014 alternate): Tapering QE asset purchases by measured steps is resonable, could be more aggressive cuts to purchases if the economy improves further
- Fed would be unlikely to pause the taper if data weakened, focus now is on forward guidance as the main policy tool. 
- Fed needs to be more specific about forward guidance on interest rates. 
- Supports lowering unemployment threshold below 6.5% before raising interst rates. 
- Will not even consider interest rate hikes until asset purchases have been completed.

>>> FEDERAL RESERVE BEIGE BOOK: ECONOMY EXPANDED AT A MODERATE PACE IN MOST REGI

FEDERAL RESERVE BEIGE BOOK: ECONOMY EXPANDED AT A MODERATE PACE IN MOST REGIONS
- Nine Districts indicated the local economy was expanding at a moderate pace; among these, the Atlanta and Chicago Districts saw conditions improve compared with the previous reporting period. Boston and Philadelphia cited modest growth, while Kansas City reported the economy held steady in December. The economic outlook is positive in most Districts, with some reports citing expectations of "more of the same" and some expecting a pickup in growth. 
Three-quarters of the Districts indicated that retail activity had increased since the last Beige Book report. The exceptions were St. Louis and Kansas City, where retail results were mixed, and the Richmond District, which cited a softening of retail sales. Richmond, Atlanta, and San Francisco noted strong auto sales. Districts mentioning nonfinancial services noted increased activity, except for Richmond, which cited "little change" in demand for non-retail services. All Districts reported year-over-year increases in manufacturing activity, although Kansas City noted slower growth in December. 
- Real estate markets generally continued to improve, according to District reports. Although a few Districts indicated home sales or residential construction in some areas had slowed or declined in recent months, most cited increased residential sales activity and construction as well as rising home prices. Reports on commercial real estate were also positive, with commercial construction generally increasing. Two-thirds of the Districts reported increases in commercial sales and leasing activity. According to District reports that mention banking, loan volumes have not changed substantially since the last reporting period. The eight Districts reporting on energy indicated that activity continued increasing; Cleveland and Atlanta cited robust growth in the energy sector. Reports on agriculture were also mostly positive. 
- Almost half the Districts reported that prices were stable; most other Districts noted small increases in prices. Upward movements in wages were cited by 8 of the 12 Districts; the increases were described as small to moderate. Two-thirds of Districts noted increases in hiring; the Richmond District cited "numerous reports of strong labor demand - reference: {http://www.federalreserve.gov/monetarypolicy/beigebook/beigebook201401.htm}

(BFW) Fed Beige Book: Outlook ‘Positive’ in Much of U.S. in Nov.-Dec.

Fed Beige Book: Outlook ‘Positive’ in Much of U.S. in Nov.-Dec.
2014-01-15 19:00:04.81 GMT

By Vivien Lou Chen
     Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- 9 of Fed’s 12 districts reported
economy moderately expanding from late Nov.-Dec., as
manufacturing increased and retail and real estate markets
improved, according to Fed’s Beige Book report.
  * Economic outlook was “positive” in most districts,
    according to Beige Book compiled by Boston Fed with
    information collected on or before Jan. 6
  * 8 districts reported increases in hiring and higher wage
    movements
    * Richmond cited “numerous reports of strong labor
      demand”
  * 9 districts with moderate pace of growth were San Francisco,
    Dallas, Minneapolis, Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Richmond,
    Atlanta, St. Louis
  * Boston, Philadelphia cited “modest growth,” while Kansas
    City reported economy held “steady”
  * Almost half of districts reported that prices were stable;
    most other districts saw small increases in prices
  * Retail activity increased in 9 districts; exceptions were
    St. Louis and Kansas City, where results were mixed, and
    Richmond, which had softer sales
  * All districts reported year-over-year increases in
    manufacturing, yet Kansas City saw slower growth in Dec.
  * Real estate generally continued to improve
    * Most places had increasing home sales and construction,
      along with rising prices, while a few had slowing or
      declining activity in recent mos.
    * Reports on commercial real estate were also positive,
      with construction generally increasing
  * Loan volumes haven’t changed substantially among district
    reports that mentioned banking
  * 8 districts report increasing energy activity; Cleveland and
    Atlanta cite robust growth
  * NOTE: Fed’s next meeting is Jan. 28-29 in Washington

To contact the reporter on this story:
Vivien Lou Chen in San Francisco at +1-415-617-7078 or
vchen1@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
James Holloway at +1-212-617-4454 or
jholloway8@bloomberg.net

>>> IMF's Largarde: Global growth should strengthen further in 2014, but is curr

IMF's Largarde: Global growth should strengthen further in 2014, but is currently stuck in low gear
- Some emerging market economies are slowing down 
- Seeing significant rising risk of deflation in developed economies 
- Fed taper has been calm so far, but could cause turbulence in the future 
- Must avoid premature withdrawl of monetary policy support 
- Monetary policy could do more to support delicate economies 
- Emerging markets must be wary of supporting asset bubbles

>>> AMR +26% ahead of expected FDA descision regarding reinstatement of Anchor

Amarin Corp Plc Surges 25% ahead of expected FDA descision regarding reinstatement of Anchor drug trial on vascepa
- Last year the FDA communicated to Amarin that it now views Amarin's appeal of the ANCHOR SPA agreement rescission and the ANCHOR sNDA as separate administrative decisions worthy of separate consideration. FDA plans to complete its review of Amarin's request to re-instate the ANCHOR SPA agreement and plans to convey its decision to Amarin no later than January 15, 2014.

(BFW) French Government Selling 1% of Airbus, Finance Minister Says

BFW 01/15 17:54 *FRENCH GOVT SELLING ABOUT 8 MILLION AIRBUS SHARES: MOSCOVICI
 BN 01/15 17:53 *FRENCH GOVT SELLING ABOUT 8 MILLION AIRBUS SHARES: MOSCOVICI
 BN 01/15 17:52 *FRENCH GOVT SELLING 1% OF AIRBUS, FINANCE MINISTER SAYS
French Government Selling 1% of Airbus, Finance Minister Says
2014-01-15 17:57:07.404 GMT


By Steve Rhinds
     Jan. 15 (Bloomberg) -- The state is selling about 8 million
Airbus shares to institutional investors, Finance Minister
Pierre Moscovici says in an e-mailed statement.
  * After sale, French, German and Spanish governments will
    still be the main shareholders in Airbus with a minimum
    voting stake of 26%: Moscovici


Link to Company News:{AIR FP <Equity> CN <GO>}

For Related News and Information:
First Word scrolling panel: {FIRST<GO>}
First Word newswire: {NH BFW<GO>}

To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Steve Rhinds at +33-1-5365-5072 or
srhinds@bloomberg.net

>>> AOL Ticks higher on renewed speculation that the company could be a potentia

Ticks higher on renewed speculation that the company could be a potential target for Yahoo
- Canadian hedge fund Ironfire Capital said to speculate that recent AOL options activity suggests the merger may be imminent. 

**NOTE: Yahoo/AOL merger chatter has gone around since 2010. Several times in 2011 and 2012, AOL's CEO stated that he was not in any talks with Yahoo and had no plans to sell AOL.

>>> Fed's Evans : Fed is in no hurry to raise interest rates,

Fed's Evans (dove, FOMC 2014 alternate): Fed is in no hurry to raise interest rates, Fed has no intention of reducing accommodation in an economy featuring high unemployment and low inflation
- Unemployment should fall to 6% or a bit lower, inflation to rise to 1.5% by the end of 2015. 
- The very low level of inflation despite accelerating growth and easy monetary policy is worrying and puzzling. 
- Tapering QE asset purchases was a rebalancing of the Fed's policy mix, not a reduction in accommodation. 
- Labor market has improved somewhat, but the unemployment rate is still well above a more normal rate of 5.25%. 
- Fed has all the tools it needs to manage risk.