Good morning Quartz readers!
What to watch for today
French firms ask the government’s permission to cut jobs. France’s largest media firm, Vivendi, and chip-maker, STMicroelectronics, will meet the industry minister for talks. The government wants them to find ways to cut costs that won’t increase unemployment. Try to imagine that meeting happening in Washington.
News Corp as we know it holds its last annual meeting. The media conglomerate will spin off its scandal-dogged news business next year, though Rupert Murdoch will remain chairman of both. Many shareholders welcome the split, but some want a more radical clean-up. The meeting starts at 10am PST (6pm BST/7pm CET)
The world according to Goldman Sachs, Rio Tinto, and IBM. Earnings reports from the global megabank, major mineral extractor and tech leader should give us a fairly comprehensive picture of the global economy.
Europe, Great Britain and the US all release price level data. Investors and central bankers will assess the tea leaves for signs of inflation returning.
And if you stay up late enough… the second US presidential debate starts at 9pm EST (2am BST/3am CET). President Obama’s spinmeisters promise he’ll be more aggressive this time.
While you were sleeping
Asia is the bright spot for Citi’s earnings… Citi acted for Sprint in its $20.1 billion acquisition by Japanese telecoms firm Softbank (announced yesterday), and deals of that flavor in Asia and other emerging markets were the highlight of its earnings report, which beat analyst expectations with income of $468 million.
…and is delighted with US economic data. Strong US retail sales as well as the good Citi results led Asian markets to open higher.
Everyone wants to lend to China. The state-owned Chinese oil behemoth, CNOOC, hopes to finance its acquisition of Canada’s Nexen at a mere 80 basis points over LIBOR, one-third of its usual bond rate. As Chinese firms step up their buying sprees abroad to make up for slow growth at home, overseas banks are eager to build relationships with them.
Yahoo poached another top name from Google. Marissa Mayer, whom Yahoo lured away as CEO in July, has returned from maternity leave and named Henrique de Castro, an ex-Google colleague, as COO, to help her turn the struggling online firm around.
Amazon is taking on Apple and Samsung. The online retailer is in talks about buying part of the microchips division of Texas Instruments, which could mean it plans to go head-to-head with the world’s leading tablet makers.
Quartz obsession interlude
David Yanovsky and Tim Fernholz look at new data about countries’ commitments to development. The top three are Denmark, Norway and Sweden, which donate large amounts of money relative to their size and target it at the most needy recipients, have migration-friendly policies, and support international security… Japan and South Korea, The only Asian countries currently on the list (the study’s authors are working on adapting its framework to the BRICs, however) don’t fare all that well. Read more here.
Matters of debate
A plan to save InfoSys. The Indian outsourcing giant is facing some of the toughest times in its 30-year history.
Is globalization waning? UPS’s Chairman and CEO fear that trade links are snapping, and what’s needed is a new US-EU free trade agreement.
Is the United States turning into 14th century Venice? Beware La Serrata!
Meanwhile, we’ve found a new visionary on Wall Street. Adieu Lloyd, adios Jamie, the new idol of the financial press is Morgan Stanley’s James Gorman.
Surprising discoveries
Leonardo da Vinci’s (probable) lover invented double-entry book-keeping and revolutionized business.
What would happen if spacediver Felix Baumgartner had reached the speed of light.
You are supposed to consult a physician before using iTunes. I’m sure you did, right?
Iran has a secret plan to dump oil in the Strait of Hormuz.
Also today
On this day in 1964, the People’s Republic of China became the world’s fifth nuclear power by successfully testing an atomic weapon.
Best wishes from Quartz for a productive day. Please send any news, presidential debate questions, and outlandish physics queries to hi@qz.com.