Reuters - Before the Bell

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Monday, January 21, 2019

China's Huawei in unprecedented media blitz as it battles heightened scrutiny

China's Huawei has launched an unprecedented public relations blitz, thrusting its low-key founder in front of international media as the telecoms firm seeks to ease concern among Western nations bent on shutting it out of their markets.

Oil edges down as slowing China economy undermines markets

Oil prices edged lower on Monday, echoing a weaker tone on global stock markets after evidence that economic growth in China, the world's second-largest crude consumer, eased in 2018.

Global stock markets falter after China data, Brexit Plan B awaited

European shares fell on Monday from recent six-week highs as a global equity rally stalled after data confirmed a slowdown in China's economy and investors awaited for Britain's next steps to break the deadlock over Brexit.

Global FDI skids 19 percent on Trump tax reform, may rebound in 2019 - U.N.

Global foreign direct investment (FDI) fell 19 percent last year to an estimated $1.2 trillion, largely caused by U.S. President Donald Trump's tax reforms, the United Nations trade and development agency UNCTAD said on Monday.

China's 2018 growth slows to 28-year low, more stimulus seen

China's economy cooled in the fourth quarter under pressure from faltering domestic demand and bruising U.S. tariffs, dragging 2018 growth to the lowest in nearly three decades and pressuring Beijing to roll out more stimulus to avert a sharper slowdown.

Xi keeps China on high alert for 'black swan' events: Xinhua

China must be on guard against "black swan" risks while fending off "gray rhino" events, President Xi Jinping said on Monday, adding that the economy faces deep and complicated changes, state news agency Xinhua reported.

EU veto of Alstom-Siemens rail tie-up would be 'economic error' - France

The European Commission would make an "economic error and political mistake" if it were to block the merger of Alstom's and Siemens' rail businesses, said French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, shortly before meeting the EU's competition chief.

German economy minister: Must do everything to support Siemens, Alstom train merger

Germany's Economy Minister Peter Altmaier said on Monday that he was in favor of a planned train merger between Siemens and Alstom and would do its utmost to support it.

Take Five: World markets themes for the week ahead

Following are five big themes likely to dominate the thinking of investors and traders in the coming week and the Reuters stories related to them.

European power firms aim to harness electric car batteries

Ever wanted to run your electric car for free? If you're open to a bit of give and take, then stay plugged in and your wishes might come true. At least that's what some European power companies and Japanese carmakers believe.