Markets am: Stocks struggle to break losing streak, Dead or aliv...

To view this email as a webpage, click here     Friday December 13 2013     Markets   Stocks struggle to break losing streak   Strong US retail sales data and news that the US House passed a budget bill increases likelihood of Fed reeling in stimulus programme       Dead or alive? Schrödinger's markets   The true nature of economic health will only be known once central bank stimulus is removed     BoE's aim at property bubble misses   Rationing did not work the last time it was tried and won't work this time, says Neil Collins, as bankers will find ways of gaming the rules     Hazards that could derail the rally in 2014   The case for further gains is strong, but risks remain that could derail asset managers' predictions of further gains next year     Is Africa ripe for indigenous oil refiners?   While the economics of new refineries usually do not add up, domestic self sufficiency is supporting political goodwill for new projects     Investor caution leaves FTSE trading flat   Europe's main equities markets are unsettled in early trade, with losses on most national indices     EU watchdog aims to cool Bitcoin fever   European Banking Authority is to warn of the risk of 'violent fluctuations in electronic currencies' value and of 'digital wallets' being hacked         Video   The zombie investment   James Mackintosh, investment editor, says junk bonds offer little protection against a strong recovery or another downturn – but for the many expecting a zombified, slowly-growing economy, they are just fine.           Manage email    Forward this email   Feedback    Manage portfolio Subscribe to the FT Follow the FT   Unsubscribe | My Account | RSS | Privacy Policy | About Us | Help   © THE FINANCIAL TIMES LTD 2013 You have received this email because you have signed up from the NBE preference page. This email was sent by a company owned by Pearson plc, registered office at 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL. Registered in England and Wales with company number 53723.