Morning Market Report 1/20/2014

The KUIK Morning Market Report for Monday, January 20:
Markets are closed in honor of Martin Luther King day, but here are some of the stories we’re following:
China’s economy grew slightly better than economists expected in the 4th quarter of 2013 according to the National Bureau of Statistics.  China’s gross domestic product grew 7.7% annually, down from 7.8% in the 3rd quarter but better than the 7.6%  forecast in a Wall Street Journal poll. Industrial production slowed to 9.7% annual growth in December, down from November’s 10%.. December retail sales increased by 13.6% compared to December 2012. Stocks moved off their lows following release of the report, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index down 0.1%, cutting a 0.4% loss ahead of the numbers. The Shanghai Composite Index was 0.1% lower, compared to down  0.5%.
Marketwatch reports Most economists think the dismal 74,000 increase in net hiring last month was a fluke caused by poor weather and seasonal-adjustment problems that will soon be revised away. Economists at the leading banks predict U.S. economy will hit 3% growth in 2014 for the first time in nine years.  Helping is the fact Washington is on track to pass budget bills to fund the government through the next two years and no new tax increases are coming down the pike. For the first time in five years Republicans and Democrats appear ready to play nice and avoid a wrenching fiscal fight that would undermine the economy. 
Serving the West Side first, I am Bill Roller of BR Capital for AM 1360 KUIK.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/china-economic-growth-slows-but-beats-forecasts-2014-01-19
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/us-seen-on-track-for-best-growth-since-2005-2014-01-19
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