Tag Archives: Risk

FDA restrictions on some antibiotics use in agriculture

An article in the New York Times (Jan 4, 2012) describes FDA plans to restrict use of cephalasporins in agriculture. These antibiotics are used to treat strep and bronchitis and by surgeons. But they are also used on animals, with … Continue reading

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EPA Dioxin limit proposal and food supply chain impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Jan 4,2012) describes a propsal by the EPA to recommend a 64 picogram limit of dioxin for a 200 lb person. The EPA wants to ensure that prolonged exposure at this limit is … Continue reading

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Dynamic Pricing of taxicab fares and fairness

An article in the New York Times (Jan 9,2012)  describes taxi pricing at Uber, a company that charged $27 per mile at the start of New Year’s Eve and $135 per mile late night.  Prices were revealed at the wnd … Continue reading

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iPad 3 rumors, product transition and possible supply chain impact

An article by Louis Bedigian (Dec 29, 2011 http://www.benzinga.com/trading-ideas/long-ideas/11/12/2231119/ipad-3s-most-significant-upgrade-will-be) describes rumors regarding a new iPad 3 and possible design choices. Will the new iPad 3 replace the older iPad 2 – as suggested by the Apple supply chain’s participants noticing … Continue reading

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Biofuel Use Mandates, regulation across time and Industry Impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 28, 2011) describes the Congressional mandate to have 500 million gallons of cellulosic fuel by 2012, the EPA volume set at  8.65 million for 2012, and a plan to reach 16 billion … Continue reading

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Yuan currency swaps and trade with Pakistan, Thailand and Argentina

An article in the Sourcing Journal (Dec 28, 2011 news@sourcingjournalonline.com) describes a decision by the Chinese govt to permit yuan currency swaps with Pakistan, Thailand and Argentina. For example, 10 billion yuan were exchanged for 140 billion Pakistan rupees. Thus … Continue reading

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Rising US steel prices, global demand trends and supply chain impact

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 24, 2011) describes a 25 % rise in steel prices due to increased US demand from automakers and steel pipe demand for natural gas extraction. But as demand in China decreases, and … Continue reading

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Planning the impact of fog, snow and rain at UPS to prevent delivery delays

A Wall Street Journal article (Dec 23, 2011) describes the 120 million packages delivered by UPS in the week of Dec 25, with late shipments creating costs between $5 and $ 30. UPS claims that its monitoring of the weather … Continue reading

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US Battery companies “shocked” by low demands and high costs ?

An article in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 5, 2011) describes the plight of US battery companies, funded by over $ 2.4 billion in Federal grants, but struggling to win contracts from automakers. In the case of Ener1, low sales … Continue reading

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Eliminating USDA oversight of “fresh” meat labels – a good idea ?

An article  in the Wall Street Journal (Dec 7, 2011) describes a proposal by the USDA to eliminate their oversight of claims like “fresh”, “low-fat” or “Italian style” for meats.  The claims will thus rest on the credibility of the … Continue reading

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