Voices and Trends in International Business-July 31,2013

Moving boxes and branded food boxes are in demand,said John Faraci,CEO of International Paper.In China,our export customers are weak.Our domestic business there is strong as the middle class expands.*What we really look for in a company is investor interest and the overall quality of the company,said Candace Browning,research director at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch.Investors jump from one theme to another fairly quickly.The current themes are 1.the move from fixed income to equities 2.Europe is coming back.So much of the innovation we produce is from immigrants.We are innovation nation,and we don't talk about it enough or look for it enough in research.*I'm raising my price target on Amazon,said CNBC analyst Jim Cramer.They're talking world domination.I swear by Amazon.I love the product;I want to own the stock.If you want to buy Spain,you have to spend some money-referring to the fact that Amazon missed its earnings estimate on rising expenses,the expense of broadening their overseas business.*Canada's Hudson's Bay Company is now buying American luxury retailer Saks,Inc for about 2.4 billion dollars.They had previously purchased upscale US department store chain Lord&Taylor.*Peugeot,the second largest automaker in Europe,reported a narrower than expected loss on cost cuts.*International Paper(IP);Amazon Inc(AMZN);Hudson's Bay Company(TSX:HUD)

Managing Director:Where You Want To Be

There's a transition in the mix of growth coming out of China,according to Lisa Shalett,Managing Director at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch.We think it's going from infrastructure/construction/building to a consumption/services mix.
Our thesis has been to go with the best of breed in Europe.That means Siemens,Daimler Benz,Astra Zeneca.Investor fatigue and the overhang of issues are really in the U.S. market.
Mario Draghi,President of the European Central Bank,can learn a lot from Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke.The risk in Europe now is a deflationary bust.You want to be in high quality,dividend-growing equities and investment grade corporates.You want to be in companies,not countries.Be in the emerging markets and high yield debt,Ms.Shalett counseled.
Lisa Shalett is Chief Investment Officer of Merrill Lynch Global Wealth Management and Head of Investment Management and Guidance.With over 17 years' experience in the investment industry,she has a BS in applied mathematics and economics from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Bank of America-Merrill Lynch(BAC),Siemens AG(SI),Daimler AG(DDAIF),Astra Zeneca(AZN)

Merrill Lynch:What You Need To Do

There is a re-balancing coming in Europe and the U.S.,according to Lisa Shalett of Bank of America-Merrill Lynch Global Wealth&Investment Management.This is a volatility that is unprecedented since World War II.These are in many cases policy-driven.Demand and policy are interconnected.There's just as much uncertainty among consumers.
What everybody thinks is safe may be risky,and vice-versa,such as Treasuries/emerging market bonds.Embrace a more global perspective.This is about real diversification.You need to be in every geography,and not just BRICs.Consider Indonesia,Mexico,Turkey.Emerging markets bonds are safer,Ms.Shalett believes.
Merrill Lynch GWIM provides comprehensive services to affluent clients and institutions,from investment solutions to retirement,benefit plan,banking and philanthropic services.GWIM offers robust and dynamic product and solution platforms from Merrill Lynch offices worldwide.
Bank of America(BAC)

The Commodities Markets Today

Dr.Francisco Blanch is seeing that,in the short run,it's still a very tight crude oil market.
Dr.Blanch,global head of commodities research and a managing director at Bank of America-Merrill Lynch,notes that we're going into the summer driving season now.
China has stopped exporting diesel.Japan has strong needs for fuel.It's still very tight going into June and July.
You can only buy West Texas Intermediate crude around Texas and Oklahoma.Brent crude should be your global benchmark.It may be at 140.00 a barrel in three months.It is currently around 115.00.
In terms of the economic context for commodities,Dr.Blanch observes that real interest rates are about to turn upward.If the U.S. economy gets back on track,the Federal Reserve will not renew the Quantitative Easing policy.
These factors tend to support commodity prices.
Dr.Blanch says they also like corn and palladium.
Francisco Blanch has a doctorate from the Complutense University of Madrid.He is the publisher of widely read newsletters such as Global Energy Weekly,Commodity Strategist and Energy Strategist.
Bank of America(BAC)