The Economist Editor's Picks - April 30, 2015.

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Thursday, April 30, 2015

Our cover this week looks forward to Britain’s general election on May 7th. The union with Scotland, Britain’s membership of the European Union and the global role of the City are all at stake. But our vote is decided by the economy. Best for Britain would be a second Conservative-led coalition under David Cameron  Zanny Minton Beddoes, Editor-in-Chief

The Mexican gamble In spite of a history of boom-and-bust, Mexico has asked investors to place a 100-year bet on its debt READ MORE » The new war on drugs The rich world is softening its line on illegal highs. Everyone else is getting tougher READ MORE » How to down drones In criminal hands small drones could be a menace. It is time to find ways of forcing them out of the sky READ MORE » Politics this week At least 6,000 people were killed when an earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck Nepal, one of Asia’s poorest countries. Aid agencies struggled to reach remote areas in Gorkha district, near the border with Tibet, where many more bodies are expected to be found. The tremor triggered avalanches on Mount Everest, killing 18 climbers SEE ARTICLE » MORE FROM: POLITICS THIS WEEK »

DealBook P.M. Edition - April 30, 2015: China Rethinks Safety Net for Its Banking System

THURSDAY, APRIL 30, 2015

TOP STORY China Rethinks Safety Net for Its Banking System The government is introducing a deposit insurance system, hoping to force a more market-driven approach to lending.

Wall Street at Close Report by CNBC on April 30, 2015: Nasdaq plunges 1.5%; Dow slides triple digits, clings to gains for 2015

Nasdaq plunges 1.5%; Dow slides triple digits, clings to gains for 2015

Evelyn Cheng | @chengevelyn

CNBC.

U.S. stocks closed down more than 1 percent on the last day of trade for April as investors weighed mixed economic data and continued weakness in the dollar. 

The major indices closed below their 50-day moving averages.

The Nasdaq closed down 82.22 points, or 1.64 percent, at 4,941.42, recovering slightly from a 2 percent dip. Biotechs weighed on the index, with the iShares Nasdaq Biotechnology ETF (IBB) ending more than 3 percent lower.

FRB Press Release - April 30, 2015: Agencies issue final rule on minimum requirements for appraisal management companies.

Agencies issue final rule on minimum requirements for appraisal management companies

http://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/press/bcreg/20150430a.htm

Released by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System

CMI Spot Prices as of Close of Trading in New York on April 30, 2015.

SPECIALS Gold Eagles 1 oz American Gold Eagles (random years) 3 coin minimum - $30.00 S&H on orders less than 10 coins $39.00 over spot All Gold Specials Gold Krugerrands 1 oz South African Gold Krugerrands 3 coin minimum - $30.00 S&H on orders less than 10 coins $29.00 over spot All Silver Specials Spot Prices as of close of trading in New York Thursday, April 30, 2015 GOLD TODAY CHANGE WEEK AGO MONTH AGO YEAR AGO $1,183.70 -$27.80 $1,194.90 $1,183.70 $1,283.90 SILVER TODAY CHANGE WEEK AGO MONTH AGO YEAR AGO $16.16 -$0.54 $15.87 $16.64 $19.05 PLATINUM TODAY CHANGE WEEK AGO MONTH AGO YEAR AGO $1,145.00 -$18.70 $1,139.80 $1,143.80 $1,431.50 PALLADIUM TODAY CHANGE WEEK AGO MONTH AGO YEAR AGO $780.60 -$5.15 $773.35 $738.00 $816.90 GOLD/SILVER RATIO 73.25

Federal Reserve Bank of New York Organization Press Release - April 30, 2015: Agency MBS Transaction Summary

Agency MBS Transaction Summary

Gross purchases from April 23 through April 29: $6,856 million
Sales (dollar rolls) from April 23 through April 29: $0 million
Net purchases from April 23 through April 29: $6,856 million

All amounts reflect current face

PURCHASES SALES

Purchases summarize all trades executed during the indicated period including purchases associated with dollar rolls.* Transactions ($ million) Maturity Coupon Settlement Month FHLMC FNMA GNMA GNMA2 30 Year 3 May 382 608 0 0   3 Jun 394 605 0 1,119   3.5 May 338 465 0 0   3.5 Jun 368 525 0 770               15 Year 2.5 May 385 516 0 0   3 May 153 228 0 0               Total     2,020 2,947 0 1,889 *Does not include trades associated with small value exercises.

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