VIEWPOINTS

“The (manufacturing) data out of China has given us an early shot in the arm. For the first full trading session of 2017 we are looking particularly positive.” — James Hughes, chief market analyst at GKFX

“Someone asked me the other day how much progress we’ve made on cybersecurity. The answer is, not so much.”

— James Andrew Lewis, director of the Strategic Technologies Program at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, a Washington think tank

“If you are looking to get the most money back possible for unwanted gifts, your best bet is to return them. Places like Wal-Mart, Target, Kohl’s and other (stores) will allow you to return items in exchange for a gift card.” — Paul Moyer from SavingFreak.com

“Sears and J.C. Penney have similar issues. The world of retailing has changed, and to date, neither has done a very good job of adjusting.” — Ira Kalb, professor at USC Marshall School of Business “The notion of using emergency tariff-raising authority to influence the investment location decisions of a single company would be an unprecedented use of that authority and far beyond what Congress ever intended. Turning those powers on a single U.S. company because you don’t like its strategy just takes us to a whole new realm.”

– Edward Alden, a trade expert at the Council on Foreign Relations

“Given the uncertainties that lie ahead though, I expect it will be another volatile year in which expectations for interest rates will change on a regular basis.” – Craig Erlam, senior market analyst at OANDA

“The tech industry is trying now to express itself through buildings . ... I was a little astonished. This is a very sculptural, expressive building.””

– Gundula Proksch, a professor of architecture at the University of Washington “Most patients, if offered the option to go to major cancer center, especially if it involves traveling, will decline it.”

- Dr. Robert Carlson, CEO of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network