Analysis: The hardest part is yet to come for gas-hoarding Europe
Europe faces a much tougher task to rebuild gas stocks next year compared with this winter, meaning energy bills are likely to stay high and governments could have to implement painful rationing measures they have so far avoided.
China’s trade suffers worst slump in 2-1/2 yrs as COVID woes, feeble demand take toll
China’s exports and imports shrank at their steepest pace in at least 2-1/2 years in November, as feeble global and domestic demand, COVID-led production disruptions and a property slump at home piled pressure on the world’s second-biggest economy.
UK labour market exodus drives jobless rate down to 3.5%
Britain reported a record jump in the number of people leaving the labour market in the three months to August, adding to the Bank of England’s inflation headaches.
Exclusive: Indian car makers propose tax cut on imports in trade deal with Britain
Indian car makers have proposed cutting to 30% the tax rate on imported cars as part of a trade deal with Britain, sources told Reuters, an unprecedented move that could ease access to one of the world’s most protected automobile markets.
Ericsson says no hardware exported to Russia, only software support
Ericsson (ERICb.ST) said on Friday it is only providing software and technical support to Russian clients and has not sold any telecommunications equipment to mobile operators there since the Ukraine war started, after Swedish media reported the company had continued its exports.
Exclusive: Flurry of new rules leave Turkish banks struggling to lend
Some Turkish banks are curtailing corporate lending after the government’s latest raft of regulations raised their costs and forced many to cut their balance sheet risks, five banking and private sector sources told Reuters.
Japan’s services sector shrinks for first time in five months in August – PMI
Japan’s services sector activity shrank for the first time in five months in August as a resurgence of COVID-19 infections hurt demand, a business survey showed.
Gap posts surprise profit on Banana Republic boost; withdraws forecasts
Gap Inc (GPS.N) reported a surprise quarterly profit on Thursday on demand for dressier clothes at its Banana Republic brand, while an inventory glut and weak sales of outdated clothes prompted it to withdraw annual forecasts.
European shares drop as policymakers seek to tame hot inflation
European shares dropped on Monday, while bond yields surged as comments from central bank policymakers heightened fears of aggressive measures to stamp out inflation amid rising risks of a recession.
Morning Bid: Yuan, euro and pound head down the Hole
Global central banks are scattering again, propelling a resurgent U.S. dollar to its highest in almost two years against China’s yuan and back through parity against the euro.
