Davos optimists see a new era of trade reform at hand
DAVOS/GENEVA (Reuters) – A rare note of optimism at Davos this year comes from the trade ministers, who will gather on Saturday for the first time since the World Trade Organization (WTO) closed the lid on 14 years of increasingly toxic stalemate.
Exclusive: Iran set to be hooked up to global banks in weeks
LONDON (Reuters) – Iran is set to re-engage with the banking world within weeks as international lenders link up with their Iranian counterparts using global transaction network SWIFT, Iran’s Middle East Bank and a senior central bank official told Reu…
Strong U.S. housing data offers ray of hope for slowing economy
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. home resales rebounded strongly in December from a 19-month low and prices surged, indicating the housing market recovery remained intact despite signs of a sharp deceleration in economic growth in recent months. The Nationa…
Oil gains 8 percent as cold snap forces bears to back off
LONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – Oil extended its gains and soared about 8 percent on Friday, as a cold snap boosted demand for heating oil and investors took advantage of the lowest prices since 2003 to close out some of their more profitable bets on price…
Starbucks still hot on China despite muted sales
(Reuters) – Tepid growth in Asia might have taken some steam out of Starbucks Corp’s latest quarterly sales, but both the company and analysts remain upbeat about the coffee chain’s prospects in China.
First GM ignition switch lawsuit is dismissed
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The first federal trial over General Motors Co’s massive ignition switch recall came to an early end on Friday as the parties said the case had been dismissed, in the wake of allegations that the plaintiff had given misleading test…
Fewer orders at Apple suppliers could signal first iPhone sales decline
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Some of Apple Inc’s main Asian suppliers expect revenues and orders to drop this quarter, indicating iPhone sales are almost certain to post their first annual decline since the flagship product was launched almost a decade ago.
Bankruptcy law for Puerto Rico counterproductive: insurers association
NEW YORK (Reuters) – The Association of Financial Guaranty Insurers (AFGI) said on Friday that granting bankruptcy protections to the government of Puerto Rico, which is struggling to pay its debts, would jeopardize its ability to reach a consensual de…
United Airlines pilots approve contract extension
(Reuters) – United Continental Holdings Inc’s pilots have voted to approve a two-year contract extension that paves the way for a 22 percent wage hike by 2018, their union said Friday.
Fed to shed light on depth of global growth concerns
MADRID (Reuters) – For more clues as to how slumping oil prices and a faltering Chinese outlook could sway policymakers in the coming months, look no further than January’s meeting of U.S. Federal Reserve rate setters.
