U.S. trade deficit narrows slightly; exports rise
WASHINGTON, Dec 5 (Reuters) – The U.S. trade deficit narrowed less than expected in October as lower crude oil prices failed to offset a jump in imports, while an increase in exports suggested the economy was weathering faltering global demand.
Alstom union fears 320 job cuts at Belfort train-making plant
PARIS (Reuters) – Alstom , which is selling most of its power arm to General Electric to focus on train-making, could halve staff at its Belfort plant in eastern France to cope with flagging locomotive demand, Alstom’s main union warned on Friday.
Honda to recall 135,000 cars in Japan as Takata air bag fallout spreads
TOKYO (Reuters) – Honda Motor Co will soon recall 135,000 vehicles in Japan as recalls in the United States involving potentially defective air bags by Takata Corp expand, a Honda spokeswoman said on Friday.
Airbus lags Boeing but faces tense end to order race
PARIS (Reuters) – Europe’s Airbus sold 248 jets in November, but remained behind Boeing as both planemakers accelerated towards what could be a tight finish to their annual order race.
Europe shakes off doubts before U.S. jobs data
LONDON (Reuters) – Worries over spluttering growth and a downturn in commodity markets put global stock markets on course for their first weekly decline in a month on Friday, although European shares reclaimed some of the ground they had lost on Thursd…
Struggling Sony to cut pay even as PM Abe calls for higher wages
TOKYO (Reuters) – Sony Corp is likely to cut average pay next year in a rare move for a big Japanese company, and one that goes against Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s push for higher wages to get the economy moving.
Japan Credit Rating Agency cuts Takata to A-, outlook negative
TOKYO (Reuters) – The Japan Credit Rating Agency cut its credit rating on Takata Corp by one notch to A- on Friday, saying the company was likely to face increased costs over an expanded airbag recall in the United States.
Fiat Chrysler launches $2.5 billion mandatory convertible bond, share offer
MILAN (Reuters) – Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) said on Thursday it had launched an expected share offer and a $2.5 billion mandatory convertible bond as it seeks to reduce its mounting debt pile and fund an ambitious five-year investment plan.
Ford says November China auto sales up two percent year-on-year
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Ford Motor Co and its Chinese joint ventures sold 100,834 vehicles in China in November, up 2 percent from the same period a year earlier, the U.S. carmaker said on Friday.
GM’s Cadillac aims to increase global annual sales to over 500,000 by 2020: senior executive
SHANGHAI (Reuters) – General Motors Co’s Cadillac aims to increase its global annual sales to over 500,000 cars by 2020, a senior executive said on Friday.
