Pending home sales fall to lowest level since October 2011
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The number of contracts to buy previously-owned U.S. homes fell in February to the lowest level in more than two years, a sign the housing sector has yet to shake off the impact of higher interest rates and a harsh winter.
UK lawmakers to quiz Osborne over Lloyds branches sale
LONDON (Reuters) – Britain’s parliamentary treasury committee has asked finance minister George Osborne if he or colleagues put undue pressure on Co-operative Group or Lloyds Banking Group over the sale of more than 600 Lloyds branches.
U.S. fourth-quarter growth raised to 2.6 percent
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. economic growth was a bit faster than previously estimated in the fourth quarter, displaying underlying strength that could bolster views that the slowdown in activity early in the year would be temporary.
Alstom shares sink on threat of big fine in U.S. bribery case
PARIS (Reuters) – Shares in Alstom fell on Thursday on the prospect that the French engineering firm could face hefty penalties from the U.S. Justice Department in a bribery probe focused on Asia.
U.S. jobs market dropouts increasingly likely to stay out
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A growing number of Americans quitting the labor force are likely gone for good, offering a cautionary note to the Federal Reserve as it tries to gauge how tight the jobs market is and how quickly to raise interest rates.
With cheap money available, Japan Inc. seen to follow Suntory’s M&A path
TOKYO (Reuters) – More Japanese companies are expected to follow Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd in acquiring overseas companies to gain a foothold in faster-growing markets even as global economic uncertainty and a weaker yen temper deal-making.
Prodigal son returns, Lachlan Murdoch back in News Corp
SYDNEY (Reuters) – Lachlan Murdoch’s appointment to senior positions within his father Rupert Murdoch’s media empire marks the return of the prodigal son.
Euro, peripheral bond yields fall on ECB easing debate
LONDON (Reuters) – The euro fell on Thursday and peripheral European government bond yields hit their lowest levels in years as speculation grew that the European Central Bank may ease monetary policy soon.
Japan’s ANA gives Boeing a boost with 777X order
(Reuters) – ANA Holdings Inc restored Boeing Co’s momentum in a Japanese market it has long dominated by ordering 20 new generation 777X wide-body jets after a stinging defection by Japan Airlines Co last year to rival Airbus Group NV .
RBS to resubmit U.S. capital plans after Fed objections
LONDON (Reuters) – Royal Bank of Scotland said it would resubmit the capital plans for its U.S. business Citizens after it was one of three foreign banks who had plans rejected by the U.S. Federal Reserve.
