Latin American ‘reconquest’ well-placed for Spanish recovery
MADRID/MEXICO CITY (Reuters) – As Spain’s economy begins to recover from a near-fatal crisis, Latin American companies and entrepreneurs are ahead of the pack in gaining a foothold from which they can grab a share of the spoils.
Germany borrowed 4 billion euros less than expected in 2013 – research center
BERLIN (Reuters) – Germany’s federal government likely borrowed some 4 billion euros less than it initially projected in 2013, due to higher tax revenues, an economist with the IfW economic research center said on Wednesday.
VW’s Skoda on course to sell 1 million cars in 2014
PRAGUE (Reuters) – Volkswagen’s Skoda Auto, the Czech Republic’s biggest exporter, is on target to sell 1 million cars globally for the first time in 2014 thanks to the launch and ramped-up production of new models, a spokesman said on Wednesday.
Euro zone unemployment holds at record high, retail sales rebound
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – Euro zone retail sales leapt in November even though unemployment remained at a record high, hinting at a pick up in consumer demand that would ease deflation worries and relieve pressure on the ECB to loosen policy.
Shares and dollar rise on more signs of economic recovery
LONDON (Reuters) – Global equities and the dollar rose on Wednesday, as solid German economic data pointed to a pick-up in world trade and kept European shares near five-and-a-half year highs.
Analysis: America to Europe: Stronger banking union would help boost growth
BERLIN (Reuters) – The United States has a message for Europe: If you want to help your ailing economy, consider pledging taxpayer money from across the euro zone to help troubled banks.
Analysis: Lobbying fight over U.S. oil exports may be one-sided battle
WASHINGTON/NEW YORK (Reuters) – One of the most important U.S. energy policy lobbying debates this year is shaping up as a remarkably one-sided fight.
Bentley 2013 sales hit record as Americas demand offsets China
LONDON (Reuters) – Bentley Motors said sales of its ultra-luxury saloons, coupes and convertibles set a record last year as demand from the Americas outweighed shrinking deliveries in China.
Analysis: Arctic chill exposes weakness of U.S. natural gas system
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Brutally cold weather this week laid bare critical weaknesses in the Northeastern U.S. natural gas system, leaving some states paying vast sums for supplies as arctic weather enveloped the region.
BoE: banks expect significant increase in mortgage supply, more business loans
LONDON (Reuters) – British lenders expect a significant increase in the availability of mortgages and a better supply of business loans in the first quarter of 2014, a Bank of England survey showed on Wednesday.
