Economy

• Saturday, November 10th 2012 - 04:46 UTC

  Major group plans cash-tender offer for low cost airline Barcelona-based Vueling

  

  International Airlines Group has reaffirmed that it would keep Vueling as a stand-alone entity within the group if it completes its plan to acquire the outstanding shares in the Barcelona-based low-cost carrier.

• Saturday, November 10th 2012 - 04:40 UTC

  Iberia survival plan: slash quarter of jobs, cut 15% network and downsize fleet

  

  Loss-making Iberia on Friday announced plans to axe 4.500 jobs to save Spain's biggest airline from collapse and warned more cuts could follow against the backdrop of economic crisis in the Euro zone country.

• Saturday, November 10th 2012 - 02:35 UTC

  China forecasted to become world’s largest economy, ahead of the US in 2016

  

  China is projected to overtake the US to become the world's largest economy as early as 2016, according to a report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) released on Friday.

• Friday, November 9th 2012 - 06:30 UTC

  Draghi confirms economic activity in Euro is “expected to remains weak”

  

  The European Central Bank (ECB) has held the benchmark Euro zone interest rate at the record low of 0.75%, as had been expected. The rate has been at this level for four months, after July's cut from 1%.

• Friday, November 9th 2012 - 06:27 UTC

  FAO October Price Index: cereals and oils down; increases in dairy and sugar

  

  The FAO Food Price Index fell 1% in October 2012, and for the first ten months of the year food prices were on average 8% lower than in the same period in 2011. The Index dipped two points to 213 points from September's revised level of 215 points. The decline was largely due to lower international prices of cereals and oils and fats, which more than offset increases in dairy and sugar prices.

• Friday, November 9th 2012 - 06:15 UTC

  Bank of England leaves further stimuli and rate on hold

  

  The Bank of England has decided not to extend its quantitative easing (QE) stimulus program, which has injected £375bn into the UK financial system. Under QE, the Bank creates money and uses it to buy government bonds to try to stimulate the economy.

• Thursday, November 8th 2012 - 07:08 UTC

  Brazil says inflation in October peaked and should begin to ease

  

  Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega said on Wednesday that inflation has peaked and indicators are pointing to a retreat to a lower level. Consumer prices rose in October at their fastest pace since April due to higher food prices, government data showed, though a measure of wholesale costs suggested relief should arrive in coming months

• Thursday, November 8th 2012 - 01:53 UTC

  Brazil expands investmetns and builds closer economic ties in Africa

  

  Brazilian companies are moving into Africa amid a government drive to build closer economic ties with the continent. A year ago Vale, the Brazilian mining giant, exported its first overseas coal shipment from Mozambique.

• Thursday, November 8th 2012 - 01:49 UTC

  Wall Street and rating agencies not pleased with the US elections results

  

  No break for re-elected President Barack Obama. In the midst of what should be a honeymoon victory Fitch Ratings agency called on the newly appointed head of state to quickly “secure agreement on avoiding the 'fiscal cliff' and raising the debt ceiling,” to retain its “AAA” status.

• Wednesday, November 7th 2012 - 22:52 UTC

  Global meat production reached 297 million tons last year, up 0.8% over 2010

  

  Global meat production rose to 297 million tons in 2011, an increase of 0.8% over 2010 levels, and is projected to reach 302 million tons by the end of 2012, according to new research conducted by the Worldwatch Institute.