Economy

Monday, August 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
BHP Billiton: record profits and upbeat about commodities

BHP Billiton Ltd. which is the world's largest mining company has reported a record annual net profit for the year ended June 30 of 15.39 billion US dollars, up 14.7% from the 13.42 billion of the previous year.
Monday, August 18th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
June trade figures confirm EU economy slowing down

The trade deficit of the 15-nation Euro zone shrank sharply in June to 101 million Euros, but failed to meet forecasts, according to data released Monday by Eurostat.
Sunday, August 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
NY prosecutors make banks repay billions for misselling

New York State's attorney general has threatened to sue Merrill Lynch for misrepresenting certain debt investments as safer than they were. Andrew Cuomo said that legal action against the US bank was “imminent” after it failed to settle charges of mis-selling with regulators.
Sunday, August 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Uruguay's meat exports in seven months: 983 m. USD

During the first seven months of this year Uruguay meat exports totaled 983 million US dollars, 54% higher than the same period in 2007, of which beef represents 84% and lamb 4%, according to the country's Nacional Institute of Meats, INAC.
Sunday, August 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Japanese economy sliding downwards to recession

The Japanese economy contracted by 0.6% between April and June, prompting fears that it is sliding towards recession. Declining exports and consumer demand were behind the fall - the first for more than a year - which came after a rise of 0.8% in the previous quarter.
Sunday, August 17th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Russian tycoon pays 300 million Euros for French Riviera villa

Russian tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov paid 300 million Euros for a villa in the French Riviera built in 1902, so grand that it takes a reputed 50 gardeners to tend its gardens, according to the Paris daily Le Monde.
Friday, August 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Relief: USDA hikes world grains production estimates

The US Department of Agriculture corrected upwards its estimate of world production of grains for 2008/09 which should total 2.190,61 million tons, up from the previous 2.164,97 million tons.
Friday, August 15th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Contradicting data about Magallanes economic activity

Economic activity in Magallanes Region, extreme south of Chile, has fallen dramatically during the second quarter of this year compared to the same period a year ago according to the latest data from the country's official Statistics Office.
Thursday, August 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Venezuela: price rises of up to 50% for 15 basic foods

Venezuela raised regulated prices of 15 basic foods ranging from bread to beef by up to 50% and removed price controls from other goods in an attempt to ease sporadic shortages in supermarkets.
Thursday, August 14th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentine farmers attracted by the allure of fail-safe soy

Despite the recent dip in prices soybeans keep attracting Argentine farmers who for the coming 2008/09 season are expected to dedicate a record area to the oilseed crop.