Economy

Tuesday, August 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Appreciation of the Real threatens Brazilian economy

Brazil's Minister of Economy warned Tuesday that the sustained appreciation of the local currency Real against the US dollar has reached “a limit” and if the Real continues to advance, “it could ruin our external accounts”.
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Falling crude prices drive commodities to sharp fall

Commodities fell sharply Monday as another big drop in crude prices prompted traders to shed copper, corn and other hard assets as alternative investments.
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Argentine president tough stance scares investors

Investors are bailing out of Argentine assets in response to tough talking President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner who since a press conference on Saturday has been defending her government's actions over a now defeated agricultural tax and inflation statistics.
Tuesday, August 5th 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Fed admits high inflation but leaves rates unchanged, 2%

The Federal Reserve decided on Tuesday to keep the key interest rate unchanged at 2% in support of a slowing economy threatened by inflationary pressures and the ongoing housing contraction and high fuel prices.
Saturday, August 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Car industry downturn: GM reports losses of 15.5 b USD

General Motors reported on Friday a net three-month loss of 15.5 billion US dollars as North American sales fell by 20%. GM took a 3.3 billion charge for buying out the contracts of 19,000 hourly workers who left at the end of June.
Saturday, August 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US unemployment rising hits four year high in July: 5.7%

The United States unemployment rate increased to a four-year high in July according to a Labor Department report issued Friday which shows 5.7% of the US workforce is out of a job, a slight increase from June.
Saturday, August 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Oracles turned sour: credit rating agencies on the bench

Credit rating agencies could be banned or prosecuted under a draft European Union law aimed at making them more accountable for the advice they give. Firms that rate debt investments, such as Fitch, Moody's and Standard & Poor's, have been criticized for their role in the sub-prime mortgage crisis.

The new law would replace a voluntary code of conduct.
Saturday, August 2nd 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Russia plans trading company to control cereal exports

Russia is to form a state grain trading company that will control the majority of the country's cereal exports, it has been reported.
Friday, August 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
US economy picks up but Governors give different picture

The US economy has been boosted by the government's 168 billion stimulus package, according to the US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. Official figures showed that gross domestic product (GDP) rose at an annual rate of 1.9% between April and June, up from 0.9%.
Friday, August 1st 2008 - 21:00 UTC
Euro zone inflation at its fastest; unemployment 7.3%

Inflation in the Euro zone accelerated to its pace in more than 16 years in July, 4.1% from 4% in June, according to the European Union statistics office in Luxembourg. A separate report showed unemployment was 7.3% in June.