Japan39;s Q1 GDP falls faster than expected Consumption, capex both fall more than expected Thrifty consumers, geopolitical factors among risks to outlook Data creates doubts about timing of BOJ rate hikes analysts TOKYO, May 16 Reuters Japan39;s economy fell faster than expected in the first quarter as the weak yen continued to batter consumers, throwing […]

FRANKFURT, May 16 Reuters Commercial property has become the weak link of the euro zone39;s financial system, with losses there threatening to hurt banks, insurers and funds, a European Central Bank report showed on Thursday. Commercial real estate CRE companies have been hit by a triple whammy of higher borrowing costs, falling demand for office space in the […]

May 15 Reuters Sterling hit its highest level in almost two weeks versus a weakening dollar and was broadly unchanged against the euro on Wednesday ahead of key U.S. inflation data. The pound fell on Tuesday after Bank of England BoE chief economist Huw Pill said the central bank might be able to consider cutting interest rates […]

FRANKFURT, May 15 Reuters Stress in the euro zone market for home loans is manageable despite higher interest rates stretching borrowers and lax checks by some banks, the European Central Bank said on Wednesday. Record high interest rates, imposed by the ECB to bring down inflation, have taken a toll on house prices, particularly in countries where there […]

NEW DELHI, May 15 Reuters India39;s merchandise trade deficit in April was wider than expected, hurt by lower exports and a surge in gold imports, government data showed on Wednesday. India39;s April merchandise trade deficit stood at 19.1 billion, according to a Reuters calculation, higher than economists39; expectation of 17.23 billion, according to a Reuters poll. […]

NEW YORK, May 14 Reuters Investors newfound optimism on the U.S. economy faces an important test on Wednesday, with consumer price data set to show whether the soft landing hopes that have fueled recent gains in equities are justified. Investors resurgent appetite for equities has driven the SP 500 back near record highs. Meanwhile, eyepopping rallies in […]

LONDON, May 15 Reuters Two wars and high borrowing costs have trimmed expected growth in countries covered by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development EBRD, the bank said in a semiannual report released on Wednesday. The EBRD, which covers economic trends across emerging Europe, central Asia, the Middle East and Africa, still expects economic […]

FRANKFURT, May 15 Reuters Germany39;s Commerzbank posted a betterthanexpected 29 rise in firstquarter net profit on Wednesday, its strongest quarterly profit in a decade, and raised its outlook for net interest income for the full year. Its net profit rose to 747 million euros 808.25 million in the quarter from a profit of 580 million euros […]

April surplus is above 3.3 bln forecast, below March39;s 4.6 bln Exports 1.7 yy, vs poll39;s 4.6 Imports 4.6 yy, vs poll39;s 8.7 JAKARTA, May 15 Reuters Indonesia posted a slightly biggerthanexpected trade surplus in April of 3.56 billion, as the country saw smallerthanestimated imports, statistics bureau data showed on Wednesday. A Reuters poll of […]

BEIJING, May 15 Reuters Utility price hikes in more than 10 Chinese cities may briefly lift nationwide inflation from ultralow levels, but could ultimately turn into a deflationary force in the world39;s no. 2 economy as they further erode the households39; spending power, analysts say. Many economists have said boosting household demand is crucial for China to […]