Economy / Global

European banks succumb to fresh selling pressure

European banks succumb to fresh selling pressure

Banking stocks tumbled in Europe on Friday with heavyweights Deutsche Bank and UBS Group pummelled by worries that the worst problems in the sector since the 2008 financial crisis are not contained, while stress indicators in the currency and bond markets flash warning signs. In a third day of los


Pakistan drafting fuel pricing scheme despite IMF concerns

Pakistan drafting fuel pricing scheme despite IMF concerns

Pakistan is drafting a fuel pricing scheme aimed at helping the poor, the petroleum minister said, a programme that some economists fear could hinder a crucial International Monetary Fund pay out needed to prevent economic collapse. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif first announced the government's pl

Argentina inflation tops 100pc for first time since 1991

Argentina inflation tops 100pc for first time since 1991

Argentina's annual inflation rate tore past 100 per cent in February, the country's statistics agency said on Tuesday, the first time it has hit triple figures since a period of hyperinflation in 1991, over three decades ago. Inflation over 12 months clocked in at 102.5 per cent in the second mont

Sri Lanka to receive first tranche from IMF in next two days

Sri Lanka to receive first tranche from IMF in next two days

Sri Lanka will receive the first tranche of about $330 million from the International Monetary Fund in the next two days, and, going forward, disbursements would be tied to reviews that take place every six months, an IMF official said on Tuesday. The IMF on Monday said its executive board approve

Japan plans $75b investment across Indo-Pacific to counter China

Japan plans $75b investment across Indo-Pacific to counter China

Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Monday announced a new plan to promote an open and free Indo-Pacific, promising billions of dollars in investment to help economies across the region in everything from industry to disaster prevention. The plan he announced in New Delhi is seen as Tokyo's bi

Global central banks open daily dollar taps to help banks

Global central banks open daily dollar taps to help banks

Top central banks, faced with the risk of a fast-moving loss of confidence in the stability of the financial system, moved on Sunday to bolster the flow of cash around the world. In coordination with central banks elsewhere, the US Federal Reserve offered daily currency swaps to ensure banks

UBS offers $1b to buy Credit Suisse bank

UBS offers $1b to buy Credit Suisse bank

UBS Group AG has offered to buy Credit Suisse for up to $1.0 billion, with the Swiss government planning to change the country's laws to bypass a shareholder vote on the transaction, the Financial Times reported on Sunday. Credit Suisse and UBS declined to comment, and the Swiss government did not

India's economic, banking systems are strong: PM Modi

India's economic, banking systems are strong: PM Modi

India's economic and banking system are strong even amid the turmoil currently rocking global markets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday. "Amidst a global crisis, today India’s economic system is strong, the banking system is strong. This is the power of our institutions," Modi s

Black Sea grains export deal renewed

Black Sea grains export deal renewed

A deal allowing the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports that was due to expire on Saturday has been renewed, Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan said, while a Ukrainian government minister said the extension had been agreed for 120 days.  

US retail sales slip 0.4pc in February

US retail sales slip 0.4pc in February

America’s consumers trimmed their spending in February after a buying burst in January, underscoring the volatility of the economic environment. The government said Wednesday that retail sales slipped 0.4 per cent after jumping a revised 3.2 per cent in January, helped by an increase in auto