Energy Costs Squeeze European Industry
BY STEPHEN FIDLER —Daniel Michaels contributed to this article.
The Wall Street Journal Europe
17 May 2013
Business leaders from across Europe met here Thursday to discuss—among other things—a proposal from the European Commission to “reindustrialize Europe.” The idea is to raise the share of industry in the region’s economic output to 20% by 2020, from…read more…
Euro-Zone Imports Reflect Weakness
BY PAUL HANNON —Matthew Curtin in Paris contributed to this article.
The Wall Street Journal Europe
17 May 2013
The trade surplus for the euro zone hit its highest level in March since the bloc was formed in 1999, driven by a continued decline in imports that reflects very weak demand at home as well as steadily rising exports. The figures released Thursday…read more…
U.S. Grapples With Slowing Inflation
BY JONATHAN HOUSE AND ERIC MORATH
The Wall Street Journal Europe
17 May 2013
WASHINGTON— Inflation in the U. S. has slowed to a level where prices are barely growing at all, a shift that affects consumers, Wall Street and the future of the economic recovery. Excluding volatile energy and food products, consumer prices rose by…read more…
Fed Doves, Hawks Air Views on End of Bond Buying
BY VICTORIAMCGRANE AND MICHAEL S. DERBY
The Wall Street Journal Europe
17 May 2013
Federal Reserve officials are expressing differing views about how soon the central bank should begin to dial back its $85-billion-a-month in bond purchasing, the Fed’s next big decision. The presidents of the Dallas, Richmond, Va., and Philadelphia…read more…
Turning a Corner?
The Wall Street Journal Europe
17 May 2013
After a weak year, Japan`s economy grew at a 3.5% annualized pace at the first quarter of 2012. A weaker yen and stronger overseas demand lifted exports, while a booming stock market helped spur more consumer spending.read more…
Foreign Direct Investment Into China Is Sputtering
BY RICHARD SILK — Yajun Zhang contributed to this article.
The Wall Street Journal Europe
17 May 2013
BEIJING—Foreign direct investment in China sputtered in the first four months of the year despite renewed signs of strength from the U.S. and the European Union, showing only a 1.21% rise from a year ago. China’s outbound investment showed further…read more…
As Baht Rises, Thai Tycoons Spend
BY JAMES HOOKWAY — Wilawan Watcharasakwet contributed to this article.
The Wall Street Journal Europe
17 May 2013
BANGKOK— Fifteen years ago, Thailand and other Asian countries let their currencies slide, using cheap exports to help lift them out of a devastating economic slump. Today, Thailand’s currency is soaring, and some of its tycoons are going on a buying…read more…
April Car Data to Lift European Auto Makers
BY DAVID PEARSON
The Wall Street Journal Europe
17 May 2013
European auto-industry data due Friday will show tentative signs that the near 5 Â� – year slump in demand for new cars in the European Union is bottoming out, bringing a measure of relief to the region’s battered mass-market manufacturers. The…read more…
Gold Keeps Falling as Appetite Wanes
BYMATT DAY —Laura Clarke contributed to this article.
The Wall Street Journal Europe
17 May 2013
Gold prices declined for a sixth consecutive session, as an industry report and the disclosure of scaledback bets by some hedge funds pointed to investors’ waning interest in the precious metal. Gold for June delivery ended down 2% to settle at…read more…
FTSE’s Win Streak Ends With 10 Gains
BY NINA BAINS
The Wall Street Journal Europe
17 May 2013
British stocks edged lower to snap a 10-session winning streak after U.S. economic news fell short of expectations. The benchmark Stoxx Europe 600 index slipped less than 0.1% to 307.97. The U.K.’s FTSE 100 index lost 0.1% to 6687.80, and France’s…read more…
