November 26, 2012
Aston Martin owner denies receiving two offers for firm
The owner of Aston Martin, Kuwait's Investment Dar, has denied reports it has received competing bids for a 50% stake in the luxury British car brand. Italian private equity fund Investindustrial is widely reported to have made an offer of nearly…
November 26, 2012
Gas tanker Ob River attempts first winter Arctic crossing
A large tanker carrying liquified natural gas (LNG) is set to become the first ship of its type to sail across the Arctic. The carrier, Ob River, left Norway in November and has sailed north of Russia on its way to Japan. The specially equipped…
November 26, 2012
Argentina debt showdown – NY judge: The court will be obeyed
Argentina has finally run out of wiggle room in a billion-dollar showdown over foreign debts unpaid since the country's world-record default a decade ago, and the stakes couldn't be higher for President Cristina Fernandez. A US federal judge in New…
November 22, 2012
Eurozone output contracts again, PMI survey says
Business activity in the eurozone continued to contract in November, a survey suggests. The Markit eurozone Purchasing Managers' Output Index was little changed from October, up to 45.8 from 45.7. A reading below 50 indicates contraction. A sharper…
November 22, 2012
SABMiller reports higher profits on emerging markets
Brewing giant SABMiller has said that profits improved, driven by growth in emerging markets. Pre-tax profit in the six months to September rose 12% to $2.28bn (£1.4bn), boosting the shares by 6%. "We have recently seen moderation of economic growth…
November 22, 2012
Apple ordered to share HTC deal details with Samsung
A US judge has ordered Apple to disclose details of its patent-sharing deal with HTC to its rival, Samsung. Apple and HTC signed a 10-year licence agreement earlier this month, but did not make the details public. Samsung, which is also involved in…
November 22, 2012
Sony and Panasonic ratings cut by Fitch
Tech firms Sony and Panasonic have had their credit ratings cut to the level of junk status for the first time. The Fitch ratings agency pointed to their weak balance sheets and declining position in the global electronics sector, where both are…
November 22, 2012
Nigerian Tops Africa’s Richest List
Forbes magazine has named Africa's richest man — a Nigerian tycoon who made his fortune in sugar, flour, and cement. This is the second year in a row that Aliko Dangote has topped the list of Africa's 40 richest people, with a reported net worth…
November 20, 2012
HP: Autonomy lied about finances
Computer maker Hewlett Packard has asked US and UK authorities to investigate alleged misrepresentations before its takeover of UK software group Autonomy last year. This led to a $5bn (£3.1bn) charge in its latest quarterly accounts. HP said it was…
November 20, 2012
Greece: Eurozone ministers to make crunch decision
Eurozone finance ministers meet later to decide whether to release the next 33bn euros ($42bn; £27bn) of bailout cash needed by Greece to stay afloat. On the agenda will be a two-year delay to Greece's austerity programme, how to meet the country's…