February 6, 2012
Mitsubishi to close European plant
Japanese car maker Mitsubishi Motors is to end production at its only plant in Western Europe. Production has fallen at Mitsubishi's car plant at Born in the Netherlands to just 50,000 cars, as Mitsubishi's European sales have dropped sharply. It…
February 6, 2012
HTC profits rise but sales set to fall
Taiwan smartphone maker HTC has posted a jump in profits, but says recent sales have been hit as it faces tougher competition from rivals such as Apple's iPhone and Samsung's Galaxy range. It reported post-tax profits of 61.98bn Taiwan dollars…
February 6, 2012
Euro crisis could almost halve China’s growth, IMF says
A eurozone recession could almost halve Chinese growth this year, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The IMF forecasts China's economy will grow by 8.2% this year - but warns that a recession in the eurozone could cut this to……
February 3, 2012
US economy creates 243,000 jobs in January
The US economy created 243,000 jobs in December, the highest total for nine months, official figures show. The rise was much more than expected. Analysts had forecast an increase of about 150,000 jobs. The unemployment rate dropped to 8.3%, which…
February 3, 2012
Eurozone service sector grows after four-month lull
The eurozone's service sector has grown for the first time in four months, although Spain and Italy have continued to post falls in business activity. The Markit eurozone services purchasing managers' index (PMI) was 50.4 in January, up from…
February 3, 2012
UK service sector sees strong growth, PMI figures show
The UK's dominant service sector grew at its fastest rate since March 2011 in January, according to a key survey. The Markit/CIPS services purchasing managers' index (PMI) rose from 54 to 56. Any figure above 50 indicates growth. Markit also…
February 3, 2012
Motorola makes Apple pull iPads and iPhones in Germany
Apple has pulled several iPad and iPhone models from its German online store after Motorola Mobility enforced a patent injunction against its rival. The move follows a December ruling that Apple had failed to license one of Motorola's wireless…
February 3, 2012
Megaupload co-founder’s bail appeal rejected by court
Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom's bail application appeal has been rejected in New Zealand. The High Court in Auckland said it agreed with an earlier ruling that Mr Dotcom - a German national - might try to flee the country. The file-sharing site…
February 2, 2012
Facebook unveils $5bn stock market flotation plans
The world's largest social networking site, Facebook, has announced plans for a stock market flotation. Facebook said it would seek to raise $5bn (£3.16bn, 3.8bn euros), about half the amount many analysts expected. But the initial public offering…
February 2, 2012
Sony reports further losses as Thai floods hit sales
Japanese electronics giant Sony has reported another quarterly loss after sales were hit by lower production following the floods in Thailand. The company reported a net loss of 159bn yen ($2.1bn; £1.3bn) for the final three months of 2011,…