February 2, 2014
Wal-Mart lowers profits guidance
Wal-Mart has trimmed its trading outlook for this year, citing a range of one-off costs including the closure of some stores in China. The world's largest retailer said profits were likely to be at, or below, the lower end of financial forecasts.…
February 2, 2014
Argentines jockey to cope with economic turmoil
Prices are soaring, foreign reserves are falling and the peso has had its sharpest slide in 12 years. Instead of rioting, though, Argentines are falling back on tried and true survival skills learned in earlier, more dire times. Some are hoarding…
February 2, 2014
IMF predicts economic growth for St Kitts-Nevis
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is predicting economic growth as high as three per cent for St Kitts-Nevis in 2014. An IMF mission Friday ended a three-day visit to the twin island Federation conducting reviews of the three-year…
February 2, 2014
Pressure mounts for Apple to expand its horizons
Apple reshaped technology and society when Steve Jobs unveiled the iPhone seven years ago. Now, the trend-setting company is losing ground to rivals that offer what Apple has stubbornly refused to make: smartphones with lower prices and larger…
January 28, 2014
Global smartphone shipments top one billion ‘milestone’
More than one billion smartphones were shipped last year, with Samsung extending its lead as the world's biggest vendor, a new survey has showed. According to market research firm IDC, 1.004 billion smartphones were shipped last year, marking a…
January 28, 2014
Apple shares plunge after reporting flat earnings
Shares in tech giant Apple fell close to 9% in after-hours trading after the firm reported flat profits of $13.1bn (£7.9bn) during the October to January quarter. While the earnings beat expectations, the firm lowered it sales outlook for 2014,…
January 28, 2014
Sony’s credit rating cut to junk
The Japanese electronic giant, Sony, has had its credit rating cut to junk status by ratings agency Moody’s. Moody’s said it expected earnings from Sony’s core businesses to continue to face “significant” downward pressure. It said it was especially…
January 27, 2014
NSA ‘engaged in industrial espionage’ – Snowden
US intelligence leaker Edward Snowden has alleged the National Security Agency engaged in industrial espionage. In an interview with Germany's ARD TV channel, the former NSA contractor said the agency would spy on big German companies that…
January 27, 2014
Japan reports record annual trade deficit
Japan has reported a record annual trade deficit after the weak yen pushed up the cost of energy imports. Its deficit rose to 11.5 trillion yen ($112bn; £68bn) in 2013 - a 65% jump from a year ago. Japan has seen its energy imports rise in…
January 20, 2014
China economic growth at 14-year low
China's economy, the world's second-largest, grew at its slowest pace in 14 years in 2013, latest figures show. Its gross domestic product (GDP) expanded 7.7% from a year ago, the slowest pace of growth since 1999. The growth rate was better than…