ECONOMY & MARKETS

Marubeni May Buy Stake In Australian Iron Mine

Iron and Steel Industry in China
Marubeni Corp., a large Japanese diversified trading company, is in talks to buy a 10 to 12.5 percent stake in a huge iron mine owned by Australia's Hancock Prospecting, a source told Dow Jones.
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Greece

Derivative Swaps In Greek Debt Deal Could Weaken Europe Further

Greece's nearly $270 billion debt restructuring was deemed a default last week, bringing relief to creditors that had hedged their bets by buying credit default swaps. But the default declaration could send a wave of unintended consequences throughout Europe, further weakening some already-fragile economies.
Grasberg gold mine in Indonesia

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Cut Gold Output Estimate on Grasberg Strike

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. (NYSE: FCX) said Thursday that it has resolved a labor dispute with PT Freeport Indonesia workers at its Grasberg mining and milling operations, but that the work stoppage will cost the company production and sales of a significant amount of copper and gold.
A table setting for the State Dinner with U.S. President Barack Obama and Britain Prime Minister David Cameron, is shown during a preview in the State Dining Room at the White House in Washington March 14, 2012.

US, UK Agree To Release Oil From Strategic Reserves

The recent round of warm talks between U.S. and U.K. heads of government has yielded a huge political bonus for U.S. President Barack Obama, as the two leaders are set to announce a cooperative plan to released strategic oil stocks, something that is likely to help bring down the sky-high price of crude.
pump

US Consumer Prices Likely Hit 10-Month High In Feb: Preview

The U.S. cost of living probably increased last month on higher gasoline prices, economists said before Friday's CPI report. But the Federal Open Market Committee said earlier this week that the surge in energy prices is temporary and inflation will stay below the Fed's 2 percent target in 2012.
Chancellor George Osborne handles newly minted one pound coins during a visit to the Royal Mint in Cardiff

Before Key Political Development, Fitch Issues Warning On UK Credit

Paris-based credit rating agency Fitch warned the government of the United Kingdom Thursday that the country still stood to lose its sterling AAA rating were the economic situation in Europe to deteriorate further. The action came at a politically sensitive time for Britain.
New York Fed president William Dudley

NY Area Manufacturing Grows Modestly

Manufacturing in the New York region increased in March at its fastest pace since June 2010, a New York Fed survey revealed Thursday, but a mixed bag of indicators in the survey showcased the still-tepid state of U.S. factory activity.

US Wholesale Prices Up 0.4% In February

Surging gasoline prices raised wholesale prices in February by 0.4 percent, less than economists expected but generally in line with the U.S. central bank's broader outlook for inflation, the Commerce Department said Thursday.
Goldman Sachs have been fined again for trading non-public information

Goldman Sachs Loses $2.15 Billion of Its Market Value

The shares of Goldman Sachs dropped 3.4 percent in New York trading Wednesday, wiping $2.15 billion off its market value following allegations made by a former company executive that the firm took little interest in the clients and was also involved in exploiting them.
A worker inspects a Land Rover Discovery on the production line at their Production Facility in Solihull

India to Surpass Japan as No. 2 Asian Car Market by 2016

India will surpass Japan as the No. 2 vehicle market in Asia by 2016, according to a report in the Wall Street Journal based on data and research from IHS Automotive. The report also says that auto sales in China, Asia and the world's largest market, will continue to grow steadily through the rest of the decade.
Tobacco

Tobacco Maker Reynolds American To Cut 10% Of Staff

Reynolds American Inc. (NYSE: RAI), the second-largest U.S. tobacco company, said Wednesday it would eliminate 10 percent of its workforce, or around 540 workers, by the end of 2014 in order to save money and refocus its business.

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