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Nissan annual net profit nearly doubles on-year
Nissan annual net profit nearly doubles on-year
by  AFP

Nissan said Thursday it nearly doubled its full-year net profit in 2023-24 but forecast a dip of around 10 percent for the current financial year. Thursday's results struck a different tone to an announcement last month when Nissan trimmed its sales and profit outlook for 2023-24, predicting a more modest net profit of 390 billion.

Chinese cities lift curbs on buying homes as property crisis bites
Chinese cities lift curbs on buying homes as property crisis bites
by  AFP

Two of China's wealthiest cities said Thursday they would lift all restrictions on buying homes, joining a growing list of urban areas rolling back curbs as they look to prop up the faltering property market. Several of the biggest cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, have partly lifted curbs but have resisted dumping them entirely.

Spanish bank BBVA goes hostile in Sabadell takeover bid
Spanish bank BBVA goes hostile in Sabadell takeover bid
by  AFP

Spain's second-largest bank BBVA announced Thursday a hostile takeover bid for Banco Sabadell, three days after its smaller rival rejected an offer that would create a European banking giant. BBVA president Carlos Torres Vila is scheduled to take part in a press conference on Thursday at noon (1000 GMT) to discuss its hostile takeover bid for Sabadell.

Chinese city lifts curbs on buying homes as property crisis bites
Chinese city lifts curbs on buying homes as property crisis bites
by  AFP

One of China's wealthiest cities said Thursday it would lift all restrictions on buying homes, joining a growing list of urban areas rolling back curbs as they look to prop up the faltering property market. Several of the biggest cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen, have partly lifted curbs but have resisted dumping them entirely.

Asian markets mixed as traders eye rate cuts
Asian markets mixed as traders eye rate cuts
by  AFP

Asian traders fought to get a recent rally back on course Thursday following a tepid lead from Wall Street but record performance in Europe highlighted optimism that central banks were on course to cut interest rates. "As the Federal Reserve extends the timeline for interest rate cuts, historical data shows that longer Fed pauses often correlate with better equity returns.

Bank of England set to hold rate at 16-year high
Bank of England set to hold rate at 16-year high
by  AFP

The Bank of England was set Thursday to keep its main interest rate at a 16-year high, resisting a cut as UK inflation cools at a slower pace than forecast. With the central bank set to keep the status quo, focus will be on accompanying statements for clues on when it may start cutting the interest rate.

China's Xi in Hungary to celebrate 'new era' with Orban
China's Xi in Hungary to celebrate 'new era' with Orban
by  AFP

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban will host Chinese President Xi Jinping in Budapest on Thursday in a bid to strengthen already flourishing ties between Beijing and its closest EU ally. After a dinner featuring traditional Hungarian specialities on Wednesday evening, Xi will be received with military honours in Budapest on Thursday morning, alongside Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok.

US forges new 'battery belt' in hopes of electric future
US forges new 'battery belt' in hopes of electric future
by  AFP

Growing up, Devante Cuthbertson assumed he might have to leave his North Carolina hometown to pursue a career, but a new multi-billion-dollar Toyota battery plant is offering him a reason to stay put. By 2028 the $13.9 billion battery plant will employ 5,100 people, up from some 800 now, said Sean Suggs, president of Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina.

EU eyes first ever sanctions on Russia's LNG sector
EU eyes first ever sanctions on Russia's LNG sector
by  AFP

The EU is considering expanding its sanctions against Moscow over the war in Ukraine to target Russia's liquefied natural gas sector, EU diplomats said Wednesday. The EU has already unleashed 13 rounds of unprecedented sanctions against Russia since its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, many of which target its key oil and gas exports.