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OECD lifts 2024 growth forecasts, driven by US
OECD lifts 2024 growth forecasts, driven by US
by  AFP

The OECD raised its global economic growth forecast for 2024 on Thursday, driven by strong performances in the United States and emerging countries while Europe lags behind. Central banks worldwide raised interest rates in efforts to combat inflation, which rose after countries emerged from Covid lockdowns and soared further following Russia's assault on Ukraine in 2022.

Wind energy giant Vestas swings to loss, sees geopolitical headwinds
Wind energy giant Vestas swings to loss, sees geopolitical headwinds
by  AFP

Vestas, the world's number one wind turbine maker, said Thursday it swung to a 75-million-euro ($80-million) loss in the first quarter and warned "geopolitical volatility" would continue to cause uncertainty. "In 2024, continued geopolitical volatility is expected to cause uncertainty.

Weight-loss drug maker Novo Nordisk's profits soar further
Weight-loss drug maker Novo Nordisk's profits soar further
by  AFP

Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk reported more soaring profits on Thursday thanks to the popularity of anti-diabetes and weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, which have made it Europe's most valuable company. Novo Nordisk produces Ozempic, an injectable anti-diabetic treatment which has become popular on social networks for its reported slimming properties.

Shell logs sliding profits as revenues sink
Shell logs sliding profits as revenues sink
by  AFP

British energy major Shell on Thursday posted sharply lower first-quarter net profit on sinking revenues, but adjusted earnings topped expectations and it unveiled another bumper stock buyback. The group unveiled a fresh $3.5-billion stock buyback and forecast capital expenditure this year would reach between $22 billion and $24 billion.

French govt to 'fight' TotalEnergies New York listing
French govt to 'fight' TotalEnergies New York listing
by  AFP

France will "fight" to keep oil and gas giant TotalEnergies from shifting its main stock market listing to New York, French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said Thursday. "I'm here to make sure that doesn't happen," Le Maire told news channel BFM. "Is the overriding interest of the nation to keep Total's headquarters in France and its main stock market listing in France?

Yen slips after rallying on suspected intervention, stocks mixed
Yen slips after rallying on suspected intervention, stocks mixed
by  AFP

The yen weakened Thursday following another surge against the dollar that fuelled speculation Japanese authorities had intervened for a second time this week, after Federal Reserve boss Jerome Powell warned interest rates would stay higher for longer.

Evictions surge in Arizona with housing shortage and rising prices
Evictions surge in Arizona with housing shortage and rising prices
by  AFP

Wearing a bulletproof vest and with a gun strapped to his waist, Constable Lennie McCloskey opens his folder and looks through the court orders: eleven evictions to be carried out today. But what he sees most nowadays is people who haven't been able to scrape together enough money to make the rent that month -- sufficient cause for a landlord to get a court ordered eviction.

US private sector job growth higher than expected: ADP
US private sector job growth higher than expected: ADP
by  AFP

Hiring in the US private sector cooled in April but job growth was still higher than anticipated, boosted by the services sector, payroll firm ADP said Wednesday. Other sectors adding jobs included trade, transport and utilities, as well as education and health services, said ADP. But analysts caution that private payroll numbers can be revised significantly.