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Record loss for Russia's Gazprom as European market closed
Record loss for Russia's Gazprom as European market closed
by  AFP

Russian energy giant Gazprom said Thursday it suffered a record annual loss last year as the European market was practically shut to its gas exports due to sanctions over Moscow's military operation in Ukraine. Exports to Europe have long been Gazprom's top earnings source, but following the start of the conflict in Ukraine European nations sought to reduce their reliance upon Russian natural gas.

US clears ExxonMobil deal, bars Pioneer ex-chief from board
US clears ExxonMobil deal, bars Pioneer ex-chief from board
by  AFP

US antitrust authorities cleared ExxonMobil's acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources under the condition that the shale producer's former CEO be barred from the company's board, regulators announced Thursday. In October, ExxonMobil announced the acquisition of the fellow Texas-based Pioneer for about $60 billion in a big bet on the Permian Basin, a key US shale region.

US trade gap wider than anticipated in March
US trade gap wider than anticipated in March
by  AFP

The US trade deficit was wider than analysts anticipated in March -- hovering close to the biggest in nearly a year -- with exports and imports both declining, according to government data published Thursday. For March, exports and imports were both lower.

Shell logs 'strong' quarter as earnings fall but top expectations
Shell logs 'strong' quarter as earnings fall but top expectations
by  AFP

British oil and gas giant Shell announced Thursday that first-quarter earnings fell but beat expectations in a "strong" performance, and unveiled another bumper stock buyback. Shell had already warned last month that it expected lower natural gas sales in the first quarter after a particularly strong performance in the final three months of 2023.

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.