Reuters UK Business

By John Revill ZURICH (Reuters) -Holcim beat third-quarter operating profit expectations, the construction materials maker said on Friday, as higher profitability helped offset lower sales. The company, which is planning to spin off its North American business next year, posted recurring operating profit of 1.67 billion Swiss francs ($1.93 billion) for the three months to …

Building materials supplier Holcim beats profit forecast Read More »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The European Central Bank may need to ease policy somewhat faster than earlier thought but interest rates do not need to fall to a level where the bank is stimulating economic growth, Latvian central bank chief Martins Kazaks said. The ECB cut rates three times already this year and some policymakers now …

ECB does not need to contemplate below-neutral rates now, Latvia central bank chief says Read More »

By Abhirup Roy SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -Tesla shares closed up nearly 22% on Thursday – their biggest single-day gain in over a decade – as CEO Elon Musk’s bold forecast of surging sales reassured investors he was still looking to grow its core business of selling electric cars. Musk forecast 20%-30% sales growth next year, …

Tesla rallies most in over a decade on Musk’s bold EV forecast Read More »

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The World Bank announced on Thursday a new gender strategy aimed at boosting economic opportunities for women and enabling their participation in the global economy through social protection and access to broadband and capital. The Gender Strategy 2024-2030, unveiled during the International Monetary Fund and World Bank annual meetings in Washington, has …

World Bank rolls out new strategy to boost economic opportunities for women Read More »

(Reuters) -Swiss industrial and construction chemicals company Sika reported a 5.5% increase in sales for the first nine months of 2024 on Friday, and confirmed its outlook for the year. The company, whose chemical additives are used to strengthen and waterproof building materials in walls, floors and roofs, said sales rose to 8.91 billion Swiss …

Swiss chemical maker Sika’s nine-month sales rise 5.5% Read More »

(Reuters) -Qantas Airways is not opposed to Qatar Airways’ proposal to take a 25% stake in Australia’s No. 2 carrier Virgin Australia, Qantas’ chair and CEO said on Friday, adding its investment plan meant it was well-placed to compete. Qantas had previously lobbied the federal government, which still needs to sign off the Qatari investment, …

Qantas says it is not opposed to Qatar stake in Virgin Australia Read More »