U.S. Stocks Trim Gains After Fitch Comments on U.K. Deficit, Greek Outlook U.S. stocks trimmed gains after Fitch
Ratings said the U.K. needs to pledge further measures to rein
in its budget deficit and the medium-term outlook for Greece is
“cloudy.”
Wholesale Inventories in U.S. Unexpectedly Decline 0.8% in Sign of Demand Inventories at U.S. wholesalers
unexpectedly fell in December following the biggest increase in
more than five years, indicating distributors had trouble
keeping up with demand.
Default Rate Declines to 0.3% as Seen in Junk Bond Yields: Credit Markets Investors in the lowest rated
corporate bonds are looking past concern that worsening
government finances will derail the economy, paying prices that
imply the fastest drop in defaults in more than a decade.
McDonald's Worldwide January Sales Rise 2.6%, Topping Analysts' Estimates McDonald’s Corp., the world’s largest
restaurant company, said global sales rose 2.6 percent in
January, topping some analysts’ estimates, as demand in Asia and
the U.K. countered a decline in the U.S.
Biogen Fourth-Quarter Profit Climbs on Sales of Tysabri Drug to Treat MS Biogen Idec Inc., the world’s largest
maker of medicines for multiple sclerosis, said fourth-quarter
profit jumped 48 percent, helped by higher sales of its fastest-
growing drug, Tysabri.
Ford, Geely Said to Miss Feb. 14 Target for Volvo Sale Deal on Financing Ford Motor Co. and Zhejiang Geely
Holding Group Co. are unlikely to sign a deal on the sale of the
U.S. automaker’s Volvo unit by the start of the Lunar New Year
on Feb. 14, said three people familiar with the negotiations.
Brazil May Levy Tax on Ore Exports as Lobao Says He `Wants More' From Vale Brazil, the world’s second-biggest
iron-ore exporter, may start taxing shipments of the steelmaking
raw material as it seeks to lure investment in domestic steel
plants, Energy and Mining Minister Edison Lobao said.
Venezuela's Chavez Declares National `Emergency' Over Electricity Crisis Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez
declared a national emergency in the electricity sector as the
country’s worst drought in 50 years dries up water supplies in
hydroelectric dams.
Itau Unibanco's Profit Rises 72% After `More Aggressive' Lending Growth Itau Unibanco Holding SA, Brazil’s
biggest bank by market value, said fourth-quarter profit rose 72
percent as the lender expanded its loan portfolio.
Bovespa Jumps as Rising Real Boosts Airlines, Global Deficit Concerns Ease Brazil stocks rose the most since
December, extending the Bovespa index’s rebound from a three-
month low, as a stronger currency boosted the nation’s biggest
airlines and Itau Unibanco Holding SA said earnings surged.
Colombia's Peso Strengthens as Crude Oil Gains; Argentine Bonds Rebound Colombia’s peso climbed for a second
day as the price of oil, the nation’s top export, climbed above
$72 per barrel.
Brazil Soy Forecast Raised to 66.7 Million Tons After Rains, Ministry Says Soybean output in Brazil, the world’s
largest grower after the U.S., will rise more than previously
forecast this year as above-average rains help the flowering of
the beans, the Agriculture Ministry said.