IMF sees France falling into recession

The IMF forecasts that France, the eurozone's second-largest economy, will fall into recession this year with the economy contracting by 0.1%.

• French minister confirms 0.1% growth
• Moody's strips France of triple-A rating
• French economy stagnates in second quarter

Britain on brink of triple dip recession

Britain's economy shrank more than expected at the end of 2012 pushing it perilously close to a triple-dip recession.

• Britain on brink of new recession
• Winter chill batters UK businesses
• UK finance jobs nosedive over scandals

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Olympics lift Britain out of recession

Britain has stormed out of its longest double-dip recession since the 1950s after its economy returned to growth in the third quarter with a robust gain of 1%.

• British unemployment drops to 7.9%
• British recession shallower than thought
• Britain to unveil 'business bank'
• Osborne safe after UK cabinet reshuffle
• Emergency tax on cards for UK rich
• UK scraps 'flawed' £6bn rail deal

SA on brink of jobs recession

The country faces a real prospect of a jobs recession as employment numbers fell for the third month, says a recruitment agency.

• IDC expects to create 45 000 jobs
• Govt eyes 14% unemployment rate by 2020
• Gauteng MEC promises 1000 jobs in Nov

Greek economy shrinks 6.2%

The Greek economy, struggling in a fifth year of recession, shrank 6.2% in the second quarter compared with a year earlier, official data show.

• Ministers: Bank to pump €1.4bn into Greece
• Greece in "Great Depression", says PM
• Greek coalition, creditors face showdown
• Greece aims to stem layoffs - policy plan
• Berlin insists on Greece bailout terms
• Greece says cash reserves drying up

Almost half of 1m jobs lost recovered

A Reserve Bank report has referred to SA's employment recovery as "hesitant", after only 448 000 jobs were regained from the 1 million lost in 2008-2010.

• 150 000 jobs in green economy pipeline
• Govt struggling to create jobs
• Plastic bottle recycling a jobspinner

China's Wen sees risks to global recovery

China's Prime Minister Wen Jiabao says while the global economy has improved, the recovery is still fragile.

• China's war of the oligarchs
• EU mulls Chinese airline carbon plan
• Chinese economy slows to near 3-year low

Shares down as eurozone fears grip investors

Potential political turmoil in France and the Netherlands coupled with downbeat global economic data dragged down European shares and raised safe haven demand.

• Italy next in line to test debt market
• IMF secures $320bn to boost firepower
• Geithner: EU must balance growth/cutbacks

Petrol panic may help keep UK from recession

Fears of a fuel shortage and warm weather boosted retail sales in Britain, raising chances that consumer spending may have helped the economy avoid recession.

• Olympics give Britain's economy a boost
• UK economy shrank more than expected in Q4
• France in talks on strategic oil release

Spanish minister admits to recession

Speculation is growing that Madrid may have to apply for a bailout after the economy minister said it has probably fallen into its second downturn since 2009.

• Spanish debt heads towards crisis levels
• Debt sale, ECB meeting pressure stocks
• Spain auction puts investors on edge

Fewer orders suggest eurozone in recession

The eurozone has probably entered a mild recession as factory orders sank again in March, the Eurozone purchasing managers' index shows.

• UK economy shrank more than expected in Q4
• China's factories slump, EU business wilts
• Britain braces for more austerity in budget

UK economy shrank more than expected in Q4

The UK economy contracted more than previously thought in the final three months of 2011, adding to jitters about its ability to return to growth in early 2012.

• British economy 'skirted recession'
• Britain budget to drive down deficit
• Britain to consider privatising roads

China's factories slump, EU business wilts

Chinese manufacturing shrank for the fifth month and business in the eurozone is wilting, adding to jitters that the two are unlikely to prop up the global economy.

• SA factories enjoy jump in orders
• SA factory orders rebound
• PMI fuels hopes eurozone may avoid slowdown

SA's top 2 banks see double-digit profit

Standard Bank and FirstRand say they expect profit growth or around 20%, indicating that local banks are well on the road to recovery.

• Banks move into Mzansi market
• Standard Bank loans up 50% in 2011
• Standard Bank expects 22% profit jump

US employment surges, jobless rate down

The US economy added jobs at the fastest in nine months which brought the unemployment rate down to 8.3%.

• Obama touts manufacturing to restore economy
• US jobs data helps stocks
• US jobless rate falls to near 3-yr low

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• Rands and sense for women

Portugal slides towards bond pariah

Untrusting underwriters hiked the cost of insuring Lisbon’s bonds to new highs and insisted it be paid up front, pushing Portugal towards needing a second bailout like Greece.

• ECB raises rates, helps Portugal
• Portugal downgrade, China spook markets
• Portugal downgrade hits banks

Caterpillar profit higher than expected

Equipment maker Caterpillar has reported a 58% rise in quarterly earnings on the back of greater demand for its machinery.

• Caterpillar gives Wall St a lift
• Asian stocks boosted by strong earnings
• Caterpillar adds to tracks

Gordhan: SA growth below 3% this year

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan says the eurozone slowdown will drag SA's growth to lower than 3%.

• Gordhan: IMF funding rise won't hurt SA
• Gordhan: Limpopo needs credible budgets
• Gordhan: Economies sliding on EU crisis

IMF slashes global growth outlook

The International Monetary Fund says the eurozone crisis is dimming growth prospects as it cut world growth estimates and those of emerging markets, including SA.

• Lagarde: EU should boost bailout funds
• IMF's quest for $600bn met with wariness
• IMF seeks $600bn to boost war chest

Global leaders urge swift action on EU crisis

Global leaders and businessmen say the EU must take fresh steps to resolve its debt crisis, as an IMF executive warns of a "downward spiral" in confidence.

• Merkel vows faster eurozone reform
• S&P set to cut eurozone, sparking jitters
• S&P eurozone cut talk hits euro, stocks

Euro, world stocks firm but investors wary

Global stocks and the euro gained after the sell-off last week, but concerns over Europe's banks persisted.

• Oil turns mixed in Asian trade
• Stocks dip as debt jitters trump US data
• US markets open 2012 with modest gains

Thomas Cook in leadership purge

Thomas Cook, the world's oldest travel firm, is to dump three directors in a leadership clearout as it battles a funding crunch and decimated share price.

• Thomas Cook CEO leaves, shares rise
• Thomas Cook chief vows to address concerns
• Iata warns of bleak outlook for airlines