China Economic Pickup Tops Forecasts Before Tariff Pain Deepens.

Consumption and industrial production in China grew faster to start the year, in an upswing that exceeded forecasts as Donald Trump’s tariffs threaten exporters in the world’s largest trading nation. Retail sales increased 4% in January-February from the same period a year earlier, the National Bureau of Statistics said Monday, exceeding economist forecasts and accelerating […]

UniCredit secures ECB’s approval for Commerzbank stake.

The European Central Bank has given UniCredit (CRDI.MI), approval to buy up to 29.9% of Commerzbank (CBKG.DE), the Italian bank said on Friday, adding it would likely wait until next year before deciding whether to pursue an acquisition. ECB approval was expected given UniCredit’s strong balance sheet and the banking supervisor’s supportive stance on consolidation efforts, but […]

Baker Hughes Dashes Hopes That Oil Producers Will Increase 2025 Spending.

U.S. oil and gas producers are likely to boost output primarily from improved efficiencies rather than new drilling and higher spending, Baker Hughes (NYSE:BKR) chief executive Lorenzo Simonelli told Reuters on Monday. Simonelli’s sentiments mirror those of Exxon Mobil’s (NYSE:XOM) Upstream President Liam Mallon who recently dismissed the notion that U.S. producers will dramatically increase output under a second Trump term. […]