ECONOMY & MARKETS

A file picture shows the South African twenty rand note.

S.Africa's rand enjoys slight reprieve but stocks dip

South Africa's rand crept higher against the dollar on Wednesday, partly aided by a firmer price for gold, but remains one of the worst emerging market performers so far this year, as the central bank continues to accumulate foreign reserves.

Ghana inflation rises for first time in 19 months

Ghana's inflation rate jumped to 9.08 percent in January, the first increase in 19 months and due partly to a 30 percent rise in petrol prices, but analysts still expect the central bank to keep interest rates on hold next week.

S.Africa's Zuma to focus on cutting unemployment

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma delivers a speech at a Trade and Investment session of the G20 CEO summit in Seoul
South African President Jacob Zuma will use a major policy speech on Thursday to lay out his plans to create jobs in the regional economic power where unemployment has lingered at about 25 percent for years.
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Government Panel Recommends Opportunities for Workers 55 and Up

Top Five Reasons for High Unemployment in US

Though the official version, and most of the media, paints a rosy picture, the reality on the ground is vastly different, with people finding it ever harder to find jobs, according to many observers. Some even say the BLS unemployment figures are an eyewash.
AIG

AIG Sees $4.1 Bln Charge in Q4

American International Group, Inc. said it expects to record a $4.1 billion charge in the fourth quarter to boost the loss reserves in its Chartis property and casualty insurance subsidiaries.
To match Special Report USA-HOUSING/APPRAISALS

US weekly mortgage demand falls as rates rise

The U.S. home loan demand fell sharply in the week ended Feb. 4, as the mortgage rates continue to rise from their lowest levels amid growing confidence on the economic conditions of the nation, the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) said on Wednesday.
New cars are displayed for sale on the forecourt of a car showroom, in London November 4, 2010.

UK goods trade deficit widens to record high

UK's goods trade deficit surged to record high of 9.247 billion pounds in December from 8.460 billion in the previous month, the Office for National Statistics announced on Wednesday. The widening of the deficit was larger than economists' consensus forecast of 8.6 billion pounds.
Retail Stocks

Inflation - Retail Friend or Foe?

Robert W. Baird forecasts inflation to upswing during the course of 2011, while inflation overall is expected to remain rather benign by historical standards. The brokerage said food and gasoline are among the items poised to see upward price pressure this year.
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Kenyan agricultural stocks to weather drought

High international commodities prices and a weakening shilling against the dollar are expected to cushion Kenyan listed agricultural stocks from inflationary pressures and the effects of a biting drought, analysts said.
coffee farmer

Kenya coffee hits new high at $1,022/bag

Kenya's benchmark AA coffee grade fetched a new all-time high of $1,022 per 50 kg on Tuesday, reflecting a trend of soaring commodity prices due to political upheavals in north Africa.
Central Bank of Egypt

Egypt c.bank intervenes to prop up ailing pound

Egypt's central bank said on Tuesday it intervened in the market to prop up the Egyptian pound, helping the local currency to rise against the dollar for the first time since political unrest gripped the country.
Job seekers

S.Africa to unveil R10 bln job fund: Mantashe

South Africa intends to create a 10 billion rand fund to tackle massive unemployment in Africa's biggest economy, the ANC's Secretary General Gwede Mantashe told Reuters on Tuesday.
Investors look at an electronic board showing stock information at a brokerage house in Fuyang, Anhui province

China rate hike pressures world stocks

World stocks and oil prices ebbed from recent highs on Tuesday after China raised interest rates for the second time in just over a month, spurring worries of the hike's impact on global economic demand.
Susan Shabangu

S.Africa minister sinks mining nationalisation idea

Nationalising South Africa's mines is not the option, mines minister Susan Shabangu said on Tuesday in her strongest comments in a year against an idea that has unnerved investors in Africa's biggest economy.

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