Services drive acceleration in German business activity in April – flash PMI

BERLIN (Reuters) – German business activity expanded for a third month running in April, boosted by a services sector revival that more than offset a manufacturing decline in Europe’s largest economy, a preliminary survey showed on Friday. The HCOB German Flash Composite Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), compiled by S&P Global, rose to a 12-month high…

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Holcim shrugs off interest rate fears to raise guidance

By John Revill ZURICH (Reuters) -Holcim AG shrugged off concerns about rising interest rates dampening building industry demand as the world’s biggest cement maker raised its full-year guidance after beating first-quarter forecasts. U.S. construction spending declined in February, data showed this month, as the housing market bore the brunt of aggressive interest rate hikes by…

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Carlyle eyes fresh backers for McDonald’s China arm – Bloomberg News

(Reuters) -Carlyle Group Inc is considering bringing in fresh backers for its investment in McDonald’s Corp’s China operations, seeking a valuation of $8-$10 billion for the business, Bloomberg News reported on Friday. Carlyle, which controls McDonald’s China along with Trustar Capital, could sell down part of their stakes in the fast-food giant in the deal…

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At Shanghai show, auto rivals lure drivers with in-car karaoke, crystal balls

By Casey Hall SHANGHAI (Reuters) – Automakers keen to make a splash at the Shanghai auto show showed off vehicles boasting features from crystal balls to in-car karaoke systems and 3D dashboards, as competition to attract drivers heats up in the world’s largest auto market. At the first such showcase in China since the country’s…

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Italy may ratify EU bailout fund reform “if turned into growth instrument” – Meloni

ROME (Reuters) – Italy is ready to consider ratifying the reform of the euro zone’s bailout fund (ESM) for countries and banks cut off from markets “if it is transformed into a growth instrument”, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni was quoted as saying on Friday. Under the reform agreed at the EU level in 2021 but…

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