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Print - 2004-03-18
UBL shows 63 percent growth in 2003

UBL shows 63 percent growth in 2003

The United Bank on Wednesday presented its first complete year financial statements after privatisation with a net profit of Rs 4.5 billion, showing 63 percent growth.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Egypt sells sugar molasses

Egypt sells sugar molasses

Egypt's Sugar and Integrated Industries Company (SIIC) sold 36,000 tonnes of sugar molasses for $55 per tonne FOB for shipment between March 20 and May 15 from Alexandria port, a company official said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Holiday on March 23

Holiday on March 23

The Karachi Stock Exchange will remain closed on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, on account of 'Pakistan Day'.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Sri Lankan tea prices steady

Sri Lankan tea prices steady

Sri Lanka tea prices held steady at the latest auction on Wednesday on the back of strong demand, but qualities declined across the regions.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Holiday on March 23

Holiday on March 23

The Karachi Stock Exchange will remain closed on Tuesday, March 23, 2004, on account of 'Pakistan Day'.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Kenyan tea prices fall

Kenyan tea prices fall

Kenyan tea prices continued to ease on quality at this week's auction and many buyers kept away as they expected a rise in deliveries to weigh on prices at coming auctions, traders said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Profit-taking sets in on KSE

Profit-taking sets in on KSE

Profit taking activity on Wednesday trimmed the gains made early during the day's proceedings and the index closed with a paltry improvement where volume stayed above 300 million shares level.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Kenyan coffee prices mixed

Kenyan coffee prices mixed

Kenya coffee prices ended mixed at this week's auction with high volumes weighing down the tail end of the beans on sale, traders said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Profit-taking sets in on KSE

Profit-taking sets in on KSE

Profit taking activity on Wednesday trimmed the gains made early during the day's proceedings and the index closed with a paltry improvement where volume stayed above 300 million shares level.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Tight supply freezes Vietnam's rice trade

Tight supply freezes Vietnam's rice trade

Tight supply due to soaring export demand has put a lid on rice trade in Vietnam, the world's second largest exporter of the grain, dealers said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Sluggish construction sector may hit cement industry

Sluggish construction sector may hit cement industry

Sluggish growth of construction sector in the wake of high steel prices has once again clearly pointed towards the fickle nature of growth projections often relied upon by allied construction industries, like cement etc.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Marriage buying seen lifting gold demand in India

Marriage buying seen lifting gold demand in India

Strong marriage-season buying of gold jewellery in India is likely to lift demand for the yellow metal in the world's largest consumer from next month, provided prices do not fluctuate much, traders said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Sluggish construction sector may hit cement industry

Sluggish construction sector may hit cement industry

Sluggish growth of construction sector in the wake of high steel prices has once again clearly pointed towards the fickle nature of growth projections often relied upon by allied construction industries, like cement etc.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
India to export groundnut oil

India to export groundnut oil

India is likely to export 65,000 to 70,000 tonnes of groundnut oil in the current crop year to October, a leading trade body said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
State Bank signals gradual hike in lending rates

State Bank signals gradual hike in lending rates

The State Bank of Pakistan has allowed the yield on one-year treasury bills to cross the two percent mark, signalling to the market to gradually raise lending rates as the inflation has started picking up.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Singapore bunker prices rise

Singapore bunker prices rise

Singapore bunker prices rose on Wednesday on support from tight prompt supply and Tuesday's rise in benchmark crude to its highest level in a year, traders said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
State Bank signals gradual hike in lending rates

State Bank signals gradual hike in lending rates

The State Bank of Pakistan has allowed the yield on one-year treasury bills to cross the two percent mark, signalling to the market to gradually raise lending rates as the inflation has started picking up.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Activity at Karachi and Qasim ports

Activity at Karachi and Qasim ports

The Karachi Port handled 103,243 tonnes of cargo including 96,080 tonnes import and 7,163 tonnes export cargo during last 24 hours ending at 0700 hours on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
State Bank signals gradual hike in lending rates

State Bank signals gradual hike in lending rates

The State Bank of Pakistan has allowed the yield on one-year treasury bills to cross the two percent mark, signalling to the market to gradually raise lending rates as the inflation has started picking up.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
FOB Gulf corn steady, soya up

FOB Gulf corn steady, soya up

US Gulf FOB corn basis offers were steady on Tuesday, while soyabeans were higher as exporters sought supplies to load vessels.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
SBP revises NPLs reporting methodology

SBP revises NPLs reporting methodology

The State Bank of Pakistan has revised the methodology for stating non-performing loans which makes it clear that banks and DFIs will no longer club accrued mark-up with the principal loans and advances.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
CBOT wheat ends mixed, gains early on Iraqi sale

CBOT wheat ends mixed, gains early on Iraqi sale

Wheat futures at the Chicago Board of Trade closed mixed on Tuesday, with the nearby months hit by speculative profit-taking late in the trading session, traders said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
SBP revises NPLs reporting methodology

SBP revises NPLs reporting methodology

The State Bank of Pakistan has revised the methodology for stating non-performing loans which makes it clear that banks and DFIs will no longer club accrued mark-up with the principal loans and advances.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Domestic supplies to slow Indian palm oil imports

Domestic supplies to slow Indian palm oil imports

India's palm oil imports are likely to dip by more than 25 percent to less than one million tonnes in the three months from March with more domestic supply available after a good crop, dealers said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Cricket tour to better ties with India, says Musharraf

Cricket tour to better ties with India, says Musharraf

President General Pervez Musharraf has expressed the hope that the current Pakistan-India cricket series will serve as a precursor for better relationship between the two South Asian countries in future.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Cricket tour to better ties with India, says Musharraf

Cricket tour to better ties with India, says Musharraf

President General Pervez Musharraf has expressed the hope that the current Pakistan-India cricket series will serve as a precursor for better relationship between the two South Asian countries in future.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Oil cake market rates

Oil cake market rates

The March vaida opened unchanged at Rs 439, and highest was quoted 50 paisa better at Rs 439.50. Later in depressed trading it lost the gain to turn lowest at Rs 439 and closing was also seen at the same amount.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
KPT shelves CFS project

KPT shelves CFS project

Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has shelved the plan for setting up the country's first dedicated Container Freight Station (CFS) in the proximity of Thole Produce Yard (TPX). The project had been awarded to private sector at a cost of about Rs 640 million.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
KPT shelves CFS project

KPT shelves CFS project

Karachi Port Trust (KPT) has shelved the plan for setting up the country's first dedicated Container Freight Station (CFS) in the proximity of Thole Produce Yard (TPX). The project had been awarded to private sector at a cost of about Rs 640 million.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Gram down on grain market

Gram down on grain market

Gram varieties had changes in grain market on Wednesday (March 17, 2004).
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
New US curbs against Syria soon

New US curbs against Syria soon

The United States will soon announce new sanctions against Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Plastic mouldings mixed on Jodia Bazar

Plastic mouldings mixed on Jodia Bazar

Plastic mouldings underwent changes under certain heads as other commodities were traded at the overnight level on Wednesday (March 17, 2004).
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
New US curbs against Syria soon

New US curbs against Syria soon

The United States will soon announce new sanctions against Syria as a state sponsor of terrorism, Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage said Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US and Afghan forces to conduct offensive

US and Afghan forces to conduct offensive

More than 100 US-led soldiers backed by 900 Afghan troops are preparing to conduct a "major offensive" against Taleban near the border with Pakistan, an official said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Cocoa up on speculative short-covering

Cocoa up on speculative short-covering

CSCE cocoa futures finished higher Tuesday as short-covering by funds and short-term speculators encountered little selling from producers, according to brokers.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US and Afghan forces to conduct offensive

US and Afghan forces to conduct offensive

More than 100 US-led soldiers backed by 900 Afghan troops are preparing to conduct a "major offensive" against Taleban near the border with Pakistan, an official said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US makes first big wheat sale to Iraq in years

US makes first big wheat sale to Iraq in years

For the first time since the ouster of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, exporters on Tuesday made a large US wheat sale to Iraq - a market long off-limits to US farm exports and dominated by wheat-growing rival Australia.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
NTC starts dumping probe

NTC starts dumping probe

The National Tariff Commission (NTC) has initiated investigations into alleged dumping of acrylic tow in Pakistan from Uzbekistan. Investigations have been initiated in response to Dewan Salman Fibre complaint.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Shanghai copper sheds early gains

Shanghai copper sheds early gains

Shanghai copper ended down on Wednesday as contracts failed to hold onto strong early rises for the second consecutive day, sliding off intraday highs as market sentiment stayed poor, traders said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
NTC starts dumping probe

NTC starts dumping probe

The National Tariff Commission (NTC) has initiated investigations into alleged dumping of acrylic tow in Pakistan from Uzbekistan. Investigations have been initiated in response to Dewan Salman Fibre complaint.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
New York copper ends at two-week high

New York copper ends at two-week high

COMEX copper prices mostly gained on Tuesday, with nearby contracts reaching a two-week peak, bolstered by speculative interest and Far Eastern buying in the face of a weak US dollar, dealers said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
New Sindh ministers take oath on March 18

New Sindh ministers take oath on March 18

An oath-taking ceremony to include some new ministers in Sindh Cabinet will be held at Governor's House here on March 18 at 1.30 pm. It was officially stated here on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Tokyo platinum adds losses but solid bids emerge

Tokyo platinum adds losses but solid bids emerge

Tokyo platinum futures extended losses on Wednesday as the yen's strength against the dollar again induced active profit-taking, but solid bids emerged after the key contract hit a near two-week low below 3,000 yen per gram.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
New Sindh ministers take oath on March 18

New Sindh ministers take oath on March 18

An oath-taking ceremony to include some new ministers in Sindh Cabinet will be held at Governor's House here on March 18 at 1.30 pm. It was officially stated here on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Gold steady above $400 in Asia

Gold steady above $400 in Asia

Gold held above $400 an ounce in Asia on Wednesday, but fresh buying was limited after gains in New York as investors awaited direction, traders said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Colin Powell arrives

Colin Powell arrives

US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived here on Wednesday to hold talks with Pakistani leaders on wide range of subjects including Pak-US relations, peace initiatives between Pakistan and India and nuclear proliferation.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Safe-haven buying lifts Comex gold

Safe-haven buying lifts Comex gold

COMEX gold rose Tuesday, sought as a safe-haven since the Madrid train bombings with its advantage over the dollar reinforced after the close, when the Federal Reserve refrained from tightening monetary policy.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Colin Powell arrives

Colin Powell arrives

US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrived here on Wednesday to hold talks with Pakistani leaders on wide range of subjects including Pak-US relations, peace initiatives between Pakistan and India and nuclear proliferation.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Malaysian tin futures up

Malaysian tin futures up

Malaysian tin extended its winning streak for a sixth straight day on Wednesday, rising another $110 to edge closer to the psychological barrier of $7,500 a tonne.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Baghdad car bomb attack kills 28

Baghdad car bomb attack kills 28

At least 28 people were killed and 45 wounded, including two Britons, when a powerful car bomb struck central Baghdad late Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Oil near year highs, supported by US gasoline fears

Oil near year highs, supported by US gasoline fears

Oil prices held just below one-year highs on Wednesday, underpinned by renewed global security worries after the Madrid bombings and expectations data will show another drop in already low US gasoline supplies.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Baghdad car bomb attack kills 28

Baghdad car bomb attack kills 28

At least 28 people were killed and 45 wounded, including two Britons, when a powerful car bomb struck central Baghdad late Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
CSCE sugar finishes at seven-month high, seen strong

CSCE sugar finishes at seven-month high, seen strong

CSCE raw sugar futures settled on Tuesday at a fresh seven-month high on persistent speculative fund buying, which appears poised to shove the market higher this week, analysts said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
'US travel advisory needs softening'

'US travel advisory needs softening'

The visiting US Business Council mission on Wednesday said that US travel advisory for Pakistan was not in line with the situation on ground and it needed thorough study by the State Department for softening it, if its lifting is not possible.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Russia may adopt new grain export curbs

Russia may adopt new grain export curbs

The Russian government may see the necessity of introducing additional grain export curbs as shipments continue in spite of a 25 euro per tonne duty set on wheat and rye from the middle of January to May.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
'US travel advisory needs softening'

'US travel advisory needs softening'

The visiting US Business Council mission on Wednesday said that US travel advisory for Pakistan was not in line with the situation on ground and it needed thorough study by the State Department for softening it, if its lifting is not possible.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Wheat cargoes set sail for China, prices stay firm

Wheat cargoes set sail for China, prices stay firm

China has begun shipping wheat cargoes from Canada, Australia and the United States, as the country grapples with dwindling harvests and stocks, traders said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Soyabeans, meal set new multiyear tops

Soyabeans, meal set new multiyear tops

Chicago Board of Trade soyabeans set a 15-1/2-year top and meal a near 7-year high on Tuesday on worries about South American crop losses amid strong global demand and tight US supplies, brokers said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
CBOT rice futures firm on speculative buying

CBOT rice futures firm on speculative buying

Chicago Board of Trade rough rice futures ended higher on Tuesday on speculative buying of old-crop May and light commercial buying of new-crop contracts, traders said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Tokyo rubber falls on profit-taking

Tokyo rubber falls on profit-taking

Tokyo rubber futures succumbed to profit-taking on Wednesday, losing ground for the second day in a row since hitting their highest level in almost eight years.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Thai rubber prices steady

Thai rubber prices steady

Thai rubber prices are likely to stay steady in the next few days, as supply remains tight in the dry wintering, traders said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Malaysian palm oil futures up

Malaysian palm oil futures up

Malaysian crude palm oil (CPO) futures ended higher on Wednesday on return of technical support after two straight days of selling and news of an Egyptian tender.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
South African gold output seen sliding

South African gold output seen sliding

Bullion output in South Africa, the world's biggest gold producer, is due to extend its long-term decline at current prices, tumbling 15 percent by 2007, a government expert said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US oil hits $38 as gasoline stocks ebb

US oil hits $38 as gasoline stocks ebb

US oil prices roared to fresh one-year highs above $38 a barrel on Wednesday as a drop in already low gasoline inventories sharpened the threat of a supply crunch that could hurt economic growth.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US oil hits $38 as gasoline stocks ebb

US oil hits $38 as gasoline stocks ebb

US oil prices roared to fresh one-year highs above $38 a barrel on Wednesday as a drop in already low gasoline inventories sharpened the threat of a supply crunch that could hurt economic growth.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
London cocoa weakens on speculative selling

London cocoa weakens on speculative selling

London cocoa prices weakened on Wednesday in a thin market pressured under speculative selling and with weaker CSCE futures eroding the upward momentum from the previous session, dealers said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
London coffee lower

London coffee lower

London coffee prices closed lower on Wednesday as the market gave away gains accumulated in the previous session, when it hit a one-month continuation high.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
London sugar closes down

London sugar closes down

London sugar futures closed down on Wednesday as funds rolled their positions forward from the May to the August contract against a backdrop of profit taking and some long liquidation.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
New York cotton futures slightly higher

New York cotton futures slightly higher

NYCE cotton futures finished slightly higher Wednesday as modest speculative buying gave fibre contracts a boost, and analysts said the market appeared poised to move up in the days ahead.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Copper backwardation flares, widest since July '97

Copper backwardation flares, widest since July '97

Active borrowing for cash copper to April on the London Metal Exchange (LME) fired up the benchmark cash/threes spread on Wednesday, with backwardation increasing to $115 a tonne, up from Tuesday's $80, the widest for nearly seven years.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Gold steady above $400 in Europe, eyes dollar

Gold steady above $400 in Europe, eyes dollar

Gold was stable above $400 an ounce on Wednesday, with the market poised to gain further despite a weakening euro against the dollar that would normally dull the metal's allure to European investors.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
LME tin just off 14-year highs, other metals down

LME tin just off 14-year highs, other metals down

London Metal Exchange (LME) tin closed just below a fresh 14-year set earlier in the day on fund interest in the metal drove prices higher, traders said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: cocoa weaker on speculative short-covering

US MIDDAY: cocoa weaker on speculative short-covering

CSCE cocoa futures closed lower Wednesday as a four-day run of speculative short-covering ended and producer selling resumed, largely ignoring an estimate showing a global supply deficit, brokers said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: sugar easier on late sales

US MIDDAY: sugar easier on late sales

CSCE raw sugar futures ended softer Wednesday on late sales by small speculators, although the market is seen grinding higher on fund buying which has propelled the market to a 7-month high, analysts said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: wheat jumps to 2-1/2-week highs

US MIDDAY: wheat jumps to 2-1/2-week highs

Chicago Board of Trade wheat futures rallied to 2-1/2 week highs early on Wednesday on aggressive fund buying amid Egypt's purchase of 120,000 tonnes of US wheat and a World Food Program award of wheat to Iraq, traders said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: corn future turns firm

US MIDDAY: corn future turns firm

Corn futures at the Chicago Board of Trade turned higher early Wednesday, supported by the strength in wheat and soyabeans, traders said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: soyabeans mixed on speculative buying

US MIDDAY: soyabeans mixed on speculative buying

Chicago Board of Trade soyabean futures were mixed on Wednesday after rallying early to a fresh 15-1/2-year top, with nearby contracts up on commercial and speculative buying, brokers said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: copper lower in quiet business session

US MIDDAY: copper lower in quiet business session

COMEX copper prices edged lower but held inside Tuesday's trading range in quiet business Wednesday morning as overnight Far Eastern selling was countered by trade buying, dealers said.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US MIDDAY: gold gains hampered by firmer dollar

US MIDDAY: gold gains hampered by firmer dollar

COMEX gold held above $400 an ounce Wednesday morning, but activity was muted because its appeal as a portfolio hedge against global security worries was partly neutralised by a firmer dollar.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
UK needs up to 140,000 new homes yearly

UK needs up to 140,000 new homes yearly

Britain urgently needs up to 140,000 extra new homes being built each year if housing supply is to match demand, a Treasury-sponsored report said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Brown ends spending spree in budget

Brown ends spending spree in budget

Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown slammed the brakes on public spending growth on Wednesday but said that rather than crimping frontline services, one in 10 bureaucrats would have to go.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
China waves off US chip protest to WTO

China waves off US chip protest to WTO

China scoffed at US accusations it was rigging its $30 billion chip market against American imports, which could result in the first complaint lodged with the WTO against the world's sixth-largest economy.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
WFP awards US and Argentine wheat for Iraq

WFP awards US and Argentine wheat for Iraq

The United Nations World Food Programme has awarded 270,000 tonnes of US and Argentine hard milling wheat for Iraq after issuing an international tender for 450,000 tonnes, a grain market source said on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
UK jobs market sizzles, earnings jump

UK jobs market sizzles, earnings jump

Unemployment in Britain fell sharply again to fresh record lows in the three months to January but the re-emergence of big City bonuses pushed earnings growth to the highest in over two years.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
FedEx profit jumps

FedEx profit jumps

FedEx Corp, the world's leading air-express group, on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected increase in quarterly earnings, helped by cost savings and jumps in overseas and trucking shipments.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
FedEx profit jumps

FedEx profit jumps

FedEx Corp, the world's leading air-express group, on Wednesday reported a better-than-expected increase in quarterly earnings, helped by cost savings and jumps in overseas and trucking shipments.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
US banking system healthy: Greenspan

US banking system healthy: Greenspan

Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan said on Wednesday the US banking system weathered the 2001 recession well, and was in good shape to help finance the economic recovery.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Paint protest stains Slovenia World Bank donor move

Paint protest stains Slovenia World Bank donor move

Anti-globalisation protesters pelted World Bank President James Wolfensohn with paint on Wednesday after a ceremony marking Slovenia's graduation from World Bank borrower to donor.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Iran signs $5 billion withdrawal from oil fund

Iran signs $5 billion withdrawal from oil fund

Iran's top arbitration body has approved a $5 billion withdrawal from the country's rainy-day oil fund, ending a heated political tussle over the issue, the official IRNA news agency reported on Wednesday.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Eurozone inflation hits 1999 lows

Eurozone inflation hits 1999 lows

Euro zone inflation hit its lowest rate since 1999 in February while industrial output unexpectedly fell in January, according to data that spurred concern about the pace of economic recovery.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Vivendi 2003 net loss narrows

Vivendi 2003 net loss narrows

France's Vivendi Universal posted a worse-than-expected 2003 net loss on Wednesday but turned an operating profit as the media and communications firm slowly emerges from more than two years of turmoil.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Vivendi 2003 net loss narrows

Vivendi 2003 net loss narrows

France's Vivendi Universal posted a worse-than-expected 2003 net loss on Wednesday but turned an operating profit as the media and communications firm slowly emerges from more than two years of turmoil.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am
Bombardier posts loss, plans layoffs

Bombardier posts loss, plans layoffs

Train and plane maker Bombardier Inc will cut one fifth of its rail workers and close seven European plants in a sweeping restructuring of a type rarely seen in Europe's job-conscious railcar making sector.
Published 18 Mar, 2004 12:00am