French catering group Sodexho Alliance posted better-than-expected full-year sales, raised a key profit forecast and said it could compensate for rising input prices, sending its shares sharply higher.
French catering group Sodexho Alliance posted better-than-expected full-year sales, raised a key profit forecast and said it could compensate for rising input prices, sending its shares sharply higher.
Malaysian share prices closed flat on Wednesday, down 0.1 percent after Wall Street's retreat overnight triggered a bout of consolidation across regional markets, dealers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index declined 1.76 points to 1,366.96 on volume of
Taiwan stocks rose 0.8 percent to a two-month closing high on Wednesday, tracking gains in regional markets, with Cathay Financial leading banks higher as concerns about a global credit crunch receded. The main TAIEX share index gained 76.82 points to 9,7
Jakarta share prices closed 0.5 percent lower on Wednesday as investors opted to lock in gains following the market's strong rally over the past three days, dealers said. Gains in Astra group shares limited the market's fall, they added.
Hong Kong's benchmark index slid 2.6 percent on Wednesday in a session of whiplash trading and unprecedented turnover as investors cashed in after the market had racked up nine consecutive records highs.
US blue chip stocks fell on Tuesday as investors booked profits following a record reached in the previous session, but in the broader market, bank stocks and home builders gained as investors bet the worst of the credit squeeze may be over.
US Treasury prices rose on Tuesday after dismal housing data underpinned bond investors' hopes for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut at month-end. Meanwhile, a dip in crude oil prices below $80 per barrel hurt energy shares, dragging Wall Street stocks
US Treasury prices rose on Tuesday after dismal housing data underpinned bond investors' hopes for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut at month-end. Meanwhile, a dip in crude oil prices below $80 per barrel hurt energy shares, dragging Wall Street stocks
Singapore shares closed 1.0 percent lower on Wednesday in volatile trade after touching new highs in the early session, dealers said. In morning trade, blue chip buying pushed the index to a new high of 3,845.75 before it gave up the gains as profit-takin
Thai share prices closed 0.33 percent lower on Wednesday as investors locked in profits in energy and oil stocks, dealers said. They said sentiment was also sluggish due to weaker performance in Asia following a mixed close on Wall Street.
Japan's Nikkei average ended on Wednesday at its highest level in nine weeks, led by Nikko Cordial Corp and rival brokerage houses after Citigroup said it would buy out minority shareholders in Nikko Cordial.
New Zealand share prices fell 0.10 percent on Wednesday in the absence of strong trading leads, dealers said. The benchmark NZX-50 index fell 4.42 points to close at 4,327.87 on turnover worth 129.8 million dollars (99.0 million US). "It's been relatively
Philippines share prices closed 2.52 percent higher on Wednesday on the eve of a central bank meeting that is expected to cut key interest rates, dealers said. All sectors were higher, with property developers extending their rally on expectations that th
Interbank buy/sell rates for the taka against the dollar on Wednesday. 68.69/68.71 (previous 68.70/68.71). Call Money Rates: 6.50-10.00 percent (previous 6.50-10.00 percent.
The Australian dollar rode past 89 US cents on Wednesday to near 18-year peaks after strong retail sales data revived expectations that the central bank will raise interest rates sooner than later to check inflation.
The Swiss franc slipped slightly against the euro on Wednesday in quiet trading, edging toward 2-month lows, one day ahead of a crucial rate decision where the European Central Bank is expected to hold rates steady. The Swiss franc had eased 0.7 percent v
The dollar eased but stayed above record lows against the euro and a basket of major currencies on Wednesday as investors awaited key economic data later this week for more clues to the health of the US economy.
The dollar rose on Tuesday from record lows as investors trimmed bets of further declines in the US currency ahead of key economic data later this week. The greenback had sunk to successive all-time troughs versus both the euro and a basket of major curre
The Philippine peso was volatile and other Asian currencies stayed in narrow ranges on Wednesday, awaiting clarity on the dollar's direction from US economic data later in the week. Most currencies had hit multi-month highs last week, but pared some of th
The Taiwan dollar ended flat on Wednesday as active US dollar buying by the central bank and importers was offset by brisk foreign fund inflows. The Taiwan dollar finished at Tuesday's close of T$32.573 to the US dollar after opening stronger at T$32.548.
Second seed Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia won a scrap with Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska 6-4 6-7 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals of the Stuttgart Grand Prix on Wednesday. Kuznetsova, who received a first round bye, served superbly throughout but after edgi
Third-party ownership of transfer rights, club ownership regulations and rows over club versus country will be up for discussion when FIFA's new Strategic Committee holds its first meeting next week.
Japan's Urawa Reds earned a 2-2 draw away to South Korea's Seongnam Ilhwa to take the upper hand in their Asian Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday. Reds fought back from a goal down to lead 2-1 after 65 minutes before Kim Do-heon salvaged
Australian cricket umpire Darrell Hair tried to "blackmail" the International Cricket Council (ICC) into paying him off through "sheer mudslinging", an employment tribunal heard on Wednesday.
South African wicket-keeper Mark Boucher on Wednesday broke Ian Healy's record for dismissals behind the stumps when he claimed his 396th victim. The 30-year-old stumped Pakistani batsman Umar Gul for 12 on the third day of the first Test against Pakistan
South African spinner Paul Harris took a career-best five for 73 against Pakistan as the visitors extended their lead on the third day of the first Test on Wednesday. The 28-year-old left-armer took full advantage of a spin-friendly pitch to dismiss the h
Russia's military space commander vowed to retaliate with an arms race if any country started putting weapon systems into orbit, he said in remarks published on Wednesday.
Iraq will put off carrying out the death sentence against Saddam Hussein's cousin, widely known as "Chemical Ali", until the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramazan in 10 days time, the prime minister said on Wednesday.
The French upper house of parliament, the Senate, began to debate Wednesday a controversial immigration bill which would authorise voluntary DNA testing on foreigners wishing to join their families in France.
Poland's opposition accused the ruling Kaczynski twins on Wednesday of imitating Russian President Vladimir Putin in their quest to strengthen their grip on power after a snap election on October 21.
An international court to try suspects in the 2005 killing of former Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri will proceed even if Lebanon fails to elect a new president, the Lebanese justice minister said on Wednesday.
President Viktor Yushchenko ordered Ukraine's feuding parties on Wednesday to strike a deal on a post-election government, a move likely to aggravate a political deadlock that has stalled economic reforms.
Israeli and Palestinian leaders agreed on Wednesday that formal negotiations on Palestinian statehood would begin after a US-sponsored conference expected next month, officials from both sides said.
Shia pilgrims converged on the Iraqi city of Najaf on Wednesday amid tight security for their first major religious ceremony since clashes between Shia militias killed 52 people in nearby Kerbala in August.
US President George W. Bush on Wednesday vetoed legislation expanding a health care program mostly aimed at poor children, a politically risky move ahead of the November 2008 elections.
Myanmar's junta arrested more people on Wednesday, hours after the departure of a UN envoy who came to the country to try to end a ruthless crackdown on protests which sparked international outrage.
North Korea has agreed to disable its Yongbyon nuclear reactor and provide a complete declaration of all nuclear programs by the end of the year, in a deal that won praise from US President George W. Bush.
In a rare show of bipartisanship on Iraq, the US House of Representatives on Tuesday voted to make the Pentagon produce plans to withdraw US troops - but did not mandate the withdrawals.
France's foreign minister called on the European Union to take the lead in widening financial sanctions on Iran, saying the world could not afford to wait for UN action to rein in Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Bernard Kouchner last month sparked controversy
Australia said on Wednesday it would join an advanced US military communications satellite network and pay part of the bill for expanding it to further cement the close alliance between the two countries.
The second ever summit between the two Koreas looked strained on Wednesday when the South's president snubbed an invitation to stay in Pyongyang another day and said North Korea still did not trust its neighbour.
A court in eastern India Wednesday sentenced a former parliamentarian and two other politicians to death for the murder of a civil servant 13 years ago in lawless Bihar state, officials said. The sentencing is a landmark as it the first time a politician
Poland's ambassador to Iraq was wounded on Wednesday when his diplomatic convoy was hit by a series of bombs in central Baghdad, which Polish officials described as an assassination attempt. Iraqi police said one civilian was killed in the attack and five
At least 15 women pilgrims were killed and 48 others injured on Wednesday in a stampede at a railway station in northern India, police and officials said. The women were travelling from eastern India to the northern Hindu holy town of Varanasi to pray on
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said on Wednesday the United States was in no position to start a war against Iran given its military commitment in Iraq. "The US is not in the position to impose another war in the region against the (US) taxpa
The Indian rupee surged in late trade to its highest in more than nine years on Wednesday, as foreign fund flows into a surging stock market trumped suspected central bank intervention, dealers said. The partially convertible rupee rose to 39.55 per dolla
Sterling slipped against the euro and dollar on Wednesday, as traders remained cautious and were hesitant to take big positions ahead of a Bank of England interest rate decision on Thursday.
The dollar fell on Wednesday but held above recent record lows against the euro ahead of key US jobs data this week, which will likely offer evidence of the state of the US economy. The euro pared some of the losses made after European politicians and off
US stocks fell on Wednesday as investors worried that monthly jobs data could show deterioration in the labour market and raise doubts about the economy's health and the profit outlook.
South African stocks rose to a fresh record closing high on Wednesday as banks piled on more gains thanks to an upturn in global sentiment towards the sector, but the rand failed to break out of recent ranges. Financials and retailers were also assisted b
European credit spreads held steady on Wednesday with markets relatively unstirred by US data on the performance of the services sector or a reassuring third quarter earnings outlook from Deutsche Bank.
European credit spreads held steady on Wednesday with markets relatively unstirred by US data on the performance of the services sector or a reassuring third quarter earnings outlook from Deutsche Bank.
Indian share prices surged 2.99 percent to a 10th straight record close on Wednesday in sharply volatile trade as sustained overseas fund demand kept benchmark stocks up, dealers said. They said the markets swung sharply throughout the day, losing all mor
The FTSE 100 added 0.6 percent on Wednesday, spurred by a strong show from banks as Northern Rock leapt on hopes of two rescue bids, while miners also supported the leading share index. Northern Rock, Britain's biggest casualty of the global credit squeez
Italian food producers, consumers and conservation groups hope to get three million signatures in a petition drive to ban genetically modified food, a move they hope will renew Europe's rejection of biotech crops.
London robusta coffee futures settled mixed on Wednesday after spending much of the session higher on concerns over dry weather in Brazil, while sugar and cocoa fell on speculative selling driven by the US market.
Oil prices slipped below $80 a barrel on Wednesday after a US government report showed a surprise build in stockpiles of crude oil. US crude eased 10 cents to $79.95 a barrel by 2:30 pm EDT (1830 GMT), adding to a roughly $4 slump from a peak hit Septembe
Ivory Coast's 2007/2008 cocoa harvest, which has just got under way, is likely to be around 1.25 million tonnes compared with an estimated 1.3 million for the 2006/2007 season, the economy minister said on Wednesday.
Cotton futures closed marginally higher Wednesday as trade buying and speculative short covering enabled the market to erase the losses from an early downturn caused by fund liquidation, brokers said. ICE Futures open-outcry December cotton contract rose
Protecting the environment is at the heart of Indonesia's future plans for palm oil production and companies caught destroying protected forests are being prosecuted, the country's agriculture minister said on Monday.
Lead set a fresh record high on Wednesday as investors fretted over supply tightness while copper hit a new five-month high, lifted by strike action in Peru. Copper for delivery in three months touched $8,307 a tonne, its highest since May 4, and ended of
Gold eased in late business on Wednesday as a firmer dollar prompted bullion investors to consolidate gains from the metal's recent rally to 28-year highs, analysts said. But medium- to long-term sentiment remained bullish and the metal was expected to se
Arabica coffee futures trading on ICE Futures US climbed on fund buying in early trade on Wednesday, inching closer toward a 2-1/2-year high, while cocoa futures slid to a two-week low on spillover weakness, traders said. On the electronic platform, ICE D
Raw sugar futures sagged from speculative pressure in early dealings Wednesday and brokers feel the market's lack of leads will likely lead to choppy business in the days ahead.
Wheat futures on the Chicago Board of Trade City Board of Trade turned higher at mid-session on Wednesday, led by a jump in nearby Minneapolis Grain Exchange spring wheat amid export demand, traders said. The markets got a lift after USDA confirmed sales
Corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade were lower early on Wednesday on harvesting of a likely record large US corn crop and on a drop in wheat futures, traders said. At 10:58 am CDT (1558 GMT), CBOT corn was down 1/4 to 4-1/4 cents per bushel, with D
Soyabean futures at the Chicago Board of Trade were recovering from Tuesday's sell-off, traders said. November soyabeans were up 11-1/4 cents at $9.55 a bushel - hitting resistance at their 20-day moving average of $9.56-1/2 by 12:10 pm CDT (1710 GMT). Th
New York copper futures rallied on Wednesday, boosted by ongoing strikes at several large Latin American mines that posed potential threats to supply in a market that is already running a deficit, traders said.
US gold futures and other precious metals contracts rebounded early on Wednesday from Tuesday's heavy sell-off, but analysts said the market could remain choppy in the near term. "The market had a big sell-off yesterday. Some short-term, weak longs got ou
Pakistan Railway, Karachi Division, had been able to control black-marketing of tickets which unscrupulous elements indulge in, usually on the occasion of Eid days. "We have been able to strictly control black-marketing of tickets with the deployment of s
Recently, the Opposition leaders were all praise for the judiciary terming it independent, free and upholding justice and truth. But the other day, MMA President Qazi Hussain Ahmad used tough and rough language against the judiciary while addressing a gat
Why should government give 50% grant for the sugarcane growers co-operative sugar syrup project? In neighbouring India government gives 100% grant and gives priority to sanction grower's projects. In India sugar cooperative sector is very strong and succe
For the people protesting against it, a new dam near the sun-drenched ruins may be more than an environmental upheaval: in it they scent an affront to the country's pre-Islamic identity.
Until 2002, an obsolete Merchant Shipping Act of 1923 governed and regulated shipping in Pakistan due to which merchant marine could not flourish. We have drawn the attention of several Governments of Pakistan in this regard but due to the appointment of
Quoting knowledgeable sources, a Recorder Report disclosed a pathetic situation the other day that despite the commencement of the new academic session the Sindh Textbook Board (STB) has failed to help the students of classes I to VIII to get the p
As the battle for political survival of President Pervez Musharraf rages in Islamabad and the provincial capitals, a war centring on the territorial unity of state goes on in the troubled tribal region of Pakistan, but it seems to be a forgotten war.
Rising current account deficit during the last few years has been a major problem area of Pakistan's economy. It rose from almost five billion dollars or 3.9 percent of GDP in 2005-06 to 7.1 billion dollars or 4.9 percent of GDP during 2006-07.
Lahore Electric supply Company (Lesco) donated Rs 5 million for state of the art Burn Unit being established at the Wapda Hospital Complex, Lahore. Managing Director Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) Munawar Baseer Ahmed presented a cheque to the Wa
Islamia University Bahawalpur (IBU) on Wednesday announced the result of B.Com annual examination, 2007. According to the result notification, in all 2,310 candidates appeared in the examination out of which 1,063 candidates were declared successful. The
The University of Health Sciences (UHS) has appointed Dr Khalid Lone as professor of basic medical sciences under HEC Tenure Track System. Professor Lone is a Ph D from the School of Life and Health Sciences, University of Aston, England.
The Department of Health NWFP and Save the Children (an international NGO) Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for improvement of Primary Health Care facilities in the earth quake-hit district of Batgram to provide efficient health servic
Provincial Minister for Fisheries Sardar Dariya Khan Gopang has said fish farming can play an important role in poverty alleviation and economic uplift of farming community. "The government is providing all possible incentives to those associated with thi
United States Speaker Ann Stone will deliver a lecture on "access to finance by women in business" and share her own personal success story on October 5 at head office of Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WCCI).
The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) Executive Committee on Wednesday has announced the election schedule for the year 2007. According to the announcement, the election for the four seats of Chamber Class (Corporate Class) and one for Trade
The competitiveness support fund (CSF), a joint initiative of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Federal Ministry of Finance will lead a delegation to the annual global competitiveness conference 2007 of the Competitive
A major breakthrough in the microfinance industry of Pakistan was witnessed on October 2, 2007 when The First MicroFinanceBank Ltd and Pakistan Post reached an agreement to work together for poverty alleviation.
The President, Pakistan Football Federation (PFF), Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat will chair the PFF Congress meeting to be held on October 4, at FIFA Football House, Lahore. All members of the PFF, Congress Electoral College (PCEC) will attend the meet
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has empowered the Post-Clearance Audit (PCA) Central Office to assign audit of importers to any of the PCA Unit/collectorate, irrespective of imports carried through various customs stations/ports.
The provincial food department is supplying 17,000 tons of wheat to the flourmills to meet 11,000 tons per day requirement in the province. Punjab Minister for Food Hussain Jahanian Gardezi told APP on Wednesday. He said there was no shortage of wheat in
A conference to mark second anniversary of the earthquake and analyse the progress made so far in the rehabilitation and reconstruction processes in the quake affected areas would be held here on Thursday.
The government encourages rigging, it's not the local government. This was one of the slogans carried by about 83 women councillors from across the country who demonstrated in front of Islamabad Press Club on Wednesday.
Medialogic Pakistan has launched TV audience measurement (TAM) to assess the performance, viewership and popularity of TV channels in the country. The TAM was launched at a seminar, organised by Medialogic (Pvt) Limited here on Tuesday, to relate the deta
Lights in and outside the shopping centres, overcrowded roads and lanes and heavy rush in cloth, garments, shoes and cosmetics shops is now a common scene in the city after 9pm, as Eid shopping is picking up momentum. People usually wait for last two week
The President of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Syed Faseih Iqbal, announced here on Wednesday the constitution of the Media Complaints Commission (MCC) of the CPNE. Justice (R) Nasir Aslam Zahid has given his consent to head the MCC as
Youm-e-Hazrat Ali will be observed on October 4, in this regard a Majlis will be held here at the Nishtar Park at 11.30 am, according to organisers. They said the Majlis would be addressed by Allama Talib Jauhri. Later on, a procession would be taken out
Sindh Revenue Department will establish a "legal cell," comprising six officers to deal with the cases pertaining to the departments' land in the courts of law as the government has already suffered loss of billions of rupees after losing such cases in co