Asian markets were mixed in cautious trade on Wednesday as dealers awaited key policy meetings at the central banks of the United States and Japan this week. The euro rose against the yen on expectations of another batch of easing measures from the Bank of Japan when it meets for its rate-setting meeting on Friday, while it was also supported by bargain buying after recent losses. Tokyo climbed 0.98... 

The taxpayer-funded European Investment Bank has started including a new legal clause in its contracts with Greek companies that allows them to repay loans in a currency other than the euro. A spokeswoman for the bank denies that the move indicates that it is preparing for an eventual Greek exit from the euro. Helen Kavvadia said the clause, used for the first time in a €70 million ($92 million)... 

European stock markets closed sharply lower Monday, hit by a strong far-right showing in French presidential polls, weak Chinese manufacturing data and persistent eurozone debt tensions. Dealers said the recent drift lower extended into Asian trade which then set Europe up for a difficult day after Chinese data showed manufacturing still in negative territory despite a slight improvement. The surprisingly... 

Major carmakers gathered in Beijing on Monday for China’s leading auto show, seeking an edge in the world’s largest automobile market after a sharp slowdown in growth. The Auto China 2012 exhibition will run until May 2 and see the worldwide launch of 120 new models, 36 of them from international brands, according to organisers. The exhibition will also showcase dozens of concept cars... 

European stock markets fell back on Wednesday and shares in Madrid plunged as investors kept a watchful eye on Spain and Italy after sharp gains the previous day. At the close, London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index was down 0.38 percent at 5,745.29 points, Frankfurt’s DAX 30 slumped 1.01 percent to 6,732.03 points and in Paris the CAC 40 tumbled 1.59 percent to 3,240.29 points. Madrid’s... 

European stock markets rallied on Tuesday after successful Spanish bond auctions which eased concern over the eurozone debt crisis, and on firm investor confidence in Germany, traders said. In late morning deals, London’s benchmark FTSE 100 index climbed 0.73 percent to 5,707.48 points, Frankfurt’s DAX 30 gained 1.0 percent to 6,691.14 points and in Paris the CAC 40 grew 1.39 percent to... 

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in China fell in March for the fifth consecutive month, official figures showed Tuesday, as Europe struggled with its debt crisis and economic weakness. Investment from overseas fell 6.1 per cent in March from a year earlier to $11.8 billion, the commerce ministry said. In the first three months of the year, FDI reached $29.48 billion, down 2.8 per cent from the same... 

French President Nicolas Sarkozy vowed on Sunday that if he is reelected he will launch a debate on the role of the European Central bank in supporting growth in eurozone nations. “We will also open the debate on the role of the Central Bank in supporting growth and will move Europe forward,” Sarkozy told a campaign rally in central Paris ahead of the April 22 first round of the presidential... 

The US and the IMF welcomed China’s decision to widen the trading band on the nation’s currency, while analysts downplayed the likelihood of wide swings in the value of the yuan. The People’s Bank of China, China’s central bank, announced Saturday that it will allow the yuan to fluctuate by up to 1.0 percent on either side of its trading band when markets open Monday. The yuan... 

European stocks bounced back on Wednesday following heavy losses the previous day that were sparked by renewed fears over Spanish debt and weak global economic growth. Investors continued to track Spain and eurozone peer Italy as their borrowing costs approached uncomfortably high levels, but took heart that the European Central Bank appeared set to take action if needed. London’s benchmark...