Australia’s Westpac posted a rise in its first-quarter net profit as deposits and loan volumes grew, and said a widely awaited interest rate cut by the central bank should help households and businesses grappling with cost-of-living pressures. Australia’s No. 2...
Exports rose slightly by 0.6%, while imports declined 3.7% last year. The euro area posted a trade surplus of €176.9 billion in 2024, more than triple the previous year's €57.4 billion, according to official data. The eurozone's exports of goods to...
Thailand remains a growth laggard in the region as household consumption and manufacturing continue to be under pressure. Thailand’s economic growth was weaker than expected in 2024 and continued to lag behind its neighbours as it faces a year fraught...
Shares of Belgium's largest bank KBC hit a three-year high as strong revenue and a one-off tax benefit lifted fourth quarter net profit above expectations. "KBC presented a strong set of fourth-quarter results, with a beat on the pre-provision level...
Romania's economy grew by 0.7% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, compared with a 3.3% annual increase in the same period of 2023, the statistics office said, citing non-adjusted flash data. On a seasonally adjusted annual comparison basis, gross...
Bulgaria's gross domestic product (GDP) grew by an annual 3.1% in the last quarter of 2024, following a 2.7% increase in the third quarter, the statistical office said. On a quarterly comparison basis, Bulgaria's economic output went up 0.8% in...
Malaysia's economy grew faster than expected in the fourth quarter of 2024 amid strong domestic demand and a recovery in exports, the central bank said, as it expects investment activities and household spending to drive growth this year. Bank...
Only 57% of employees worldwide report good holistic health and 20% experience burnout symptoms. Investing in employee health is a powerful strategy that can generate up to $11.7t in global economic value, McKinsey Health Institute said. In its report, the health...
Singapore's economy expanded by 4.4 per cent in 2024, up from an earlier 4.0 per cent advance estimate, according to the Trade and Industry Ministry (MTI). The growth is faster than the 1.8 per cent expansion in 2023, mainly driven...
Barclays upped its 2025 performance guidance after posting a 24 per cent rise in annual pretax profit for 2024 that beat expectations, as its investment bank enjoyed strong income growth and slower than expected interest rate cuts boosted its...
