Date: Tue, 18 May 2010 12:00:59 -0400
WAL-MART PROFIT BEATS VIEWS, LED BY OVERSEAS GAIN
The world's largest retailer's first-quarter profit rises a
better-than-expected 10%, driven by gains overseas, offsetting a
decline in U.S. sales.
ANALYSTS CAUTIOUS AHEAD OF ESTONIA'S EURO ADOPTION
In January, Estonia will likely become the 17th nation to adopt the
euro, but that will hardly cure all the challenges facing the tiny
Baltic economy, whose dramatic decline has pushed unemployment to a
record high.
EUROPE STOCK DROP HISTORICALLY NORMAL, BANK SAYS
The recent sell-off for European shares has been a normal bull market
correction, Morgan Stanley strategists said Monday, which means shares
could gain strongly from this point.
PORTUGAL'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE RISES TO 10.6%
Portugal's unemployment rate rose to 10.6% in the first quarter,
official data showed on Tuesday, highlighting the economic challenges
the nation confronts at a time when it's under pressure to lower its
excessive deficit.
U.K. INFLATION HITS 17-MONTH HIGH, TRIGGERS LETTER
Consumer price inflation in Britain accelerates to an annual rate of
3.7% in April, rising from 3.4% in March and forcing Bank of England
Governor Mervyn King to write a letter to the government explaining
why inflation missed the 2% annual target.