PC makers rally their products in Las Vegas in a bid to dent MacBook Air market.

HP, Dell woo Apple buyers with new ultrabook laptops

Business Standard

Euro area industrial production declined for a third straight month in November, adding to signs that the economy failed to expand in the fourth quarter as leaders struggled to quell the region&rsquo;s fiscal crisis.

European industrial output declines again

Europe&rsquo;s largest economy shrank &ldquo;roughly&rdquo; 0.25 per cent in the fourth quarter from the third, the Federal Statistics Office in Wiesbaden said on Wednesday in an unofficial estimate. Economists such as Christian Schulz at Berenberg Bank expect gross domestic product to contract again in the current quarter. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of declining GDP.

Germany slowing down, growth shrinks 0.25%

Even before the euro crisis, people were worried about Europe&rsquo;s pension bomb.

Europe's pension threat grows

India is &ldquo;better placed&rdquo; among BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) nations, as Brazil faces slowing growth, Russia&rsquo;s economy isn&rsquo;t &ldquo;well diversified&rdquo; and China&rsquo;s model is being &ldquo;challenged,&rdquo; New York University professor Nouriel Roubini said.

India 'better placed' than other BRIC nations, says Roubini 

Microsoft Corp, the world's largest software maker, said industry-wide sales of personal computers will probably be lower than analysts projected in the fourth quarter because supply was hurt by flooding in Thailand.

Quarter four PC shipments may fall short: Microsoft

International Business Machines Corp won a record number of US patents in 2011, its 19th straight year on top, as some Asian competitors advanced in the rankings at the expense of Microsoft Corp and Intel Corp.

IBM keeps top patent spot for 19th year as Asian rivals gain

Bullish bets on Housing Development Finance Corp&rsquo;s futures are at a record high, on optimism that the country&rsquo;s largest mortgage lender would withstand a slowdown better than other financial companies.

Bets on HDFC futures climb to record

International investment in India&rsquo;s bonds would rise this year as policy makers rein in inflation, boosting the rupee after 2011&rsquo;s 16 per cent slump, according to the most-accurate forecasters for the currency.

Top rupee forecasters see rebound on bond inflows 

China&rsquo;s import growth fell to a two-year low in December, underscoring a slowdown in the fastest growing economy that deepens risks for the global outlook.

China import growth at two-year low

Conference in Dubai, speech about China&rsquo;s energy policy on agenda.

Wen to visit Persian Gulf as US-Iran tensions rise

The US economy is beginning 2012 on a brighter note in a sign investors may be too pessimistic.

Initial US economic data belie naysayers

The world&rsquo;s first online contemporary-art fair is set to expand with three new events in 2012, following the hiring of a new chief executive officer, director and technical team.

Online art fair to see three new events in 2012

Banks will be allowed go below minimum liquidity levels set by global regulators during financial crises to avoid cash-flow difficulties.

Banks can go below basel levels during crisis

Luxury-home prices in central London gained for a 14th consecutive month in December as overseas buyers sought safer investments and competed for a smaller number of properties for sale, Knight Frank LLP said.

London luxury-home prices continue to rise

More Americans are moving from part- time to full-time jobs, adding to evidence a strengthening labour market will bolster household confidence and spending.

More US part-time workers find full-time jobs

China&rsquo;s December lending and money supply growth exceeded economists&rsquo; estimates, signaling monetary conditions may be easing as the nation&rsquo;s central bank said it must be prepared for possible shocks from the US and Europe.

Yuan supply growth exceeds estimates

European Central Bank President Mario Draghi may act more like Ben S.

Draghi may copy Bernanke on path to low rates

Sony Corp, Canon Corp and Samsung Electronics Co are making every effort to keep their latest camera models from going the way of the Flip, GPS receivers and other victims of category killing smartphones.

'Death by smartphone' spurs camera makers into action

Rice exports from India, the world&rsquo;s second-largest producer, may more than double this year on a record crop and as importers seek alternatives to expensive supplies from Thailand, a shippers&rsquo; group said.

Rice exports likely to surge on bumper output

BMW posted record car sales for 2011 and forecast a boom in luxury cars would keep it ahead of rivals this year, as the world's number one maker of luxury cars enjoys strong demand from China and the United States.

Bloomberg