GENEVA / WAM Global trade growth in 2023 is still expected to be subpar despite a slight upgrade to GDP projections since last fall, WTO (World Trade Organization) economists said in a new forecast. Weighed down by the effects of the crisis in Ukraine, stubbornly high inflation, tighter monetary policy and financial market uncertainty, the volume of world merchandise trade …

BLOOMBERG The UK’s construction industry grew more slowly than expected in March as sliding demand for houses cut into activity across the sector. The Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index from S&P Global fell to 50.7 in March — above the crucial no-change reading of 50 but down from 54.6 in February. It missed economists’ expectations of 53.6. While activity on commercial …

BLOOMBERG Vodafone Group Plc’s Spanish business is attracting takeover interest from potential buyers, including Apollo Global Management Inc, people with knowledge of the matter said. The British telecommunications group has been contacted by other financial and strategic suitors interested in the business, according to the people. While it’s not running a formal sale process for the unit, Vodafone would consider …