Manhattan / Bloomberg Dubai’s Damac Properties reported a 12 per cent fall in fourth-quarter net profit on Thursday, according to a company statement on the Dubai stock exchange (DFM). The developer reported a net profit of AED844m ($229.8m) for the three months to 31 December, according to calculations by Reuters, which calculated was the absence of a quarterly breakdown. This …

Berlin / AFP German retail giant Metro said on Thursday that profits rose strongly in the first quarter, helped by strong Christmas business and gains from divestments. Metro, which runs its business year from October to September, said in a statement that bottom-line net profit rose by 36 percent to 549 million euros ($620 million) in the three months to …

Bloomberg Spending on business aircraft fell 3.1 percent last year as a commodities downturn crimped demand for long-range jets in emerging markets. Companies and wealthy individuals spent $18.7 billion on private jets, according to the General Aviation Manufacturers Association. The report is adjusted because Bombardier Inc. hasn’t reported fourth-quarter results yet. Sales of large-cabin planes, such as Bombardier’s Global 5000, …