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South Korea’s economy is in a tough spot. Too bad the monetary-policy response has been so tame. The country is flirting with outright deflation, figures showed, as consumer prices declined for the first time on record. Exports, which account for about 40% of gross domestic product slipped for 10 straight months. The Bank of Korea says the country will struggle ...

The trade war between the US and China has already slowed down growth in Europe’s export-oriented economies – including the biggest of them, Germany – even though they haven’t been slapped by any punitive tariffs. The wholesale buyers of European products, though, should perhaps be more optimistic about signing deals: Consumers attach a lot of value to the national brands ...

The merger that created Standard Life Aberdeen Plc two years ago was designed to produce an asset manager big enough to survive the existential threats facing the fund management industry. Martin Gilbert, founder of the Aberdeen side of the equation, hoped to join what he called “that $1 trillion club” by growing assets under management. The reality has been somewhat ...

The weakness in the global bond market is surprising for one primary reason: It’s a sign central banks may finally be taking the right steps to get the worldwide economy back on track. Central banks have taken a lot of heat by trying to combat slowing economic growth and inflation with the same strategies that have so far largely failed ...

In many respects, Japan’s economy is doing better than at any time since the boom years of the 1980s. The employment rate is at all-time highs. Women have flooded into the labour force, and immigration is helping to cushion the blow of an aging society. Japanese companies, once known for low margins, are learning how to increase profits, helped by ...

Forever 21 Inc. has learned the hard way that the allegiance of teen shoppers is anything but everlasting. The fast-fashion retailer filed for bankruptcy, saying it has obtained $350 million in financing to help it stay afloat. The company said it plans to close most of its Asian and European stores in order to focus on its core business in ...

Just when you think banks in India can’t possibly deliver any more bad news, a near $1 billion scandal drops without warning. The alleged wrongdoing at Punjab & Maharashtra Co-operative (PMC) Bank differs from previous Indian banking scams in that savers are on the hook this time around, a situation that can’t be allowed to continue without chilling consequences for ...

Bloomberg Futures on US equity indexes ticked lower while the yuan slipped on Monday on concern China may be increasingly reluctant to agree a broad trade deal with the Trump administration. European stocks gained and Treasuries fluctuated. Contracts for the three main US gauges came off their session lows but still pointed to a weak start on Wall Street after ...

Bloomberg Chinese financial markets are set to open for the first time in a week on Tuesday, with investors likely to focus on this week’s trade talks with the US and the worsening situation in Hong Kong. Room for disappointment in both is growing. Senior Chinese officials have indicated the range of topics they’re willing to discuss has narrowed considerably, ...

Bloomberg Boeing Co’s ventures with Embraer SA face a deeper antitrust probe from the European Union as regulators said the transaction threatens to knock out an important rival to the world’s biggest planemakers. The European Commission has until February 20 to issue a ruling on the deal after opening an “in-depth investigation,” according to a statement. Boeing and Embraer, which ...