Feeds
Deadly street battles that have turned parts of the Thai capital into urban war zones are threatening to chill foreign investment for years, hobbling a nation once among the region's fastest growing but now losing its edge over rivals like Vietnam.
Asian markets advanced Friday on the back of Wall Street's rally after upbeat economic figures revived confidence about the state of the U.S. economy.
European stock markets traded flat on Thursday as investors awaited quarterly growth data from the U.S. later in the day for insight into the state of the world's biggest economy.
Asian stock markets dropped Friday as signs the U.S. housing market was still suffering reinforced concerns about a weak recovery in the world's largest economy.
Asian stocks were modestly higher Friday, but worries about tighter government policies sent China's markets lower for a second day.
Most Asian markets fell Thursday as investors tread cautiously ahead of a key U.S. jobs report expected to show unemployment hit a 26-year-high despite signs of recovery in the world's largest economy. European markets opened lower.
Oil prices hovered above $72 a barrel Friday in Asia near an 8-month high as investors eyed signs a global recession may be easing.
Profit-taking helped push European stock markets lower Wednesday, with Britain's FTSE 100 index further undermined by mounting uncertainty about the future of the Labour government and Prime Minister Gordon Brown in particular.
Asia's governments must spend more on social safety nets and reduce their reliance on export-driven growth as they grapple with an economic meltdown that will keep tens of millions trapped in poverty, finance officials said Sunday.
European markets fell Tuesday as investors continued to worry about the sputtering global economy despite governments' efforts to boost growth with increased spending.
Thailand's stock market jumped Friday as investors bet that a resolution may be reached soon in a political crisis that escalated this week with anti-government protesters shutting down Bangkok's two airports.
Thailand's already faltering economy is bracing for a fresh blow as the shutdown of the country's main airport by protesters entered its third day, stranding thousands during the tourist high season, disrupting exports and spooking investors.
The severing of air links with Thailand's capital — a vital air hub that handles 3 percent of world air cargo and 100,000 travelers a day — rippled through the region with airlines scrambling to reroute passengers and freight as hopes for a quick resolution to the crisis faded.
Thailand's economy slowed sharply in the third quarter, taking a double hit from prolonged political turmoil and the global financial crisis.
Ailing U.S. automaker General Motors Corp. said Thursday it will stop production at its Thai plant for up to two months, joining other global vehicle manufacturers in cutting production as the global downturn hits sales.
Log In | Register
