Finance Matters

The Japanese economy grew at a better than expected 1.1% in the last three months of 2009, meaning it retains its status as the world’s second largest economy.
Meanwhile, official figures show that GDP grew at an annualised pace of 4.6% in the fourth quarter of 2009, cementing a strong recovery from its worst recession in [...]

Official figures have revealed the euro zone economy grew just 0.1% in the final three months of 2009, suggesting the economic recovery is faltering.
The news came after poor GDP figures from the euro zone’s largest economies. Germany, which is the euro zone‘s largest economy, said GDP remained flat in the three month period, with growth [...]

Oil giant Royal Dutch Shell has today posted a 75% fall in profits for the fourth quarter to $1.2 billion (£755 million), compared with the $4.8 billion the company made a year ago.
The Anglo-Dutch company, which is Britain’s second largest oil company, has been hit by a slump in demand for oil from a weak [...]