Business International

Indian factory output up at slowest pace since '02

India's industrial production grew at the slowest pace since 2002 in March as borrowing costs at a six-year high discouraged consumers from buying cars and motorcycles.

Wal-Mart to profit from price cuts

Wal-Mart Stores Inc, the world's largest retailer, may report today that first-quarter profit rose after discounts lured Target Corp and Macy's Inc customers coping with record gasoline prices.

Blackberry Bold hopes to shake Apple's tree

Research In Motion Ltd unveiled a BlackBerry phone with quicker Web browsing and more room for songs and videos, getting a jump on a faster iPhone that analysts expect next month.

Rose set for a roasting at M&S annual meeting

Stuart Rose, chief executive of British retailer Marks and Spencer, will face tough questions when he takes to the stage at the company's annual results event on May 20.

IN BRIEF (Page 16)

Business International

Rice price gains for fifth day

Rice gained for a fifth day as the extent of the devastation in Myanmar from a cyclone became clearer with as many as 100,000 people dead, and Malaysia agreed to purchase the grain from Thailand, the world's biggest exporter.

US puts brake on Toyota earnings

Toyota Motor Corp, the world's second-largest automaker, posted its first drop in quarterly profit in almost three years because of a stronger yen and slumping US auto sales. It also said profit will likely fall this fiscal year.

Unilever expects to beat forecast

Unilever, the world's second-largest maker of food and detergent, said revenue will beat its forecast for the first time in six years after raising prices and selling more Dove soap, Hellmann's mayonnaise and Lipton tea.

Brazilian flood dampens Inbev quarterly profit

InBev NV, the world's largest brewer, said profit unexpectedly fell in the first quarter after flooding hurt sales in Brazil and power, grain and aluminum prices rose.

ECB keeps its benchmark rate at six-year high

The European Central Bank kept interest rates at a six-year high yesterday to fight inflation, even as the euro's appreciation and fallout from the US housing slump curb economic growth.