">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
US job losses accelerate, German car sales stall
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
US job losses accelerate, German car sales stall
AFP - 2 hours 25 minutes ago
WASHINGTON (AFP) - - US job losses accelerated in November while German car sales skidded, according to the latest batch of data Wednesday that added to worries about the global economic outlook.
Brazilian mining giant Vale became the latest to announce big job cuts, shedding 1,300 workers worldwide because of the global downturn.
Yet stock markets showed resilience despite the barrage of grim news, as investors appeared to look past the turmoil and focused on news suggesting a possible rebound in troubled sectors.
In the United States, surveys showed employers shed jobs at a breakneck pace in November, a troublesome sign for an economy mired in recession.
In an ominous sign for the holiday shopping season, the private sector lost 250,000 jobs last month, the largest decline in six years, according to the ADP National Employment Report.
Separately, consultancy Challenger, Gray & Christmas said layoffs announced by employers in November rose to 181,671 as job cuts for the year officially surpassed one million for the first time since 2005.
A separate service sector survey then showed a brutal fall to 37.3 points from 44.4 points in the October Institute of Supply Management index, much worse than analyst forecasts for 42 points.
"The steep drop in services industry activity in November is another sobering reminder of the potentially devastating consequences of the current long and painful recession," said Brian Bethune, economist at IHS Global Insight.
But markets latched onto positive news including a survey showing a surprisingly strong demand for home loans from the US Mortgage Bankers Association.
The report showed an increase of 112.1 percent on a seasonally adjusted basis from one week earlier.
"Many borrowers missed an opportunity to take advantage when rates dropped sharply for a brief period" earlier this year, said MBA vice president Orawin Velz, who cited a rush to take advantage of lower rates.
The group said the average interest rate for 30-year, fixed-rate mortgages decreased to 5.47 percent from 5.99 percent.
The report showing rising mortgage demand was "a huge surprise," which could help the sector at the center of the economic storm, said Gregory Drahuschak, analyst at Janney Montgomery Scott.
Also lifting spirits was a report by the research firm comScore showing online sales rose 15 percent on the shopping day known as Cyber Monday.
Brian Wesbury at First Trust Portfolios said this was one of many signs of recovery.
"The rebound in consumer spending so evident in this holiday shopping season, an apparent stabilization in initial unemployment claims, a huge drop in gasoline prices, a strong rebound in mortgage applications and the placement of new corporate bond issues suggest that risk aversion is abating," he said.
Earlier the 15-nation eurozone service sector activity index, compiled by data and research group Markit, fell to 42.5 points in November from 45.8 points in October, worse than a first estimate of 43.3 points.
The problems facing the auto industry were highlighted by German figures showing new car sales slumped 18 percent in November and appeared headed to their worst performance since national reunification in 1990.
The US auto industry is likewise under severe threat, having just reported calamitous domestic sales declines in November and as its leaders plead with the US government for emergency loans of 34 billion dollars.
French President Nicholas Sarkozy was due to unveil a 20-billion-euro (25-billion-dollar) stimulus package targeting the vital car industry as well as housing and household spending.
The European Central Bank and Bank of England were expected to both cut interest rates sharply Thursday to give relief to borrowers and keep consumer spending on track.
Other eurozone data showed retail sales in October down 0.8 percent from September and falling 2.1 percent from a year earlier, much worse than expected and stoking concerns about the outlook.
Stock markets held firm in the face of the glum news.
In New York, the Dow Jones Industrial Average powered 2.05 percent higher, the Nasdaq composite climbed 2.94 while the broad Standard & Poor's 500 advanced 2.58 percent.
In London, the FTSE 100 index rose 1.14 percent and the Paris CAC 40 gained 0.44 percent. In Frankfurt the DAX rose 0.78 percent.
Brazil's Vale said its cuts would affect all its plants around the world, the company said without providing specifics.
"The fall in orders for iron and steel" was behind the move, it said in a statement.
Italian telecommunications group Telecom Italia said it would cut a further 4,000 jobs in Italy, and Spanish airline Iberia said it would slash 1,000 positions.
Queen Elizabeth II unveiled the British government's legislative program, stressing its "overriding priority" was to bolster the economy against looming recession.
The lavish ceremony surrounding the Queen's Speech -- when she speaks from a gold throne in the House of Lords, wearing an ermine robe and a crown studded with nearly 3,000 diamonds -- contrasted with her message of economic caution.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (0 votes)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Most Popular – Top Stories
Viewed
Wall Street plunges as recession becomes reality
Sweden to come to rescue of struggling carmakers Saab and Volvo
World stocks tumble as economic fears deepen
Islamist leader calls on pirates to free ships
British Airways targets Qantas merger
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Other News on Thursday, 4 December 2008
Central CDC’s survival guide helps residents through recession
Police find explosives at Mumbai train station
Dalai Lama not likely to visit Taiwan for now: President Ma
Donations in kind to Salvation Army double this festive season
Thai airports reopening after PM ousted by court
Fans and booksellers eager for new JK Rowling book
Daniel Gatti conducts La Scala premiere
ASEAN members regret Thai postponement of summit
Pakistan army says airstrikes kill 30 militants
India says all options open with Pakistan after Mumbai attacks
Ex-presidents, premiers urge UN chief to intervene in Myanmar
Plan for 'Sound of Music' hotel blocked in Austria
Explosives found, defused at Mumbai railway station: police
India says all options open with Pakistan after Mumbai attacks
Folk music, civil rights legend Odetta dies at 77
US military urges Pakistan to probe Mumbai ties
'Da Vinci Code' publisher leaves Random House
Thai airport reopens after PM ousted by court
China denies alleged attack on foreign journalists
WRAPUP 2-South Korea c.bank rushes to give banks more help
Roselyn Sanchez marries Eric Winter
Google tightening its belt: WSJ
Japan announces new measures to ease tight credit
US envoy in Singapore for talks with North Korea
China not facing major crisis, slowdown moderate: expert
Thai crisis defused but dangers ahead
UNESCO chief to visit Singapore
Vanessa Williams kicks off NY cancer fundraiser
Seth MacFarlane named the smartest person in TV
Singapore receives international award for approaches to tobacco control
Dalai Lama meets Belgian PM on tour that has angered China
Magic wands to the ready as Potter follow-up goes on sale
Cyber Monday boosts gloomy online retail sales
Hebron settlers brace for forceful evacuation
Iran's president concedes economy hurting over oil
NATO, Russia agree return to top level talks
Games, music dominate Top 10 iPhone applications in 2008
Reconciliation needed in Iraq's most violent city
EU to launch justice mission in Kosovo
US job losses accelerate, German car sales stall
WITNESS: Counting bodies on Congo's front line
| International
|
French aid worker freed in Afghanistan
Basque businessman killed in suspected ETA shooting
Union joins automakers in pledge to make sacrifices
UAW will make concessions to save automakers: union boss
British conjoined twin dies after separation surgery
China's world factory struggles to find its feet
| International
|
Unions set to back US automakers bailout plea
Greenhouse gases make oceans noisier: UN, wildlife groups
NATO seeks more forces to avoid Afghan stalemate
| International
|
Obama names Richardson as commerce secretary
Number of companies interested in buying Saab: CEO
Putin faces crisis questions from Russian people
| International
|
Former British leader urges push for Mideast peace
Oil prices slide under $45 per barrel
Bombs found in Mumbai train station a week later
Large quake jolts Japan's north, no damage reported
| International
|
Seoul shares rise after U.S. gains; banks advance
Man sentenced for Australian society killing
U.S.-led coalition in Iraq dwindles as allies leave
| International
|
NZ central bank cuts 1.5 percent from key rate
Quake with magnitude of 6.1 hits northern Japan
Singapore Hot Stocks-Cosco, Olam in focus
Icahn says opposes partial sale of Yahoo
| Technology
|
NZ cenbank cuts rates by record 150 bps to 5 pct
Wallabies end rugby tour with win over Barbarians
Notebook PC weakness seen hurting chipmakers
| Technology
|
EU to push for Caspian gas line
EU targets Chinese soy imports in new melamine scare
Cutting costs but still want a fancy phone?
| Technology
|
Japan auto parts company to open plant in Uruguay
Apple may be chilling iTunes competition: critics
| Technology
|
Activists vows to protect whales from Japanese
EA, Gameloft say mobile gaming market doing well
| Technology
|
Oil prices slide under $45 per barrel
US, China headed for possible currency clash
Croat police apologize for Facebook arrest
| Technology
|
Toyota to cut domestic output amid slowing demand
FCC to consider free Internet, cable issues
| Technology
|
Sail online for thrills without danger
| Technology
|
PC sales to fall in 2009, research firms say
| Technology
|
New star-studded Web video protests Proposition 8
Defense seeks minimum 6-year term for O.J. Simpson
| Entertainment
|
Recession-hit Americans flocking to movies
| Entertainment
|
Sundance Film Festival unveils competition films
| Entertainment
|
Drama offers comprehensive look at dictator's reign
| Entertainment
|
Britney marriage broke over kids, Federline says
| Entertainment
|
Adidas ads feature musicians but not their music
| Entertainment
|
Prosecutor: Jealousy behind Hudson family killings
Trial over Pickford Oscar opens in LA
Kanye West outperforms Guns N' Roses on album chart
| Entertainment
|
New star-studded Web video protests Proposition 8
Civil rights beacon Odetta dead at 77
| Entertainment
|
Mark Ruffalo's brother shot in Beverly Hills
Colombian singer Fanny Lu makes stateside inroads
| Entertainment
|
Obama campaign manager to write book
NY Public Library displays rare Rowling book
No relief in sight as radio ad revenue declines
| Entertainment
|
'ER' to end its lengthy run March 12, NBC says
Newsman Miles O'Brien leaving CNN after 16 years
Bedroom Bach? YouTube starts a cyber symphony
Madonna postpones opening concert in Argentina
Electronic Arts buys South Korean game developer
Croatian PM orders probe into Facebook-linked detentions
Bonnaroo set to rock June 11-14 in Tennessee
Lebanon tourism hits four-year high
`Maude' star among TV Hall of Fame inductees
Kid Rock upset at Ga. judge's ruling
Sanyo to launch new electric hybrid bicycle
CBS to power Yahoo's online radio service
Tourists to be barred from Tokyo tuna auctions
APNewsBreak: Andrews to succeed Cronkite on PBS
Lithuania plans crackdown on workplace drunks
Country star Alan Jackson honored with CMT special
St. Pete photographer sues Chris Brown, Rihanna
Taiwan leader urges support for Japan-themed movie in China
Judge signs off on McDermott's divorce
Rock, Brosnan, Sarandon line up for Sundance
`MNF' tops TV cable ratings for Nov. 24-30
Review: `Frost/Nixon' depicts tense TV showdown
US, China headed for possible currency clash
New Xbox 360 'Scene It?' game a crowd pleaser
After 37 years, Denmark's hippie haven fights for survival
S.Korea T-bond futures jump as rate cut looms
Stolen antiquities returned from NY to Egypt
Apple yanks Macintosh anti-virus software advice
Record, study and hear music at new Grammy Museum
Suspect in Hudson murders has long rap sheet
French films selected for Sundance festival
Libya complains of Israeli high sea 'piracy' to UN council
Aguilera: Another working mom on the red carpet
Auto industry faces 'massive' job losses without aid: Ghosn
Thai Bev to raise $10.5 mln in Bangkok share sale
Fire in China company dorm kills 11, injures 10
Molester jailed 10 months, rapist 5 1/2 years
RPT-GLOBAL MARKETS-Asian shares rally; focus on central banks
Firms should explore customer social responsibility, says expert
Britons on a budget prefer sex to gossip
Grammy nominations in top categories
AirAsia pioneer talks about more KL—Singapore flights
Lil Wayne leads Grammy noms with 8, Coldplay 7
Philippines says wanted leftist rebel leader arrested
Jimmy Carter writes new book on Middle East
Wikipedia gets grant to lure new writers
Call for Aussie politicians to be breath-tested before voting
US, NKorea envoys head into Singapore talks
Rice in Pakistan after Mumbai attacks
Wallabies' prospects excite rugby coach Deans
Australia PM returns to regionalist approach
SIA to resume flights between S’pore and Bangkok’s main airport on Friday
Hamm to play Fey love interest on '30 Rock'
Lawmaker blasted for giving media protest photo
Official: Pakistan group leaders linked to attacks
Gunmen kill 2 Afghan tribal elders who met Karzai
Electricity tariff reduced by nearly 24.7% for first quarter of 2009
Ex-law minister: Malaysia racial unity threatened
Australia seeks closer security ties with Asia: PM
Lil Wayne, Coldplay lead Grammy nominations
Taiwan's ex-intelligence chief gets 10-year jail term on graft
Thailand restores international air links
Rice pushes Pakistan, seeks to curb India response
| International
|
Thai crisis shifts to king as airport gets going
| International
|
Suicide bomb inside spy agency in Afghan southeast
| International
|
Body of slain Afghan ex-president identified after 30 years
| International
|
Canada's democracy under fire, PM tells nation
China lashes Dalai Lama's demands for autonomy
| International
|
China: No lip-synching in year's biggest TV show
New Xbox 360 'Scene It?' game a crowd pleaser
US military deaths in Afghanistan region at 556
Australians told to take a break for the economy
| International
|
Rights groups urge end to Thai political violence
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,207
Indonesian company says settlement reached with mud volcano victims
Pakistani c.bank sells 13.2 bln rupees of T-bills
China offers pieces of Bird's Nest for 420 dollars: report
Taiwan proposes using postal bank to spur lending
Governor of key Afghan province sacked
S.Korea T-bond futures fall on bond issue plan
24 cab drivers arrested for airport protest
China urges Washington to protect its investments
Officials: Pakistan group leaders linked to attack
Japan's recession woes mount as firms slash investment
Report: Indian official warns of airborne attack
Seoul shares end down as financials, builders fall
Foreign deals by Asia companies hit record in 2008
Nomura says to cut up to 1,000 jobs in London
Lil Wayne and Coldplay lead Brit-heavy Grammy field
| Entertainment
|
Japan's Nippon Oil, Nippon Mining to merge
Office scores touchdown on NBC's midseason lineup
| Entertainment
|
Vietnam announces $1 billion economic stimulus
China's Chen eyes comeback in biopic of opera star
Rowling offers Potter fans a gift with new book
Jazmine Sullivan hits it big with 5 Grammy nods
Tyler Perry takes the stand in copyright lawsuit
Australia gets its first national security adviser
MFA advises S’poreans to avoid non—essential travel to India
Paris gets world's first Cinema Street
Indian airports on alert, warnings of airborne attacks: officials
Mumbai Jews on edge after attacks in India
Li eyes top acting prize at Chinese Oscars
Zardari vows 'strong action' vs. Mumbai culprits
Philippine mayor, 3 bodyguards killed
Thai flights step up as king prepares for speech
Institute of Adult Learning launched to focus on training trainers
Family, friends and S’poreans bid final farewell to Lo Hwei Yen
Philippines files charges against Islamic militant
Tabloid magnets Kevin Chen and Kate Tsui standing strong
Golf: Asian Tour to grow in 2009 despite economic crisis
China gets on board railway project to speed up economy
'Angel' killed in Mumbai was Singapore's first terror victim
Lee Seo Hyun takes his own life
Hong Kong actors in town for charity
Man fined S$19k for smuggling cigarettes through parcel post
Half of Marina Bay Sands retail space taken up
'Tap Tap Dance" an iPhone stage for hot musicians
Gaza banks close as cash dwindles during blockade
Nintendo 'sells half a million DSi consoles' in first month
Bank of England slashes interest rates to 2.0%
At least 10 dead in double car bombing in Iraq's Fallujah
Russia will cut gas supply if Ukraine does not pay: Putin
EU was wrong to freeze Iran group's funds: court
Zimbabwe declares national emergency over cholera
| International
|
Double attack in Iraq's Fallujah, casualties reported
Iraq officials: Car bombings in Fallujah kill 10
Iraq: Obama calls Iraqi PM to discuss cooperation
Palestinians recount abuses in West Bank jails
| International
|
Israel eases Gaza blockade
Putin says Russia will survive difficult period
| International
|
US says had substantive nuclear talks with North Korea
Solar car completes 1st ever round-the-world trip
Smartphone sales growth slowed in Q3: Gartner
| Technology
|
Pakistan army vows peace amid tensions with India
Pakistan's foreign reserves rise to $9.08 bln
New videogames lure players into the kitchen
| Technology
|
Goldman Sachs rejects Panasonic's latest Sanyo offer
Volcano spews hot ash in central Indonesia
Ex-South Korean president's brother arrested
Central banks set for new attack on hordes of recession data
UNESCO chief calls on the PM Lee, SM Goh
Nokia says to get royalty payments from RIM
| Technology
|
China shares up on new goverment financial support
Thai king is 'sick', can't give speech: crown prince
Taiwan at 3-yr closing low on funds, exporters support
China's currency slips vs dollar as officials meet
China's Okay Airways suspends flights for 1 month
Officials: Pakistan militants masterminded attacks
China warns Tibet row could impact French trade ties
Honda to cut jobs in UK, Japan amid global slump
KAMCO may buy more bad loans from S.Korea thrifts
Rowling waves her magic wand again with first post-Potter tale