Wall Street stumbled today after a key survey showed manufacturing unexpectedly contracted in November for the first time in more than three years, stoking concerns that the US economy will not be able to achieve a soft landing.

The burden of possible job cuts at Airbus should be spread between its two main sites in Hamburg, Germany, and Toulouse, France, French President Jacques Chirac said today.

The four bosses of Airbus parent EADS met for closed-door talks today, days after the European defence group was hit by costly new delays to the A380 superjumbo and questions about stock sales beforehand.

Chancellor Angela Merkel’s left-right government strengthened its grip on German politics with victories for the two ruling parties in three state elections and bad results for what remains of the opposition.

Stocks rebounded today as reports of a surge in consumer spending and improving health in the manufacturing sector restored investors’ confidence in the economy.

European car-makers are reporting stronger profits and keeping their aspirations focused on flashier models and new markets, even as US car companies are slashing benefits and jobs amid sagging results and spiralling gas prices.

Stocks in the United States meandered through a listless session today, ending lower as investors ignored generally benign economic data and looked ahead to 2006 with a mix of optimism and concern.

US stocks closed mixed today as sagging energy prices and a strong advance by Honeywell International Inc. sent the Dow Jones industrials higher, but downgrades of Apple Computer Inc. dragged the tech-heavy Nasdaq composite lower.

HALF of the 4,500 companies in the UN oil-for-food programme, including Volvo and Daimler Chrysler, paid €1.5 billion in kickbacks and illicit surcharges to Saddam Hussein’s government, a UN report has concluded.

Wall Street ended a volatile session mixed today as investors welcomed new government data showing a reinvigorated industrial sector but wrestled with a jump in oil prices that briefly sent crude futures above US$67 (€55.63) per barrel.

Stocks gained today, narrowing the week’s losses as the energy and basic materials sectors improved and Dow components Exxon Mobil Corp and Intel Corp climbed on upgrades.

THE 61st Frankfurt international auto show has got under way with more than 80 models on display for the first time.

Wall Street surged higher today, carrying the Russell 2000 to a record close as Wall Street welcomed encouraging economic data and a continuation of double-digit corporate earnings growth.

German-American carmaker DaimlerChrysler AG has won Chinese government approval to make Mercedes-Benz saloon cars at a joint venture factory in Beijing, the company said today.

US stocks finished a lacklustre session slightly higher today as many investors opted to keep to the sidelines after a disappointing report on retail sales and another increase in oil prices.

DaimlerChrysler AG employees at Mercedes factories in Germany agreed to smaller pay rises and increased hours after the carmaker threatened to shed 6,000 jobs, adding to pressure for a longer work week.

A German newspaper report quotes a Mitsubishi official as saying that Mitsubishi Motors Corp (MMC) needs at least €2bn fresh capital from shareholders DaimlerChrysler AG and the Mitsubishi group.

Japanese lorry maker Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation today announced it was recalling as many as 45,000 vehicles because of a faulty wheel part which police are investigating in connection with dozens of accidents, including a fatal one.

DaimlerChrysler AG is reducing Celine Dion's role in the advertising for its Chrysler unit.

Mercedes USA chairman Paul Halata said that DaimlerChrysler AG unit Mercedes-Benz will begin importing its Smart car range into the US from 2006.

DaimlerChrysler AG's new four-seater Forfour model, jointly developed by the company's Smart unit and Mitsubishi, will reach breakeven point once 80,000 units are sold per year, according to Smart Group chairman Andreas Renschler.

DaimlerChrysler AG has said its buses and coaches business unit hopes to post a 10% increase in revenues and unit sales this year from last year, with operating results improving as well.

DaimlerChrysler AG has denied a report in Focus Money magazine that it plans to save €1.5bn through an additional cost-cutting programme.

THE European Central Bank left its benchmark interest rate at a half-century low of 2% amid signs the economy in the dozen euro nations may be recovering.

THE idea that there are companies generating more wealth than Ireland has been debunked by the United Nations.

Shares of prominent US auto makers and car parts manufacturers were mostly higher in early afternoon trade, after JP Morgan auto analyst David Bradley upgraded the sector to a 'market weight' rating, dealers said.