Brazil hopes to sign a bilateral accord with China to promote trade in their national currencies at next week's BRICS summit of the world's five emerging powers, Trade and Industry Minister Fernando Pimentel said Thursday.

The meeting of BRICS leaders in Durban next week could uncharitably be described as a summit of the world's emerging economic powers, plus South Africa.

Standard Chartered on Tuesday said its net profit was flat in 2012, even after the British lender was hit by huge fines for violating US sanctions on Iran and other countries.

Standard Chartered on Tuesday said its net profit was flat in 2012, even after the British lender was hit by a huge fine for violating US sanctions on Iran and three other countries.

Smartphone sales are expected to extend their strong growth trend in 2013 with some 918 million units worldwide, led by gains in big emerging markets China, Brazil and India, a survey showed Monday.

WPP on Friday announced a small drop in the global advertiser's annual net profits as European financial strains offset strong growth in emerging markets, while the company forecast a tough year ahead.

WPP on Friday announced a small drop in the global advertiser's annual net profits as European financial strains offset strong growth in emerging markets, while the company forecast a tough year ahead.

British publisher Pearson, owner of the Financial Times newspaper, said on Monday that its annual net profits slumped 66 percent in 2012 as its print business came under pressure from fast-growing digital media.

Franco-Japanese automaker Renault-Nissan will invest $320 million to expand a complex in India, a report said on Friday, as it looks to cash in on demand for low-cost vehicles in emerging markets.

Franco-Japanese automaker Renault-Nissan will invest $320 million to expand a complex in India, a report said Friday, as it looks to cash in on demand for low-cost vehicles in emerging markets.

The French hotel group Accor said on Wednesday it had suffered a net loss of 599 million euros ($804 million) last year owing to the sale of the US budget chain Motel 6, and said it would seek to generate 100 million euros in savings over the next two years to remain competitive.

London has overtaken Hong Kong to take the title of world's priciest office market, followed by a surprise, fast-rising third place Rio de Janeiro, according to a new survey.

Swiss-based food giant Nestle warned Thursday that business was likely to be tough this year, after its 2012 results showed a slowdown in growth in emerging markets.

The United States on Monday urged the Group of 20 economic powers, which holds a meeting later this week, to avoid competitive currency devaluation that would threaten economic growth.

The global banking industry on Monday urged the Group of 20 economic powers to deliver on pledges to harmonize financial regulation, warning their commitment appears to be fraying.

Electrolux, a leading maker of household appliances, reported on Friday a 26.0-percent leap in net profit for 2012 owing to strong performance in emerging economies and in North America.

The International Monetary Fund has made "important progress" toward a new voting power structure for its members but remains divided over the formula, the IMF said Thursday.

Diageo, the world's biggest producer of alcoholic drinks, said on Thursday that net profits soared 61 percent in the first half of its financial year, boosted by strong sales in emerging markets and the United States.

South Korea's SK Hynix reported Wednesday a fourth-quarter net profit of 164 billion won ($151 million) as growing sales of mobile devices in emerging markets fanned demand for its memory chips.

Food and cosmetics giant Unilever reported Wednesday annual net profits up 5.0 percent on 2011 to 4.48 billion euros($5.96 billion), with turnover hitting 50 billion euros for the first time.