Verdict Research on the G20: boosting consumer and retailer confidence

When future generations look back on the G20 summit, it will hopefully be regarded as the first defining step in the direction of recovery. The summit may even herald the start of a new chapter in the history of capitalism, with its focus on the regulation of all systemically relevant financial institutions, including hedge funds and tax havens, and the creation of new supervisory bodies.

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Venture Preference: announces plans to rebrand

Venture Preference, the broking arm of AXA, has announced plans to rebrand itself as Bluefin: a move which will come into full effect in January 2009. The rebranding should enable the company to build a strong brand presence in the small and medium enterprise market.

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Venezuelan oil: China loan demands illustrate weaknesses of resource nationalism

Having all but spent the original agreed-upon $8 billion loan, Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez has asked China to advance a further $12 billion for future oil contracts. While Venezuela is indeed short of cash and struggling to maintain its 'development fund', the move can be interpreted as Mr Chavez's political agenda subverting positive economic development.

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Venezuela: international oil companies can rescue industry if Chavez makes terms more favorable

Sweeping nationalization of the Venezuelan oil industry has led to a slump in foreign investment. However, a leaked US diplomatic cable has revealed that President Chavez is now allegedly desperate to attract foreign oil companies back to the country. It seems likely that western companies will lose out to the "loyal" Chinese operators, but even they will demand more favorable conditions.

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Vehicle recall could prove damaging to Japanese automakers

Up to 3.4 million Japanese-made cars will be recalled worldwide by Toyota, Honda, Mazda, and Nissan over faulty airbags. Toyota is the hardest hit, being poised to recall 1.73 million cars. The firms have declined to reveal the financial cost of the move, but reputational damage - including loss of consumer confidence and sales declines - may be more significant than any monetary loss.

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Vegetable-based drinks: top flavors in new products

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Vegetable flavored drinks: top flavors in new products

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Vegetable flavored drinks: top flavors in new global product launches

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Valentine's Day: say it with...chocolates

Valentine's is traditionally a day of love and romance, though cynics would call it a money-spinning dream for the producers of flowers and chocolates. Whatever the reasons, chocolate is big business. Datamonitor's Joanne Birtwistle looks at the global popularity of chocolate, for Valentine's and otherwise...<BR /><BR />

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Vaccines: sales show global growth

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