The caution in the markets following the tsunami in Japan and unrest in north Africa provided an unpromising backdrop to French company Sanofi Aventis's $20bn takeover of US biotech firm Genzyme. However, the deal passed off as a resounding success.
Americas
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Bolivia's economy minister reaps the rewards of prudence
June 1, 2011Bolivia's economy minister, Luis Arce explains that the careful management of the country's finances over the past few years have left it in a strong position to not only cope with such demands, but to continue to grow.
BTG Pactual riding high on Brazil's economic strength
June 1, 2011Armed with new capital, BTG Pactual has been busy deal-making this year under the direction of CEO Andre Esteves.
Consumer markets set to fuel Chilean banking growth
June 1, 2011A year on from a devastating earthquake and the delayed impact of the international financial crisis, banks in Latin America's most stable economy now need to focus on supporting the expansion of the middle class.
Why did some community banks fail and others thrive in the US crisis?
May 9, 2011Some US community banks managed themselves conservatively and stuck to their knitting while others expanded too quickly on the back of the real-estate boom. While the former are prospering, the problems and failures among the latter are adding up.
Scotia Capital’s oil and gas expertise boosts M&A business
May 4, 2011Scotia Capital provides its oil and gas clients with in-depth geophysical expertise, something that vice-chairman Adam Waterous believes is just as important as advice on the structuring of mergers and acquisitions.
President Chávez's presence looms large over Venezuela's private banks
May 4, 2011Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez has ushered in massive changes to the country's banking sector, nationalising or closing banks, while introducing community banking terminals in slum areas to make banking more accessible. But is this level of public spending sustainable?
America's crumbling infrastructure: can private capital save it?
May 4, 2011The US is in trouble. Its infrastructure is in dire need of repair but the heavily indebted country cannot afford to pay for it. All the more surprising then that the overtures of private – and in many cases foreign – capital are being met with resistance.
Consumer debt and Basel III pose problems for Canadian banks
May 4, 2011With one of the most stable and well-capitalised banking systems in the world, Canadian banks are riding high on the back of a strong mortgage market. But will high consumer debt levels and international banking regulation restrict activity?
End of the gold standard for US sovereign ratings
May 4, 2011Ratings agencies would lose their credibility if they did not now cast doubt on the US government’s AAA ratings.