The Italian economy is slowly making its way out of an economic crisis that has ravaged the country, but there are fears among the business community that the March 4 election could hobble what is a small and fragile recovery.

German lender Deutsche Bank confirmed Monday it would float asset management division DWS on the stock market as soon as possible, while media reports suggested it will keep a controlling stake.

Asian markets picked up Monday where they left off last week, with gains across the board as investors tracked a healthy lead from Wall Street.

The advances helped take another bite out of the big losses suffered at the start of February, sparked by concerns at the impact of rising inflation that could lead to higher US interest rates.

A Chinese tycoon's purchase of vast wheat fields in France highlights China's increasing acquisition of foreign farmland as the Asian giant seeks to keep up with its massive population's growing appetite.

South Korean cosmetics brands, wildly successful at home and across Asia, now have their eye on the European beauty market where their penetration is, for now, only skin-deep.

Inflation rates in Saudi Arabia soared in January after the government introduced a string of price hikes to boost non-oil revenues, authorities said on Sunday.

Greek banks' efforts have started bearing fruit but the very high stock of non-performing loans remains a thorny issue, European Central Bank chief supervisor Daniele Nouy said Sunday.

The European Central Bank warned Saturday that Latvia's third-largest lender ABLV was at risk of failing, after freezing payments following money laundering allegations from Washington. 

Negotiators from the United States, Mexico and Canada open a new round of talks Sunday on overhauling the North American Free Trade Agreement, with the Mexican hosts already warning of turbulence.

IAG, which owns British Airways and Spanish carrier Iberia, said Friday that full-year net profit gained only slightly, as restructuring costs offset benefits from the demise of smaller rivals.