Business news for Mon, 31 Dec 2007 & with word global. 12 news.

NEW YORK (MarketWatch) -- Choppy markets will likely remain the norm at least through the first half of 2008 as investors weigh the potential of a U.S. recession against what is hoped to be resilient global growth, analysts and strategists say.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Citigroup Inc and Merrill Lynch & Co were the world's top underwriters of stocks and bonds in 2007, measured by volume and reported fees, despite being at the epicenter of the global credit crisis.

Global stock market competition highlighted the year in new issues.

Not so long ago, Mexico floated along as a low-cost producer to the auto parts world. But now its niche is threatened by global rivals who can trump it with lower salaries or superior quality and productivity

Vadim Zverkov arrived in Israel as official representative of Kazakhstan a year and a half ago, with a swollen pocket and clear intention: to learn about innovation, Israel-style. "You may be the center of global politics, but that's not why I'm here," says the Kazakh ambassador candidly. "What interests us is economic relations with Israel. We aren't getting into the peace process." ...

In today’s "Globalised Economy" the more obvious developments of the current industrial generation concern the use of information technology in communication, and mechanisation in production.

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Crude-oil futures rose modestly on Monday, boosted by continued concerns on political tensions in Pakistan and tight supplies in the U.S. Crude futures for February delivery gained 60 cents, or 0.6%, to $96.6 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It rose to an intraday high of $96.78 earlier in electronic trading. "The geopolitical upheaval triggered by the [former Pakistani prime minister Benazir] Bhutto assassination could get stirred up again ahead of the January 8th elections," said Edward Meir, an analyst at futures brokerage MF Global, in a research note.

NEW YORK (Reuters) - As more banks report write-downs tied to the global credit crunch, analysts say Wachovia Corp may have losses lurking in an area that has garnered less investor attention.

Reuters - As more banks report write-downs tied to the global credit crunch, analysts say Wachovia Corp may have losses lurking in an area that has garnered less investor attention.

Arizona and Canadian business leaders are trying to bolster ties among their largest cities -- connections that historically have not existed.

Trade officials will kick off this week their seventh year of the Doha round of trade talks. The goal is a new global deal to encourage free trade, but what happens in the U.S. elections may prove as important to a deal as anything negotiators in Geneva can do.

RWE npower's Andy Duff was drawn to the business for its difficulties and challenges - and the global warming and nuclear power debate is just one of them, he tells Andrew Cave.