A round-up of the key stories across the specialist financial media, including news that eurozone finance ministers are considering freezing €240 billion in leftover funds in their temporary bail-out scheme, in case they need an emergency rescue of Italy or Spain
Eurozone plan to hold €240 billion in reserve
Eurozone finance ministers are considering freezing €240 billion in leftover funds in their temporary bail-out scheme and keeping it in reserve through to the middle of next year in case they need an emergency rescue of Italy or Spain, according to a draft plan obtained by the Financial Times.
The euro fell against the dollar and the yen on Thursday as concerns about contagion from the eurozone debt crisis resurfaced, with investors wary on the common currency ahead of Spain's budget on Friday.
Euro aid compromise seen as political cover for Germany
The European plan to temporarily increase the bail-out aid ceiling above $1 trillion marks a compromise that gives German officials political cover at home and aims to attract more outside help, four euro-area aides said.
GDF Suez has made a £6 billion offer for the 30% of International Power that it does not own already, as it looks to simplify its structure and increase exposure to emerging markets, such as Brazil and the Middle East.
