ECB Officials Signal Support for Higher Interest Rates as Inflation Climbs

European Central Bank officials signaled an interest rate increase may be necessary next month to stop surging commodity costs from fanning broader inflation.

China National People’s Congress in Asia focus

TOKYO (MarketWatch) — China’s National People’s Congress will take the Asian spotlight next week, as well as Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd.’s earnings, data on core machinery orders from Japan, and interest-rate decisions from South Korea and New Zealand.

Being mindful of driving habits can save costly gas

With gas prices so high, over $3.50 a gallon in many places, there are some simple and low-cost things motorists can do to extend the mileage they get on a tank of gas.

According to Stephanie Dembowski, public affairs coordinator for Arizona AAA Automotive, the faster you go, the more it costs you. She added that even cars that get good gas mileage can use a lot of gas when driving fast, so slow down.

As Oil Prices Surge, So Do Airfares

As the price of oil has surged because of the unrest in the Middle East, so have airline fares.

Airlines around the world are quickly boosting their fares to keep pace with higher jet fuel costs, which account for 30 percent of the carriers' operation expenses. The price of oil has risen sharply as the turmoil in oil-producing states like Libya has traders worried that the world's daily flow of oil will be diminished.

Oil's rise to 2-1/2 year high ignites inflation fears

(Reuters) - Oil jumped to 2-1/2 year highs on Friday on more violence in Libya, and more expensive crude sparked inflation worries that drove up gold but pressured copper and agricultural commodities on fears economic growth would slow.
Corn, wheat and soybean prices felt the weight of increased energy costs, as investors fretted that the impact of higher energy prices might filter through to other economic sectors at a time when growth was finally starting to take off.

UBS's Matthew Koder quits to join BofA

London-based Koder, who has nearly two decades experience in investment banking and capital markets, will relocate to Hong Kong from London to help BofA beef up its Asian franchise.
IFR, a Thomson Reuters publication, first reported Koder's move, which was confirmed by BofA. UBS was not available for comment.

DaVita earns recognition in Fortune's Most Admired Companies list

DaVita Inc. (NYSE: DVA), a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD), has been honored as one of the 2011 Fortune®