International Business : Global Markets and Economic Update

MEXICAN STOCKS

* The Bolsa index has continued to rise steadily every day since May 16, when it closed at 2,239.84. On Tuesday the index rose 3.64 points, or 0.16%, over the previous day. The market has been following the New York trading of American depository receipts, or ADRs, of many Mexican blue chips, especially Telefonos de Mexico, also known as Telmex.

* Among widely held issues, Telmex Series L shares were up 0.59% at 10.24, Televisa CPO shares were up 1.21% at 91.70, and Cifra Series C shares were up 0.68% at 8.86.

* Traders said the central bank tried to sell 350 million new pesos in treasury bills to drain funds but found no buyers.

Source: Times wire services

SPOTLIGHT: AUSTRIA

Austria appears to have weathered the recession in Europe better than its neighbors, thanks to improved production, a small rise in domestic demand and increased exports to Eastern Europe, the Far East and the United States. Unemployment last year was 6.8%, compared to double-digit rates in most of Western Europe.

Sources: Bank of America; World Information Services