The February Quiz

How many women appear in the Fortune 500 top billionaires in the world? And how many of these are from China? Which computer maker saw profits soar 54% whilst its American rival reported a 44% drop in profits? Take this month’s current affairs quiz to find out…

1. Only 14 women feature in the Fortune 500 top billionaires in the world. How many of these are from China?

2. Freezing weather across Europe led to a shortage of vital gas supplies to several countries from which BRIC economy?

3. Starbucks said it would open its first outlets in which BRIC economy later this year in a joint venture with Tata, a giant conglomerate?

4. Retailers in which BRIC country enjoy the temporary boost in demand on 6th February (their Valentine’s Day)?

5. Which BRIC banned all airlines in the country from joining the European Union’s Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) aimed at cutting carbon emissions?

6. Which US carmaker reported an annual net profit for the first time since it emerged from a bankruptcy restructuring process in 2009 that handed control of the car company to Italy’s Fiat?

7. China’s Great Wall Motor has become the first Chinese carmaker to open an assembly plant in which continent?

8. Which European carmaker announced profits had more than doubled after the company sold a record number of vehicles last year?

9. Which US carmaker is in talks with France’s Peugeot Citroën about creating an alliance to develop engines and share some manufacturing costs for the cars they make in Europe?

10. The parent company of which US airline will shed 13,000 jobs - around 15% of its workforce - to include maintenance staff, flight attendants, pilots and management?

11. Which G7 nation saw its unemployment rate fall to 8.3%, with the creation of 243,000 jobs in January?

12. Which Japanese electronics giant forecast a record annual net loss of 780bn yen (£6.3bn) for the year to March?

13. Name the PC maker, the second largest in the world, which reported a 54% rise in profits on overseas acquisitions and a jump in sales?

14. Which computer company reported disappointing quarterly earnings, with net profits falling by 44%?

15. Which bank has become the first non-Asian bank to launch credit cards in China?

16. Which EU nation’s trade surplus reached 158bn euros (£132bn) in 2011 on record exports that rose 11.4% to top 1 trillion euros for the first time?

17. Record imports widened the trade deficit in which G7 nation to $48.8bn (£30.6bn)?

18. Which mobile phone maker announced the details of 4,000 job losses at plants in Hungary, Mexico and Finland?

19. According to the latest Deloitte findings, which football club has earned the most revenue for the 7th consecutive year?

20. Name the diamond producer that announced a 62% surge in profits to $698m (£438m) as Chinese and US shoppers snapped up its gems in 2011.

21. Which US soft drinks maker is set to cut 8,700 jobs in order to save $1.5bn (£94m) over three years?

22. Which 133-year old company is set to exit from the digital camera market, choosing to focus on more profitable lines such as photo developing and printers?

23. Cisco has said it will challenge Microsoft’s $8.5bn (£5.33bn) takeover of which video-conferencing service provider?

24. Which cereal and convenience food company has agreed to buy Pringles from Procter & Gamble for $2.7bn (£1.7bn)?

25. According to British Airport Authority which airport, the UK’s busiest and the 3rd busiest in the world, saw a record 69.4 million passengers last year?

26. Which HK-based airline announced plans to introduce free wifi to all its aircraft by 2014?

27. Which airline has said it will close some international routes and cut almost 500 jobs after its profits declined by 83% due to industrial disputes and rising fuel costs?

28. Which UK airline carrier is forcing hundreds of new staff each year to pay for their own criminal record checks?

29. What resource has been found off the coasts of Liberia and Sierra Leone in West Africa?

30. Name the world’s biggest retailer that reported rising quarterly profits of $5.2bn (£3.26bn).

31. Which Southeast Asian country reported a 9% fall in its GDP, following the country’s worst floods in 70 years?

Answers

1. Seven (or 50%)

2. Russia (obvious, really!)

3. India

4. China

5. China

6. Chrysler

7. Europe (Bulgaria)

8. Volkswagen

9. GM

10. American Airlines

11. USA

12. Panasonic

13. Lenovo

14. Hewlett-Packard

15. Citibank

16. Germany

17. USA

18. Nokia

19. Real Madrid

20. De Beers

21. PepsiCo

22. Kodak

23. Skype

24. Kellogg

25. Heathrow

26. Dragonair

27. Qantas

28. Virgin Atlantic

29. Oil

30. Walmart

31. Thailand