(BFW) *RYANAIR SAYS IRISH GOVT SEEMS LIKELY TO ACCEPT IAG OFFER

BN 05/05 09:16 *RYANAIR CEO SAYS FUEL HEDGING TO DELIVER GAIN A YEAR FROM NOW
BN 05/05 09:15 *RYANAIR CEO MICHAEL O'LEARY SPEAKING ON BLOOMBERG TV
BN 05/05 09:15 *RYANAIR SAYS IRISH GOVT SEEMS LIKELY TO ACCEPT IAG OFFER
BN 05/05 09:14 *RYANAIR SAYS A GREEK EURO EXIT WOULD BOOST BUSINESS, TOURISM
BN 05/05 09:14 *RYANAIR SEES LITTLE LIKELIHOOD OF U.K. EXIT FROM EURO
BN 05/05 09:13 *RYANAIR SAYS WIFI CHARGES MUST COME DOWN TO BE OF INTEREST
BN 05/05 09:13 *RYANAIR SAYS WIFI ROAMING CHARGES ARE PROHIBITIVELY EXPENSIVE
BN 05/05 09:11 *RYANAIR SAYS LOAD FACTORS SHOW GAINS FROM FULL-SERVICE SECTOR
*RYANAIR SAYS IRISH GOVT SEEMS LIKELY TO ACCEPT IAG OFFER
2015-05-05 09:15:44.492 GMT

--GAURAV PANCHAL

-0- May/05/2015 09:15 GMT

>>> EU COMMISSION SPRING ECONOMIC FORECASTS

EU COMMISSION SPRING ECONOMIC FORECASTS

***2015 Outlook
- Raises 2015 Euro Area (EU-18) GDP growth from 1.3% to 1.5%
- Raises Germany GDP from 1.5% to 1.9%
- Raised France GDP from +1.0% to 1.1%
- Maintains Italy GDP at 0.6%
- Maintains UK GDP at 2.6%

***2016 Growth Outlook:
- Maintains 2016 Euro Zone GDP growth at 1.9%
- Maintain Germany GDP from 2.0% to 2.0%
- Cut France GDP from 1.8% to 1.7%
- Raised Italy GDP from 1.3% to 1.4%
- Maintains UK GDP at 2.4%

EU Lowers 2015 Greek GDP Growth Forecast to 0.5% From 2.5%
- In 2016, real GDP growth is projected to strengthen to 2.9%,” from 3.6% projected in previous forecast.

DOMBROVSKIS: RECOVERY OF EUROPE'S ECONOMIES IS STRENGTHENING

>>> EU Commission spring economic forecasts expected after 05:00 ET (09:00 GMT)


EU Commission spring economic forecasts expected after 05:00 ET (09:00 GMT) 
- The prior Feb outlook saw best growth prospects since 2007 citing lower oil prices, a weakening EUR currency and ECB QE Prior Winter forecasts
2015 Outlook
- Raised 2015 Euro Area (EU-18) GDP growth from 1.1% to 1.3%
- Raised Germany GDP from 1.1% to 1.5%
- Raised France GDP from +0.7% to +1.0%
- Raised Spain's 2015 GDP forecast from 2.2% to 2.3%
- Maintained Italy GDP at 0.6%
- Lowered UK GDP from 2.7% to 2.6%

2016 Growth Outlook:
- Raised 2015 Euro Zone GDP growth from 1.7% to 1.9%
- Raised Germany GDP from 1.8% to 2.0%
- Raised France GDP from 1.5% to 1.8%
- Raised Italy GDP from 1.1% to 1.3%
-- Lowered UK GDP from 2.5% to 2.4%

(BFW) VW Now Has ‘Clarity About Future Direction,’ CEO Winterkorn Says

VW Now Has ‘Clarity About Future Direction,’ CEO Winterkorn Says
2015-05-05 08:29:24.106 GMT


By Christoph Rauwald
(Bloomberg) -- VW Board working to ‘swiftly resolve
remaining issues,’ says CEO Martin Winterkorn.
* VW is ’fundamentally sound, well positioned co.’: CEO
* VW has faced ’eventful weeks, to put it mildly’: CEO
* VW has ’returned to calmer waters’: CEO
* VW CEO thanks former Chairman Piech
* VW CEO: ‘Tremendous respect’ for Piech’s lifetime
achievement
* VW CEO Winterkorn comments in speech at AGM
* Earlier: VW Leadership Questions Are Open as Investors Meet
Without Piech Link



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Brian Lysaght

(BFW) Richemont’s IWC Brand to Make Intelligent Watch Straps

--> smart idea, to sell optional intelligent Straps
Richemont’s IWC Brand to Make Intelligent Watch Straps
2015-05-05 08:20:00.136 GMT


By Thomas Mulier
(Bloomberg) -- IWC watch strap to connect to devices,
Internet of things, track activities, brand says on website.
* IWC Connect will be embedded in watchstraps, brand plans to
keep IWC watches mechanical
* “We do not touch our beautiful watches,”: IWC CEO Georges
Kern
NOTE: Montblanc has also been developing intelligent watchband
called the e-Strap

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tmulier@bloomberg.net

>>> ITV - Completes acquisition of Talpa Media; financial terms undisclosed

ITV Completes acquisition of Talpa Media; financial terms undisclosed 
ITV has completed the acquisition of Talpa Media B.V., the entertainment show producer behind worldwide hit formats, including The Voice, The Voice Kids, Utopia, I Love My Country and Dating In The Dark. This follows the previously announced agreement on 12 March 2015. The acquisition is a further milestone in the company's strategy of building an international content business that creates and owns entertainment formats and dramas that sell internationally, and significantly strengthens ITV's position as a leading producer in Europe.