But analysts say economic trouble in Europe is likely to slow VW's growth and keep the automaker in third place this year.
But many other analysts are predicting economic growth in the first quarter.
Stocks were hobbled a bit on Friday by a soft reading on consumer confidence, but several analysts said recent consumer spending suggested that the economic impact of that confidence reading would be minor.
Egyptians have less emotional attachment to Palestine, but some analysts fear that the country's dire economic problems have sapped public confidence in the government to the point where one serious incident could spark widespread rioting.
In January, the company reported fourth-quarter earnings that beat analysts expectations, but Mr. Thompson cautioned that economic uncertainty still is expected to affect the company.
IKEA's plans are a vote of confidence for India, but the pressure is still on the government to carry out economic reforms, analysts say.
The sluggish economic recovery has stimulated negativity and hesitation around the consumer discretionary sector but analysts are remaining bullish on the vulnerable group's earnings this season.
The coalition was elected in February but analysts say it has failed to find solutions to Pakistan's economic crisis and to the militants in its north-western tribal regions bordering Afghanistan.
Portugal has not yet called on money from the European bail-out fund, but many analysts believe it is just a matter of time as the country's economic situation worsens.
Minimum-wage campaigns can galvanize progressive groups to turn out at the polls or lobby elected officials, but they tend to have a more difficult time gaining traction among employers in a stagnate economy, economic analysts said.
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