Nomura International sees South Korean growth slowing to 3% in 2012, due to softness in exports, off from an estimated 3.5% for 2011.

FORBES: East Asian Economies Slump

The bailout fund, known as the FROB, has decided to hire consultancy McKinsey Co. and investment bank Nomura International PLC as advisers, say people close to the situation.

WSJ: Spain Brings the Pain to Bank Investors

"In retail banking, it is get big, or get out, " said Glenn Schorr, an analyst with Nomura Securities International.

WSJ: Citibank's Overhauled Retail Strategy Shows Uneven Results

Tony Volpon, a managing director at Nomura Securities International in New York, says that while the rate cut is welcome news, it was expected.

FORBES: Brazil Lowers Interest Rates, But Risks Remain

"The tax compromise will keep the economy on track, but there's the question of how we're going to pay for this, " said George Goncalves, head of U.S. rates strategy at Nomura Securities International, who has been bearish on Treasurys since mid-October.

WSJ: Tax-Cut Deal Results in Turmoil for Bonds

Another interesting realization the people at Nomura made had to do with what percentage of production came from international oil companies (IOCs) in different MENA countries.

FORBES: How Do Revolutions In North Africa Affect Oil Companies' Stock Performance?