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2012-02-07 02:37:

Budget Plan Has Familiar Ring


Obama will release a familiar budget plan next week, calling for $3 trillion in deficit reductions over 10 years, including $1.5 trillion in tax increases to fall mostly on the wealthiest Americans.

2012-02-06 17:08:

IMF Urges Beijing to Ready Bold Moves


The International Monetary Fund urged China to run a federal deficit of 2% of GDP rather than looking to reduce the country's deficit as planned, given the uncertainty in the global economy.

2012-02-06 15:39:

Foreclosure Deal Is Closer


Federal and state officials aim to wrap up this week a multibillion-dollar agreement with five major banks to settle probes of alleged foreclosure abuses.

2012-02-06 01:39:

Storm Clouds Gather Over Florida Insurers


State-run entities that expanded over the past decade to provide affordable homeowners insurance in hurricane-threatened Florida are in danger of becoming so big they threaten to wreak havoc on the local economy.

2012-02-06 01:30:

Less Building Now, Higher Office Rents Later


Office-building construction is in the midst of a severe drought. This means higher rents may be on the horizon in some cities, if history is any guide.

2012-02-05 17:40:

Pressure Mounts on BOJ to Weaken Yen


Japan's central bank is coming under renewed political pressure to weaken the yen, even after the government was criticized by the U.S. for intervening.

2012-02-04 15:54:

Fed Likely to Keep Rates Low, Despite Jobs News


The Fed is unlikely to change its plans to keep rates low until it sees more evidence to add to January's strong jobs figures that growth is ramping up.

2012-02-04 07:11:

China Tamps Down Europe Aid Fears


Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sought to assuage concerns over Chinese investment in Europe, saying China has no intention to "buy" the continent.

2012-02-04 05:12:

Wen Rejects Fears China Is Out to 'Buy' Europe


Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao sought to assuage concerns over Chinese investment in Europe, saying China has no intention to "buy" the continent.

2012-02-04 02:23:

Recovery Redraws Labor Landscape


Friday's jobs report showed broad-based hiring in January, with private-sector employers from nearly all industries adding workers.

2012-02-04 01:10:

Fed Likely to Retain Low-Rate Stance


A few more months of strong jobs reports like the one released Friday, and the Federal Reserve might need to draw up a new game plan. For now, though, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke seems unlikely to rewrite his script for the central bank.

2012-02-03 21:55:

Fed May Sell More AIG Bonds as Risk Hunger Picks Up


The New York Fed is asking for bids on some $6 billion in residential mortgage-backed securities from its Maiden Lane II portfolio it took on as part of the 2008 bailout of American International Group.

2012-02-03 20:33:

Brazilian Currency Strengthens Despite Intervention


Brazil's real climbed against the dollar after strong U.S. jobs figures outweighed the central bank's intervention in an attempt to weaken the currency.

2012-02-03 19:45:

Banks Sued Over Mortgage Registry


New York's attorney general sued BofA, J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo over a private national mortgage registry system, contending it has resulted in a wide range of deceptive and fraudulent foreclosure filings.

2012-02-03 19:08:

Banks Deplete Earnings Backstop


The rainy-day funds that U.S. banks have been tapping to boost their earnings could soon begin to dry up, and that doesn't bode well for bank profits.

2012-02-03 17:11:

Canada Jobless Rate Rises Unexpectedly


Employers in Canada hired far fewer workers than expected in January, and the jobless rate rose unexpectedly to 7.6%, the highest level since April 2011.

2012-02-03 16:50:

Brazil Central Bank Intervenes to Weaken Real


Brazil's central bank validated investor suspicions that authorities are growing uncomfortable with the local currency's recent appreciation against the U.S. dollar and stepped into the market to try to weaken the real for the first time in five months.

2012-02-03 15:21:

Jobs Data Show Growth Is Sustained


The labor market grew in January at its most robust pace since last spring, adding 243,000 jobs, in a sign that the economy's momentum carried into the new year.

2012-02-03 15:12:

Jobs Data Show Sustained Growth


The labor market grew in January at its most robust pace since last spring, adding 243,000 jobs, in a sign that the economy's momentum carried into the new year.

2012-02-03 14:39:

Economy Adds 243,000 Jobs


The labor market grew in January at its most robust pace since last spring, adding 243,000 jobs, in a sign that the economy's momentum carried into the new year.

2012-02-03 06:05:

Bernanke Questioned On Fed Policies


Fed Chairman Bernanke warned lawmakers of the importance of the need to address the fiscal challenges facing the U.S.

2012-02-03 04:48:

Without Timber Money, Budgets Face Buzzsaw


With the expiration of a federal program designed to compensate Oregonians for falling timber sales, counties statewide are losing an allotment that has totaled $2.6 billion since 2000. That puts Curry County in a bind.

2012-02-03 02:05:

Bernanke Questioned On Fed's New Policies


Fed Chairman Bernanke warned lawmakers of the importance of the need to address the fiscal challenges facing the U.S.

2012-02-02 18:56:

Mortgage Rates Plumb New Lows


Average mortgage rates in the U.S. dropped to more record lows over the past week, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey of mortgage rates, after data on the nation's economic growth fell short of market forecasts.

2012-02-02 17:30:

Bernanke: U.S. Must Address Fiscal Issues


Fed Chairman Bernanke warned lawmakers of the importance of the need to address the fiscal challenges facing the U.S.

2012-02-02 16:37:

Irish Weigh Up Referendum Risks


Irish voters have developed a habit of rejecting European Union treaties, but should they do so again, the consequences could be dire.

2012-02-02 12:10:

Spanish Bond Yields Fall


Spain's treasury benefited from market confidence, raising slightly more than its planned amount of cash via a government bond sale at lower borrowing costs.

2012-02-02 04:40:

Mortgage Plan Draws GOP Opposition


Obama is betting his latest proposal to aid the housing market will fare better than earlier efforts, despite congressional opposition.

2012-02-02 03:35:

Germany-IMF Rift Stalls Greece Deal


A long-awaited agreement to restructure more than ?200 billion ($262 billion) of Greek government bonds in private hands is being held up in large part by big differences between two of Greece's official creditors: the International Monetary Fund and Germany.

2012-02-02 02:38:

Law Grads Claim Schools Misled


Lawsuits accusing a number of U.S. law schools of fudging post-graduate employment statistics were filed amid mounting controversy over the high cost of tuition and grim job prospects for debt-laden graduates.

2012-02-02 01:20:

Mortgage Plan Draws Republican Opposition


President Obama, in announcing a program to help struggling homeowners refinance their mortgages, is betting this plan will fare better than his administration's earlier efforts to fix the housing market. He also may be betting that it's good politics, setting up a contrast with Republicans.

2012-02-02 00:54:

Oil Patch Bucks Income Drop


Oil and gas propelled resource-rich states through the recession, while manufacturing losses and the housing bust ripped a hole in the Rust Belt that has yet to be repaired.

2012-02-02 00:52:

Suits Accuse Law Schools of Misleading Students


Lawsuits accusing a dozen U.S. law schools of fudging post-graduate employment statistics were filed amid mounting controversy over the high cost of tuition and grim job prospects for debt-laden graduates.

2012-02-02 00:29:

Germany-IMF Rift Stalls Greece Deal


A long-awaited agreement to restructure more than ?200 billion ($262 billion) of Greek government bonds in private hands is being held up in large part by big differences between two of Greece's official creditors: the International Monetary Fund and Germany.

2012-02-02 00:17:

World's Factories Pick Up the Pace


The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in January, while separate gauges of manufacturing around the globe firmed up despite the threat of recession in Europe and a recent cooling of Asian economies.

2012-02-01 21:44:

Both Sides Back Payroll-Tax Cut


Lawmakers came to quick agreement that Congress should extend a payroll-tax break for the remainder of the year, but Democrats cautioned that disagreements over how to offset the cost could still derail the consensus.

2012-02-01 20:35:

Democrats Push 'Buffett Rule' Bill


Democratic senators introduced a bill based on Obama's proposed "Buffett rule" that would require the wealthiest Americans to pay at least 30% in taxes.

2012-02-01 20:23:

Obama Pushes Plan to Revive Housing


The president announced a fresh bid to revive housing by letting millions of homeowners refinance their mortgages, despite likely congressional opposition.

2012-02-01 20:14:

Obama Unveils Refinancing Plan


The president announced a fresh bid to revive housing by letting millions of homeowners refinance their mortgages, despite likely congressional opposition.

2012-02-01 20:00:

Incomes Climb in Energy-Rich States


Oil and gas propelled resource-rich states through the recession, while manufacturing losses and the housing bust ripped a hole in the Rust Belt that has yet to be repaired.

2012-02-01 18:59:

Payroll-Tax-Cut Extension Gets Bipartisan Backing


Lawmakers came to quick agreement Wednesday that Congress should extend a payroll-tax break for the remainder of the year, but Democrats cautioned that disagreements over how to offset the cost could still derail the consensus.

2012-02-01 18:36:

Obama Announces Refinancing Plan


The president announced a fresh bid to revive housing by letting millions of homeowners refinance their mortgages, despite likely congressional opposition.

2012-02-01 11:46:

Asia Manufacturing Picture Improves


Asia's manufacturing sector showed signs of improving health in January, with China's official gauge of manufacturing activity coming in higher than expected.

2012-02-01 09:31:

U.K. House Prices Fell in January


U.K. house prices slipped again in January as demand for property remained weak amid a contracting economy and uncertain outlook.

2012-02-01 03:52:

UPS's U.S. Gains Offset Weakness in Asia


United Parcel Service said Tuesday that domestic package shipments are rising at a brisk pace, countering a sluggish international market clouded by weakness in Europe and Asia.

2012-02-01 02:03:

Deficit Again Set to Top $1 Trillion


The federal budget deficit likely will top $1 trillion for the fourth consecutive year in fiscal 2012 as economic growth remains sluggish, the CBO predicted.

2012-02-01 00:31:

Fed's Dudley Details 2008 Holdings


Federal Reserve Bank of New York President William Dudley owned $120,000 worth of shares in GE and $2,000 in shares of AIG in September 2008, when Mr. Dudley was involved in government efforts to support those and other firms.

2012-01-31 19:40:

UPS's Profit Slides


UPS executives forecast slower global economic growth in 2012 but offered a relatively upbeat U.S. outlook. The shipping giant also said its earnings dropped 29% on a hefty charge.

2012-01-31 18:28:

Tide of Yuan Ebbs in Hong Kong


More yuan deposits than in any previous month flowed out of Hong Kong in December as more importers paid their mainland suppliers in the currency, taking advantage of efforts by Beijing to make it easier to move funds back to China.

2012-01-31 18:24:

Canada GDP Fell in November


Canada's economy shrank unexpectedly in November, suggesting fourth-quarter growth is likely to undershoot the central bank's forecast.

2012-01-31 17:22:

Deficit Seen Topping $1 Trillion Again


The federal budget deficit likely will top $1 trillion for the fourth consecutive year in fiscal 2012 as economic growth remains sluggish, the CBO predicted.

2012-01-31 15:47:

Home Prices Tumble


U.S. home prices fell again in November, according to the Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller indexes.

2012-01-31 15:42:

Advisers: India Growth to Slow to About 7%


India's economic growth will slow to about 7% this fiscal year through March but will pick up next year as inflation eases and industrial activity improves, two top government advisers said.

2012-01-31 13:19:

U.K. Consumers Repay Debt, Money Supply Shrinks


U.K. households made a record repayment of personal loans and credit card bills in December, heightening fears the U.K. may slip back into recession.

2012-01-31 12:52:

Survey: Banks Still Cautious to Lend


Banks in the U.S. kept credit fairly tight in the final months of 2011 even as demand for loans increased, putting a brake on the slow economic recovery.

2012-01-31 10:43:

Italy Jobless Rate Rises


European economic data was mixed, with Italy's jobless rate hitting its highest level in more than a decade and Germany's hitting a record low.

2012-01-31 05:34:

Japan Output Beats Forecasts


Japanese industrial production rose 4% in December from the previous month, as the impact of the flooding in Thailand on Japanese manufacturers began to ease.

2012-01-31 02:01:

Rising Income Is Saved, Not Spent


Incomes ticked up in December but consumers chose to save instead of spend, suggesting a still-cautious outlook that likely has carried into 2012.

2012-01-30 23:08:

China Sees Shanghai as Hub


China's top economic body set new targets for Shanghai to grow into a global financial hub. But the blueprint doesn't say when foreign firms will be allowed to list there.

2012-01-30 14:44:

Incomes Gain, Spending Flat


Incomes picked up during December but Americans chose to increase saving instead of spending.

2012-01-30 14:14:

China Pushes Global Role for Shanghai


China's top economic body set new targets for Shanghai to grow into a global financial hub. But the blueprint doesn't say when foreign firms will be allowed to list there.

2012-01-30 11:36:

Spanish Economy Contracts


The Spanish economy shrank in the last three months of 2011 as government austerity measures crimped spending and Europe's debt crisis drove up financing costs.

2012-01-30 10:20:

Italy Business Confidence Falls Again


Italy's business confidence index fell further in January, reaching its lowest level since November 2009 as expectations about future production worsened.

2012-01-30 02:35:

Hawaii Says 'Aloha' to More Visitors


Hawaii has a reason to bask in the sun: Newly compiled figures show the number of visitors to the Aloha State rebounded in 2011 to its highest level since 2007.

2012-01-28 09:46:

Noda: To Continue Investing in EFSF Bonds


Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said that Japan will continue to invest in bonds issued by the European Financial Stability Facility.

2012-01-28 02:26:

Hope Is Rising for Mortgage Accord


New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said he is confident his main concern with a pending settlement of alleged bank- foreclosure abuses would be resolved, but he didn't commit to participating in an agreement.

2012-01-27 23:34:

U.S. Mortgage Probe Gains


New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman Friday said he is confident his main concern with a pending settlement of alleged bank- foreclosure abuses would be resolved, but he didn't commit to participating in an agreement.

2012-01-27 20:28:

As Economy Posts Growth, Worry Lingers


The U.S. economy grew in the final three months of 2011, but details of the report raised questions about how strong expansion can be this year.

2012-01-27 16:18:

U.S. Expands, but Concerns Persist


The U.S. economy grew in the final three months of 2011, but details of the report raised questions about how strong expansion can be this year.

2012-01-27 15:44:

U.S. Economy Grows, but Concerns Persist


The U.S. economy grew in the final three months of 2011, but details of the report raised questions about how strong expansion can be this year.

2012-01-27 14:40:

U.S. GDP Rises 2.8%


The U.S. economy grew at its fastest pace in more than a year and a half in the final three months of 2011, rising at an annual rate of 2.8%.

2012-01-27 13:42:

Italy T-Bill Sale Boosts Hopes for Bond Auction


The Italian Treasury sold the full amount of debt at its planned bill sales, boosting hopes for an auction of longer-dated paper Monday that will provide a more accurate gauge of demand for the country's bonds.

2012-01-27 10:44:

India Official: Rupee's Rise Not a Sign of Economic Bounceback


The Indian rupee's recent surge isn't really a sign of--or even backed by--a strong economic recovery, a top government official cautioned.

2012-01-27 03:09:

Recovery Doesn't Show Typical Growth


The U.S. economy has taken more than two years to claw its way back to producing the amount of goods and services it did just before the last recession. After slumps, growth usually sprints forward.

2012-01-27 02:34:

Panetta Outlines Pentagon Cutbacks


Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said the defense budget would enable the U.S. to simultaneously fight a land war with North Korea and prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz, despite cuts.

2012-01-27 02:24:

Both Sides in Labor Fight Point to Oklahoma


As Indiana moves closer to adopting a right-to-work law, both sides in the debate are zeroing in on the experience of Oklahoma, the last state to ease union-dues requirements under a similar law.

2012-01-27 00:58:

Businesses Ramp Up Spending on Goods


American businesses stepped up their spending going into the new year, propelled by an economic upswing that has yet to lift much of the housing market.

2012-01-26 16:46:

U.K. Retail Sales Raise Fears


U.K. retail sales plunged in January as shoppers reined in spending after Christmas, an industry survey showed. The survey results will heighten concerns the U.K. economy may be heading into recession.

2012-01-26 14:50:

U.K. Retail Sales Raise Recession Fears


U.K. retail sales plunged in January as shoppers reined in spending after Christmas, an industry survey showed. The survey results will heighten concerns the U.K. economy may be heading into recession.

2012-01-26 08:36:

Manufacturing Bolsters Singapore Growth


Singapore's manufacturing output beat expectations, suggesting the economy's resilience in the face of Europe's sovereign debt crisis.

2012-01-26 08:32:

German Consumer Mood High


German consumers remain upbeat about the country's economic prospects, despite the threat of the European debt crisis, the consumer research firm GfK reported.

2012-01-26 06:39:

Economic Gains Aid Obama


Romney attacked Obama's stewardship of the economy, while a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll raised caution signs on the strategy.

2012-01-26 04:31:

Auto Makers Turn to U.S. Plants


Helped by favorable foreign exchange rates and a supply of affordable labor, the U.S. has emerged as a surprisingly competitive producer of cars and trucks, and a favored location for making vehicles to be exported.

2012-01-26 04:14:

Plant-Zone Map a Boon to Growers


The U.S. Department of Agriculture released a new map of the nation's growing zones that confirms what many gardeners and farmers already know: Winters are warmer.

2012-01-26 03:14:

U.K. Risks Recession as Output Contracts


The U.K. appears at risk of recession after official data showed the economy shrank in the fourth quarter of 2011, complicating the government's goal of tackling the budget deficit.

2012-01-26 02:33:

Economy Gives Obama a Lift


Romney attacked Obama's stewardship of the economy, while a new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll raised caution signs on the strategy.

2012-01-26 01:16:

Corporate-Tax Revamp Faces Hurdle


Despite broad agreement that the corporate tax code is a flawed mélange, election-year skepticism from Republicans and strained relations between the White House and the business community complicate the Obama administration's plans to overhaul it.

2012-01-26 00:28:

White House Revamps Corporate Taxes


The Obama administration is drafting a tax revamp that aims to reward companies for bringing jobs and profits back home, but the effort faces headwinds amid strained relations with business in an election year.

2012-01-26 00:05:

Start-Ups Look for Shortcut From Farm to Table


A host of Silicon Valley start-ups are creating ways to buy food directly from local food producers, cutting out grocery stores and some of the middlemen..

2012-01-25 23:36:

White House Prepares Corporate-Tax Revamp


The Obama administration is drafting a tax revamp that aims to reward companies for bringing jobs and profits back home, but the effort faces headwinds amid strained relations with business in an election year.

2012-01-25 23:25:

Illinois Sues Standard & Poor's


The Illinois attorney general sued Standard & Poor's Ratings Services Wednesday, alleging the firm misled investors when it assigned top-notch ratings to mortgage-linked securities that later imploded during the financial crisis.

2012-01-25 23:08:

White House Preparing Corporate-Tax Revamp


The Obama administration is trying to engage business groups and Republicans in an effort to overhaul the way corporations pay taxes, but the move could be complicated by strained relations between the White House and the business community heading into an election year.

2012-01-25 19:07:

Fed Expects Low Rates Through 2014


Fed officials said they expect short-term interest rates to stay close to zero "at least through late 2014," even longer than previously indicated.

2012-01-25 11:42:

U.K. Economy Shrinks


The U.K. economy shrank in the fourth quarter of 2011, leaving Britain on the brink of recession and complicating the government's goal of tackling the budget deficit.

2012-01-25 03:43:

IMF, Warning on Debt Crisis, Cuts Global Forecasts


The global economy is slowing this year, the IMF said on Tuesday, cutting its forecasts for growth and warning of a deeper downturn if Europe doesn't take stronger action to stem its debt crisis.

2012-01-24 23:07:

Fed Lets Investors Peer Into Its Crystal Ball


Forget the results, focus on the guidance. That's a familiar refrain during earnings season. Now, it's also true of Federal Reserve decisions.

2012-01-24 23:04:

Payroll-Tax Break Divides Lawmakers


Lawmakers signaled a broad desire to extend the payroll-tax break and jobless benefits for the rest of the year, but fault lines emerged early over how to pay for the measures and what other provisions should be folded into any agreement.

2012-01-24 12:01:

U.K. Net Debt Hits Record High


U.K. public sector borrowing remained on target in December but net debt hit a record £1 trillion.

2012-01-24 11:40:

Euro-Zone Bounces Back


Euro-zone private sector activity returned to growth in January, an early sign the currency bloc may not face as severe a downturn as previously feared.

2012-01-24 03:13:

Second Portugal Rescue Seen More Likely


Investors, economists and politicians are increasingly concerned that Portugal will need a second bailout as fears mount that it won't be able to return to markets for financing next year.

2012-01-24 00:14:

Greece Dominates Euro Talks


Germany and the IMF pressed their case at a meeting of euro-zone finance ministers that Greece's private-sector creditors receive low compensation in a debt exchange, deepening a standoff that has delayed the time-sensitive talks.

2012-01-23 15:31:

Spain's Economy Set to Contract


Spain's central bank said the euro zone's fourth-largest economy will likely contract around 1.5% this year, making it even harder for the country to reach ambitious budget-deficit reduction targets.

2012-01-23 13:58:

RBI: Economic Growth Likely Below 7.6%


India's central bank said the economy will likely grow slower than its previously forecast 7.6% this fiscal year, hurt by deteriorating global and local conditions, but policy action will have to be calibrated carefully as inflation risks remain.

2012-01-23 07:03:

RBI Official: RBI Should Cut Rates to Spur Growth


The RBI should cut interest rates at its policy review Tuesday and lower them by at least one percentage point to boost sagging growth in the economy, a member of the central bank's board said.

2012-01-23 01:58:

Car Makers' U-Turn Steers Job Gains


Big auto makers and their suppliers are spending billions to expand and retool U.S. factories, pushing heartland states to jockey to land new auto jobs.

2012-01-23 01:30:

Economists See Ways to Aid Housing Market


What more can be done to help the housing market? Economists have some ideas for hastening a recovery.

2012-01-22 21:06:

Three Ways to Give Housing a Lift


What more can be done to help the housing market? Economists have some ideas for hastening a recovery.

2012-01-22 19:33:

Fed Forecasts Could Awaken Treasurys


Disclosures of individual interest-rate forecasts at this week's Federal Reserve meeting might be enough to snap Treasurys out of their slumber, if officials signal an even-longer era of cheap money.

2012-01-21 16:28:

Obama Promises Economic Blueprint


Obama in his weekly radio address accused Republicans of dragging their feet on proposals to expand the economy, and said his State of the Union address Tuesday would lay out plans to boost growth. The GOP was skeptical.

2012-01-21 04:41:

More Elderly Need to Keep Working


A growing number of elderly people are working or seeking work, as some failed to plan well or spent their working lives earning paychecks too small to amass much savings. Others suffered financial losses.

2012-01-21 03:18:

The New American Divide


The ideal of an "American way of life" is fading as the working class falls further away from institutions like marriage and religion and the upper class becomes more isolated. Charles Murray on what's cleaving America, and why.

2012-01-21 02:50:

Sales Stir Hope for Housing Market


Sales of previously owned homes rose in December for the third straight month, bringing the supply of homes listed for sale to the lowest level since 2006.

2012-01-20 21:19:

Colombia Targets Inflation as Economy Booms


The central bank president says in an interview he aims to rein in inflation this year even as the nation's booming, oil-led economy fuels consumer demand and higher prices.

2012-01-20 15:03:

Fed Holds Off on New Bond-Buying Program


Federal Reserve officials are waiting to see how the economy performs before deciding whether to launch another bond-buying program.

2012-01-20 12:10:

Slower Manufacturing Continues in China


A preliminary gauge of Chinese manufacturing activity rose marginally in January, but the index has been in contractionary territory for three months, signaling extended difficulties for the nation's manufacturers.

2012-01-20 04:03:

Homeowners Stop Waiting to Spruce Up


Americans are stepping up spending on home improvements for the first time in years, giving a small lift to the beleaguered construction sector.

2012-01-20 03:32:

Fed Holds Off on Bond Buys


Federal Reserve officials are waiting to see how the economy performs before deciding whether to launch another bond-buying program.

2012-01-20 01:52:

Gas Prices Could Rise With Exports


Increased exports of U.S. natural gas could drive up domestic gas prices as much as 54% in 2018, federal officials said, in a projection that could complicate efforts by more than a half-dozen companies hoping to spend billions of dollars on new export terminals.

2012-01-20 01:10:

Consumers Notch Gains


The U.S. consumer is starting off 2012 on a somewhat sounder footing, as everyday prices ease and the labor market strengthens.

2012-01-20 01:08:

Fed Holds Off for Now on Bond Buys


Federal Reserve officials are waiting to see how the economy performs before deciding whether to launch another bond-buying program.

2012-01-20 00:58:

Gas Prices Could Rise With Higher Exports


Increased exports of U.S. natural gas could drive up domestic gas prices as much as 54% in 2018, federal officials said Thursday, in a projection that could complicate efforts by more than a half-dozen companies hoping to spend billions of dollars on new export terminals.

2012-01-19 22:03:

Fed Hones Communications Strategy


Federal Reserve officials are waiting to see how the economy performs before deciding whether to launch another bond-buying program.

2012-01-19 15:44:

New Proposal in Greek Debt Talks


The Institute for International Finance has made a new proposal in its negotiations with Greece, in a sign that the two sides may be nearing a deal on a debt writedown.

2012-01-19 06:55:

Regulators Defend 'Volcker Rule'


Top U.S. regulators, facing a barrage of bipartisan criticism on the so-called Volcker rule, defended their efforts and argued the controversial measure isn't likely to upset financial markets or the economy if applied properly.

2012-01-19 03:52:

China Sees Drop in Property Prices


Property prices in 70 Chinese cities fell in December from the previous month, marking the third straight decline after developers cut prices to boost sales amid Beijing's campaign to cool the property market.

2012-01-19 01:58:

California's Brown Pushes Tax Boost


Gov. Jerry Brown pressed state lawmakers to back the state's high-speed rail plan despite mounting opposition, and he urged Californians to vote for temporarily boosting taxes in a referendum this fall.

2012-01-19 01:23:

House Rejects Debt-Limit Increase


The House voted to reject Obama's request to raise the federal debt limit by $1.2 trillion, a symbolic act designed to let lawmakers oppose the increase while letting it take effect.

2012-01-19 00:28:

Report: Harrisburg Missed Red Flags


Harrisburg, Pa., made bad decisions and missed red flags when it embarked on an expensive project aimed at converting waste into energy, according to a forensic investigation report.

2012-01-18 16:33:

Russian Minister Calls for Reform


Russia is doomed to slower growth if it doesn't enact reforms, the economy minister warned, while a top banker urged efforts to cut the country's dependence on global demand and finance.

2012-01-18 15:22:

Wholesale Prices Decline


U.S. producer prices fell 0.1% in December from a month earlier, as food and energy costs declined significantly, but the underlying rate was up 0.3% as light truck prices rose.

2012-01-18 13:28:

IMF Seeks $600 Billion Boost


The International Monetary Fund has identified a need for $600 billion in additional resources to help fight the European debt crisis, a euro-zone official said.

2012-01-18 13:03:

Pain of Job Losses Ripples Through Town


Despite wealth and education, many in Roswell, Ga., have been looking for work for more than a year, raising questions about their future job prospects.

2012-01-18 05:03:

Pain of Job Loss Ripples Through Town


Despite wealth and education, many in Roswell, Ga., have been looking for work for more than a year, raising questions about their future job prospects.

2012-01-18 04:13:

R&D Moves to Asia


The U.S. is rapidly losing high-technology jobs as American companies expand their research-and-development labs in China and elsewhere in Asia.

2012-01-18 01:55:

U.S. Acts to Stay Below Debt Limit


The U.S. government curtailed investment in a federal retirement fund as it looks to stay under the legal debt limit while awaiting a congressional vote of disapproval on lifting the ceiling.

2012-01-17 17:30:

Man vs. Machine: Behind the Jobless Recovery


In no other U.S. recovery since WWII have companies been faster to boost spending on machines, while slower to add workers as tax breaks and low interest rates have accelerated the substitution of capital for labor.

2012-01-17 12:03:

U.K. Inflation Drops Sharply


Falling petrol prices in December caused the steepest drop in the U.K.'s annual rate of inflation in more than two years, giving the Bank of England more breathing room to bolster its stimulus program.

2012-01-17 07:05:

China's Growth Engine Declines


China's GDP growth slowed to 8.9% in the last quarter of 2011, compared with a year earlier, showing that the world's fastest engine of growth is downshifting.

2012-01-17 06:31:

China's Growth Slows


China's GDP growth slowed to 8.9% in the last quarter of 2011, compared with a year earlier, showing that the world's fastest engine of growth is downshifting.

2012-01-17 05:57:

Debate Resonates in State Undergoing Tough Times


Debating in a state smarting from tough economic times, the Republican presidential candidates sparred on issues that resonate in a distressed state: Taxes; social services; and unemployment benefits.

2012-01-17 03:13:

California Looks for Lift From IPOs


California is still struggling with the aftereffects of its housing bust, but some economists say there is hope for the state's finances in the rise of Internet darlings like Facebook.

2012-01-17 01:51:

Congress Returns To Battle on Taxes


Congress faces pressure to agree on how to fund a payroll-tax cut, but their task is complicated by hostilities likely to be sharpened by the election year.

2012-01-17 01:18:

Behind the Jobless Recovery


In no other recovery since WWII have companies been faster to boost spending on machines, while slower to add workers as tax breaks and low interest rates have accelerated the substitution of capital for labor.

2012-01-16 06:11:

The Risks in ECB's Crisis Moves


The European Central Bank's increasingly swollen balance sheet has helped bring a measure of calm to volatile markets, but some believe it could itself become a problem and bring more volatility to the 17-nation currency bloc.

2012-01-16 05:29:

RBI Adviser: India Should Start Cutting Rates


The Reserve Bank of India should start reversing its protracted rate-tightening cycle as inflation is expected to ease significantly in coming months, a senior adviser to the central bank said.

2012-01-13 23:14:

S&P Cuts Ratings on France, Eight Others


S&P removed France's prized triple-A long-term credit rating, downgrading it and Austria to AA+. It also cut the ratings of Italy, Portugal, Spain, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, and Slovenia, and warned of future cuts, saying policies to address the debt crisis may be insufficient.

2012-01-13 21:44:

S&P Set to Remove Triple-A's From France, Austria


Standard & Poor's has notified European governments that it is about to announce the downgrades in the Triple-A credit ratings of France and Austria, as well as trimming ratings of other sovereigns, European officials said.

2012-01-13 14:37:

U.S. Trade Gap Expands


The U.S. trade deficit widened for the first time in five months in November, as rising oil prices lifted imports and exports to the euro area slumped.

2012-01-13 13:14:

U.K. Data Suggest Falling Inflation


Prices charged by U.K. companies at the factory gate registered their first monthly fall for a year and a half, reinforcing expectations that inflation is poised to slow sharply.

2012-01-13 12:57:

Economic Adviser: India Economy to Grow 7.0%-7.5% this Year


The Indian economy has been hurt by the continuing troubles in the global economy and will likely grow 7.0%-7.5% in the current fiscal year, Chief Economic Adviser Kaushik Basu said.

2012-01-13 09:43:

China's Forex Reserves Drop


Beijing's huge stockpile of foreign-exchange reserves showed its first quarterly decline in more than a decade, partly because of capital outflows amid global economic uncertainties and worries over slowing growth.

2012-01-13 03:43:

Euro Zone Leaves Rates Unchanged


The ECB left its key rate on hold at 1%, as the central bank's chief Mario Draghi noted signs of stabilizing business activity.

2012-01-13 03:27:

Government Edges Toward Debt Ceiling


The White House notified Congress on Thursday that the government was near its $15.194 trillion borrowing limit, ushering in the debut of procedural theater in which the debt limit will ultimately be raised even if Congress votes against it.

2012-01-13 03:03:

Fed Showed Little Alarm Before Housing Bust


Fed transcripts from 2006 paint the most detailed picture yet of how top officials at the central bank didn't anticipate the storm about to hit.

2012-01-13 02:55:

Goldman Bids for Bad Bonds


Goldman Sachs recently approached the New York Fed and offered to buy a multibillion-dollar bundle of risky mortgage bonds that the Fed acquired in the 2008 bailout of AIG.

2012-01-13 02:08:

Sluggish Sales Stir Growth Concerns


U.S. retail sales rose slightly in December as a surge in car purchases offset declines in sales of electronics, groceries and gasoline. Separately, new jobless claims rose more than expected last week.

2012-01-13 01:50:

Wall Street, Washington and Gingrich


Gingrich and his consulting companies helped Credit Suisse gather exclusive Washington information, showing that the candidate benefited from a legal practice that's come under fire from lawmakers.

2012-01-13 01:38:

Gingrich Helped Credit Suisse Gather Information


Newt Gingrich and his consulting companies helped the financial services giant Credit Suisse Group gather exclusive Washington information and analysis, showing that the Republican presidential candidate benefited from a legal practice that's come under fire from lawmakers.

2012-01-13 01:24:

Governor Cautioned Fed About Mortgages


Former central-bank board member Susan Bies repeatedly expressed worries in Fed meetings about risks to consumers and banks from the housing bubble.

2012-01-12 20:56:

China Inflation Slowed Again in December


Inflation in China slowed slightly in December, but was marginally above market expectations. The fifth straight month of moderating inflation gives Beijing more room to implement easing measures.

2012-01-12 20:33:

China Cracks Down on Financial Risk


China's banking regulator took new steps to clamp down on risks in the financial sector, even as a report from S&P said political considerations might force authorities to grant banks some leeway on loans to local governments.

2012-01-12 17:13:

Draghi Warns of Lingering Weakness


ECB President Draghi stressed that economic performance in the euro zone will remain dampened. Earlier, the ECB and BOE left rates unchanged.

2012-01-12 16:22:

Retail Sales Muted; Jobless Claims Rise


U.S. retail sales rose slightly in December as a surge in car purchases offset declines in sales of electronics, groceries and gasoline. Separately, new jobless claims rose more than expected last week.

2012-01-12 15:12:

Draghi Warns Of Lingering Weakness


ECB President Draghi stressed that economic performance in the euro zone will remain dampened. Earlier, the ECB and BOE left rates unchanged.

2012-01-12 14:59:

Retail Sales Suggest Muted Holiday


U.S. retail sales rose slightly in December as a surge in car purchases offset declines in sales of electronics, groceries and gasoline. Separately, new jobless claims rose last week.

2012-01-12 12:03:

RBI Dollar Sales Point to Intervention


India's central bank released data showing that it heavily sold the greenback -- a total of $2.9 billion -- in November in a clear sign that it supported the rupee when the local currency tumbled to a record low.

2012-01-12 11:38:

Output Slumps in Euro Zone, U.K.


Euro-zone factory output suffered its first year-on-year decline in almost two years in November, and U.K. data revealed a weaker than expected performance across industrial production.

2012-01-12 09:36:

A New Generation Tackles the Euro Crisis


The ECB's governing council is undergoing a generational shift, with an influx of young central bankers who have strong political experience and résumés less grounded in economic orthodoxy than their predecessors.

2012-01-12 08:34:

India Industrial Output Rebounds


India's industrial output rose in November, bouncing back from a dismal reading the previous month and lessening the urgency for the central bank to begin loosening monetary policy.

2012-01-12 02:49:

Obama to Propose Tax Breaks to Get Jobs


Obama said he will propose new tax breaks in the coming weeks for companies that bring jobs back from overseas.

2012-01-12 01:42:

Holiday Sales Keep Recovery on Track


The U.S. economy improved across all regions in the final six weeks of 2011, boosted by strong holiday sales, the Fed said in its beige book report.

2012-01-12 01:40:

Factory Floor Has Ceiling on Job Creation


Factory employment has grown in the past two years but manufacturing alone is not going to put America back to work.

2012-01-11 23:04:

Factories Alone Won't Power U.S. Recovery


Factory employment has grown in the past two years but manufacturing alone is not going to put America back to work.

2012-01-11 22:03:

Erdogan's War on 'Interest-Rate Lobby' Puzzles Economists


Economists expressed dismay Wednesday at a pledge from Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to strike back at an "interest-rate lobby" that allegedly seeks to stifle Turkish growth.

2012-01-11 20:07:

Fed Beige Book Notes Holiday Strength


The U.S. economy improved across all regions in the final six weeks of 2011, boosted by strong holiday sales, the Fed said in its beige book report.

2012-01-11 19:33:

Obama to Propose Tax Breaks for Job Repatriations


Obama said he will propose new tax breaks in the coming weeks for companies that bring jobs back from overseas.

2012-01-11 13:44:

German Economy Shrank at End of 2011


Germany's economy contracted slightly in the fourth quarter, putting Europe's largest country on the verge of a mild recession.

2012-01-11 13:18:

Turkey Current-Account Deficit Slips


Turkey's current-account deficit narrowed for the first time in more than two years in November, as a slowdown in output and an increase in exports spurred by a weaker currency eased the finance gap.

2012-01-11 10:41:

German Economy Likely Shrank at End of 2011


Germany's economy likely contracted by around 0.25% in the fourth quarter of last year, the government's statistics office said, partially offsetting full-year growth.

2012-01-11 09:20:

German Economy Grew Strongly in 2011


There was robust growth within the German economy in 2011 as private consumption and foreign trade gave significant boosts.

2012-01-11 08:44:

Greek Cost to Rise


Negotiators for banks and governments are working to complete a promised debt restructuring for Greece that will slice in half what the nation owes its private bondholders.

2012-01-11 04:12:

Fed's Profit Becomes Treasury's Gain


The Fed turned $76.9 billion over to the U.S. Treasury last year, close to the 2010 record, amid a strong profit generated from its expanding portfolio of securities.

2012-01-11 02:33:

Fed's Lofty Profit Becomes Treasury's Gain


The Fed turned $76.9 billion over to the U.S. Treasury last year, close to the 2010 record, amid a strong profit generated from its expanding portfolio of securities.

2012-01-10 23:42:

South's Economic Woes Test Campaigns


As the Republican presidential nomination race heads to the South, the candidates will get their first taste of battle in states mired in economic downturns.

2012-01-10 18:14:

Fed Sends Nearly $77 Billion to Treasury


The Fed turned $76.9 billion over to the U.S. Treasury last year, close to the 2010 record, amid a strong profit generated from its expanding portfolio of securities.

2012-01-10 14:23:

Portugal Lowers Economic Outlook


Portugal's central bank sharply lowered its economic outlook for 2012 and warned the government may have to adopt more austerity to meet deficit targets.

2012-01-10 02:27:

Weak Economy Curbs Health Spending


Growth in health spending was near a historic low of 3.9% in 2010 as the weak economy prompted people to cut back on medical care, according to data released by federal analysts.

2012-01-10 00:51:

Consumer Borrowing Surges


Consumer borrowing leapt as holiday spending kicked in late last year, according to a new Federal Reserve report.

2012-01-09 15:38:

Greece Seeks Larger Debt Writedown


The Greek government is expected to ask private investors holding the country's debt to accept a haircut of 60%, with a previously agreed 50% write-down no longer seen as sufficient in light of the country's deteriorating economy.

2012-01-09 13:54:

Soros Says World Economy Facing 'Vicious' Deflationary Cycle


George Soros, the billionaire U.S. investor, said the global economy is facing a "vicious" deflationary cycle as members of the euro zone cut back sharply on spending to bring their budget deficits under control, crimping demand and squeezing prices.

2012-01-09 12:56:

German Debt Yields Turn Negative


Germany paid a negative yield to investors at a debt auction for the first time on record, underscoring the haven appeal of the country's debt as the European debt crisis continues.

2012-01-09 11:25:

Unemployment Scars May Last Years


The U.S. job market is showing signs of a sustained recovery. But the country's prolonged struggle with unemployment will leave scars that are likely to remain for years, if not generations.

2012-01-09 08:25:

German Exports Rise Strongly


German exports rose sharply in November while imports fell, leading to a widening of the country's merchandise trade surplus, data showed.

2012-01-09 06:10:

For Malls, Occupancy Firms Up


U.S. malls and shopping centers experienced a slight improvement in occupancy during the fourth quarter, a relief for landlords that have been battling lackluster demand from retailers for most of the downturn.

2012-01-09 03:35:

Economists Set Rules on Ethics


A leading group of academic economists has adopted conflict-of-interest rules in response to criticism that the profession not only failed to predict the 2007-2008 financial crisis but may actually have helped create it.

2012-01-09 02:24:

Quiet Fed Voice Emerges as Force


Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco President John Williams has backed the kind of unconventional policies that have been the hallmark of Ben Bernanke's tenure as Fed chairman.

2012-01-08 21:08:

Unemployment Scars Likely to Last for Years


The U.S. job market is showing signs of a sustained recovery. But the country's prolonged struggle with unemployment will leave scars that are likely to remain for years, if not generations.

2012-01-08 02:40:

More Quantitative Easing Unnecessary, Fed Official Says


The Federal Reserve still has room to boost the economy even with interest rates near zero, St. Louis Fed President James Bullard said Saturday.

2012-01-07 20:52:

Fed Targets Mortgage Servicers


A Fed official called on mortgage servicers to fix "deceptive" practices, the latest salvo in the central bank's campaign for government action to fix the housing market.

2012-01-07 17:40:

Hiring Shows Recovery Gaining Traction


The U.S. economy added 200,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate ticked lower, signs of strength for the labor market amid broader uncertainty.

2012-01-07 02:49:

Investors Sour on Subprime Bonds


After flickering to life early in 2011, the market for subprime and other risky residential mortgage bonds has returned to its comatose state. Many investors believe a revival could be years away.

2012-01-07 00:51:

Fed Officials Urge Action to Boost Housing


Three top Fed officials ramped up the central bank's call for more forceful government action to fix the housing market, expressing frustration that it is blunting efforts to boost the economy.

2012-01-07 00:14:

Three Fed Officials Urge Action to Boost Housing


Top Fed officials ramped up their call for more forceful government action to fix the broken housing market, expressing frustration that it is blunting their extraordinary efforts to boost the economy.

2012-01-06 22:05:

Banks Ramp Up Debt Sales


Financial firms are on track to sell nearly $12 billion in bonds this week, marking the biggest week of borrowing for the industry since July.

2012-01-06 21:17:

In U.S., a Cheaper Labor Pool


Trying to convince workers in Canada to accept a pay cut, Caterpillar is citing lower wages elsewhere. But instead of pointing to the usual models of cheap and pliant labor, it is using the U.S. as an example.

2012-01-06 21:11:

Investors Sour on Mortgage Bonds


After flickering to life early in 2011, the market for subprime and other risky residential mortgage bonds has returned to its comatose state. Many investors believe a revival could be years away.

2012-01-06 18:53:

Brazil Hit Inflation Target, But Not Bull's-eye, in 2011


The Consumer Price Index ended 2011 at 6.5%, technically within the government's intended range but far above its target of 4.5%. This year is not expected to be any easier.

2012-01-06 15:59:

U.S. Gains 200,000 Jobs


Job growth accelerated in December and the unemployment rate was the lowest since February 2009, signs of strength for the labor market.

2012-01-06 14:43:

Job Growth Accelerates


The U.S. economy added 200,000 jobs in December and the unemployment rate ticked lower, signs of strength for the labor market amid broader uncertainty.

2012-01-06 09:22:

Businesses Take Up More Space


The U.S. office market showed modest signs of improvement in the last three months of 2011, as the national office-vacancy rate fell slightly from the previous period.

2012-01-06 04:02:

California Takes Aim at Budget Gap


California Gov. Jerry Brown proposed to close the state's projected $9.2 billion budget gap in the next fiscal year with cuts to social services and with expected revenue from a temporary tax increase he hopes to pass.

2012-01-06 01:38:

California Plans Cuts to Close Gap


California Gov. Jerry Brown proposed to close the state's projected $9.2 billion budget gap in the next fiscal year with cuts to social services and with expected revenue from a temporary tax increase he hopes to pass.

2012-01-05 19:12:

Positive Signs in U.S. Jobs Data


The private sector added a white-hot 325,000 jobs in December, while initial claims for unemployment benefits fell again last week.

2012-01-05 15:08:

Positive Signs in Jobs Data


The private sector added a white-hot 325,000 jobs in December, while initial claims for unemployment benefits fell again last week.

2012-01-05 14:55:

IMF Stress-Tests Japanese Banks


The IMF is conducting stress tests on Japanese banks to gauge how vulnerable they are to a potential drop in the value of their huge holdings of Japanese government bonds.

2012-01-05 14:38:

Positive Signs for Jobs Market


The private sector added a white-hot 325,000 jobs in December, according to payroll giant ADP, while initial claims for unemployment benefits fell again last week.

2012-01-05 12:41:

France Clears Bond Auction


France raised almost the maximum intended amount at a closely watched bond auction, shrugging off concerns that the country was poised to lose its top credit rating.

2012-01-05 12:11:

France Clears Bond Sale


France raised almost the maximum intended amount at a closely watched bond auction, shrugging off concerns that the country was poised to lose its top credit rating.

2012-01-05 11:12:

U.K. Banks Cautious on Credit Conditions


U.K. households and businesses can expect greater access to credit in the first quarter of 2012 unless conditions in bank funding markets continue to deteriorate, the Bank of England said.

2012-01-05 09:23:

Apartment-Vacancy Rate Tumbles


The nation's apartment-vacancy rate in the fourth quarter fell to its lowest level since late 2001 as Americans continued to favor renting homes instead of buying them.

2012-01-05 06:08:

Apartment-Vacancy Rate Tumbles to 2001 Level


The nation's apartment-vacancy rate in the fourth quarter fell to its lowest level since late 2001 as Americans continued to favor renting homes instead of buying them.

2012-01-05 04:57:

Fed Puts Reputation on the Line


Abraham Lincoln famously observed that "it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." The Federal Reserve may learn this the hard way.

2012-01-05 00:09:

Report Criticizes Handling of Credit Unions' Failures


A government report criticized how a federal regulator handled the failure of five corporate credit unions and urged faster action to identify and prevent future problems.

2012-01-04 23:41:

Fed Puts Its Reputation on the Line


Abraham Lincoln famously observed that "it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." The Federal Reserve may learn this the hard way.

2012-01-04 23:08:

Corn Seed Shortage Sows Farm Belt Woes


U.S. supplies of corn seed are down 25% to 50%. The shortage threatens to scuttle what some expect to be the biggest planting of corn in the U.S.

2012-01-04 22:14:

Spain's Loan Woes Deepen


In a new sign of a Spain's deepening financial crisis, the regional government of Valencia said it was a week late in repaying a $160 million debt to Deutsche Bank.

2012-01-04 21:06:

Canadian Retail Prices Lag Foreign-Exchange Fluctuations


Canadian retail prices tend to lag foreign-exchange fluctuations between the U.S. and Canadian dollar, accounting for sometimes-big discrepancies in the cost of everyday goods on both sides of the border, Canada's statistical agency said.

2012-01-04 18:43:

China to Ease Yuan-Clearing


China is creating a payment system that will make it more efficient for banks to clear yuan funds across its borders, in another move aimed at promoting the global use of the Chinese currency.

2012-01-04 16:04:

Factory Orders Advance


U.S. factory orders grew 1.8% in November on greater demand for aircraft and other goods, the first gain in three months.

2012-01-04 15:34:

China Upgrading Yuan-Payment System


China is creating a payment system that will make it more efficient for banks to clear yuan funds across its borders, in another move aimed at promoting the global use of the Chinese currency.

2012-01-04 11:50:

Zambia Miners Warn of More Strikes


Copper mining companies operating in Zambia, Africa's top producer of the metal, should brace themselves for more strikes this year unless they meet wage demands, union officials warned.

2012-01-04 11:07:

China Upgrades Yuan Payment System


China is building out a payment system that will make it more efficient for banks to clear yuan funds across its borders, in another move aimed at promoting the global use of the Chinese currency.

2012-01-04 09:12:

Fed Will Detail Rate Plans


Fed officials will begin detailing their plans for interest rates later this month, part of a communications revamp that could help bolster the fragile U.S. economic recovery.

2012-01-04 03:51:

U.S. Tax Haul Trails Profit Surge


Here is one thing for deficit hawks to watch in 2012: corporate tax receipts. Although U.S. corporate profits have rebounded smartly since the financial crisis, the same can't be said for the tax take.

2012-01-04 01:56:

California Train Plan Hits Bump


California's ambitious plan for a high-speed rail system hit a big roadblock, as an independent panel urged lawmakers to deny authorizing the issuance of $2.7 billion in bonds to kick off the $98.5 billion project.

2012-01-04 01:31:

Kentucky Trots Toward Vote on Casinos


Kentucky political leaders could propose legislation as soon as this week to pave the way for legalizing casino gambling, making it the latest state to consider lifting a longtime ban on slot machines and roulette tables.

2012-01-04 01:30:

Real-Estate Stocks Recover


Real-estate stocks posted gains in the fourth quarter, a turnaround from when panic about Europe's debt crisis threatened to derail the recovery.

2012-01-04 01:27:

Factories Hum as New Orders Jump


U.S. manufacturing grew at its fastest pace in six months in December, and producers appeared poised to keep boosting output to replenish empty shelves in coming months.

2012-01-03 21:20:

U.S. Tax Take Misses Profit Surge


Here is one thing for deficit hawks to watch in 2012: corporate tax receipts. Although U.S. corporate profits have rebounded smartly since the financial crisis, the same can't be said for the tax take.

2012-01-03 20:10:

Fed to Publish Interest Rate Forecasts


Fed officials will begin to publish their forecasts for interest rates later this month, part of a communications revamp that could help bolster the fragile U.S. economic recovery.

2012-01-03 16:24:

Factory, Construction Data Show Gains


The U.S. manufacturing sector continued to expand in December, ISM data showed. Separately, construction spending rose in November.

2012-01-03 12:41:

Jobless Data Highlight European Challenges


A sharp divergence in year-end jobless tallies issued by Germany and Spain put into high relief the challenges facing EU policy makers to stabilize their currency union.

2012-01-03 03:52:

Welfare Lines Overflow


Growing numbers of New Yorkers seeking food stamps have created an unwelcome spillover effect at some of New York City's job centers: overcrowding that in some cases has grown so severe, benefits were jeopardized.

2012-01-03 03:11:

Spain Moves to Curb Deficit


Spain will introduce more austerity measures this week on top of a swath of spending cuts and tax increases approved last week, as it scrambles to contain a budget deficit that may have surpassed 8%.

2012-01-03 00:32:

Economic Indicators: Jobs Will Be Job One


A hobbled housing market and debt-ridden consumers point to meager improvements in the jobs picture this year. The president must convince voters that it's getting better, even if it may still feel lousy.

2012-01-02 20:12:

Spain Moves to Contain Budget Deficit


Spain will introduce more austerity measures this week on top of a swath of spending cuts and tax increases approved last week, as it scrambles to contain a budget deficit that may have surpassed 8%.

2012-01-02 16:35:

Asia's Export Economies Slow


Manufacturing activity continued to contract in South Korea and Taiwan in December but grew in India, as the euro-zone sovereign debt crisis and the sluggish U.S. recovery hit Asia's export economies harder.

2012-01-02 14:53:

Asia Manufacturing Picture Clouds


Manufacturing activity continued to contract in South Korea and Taiwan in December but grew in India, as the euro-zone sovereign debt crisis and the sluggish U.S. recovery hit Asia's export economies harder.

2012-01-01 00:00:

Chief Justice Responds to Recusal Calls


Chief Justice John Roberts defended the ethics of Supreme Court justices, using his year-end report to respond to partisan calls for Justices Clarence Thomas and Elena Kagan to sit out the pending case over President Obama's health-care overhaul.

2011-12-31 03:27:

Natural Gas Ends 2011 at 27-Month Low


Natural-gas futures settled below $3 for the first time since September 2009, closing out one of the weakest years for the natural-gas market in recent memory.

2011-12-31 01:52:

Romney Hones Economy Pitch


Mitt Romney is focusing on what he sees as the central decision facing voters: the choice between his vision for an "opportunity society" and the "entitlement society" he says is favored by President Barack Obama.

2011-12-31 01:33:

Obama Delays Request on Debt Ceiling


President Barack Obama delayed submitting a request to Congress for a $1.2 trillion increase in the debt ceiling, setting up a renewed debate in January over the nation's spending and borrowing habits.

2011-12-30 10:48:

Dithering at Top Turned EU Crisis to Global Threat


A WSJ investigation revealed how the currency union floundered in indecision this spring?failing to address either the immediate concerns of investors or the fundamental weaknesses undermining the euro.

2011-12-30 05:41:

China Growth Continues to Slow


The final HSBC China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index rose in December compared with November, but remains in contractionary territory, adding to evidence that growth continues to slow.

2011-12-30 03:40:

A City Slips as Downgrade Hits Home


Long a model American community with high-performing schools, beautiful parks and rising real estate values, University Place, on the Puget Sound, has turned into a reluctant showcase for the downgrading of America.

2011-12-30 02:17:

New Stimulus Dovetails With Shift at Fed


One of the biggest questions looming for 2012 is whether the central bank will pursue more extraordinary measures to ease monetary policy. A shift in the board's voting ranks suggests the tone is getting dovish.

2011-12-30 02:05:

Data Suggest Recovery Gaining Steam


Fewer Americans are filing new claims for jobless benefits than at any time since the end of the recession, the latest signal that the U.S. economy is ending a year of uncertainty on a positive note.

2011-12-29 23:58:

Treasury Proposes Fee Rule to Cover Financial Watchdog


The U.S. Treasury issued a proposed rule Thursday for determining fees to be paid by large financial institutions to cover the cost of the recently established financial-stability watchdog and other expenses related to the Dodd-Frank regulatory overhaul.

2011-12-29 21:25:

Figures Suggest Recovery Gaining Momentum


Fewer Americans are filing new claims for jobless benefits than at any time since the end of the recession, the latest signal that the U.S. economy is ending a year of uncertainty on a positive note.

2011-12-29 18:39:

DPJ Panel Agrees to Sales Tax Rise for Japan


A key panel of Japan's ruling party reached agreement on a politically unpopular sales tax increase, paving the way for a bill to be submitted to parliament where it faces a less-than-certain future.

2011-12-29 17:22:

Big Hedge Funds Build Case for Housing


Hedge funds have been buying housing-related investments, betting on a rebound. Bulls have been burned in the past, but optimistic investors are pointing to pent-up demand and suggest a housing bottom may be in sight.

2011-12-29 17:09:

Pending-Home Sales Hit 19-Month High


The housing market showed signs of improvement as the number of Americans signing contracts to buy existing homes increased in November to the highest level in 19 months.

2011-12-29 12:43:

Lending to Private Sector Slows


Lending to the euro zone's private sector fell in November to its lowest rate in over a year, a sign that economic activity in Europe is poised to remain depressed.

2011-12-29 10:39:

Euro Zone Money-Supply Growth Slows


The rate of growth of money supply in the euro zone dropped in November, even as the European Central Bank continued to pump liquidity into the currency bloc's struggling banking sector.

2011-12-29 10:33:

Spain Economy Likely Shrunk


Spanish gross domestic product likely contracted in the last three months of the year amid heightened financial-market stress and a deteriorating outlook for European and global economies, the Bank of Spain said.

2011-12-29 02:09:

Global Concerns to Keep Lid on U.S. Rates


Though America's national debt is growing by the second and some strategists are yelling that the country is destined to be the next Greece, U.S. borrowing costs have seldom been lower -- and the rally in government bond prices is likely to continue into 2012.

2011-12-29 02:04:

Big Funds Build Case for Housing


Hedge funds have been buying housing-related investments, betting on a rebound. Bulls have been burned in the past, but optimistic investors are pointing to pent-up demand and suggest a housing bottom may be in sight.

2011-12-28 19:37:

European Bank Worry: Collateral


Even after the European Central Bank doled out nearly half a trillion euros of loans to cash-strapped banks last week, fears about potential financial problems are stalking the sector. One big reason: concerns about collateral.

2011-12-28 16:08:

Japan's Industrial Output Falls


Japanese industrial production fell 2.6% in November from the previous month, but analysts were encouraged by surprisingly strong forecasts for December and January.

2011-12-28 04:51:

Keeping Boomers Fit for Work


As America's baby boomers grow older and creakier, some companies are trying to keep those with hard-to-replace skills fit enough to remain on the job.

2011-12-28 04:42:

Jobless Tap Disability Fund


The prolonged economic slump has fueled a surge in applications for Social Security disability benefits, with many desperate Americans seeking refuge in the program as a last resort after their unemployment insurance and savings run out.

2011-12-28 02:48:

Drought Leads to Stray Donkey Deluge


Law-enforcement agencies in Texas are grappling with an unusual problem: stray donkeys, which are roaming roads and fields in growing numbers and overwhelming animal shelters.

2011-12-27 23:36:

Housing Imperils Job Gains


The prolonged U.S. housing bust is threatening to claim yet another victim: the nascent recovery in the labor market.

2011-12-27 22:36:

U.S. Declines to Cite China on Currency


The Obama administration once again opted not to accuse China of manipulating its currency, but said the pace of appreciation has been "insufficient."

2011-12-27 18:06:

Obama to Tap Fed Board Nominees


Obama plans to nominate a Harvard University finance professor and a former private-equity executive to fill the two vacancies on the seven-member Federal Reserve Board.

2011-12-27 16:44:

Confidence Rises, but Home Prices Fall


Consumer confidence surged to its highest level since April, but the U.S. housing market continued to weigh on the economy with home prices falling 3.4% for the year as of October.

2011-12-27 01:01:

Slowing Inflation Cheers Fed


U.S. inflation is slowing after a surge early in the year, a welcome sign that gives the Fed some maneuvering room in 2012 if central-bank officials want to take steps to bolster economic growth.

2011-12-25 08:47:

Campaign 2012's Harsh Backdrop


Most presidential elections turn on the economy, but that figures to be especially true this time, meaning President Obama would seem to face bleak prospects. But he holds some advantages.

2011-12-25 03:55:

Campaign 2012's Harsh Economic Backdrop


Most presidential elections turn on the economy, but that figures to be especially true this time, meaning President Obama would seem to face bleak prospects. But he holds some advantages.

2011-12-24 22:08:

Gulf Ministers to Weigh Options to Counter Possible Blockade


Persian Gulf oil ministers on Sunday will consider precautionary options for mitigating the impact of any blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, senior Gulf oil officials said on Saturday.

2011-12-24 02:27:

Hunting for Work --- Again


Cody Preston, who was featured in an article in The Wall Street Journal about high unemployment among young workers, was laid off again Thursday.

2011-12-24 02:14:

Banks Struggle With Euro Contingencies


As the euro-zone debt crisis intensified, at least two global banks took steps to install back-up technology systems that could handle trades in old European currencies.

2011-12-24 01:49:

U.S. Consumer Spending Inches Upward


U.S. consumers spent a little more in November amid small income gains and low prices. Separately, a gain in orders for long-lasting goods rose on strong demand for civilian airplanes.

2011-12-23 21:52:

U.S. Income, Spending Edge Up


U.S. consumers spent a little more in November amid small income gains and low prices. Separately, a gain in orders for long-lasting goods rose on strong demand for civilian airplanes.

2011-12-23 21:30:

Lawmakers Clear Accord on Payroll Tax


The House and Senate approved a two-month extension of the payroll-tax cut, averting an increase that would have left workers with less take-home pay next year.

2011-12-23 19:14:

Fed May Signal Low Rates Into '14


The Federal Reserve could signal it is likely to keep short-term interest rates near zero into 2014 or beyond, to bolster the fragile economic recovery.

2011-12-23 16:52:

Overnight Deposits at ECB Hit 2011 High


Use of the European Central Bank's overnight deposit facility reached a new record high for the year, suggesting recent measures by central banks and policy makers still aren't enough to restore confidence in interbank lending markets.

2011-12-23 14:35:

Income, Spending Post Modest Rise


U.S. consumers spent a little more in November amid small income gains and low prices. Separately, a gain in orders for long-lasting goods rose on strong demand for civilian airplanes.

2011-12-23 13:49:

Risks Cloud 2012 Outlook


Most private economists forecast a modest 2% growth rate for the U.S. in 2012, with a pace subdued by housing woes, a lackluster job market, and cuts by government.

2011-12-23 10:58:

Doubts in Euro's Birthplace


The common currency is becoming controversial even in the Netherlands, host of the Maastricht summit 20 years ago and a place where economic and political opinion long was almost unanimously pro-euro.

2011-12-23 03:45:

Consumers Perk Up


The U.S. job market is showing signs of strength, and consumers are responding by growing a bit more upbeat about the economy.

2011-12-23 03:37:

Risks Cloud Outlook for Economy in 2012


Most private economists forecast a modest 2% growth rate for the U.S. in 2012, with a pace subdued by housing woes, a lackluster job market, and cuts by government.

2011-12-23 01:46:

Fed May Signal Low Rates Into 2014


The Federal Reserve could signal it is likely to keep short-term interest rates near zero into 2014 or beyond, to bolster the fragile economic recovery.

2011-12-22 23:42:

Fed Could Keep Rates Near Zero Into 2014


The Federal Reserve could signal it is likely to keep short-term interest rates near zero into 2014 or beyond, to bolster the fragile economic recovery.

2011-12-22 17:03:

Italy Backs Austerity


The Italian Senate backed Prime Minister Mario Monti's austerity package in a confidence vote, granting final approval to a plan aimed at restoring investors' confidence in the country's struggling economy.

2011-12-22 15:28:

U.K. Grows More Than Thought


The U.K. economy expanded by more than initially estimated in the third quarter, but the nation's current account deficit widened to the largest ever recorded.

2011-12-22 12:55:

India Food Inflation Slowest in Nearly Four Years


India's food inflation rate has risen at its slowest pace in nearly four years, cementing expectations of a steady easing in overall price pressures that will let the central bank focus on stimulating growth.

2011-12-22 04:28:

Rugby Boosts New Zealand's GDP


New Zealand's economy expanded more than expected in the third quarter but the data is unlikely to have much impact on monetary policy as growth was largely boosted by the Rugby World Cup.

2011-12-22 01:37:

Rugby Boosts New Zealand Adjusted GDP


New Zealand's economy expanded at a faster rate in the third quarter than in the second quarter, boosted by the Rugby World Cup, which attracted more than 133,000 people to the country between July and October.

2011-12-21 21:39:

Obama Calls Boehner Over Tax Impasse


Obama called Boehner to urge approval of a two-month extension of current tax rates ahead of the Jan. 1 deadline.

2011-12-21 18:54:

Home Resales Rise 4%


U.S. home sales grew in November, and the year's sales are on pace to be above last year's. But the real-estate group that provides the data significantly revised down sales for the past four years.

2011-12-21 03:41:

Unemployment Eases, Jobs Still Scarce


Unemployment rates dropped in 43 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., in November from a month earlier, the Labor Department said, but job growth remained relatively subdued.

2011-12-21 03:12:

Athens Is Close to Deal With Creditors


Greece is close to an agreement with its private-sector creditors to restructure the country's debt.

2011-12-21 02:37:

Fed Details New Bank Rules


The biggest U.S. banks will be required to limit their financial ties to one another under new proposed rules aimed at preventing the collapse of one big institution from triggering a larger, cascading crisis.

2011-12-21 02:32:

California Suing Fannie and Freddie


California's attorney general sued Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, seeking to force the firms to answer a detailed list of questions after the firms' federal regulator sought to block an open-ended inquiry by the state.

2011-12-21 02:08:

Standoff Sets In as House Rejects Tax Bill


House Republicans dug in for a year-end standoff Tuesday, scuttling a temporary extension to a payroll-tax break that President Obama called the "only viable way" to prevent a New Year's tax increase.

2011-12-21 01:29:

Japan Posts Another Trade Shortfall


Japan posted a ¥684.73 billion, or $8.79 billion, trade deficit in November, as exports continued to fall amid slowing global growth, a strong yen and flooding in Thailand.

2011-12-21 01:10:

Demand for Rentals Drives Big Rise in Home Building


Residential construction surged in November, sparking cautious hope that the U.S. housing market is gaining traction.

2011-12-21 00:04:

Fed Spells Out New Rules for Banks


The biggest U.S. banks will be required to limit their financial ties to one another under new proposed rules aimed at preventing the collapse of one big institution from triggering a larger, cascading crisis.

2011-12-20 22:37:

California Attorney General Sues Fannie and Freddie


California Attorney General Kamala D. Harris filed suit against Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac on Tuesday, seeking to force the firms to answer a detailed list of questions after the firms' federal regulator sought to block an open-ended inquiry by the state.

2011-12-20 21:46:

Fed Proposes Regulations for Large Financial Firms


The Federal Reserve wants the nation's largest financial firms to scale back their risk-taking as part of an effort to reduce the threat they pose to the financial system.

2011-12-20 20:56:

Fitch Puts European Banks on Watch


Fitch Ratings placed banks in multiple European nations on watch for possible downgrade following the placement of the their home country's sovereign ratings under a similar review recently.

2011-12-20 18:09:

IMF Urges EU to Support Ireland


The International Monetary Fund said Ireland has so far made "exceptional" efforts to meet its bailout targets, but urged the European Union to do more to help the country deal with debts owed by its banks.

2011-12-20 15:44:

BOE: Crisis Tools Have Drawbacks


Most of the tools the Bank of England might use to prevent a buildup of excessive risk in the financial system have significant drawbacks, a staff paper from the BOE and the FSA showed.

2011-12-20 15:05:

Apartments Drive Home Building


U.S. home building hit its highest level in 19 months in November, with most of the increase coming from multifamily construction.

2011-12-20 14:58:

India Adviser: Monetary Tightening Can End


India can end aggressive monetary tightening as inflation is showing definitive signs of a decline, the chairman of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council said.

2011-12-20 14:35:

Construction Climbs on Multifamily Starts


U.S. home building climbed to the highest level in 19 months during November, with most of the increase in housing starts coming from multifamily construction.

2011-12-20 14:16:

Euro Pushes Toward $1.31


The euro and other risk-sensitive currencies such as the pound and Australian dollar gained against the U.S. dollar after a German business-sentiment survey surpassed expectations and Spain sold more debt than planned and at a sharply lower cost.

2011-12-20 10:24:

European Stocks Flat


European stocks were flat to slightly lower early Tuesday as a deal by European finance ministers to boost the firepower of the International Monetary Fund fell short of expectations.

2011-12-20 10:20:

Japan Considers Buying Chinese Bonds


Japan should consider holding Chinese government bonds to strengthen ties with its Asian neighbor, its finance minister said ahead of a planned visit to China by Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda.

2011-12-20 10:18:

Sweden Cuts Interest Rate


Sweden's Riksbank cut its benchmark interest rate as it reacted to the worsening outlook for Europe, a key market for the export-dependent country.

2011-12-20 08:00:

Euro Steady as Asia Concerns Ease


The euro was steady against the dollar, while other higher-yielding currencies such as the Australian dollar and the Korean won rose amid improved risk-sentiment the day after the news of Kim Jong Il's death.

2011-12-20 03:41:

Spain's Rajoy Takes Aim at Deficit


Spain's prime minister-elect promised quick action to cut the country's towering budget deficit by at least $21.5 billion next year and to overhaul an ailing economy he warned was tipping back into recession.

2011-12-20 02:07:

Lawmakers Deadlock Over Tax Cut


The threat of a New Year's tax increase loomed larger Monday, as Congress deadlocked over legislation to extend a payroll tax break and unemployment benefits.

2011-12-19 23:26:

Euro Falls Below $1.30 Mark


he threat of euro-zone sovereign credit downgrades weakened the euro Monday, as fears of skyrocketing European borrowing costs counterbalanced efforts by the 17-nation currency bloc to stabilize its debt crisis.

2011-12-19 22:40:

Euro-Zone Ministers Agree on New Loans to IMF


Euro-zone finance ministers on Monday confirmed plans to contribute ?150 billion ($195.6 billion) in additional bilateral loans to the International Monetary Fund as part of a move to boost its resources for crisis response.

2011-12-19 20:55:

Importers Hamstrung in Argentina


Argentina's government is now using import substitution policies to turn the South American nation into one of the world's most protectionist countries.

2011-12-19 18:08:

ECB Will Provide Liquidity to Banks, Draghi Says


Bank's president rules out large-scale government bond buys in attempt to avoid economic slowdown.

2011-12-19 10:49:

European Stocks Down


European stocks started slightly lower as investors awaited a conference call between euro-zone ministers to discuss increasing the International Monetary Fund's firepower to lend to ailing euro-zone countries.

2011-12-19 09:44:

Ratings Fears Hit Europe Stocks


European stocks started in the red as fears about credit rating downgrades in Europe weighed heavily.

2011-12-19 06:03:

U.K. Vacationers Aid Nation's Trade Balance


Britons who chose to take vacations in the U.K. helped halve the country's trade deficit between 2007 and 2011, according to a Bank of England analysis, as a weak pound caused imports of travel services to slump.

2011-12-19 04:37:

Oldest Baby Boomers Face Jobs Bust


Many older Americans fear they will be working well into their 60s because they didn't save enough to retire. Those without full-time jobs are short of money and afraid of what lies ahead.

2011-12-19 02:50:

House Balks at Payroll Tax Deal


Boehner ruled out approval of a Senate deal to extend the payroll-tax cut by two months after rank-and-file House Republicans rebelled.

2011-12-19 02:12:

Voters to Read Recovery Signs


After more than two years of frustrating fits and starts, the U.S. economy shows modest signs of picking up, raising the question of whether such improvements could be lasting or significant enough to affect the 2012 campaign debate.

2011-12-19 02:08:

Payroll-Tax Deal Opposed


House Speaker John Boehner flatly ruled out approval of a Senate agreement to temporarily extend the payroll tax cut through February, leaving uncertain both the tax cut and other year-end business as Congress struggled to finish its work for 2011.

2011-12-18 23:46:

Nations Weigh Impact of Iran Strategy


The Obama administration, its European allies and key Arab states are intensifying discussions on how to maintain stability in the global energy markets, in a possible precursor to a formal embargo on Iran's oil exports and its central bank.

2011-12-18 23:45:

Payroll-Tax Bill Opposed by Boehner


House Speaker Boehner's opposition to the two-month extension of payroll-tax breaks and jobless benefits approved by the Senate throws into doubt the prospects of a quick fix.

2011-12-18 21:19:

Boehner Opposes Senate Payroll-Tax Bill


House Speaker John Boehner said Sunday he opposes the two-month extension of payroll-tax breaks and unemployment benefits approved by the Senate, throwing into doubt the prospects of a quick fix to the year-end partisan dispute.

2011-12-18 21:14:

Boehner Opposes Senate Payroll-Tax Cut


House Speaker John Boehner said Sunday he opposes the two-month extension of payroll-tax breaks and unemployment benefits approved by the Senate, throwing into doubt the prospects of a quick fix to the year-end partisan dispute.

2011-12-18 19:48:

Boehner Against Two-Month Tax-Cut Extension


House Speaker Boehner said Sunday he opposes the two-month extension of payroll-tax breaks and unemployment benefits approved by the Senate, throwing into doubt the prospects of a quick fix to the year-end partisan dispute.

2011-12-18 09:14:

Senate Clears Tax-Break Extension


The U.S. Senate approved a two-month extension of payroll-tax breaks and unemployment benefits, providing a measure of relief in a struggling economy.

2011-12-17 22:11:

Senate Clears Tax-Break Extension, Spending Bill


The U.S. Senate approved a two-month extension of payroll-tax breaks and unemployment benefits, providing a measure of relief in a struggling economy, and also passed a $1 trillion spending bill.

2011-12-17 19:01:

Senate Clears Spending Bill, Tax-Break Extension


The U.S. Senate cast a last-minute vote Saturday to keep the government funded for the rest of fiscal 2012 and approved a deal to extend for two months a payroll-tax break and federal unemployment insurance.

2011-12-17 03:40:

Italians Vote for Austerity


The lower house of Italy's parliament backed Prime Minister Mario Monti's multibillion euro-austerity package in a confidence vote, clearing an early hurdle in the new government's drive to overhaul Italy's economy.

2011-12-16 16:16:

Crown Castle to Buy NextG Networks for $1 Billion


Crown Castle agreed to buy NextG Networks for about $1 billion in cash from Madison Dearborn Partners, expanding the cell-tower company's coverage beyond those areas traditionally served by towers.

2011-12-16 16:00:

China Launches New Trial Program for Yuan Investments


China has launched a trial program to allow yuan funds raised offshore to be invested in its domestic capital markets, in a widely anticipated and significant move to help internationalize the Chinese currency and further open the nation's tightly controlled capital account.

2011-12-16 14:33:

Consumer Prices Steady


U.S. consumer prices held flat in November as a drop in energy costs offset a slight rise in food prices and other items.

2011-12-16 04:41:

Ties That Bound Europe Now Fraying


Many European banks and institutional investors now want to buy the bonds only of their home countries or of safe markets such as Germany, bad news for heavily indebted euro-zone nations.

2011-12-16 04:30:

Property Prices Cool Across Asia


Real-estate prices are falling across much of Asia as government measures to rein in once-booming prices start to bite and the slowing global economy hits export-dependent economies.

2011-12-16 01:20:

Labor Market Notches Gains


A drop in new unemployment filings to a three-and-a-half-year low offered the latest indication of an improving labor market, but a drop in U.S. industrial output last month highlighted vulnerability to shocks.

2011-12-15 21:41:

Disaster Losses Hit Record Levels in 2011


Earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan, floods in Thailand and a series of severe storms in the U.S. will help send 2011 into the record books as the most costly year for catastrophes on record.

2011-12-15 19:42:

ECB's Draghi Plays Down Hopes on Bonds


Mario Draghi rejected suggestions that the ECB should ramp up its purchases of government bonds to ease the euro zone's debt crisis.

2011-12-15 18:11:

Lower Jobless Claims Signal Progress


A drop in new unemployment filings to a three-and-a-half-year low offered the latest indication of an improving labor market, but a drop in U.S. industrial output last month highlighted vulnerability to shocks.

2011-12-15 18:03:

Spain Seizes on Demand to Nearly Double Bond Sale


Spain's final bond auction of the year saw very strong demand, although market participants expect the country's borrowing conditions to remain tough next year.

2011-12-15 15:59:

Loan Costs Hit Asian Firms


Asian airlines and shipping companies, already battling a slowdown in cargo traffic, are facing significantly higher borrowing costs as European banks pull back from lending.

2011-12-15 15:18:

NAB: Volatile Markets Boosting Funding Costs


National Australia Bank Chairman Michael Chaney said volatile markets are boosting funding costs, and hit back at politicians who have criticised the country's big banks for lagging central bank rate cuts.

2011-12-15 14:51:

Jobless Claims Drop to Three-Year Low


The number of workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level since May 2008 last week. Separately, U.S. wholesale prices were up amid higher food costs.

2011-12-15 13:41:

Spain Bonds Sale Goes Smoothly


Spain's final bond auction of the year saw very strong demand, although market participants expect the country's borrowing conditions to remain tough next year.

2011-12-15 13:24:

ECB Says EU Pact No 'Quantum Leap'


The ECB welcomed last week's agreement on deeper fiscal integration but criticized the pact for falling short of being a breakthrough and bearing the risk of being watered down.

2011-12-15 12:21:

Spanish House Prices Tumble


Spanish house prices fell at their fastest pace in two years in the third quarter, as the country's three-year property bust continues to take its toll on the economy.

2011-12-15 11:49:

ECB Cuts Growth View


The euro-zone debt crisis poses a substantial threat to the region's economic prospects, the European Central Bank said, elaborating on its decision to lower its growth forecasts.

2011-12-15 11:31:

U.K. Retail Sales Dip


U.K. retail sales volumes fell more than expected in November as the previous month's boost from earlier-than-usual holiday season discounts and promotions appeared to run out of steam.

2011-12-15 10:42:

U.K. Is Pondering End of the Euro


The U.K.'s Financial Services Authority is meeting with banks to discuss the state of their preparedness for a potential breakup of the euro zone.

2011-12-15 10:31:

Euro-Zone Business Activity Falls


Private-sector activity in the euro zone declined for the fourth straight month in December, despite an expansion in powerhouse Germany, according to a survey of purchasing managers.

2011-12-15 10:15:

SNB Keeps Floor at 1.20 Swiss Francs


The Swiss National Bank kept the minimum floor unchanged at 1.20 Swiss francs against the euro, even as it warned of a highly uncertain international economic outlook.

2011-12-15 10:07:

Treasury Buyers Flip Script


Investors are ignoring strong economic data, which might hint at inflation, and pushing Treasury yields to near-record lows.

2011-12-15 09:58:

German Private Sector Expands


Private sector activity in Germany expanded in December, driven by a pickup in the services sector and a less sharp decline in manufacturing, according to a survey of purchasing managers.

2011-12-15 03:13:

U.S. Treasury Buyers Flip the Script


These days, investors are ignoring strong economic data, which might hint at inflation, and pushing Treasury yields to near-record lows.

2011-12-15 02:42:

Leaders Grow Further Apart on Solutions


Europe faced more gloom as the euro sank below $1.30 for the first time since January and leaders underlined how far apart they remain.

2011-12-14 23:11:

U.K. Regulators, Banks Discuss Euro-Breakup Plans


The U.K.'s Financial Services Authority is meeting with banks to discuss the state of their preparedness for a potential breakup of the euro zone.

2011-12-14 18:28:

Australian Consumer Sentiment Plunges


Australian consumer sentiment plunged in December as rising unemployment and heightened fears linked to Europe's debt crisis swamped news of cuts in interest rates over recent months.

2011-12-14 15:36:

French 'Fundamentals' Strong


The fundamentals of the French economy are strong and the country will honor its debts, French Budget Minister Valérie Pécresse said, as euro-zone countries face a potential ratings downgrade on their sovereign debt.

2011-12-14 14:41:

U.K. Unemployment Hits High


The number of unemployed Britons has risen to its highest level for 17 years as the slowdown in the economy weighs further on the labor market and dims the outlook for consumer demand.

2011-12-14 08:50:

Westpac Warns on Crisis Fallout


Westpac Banking says Europe's debt woes will impact the price of credit to Australia's banks, potentially stopping them from passing official interest rate cuts to customers.

2011-12-14 04:36:

California Faces More Budget Cuts


California Gov. Jerry Brown said the state must make $981 million in midyear budget cuts, the latest fiscal blow to the nation's most populous state.

2011-12-14 01:42:

Shoppers Forgo Basics to Buy Holiday Gifts


U.S. retail sales grew less than expected in November, a disappointing start to the holiday shopping season after solid gains the previous two months.

2011-12-14 01:13:

Latvians Regain Their Calm


The mini-crisis in Latvia's banking system appeared to have stabilized, but the run that started over the weekend underlines the risks of doing business in markets that place little trust in financial institutions and policy makers.

2011-12-13 23:41:

OPEC Nearer to Production Deal


OPEC ministers move closer to agreement to maintain current production levels, while some work to repair relations frayed at June's meeting.

2011-12-13 21:37:

Fed Stands Pat


Fed officials left their policy options open for 2012 but took no actions and offered an assessment of the economy that was guardedly more upbeat.

2011-12-13 16:35:

OPEC Oil View Challenged


OPEC ministers have expressed satisfaction with current levels of oil supply and demand, but this view was challenged by pessimism about the level of oil consumption next year.

2011-12-13 15:45:

Retail Sales Post Modest Rise


U.S. retail sales grew less than expected in November, a disappointing start to the holiday shopping season after solid gains the previous two months.

2011-12-13 12:25:

Bernanke's Legacy Remains Uncertain


Fed Chairman Bernanke is entering what are likely to be the final, critical stages of his role as head of the central bank. After 10 years in Washington and six at the helm of the Fed, his record is mixed, his legacy incomplete.

2011-12-13 11:31:

Legal Problems Seen for EU Deal


The deal reached among the 17 euro-area countries and six more European Union states to push through a stricter fiscal rule book won't be easy to implement from a legal perspective, European Council President Herman Van Rompuy said.

2011-12-13 11:17:

U.K. Inflation Rate Slows


The annual rate of inflation in the U.K. slowed in November, aided by better harvests and a fall in petrol prices.

2011-12-13 05:47:

Banks Tap BOJ for Record $4.756 Billion


loans, reflecting concerns about a shortage of dollars for year-end book closings as the European debt crisis grinds on.

2011-12-13 04:51:

Bernanke's Legacy: Still a Lagging Indicator


Fed Chairman Bernanke is entering what are likely to be the final, critical stages of his role as head of the central bank. After ten years in Washington and six at the helm of the Fed, his record is mixed, his legacy incomplete.

2011-12-13 01:04:

Economy Poised for Growth Spurt, but Risks Abound


The U.S. economy is on track to grow faster in the current quarter than any time since the second quarter of last year, though several risks?including a possible meltdown in Europe?are clouding the outlook.

2011-12-12 16:03:

Italian, Spanish Bond Yields Rise


Italian and Spanish borrowing costs pushed higher as the EU deal didn't succeed in convincing market participants that a longer-term resolution had been reached.

2011-12-12 15:45:

Italy Sees Funding Cost Fall


The Italian Treasury's funding costs declined at a 12-month treasury bill auction despite the fact that last week's EU summit failed to convince investors it had delivered a long-term solution to the continent's debt crisis.

2011-12-12 15:15:

Turkish Economy Booms


Turkey's central bank governor warned Monday that inflation was now his No.1 problem as data confirmed the economy expanded 8.2% in the third quarter, smashing economists' expectations

2011-12-12 03:22:

California Budget Cuts Likely


Recipients of state money in California are bracing for as much as $2.5 billion in emergency budget cuts prompted by a revenue shortfall in the nation's most populous state.

2011-12-12 03:06:

Homing in on Fannie, Freddie


Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and their regulator, are facing increasing scrutiny from an aggressive inspector general.

2011-12-12 01:48:

Debt Buyers Brace for Busy Weeks


An unusual amount of U.S. government debt will be auctioned before year-end, but worry over the euro-zone likely means investors will scoop it all up.

2011-12-11 22:16:

Seven Treasury Sales in Eight Days


An unusual amount of U.S. government debt will be auctioned before year-end, but worry over the euro-zone likely means investors will scoop it all up.

2011-12-10 12:38:

Obama, Boehner Duel Over Payroll Tax


A spat over extending a payroll-tax cut that benefits some 160 million Americans spilled over into the weekend, with Obama and Boehner giving dueling radio addresses.

2011-12-10 03:02:

Pining for an IMF Solution, Europe Agrees to Feed Fund


Heads of European Union governments agreed?for the first time in this crisis?that their governments would send the IMF up to ?200 billion ($267 billion) to bolster the fund's resources, likely from national central banks in Europe.

2011-12-10 01:29:

DuPont's Warning Rings New Alarm


A profit warning from DuPont set off new alarm bells that big U.S. manufacturers are tightening inventories as a precaution amid uncertainty about the global economy.

2011-12-09 22:28:

Draghi May Be Pushed Into Bigger Role for ECB


A day after European Central Bank President Mario Draghi damped expectations the bank would become more aggressive in supporting euro-zone debt markets, the ECB responded to a sharp rise in Italian yields by buying the country's bonds, suggesting the bank isn't going to abandon governments struggling to regain the confidence of financial markets.

2011-12-09 22:11:

Chinese Data Set Stage for Stimulus


With growth slowing and inflation becoming less of a problem, China's Communist Party leadership indicated it was ready to stimulate the economy further, underlining a challenge facing other emerging markets as well.

2011-12-09 21:40:

Inventory Cuts Signal Unease Among Manufacturers


A profit warning from DuPont set off new alarm bells that big U.S. manufacturers are tightening inventories as a precaution amid uncertainty about the global economy.

2011-12-09 21:33:

U.S. Forecasts Record Global Corn, Wheat Output


The USDA forecast record global production of wheat and corn as farmers around the world respond to the past year's high grain prices.

2011-12-09 17:19:

U.S. Lowers Soy, Wheat Export Forecasts


Record global wheat and corn production and increased competition in the world's export markets led the U.S. Department of Agriculture to lower its forecasts for wheat and soybean shipments.

2011-12-09 13:56:

India Trade Gap Narrows


India's trade deficit in November narrowed from a four-year high in the previous month but remained a worry for the government, which expects exports to nearly meet the full-year aim despite weakening demand in the euro zone.

2011-12-09 11:43:

China's Inflation Slows Sharply


China's consumer price index rose 4.2% in November from a year earlier, sharply slower than a 5.5% year-to-year rise in October, likely giving authorities more room to loosen monetary policy to support growth.

2011-12-09 10:31:

Corzine Loss May Be Soros Gain


Investor George Soros's family fund bought about $2 billion of European bonds formerly owned by MF Global, the debt that helped force the securities firm to file for bankruptcy protection Oct. 31.

2011-12-09 03:14:

Consumers Hit Shops Despite Lost Wealth


Americans' progress toward rebuilding the wealth lost during the recession took a major blow in the third quarter, as stocks tumbled and home prices continued to drift lower. But such setbacks didn't keep consumers from spending.

2011-12-09 03:13:

Yuan's Rise Is Out of Steam


A significant shift in trading of China's yuan is sending signals that investors and companies expect China to halt the appreciation of its currency, despite heightened pressure from Washington.

2011-12-09 02:59:

Inflation Rate Seen Outpacing Home Prices for Years


The ailing housing market is unlikely to return to health before 2016 and is weighing on the two-year-old U.S. recovery, which finally is showing signs of picking up steam.

2011-12-09 02:26:

Corzine's Loss May Be Soros's Gain


Investor George Soros's family fund bought about $2 billion of European bonds formerly owned by MF Global, the debt that helped force the securities firm to file for bankruptcy protection Oct. 31.

2011-12-08 21:13:

Fed Names Head of International Finance Unit


The Federal Reserve appointed Steven Kamin director of its international finance division, a key post amid rising concerns over the effect of Europe's debt crisis on the U.S. economy.

2011-12-08 20:41:

Mum's the Word for Some Investors


Fifty money managers have used Securities and Exchange Commission rules to keep confidential their stakes in certain companies so far this year, an analysis of securities filings shows.

2011-12-08 20:30:

Firms See End to Yuan's Ascent


A significant shift in trading of China's yuan is sending signals that investors and companies expect China to halt the appreciation of its currency, despite heightened pressure from Washington.

2011-12-08 19:57:

Inflation Seen Outpacing Home Prices


The ailing housing market is unlikely to return to health before 2016 and is weighing on the two-year-old U.S. recovery, which finally is showing signs of picking up steam.

2011-12-08 15:22:

ECB Makes New Crisis Moves


The ECB embarked on a series of unconventional measures in a step to fight the euro-zone's debt crisis. It also returned its benchmark refinancing rate to a historic low of 1%.

2011-12-08 14:13:

ECB Cuts Rates; Draghi Eyed for Clues


The European Central Bank returned its benchmark refinancing rate to a historic low of 1%, fully reversing its much-criticized increases.

2011-12-08 14:10:

BOE Leaves Rates, Asset Buying Unchanged


The Bank of England kept its key interest rate on hold at 0.5% and the size of its stimulus program unchanged, but is expected to step up its efforts to support the U.K. economy early next year.

2011-12-08 13:36:

EU Nearing IMF Loan Deal


The European Union is nearing a deal to lend ?200 billion to the International Monetary Fund?including ?150 billion coming from the 17-nation euro zone?that the IMF could then use to shore up the troubled euro-zone sovereign debt market, euro-zone officials said.

2011-12-08 13:14:

Mum's Word for Some Investors


Fifty money managers have used Securities and Exchange Commission rules to keep confidential their stakes in certain companies so far this year, an analysis of securities filings shows.

2011-12-08 06:02:

Exxon Sees Gas as King


Natural gas will replace coal as the leading fuel for generating electricity in the U.S. by 2025, when it will also become the world's No. 2 overall fuel source, according to Exxon's latest long-term outlook.

2011-12-08 06:02:

SEC Lets Some Investors Keep Quiet


Fifty money managers have used Securities and Exchange Commission rules to keep confidential their stakes in certain companies so far this year, an analysis of securities filings shows.

2011-12-08 04:32:

Australia Job Market Weakens


Australia's economy shed 39,900 full-time jobs in November, a stark reminder that gains from the biggest mining boom in the country's history aren't being shared evenly.

2011-12-08 03:42:

Bank of Korea Holds Rate


South Korea's central bank kept its benchmark interest rate on hold for a sixth month, remaining cautious due to concerns about Europe's debt crisis and a global economic slowdown.

2011-12-08 02:35:

Japan Current Account Contracts Again


Japan's current account surplus contracted for the eighth straight month in October, falling 62.4% from a year earlier.

2011-12-08 02:20:

Social Security New Front in Tax Fight


Bipartisan concerns that extending the payroll-tax cut would weaken Social Security are spilling into the open, complicating the effort to allow the tax break for workers to continue into 2012.

2011-12-08 02:04:

Missouri Removes Bans on Gambling


The Missouri Gaming Commission voted unanimously to allow gamblers to soon drop their self-imposed, state-enforced lifetime bans from state casinos.

2011-12-08 01:15:

U.S., Canada Endorse Border Plan


Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper endorsed a broad plan to integrate North American security efforts and accelerate the flow of trade across the border.

2011-12-07 22:14:

Missouri Eases Rule on Gambling Bans


The Missouri Gaming Commission voted unanimously to allow gamblers to soon drop their self-imposed, state-enforced lifetime bans from state casinos, the latest move by a state to rollback safeguards aimed at protecting problem gamblers.

2011-12-07 19:59:

Spain's Central Bank Agrees to Caja Deal


Spain's central bank agreed to hand over seized savings bank Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo to Banco de Sabadell, in a deal that will position Sabadell as the country's fifth-largest lender.

2011-12-07 19:12:

GOP Leaders Woo Lawmakers on Payroll Tax


Republican House leaders are carefully courting rank-and-file GOP lawmakers to win their support for extending the payroll tax break.

2011-12-07 15:43:

EU Banks Seek Dollars From ECB


Europe's cash-strapped banks are taking advantage of the ECB's cheaper U.S. dollar tenders in an effort to confront their funding problems.

2011-12-07 12:26:

Battle Over Too-Big-to-Fail Continues


The debate over too-big-to-fail banks is far from over, and banks will be watching closely Wednesday's Senate subcommittee hearing focusing on the Dodd-Frank Act's new powers, writes David Reilly.

2011-12-07 10:45:

Geithner Says Europe 'Will Succeed'


U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner said he was confident that the efforts made by European governments to tackle the current sovereign-debt crisis and the economic slowdown will be successful.

2011-12-07 10:30:

Italian Industrial Output Drops


Italy's industrial output fell more than expected in October, suggesting that the euro zone's third-largest economy may already be in a recession.

2011-12-07 10:20:

MF's Failure Gets Felt on Farm


The havoc wreaked by MF Global's bankruptcy filing has been felt not just by Wall Street investors and traders, but also by wheat and corn growers, cattle ranchers and pig farmers.

2011-12-07 02:15:

States Rethink Gambling Limits


A key vote in Missouri will decide whether to relax measures aimed at keeping gambling addicts out of casinos, the latest push by a cash-strapped state to make gambling restrictions less stringent.

2011-12-07 01:37:

Obama Takes Populist Swing


Adopting a sharply partisan and populist tone, President Obama on Tuesday painted a picture of the American middle class under siege from wealthy interests, drawing an explicit comparison to the industrial monopolies of an earlier era.

2011-12-07 00:38:

The Battle Over Too-Big-to-Fail Continues


The debate over too-big-to-fail banks is far from over, and banks will be watching closely Wednesday's Senate subcommittee hearing focusing on the Dodd-Frank Act's new powers, writes David Reilly.

2011-12-07 00:01:

Payroll-Tax Plans Fail to Gain Traction


Democrats and Republicans struggled to make progress on renewing an expiring payroll-tax cut, pointing to a bumpy road ahead if Congress is to act before its target adjournment date for the year.

2011-12-06 23:44:

Latest Payroll Tax Plans Fail to Gain Traction


Democrats and Republicans struggled to make progress on renewing an expiring payroll-tax cut, pointing to a bumpy road ahead if Congress is to act before its target adjournment date for the year.

2011-12-06 22:22:

Obama Vows to Fight for Middle Class


Setting the tone for his re-election campaign, Obama called for Americans to get a "fair shot" at advancement to the middle class, deriding the "breathtaking greed of a few" and chastising Republicans who he said enabled them.

2011-12-06 21:24:

Obama Says Middle Class Faces 'Make or Break Moment'


Obama said the American middle class is facing a "make or break moment," striking a populist tone and invoking President Theodore Roosevelt.

2011-12-06 21:03:

MF's Failure Gets Felt on the Farm


The havoc wreaked by MF Global's bankruptcy filing has been felt not just by Wall Street investors and traders, but also by wheat and corn growers, cattle ranchers and pig farmers.

2011-12-06 20:18:

Geithner Sees Role for IMF in Crisis


U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner said the U.S. continues to support a constructive role for the IMF in efforts to end Europe's debt crisis, but denied reports of the Fed making huge loans to the IMF.

2011-12-06 19:59:

Geithner Sees Role for IMF in Euro Crisis


U.S. Treasury Secretary Geithner said the U.S. continues to support a constructive role for the IMF in efforts to end Europe's debt crisis, but denied reports of the Fed making huge loans to the IMF.

2011-12-06 18:09:

McConnell Rejects New Payroll-Tax Bill


Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell rejected the latest Democratic proposal to extend the payroll-tax holiday, pushing off the prospect of reaching a quick compromise on the tax break.

2011-12-06 17:45:

Brazilian Growth Slows to a Crawl


Brazil's economy posted its slowest growth of the year in the third quarter, rising 2.1%, as global uncertainties finally undermined activity in Latin America's largest economy.

2011-12-06 16:25:

Brazil Growth Slows to a Crawl in 3rd Quarter


Brazil's economy posted its slowest growth of the year in the third quarter, rising 2.1%, as global uncertainties finally undermined activity in Latin America's largest economy.

2011-12-06 16:04:

GOP Rejects Payroll-Tax Bill


Senate Democrats unveiled a scaled-back bill to extend payroll-tax relief that immediately was denounced by some Republicans as an empty gesture.

2011-12-06 15:21:

Swiss Consumer Prices Slip On Franc


Swiss consumer prices eased in November as the strong franc pushed automobile and food costs lower, outweighing higher energy and accommodation costs.

2011-12-06 13:20:

German Manufacturing Powers On


New orders in Germany's key manufacturing sector rose sharply in October, beating expectations and adding to a recent run of positive data that indicate the euro zone's largest economy has yet to succumb to the bloc's worsening debt crisis.

2011-12-06 12:36:

GOP Rejects Democrats' Payroll-Tax Bill


Senate Democrats unveiled a scaled-back bill to extend payroll-tax relief that immediately was denounced by some Republicans as an empty gesture.

2011-12-06 12:16:

Euro-Zone GDP in Mild Rise


A rise in consumer spending and exports that was partly offset by a reduction in stocks was behind the euro-zone economy's modest expansion in the third quarter.

2011-12-06 12:05:

Swiss Consumer Prices Slip On Firm Franc


Swiss consumer prices eased in November as the strong franc pushed automobile and food costs lower, outweighing higher energy and accommodation costs.

2011-12-06 03:46:

California's Brown Seeks to Raise Taxes on Wealthy


California Gov. Jerry Brown filed an initiative to ask voters to raise state income taxes on the wealthy, as New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo also lays the groundwork for a tax overhaul that may increase revenue from the rich.

2011-12-06 02:52:

GOP Rejects Democrats' New Payroll-Tax Bill


Senate Democrats unveiled a scaled-back bill to extend payroll-tax relief that immediately was denounced by some Republicans as an empty gesture.

2011-12-05 20:59:

Metallica, Other Bands Try to Play Forex Market


Amid threats to the euro, Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and other rockers are going hardcore to master currency moves, to protect their overseas income.

2011-12-05 12:36:

Bands Try to Play Forex Market


Amid threats to the euro, Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and other rockers are going hardcore to master currency moves, to protect their overseas income.

2011-12-05 11:42:

German Private-Sector Activity Falls


German private-sector activity contracted in November for the first time in more than two years, adding to signs of a downturn in the euro-zone economy and raising the stakes as leaders seek a new deal to contain the debt crisis.

2011-12-05 11:27:

U.K. Service-Sector Job Losses Gather Pace


Job losses in the U.K.'s dominant services sector accelerated in November, despite increased activity led by a boost in new business.

2011-12-05 10:22:

Euro-Zone Economy Shrinks


The euro zone's four largest economies all contracted in November, with German activity shrinking for the first time in two and a half years.

2011-12-05 04:35:

Some Bands Try to Play Forex Market


Amid threats to the euro from the debt crisis, Metallica, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and other rockers are going hardcore to master currency moves, to protect their overseas income.

2011-12-05 02:21:

In Bargain Aisle, a Squeeze on Margins


Bargain-hunting has been a boon for the likes of Dollar General and Costco Wholesale, both of which report results this week.

2011-12-05 02:14:

Euro Focus Turns to Policy


European policy makers hold the key to the euro's direction next week: Whether it rises or falls depends on the outcome of a meeting of leaders to address the debt crisis and a ECB decision on interest rates.

2011-12-05 02:12:

A Break in the Debt Gloom


While an end to the European debt crisis still appears a long way off, some in the market see signs the massive waves of bond-market selling may be ebbing.

2011-12-05 01:06:

Fed Prepares to Make Itself Perfectly Clear


Federal Reserve officials are close to completing an overhaul of how they signal their policy plans to the public.

2011-12-02 11:17:

Data Suggest Euro-Zone Inflation Easing


Prices for goods leaving factories in the euro zone rose by less than expected in October, in a sign that some inflationary pressures may be easing as the 17-nation economy flirts with recession.

2011-12-02 03:04:

Europe's Banks Find Refuge in Structure


In the U.S., U.K. and Portugal, European banks are altering their legal structures or moving assets and business lines between units in ways that help them avoid local rules and oversight.

2011-12-02 02:56:

Gingrich Backed Freddie Mac in 2007 Interview


Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich touted the virtues of Freddie Mac's business model in an interview with the company in April 2007, remarks that contrast with his recent statements that he had warned the company of impending financial disaster.

2011-12-02 02:56:

China's Bind: How to Avoid a Crash Landing


Just as a European crisis and a weak U.S. recovery are hurting Chinese exporters, the confidence that had sustained China's property boom is evaporating, causing a double whammy for growth: fading demand overseas and at home.

2011-12-02 01:51:

Fed Officials See No New Move


Two Federal Reserve officials sought to play down market expectations that the central bank would quickly take additional steps to boost financial markets or the U.S. economy.

2011-12-01 23:13:

Blair: Euro is at a 'Final Decision Point'


Euro zone officials have just a few weeks left to take decisive steps to ensure the common currency's long-term future, former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair said in The Wall Street Journal's Big Interview.

2011-12-01 22:07:

Gingrich in 2007 Lauded Freddie Mac


Presidential candidate Newt Gingrich touted the virtues of Freddie Mac's business model in an interview with the company in April 2007, remarks that appear at odds with his recent statements that he had warned the company of impending financial disaster.

2011-12-01 21:55:

Jobless Claims Climb Past 400,000


The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week, an indication that the jobs market remains shaky amid a slow recovery.

2011-12-01 20:14:

Manufacturing Hits Outlook


The outlook for the global economy deteriorated as factory activity contracted in Europe and China in November. But the U.S. managed to buck the trend.

2011-12-01 18:17:

Jobless Claims Climb Back Over 400,000


The number of U.S. workers filing new applications for unemployment benefits unexpectedly rose last week, an indication that the jobs market remains shaky amid a slow recovery.

2011-12-01 17:49:

Japan to Boost Spending


Japan's prime minister ordered his government to craft a new spending package by the middle of the month to protect the nation's post-quake economic recovery, the fourth such extra budget in the current fiscal year.

2011-12-01 16:23:

Britain Sounds Alarms on Crisis


BOE's Mervyn King called the euro-zone situation "extraordinarily serious and threatening," while Cameron warned that a break-up will lead to a steep decline in economic output across Europe.

2011-12-01 15:33:

Britain Sounds Alarms on Crisis


BOE's Mervyn King called the euro-zone situation "extraordinarily serious and threatening," while Cameron warned that a break-up will lead to a steep decline in economic output across Europe.

2011-12-01 13:20:

BOE's King: Debt Is 'Systemic Crisis'


The euro zone's debt problems will cause widespread economic damage in a way "characteristic of a systemic crisis," BOE governor Mervyn King said.

2011-12-01 13:09:

Crisis 'Exceptional Threat' to U.K. Banks


The euro-zone crisis has created an "exceptionally threatening environment" for U.K. banks, which must step up efforts to rebuild capital buffers or risk plunging the U.K. economy into a credit crunch, the BOE warned.

2011-12-01 11:58:

Euro-Zone Crisis 'Exceptional Threat' to U.K. Banks


The crisis in the euro zone has created an "exceptionally threatening environment" for U.K. banks, which must now step up efforts to rebuild capital buffers or risk plunging the U.K. economy into a renewed credit crunch, the Bank of England warned.

2011-12-01 11:43:

Japan Eyes New Budget


Japan's prime minister ordered his government to craft a new spending package by the middle of the month to protect the nation's post-quake economic recovery, the fourth such extra budget in the current fiscal year.

2011-12-01 04:48:

S&P Sees a Shift in Banking


Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said its downgrade of six of the biggest U.S. financial institutions and upgrade of two Chinese banks captures what it believes is a fundamental shift in the global banking landscape in favor of Asia.

2011-12-01 02:49:

Economy Adds 206,000 Jobs in Latest Survey


Private-sector jobs in the U.S. rose by 206,000 in November, according to a national employment report published by payroll giant ADP.

2011-12-01 00:06:

Fed Names a New Chief Regulator


Michael Gibson, a deputy chief at the Fed's economic research department will take on his new role as director of the regulatory division next year.

2011-11-30 23:36:

Private-Sector Jobs Post Strong Growth


Private-sector jobs in the U.S. rose by 206,000 in November, according to a national employment report published by payroll giant ADP.

2011-11-30 23:19:

Fed: Growth Is Slow to Moderate


The economy is growing in most parts of the U.S., the Fed said. The data suggest a slow if increasingly steady recovery.

2011-11-30 22:47:

Central Banks' Action Hints At U.S. Fears


Anything the Fed can do to stop or slow the process of deleveraging in the short term will support the U.S. economy.

2011-11-30 22:14:

Finance Ministers Agree to EU Debt Guarantees


European Union finance ministers agreed to a plan for coordinated guarantees provided by national governments for longer-term debt issued by the region's banks, part of an effort to thaw the region's frozen wholesale lending market.

2011-11-30 20:58:

Beige Book: Growth Is Slow to Moderate


The economy is growing in most parts of the U.S., the Fed said in its latest beige book. The data suggest a slow if increasingly steady recovery.

2011-11-30 20:22:

Private Jobs Post Strong Growth in ADP Survey


Private-sector jobs in the U.S. rose by 206,000 in November, according to a national employment report published by payroll giant ADP.

2011-11-30 19:18:

Euro Zone Crisis Tracker


See economic, political and markets news from across Europe as governments and financial institutions deal with the continuing debt crisis.

2011-11-30 18:54:

ADP: Private Jobs Post Strong Growth


Private-sector jobs in the U.S. rose by 206,000, according to a national employment report published by payroll giant ADP.

2011-11-30 17:40:

China Takes Step to Boost Liquidity


China's central bank said it will cut banks' reserve-requirement ratio by half a percentage point in a move to help support the economy amid world-wide market turmoil.

2011-11-30 17:17:

Canada GDP Expands 3.5%


Canada's economy rebounded more strongly than expected in the third quarter, to 3.5%, as a surge in exports in the period dissipated fears that the country was sinking into a technical recession.

2011-11-30 16:39:

Outlook Slows for the Global Economy


The economic outlook has deteriorated significantly, the OECD said, urging the ECB to act more decisively to prevent the euro-zone debt crisis from deepening.

2011-11-30 15:47:

Indian Government Rejects Calls to Roll Back Retail Reform


India's ruling Congress party rejected calls for a rollback of retail reforms, defending the government's decision to open up the sector to global supermarket chains - an issue that has paralyzed Parliament amid protests from opposition parties.

2011-11-30 14:42:

S&P: Ratings Moves Reflect Asian Banks' Stability


Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said its downgrade of six of the biggest U.S. financial institutions and upgrade of two Chinese banks captures what it believes is a fundamental shift in the global banking landscape in favor of Asia.

2011-11-30 14:01:

Trade Flows Slow in Big Economies


Trade flows involving most major economies slowed sharply in the third quarter, reflecting faltering growth in the global economy, the OECD said.

2011-11-30 13:33:

Unemployment in Euro Zone Hits High


The number of people out of work in the euro zone hit its highest level on record in October, underscoring the real economic damage caused by the debt crisis.

2011-11-30 13:28:

Nissan CEO: Japan Should Act on Yen


Carlos Ghosn called on the Japanese government to "draw a line in the sand" and prevent the yen from appreciating further against the dollar and other currencies.

2011-11-30 12:13:

German Data Defy Crisis


German retail sales rose unexpectedly and unemployment returned to a 20-year low, adding to a recent run of positive German data that continues to defy the euro-zone's worsening debt crisis.

2011-11-30 12:13:

Euro-Zone Jobless Hits High


The number of people out of work in the euro zone hit its highest level on record in October, underscoring the real economic damage caused by the debt crisis.

2011-11-30 11:14:

Danish Economy Contracts Again


Denmark's economic output shrank again in the third quarter after it had briefly bounced back to growth in the second quarter of the year.

2011-11-30 11:09:

Nissan CEO: Japan Should Adopt Currency Benchmark


Carlos Ghosn called on the Japanese government to "draw a line in the sand" and prevent the yen from appreciating further against the dollar and other currencies.

2011-11-30 09:47:

S&P Says Ratings Moves Reflect Asian Banks' Stability


Standard & Poor's Ratings Services said its downgrade of six of the biggest U.S. financial institutions and upgrade of two Chinese banks captures what it believes is a fundamental shift in the global banking landscape in favor of Asia.

2011-11-30 08:16:

India's GDP Growth Slows to 6.9%


The Indian economy expanded at its slowest pace in more than two years in the July-September quarter, hurt by high local borrowing costs and a deepening euro-zone crisis.

2011-11-30 04:39:

Fed Officials Warn On Economy


Federal Reserve officials said Tuesday they saw rising risks in the world economy, but didn't commit themselves to supporting more central-bank measures to boost growth.

2011-11-30 04:14:

Rome Pays High Price at Bond Sale


Italy's latest bond auction drew buyers, but it didn't enable the debt-laden country to avoid paying euro-era record-high yields to get the deal done.

2011-11-30 03:53:

Rise in Autos Jobs Is Predicted


Employment in the U.S. auto industry will increase by as much as 150,000 new jobs over the next four years, a leading industry research center said Tuesday.

2011-11-30 03:00:

Ax Falls at Smaller Banks


Smaller U.S. banks and savings institutions are cutting jobs in a sign of a deepening financial-industry retrenchment that is shaking firms from Main Street to Wall Street.

2011-11-30 01:31:

Fed Officials Warn On World Economy


Federal Reserve officials said Tuesday they saw rising risks in the world economy, but didn't commit themselves to supporting more central-bank measures to boost growth.

2011-11-29 15:45:

South Africa GDP Disappoints


South Africa's economy grew a weaker-than-expected 1.4% in the third quarter compared with the preceding three-month period, further evidence that domestic labor strife and turmoil emanating from Europe are hampering Africa's largest economy.

2011-11-29 12:30:

Budget Surplus 'Herculean' Task for Australia


Australia's government stuck to its goal of restoring its budget to surplus in the year starting July 1 next year, slashing spending even as warnings of an imminent European crisis continued to grow.

2011-11-29 11:05:

Spanish Retail Sales Crash


Spain's retail sales fell at their fastest pace in four months in October, the latest indication of a likely late-year contraction in the euro zone's fourth-largest economy.

2011-11-29 11:04:

Sweden Maintains Robust Growth


Sweden's gross domestic product showed continued strong growth in the third quarter, beating forecasts and perhaps taking the edge off a view held by some economists that the Riksbank is set to cut interest rates in December.

2011-11-29 07:13:

Budget Surplus 'Herculean' task for Australia


Australia's government stuck to its goal of restoring its budget to surplus in the year starting July 1 next year, slashing spending even as warnings of an imminent European crisis continued to grow.

2011-11-29 06:02:

State Budgets Improve Slowly


After four years of recession-induced tumult, states are finally getting a handle on their finances. But they are in for more lean years.

2011-11-29 06:00:

A Recipe for Middle-Class Jobs


The U.S. desperately needs middle-skill jobs for people who didn't go to college. Austin, Texas, has an unlikely answer for how to create them: attract high-skilled people, and watch them create new companies and jobs for lower-skilled people as well.

2011-11-29 05:04:

Australia Cuts GDP Forecast


Australia announced budget spending cuts of US$11.39 billion, saying it remains on track to produce a surplus by 2012-13. It also cut the forecast for economic growth in 2011-12 to 3.25% from a 4% forecast in May.

2011-11-29 03:58:

Australian Government Cuts GDP Forecast


Australia announced budget spending cuts of US$11.39 billion, saying it remains on track to produce a surplus by 2012-13. It also cut the forecast for economic growth in 2011-12 to 3.25% from a 4% forecast in May.

2011-11-29 03:01:

Japan Job Market Deteriorates


Japan's job market worsened in October, with the country's unemployment rate jumping to 4.5% from 4.1% in the previous month, the government said.

2011-11-29 02:36:

Decorated Marine Sues Contractor


Two months ago Dakota Meyer was awarded the Medal of Honor. On Monday, Sgt. Meyer alleged that a defense contractor called him mentally unstable and a drinker, ruining his chances for a defense-industry job.

2011-11-29 01:35:

Debt Overhang Eases for Consumers


Americans shed more debt over the summer, largely by defaulting, paying down debt and taking out fewer and smaller home loans, according to a report.

2011-11-28 16:12:

New Home Sales Tick Up


New-home sales rose slightly in October, but the level of demand is historically very weak because of high unemployment in the U.S. and competition from cheaper existing homes.

2011-11-28 14:38:

OECD Urges ECB to Act on Debt


The economic outlook has deteriorated significantly, the OECD said, urging the ECB to act more decisively to prevent the euro-zone debt crisis from deepening.

2011-11-28 14:06:

OECD Warns Of Dangers From Europe


The economic outlook has deteriorated significantly, the OECD said, as it urged the European Central Bank to act more decisively to prevent the euro-zone debt crisis from deepening.

2011-11-28 11:45:

OECD Urges ECB to Act


The global economic outlook has deteriorated significantly, the OECD said, as it urged the European Central Bank to act more decisively to prevent the euro-zone sovereign debt crisis from deepening further.

2011-11-28 11:39:

OECD Warns U.S. at Risk of Recession


The spending cuts and tax increases set to take place following the Congressional debt committee's failure and continued troubles in Europe could push the U.S. economy to the brink of recession, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said in its semi-annual economic outlook.

2011-11-28 11:27:

China Backs More IMF Funds


Beijing, which continues to back additional funding for the International Monetary Fund, is waiting for it to come up with a concrete proposal for raising additional money and describing how it would be used.

2011-11-28 03:14:

Playing Defense Amid Debt Drama


Investors are hunting far and wide for bets that don't move in lock step with the broad market swings tied to European and U.S. debt troubles.

2011-11-28 02:05:

Weekend Sales Raise Hopes


Deep discounts, early openings pay off on the opening weekend of the Christmas selling season.

2011-11-27 22:58:

Business Loans Get U.K. Backing


The U.K. Treasury will guarantee bank lending to small and midsize companies in a bid to reduce the costs of such debt and stimulate lending to a part of the British economy that has struggled to get new funds.

2011-11-26 23:57:

U.K. to Guarantee Loans to Small, Midsize Businesses


The U.K. Treasury will guarantee bank lending to small and midsize companies in a bid to reduce the costs of such debt and stimulate lending to a part of the British economy that has struggled to get new funds.

2011-11-26 23:50:

Strong Gains for Black Friday Sales


Black Friday sales rose 6.6% from a year ago, the strongest gains since 2007, getting the holiday shopping season off to a strong start.

2011-11-26 17:57:

Online Sales Jumped on Black Friday


Online sales rose 24.3% this Black Friday, reflecting heavy investment by mainline retailers to get more traction on the Web.

2011-11-26 17:44:

Belgian Negotiators Agree on Budget


Belgian politicians agreed on a federal budget, a key step in forming a coalition government for a country mired in political crisis since June 2010.

2011-11-26 05:31:

Skilled Jobs Are Difficult to Fill


Even amid 9% unemployment, corporate recruiters often struggle to find workers for certain positions because of the specialized skills needed.

2011-11-26 04:51:

For Some Jobs, Too Few Applicants


Even amid 9% unemployment, corporate recruiters often must struggle to find workers for some positions because of the special skills needed.

2011-11-26 00:34:

Natural Gas Buoyed by Cooler Weather


Natural-gas futures rose 2.4% to settle at $3.542 a million British thermal units, buoyed by cooling weather and anticipation of falling inventories.

2011-11-26 00:30:

BOJ Surveys Banks on Intervention


The Bank of Japan has sent a questionnaire to major banks asking whether they can help it intervene in currency markets overseas.

2011-11-25 23:44:

Stronger Lure for Home Buyers


Home prices and mortgage rates have fallen so far that the monthly cost of owning a home is more affordable than at any point in the past 15 years and is less expensive than renting in a growing number of cities.

2011-11-25 20:17:

Euro Zone Braces for Bond Sales


Italy, Belgium, Spain and France all plan to sell bonds next week, a big test for a region still reeling from unexpectedly weak demand for debt from its German core.

2011-11-25 20:12:

Russia Pledges Budget Discipline


Russia's finance ministry warned that the country faces risks from higher spending and urged strict budget discipline next year, despite a raft of social spending increases promised by Prime Minister Vladimir Putin ahead of next year's presidential elections.

2011-11-25 19:40:

Italy Leads Busy Week of Euro-Zone Bond Sales


Italy, Belgium, Spain and France all plan to sell bonds next week, a big test for a region still reeling from unexpectedly weak demand for debt from its German core.

2011-11-25 17:09:

Food Prices Expected to Abate


The U.S. government left its food-price inflation forecast unchanged in a monthly report and projected that a sharp climb in prices will abate in 2012.

2011-11-25 13:11:

Iran Tensions Boost Russian Oil Price


Prices for Russia's benchmark crude grade Urals are higher, buoyed by rising tensions between Western powers and Iran which threaten the supply of Iranian oil to Europe.

2011-11-25 12:12:

Europe's Leaders Plan Closer Ties


The leaders of the euro zone's three largest economies agreed to pursue closer political and economic integration.

2011-11-25 12:07:

India Government Seeks Approval to Raise Spending


The Indian government sought lawmakers' approval to spend a net 568.4 billion rupees ($10.9 billion) more this fiscal year to subsidize fuel and food, risking widening its fiscal deficit.

2011-11-25 11:10:

Signs of a Spending Switch


There are signs consumers have changed their behavior in ways not seen in other economic cycles?and the recovery is suffering because of it.

2011-11-25 10:18:

China to Investigate U.S. Renewable Energy Policies


China's Ministry of Commerce announced an investigation of U.S. subsidies and policies for the renewable energy industry, a response to a U.S. investigation of alleged dumping by Chinese solar-panel makers.

2011-11-25 03:37:

IMF Warns Japan on Threat of Debt


The IMF warned that market concerns over fiscal sustainability could trigger a "sudden spike" in government bond yields that could "quickly" render the nation's debt unsustainable and shake the global economy.

2011-11-25 02:29:

Harrisburg Bankruptcy Filing Voided


A judge's decision to throw out the bankruptcy filing of Harrisburg, Pa., opens the way for Pennsylvania to take over the finances of its capital city.

2011-11-25 01:16:

'Occupy' Activists Target Black Friday


With financial markets closed for the Thanksgiving holiday, Occupy Wall Street protesters are training their sights on a new target: holiday shopping.

2011-11-25 01:13:

Signs of Spending Switch for Consumers


There are signs consumers have changed their behavior in ways not seen in other economic cycles?and the recovery is suffering because of it. When consumers spend now, their dollars are far more likely to flow to goods than to services.

2011-11-25 00:35:

Holding Off on a Haircut to Buy a Car


There are signs that consumers have changed their behavior in ways not seen during other economic cycles?and the recovery is suffering because of it.

2011-11-24 23:19:

Will 'Black Friday' Be Diluted?


As many as 152 million people plan to shop this coming weekend, the biggest expected turnout ever, a survey showed. But Black Friday has sprawled into a weekend and a full week, in some cases.

2011-11-24 17:05:

Japan Maintains View of Economic Recovery


Japan's government held on to its view that the nation's economy "is expected to continue to pick up" in its report for November, despite signs of sputtering growth due to the European sovereign debt crisis.

2011-11-24 11:44:

U.K. Economy Posts Growth


The U.K. economy rebounded as expected in the third quarter, driven by stock building, official data showed, but this is unlikely to ease concerns that activity is stagnating in the fourth quarter.

2011-11-24 03:55:

Turkey Official Says Zero Rates 'Ideal'


Turkey's economy czar Ali Babacan waded into a furious debate over an ideological policy of targeting zero real interest rates, saying this was an "ideal," but that achieving it was constrained by markets.

2011-11-24 01:56:

U.K. Banks Blame Economy on Lending


Companies' lack of confidence in the U.K. economy is the main reason banks are extending less in loans rather than because of higher regulatory costs or to free up cash for employee bonuses, U.K. bank bosses told lawmakers.

2011-11-24 01:17:

Cautious Consumers Dial Back Spending


Consumer spending slowed in October as incomes rose at the fastest pace since March. Meanwhile, jobless claims rose a bit in the latest week and October durable goods orders fell.

2011-11-24 00:04:

BOE: No Need for 'Fine Tuning'


The Bank of England held off buying more bonds in November because policy makers saw little merit in "fine tuning" their stimulus program.

2011-11-23 23:56:

Turkey Official Says Zero Rates an 'Ideal'


Turkey's economy czar Ali Babacan waded into a furious debate over an ideological policy of targeting zero real interest rates, saying this was an "ideal," but that achieving it was constrained by markets.

2011-11-23 20:43:

Brazil's Itau CEO: Lower Interest Rates Will Reduce Bad Loans


Bad loans in Brazil are likely to fall as interest rates should continue to decline next year, according to the chief executive of Brazil's second-largest bank, Itau Unibanco Holding SA.

2011-11-23 19:03:

U.K. Bank Chiefs Blame Economy


Companies' lack of confidence in the U.K. economy is the main reason banks are extending less in loans rather than because of higher regulatory costs or to free up cash for employee bonuses, U.K. bank bosses told lawmakers.

2011-11-23 18:00:

Zero Rates a Turkish 'Ideal'


Turkey's economy czar Ali Babacan waded into a furious debate over an ideological policy of targeting zero real interest rates, saying this was an "ideal," but that achieving it was constrained by markets.

2011-11-23 17:34:

Fed Tips Aid Investors


A group of investors and analysts have access to top Fed officials who give them a chance at early clues to the central bank's next policy moves, according to interviews and documents obtained by the Journal.

2011-11-23 17:13:

Russia Readies for Downturn


The Russian government is preparing itself for a worsening global economic environment that could dent high oil prices, upsetting the country's fiscal balance and further weakening the ruble.

2011-11-23 15:09:

Consumers Slowed Spending Last Month


Consumer spending slowed in October as incomes rose at the fastest pace since March. Meanwhile, jobless claims rose a bit in the latest week and October durable goods orders fell.

2011-11-23 12:13:

German Bund Auction Falls Flat


Germany failed to attract bids for the full issue of a bund auction, underscoring how the debt crisis is rattling investors as it spreads from weaker states to the bloc's core economies.

2011-11-23 11:19:

BOE: No Need to Fine Tune Stimulus


The Bank of England held off buying more bonds in November because policy makers saw little merit in "fine tuning" their stimulus program.

2011-11-23 11:11:

U.K. Bank Lending Steady


Net lending by U.K. banks remained subdued in October, and net repayment made by businesses confirmed a cautious attitude?from firms and banks?amid the ongoing euro-zone debt crisis, data from the British Bankers Association showed.

2011-11-23 11:05:

ECB Supports Euro-Zone Bonds


The ECB again moved to support the euro-zone government-debt market with purchases of Italian and Spanish bonds as confidence in solutions to the debt crisis melted away.

2011-11-23 05:14:

Fed Debate Over Guidance Complicates Policy Moves


Some Fed officials wanted to take new steps to bolster the U.S. economy at their meeting three weeks ago, but the central bank held off as it tries to resolve a related internal debate on how it communicates its policies to the public.

2011-11-23 04:31:

Debt-Servicer Deal Poses Questions


A debt-restructuring deal involving two distressed Michigan office buildings has raised concerns and prompted a debate in the commercial mortgage-backed securities industry about the role of special servicers.

2011-11-23 04:14:

Pressure on Merkel Grows


Merkel faces growing calls to soften her resistance to euro-zone bonds that would raise appeal for investors but make each euro member liable for the debts of the others.

2011-11-23 03:55:

China Manufacturing Gauge Falls Sharply


A gauge of Chinese manufacturing activity fell sharply, reigniting worries over a worsening economic slowdown in the months ahead, amid the deteriorating global economic outlook.

2011-11-23 03:48:

Economy Grows at 2% Pace


Economic growth in the third quarter was revised down to 2% from 2.5% even as corporate profits rose as companies fought through a tepid recovery.

2011-11-23 03:30:

California Absent in Foreclosure Talks


Bank representatives and government officials are working on a broad settlement of most state and federal foreclosure-practices investigations that could move forward without the participation of California.

2011-11-23 03:29:

EU Banks Struggle to Lure Deposits


A battle for deposits among European banks is putting pressure on the Continent's banking system, threatening to deprive lenders of a key source of funding.

2011-11-23 02:53:

Most States See Jobless Rates Fall


Unemployment rates dropped in almost three-quarters of U.S. states last month as a slow improvement in the jobs picture spread across the country.

2011-11-23 02:48:

Deficit Panel Becomes Political Tool


The congressional committee created to pare federal budget deficits has wound up, in its failure, sharpening the two parties' messages heading into the 2012 election cycle.

2011-11-23 01:43:

Strong Sale Lifts Treasurys


Underlining the global hunger for safe assets, the U.S. government sold $35 billion in five-year notes on Tuesday at a record low yield of 0.937%.

2011-11-23 01:25:

Higher 'Stress' For Big Banks


The Fed outlined plans for annual tests of the financial strength of the largest U.S. banks and said some results would be made public.

2011-11-23 01:20:

A Push to Hold OPEC Quotas


The world's biggest oil producers are signaling they want OPEC to stick to existing crude-output quotas, as prices have remained lofty.

2011-11-23 01:00:

Fed Debate Over Guidance Complicates Policy Moves


Some Fed officials wanted to take new steps to bolster the U.S. economy at their meeting three weeks ago, but the central bank held off as it tries to resolve a related internal debate on how it communicates its policies to the public.

2011-11-22 22:46:

Fed Planning New Bank Stress Tests


The Federal Reserve outlined plans for annual tests of the financial strength of the largest U.S. banks and said some results would be made public.

2011-11-22 21:30:

Fed Seeks to Hone Rate Policy Message


The Fed debated how it could give companies and investors more information about what might cause interest rates to rise, minutes from its latest meeting showed.

2011-11-22 20:07:

Yum Splits India Into Separate Division


Yum Brands is separating its India business into its own standalone segment, an indication of the fast-food operator's interest in expansion.

2011-11-22 16:16:

GDP Revised Lower


U.S. economic growth in the third quarter was revised down to 2% from 2.5% even as corporate profits rose during the tepid recovery.

2011-11-22 16:01:

EU Warns Greece on Bailout Payment


The EU warned that unless Greek political leaders give written pledges to back reforms, a loan payment won't be given and the country will run out of money in 20 days, officials said.

2011-11-22 15:15:

U.S. GDP Revised Lower


Economic growth in the third quarter was revised down to 2% from 2.5% even as corporate profits rose as companies fought through a tepid recovery.

2011-11-22 15:09:

Profits Rise as GDP Revised Lower


Corporate profits in the U.S. rose even as economic growth in the third quarter was revised down to 2% from 2.5% as companies fought through a tepid recovery.

2011-11-22 14:49:

EU Warns Greece on Bailout Aid


The EU warned that unless Greek political leaders give written pledges to back reforms, a loan payment won't be given and the country will run out of money in 20 days, officials said.

2011-11-22 14:28:

Debt Panel Folds


Congress's special deficit-cutting committee called it quits, and now $1.2 trillion in automatic spending cuts are on track to begin in 2013.

2011-11-22 13:00:

BOE: U.K. Banks Vulnerable


Financial institutions operating in the U.K. see the risk that a government will default on its debts as the main threat to the stability of the financial system, according to a twice-yearly survey by the Bank of England.

2011-11-22 10:08:

U.S. Firms Add Foreign Jobs


U.S.-based multinationals added workers in Asia, Latin America and other emerging markets during the 2000s, while cutting jobs at home.

2011-11-22 05:27:

U.S. Firms Keen to Add Foreign Jobs


U.S.-based multinationals added workers in Asia, Latin America and other emerging markets during the 2000s, while cutting jobs at home.

2011-11-22 04:18:

Home Sales Climb But Prices Decline


Sales of previously owned homes improved in October and are on pace to surpass last year's anemic tally. But prices continued to fall, underscoring the broader market weaknesses.

2011-11-22 03:49:

Hungary Seeks Aid From EU, IMF


The European Commission said that it has received a formal request from Hungary to receive financial assistance from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

2011-11-22 03:44:

U.S. and Europe Damp Asian Exports


Asian exporters are feeling the pinch from slackening demand in Europe and the U.S., as export readings from Japan and South Korea were lackluster Monday and Singapore's economic outlook dimmed significantly.

2011-11-22 02:25:

Debt Panel Folds Its Tent


Congress's special deficit-cutting committee called it quits, with both sides having concluded it was easier to swallow failure than any of the possible compromise deals offered.

2011-11-21 21:20:

Home Sales Rise but Prices Fall


Sales of previously owned homes improved in October and are on pace to surpass last year's anemic tally. But prices continued to fall, underscoring the broader market weaknesses.

2011-11-21 16:31:

Returning Vets Join a Tough Job Market


As the U.S. pulls troops out of Iraq, some companies say they are looking to add a few former soldiers to their ranks. That may be easier said than done.

2011-11-21 15:49:

U.S. Seeks China Trade Concessions Outside Yuan


U.S. trade officials meeting with Chinese counterparts looked for other ways to improve economic ties outside the hot-button currency issue, securing Chinese pledges in areas such as intellectual property.

2011-11-21 14:25:

Hungary Seeks Financial Aid


The European Commission said that it has received a formal request from Hungary to receive financial assistance from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

2011-11-21 12:38:

Asia Squeezed By Sag in Western Demand


Asian exporters are feeling the pinch from slackening demand in Europe and the U.S., as export readings from Japan and South Korea were lackluster Monday and Singapore's economic outlook dimmed significantly.

2011-11-21 11:23:

Japan Trusts Shun European Bonds


Some of Japan's big investment trusts are selling their European government bonds, as the ongoing debt crisis prompts the nation's institutional investors to seek the safety of domestic debt.

2011-11-21 10:32:

Euro Zone in Account Surplus


The euro zone posted a current-account surplus in September for the first time in almost two years, as the value of imported goods fell sharply, European Central Bank data showed.

2011-11-21 10:23:

Japan Investment Trusts Shun European Bonds


Some of Japan's big investment trusts are selling their European government bonds, as the ongoing debt crisis prompts the nation's institutional investors to seek the safety of domestic debt.

2011-11-21 09:43:

Asia Feels Pinch From Sagging Western Demand


Asian exporters are feeling the pinch from slackening demand in Europe and the U.S., as export readings from Japan and South Korea were lackluster Monday and Singapore's economic outlook dimmed significantly.

2011-11-21 07:14:

China Vice Premier: Recovery Top Priority


Ensuring global economic recovery must be the world's top priority, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan said during trade talks with the U.S..

2011-11-21 05:49:

China Vice Premier: Global Recovery is Top Priority


Ensuring global economic recovery must be the world's top priority, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan said during trade talks with the U.S..

2011-11-21 04:03:

Phoenix Home Prices Continue to Fall


The Phoenix housing market is defying conventional economic theory. Inventories are falling. Sales are rising. But housing prices continue to decline.

2011-11-21 02:56:

Tests Mount for Argentine Economy


Kirchner's mixed signals about how she plans to address longstanding problems in Argentina's economy are adding to uncertainty that is causing capital flight, analysts say.

2011-11-21 02:41:

EU Pushes Scenarios for Euro Bond


The European Union's executive arm will this week float proposals for joint issues of bonds among the euro zone's 17 governments.

2011-11-21 02:23:

Housing Market May Be Nearing Bottom


The housing market is starting to show a pulse. For the first time in a long time, housing figures are coming in better than expected.

2011-11-21 01:56:

Vets Join Tough Job Market


As the U.S. pulls troops out of Iraq, some companies say they are looking to add a few former soldiers to their ranks. That may be easier said than done.

2011-11-21 01:42:

Deficit Effort Nears Collapse


The deficit-reduction supercommittee, stuck in a partisan deadlock, faces an almost certain collapse?raising the threat of disruptive military spending cuts and a resurgent public anger at Congress.

2011-11-21 00:35:

Cutting Hours Instead of Jobs


Rhode Island is among the 22 states and the District of Columbia that offer some form of "work sharing," programs in which employees work fewer hours and receive partial unemployment insurance to lessen the blow to their incomes.

2011-11-20 23:07:

Africa Wants to Be Europe Without the Currency


While the euro zone convulses, several regional trading blocs in Africa are pushing for closer integration. But Africa is backing away from one prominent aspect of Europe's economic union: a common currency.

2011-11-20 21:36:

Economists Get Online Platform for Policy Debates


A new website is assembling what it calls "the world's best economics department" in a bid to give prominent academic economists a louder and unfiltered voice in key public-policy debates.

2011-11-20 21:14:

Economists Get Online Voice in Policy Debates


A new website is assembling what it calls "the world's best economics department" in a bid to give prominent academic economists a louder and unfiltered voice in key public-policy debates.

2011-11-20 20:40:

Deficit Panel Sets Table for Failure


Congress's special deficit-reduction committee teetered on the brink of collapse Sunday, with panel members offering what sounded like postmortems on an effort to break the back of the nation's burgeoning deficit.

2011-11-19 03:40:

Egypt to Resume Talks on IMF Loan


Egypt is preparing to return to negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a $3 billion loan "within a couple of weeks," Finance Minister Hazem al Beblawi said.

2011-11-19 01:51:

Lake-Be-Gone Woes


Bonny Lake is down to 5% of its peak size, because Colorado pulled the plug in September and is draining the lake as part of a legal requirement to send more water to Kansas and Nebraska.

2011-11-19 01:21:

Smaller Deal on Deficit Floated


Congress's deficit-cut talks broke into two tracks, with members of a special committee continuing to seek a $1.2 trillion deal while leaders discussed a backup plan in case they fail.

2011-11-18 22:57:

Smaller Deal on Deficit Is Discussed


Congressional leaders have started informal talks about a smaller deficit deal, seeking a fallback option in case the supercommittee charged with brokering an agreement fails.

2011-11-18 21:43:

Outlook for Recovery Gets a Boost


The outlook for the U.S. economic recovery got a slight boost this week, with a stream of upbeat readings and a report predicting faster growth.

2011-11-18 16:43:

Banks' Critic Poised for FDIC Post


The Senate appears likely to easily confirm Former Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig to a six-year term as the vice chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

2011-11-18 11:08:

Cameron May Back Merkel on Treaty


Even as opposition grows to Angela Merkel's campaign for an overhaul of the European treaty, the German chancellor may have an unexpected ally in David Cameron, the U.K. prime minister.

2011-11-18 10:12:

Spat Stymies U.S. Debt Panel


Congress's deficit-reduction supercommittee is stumped in large part by one of Washington's seemingly unsolvable problems: Bush-era tax cuts.

2011-11-18 04:57:

As Whirlpool Exits, City Steps Up Jobs Hunt


Fort Smith, Ark., long noted for its ability to attract manufacturers and their well-paying jobs, is being tested again by the impending closing of a Whirlpool refrigerator plant. But this city has a knack for bouncing back.

2011-11-18 03:44:

Europe Strains Global Markets


The cost for European banks to swap euros for dollars climbed to levels last seen in 2008. In the U.S., higher funding costs were seen in markets for commercial paper and interbank lending.

2011-11-18 03:42:

Congress Raises Ceiling on Mortgage Size


U.S. lawmakers moved to increase the maximum size of loans that can be guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration.

2011-11-18 03:40:

Banks' Critic Poised to Be Head of FDIC


The Senate appears likely to easily confirm Former Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig to a six-year term as the vice chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp.

2011-11-18 03:08:

Housing Data Show Woes Are Easing


The share of households delinquent on their mortgage payments has fallen to the lowest level since the end of 2008, offering signs that modest job gains are stemming further damage for now in the U.S. housing sector.

2011-11-18 03:01:

Claims Report Shows Layoffs Slowing


The U.S. labor market is edging forward, with fresh data suggesting October's modest job gains are continuing into November, amid a tenuous economic recovery that faces significant risks.

2011-11-18 02:51:

Congress Raises Ceiling on Size of Mortgages


U.S. lawmakers moved to increase the maximum size of loans that can be guaranteed by the Federal Housing Administration.

2011-11-18 02:38:

Tax Spat Stymies Debt Panel


Days away from a deadline, Congress's deficit-reduction supercommittee is stymied, stumped in large part by one of Washington's seemingly unsolvable problems: What to do with the Bush-era tax cuts?

2011-11-18 02:25:

Fed Official Backs Action


A top Federal Reserve official argued that the central bank isn't out of ammunition in its fight to boost U.S. economic growth and might need to do more to bring down high unemployment.

2011-11-17 23:46:

Banks' Asset Size to Be a Yearly Determination


U.S. banking regulators said they will review a year of quarterly financial reports to determine a bank's asset size, an announcement meant to provide the financial industry some clarity on how supervisory boundaries will be drawn.

2011-11-17 23:44:

Fed Official Calls For More Action


A top Federal Reserve official argued that the central bank isn't out of ammunition in its fight to boost U.S. economic growth and might need to do more to bring down high unemployment.

2011-11-17 23:36:

Gold Lures Central Banks


Central banks' gold purchases in the third quarter were more than double the level reported just one quarter earlier, and came in almost seven times higher than the year-earlier period.

2011-11-17 23:22:

Hoenig, Critic of Big Banks, Is Poised for FDIC Post


Former Kansas City Fed President Thomas Hoenig, a severe critic of banks that are 'too big to fail,' breezed through Senate confirmation hearings on his nomination to become vice chairman of the FDIC.

2011-11-17 23:11:

S&P Raises Brazil Rating


Standard & Poor's raised Brazil's long-term sovereign rating to triple-B from triple-B-minus, with a stable outlook.

2011-11-17 21:42:

GM Chief Warns of 'Contagion' in Europe


General Motors's chief executive warned that the global fallout from the current European debt crisis could exceed the impact of the recession that pushed GM into bankruptcy restructuring.

2011-11-17 17:43:

GOP: Boost Energy Production


House Republicans want to expand U.S. domestic energy production and use the increased federal royalties to pay for more bridge and highway repairs and construction.

2011-11-17 16:33:

Resona Chairman Warns Over Japan Debt Danger


Resona Chairman Eiji Hosoya warned that Japan could face similar problems to Greece or Italy given the country's huge debt burden, and he urged the government to pursue financial discipline.

2011-11-17 16:06:

Central Banks Catch Gold Fever


Central banks' gold purchases in the third quarter were more than double the level reported just one quarter earlier, and came in almost seven times higher than the year-earlier period.

2011-11-17 10:45:

Promotions Boost U.K. Retail


U.K. retail sales jumped unexpectedly in October due to earlier-than-usual holiday-season discounts and other promotions, suggesting customers are benefitting from intense competition among retailers as the economy slows.

2011-11-17 05:50:

Mayor Makes Case for Cuts in Detroit


Riding into office as a celebrity outsider, Mayor Dave Bing promised a new start. Since then, the former NBA all-star hasn't put a lot of points on the board. On Wednesday, he called for cuts, ahead of a possible state takeover.

2011-11-17 03:48:

Mayor Makes Case for Cuts In Detroit


Riding into office as a celebrity outsider, Mayor Dave Bing promised a new start. Since then, the former NBA all-star hasn't put a lot of points on the board. On Wednesday, he called for cuts, ahead of a possible state takeover.

2011-11-17 03:41:

Deficit Stalemate Signs Rise


One week before Congress' deficit-cutting supercommittee hits its deadline, and with signs of stalemate increasing, lawmakers confronted the possibility of failure.

2011-11-17 02:12:

Prices Edge Lower


Americans saw prices inch down last month, a development that is encouraging news for holiday spending but also confirmation of weak demand in the U.S. economy.

2011-11-16 23:03:

Uneven Growth as Bay Area Revives


The Bay Area economy is recovering despite a weak national rebound, but the shape of the revival across the region is uneven, according to new research.

2011-11-16 15:21:

Inflation Pressures Decline


The cost of living in the U.S. declined in October from a month earlier on lower energy prices, easing concerns about inflation.

2011-11-16 11:38:

Canadian Finance Minister Urges Europe to Act


The failure of euro-zone countries to deal decisively with the debt crisis is threatening the world economy, Canada's finance minister said.

2011-11-16 11:29:

Bundesbank Slams Crisis Proposals


Germany's powerful Bundesbank issued a stark rebuke of the euro zone's response to the debt crisis, dismissing several recent proposals aimed at calming markets and bolstering the currency bloc's bailout fund.

2011-11-16 11:09:

BOJ Leaves Policy on Hold


The Bank of Japan refrained from taking additional easing steps, but downgraded its economic assessment as its governor warned that the impact from the European debt crisis may spread.

2011-11-16 02:01:

Geithner Seeks a U.S. Boost


Geithner said Europe's smoldering fiscal crisis should compel Congress to pass legislation that boosts the economy, warning that continued global pressures are constraining U.S. growth.

2011-11-16 01:39:

Rising Sales Brighten Growth Forecasts


U.S. retailers posted solid sales gains last month, bolstering expectations for the economy in the final weeks of 2011. Separately, U.S. wholesale prices dropped at the fastest monthly pace since February 2010.

2011-11-16 00:34:

Crisis Should Compel Congress to Act: Geithner


Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said Europe's smoldering fiscal crisis should compel Congress to pass legislation that boosts the economy, warning that continued global pressures are constraining U.S. growth.

2011-11-15 20:25:

Little Cheer Seen for U.S., Europe


Policy makers meeting in Washington have little hope U.S. lawmakers will reach a deal to reduce U.S. deficit ahead of a Nov. 23 deadline. They see outlook for Europe's ability to contain its growing debt crisis as even more dire.

2011-11-15 17:02:

U.S. Retail Sales Advance


U.S. retail sales rose in October as Americans spent their dollars at electronics stores and on the Internet. Separately, U.S. wholesale prices dropped at the fastest monthly pace since February 2010.

2011-11-15 14:37:

Data Help China's Case for Yuan


China's current-account surplus fell in the third quarter, adding to evidence that the country is rebalancing away from dependence on exports.

2011-11-15 11:54:

China Current-Account Surplus Narrows


China's current-account surplus?the broadest measure of its trade balance with the rest of the world?continued narrowing in the third quarter, adding to evidence that the country is rebalancing away from dependence on exports.

2011-11-15 11:08:

U.K. Inflation Falls to 5%


The rate of inflation in the U.K. slowed more than expected in October, official data showed, as a supermarket price war helped offset higher household utility bills.

2011-11-15 08:43:

French Economy Returns to Growth


The French economy returned to growth in the third quarter after contracting in the second.

2011-11-15 08:15:

German Growth Accelerates


German economic growth accelerated in the third quarter of this year in line with expectations, data from the Federal Statistics Office showed.

2011-11-15 04:58:

Loan Backer's Cash Runs Low


The Federal Housing Administration's cash reserves have fallen so low that there is a "close to 50%" chance the agency could run out of money and require a taxpayer bailout in the next year, according to a report.

2011-11-15 04:51:

IMF Calls for China Banking Revamp


China needs to revamp its banking system to head off a "steady build-up of financial sector vulnerabilities," the IMF said.

2011-11-14 16:41:

New Zealand: Japan Must Include Rice in TPP Talks


Japan must include rice in the negotiations if it wishes to join talks over the Trans-Pacific Partnership free-trade agreement, New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser said.

2011-11-14 11:59:

Japan's Economy Rebounds


Japan's economy grew an annualized 6% in the July-September period, posting its first gain since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

2011-11-14 11:36:

Republican Gets Look for Fed Spot


The White House, which has been looking for a Republican to nominate to for one of the vacancies on the Federal Reserve Board, is seriously considering ex-Treasury official Jerome Powell.

2011-11-14 11:25:

Euro-Zone Factory Output Falls


Output from euro-zone factories fell in September at its fastest rate in two and a half years, underscoring the threat of recession in the 17-nation currency bloc.

2011-11-14 06:17:

Republican Gets Serious Look for Fed Board Spot


The White House, which has been looking for a Republican to nominate to for one of the vacancies on the Federal Reserve Board, is seriously considering ex-Treasury official Jerome Powell.

2011-11-14 06:11:

Deficit Deal Might Delay Tax Overhaul


A top House Republican raised the possibility of pushing a tax-overhaul effort to next year, as part of a broader deficit-reduction effort that is closing in on a deadline just days away.

2011-11-14 04:43:

Family-Run Firms Test Italy's Growth


The lack of growth at family businesses is a huge obstacle to making Italy more dynamic?especially at a time when it urgently needs higher growth to pay down its $2.6 trillion national debt.

2011-11-14 02:01:

U.S. Farmers Reclaim Land From Developers


Five years into a brutal national housing downturn, raw land destined for residential development has fallen so far in value that thousands of acres across the country are being used again for agriculture.

2011-11-14 01:14:

Japan Economy Rebounds From Earthquake


Japan's economy grew an annualized 6% in the July-September period, posting its first gain since the March 11 earthquake and tsunami.

2011-11-13 08:17:

Japan's Free-Trade Move Criticized


Japan's prime minister hoped for praise at the weekend summit of Asia-Pacific leaders here for his bold pledge to join a U.S.-led free-trade pact?but the move drew instant skepticism abroad and at home, showing just how difficult the process will be for Tokyo.

2011-11-12 06:47:

Lagarde Signals Support for Yen Intervention


Japan's campaign to stem the yen's rise seemed to get implicit support from the head of the International Monetary Fund, who said the moves were justified under principles embraced by the world's advanced economies.

2011-11-12 05:55:

Lagarde Signals Support for Intervention


Japan's campaign to stem the yen's rise seemed to get implicit support from the head of the International Monetary Fund, who said the moves were justified under principles embraced by the world's advanced economies.

2011-11-12 03:13:

Hints of Hope as Deficit Deadline Nears


Despite sharp divisions within Congress's special deficit-cutting panel, members of both parties say its goal of trimming at least $1.2 trillion from federal deficits over 10 years remains within grasp.

2011-11-12 02:04:

Whose Economy Has It Worst?


With Europe, China and the U.S. in crisis, the real question is which of them will stumble first.

2011-11-12 01:49:

Health System Reflects Greece's Ills


Big debts in the public hospital system helped usher in Greece's financial crisis in 2009, and health care is now a key battleground as the country struggles to escape it.

2011-11-11 20:42:

Consumer Attitudes Brighten a Bit


Consumers' attitudes about the economy appear to be brightening a bit, though their mood overall is still very dark by historical measures.

2011-11-11 20:38:

Antitax Activist Looms in Deficit Talks


As Congress's deficit-cutting committee struggles to reach a deal, one powerful figure looming over the proceedings isn't even a member -- Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform.

2011-11-11 09:50:

Turmoil Threatens U.S. Export Boom


European turmoil and slowing growth in Asia are threatening the export boom that has helped prop up the shaky U.S. economic recovery.

2011-11-11 03:07:

Eastern Europe Vulnerable in Debt Crisis


These Eastern European nations are among the most exposed to a lending pullback by Europe's banks as the Continent's debt crisis enters a new phase.

2011-11-11 02:26:

Risk Rises for Housing Agency


Concerns are rising that the Federal Housing Administration could run out money if the economy doesn't recover soon.

2011-11-11 01:16:

International Turmoil Threatens U.S. Export Boom


European turmoil and slowing growth in Asia are threatening the export boom that has helped prop up the shaky U.S. economic recovery.

2011-11-11 00:01:

Alabama Bankruptcy Filing Is Not Last Chapter


In choosing municipal bankruptcy as an alternative to protracted negotiations with creditors on $3 billion in sewer debt, Jefferson County, Ala., officials will start a new round of what is likely to be more negotiations with the same creditors about the same issues.

2011-11-10 22:33:

Economists Cut Chance of U.S. Recession


The chance of a recession has fallen in the U.S., according to economists surveyed, but a middling expansion could be derailed by events in Europe.

2011-11-10 22:04:

Alabama Bankruptcy Filing Is a Painful, but Not the Last, Chapter


In choosing municipal bankruptcy as an alternative to protracted negotiations with creditors on $3 billion in sewer debt, Jefferson County, Ala., officials will start a new round of what is likely to be more negotiations with the same creditors about the same issues.

2011-11-10 21:23:

Overseas Turmoil Threatens U.S. Export Boom


European turmoil and slowing growth in Asia are threatening the export boom that has helped prop up the shaky U.S. recovery. New data underscored the role of exports, showing that U.S. companies sold a record $180.4 billion in goods and services to overseas customers in September, up 1.4% from August.

2011-11-10 11:28:

Asian Economies Gird for Turbulence From Europe


Asia-Pacific authorities braced for financial turbulence out of crisis-stricken Europe, with Indonesia's central bank slashing interest rates as stock markets and currencies in the region fell sharply.

2011-11-10 10:48:

EU Could Face 'Deep, Prolonged Recession'


The European Union slashed its growth forecast for the 27-nation bloc in the coming year and said it can't exclude the possibility of a deep, prolonged recession.

2011-11-10 06:03:

Italy Isn't the Problem


Silvio Berlusconi isn't the problem. Italy's spending isn't the problem. It's not unions or benefits. The euro zone isn't the problem. Neither are Greece, José Manuel Barroso, Nicolas Sarkozy or Angela Merkel. The problem is the banks.

2011-11-10 04:43:

Beijing Appears Set to Ease Lending Limits


Slowing inflation may give Beijing more room to maneuver as it tries to navigate the tricky route toward a soft landing, a move that could be an important prop to global growth.

2011-11-10 03:50:

Declining Inventories Signal Output Rise


U.S. wholesalers are drawing more from their warehoused goods to meet a slight rise in demand, raising the prospect of a ramp up in production in coming months.

2011-11-10 03:11:

Italy Fears Rattle World's Investors


Investors stampeded out of Italian bonds, sparking a broader decline across global markets.

2011-11-10 02:45:

Michigan Sizes Up Taking Over Flint


Michigan officials are declaring a financial emergency in Flint, paving the way for a state takeover of the struggling industrial city's finances, at the same time labor talks are going on in Detroit.

2011-11-10 02:37:

Alabama County Files for Bankruptcy


Commissioners in Jefferson County, Ala., filed for what would be the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history after a tentative rescue plan with creditors unraveled.

2011-11-10 02:21:

How Italy's Woes Might Reverberate


The Continent's debt crisis seems to pose about as much threat to the U.S. as the giant asteroid that zoomed by this week. But the impact would be felt in activity far beyond Europe's shores.

2011-11-10 02:13:

Dividing the Tab Prolongs Pain


In Europe and the U.S., there is no longer any doubt about the severity of the economic threat. Yet the players seem spectacularly unable to act. Why?

2011-11-10 01:19:

Declining Inventories Hint at Rise in Output


U.S. wholesalers are drawing more from their warehoused goods to meet a slight rise in demand, raising the prospect of a ramp up in production in coming months.

2011-11-10 00:03:

Home Prices Keep Dropping


U.S. home prices fell in nearly three-quarters of metropolitan areas in the third quarter and the national median price dropped 4.7% as the housing market continued to show weakness.

2011-11-09 23:43:

Why Crises Persist


In Europe and the U.S., there is no longer any doubt about the severity of the economic threat. Yet the players seem spectacularly unable to act. Why?

2011-11-09 23:04:

Dip in Inventories Signals Production Surge


U.S. wholesalers are drawing more from their warehoused goods to meet a slight rise in demand, raising the prospect of a ramp up in production in coming months.

2011-11-09 15:38:

Russia Nears WTO After Georgia Pact


Russia signed a pact with Georgia that removes the last obstacle to Moscow's membership in the World Trade Organization, boosting the trade bloc's clout among major world economies and sealing the Kremlin's intentions to open up the economy after 18 years of negotiations.

2011-11-09 15:34:

China Could Ease Lending Curbs


Slowing inflation may give Beijing more room to maneuver as it tries to navigate the tricky route toward a soft landing, a move that could be an important prop to global growth.

2011-11-09 15:02:

China Likely to Ease Lending Curbs as Inflation Ebbs


Slowing inflation may give Beijing more room to maneuver as it tries to navigate the tricky route toward a soft landing, a move that could be an important prop to global growth.

2011-11-09 13:10:

China Likely to Ease Lending as Inflation Ebbs


Slowing inflation may give Beijing more room to maneuver as it tries to navigate the tricky route toward a soft landing, a move that could be an important prop to global growth.

2011-11-09 10:45:

U.K. Goods Trade Deficit Hits Record


The U.K.'s goods trade deficit widened to a record level in September, official statistics showed , as a modest rise in exports was more than offset by record imports of goods including chemicals, silver and works of art.

2011-11-09 04:38:

Italian Premier Pays Final Debt


For years, Silvio Berlusconi clung to power while fending off sex scandals and corruption trials. In the end, however, his fall came at the hands of a small group of trusted lawmakers over his handling of the economy.

2011-11-09 02:52:

Students Pick Easier Majors Despite Less Pay


College students continue to gravitate toward liberal-arts majors despite better pay prospects for those who study engineering, science and math?disciplines deemed too rigorous for many.

2011-11-08 16:44:

U.S. Job Openings Grow


The number of available jobs in the U.S. grew by 300,000 in September, a sign of continuing slow improvement for the sluggish labor market.

2011-11-08 16:14:

Global Liquidity 'on the Cusp' of Crunch


Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney said that global liquidity is about to dry up again as the European banking system deleverages, and warned that the real economy will soon feel the impact.

2011-11-08 13:35:

Key Berlusconi Ally Removes Support


Berlusconi was in 11th-hour talks aimed at saving his conservative coalition as investors renewed pressure on the premier to step down and allow a new government to steer the country out of Europe's debt crisis.

2011-11-08 08:28:

German Exports on the Rise


German exports rose further in September while imports fell, widening Germany's merchandise trade surplus, data from the Federal Statistics Office showed.

2011-11-08 06:22:

Italy Nears Brink as Bond Yields Climb


Analysts said Italy is at the brink of being unable to afford to borrow in the public markets as its bond yields approach 7%.

2011-11-08 04:57:

Investing in a Stranger's Retirement


The burgeoning business of investing in someone else's pension has never been easier?or more controversial and risky.

2011-11-08 03:44:

Wall Street to See Smaller Bonuses


Wall Street bonuses are set to shrink by an average of 20% to 30% from last year, with even steeper declines for bond traders, according to a widely watched compensation survey.

2011-11-08 03:10:

Is an Ivy League Diploma Worth It?


Fearing massive debt, more students are choosing to enroll at public colleges over elite universities. Part of the Journal's 'Generation Jobless' series exploring the tough job market for Americans 25 and under.

2011-11-08 02:04:

Wall Street to See Smaller Bonuses This Year


Wall Street bonuses are set to shrink by an average of 20% to 30% from last year, with even steeper declines for bond traders, according to a widely watched compensation survey.

2011-11-07 15:44:

BP: Argentine Sale Wasn't Needed


BP said it isn't concerned about the collapse of a $7.06 billion Argentine oil deal over the weekend, because it no longer has to divest itself of assets just to shore up its financial position.

2011-11-07 09:57:

Airbus Tries to Exploit 787 Training Time


All Nippon Airways is taking significantly longer to train pilots for its new Boeing 787 jets than the aircraft maker and aviation-safety experts had expected, a surprise that Boeing rival Airbus is trying to exploit.

2011-11-07 02:53:

Airbus Plays Up Boeing 787 Training Time


All Nippon Airways is taking significantly longer to train pilots for its new Boeing 787 jets than the aircraft maker and aviation-safety experts had expected, a surprise that Boeing rival Airbus is trying to exploit.

2011-11-07 02:49:

Retailers Attack at 'Black Midnight'


Best Buy is joining rivals Target, Macy's and Kohl's in saying it will open at midnight on the night of Thanksgiving, pushing the "Black Friday" shopping frenzy up by many hours.

2011-11-07 01:40:

Young Men Suffer Worst as Economy Staggers


Few groups were hit harder by the recession than young men, like Cody Preston and Justin Randol, 25-year-old high-school buddies who didn't go to college. Their predicament reflects that of a generation of Americans facing one of the weakest job markets in modern history. This week, The Wall Street Journal explores their stories.

2011-11-07 01:25:

European Bonds Lure U.S. Bargain Hunters


Intrepid U.S. investors are venturing across the pond to snap up European corporate bonds at cut-rate prices. Some are taking advantage of a price gap between European and U.S. debt of international firms like Levi Strauss.

2011-11-07 01:16:

Tighter Lending Could Strangle Growth


As a result of Europe's debt crisis, bank lending standards, after months of loosening, may be starting to tighten, which could douse U.S. growth sparks.

2011-11-07 00:08:

'Disconnected Youth' Among Minorities


The unemployment rate last year among high-school dropouts between ages 16 and 24 was 29%. The problem is particularly acute among Hispanics and African-Americans.

2011-11-06 18:43:

Greek Talks Contentious On Next Step


Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou and opposition New Democracy party leader Antonis Samaras were set to meet with Greece's president on Sunday evening to hammer out the details of a new coalition government.

2011-11-06 13:44:

Greece's Papandreou May Step Down


Prime Minister George Papandreou may announce his resignation after a cabinet meeting Sunday that will pave the way for a coalition government, a senior Socialist party official said.

2011-11-05 01:06:

Job Rise Shows Slow Recovery


The U.S. job market strengthened in the past three months, signaling an economic recovery that is inching in the right direction but still vulnerable to global shocks.

2011-11-05 00:34:

Senate Confirms Economic Adviser


The Senate unanimously confirmed Alan Krueger as chairman of Obama's Council of Economic Advisors.

2011-11-05 00:31:

Doctor Is Indicted in Medicare Case


A New York-area family-practice doctor who was featured in a WSJ article about Medicare abuses last year was indicted by a federal grand jury this week for allegedly submitting more than $13 million of false claims to the program.

2011-11-04 20:55:

Portugal Weighs Measures to Ease Credit


Portugal is considering setting up a government-administered vehicle carrying housing loans held by domestic banks, as it seeks ways to feed capital into public companies in dire need for cash.

2011-11-04 20:00:

Greece Readies for Confidence Vote


Greece's parliament began debate ahead of a closely watched confidence vote in Prime Minister George Papandreou's embattled government amid a political crisis that has threatened to derail the country's latest bailout.

2011-11-04 18:31:

Democrats Propose Tax Breaks for Hiring Veterans


Senate Democrats introduced a measure offering tax breaks for companies that hire veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

2011-11-04 17:03:

Portugal Considers Bad Bank


Portugal is considering setting up a government-administered "bad bank" to carry toxic housing loans held by domestic banks, as it seeks ways to feed capital into public companies in dire need for cash.

2011-11-04 16:09:

Italian Bond Yields Soar


Italian borrowing costs soared after the G-20 failed to agree on how the International Monetary Fund could help ease the euro zone's debt crisis.

2011-11-04 15:03:

U.S. Payrolls Show Modest October Gains


The economy added 80,000 jobs in October as private companies hired workers, but the unemployment rate only fell to 9% from 9.1%.

2011-11-04 14:33:

Papandreou's Prospects Dim


A Greek independent lawmaker, Elsa Papadimitriou, said she would abstain from a confidence vote in the country's embattled Socialist government, further reducing the government's chances of surviving Friday's vote.

2011-11-04 14:22:

Barroso: IMF to Monitor Italy


Italy has asked the International Monetary Fund to monitor its implementation of budget cuts and economic reforms, said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.

2011-11-04 02:52:

China Singled Out for Cyberspying


The U.S. accused the Chinese of being the world's "most active and persistent" perpetrators of economic spying, an unusual move designed to spur stronger U.S. and international action to combat industrial espionage.

2011-11-03 23:36:

U.S. Blasts China for Economic Spying


The U.S. accused the Chinese of being the world's "most active and persistent" perpetrators of economic spying, an unusual move designed to spur stronger U.S. and international action to combat industrial espionage.

2011-11-03 23:01:

Tepid Retail Sales Fall Short


Retailers saw increased sales in October but not to the degree expected, raising questions about momentum going into the holiday season.

2011-11-03 18:39:

U.S. Blasts China for Economic Espionage


The U.S. accused the Chinese of being the world's "most active and persistent" perpetrators of economic spying, an unusual move designed to spur stronger U.S. and international action to combat industrial espionage.

2011-11-03 16:18:

Retail Sales Shy of Hopes


Retailers saw increased sales in October but not to the degree expected, raising questions about momentum going into the holiday season..

2011-11-03 14:24:

U.S. Cites Chinese, Russian Spying


The U.S. accused the Chinese of being the world's "most active and persistent" perpetrators of economic spying, an unusual move designed to spur stronger U.S. and international action to combat industrial espionage.

2011-11-03 14:17:

Retail Sales Show Strength


Retailers are turning in generally solid sales results for October, but there are enough shortfalls to raise questions about momentum going into the holiday season.

2011-11-03 04:17:

Lawmakers Prod Panel on Deficit Plan


One hundred House members urged Congress's deficit-cutting supercommittee to trim the budget gap by $4 trillion over 10 years, with Republicans and Decmocrats signaling they'd be willing to compromise.

2011-11-03 03:39:

Market Strains Test Bernanke, Banks


Three years after the global financial crisis, and a year after a U.S. regulatory overhaul, the world economy remains vulnerable to hazards that nearly broke the banking system last time.

2011-11-03 01:50:

Lawmakers Prod Panel on Deficit Agreement


One hundred House members urged Congress's deficit-cutting supercommittee to trim the budget gap by $4 trillion over 10 years, with Republicans and Decmocrats signaling they'd be willing to compromise.

2011-11-03 00:36:

Fed Lowers Its Jobs Forecast


Federal Chairman Bernanke signaled the central bank is ready to do more to aid an economy that is expected to remain weak for many more years, but he was noncommittal on how and when the Fed might act.

2011-11-03 00:18:

U.S. Firms Pose Hurdle for Yuan


China's effort to make the yuan a global reserve currency has hit a snag: While American companies have poured into China, they have been slow to make use of the yuan.

2011-11-02 21:39:

Fed Ready to Act as Weakness Persists


Federal Chairman Bernanke signaled the central bank is ready to do more to aid an economy that is expected to remain weak for many more years, but he was noncommittal on how and when the Fed might act.

2011-11-02 18:53:

Fed Shows Modest Optimism


Fed officials refrained from taking new steps as they expressed modest optimism about the recovery, though Chicago's Evans dissented in favor of more action.

2011-11-02 18:03:

Fed Expresses Modest Optimism


Fed officials refrained from taking new steps as they expressed modest optimism about the recovery, though Chicago's Evans dissented in favor of more action.

2011-11-02 16:40:

Personal-Bankruptcy Filings Fall


Consumer bankruptcy filings declined in October for the fourth-straight month as households cut their use of credit by choice and by force.

2011-11-02 13:44:

ADP: Private Sector Adds 110,000 Jobs


Private businesses added slightly more jobs than expected in October, according to a report by payroll firm ADP. Other job data also suggest some improvement in the labor markets.

2011-11-02 01:20:

Reviews Begin for Borrowers Disputing Foreclosures


U.S. bank regulators launched a foreclosure-review process to compensate homeowners who were 'financially harmed' by robo-signing and other foreclosure-processing problems that surfaced in 2010.

2011-11-02 01:12:

Fed Poised to Cut Growth Forecast


Federal Reserve officials are poised to downgrade their outlook for the U.S. economy, a shift that will play an important role in the debate about whether the Fed should do more to spur growth.

2011-11-02 00:30:

Factories Slow Pace but Orders Rise


U.S. factory expansion slowed last month, but there are hints of a coming boost in production.

2011-11-02 00:14:

Worry Builds for Deficit-Panel Deal


Lawmakers from both parties are increasingly worried that Congress's deficit-cutting supercommittee will have trouble reaching a significant agreement in time to meet a rapidly approaching deadline.

2011-11-01 23:39:

Bowles, Simpson Push for Deficit Deal


Reducing federal budget deficits by only $1.2 trillion over the next decade would merely delay a fiscal crisis in the U.S. and not avert it permanently, the co-chairmen of the deficit commission created by the White House last year told lawmakers Tuesday afternoon.

2011-11-01 21:43:

Bowles, Simpson Push for Big Deficit Deal


Reducing federal budget deficits by only $1.2 trillion over the next decade would merely delay a fiscal crisis in the U.S. and not avert it permanently, the co-chairmen of the deficit commission created by the White House last year told lawmakers Tuesday afternoon.

2011-11-01 21:05:

Deficit Panel Heads to Seek Big Deal


A deal to reduce federal budget deficits by $1.2 trillion over the next decade would merely delay a fiscal crisis, the co-chairmen of the deficit commission created by the White House last year plan to tell lawmakers.

2011-11-01 20:10:

U.K. Rebounds, But Slowdown Feared


The U.K. economy grew more than expected in the third quarter as it rebounded from one-time disruptions earlier in the year, but the underlying picture remained fragile in a country now suffering its weakest recovery from recession since World War I.

2011-11-01 18:10:

Bowles, Simpson to Push for Big Deficit Deal


A deal to reduce federal budget deficits by $1.2 trillion over the next decade would merely delay a fiscal crisis, the co-chairmen of the deficit commission created by the White House last year plan to tell lawmakers.

2011-11-01 15:22:

U.S. Factory Growth Slows


The U.S. manufacturing sector barely expanded in October, according to data released by the Institute for Supply Management.

2011-11-01 12:36:

U.K. Economy Rebounds


The U.K. economy grew more than expected in the third quarter as it recovered from one-off disruptions earlier in the year, but the underlying picture remained fragile.

2011-11-01 09:03:

India Exports Growth Slows


India's merchandise exports growth decelerated for the second straight month in September and may slow further as demand weakens amid the persisting global turmoil.

2011-10-31 22:30:

Too Much Distress Over Banks' Woes?


European banks are trading at distressed valuations, despite what would normally be perceived to be strong fundamentals, some analysts say,

2011-10-31 21:12:

Too Much Distress Over Banks' Woes?


European banks are trading at distressed valuations, despite what would normally be perceived to be strong fundamentals, some analysts say,

2011-10-31 16:26:

Chicago Survey Signals Slower Growth


The U.S. economy expanded at a slower pace in October despite a boost in employment, according to a survey of Chicago-area purchasing managers.

2011-10-31 14:59:

Germany Plays Down Account Error


Germany's finance ministry said there won't be any impact on the country's next budget from a $78.5 billion accounting error at government-owned Hypo Real Estate and its bad bank.

2011-10-31 14:39:

Taiwan Trims Growth Forecast


Taiwan trimmed its economic-growth forecast for this year and next, after a dour global outlook weighed on Taiwan's exports in the third quarter.

2011-10-31 10:17:

Slow Recovery Feels Like Recession


Americans sustained a battering during the recession--and aren't feeling much relief in the two subsequent years of recovery.

2011-10-31 03:03:

Japan Intervenes on Yen


The Japanese government launched a new foreign-exchange intervention, moving to cap a continued rise in the yen that is undermining the economy and dragging down the key export sector.

2011-10-31 02:18:

Earnings and Stocks: Is It Trick or Treat?


The stock market has surged even as forward earnings estimates fall. Typically, such declines would trigger a selloff as investors reassess the value of shares. Right now, though, the opposite is happening.

2011-10-31 01:42:

Census Bureau Confronts Budget Ax


House lawmakers have proposed cutting some funding for the Census Bureau, which could imperil next year's economic census, a once-every-five-year snapshot of the economy.

2011-10-31 00:48:

Slow-Paced Recovery Feels Like a Recession


Americans sustained a battering during the recession--and aren't feeling much relief in the two subsequent years of recovery.

2011-10-29 18:55:

Housing Finance Regulator Defends Against Critics


The nation's top housing-finance regulator pushed back against criticism that he isn't doing enough to help the troubled U.S. housing markets, saying that critics were asking him to do the bidding of Congress.

2011-10-29 03:45:

Priorities of South Korea's Lee: Inflation, Jobs


South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said his economic priorities as he enters his final year in office are taming stubbornly high inflation and creating jobs.

2011-10-28 19:31:

Euphoria Wanes at Italian Bond Sale


Italy paid higher yields at its latest bond sale as investors focused on how Europe will implement its plan to address sovereign-debt problems.

2011-10-28 17:51:

Panel Cools to Tax-Code Revamp


Deficit-panel members are cooling to the idea of completing a comprehensive overhaul of the tax code by their November deadline, making it more likely the details of any major tax changes will be handled later.

2011-10-28 16:37:

Taxes Are Stumbling Block for Deficit Panel


The rejection by Democratic and Republican members of the deficit supercommittee of each others' opening offers may mark the beginning of an intensifying effort to determine whether taxes will be raised as part of a compromise.

2011-10-28 16:33:

OPEC Unlikely to Make Big Supply Changes


The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is unlikely to make any major decisions to change its oil production levels at its next meeting in December, Qatar's minister of energy and industry said.

2011-10-28 15:20:

French Consumer Spending Falls


French consumer spending fell unexpectedly in September, underscoring the difficult challenge in sustaining growth while cutting deficits to keep its triple-A credit rating.

2011-10-28 14:37:

Consumer Spending Gains Outpace Income


Americans dug deeper into their savings last month to propel consumer spending amid weak wage gains. Expenditures climbed 0.6%, while income was up only 0.1%.

2011-10-28 14:14:

South Korea's Lee Outlines Economic Priorities


South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said his economic priorities as he enters his final year in office are taming stubbornly high inflation and creating jobs.

2011-10-28 14:10:

Inflation Damps India Festival Sales


High prices of essential items are damping crucial festival sales for India's top organized retailers as shoppers have been left with a smaller kitty for the annual splurge on lifestyle products.

2011-10-28 03:41:

Next Act---Europe Plan Is Put to Test


The deal euro-zone leaders hammered out sparked a world-wide stock rally. But the market moves belied widespread caution about the accord among economists and analysts?and even some of the decision-makers in the debt crisis.

2011-10-28 01:53:

Default Insurance Market Takes Hit


A vast market in which banks, hedge funds and investors trade insurance against debt defaults got a jolt Thursday, sparking worries of new strains in the global financial system.

2011-10-28 01:02:

Recession Fears Recede as Economy Grows 2.5%


The economy grew 2.5% in the third quarter, a quick enough pace to blunt fears that the U.S. is about to plunge into recession again but not fast enough to signal that the halting recovery is about to get on a roll.

2011-10-28 00:40:

Taxes Remain Stumbling Block for Deficit Panel


The rejection by Democratic and Republican members of the deficit-reduction supercommittee of each others' opening offers may mark the beginning, not the end, of an intensifying effort to determine whether taxes will be raised as part of a compromise.

2011-10-27 20:38:

U.S. Consumers, Businesses Boost Growth


The U.S. saw its strongest growth of the year in the third quarter, as businesses boosted investment, Americans raised spending and exports grew.

2011-10-27 19:40:

Greece's Haircut May Not Go Far Enough


The latest attempt to share the burden on Greece's debt goes a lot further than the first, with a 50% reduction in the face value of private investors' bond holdings. But Greece will remain heavily indebted.

2011-10-27 19:03:

Consumers, Businesses Boost Growth


The U.S. saw its strongest growth of the year in the third quarter, as businesses boosted investment, Americans raised spending and exports grew.

2011-10-27 16:31:

Fannie, Freddie Bailout Costs Revised Lower


A federal regulator revised the government's likely tab for bailing out Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to $124 billion through 2014, an improvement over last year's estimate.

2011-10-27 16:05:

Europe's Not-So-Grand Plan


Well, it's a plan. That alone will come as a relief to markets given how low expectations had fallen. But it falls far short of the "comprehensive plan" that euro-zone leaders had promised and investors had been demanding.

2011-10-27 15:57:

Spanish Budget Deficit Falls 17%


Spain said its austerity measures are paying off, announcing its central budget deficit had declined by 17% over the first nine months of the year.

2011-10-27 15:41:

Europe Turns to Asia for Help With Bailout


The head of the euro zone's bailout fund was heading to China and Japan to seek investment, but both Asian powerhouses have made clear that while they are willing to help Europe, they will invest on their own terms.

2011-10-27 13:55:

India Food Inflation Rises


Food inflation in India in the week to Oct. 15 accelerated to a more-than six-month high, evidence that sticky pricing pressure in the country continues to show little sign of easing despite 13 interest-rate rises since March 2010.

2011-10-27 13:30:

CIMB Chief Lauds Malaysia Central Bank


The chief executive of Malaysia's CIMB Group said the country's central bank has the pace of liberalization of the banking sector correct.

2011-10-27 04:13:

Parties Trade Deficit Plans


Republicans and Democrats on the congressional supercommittee swapped ambitious plans to reduce the federal deficit but remained at odds over taxes, Medicare and Medicaid.

2011-10-27 02:15:

Business Orders, Home Sales Tick Up


Orders for big-ticket goods fell in September as a sharp slump in demand for airplanes offset strength in a wide variety of other industries. Separately, new-home sales increased.

2011-10-27 02:08:

Taxes Sink a Deficit Proposal


Democrats on the deficit panel proposed a plan that would reduce federal deficits by up to $3 trillion over 10 years by cutting benefit programs like Medicare and Medicaid and boosting revenue from tax-code changes. But GOP members promptly rejected the idea.

2011-10-27 01:57:

Fed Ties Purse Strings of Banks


J.P. Morgan Chase and other big banks are facing rising tensions with regulators regarding how much capital is necessary at a time of economic weakness.

2011-10-27 00:29:

State Tax Haul Jumps 10.8%


States beset by budget travails and high national unemployment notched a double-digit rise in tax revenue in the second quarter, thanks in part to recession-era tax increases and the slowly recovering economy.

2011-10-27 00:10:

Hopes Hang on ECB


Alen Mattich: Unless the European Central Bank throws the might of its printing presses into the mix, a move that could buy Europe's politicians time to create the next medium-term eurofudge, the latest summit is likely to prove a failure.

2011-10-26 23:09:

ECB to Bolster Funding for Banks


The European Central Bank will release details of its latest covered-bond buying program next week, although analysts have pointed out that the real solution to bank financing needs lies in addressing the sovereign-debt crisis.

2011-10-26 15:33:

Aircraft Push Durables Orders Lower


Orders for big-ticket goods fell in September as a sharp slump in demand for airplanes offset strength in a wide variety of other industries.

2011-10-26 14:36:

Aircraft Push Durable-Goods Orders Lower


Orders for big-ticket goods fell in September as a sharp slump in demand for airplanes offset strength in a wide variety of other industries.

2011-10-26 12:56:

Door Swings Wide Open to Australian Rate Cut


Inflation risk has eased substantially across the commodity-rich Australian economy, possibly leading to a central bank decision to cut rates next week.

2011-10-26 02:37:

CIT Is Upbeat on the Economy


CIT CEO John Thain and other executives struck an upbeat tone on commercial-loan demand despite reporting a third-quarter loss, saying the U.S. economy doesn't appear to be headed toward a double-dip recession.

2011-10-26 02:09:

Prices Rising, for Better and Worse


The U.S. Agriculture Department on Tuesday said it expects retail food prices to increase 3.5% to 4.5% this year, after climbing just 0.8% in 2010.

2011-10-26 02:08:

Home Prices Show Sector Still Ailing


U.S. home prices inched 0.2% higher in August but declined 3.8% on an annual basis, according to a closely watched index.

2011-10-26 01:12:

'Glimmer of Hope' in Home Data


U.S. home prices inched 0.2% higher in August but declined 3.8% on an annual basis, according to a closely watched index.

2011-10-26 00:56:

Surge in Food Inflation Hits Both Consumers and Retailers


The U.S. Agriculture Department on Tuesday said it expects retail food prices to increase 3.5% to 4.5% this year, after climbing just 0.8% in 2010.

2011-10-25 22:51:

Little Hope for Home Prices


U.S. home prices inched 0.2% higher in August but declined 3.8% on an annual basis, according to a closely watched index.

2011-10-25 19:37:

Bank of Canada Holds Rates Steady


The Bank of Canada held its benchmark overnight rate steady at 1%, slashed Canada's 2011 and 2012 growth forecasts, lowered inflation views, and predicted a brief recession in the euro-zone.

2011-10-25 18:00:

USDA Raises Food-Price Forecast


Food prices are expected to climb as much as 4.5% in 2011 as higher commodity costs continue to filter down to consumers, the U.S. government said.

2011-10-25 16:54:

Bank of Canada Slashes Growth Forecasts


The Bank of Canada held its benchmark overnight rate steady, slashed its 2011 and 2012 growth forecasts, lowered inflation views, and predicted a brief recession in the euro-zone.

2011-10-25 16:40:

Consumer Confidence Tumbles


The mood among U.S. consumers turned decidedly darker this month with confidence back to recessionary levels. Separately, U.S. home prices were mostly flat in August.

2011-10-25 16:14:

RBI Raises Key Rate, Softens Policy Outlook


India's central bank raised its key lending rate by 0.25 percentage point, but said it is unlikely to increase the rate again at its December meeting as inflation should be easing by then.

2011-10-25 12:46:

Housing Plan Shows Sharp Political Split


Obama went where his rivals have so far refused to go. He said Washington should help Americans refinance mortgages at lower rates.

2011-10-25 02:08:

Housing Plan Highlights Sharp Political Split


Obama went where his Republican White House rivals have so far refused to go. He asserted that Washington should help Americans refinance their mortgages at lower rates.

2011-10-25 01:50:

Obama Expands Mortgage Aid


The federal government's revamped mortgage-refinancing program could allow more than a million borrowers to take advantage of falling interest rates, even if the value of their homes has plummeted.

2011-10-25 01:41:

Fed Official Backs New Growth Push


A top Federal Reserve official suggested the central bank could take further actions to boost economic growth, including more securities purchases.

2011-10-25 00:51:

High Fixed Costs Are Makings of Steel Trap


Kelly Evans writes that the steel market is still awaiting its second-half blastoff.

2011-10-24 18:41:

Turkey's Central Bank to Unveil Plans to Boost Lira


Turkey's central bank said it will unveil this week a package to support the lira, marking the latest step in an increasingly aggressive effort to shore up the embattled currency.

2011-10-24 13:23:

China Manufacturing Index Rebounds


The preliminary HSBC China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, a gauge of nationwide manufacturing activity, rebounded strongly in October, showing expansion for the first time since June.

2011-10-24 01:16:

Glimmers in Data Brighten Economic Views


Analysts have been raising their estimates of U.S. economic growth, an about-face from just a month ago, when they were lowering those forecasts and fretting that the country was on the cusp of recession.

2011-10-24 00:49:

New England's Youth Pitch


New England states are launching initiatives to keep their young college graduates from leaving, amid census data that show the region's population is aging.

2011-10-22 15:35:

Fed Governor: Family Finances Key to Economic Recovery


Financially sound individuals and families are important to the overall stability and growth of the U.S. economy, Federal Reserve Governor Elizabeth Duke said Saturday.

2011-10-22 04:50:

Americans' Debt Cutting Hampers Growth


Household thrift sparked by the financial crisis three years ago has proved surprisingly persistent and is a key reason the recovery that began in 2009 has been so weak.

2011-10-22 03:08:

Farmers Sense End of Big Boom


The boom that has made the farm belt one of the strongest economies in the U.S. still has plenty of momentum, but the ride is getting bumpy.

2011-10-22 02:28:

Europe's Options: Few, and Shrinking


The world's hopes that Europe will resolve its debt crisis in a bold stroke are running into a stubborn reality: Solutions that work on paper are often unattainable in a euro zone of 17 sovereign countries.

2011-10-22 01:47:

The Wild Ride of the 1%


The once-stable incomes of America's biggest earners now fluctuate dramatically from year to year. And as go the rich, so goes much of the economy.

2011-10-22 00:14:

Fed Official Hints at New Effort on Economy


The Federal Reserve's second-ranking official offered a gloomy assessment of the economy and fresh new hints that the central bank could be moving toward another attempt to revive the economy through securities purchases.

2011-10-21 23:17:

Democrats Push Next Piece of Jobs Bill


Senate Democratic leaders unveiled a bill that would invest $50 billion in the country's infrastructure and a further $10 billion in start-up capital for an infrastructure bank.

2011-10-21 23:06:

Fed Official Hints at Effort to Boost Economy


The Federal Reserve's second-ranking official offered a gloomy assessment of the economy and fresh new hints that the central bank could be moving toward another attempt to revive the economy through securities purchases.

2011-10-21 17:57:

Calif. City Issues Warning on Bonds


A Stockton, Calif., redevelopment agency acknowledged that it is struggling to keep current on $87.7 million of debt it sold in 2006, the latest problem for a city hit hard by the real-estate bust.

2011-10-21 11:11:

Prices Rise Faster Than Expected in Malaysia


Consumer prices in Malaysia rose 3.4% in September from a year earlier, mainly due to costlier food and nonalcoholic beverages.

2011-10-21 05:57:

Senate Blocks Funds for State Workers


The Senate blocked a proposal to send $35 billion to states to retain or rehire teachers and other public sector workers.

2011-10-21 05:12:

Flat Tax Seen as Savings Booster


Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain's "9-9-9" tax plan and rival Rick Perry's flat-tax proposal would move the U.S. tax code significantly toward taxing consumption more and income less.

2011-10-21 03:20:

Fed Is Poised for More Easing


Federal Reserve officials are starting to build a case for a new program of buying mortgage-backed securities to boost the ailing economy, though they appear unlikely to move swiftly.

2011-10-21 03:13:

Greece Approves Cuts Amid Violent Protests


Greek lawmakers narrowly passed a package of austerity measures Thursday, as second day of strikes and violent protests over the package convulsed the country and further weakened the ruling Socialist party.

2011-10-21 03:06:

Could 'Twist' Really Be Working?


Stocks are up 5.8% this month, while Treasurys have taken a rare beating. Some in the market suspect the force behind the moves is Operation Twist?a surprise to many who were skeptical when the program was announced.

2011-10-21 01:51:

Housing Lift Proves Fleeting


Sales of previously owned homes slipped in September, while a Labor Department report hinted at modest growth in the job market.

2011-10-21 01:17:

Top Lawmakers Prod Debt Panel


Senate and House leaders are becoming more directly involved with the supercommittee responsible for delivering a sizable deficit-reduction plan by Thanksgiving, amid growing concern the panel's members could be deadlocked.

2011-10-21 00:50:

Uncertainty Hits Home Sales


Sales of previously owned homes slipped in September, while a Labor Department report hinted at modest growth in the job market.

2011-10-20 23:33:

Euro-Zone Crisis Hurts Banks in Emerging Markets


The euro-zone debt crisis is spilling over to emerging-market banks, signaling new risks for economies that had largely brushed off European troubles for the past two years, an industry survey found.

2011-10-20 15:01:

Singapore Warns of Slower Economic Growth


Singapore faces slower growth over the next decade amid heightened global uncertainty, as the government adjusts domestic policy to address rising socio-economic tensions in the island nation.

2011-10-20 14:36:

Jobless Claims Flat


New claims for unemployment benefits moved down slightly last week but remained elevated above 400,000, indicating the labor market still is weak.

2011-10-20 12:55:

Japan Likely to Stick to Easy Monetary Policy


Japan's central bank is expected to release a forecast indicating the economy will remain in deflation for the next two years, making it more likely it will stick to its ultra-easy monetary policy until spring 2014.

2011-10-20 10:46:

U.K. Retail Sales Rise


U.K. retail sales rose more than expected in September, but the underlying picture in the sector remains weak as Britons are squeezed by elevated inflation, stagnant wage growth and rising unemployment, official data showed.

2011-10-20 03:52:

D.C. Region Is Tops in Income


Washington, D.C., nosed out San Jose, Calif., as the nation's highest-income metropolitan region, census data for 2010 show.

2011-10-20 03:50:

Rising Use of Coal Prompts Warning


The world is headed for a "dire future" where high energy prices drag on economic growth and global temperatures rise dangerously, unless significant innovations are made to lower the cost of clean energy and carbon-capture technology, the International Energy Agency said.

2011-10-20 03:27:

Fed Official Discusses Securities Purchases


A Fed official said the central bank should consider purchasing more securities, including mortgage-backed securities, to boost the economy if it weakens. Meanwhile, the U.S. economy picked up a little in recent weeks as consumers spent more, the Fed's 'beige book' said.

2011-10-20 02:32:

Doubts Grow on Euro Fund


Doubts grew about the effectiveness of a key proposal for stemming Europe's deepening debt crisis as it emerged that officials have ruled out a plan for the euro-zone's bailout fund to directly guarantee bond issues.

2011-10-20 01:21:

Fed to Fix Flaws at Regional Boards


The Fed said it would take small steps in response to a government watchdog's report saying the 12 regional Fed banks' boards needed to better manage potential or actual conflicts of interest.

2011-10-20 00:18:

Economy Perks Up a Little, Fed Says


The U.S. economy picked up a little in recent weeks as consumers spent more, but the jobs market remained weak and companies stayed cautious, a Federal Reserve report said.

2011-10-19 23:07:

Prices Climb, Despite Economic Slack


If there's so much slack in the economy, why are prices rising?

2011-10-19 22:13:

Fed's Bank Ties Scrutinized


The Federal Reserve faces a risk to its credibility because of the banking industry's role in choosing board members at the 12 regional Fed banks, a congressional watchdog said.

2011-10-19 20:26:

Economy Shows Modest Growth


The economy picked up a little in September and early this month as Americans spent more, but the jobs market showed little improvement, suggesting a continued slow pace of growth ahead, the Fed's beige book said.

2011-10-19 19:06:

Fed Risks Credibility Over Bank Ties, Report Says


The Federal Reserve faces a risk to its credibility because of the banking industry's role in choosing board members at the 12 regional Fed banks, a congressional watchdog said.

2011-10-19 18:12:

Cost of Living Keeps Growing


The cost of living in the U.S. kept rising in September, led by continued increases in food and energy prices, posing another challenge for Americans struggling with a weak job market.

2011-10-19 17:34:

Strong Franc Hurts Swiss Business


A growing number of Swiss businesses have shut down production facilities and laid off staff over the past few weeks as the continued strength of the franc takes its toll, prompting fresh calls for another decisive currency intervention by the Swiss National Bank.

2011-10-19 16:51:

BOE United on Stimulus


Policy makers on the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee unanimously supported an extension of the central bank's stimulus program in October.

2011-10-19 15:40:

Hong Kong Chief: New Recession Likely


Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang said in an interview Wednesday he sees "high likelihood" of a global recession and says the financial turmoil will likely slow the pace of appreciation in the Chinese currency.

2011-10-19 14:30:

IEA Predicts 'Dire Future'


The world is headed for a "dire future" where high energy prices drag on economic growth and global average temperatures rise by more than 3.5 Celsius, unless there are significant innovations to lower the cost of clean energy and carbon-capture technology, the International Energy Agency said.

2011-10-19 14:00:

India Flags Risks to Meeting Deficit Aim


India is facing an uphill challenge to limit its fiscal deficit within its target as global uncertainties are hurting economic growth, but the government will make "strenuous attempts" to keep it around the estimate, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said.

2011-10-19 13:40:

IMF Sees Strong Growth in Africa


The economy of sub-Saharan Africa will grow by 5% on average this year and 5.75% in 2012, though fallout from global financial volatility poses serious risks, the International Monetary Fund said.

2011-10-19 12:40:

Hong Kong Chief: Another Recession Likely


Hong Kong Chief Executive Donald Tsang said Wednesday he sees "high likelihood" of a global recession and says the financial turmoil will likely slow the pace of appreciation in the Chinese currency.

2011-10-19 11:27:

Euro Zone Account Deficit Shrinks


The euro zone's current-account deficit narrowed in August as deficits for current transfers and income were partially offset by surpluses for services and goods, European Central Bank data showed.

2011-10-19 11:01:

Bank of England United on Stimulus


Policy makers on the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee unanimously supported an extension of the central bank's stimulus program in October, minutes from the MPC's October policy meeting showed.

2011-10-19 11:00:

Euro Zone's Current-Account Deficit Shrinks


The euro zone's current-account deficit narrowed in August as deficits for current transfers and income were partially offset by surpluses for services and goods, European Central Bank data showed.

2011-10-19 05:13:

Study Puts Cain Tax Plan Under Microscope


The Republican presidential candidate's "9-9-9" tax plan would boost taxes paid by moderate- and low-income households while cutting taxes for upper-income earners, according to a study released Tuesday by a nonpartisan think tank.

2011-10-19 04:07:

Wholesale Prices Make Sharp Climb


U.S. wholesale prices rose sharply last month on the back of higher costs for gasoline, food and household detergents, pointing to continued inflation pressures in the production pipeline.

2011-10-19 01:16:

Spain Hit by Downgrade, Falling Home Prices


Spain was hit by a double whammy when Moody's downgraded the country's government-bond rating, citing fading growth prospects, and the government said housing prices fell further in the third quarter, a concern for embattled banks.

2011-10-19 01:04:

Heating Costs Look to Cool


High gasoline prices have tugged at household budgets this year, but relief from energy costs might arrive, surprisingly, when temperatures start to tumble this winter.

2011-10-18 22:41:

France Faces Ratings Heat


France's ability to support troubled euro-zone countries was challenged, and Moody's Investors Service said the stable outlook on its prized triple-A credit rating was under pressure.

2011-10-18 21:12:

Germany, France See Investment Slowdown


Foreign companies cut back sharply on new investments in the euro zone's two largest economies in the first six months of 2011, deterred by the currency area's fiscal and banking crises, according to figures released by a United Nations agency.

2011-10-18 19:20:

Bernanke Details Evolution of Fed Policy


Lessons learned during the financial crisis suggest the Fed will need to revise, but not abandon, how it approaches monetary policy in the future, Bernanke said in a speech.

2011-10-18 18:58:

S&P Downgrades Italian Banks


Standard and Poor's Ratings Service cut the ratings on three key Italian banks as part of a broad sector downgrade, reflecting last month's lowering of the country's sovereign rating.

2011-10-18 17:38:

Inflation Pressures Build


U.S. wholesale prices rose sharply last month on the back of higher costs for gasoline, food and household detergents, pointing to continued inflation pressures in the production pipeline.

2011-10-18 17:09:

New Mortgage Plan Floated


U.S. officials are pushing a plan that could help some "underwater" borrowers get refinancing assistance in the latest bid to break a legal impasse with banks over alleged foreclosure abuses.

2011-10-18 16:44:

Spanish House Prices Fall


Spain's government said that housing prices continued to fall in the third quarter, a further concern for the country's embattled banks at a time when investors are growing increasingly worried about the health of the euro zone's financial sector.

2011-10-18 16:06:

France Faces Rating Heat


France's ability to support troubled euro-zone countries was challenged, and Moody's Investors Service said the stable outlook on its prized triple-A credit rating was under pressure.

2011-10-18 14:37:

Wholesale Prices Climb


U.S. producer prices surged 0.8% on higher energy and food costs, while underlying inflation was more subdued.

2011-10-18 13:22:

Ex-Fed Governor Expects Inflation Objective


The U.S. Federal Reserve's next move could be to introduce an explicit inflation objective, to give it room to provide additional stimulus while keeping long-term inflation expectations under control, former Fed Gov. Laurence Meyer said.

2011-10-18 12:43:

France's Credit Rating Under Pressure


France's ability to support troubled euro zone countries was challenged as the government acknowledged it is unlikely to meet its growth forecast next year and Moody's Investors Service said the stable outlook on its prized triple-A credit rating was under pressure.

2011-10-18 12:04:

U.K. Inflation Continues Rise


U.K. inflation accelerated to match a 2008 record of 5.2% in September, official figures showed, stoked by big increases in the prices households pay for gas and electricity.

2011-10-18 11:28:

Moody's to 'Monitor' French Credit


Safe-haven German sovereign bonds rose after Moody's Investors Service said it would "monitor and assess" the stable outlook on France's Aaa rating, pushing the yield spread between French 10-year sovereign bonds and the benchmark German bund to a fresh euro-era high.

2011-10-18 11:06:

Spanish House Prices Plunge


Spain's government said that housing prices remained in free-fall in the third quarter, a further concern for the country's embattled banks at a time when investors are growing increasingly worried about the health of the euro zone's financial sector.

2011-10-18 08:51:

Australia: China Hard Landing Unlikely


Australia's surging terms of trade will remain robust in the coming years as China is unlikely to have a hard landing from its soaring economic growth, Australia's Treasury Secretary said.

2011-10-17 23:28:

Manufacturing Notches Slight Gains


U.S. industrial production grew in September, helped by an upswing in output of long-lasting consumer goods and business equipment.

2011-10-17 15:19:

Industrial Output Posts Modest Gain


U.S. industrial production grew in September but the gain was small, underscoring the economy's lack of vigor.

2011-10-17 02:22:

Slim Pickings Are Latest Headache for Home Sales


The housing market, which has struggled for years with oversupply, now faces a lack of attractive inventory, with homes listed for sale at the end of September at the lowest level since Realtor.com began its count in 2007.

2011-10-16 22:14:

Europe Faces More Hurdles on Aid Plan


European leaders have primed investors to expect a sweeping euro-zone rescue plan to be unveiled within a week. But hurdles remain, among them details of a new Greek bailout.

2011-10-16 20:36:

Pressure Rises on Europe Over Rescue Plan


European leaders have primed investors to expect a sweeping euro-zone rescue plan to be unveiled within a week. But hurdles remain, among them details of a new Greek bailout.

2011-10-16 17:37:

EU Seeks More Power for Derivatives Regulators


The European Commission this week will propose new powers for national regulators to limit investor positions in commodity derivatives and increase oversight of high-frequency and algorithmic trading, according to a draft document.

2011-10-16 11:38:

G-20 Welcomes Progess on EU Debt Plan


Finance officials from the Group of 20 leading economies closed ranks, giving a cautious welcome to signs of progress by the euro zone towards tackling its deepening sovereign-debt crisis.

2011-10-15 05:03:

Shoppers Spend More Despite Dreary Outlook


U.S. retail sales jumped in September, though consumers' sour mood makes it unclear if the stronger-than-expected spending figures are sustainable.

2011-10-15 04:24:

Going After State-Tax Deadbeats


A new law allows California to go after the driver's licenses of tax scofflaws. What do other states do?

2011-10-15 04:14:

Euro Zone's Inflation Jumps


The rate of inflation in the euro zone soared to a full percentage point above the European Central Bank's preferred level in September. But signs that the economy is flagging badly mean the central bank is still likely to ease its policy stance in coming months.

2011-10-15 01:38:

Deficit Panel Hears What Not to Cut


Congress's deficit-cutting supercommittee was deluged with recommendations on Friday. Unfortunately for the panel, much of it was advice about what not to cut.

2011-10-15 00:42:

Germany, France Close In on Crisis Plan


France and Germany were moving closer on a package to stabilize the euro zone that would bolster the bloc's rescue fund and strengthen the region's banks.

2011-10-14 23:31:

Harrisburg Mayor, State Urge Dismissal of Bankruptcy


State officials echoed Harrisburg Mayor Linda Thompson's request for the bankruptcy court to throw out the Pennsylvania capital city's Chapter 9 bankruptcy case, arguing that it was filed in rogue manner by four City Council members.

2011-10-14 19:05:

Retail Sales Rise; Consumers Still Fret


U.S. retail sales jumped in September, though consumers' sour mood makes it unclear if the stronger-than-expected spending figures are sustainable.

2011-10-14 18:14:

Harrisburg Mayor to Court: Throw Out Rogue Bankruptcy


Harrisburg's mayor wants the Pennsylvania capital city's Chapter 9 bankruptcy case thrown out, arguing the request was filed in a rogue manner by four city council members.

2011-10-14 17:20:

Plan Floated to Spread Risk in Mortgage Bonds


The U.S. is considering a plan to draw private investment back into the mortgage market by having slices of securities sold that wouldn't carry a federal guarantee but would pay higher rates.

2011-10-14 13:12:

Spain Deficit Raises Crisis Risks


Slowing economic growth, spiraling unemployment and overspending by its powerful regional governments could make Spain the latest ailing euro-zone country to miss its budget target this year.

2011-10-14 11:51:

Euro-Zone Trade Deficit Shrinks


A sharp rise in exports helped the 17 nations that use the euro to post a smaller deficit on trade with the rest of the world in August, official data showed.

2011-10-14 09:57:

India Sept Inflation Remains High


Stubbornly high inflation continues to be a bugbear for India, with September's wholesale price index staying above 9% for the 10th consecutive month, leaving room for yet another central bank rate increase at the risk of hurting economic growth.

2011-10-14 09:13:

Spain Deficit Raises Risks


Slowing economic growth, spiraling unemployment and overspending by its powerful regional governments could make Spain the latest ailing euro-zone country to miss its budget target this year.

2011-10-14 08:19:

India Inflation Rises 9.72%


India's inflation was little changed at 9.72% in September from the previous month's provisional reading of 9.78%, showed data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

2011-10-14 05:36:

China Inflation Slows Minimally


China's consumer price index in September was up 6.1% from a year earlier, slowing slightly from August's 6.2% and giving analysts hope that Beijing may have some room to loosen policy.

2011-10-14 04:42:

Cain Plan's Reagan-Era Roots


Herman Cain's "9-9-9" plan clearly has roots in the Reagan-era antitax movement. In constructing the proposal, the candidate's economic adviser, Rich Lowrie, consulted with conservative tax icon Arthur Laffer, often viewed as the father of supply-side economics.

2011-10-14 04:31:

Singapore Grows Slowly, Central Bank Eases Policy


The Singapore dollar rose sharply after the central bank eased monetary policy for the first time in two years. The government reported meager growth for the latest quarter.

2011-10-14 04:17:

China Inflation Slows


China's inflation rate slowed slightly in September, giving analysts hope that Beijing may have further room to loosen policy.

2011-10-14 03:14:

Bleak News for Americans' Income


Americans' incomes have dropped since 2000 and they aren't expected to make up the lost ground before 2021, according to economists in the latest Wall Street Journal forecasting survey.

2011-10-14 02:07:

West's Woes Hit Emerging Economies


The travails of the developed world are starting to take their toll on fast-growing countries like China, Brazil and Indonesia, which are moving toward policies aimed at refueling growth to offset the damage.

2011-10-14 01:41:

Banks' Paths Vary in Greek Write-Downs


Europe's banks have taken wildly different write-downs on their available for sale Greek debt, thanks in part to different accounting approaches.

2011-10-14 01:13:

Three-Prong Approach to Euro-Zone Crisis


The euro zone is moving toward action that parallels what Walter Bagehot urged the authorities to do in a banking crisis: Let the troubled bank fail, and protect the system by making plentiful liquidity available to other banks.

2011-10-13 20:25:

Grim View for U.S. Incomes


Americans' incomes aren't expected to make up lost ground before 2021, according to economists in the latest Journal survey.

2011-10-13 20:01:

U.S. Incomes Seen Stagnant Through 2021


Americans' incomes have dropped since 2000 and they aren't expected to make up the lost ground before 2021, according to economists in the latest Wall Street Journal forecasting survey.

2011-10-13 14:41:

U.S.-China Trade Gap Widens


The U.S. trade deficit with China hit a new record in August, even as the gap with the rest of the world narrowed a bit. Separately, initial jobless claims were essentially flat.

2011-10-13 13:36:

Some Bright Spots Amid Bank Gloom


Bank investors are breaking out their foul-weather gear.

2011-10-13 02:54:

Harrisburg Files for Bankruptcy


After months of debate, Harrisburg, Pa., filed for municipal bankruptcy protection, days before the state Senate was scheduled to vote on taking over the city's finances.

2011-10-13 02:44:

Congress Passes Free-Trade Pacts


Congress on Wednesday passed free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, ending nettlesome negotiations.

2011-10-13 02:08:

Congress Set to Pass Free-Trade Pacts


Congress was set Wednesday to pass free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, ending nettlesome negotiations.

2011-10-13 01:54:

Capital Files for Bankruptcy


After months of debate, Harrisburg, Pa., filed for municipal bankruptcy protection, days before the state Senate was scheduled to vote on taking over the city's finances.

2011-10-13 01:48:

Cain's 9-9-9 Plan Gets a Closer Look


Herman Cain's surge in the polls is focusing new attention on his "9-9-9" tax plan, but also raising new questions about whether it does everything it claims.

2011-10-13 01:11:

Inside the Fed Fight Over Bond Buys


Fed officials discussed a series of options at their last meeting that they could use if the U.S. economic recovery falters.

2011-10-13 00:30:

Harrisburg in Bankruptcy Filing; Legality Questioned


After months of debate, Harrisburg, Pa., filed for municipal bankruptcy protection, days before the state Senate was scheduled to vote on taking over the city's finances.

2011-10-13 00:01:

Fed Debated Tools to Spur Economy


Fed officials discussed a series of options at their last meeting that they could use if the U.S. economic recovery falters.

2011-10-12 23:40:

Some Bright Spots Amid the Bank Gloom


Bank investors are breaking out their foul-weather gear.

2011-10-12 21:09:

Fed Minutes: Some Favored Bolder Action


Fed officials discussed a series of options at their last meeting that they could use if the U.S. economic recovery falters.

2011-10-12 14:40:

EU Proposes Farm-Subsidy Cap


The European Commission presented plans to cap payments to big farms and set aside more land, as part of changes to its $75-billion-a-year farm-subsidy program.

2011-10-12 14:09:

OECD: Tests Needed on Sovereign Exposure


The secretary general of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development pushed for the euro zone to include stress tests with sovereign-debt exposure in the comprehensive package promised by Germany and France to resolve the euro zone's debt crisis.

2011-10-12 05:32:

Obama's Jobs Bill Hits Wall in Senate


The Senate blocked Obama's $447 billion jobs bill, highlighting the confrontation between Republicans and a president who has been traveling the country exhorting Congress to pass the measure.

2011-10-11 23:42:

Economists Pen an Ethics Code


Academic economists are moving closer to adopting a code of ethics in response to criticism that ethical lapses in the profession helped precipitate the 2008 financial crisis.

2011-10-11 19:14:

Slovakia Dithers on European Bailout Vote


Slovakia's lawmakers were scrambling to vote on a crucial expansion of the euro zone's bailout fund, but their slow progress renewed concerns about prospects for the region.

2011-10-11 15:43:

Singapore Warns of Slower Growth


Singapore's central bank warned of slower economic growth in coming years on global weakness, with core inflation restrained, bolstering expectations it will ease policy this week.

2011-10-11 13:45:

OPEC Cuts Demand Forecast


The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries further trimmed its forecasts for oil demand in 2011 and 2012 and warned it could cut the outlook again amid growing unease over the global economy.

2011-10-11 03:19:

Jobs Panel Pushes Help for Start-Ups


A private-sector advisory board to the White House is pressing the administration to streamline regulations and encourage start-up activity among recommendations to boost job creation.

2011-10-10 08:18:

German Trade Surplus Widens


German exports rose in August while imports remained flat, widening Germany's merchandise trade surplus, data from the Federal Statistics Office showed.

2011-10-09 09:35:

U.S. Jobs Growth Falling Short


Employers added 103,000 jobs last month, easing recession fears but signaling an economy only stumbling ahead, with the unemployment rate stuck at 9.1%.

2011-10-08 22:36:

Saudis See No Need to Raise Oil Capacity


Saudi Arabia said it was unlikely to proceed with plans to raise its oil-production capacity to 15 million barrels a day, suggesting it was comfortable with the world's current production capabilities.

2011-10-08 21:43:

Saudis See No Reason to Raise Oil Capacity


Saudi Arabia said it was unlikely to proceed with plans to raise its oil-production capacity to 15 million barrels a day, suggesting it was comfortable with the world's current production capabilities.

2011-10-08 12:18:

Obama Pushes Jobs Bill as Protection Against Downturn


Obama used his weekly radio address to say his $447 billion jobs plan would help the U.S. "guard against another downturn."

2011-10-08 11:44:

Downgrades Hit Spain, Italy


Spain and Italy suffered debt downgrades, triggering a retreat in the euro as European governments scrambled to develop a common approach to restoring confidence in the region's banks.

2011-10-08 03:38:

U.K. Bond Buys Aren't a Sure Cure


The Bank of England's decision to restart its bond-buying program will give the government breathing room to continue its austerity drive, but the legacy of this round of 'quantitative easing' will depend on a number of factors.

2011-10-08 01:31:

Economy Adds Jobs, but Not Enough


Employers added 103,000 jobs last month, easing recession fears but signaling an economy only stumbling ahead, with the unemployment rate stuck at 9.1%.

2011-10-08 00:55:

U.K. Bond Buys Aren't a Sure Cure


The Bank of England's decision to restart its bond-buying program will give the government breathing room to continue its austerity drive, but the legacy of this round of 'quantitative easing' will depend on a number of factors.

2011-10-08 00:43:

Spain's, Italy's Ratings Cut


Spain and Italy suffered debt downgrades Friday, triggering a retreat in the euro as European governments scrambled to develop a common approach to restoring confidence in the region's banks.

2011-10-07 23:39:

U.S. Payrolls Grow, But Slowly


U.S. employers added workers to their payrolls last month, easing recession fears but falling well short of the pace needed to get 14 million jobless Americans working in the next few years.

2011-10-07 20:01:

Czech Central Banker Opposes Rate Cut


The Czech central bank should refrain from further easing its record-low base interest rate, said Eva Zamrazilova, one of the bank's seven policy makers.

2011-10-07 19:07:

Fitch Cuts Spain, Italy Ratings


Fitch Ratings issued twin cuts to two of the euro zone's largest economies as it downgraded its foreign and local currency ratings on Italy and Spain.

2011-10-07 15:20:

Turkey Moves to Halt Lira's Fall


Turkey's central bank has dug deep into foreign-exchange reserves this week as it attempts to put a floor under the Turkish lira and so head off risks of inflation and capital flight with potential to unravel the country's strong growth performance.

2011-10-07 15:03:

U.S. Payrolls Rise


The U.S. economy added more jobs than expected last month, and employment gains for the previous two months were revised higher, providing some hope for the weak labor market.

2011-10-07 14:44:

Payrolls Rise as Striking Workers Return


The U.S. economy added more jobs than expected last month, providing some hope for the weak labor market, but unemployment remained at 9.1%. The numbers were boosted by the return of striking Verizon workers.

2011-10-07 12:53:

Franc Still Threatens Swiss Firms


The decision of Switzerland's central bank to set a cap for the Swiss franc against the euro has stabilized but hasn't normalized the situation for Swiss companies, the country's director of labor said.

2011-10-07 12:34:

German Industrial Output Slows


German industrial production slowed less than expected on the month in August, but is expected to continue to deteriorate from now on, the country's economics ministry said.

2011-10-07 11:29:

Official: India Industrial Output Growth Likely Below 8%


India's industrial output is likely to expand less than 8% in the current fiscal year, as high interest rates crimp manufacturing activity, a senior industry ministry official said.

2011-10-07 10:47:

U.K. Factory Prices Post Sharp Gain


U.K. factory-gate prices rose at the strongest annual rate for almost three years in September, fueled by higher costs for food and petroleum products, official data showed.

2011-10-07 07:05:

Retailers' Discounts Lure Shoppers


U.S. retailers' September sales came in generally upbeat, with promotions helping remove back-to-school merchandise as preparations begin for the holiday season.

2011-10-07 04:13:

U.S. Leaders Step Up Pressure on China


U.S. leaders took swipes at China on Thursday, as the Senate voted to advance a bill to penalize countries said to be manipulating their currencies and President Obama accused the country of manipulating the yuan.

2011-10-07 02:05:

House Democrats Want Regulator Out


House Democrats called on Obama to replace a key housing regulator, saying the official isn't taking bold enough steps to turn around the real-estate crisis.

2011-10-07 01:42:

House Democrats Seek To Oust Key Regulator


House Democrats called on President Barack Obama to replace a key housing regulator, saying the official isn't taking bold enough steps to turn around the real-estate crisis.

2011-10-07 01:24:

Obama Pushes for Jobs Bill


President Obama, fearing his $447 billion jobs bill will falter in Congress, signaled Thursday that he would push for separate votes on each part of the legislation as a way to ratchet up pressure on Republican lawmakers.

2011-10-07 01:15:

Owning One's Home Loses Some Appeal


The rate of home ownership in the U.S. fell in the last decade by the largest amount since the Great Depression, although the percentage of Americans who own their home remains the second-highest on record, the Census Bureau said

2011-10-07 00:43:

Jobless-Benefit Claims Rise


New claims for unemployment benefits rose only a bit last week following the steep drop in the previous period, but moved back over the key 400,000 level.

2011-10-06 22:43:

Obama: Economy Needs Jolt Now


Obama offered a bleak portrait of the U.S. economy, saying the country is feeling the impact of a debt crisis gripping Europe as he tried to persuade a divided Congress to help him do something about it.

2011-10-06 22:12:

With Crude Oil Below $100 OPEC Members Debate Price


The fall of oil prices under $100 a barrel has opened up a debate on just how low prices should go before OPEC takes action.

2011-10-06 18:09:

Oil Retreat Prompts Price Debate


A split between OPEC oil producers has resurfaced as economic risks and the return of Libyan output has sent oil prices under $100 a barrel and opened up a debate on just how low prices should go before OPEC takes action.

2011-10-06 17:41:

September Retail Sales Solid


U.S. retailers' September sales came in generally upbeat, with promotions helping remove back-to-school merchandise as preparations begin for the holiday season.

2011-10-06 17:25:

Geithner Cites Banks' Risk-Aversion as Threat to Economy


Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said financial institutions in the U.S. risk holding back the economy because they are unwilling to lend.

2011-10-06 17:21:

Vietnam to Raise Key Rate


Vietnam's central bank said it will raise its rate for recapitalizing banks by 1 percentage point to 15% in a bid to tame inflation.

2011-10-06 15:43:

ECB to Wield Anticrisis Tools


The European Central Bank reactivated two of its tried and trusted anticrisis measures in an effort to stave off an impending liquidity crisis among the euro zone's banks.

2011-10-06 14:34:

Jobless Claims Climb a Bit


New claims for unemployment benefits rose only a bit last week following the steep drop in the previous period, but moved back over the key 400,000 level.

2011-10-06 13:39:

BOE Expands Quantitative Easing


The Bank of England said it will buy £75 billion of government bonds in a fresh bout of quantitative easing aimed at stimulating the U.K.'s stagnant economy.

2011-10-06 13:04:

U.K. Services Output Grows


Output in the U.K.'s dominant services sector grew at a modest rate in July reducing the likelihood that the British economy contracted in the third quarter.

2011-10-06 11:23:

Greek-Bailout Shenanigans: A User's Rough Guide


Questions and answers on the ever-changing Greek debt crisis, by Geoffrey T. Smith.

2011-10-06 06:06:

Landlords Push Up Apartment Rents


Landlords in some major markets were able to pass along hefty rent increases to tenants during the third quarter, despite signs of a weakening economy that could pinch future gains.

2011-10-06 04:14:

Democrats Float Tax on Top Earners


Senate Democrats proposed a 5.6% surtax on people earning more than $1 million a year to pay for the $447 billion cost of Obama's job-creation bill, in a move designed to shore up their party's support for the measure.

2011-10-06 03:04:

Democrats Propose 5.6% Surtax on Millionaires


Senate Democrats proposed a 5.6% surtax on people earning more than $1 million a year to pay for the $447 billion cost of Obama's job-creation bill, in a move designed to shore up their party's support for the measure.

2011-10-05 23:59:

Labor Data Signal No End to Job Worries


U.S. private businesses added slightly more jobs than expected in September, according to a report from payroll giant ADP, even as a separate release noted a surge in layoffs last month.

2011-10-05 23:50:

Greek-Bailout Shenanigan: A User's Rough Guide


Questions and answers on the ever-changing Greek debt crisis, by Geoffrey T. Smith.

2011-10-05 23:40:

Labor Reports Signal No End to Jobs Worries


U.S. private businesses added slightly more jobs than expected in September, according to a report from payroll giant ADP, even as a separate release noted a surge in layoffs last month.

2011-10-05 23:17:

Democrats Propose 5% Surtax on Millionaires


Senate Democrats proposed a 5% surtax on people earning more than $1 million a year to pay for the $447 billion cost of Obama's job-creation bill, in a move designed to shore up their party's support for the measure.

2011-10-05 14:37:

Private Sector Adds 91,000 Jobs


Private businesses added slightly more jobs than expected in September, according to ADP. But large companies' layoff announcements jumped to the highest number in more than two years.

2011-10-05 14:33:

OECD Reviews EU Farm Payment Plan


A move by the European Union to cap payments to Europe's largest farms wouldn't improve the efficiency of the region's agriculture program, according to an influential report.

2011-10-05 13:16:

U.K. Data May Delay Easing


A modest pickup in activity in the U.K. economy during September is expected to persuade the Bank of England to delay reviving its asset-purchase program for another month.

2011-10-05 11:08:

U.K. Service-Sector Growth Picks Up


Growth in the U.K.'s dominant services sector accelerated in September, according to a survey of purchasing mangers conducted by Markit Economics and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

2011-10-05 04:06:

GOP Pushes for Jobs-Bill Vote


Republicans forced Obama's hand to expose the limits of support within the president's own party for the bill, which includes some tax increases opposed by many Democrats.

2011-10-05 03:16:

Housing's Job Engine Falters


As the housing market endures a prolonged slump, many of the jobs it created are gone, and housing has now become part of what many economists see as a vicious circle that has left the wider economy struggling to gain altitude.

2011-10-05 02:11:

Bernanke Urges Action on Economy


Fed chief Bernanke warned the U.S. economic recovery was "close to faltering," and said Congress and the White House had a "shared responsibility" with the central bank to respond.

2011-10-05 01:19:

Bernanke Issues Warning, Urges Action on Economy


Fed chief Bernanke warned the U.S. economic recovery was "close to faltering," and said Congress and the White House had a "shared responsibility" with the central bank to respond.

2011-10-04 23:26:

Factory-Goods Orders Show Decline


Orders for U.S. factory goods fell during August, after rising the previous month, as manufacturers struggle to keep growing within a weak economy.

2011-10-04 22:10:

Bernanke Urges Action Amid Weak Recovery


Fed chief Bernanke told lawmakers that Congress and the White House should take steps that could aid a persistently weak recovery.

2011-10-04 19:43:

Bigger Greek Write-Down Eyed


Divisions among euro-zone members over whether to push for a bigger private-sector write-down on Greek debt widened, with senior officials saying there was growing momentum behind the idea of pushing for a bigger contribution from private creditors.

2011-10-04 16:42:

Bernanke Calls on Congress to Do More


Bernanke told U.S. lawmakers the central bank is ready to do more to help the U.S. economy, but said Congress and the White House can also take steps that would aid a persistently weak recovery.

2011-10-04 16:23:

Factory Orders Fell in August


Orders declined for U.S. factory goods during August, the second drop in three months as manufacturers struggle to keep growing within a weak economy.

2011-10-04 15:11:

India Hopeful of Meeting Export Target


The risk of a global economic slowdown "is a concern" but India remains hopeful of meeting its $300 billion export target for the fiscal year ending March 2012, Indian Trade Minister Anand Sharma said.

2011-10-04 11:09:

Euro-Zone Producer Prices Drop


Prices of goods leaving factories across the 17 euro-zone countries fell in August as energy costs declined.

2011-10-04 02:21:

Review Is Set for Foreclosure Mistakes


Millions of current and former homeowners will have a chance to get their foreclosure cases examined to see if they should be compensated for banks' mistakes.

2011-10-04 02:17:

Reliable Engine of Recovery Loses Steam


U.S. manufacturing managed to keep expanding in September, but weakness was noted in the euro zone and Australia.

2011-10-03 22:43:

Dexia's Troubles Reverberate to West


Dexia shares fell sharply after Moody's said it was reviewing the Belgian-French bank for a downgrade because of potential funding problems. The bank's troubles could echo across the Atlantic because it is a major player in U.S. municipal debt.

2011-10-03 17:28:

U.S. Factory Activity Grows


U.S. manufacturing managed to keep expanding in September, but weakness was noted in the euro zone and Australia.

2011-10-03 16:21:

U.S. Manufacturing Expands


The U.S. manufacturing sector managed to keep expanding and employment strengthened in September, according to data released Monday by the ISM.

2011-10-03 12:43:

Indonesia's Inflation Eases


Inflation in Indonesia eased in September, but economists say that is unlikely to prompt the central bank to lower its benchmark interest rate next week, given turbulent market conditions.

2011-10-03 12:42:

Greek Economy to Keep Shrinking


Greece confirmed its economy is expected to contract by an annual pace of 2.5% in 2012, its fourth consecutive year of contraction.

2011-10-03 12:11:

S&P: India Will Struggle to Meet Fiscal Deficit Aim


Standard & Poor's Ratings Services is maintaining its view that India will struggle to meet its fiscal deficit target, a senior credit analyst said, noting that the government's announcement last week on raising its borrowing target wasn't a surprise.

2011-10-03 02:26:

For Hourly Jobs, White-Collar Perks


Companies in industries that rely heavily on hourly or low-wage workers, such as manufacturing, retail, food service, hospitality, health care and call centers, are exploring ways to provide more scheduling flexibility and control to a group that has rarely been offered such workplace benefits.

2011-10-01 04:44:

House Is Gone but Debt Lives On


Banks increasingly go to court and obtain "deficiency judgments" against former homeowners when foreclosure sales of houses don't bring enough to cover the full amount of the mortgage.

2011-10-01 03:40:

Gas Prices Stay High as Oil Drops


U.S. crude-oil prices have hit the skids, but drivers aren't feeling the impact at the gas pump. That means the economy won't get as much relief as benchmark crude prices would indicate.

2011-09-30 17:55:

China's Low-Cost Image Fades


Rapidly rising wages in China have reached the point at which foreign manufacturers need to give up on the notion of China as a low-cost production base, a senior Hyundai executive said.

2011-09-30 15:09:

India April-June Current Account Deficit Widens to $14.1 Billion


India's April-June current account deficit widened to $14.1 billion from $12.0 billion a year earlier due to a moderation in receipts from transportation, software and business services, raising concerns of a worsening external balance situation, central bank data showed.

2011-09-30 14:37:

Personal Income Drops


The income of Americans fell for the first time in nearly two years during August, while spending increased a bit.

2011-09-30 11:20:

Euro-Zone Inflation Surges


The annual rate of inflation in the 17 countries that share the euro surged to its highest level in almost three years in September, while the number of people without work fell slightly.

2011-09-30 10:00:

Japan to Expand Yen-Intervention War Chest


Japan's finance minister sent a fresh warning against the yen's strength with a plan to expand the nation's currency-market intervention arsenal.

2011-09-30 09:00:

China's Manufacturing Steady


The final HSBC China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, a gauge of nationwide manufacturing activity, was unchanged at 49.9 in September compared with 49.9 in August.

2011-09-30 07:32:

China's Manufacturing Steady in September


The final HSBC China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, a gauge of nationwide manufacturing activity, was unchanged at 49.9 in September compared with 49.9 in August.

2011-09-30 05:40:

September HSBC China PMI Steady Versus August


The final HSBC China Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index, a gauge of nationwide manufacturing activity, was unchanged at 49.9 in September compared with 49.9 in August.

2011-09-30 03:37:

Japan Output Continues Recovery, but Outlook Murky


Japanese industrial production continues to bounce back, rising for the fifth-straight month in August, but the outlook remains murky.

2011-09-30 01:45:

Fed's Twist May Prompt Bigger Turn


"Operation Twist" might be more powerful than many investors expect. Some bond-market strategists believe it could in some ways do as much?or more?for the bond market than its predecessor, known as QE2.

2011-09-30 00:40:

Home-Sales Index Shows More Clouds on Horizon


The index of pending home sales, which reflects contracts signed but deals not yet closed, fell to 88.6 from 89.7 in July.

2011-09-29 21:24:

U.S. Oil Demand Fell in July


U.S. oil demand in July fell by 4% from a year earlier to 18.555 million barrels a day and was the lowest level for the month since 1996, revised government data show.

2011-09-29 20:36:

Pending Home Sales Index Tumbles


The index of pending home sales, which reflects contracts signed but deals not yet closed, fell to 88.6 from 89.7 in July.

2011-09-29 17:39:

In China, Rising Wages Erode Low-Cost Image


Rapidly rising wages in China have reached the point at which foreign manufacturers need to give up on the notion of China as a low-cost production base, a senior Hyundai executive said.

2011-09-29 16:41:

Mortgage Rates Hit Record Lows


Fixed mortgage rates sank to record lows over the past week following the Fed's decision to lengthen the average maturity of its massive balance sheet, according to Freddie Mac.

2011-09-29 15:31:

Bernanke: Fed Prepared to Act


Bernanke signaled he is prepared to take more unconventional policy steps if the weak U.S. economy worsens and called the high unemployment rate was "a national crisis."

2011-09-29 10:35:

Ex-Treasury Chief Warns U.K. on Cuts


The U.K. government's austerity program may push the economy back into recession and fail to achieve its goal of cutting the budget deficit, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said.

2011-09-29 08:32:

U.K. House Prices Remain Flat


U.K. property prices were little changed in September as demand from home buyers remained low amid a weakening global economic outlook, mortgage lender Nationwide Building Society said.

2011-09-29 04:32:

Largest Group of Poor Children Are Latino


For the first time in U.S. history, the single largest group of poor children isn't white. The 6.1 million Hispanic children who lived in poverty last year exceeded any other group.

2011-09-29 03:58:

Lupin Sees U.S. Generic-Drug Pickup


Lupin expects a faster pace of generic drug launches in the key U.S. market over the next two financial years, as the Indian generic drug maker eyes lucrative opportunities from a wave of patent expirations there.

2011-09-29 02:04:

Copper Fall Hints at Broader Pains


In little more than a month, copper has careened into a bear market, catching commodities traders off guard and triggering alarm bells across financial markets.

2011-09-29 00:02:

Mortgage-Aid Effort Falls Short of Goal


A federal initiative that gives bridge loans to homeowners struggling to make mortgage payments will likely pay out less than half the $1 billion that Congress allotted for the program.

2011-09-28 22:30:

U.S. Durable-Goods Orders Inch Down


U.S. businesses kept spending on machinery, computers and other long-lasting equipment in August despite the month's financial turmoil, in what economists said was an encouraging sign for the economy.

2011-09-28 18:42:

Benefits Tax Hits Firms Twice


State and federal taxes are rising for employers across the U.S. as states struggle to repay federal loans for unemployment benefits, including more than $1 billion in interest due Friday.

2011-09-28 17:58:

For Some Firms, No Interest in Interest


A provision in Dodd-Frank gave businesses a way to earn interest on large balances held by banks. But now, many don't want it, instead relying on other ways to earn money on deposits.

2011-09-28 17:58:

Fed Officials Hit Road to Defend Push


Federal Reserve officials are hitting the public-speaking circuit to defend their latest attempt to boost the economy, describing the action as prudent and necessary.

2011-09-28 17:34:

U.S. Durable-Goods Orders Fall


Orders for long-lasting goods unexpectedly fell during August, the second drop in three months as manufacturers struggle with a bad economy.

2011-09-28 16:41:

Rising Specter of U.K. Credit Crunch


The Bank of England's new Financial Policy Committee is already bumping up against limitations?well before it gets formal powers in 2013.

2011-09-28 15:58:

U.S. Durable-Goods Orders Decline


Orders for long-lasting goods unexpectedly fell during August, the second drop in three months as manufacturers struggle with a bad economy.

2011-09-28 14:15:

Finland Backs Boost to Bailout Fund


Finland's parliament approved legislation implementing Europe's amended temporary bailout fund in a final vote. Lawmakers voted 103 for and 66 against the legislation.

2011-09-28 13:34:

Japan Government Announces $156 billion Spending Plan


The Japanese government and ruling party agreed plans to spend 12 trillion yen ($156 billion) and rely less on tax increases to cover the cost of post-quake reconstruction.

2011-09-28 13:28:

RBI Official: India's Weak Supply Responses Stoking Inflation


India's poor supply responses to rising demand for protein-rich food aren't helping to lower the inflation rate, Subir Gokarn, a deputy governor of the Reserve Bank of India, said.

2011-09-28 13:02:

U.K. Working Toward Stimulus


Vince Cable, U.K. business secretary, said the government was encouraging debate within the Bank of England to design a phase of monetary-policy stimulus in response to the renewed risk of a global slowdown.

2011-09-28 12:31:

EU Details Planned Transaction Tax


The European Commission outlined its proposal for a tax on financial transactions, targeting exchanges of shares, bonds and derivatives in a move that is likely to run into opposition from some governments.

2011-09-28 08:53:

French GDP Confirmed Flat


French GDP was flat in the second quarter, national statistics agency Insee confirmed, after an uncharacteristically robust first quarter reading.

2011-09-28 06:10:

Housing Revs Up in Detroit


Like the recovering auto industry, Detroit's housing market is showing signs of new life, as the region was one of only two to post higher prices in July than a year earlier.

2011-09-28 01:15:

Employers' Health-Care Premiums Jump 9%


Health-insurance premiums paid by employers rose sharply this year, with the average annual cost of family coverage topping $15,000.

2011-09-27 21:08:

Employers' Health Premiums Jump


The health-insurance premiums paid by employers rose sharply this year, with the average annual cost of family coverage passing the $15,000 mark for the first time, according to a major survey.

2011-09-27 17:52:

U.S. Home Prices Post Rise


U.S. home prices rose in July from a month earlier with a boost from seasonal demand, but were down from 2010 levels, according to the Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller home-price indexes.

2011-09-27 17:41:

Employer Health Premiums Rise Sharply


The health-insurance premiums paid by employers rose sharply this year, with the average annual cost of family coverage passing the $15,000 mark for the first time, according to a major survey.

2011-09-27 15:39:

U.S. Home Prices Post Seasonal Rise


U.S. home prices rose in July from a month earlier with a boost from seasonal demand, but were down from 2010 levels, according to the Standard & Poor's Case-Shiller home-price indexes.

2011-09-27 12:32:

U.K. Retail Sales Weaken


U.K. retail sales were lower in September from a year earlier and retailers expect sales to weaken further next month, the latest sign that the economy is slowing.

2011-09-27 09:53:

Banks Seek Safety at ECB


Euro-zone banks' overnight deposits with the European Central Bank rose to the highest amount so far this year, signaling persisting market uncertainty.

2011-09-27 04:03:

Stopgap Fix Ends Budget Impasse


A budget deadlock that had raised the risk of a federal government shutdown was broken Monday, as the Senate approved a short-term funding measure and the House appeared likely to follow suit.

2011-09-27 03:45:

Europe's Banks Face New Squeeze


An extraordinary dry spell in the market for long-term European bank funding is amplifying pressure on policy makers to devise a solution to the Continent's banking crisis.

2011-09-27 03:32:

G-20 Urged to Focus on Employment


Risks of entrenched unemployment are increasing in the G-20 advanced and emerging nations as economic activity slows, the OECD and the International Labor Office said.

2011-09-27 02:40:

Budget Deadlock Is Broken


A budget deadlock that had raised the risk of a federal government shutdown was broken Monday, as the Senate approved a short-term funding measure and the House appeared likely to follow suit.

2011-09-27 02:17:

Tallying the Toll of U.S.-China Trade


Many Americans believe low-priced Chinese imports kill U.S. factory jobs. Most economists say the benefits of the trade far outweigh its costs. But new research suggests the damage to the U.S. has been deeper than these economists have supposed.

2011-09-27 01:39:

Budget Deal Is Closer---For Now


A deal to push the latest budget impasse in Congress into next week came into view Monday, as the Senate was cleared to vote Monday evening on a broader measure aimed at averting a partial government shutdown.

2011-09-27 01:18:

Spain Battles to Aid Banks


Spain's central bank is poised to take over three more ailing savings banks this week and will likely receive nonbinding offers for mid-sized lender Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo as the government approaches the end of its effort to clean up the sector.

2011-09-27 00:38:

New Homes Again Log Slow Sales


New-home sales fell for the fourth-straight month in August to the lowest level in a half year as the bursting of the housing bubble continued to weigh on the U.S. economic recovery.

2011-09-27 00:18:

Ricardo Backed Specialization for Nations


British economist David Ricardo changed how people think about trade when he came up with the theory of comparative advantage: Countries do best, he said, by concentrating on their strengths, and then trading with others for everything else.

2011-09-26 23:41:

China Trade Takes a Toll in U.S.


Many Americans believe low-priced Chinese imports kill U.S. factory jobs. Most economists say the benefits of the trade far outweigh its costs. But new research suggests the damage to the U.S. has been deeper than these economists have supposed.

2011-09-26 20:50:

New-Home Sales Drop


New-home sales fell for the fourth-straight month in August to the lowest level in a half year as the bursting of the housing bubble continues to plague the U.S. economy.

2011-09-26 16:36:

China Guides Yuan Higher


China's central bank has set the yuan's official guidepost at a new high even as global investors continued to push the currency lower.

2011-09-26 16:24:

New Home Sales Drop


New-home sales fell for the fourth-straight month in August as the bursting of the housing bubble continues to plague the U.S. economy.

2011-09-26 15:23:

G-20 Given Jobs Warning


Risks of entrenched unemployment are increasing in the Group of 20 advanced and emerging nations as economic activity slows, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Labour Office said.

2011-09-26 15:03:

China Sets Yuan Post at Record


Despite global economic tumult, Beijing appears determined to continue guiding the yuan higher to tackle inflation even as investors put downward pressure on the currency.

2011-09-26 14:31:

China Central Bank Sets Yuan Post at Record


Despite global economic tumult, Beijing appears determined to continue guiding the yuan higher to tackle inflation even as investors put downward pressure on the currency.

2011-09-26 02:44:

Europe Split on Rescue Plan


European officials are debating ways to boost the firepower of their financial-bailout fund after the world's finance ministers, worried about the potential for a market meltdown, ratcheted up pressure on euro-zone officials to act.

2011-09-25 09:48:

Russia's Kudrin Eyes Exit, Cites Policy Differences


Russian Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin said he would decline a post in Russia's next government just hours after Vladimir Putin announced he would stand for president in 2012 elections.

2011-09-24 20:49:

Markets Skittish About Europe's Banks


Eroding trust in Europe's financial system increasingly is putting banks outside the euro zone on guard.

2011-09-24 20:41:

Market Rout Claims New Victim


The selling that has washed over financial markets in recent weeks swamped precious metals, sending gold and silver plummeting and raising the stakes for weekend meetings of global finance officials.

2011-09-24 03:27:

Turmoil Hits Even Asia's Bastions


The huge selloff in Indonesia and some other similar markets is a reminder of how quickly global capital flight can spread even to countries with strong economic fundamentals.

2011-09-24 01:39:

Market Rout Claims New Victim: Precious Metals


The selling that has washed over financial markets in recent weeks swamped precious metals, sending gold and silver plummeting and raising the stakes for weekend meetings of global finance officials.

2011-09-24 01:19:

Global Markets Skittish About Europe's Banks


Eroding trust in Europe's financial system increasingly is putting banks outside the euro zone on guard.

2011-09-23 21:05:

New Doubts on Aid for Greece


New doubts about Greece's ability to secure further aid and avoid default emerged as European officials pressed for decisive steps.

2011-09-23 19:06:

IMF Chief Warns of Compounding Risks


Downside risks to the global economy are compounding, creating a crisis of confidence in markets around the globe, Christine Lagarde, head of the International Monetary Fund, told finance ministers and central bankers at the IMF and World Bank's fall meetings.

2011-09-23 17:53:

Ben and Beijing Corrode Metal Markets


Remember supply and demand? The quaint notion that these two set metals prices has been battered by Ben Bernanke and Beijing. Volatile markets, such as this week's, are the result.

2011-09-23 03:35:

Markets Swoon on Recession Fears


Global investors dumped everything from stocks to corporate bonds to foreign currencies and fled to the relative safety of U.S. Treasurys on fears of another recession and a Greek debt default.

2011-09-23 02:03:

Deal Credit Gushes at Top


Times may be tough for companies with poor credit, but for well-heeled corporate borrowers it's a different world.

2011-09-23 01:52:

China's Factory Activity Slipped in September


A preliminary gauge of China's manufacturing activity fell in September, indicating that growth in the world's second-largest economy continued to slow.

2011-09-23 01:43:

Heightened Worries of a Double-Dip


The global economy is showing new signs of faltering while policy makers express rising alarm about their inability to agree on how to respond.

2011-09-23 01:34:

Housing Slump Hits New Mortgage Loans


Mortgage lending declined last year amid weak demand and tight credit standards, with particularly sharp credit contractions in neighborhoods with many foreclosures, a Fed report said.

2011-09-22 23:43:

All Eyes on Bernanke's Next Move


Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke has made clear his mindset about post-bubble economics: Keep experimenting as long as the economy is stumbling and inflation is muted.

2011-09-22 22:24:

Ex-Official Expects Fed to Pause for a While


Nathan Sheets, who retired as director of the Fed's international affairs group this summer, said Thursday he believed the central bank would pause for a while after taking unconventional steps in August and September to bring down long-term interest rates as it assesses the impact of its actions.

2011-09-22 21:26:

Economic Leaders Warn on Growing Crisis


World finance officials face a burgeoning global crisis with decreasing options to respond, top international leaders warned Thursday, urging Europe to act swiftly to address the region's woes to avoid a global-economic contagion.

2011-09-22 19:25:

Select U.S. Cities See Brain Gain


Many of the nation's most educated people continue to cluster in a handful of dominant metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York and California's Silicon Valley, according to census data.

2011-09-22 19:08:

World Economies Enter 'Danger Zone'


The global economy is showing new signs of faltering while policymakers express rising alarm about their inability to agree on how to respond.

2011-09-22 18:12:

EPA to Enforce Earlier Ozone Standard


The EPA will enforce a three-year-old ozone standard after the White House pulled the plug on an updated measure opposed by business groups.

2011-09-22 16:29:

Ireland Posts Growth Despite Cutbacks


Ireland's economy grew strongly in the second quarter despite cutbacks in government spending, boosting hopes that it can stick to the terms of its bailout program.

2011-09-22 14:05:

Euro-Zone Economy in Retreat


The prospect of Europe falling back into recession came a step closer following the latest batch of dire economic data.

2011-09-22 13:11:

Celtic Tiger Purrs


Ireland's economy grew strongly in the second quarter despite cutbacks in government spending, boosting hopes that it can stick to the terms of its bailout program and return to bond markets in 2013.

2011-09-22 13:08:

Italy Slashes Growth Forecasts


The Italian government approved new economic growth forecasts, cutting sharply the projections it made in the early summer.

2011-09-22 11:42:

Euro-Zone Data Suggest Slowdown


Business activity in the euro zone contracted in September, raising the threat of a renewed downturn in the economy as a whole. Factory orders rose in July at the weakest year-to-year pace since November 2009.

2011-09-22 11:33:

India Food Prices Edge Higher


Food prices in India edged higher in the week ended Sept. 10 as protein-rich foods kept becoming more expensive, offsetting a decline in vegetable and fruit prices and putting paid to hopes that inflationary pressures will ease anytime soon.

2011-09-22 10:20:

Euro-Zone Business Activity Slows


Business activity in the 17 nations that use the euro contracted in September, marking the end of a two-year run of growth, preliminary results from a survey showed.

2011-09-22 09:49:

German Business Activity Slows


Business activity in Europe's biggest economy slowed to a near-standstill in September, adding to concerns about the health of the region's economy as its sovereign-debt crisis grinds on.

2011-09-22 06:44:

Select Cities See Brain Gain


Many of the nation's most educated people continue to cluster in a handful of dominant metropolitan areas such as Boston, New York and California's Silicon Valley, according to census data.

2011-09-22 06:14:

Italy's Frattini Sees Next Austerity Package Soon


Italy's next round of austerity measures, including the sale of public property and privatization of some public services, will be presented in Parliament in a matter of "weeks, if not days," the country's foreign affairs minister Franco Frattini said Wednesday.

2011-09-22 06:09:

BOE's Posen Says Old Banker Habits Die Hard


Adam Posen, a U.S. economist on the Bank of England's nine-member monetary policy committee, offers a critique of conventional central-bank wisdom.

2011-09-22 04:23:

Home Resales Up, But Remain Weak


Sales of previously occupied homes in the U.S. rose in August to the highest level in five months but remained weak overall as the sputtering housing market fails to propel the economy.

2011-09-22 02:04:

Italy Foreign Minister Sees Next Austerity Packet Soon


Italy's next round of austerity measures, including the sale of public property and privatization of some public services, will be presented in Parliament in a matter of "weeks, if not days," the country's foreign affairs minister Franco Frattini said Wednesday.

2011-09-22 01:41:

Fed Launches New Stimulus


Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke, acting more aggressively than expected, launched a new package of measures to support a limping economy and once again took the kind of unconventional approach that has become a trademark of his tumultuous five-year tenure running the central bank.

2011-09-21 22:37:

Fed Shifts Bond Portfolio


The Fed took another unconventional step to boost the economy, saying it would increase its share of longer-term Treasurys by $400 billion and reinvest in mortgage-related debt.

2011-09-21 16:03:

Home Resales Climb


Sales of previously occupied homes in the U.S. rose in August to the highest level in five months but remained weak from a historical perspective.

2011-09-21 06:01:

No Joy in Holiday Retail Forecast


The first forecasts for year-end retail sales are out, and they are pointing to more muted gains than retailers saw last year.

2011-09-21 04:43:

Home Forecast Calls for Pain


Economists, builders and mortgage analysts are predicting the weakened U.S. economy will depress housing prices for years.

2011-09-21 04:43:

Berlusconi Lashes Out at S&P


The government of Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi lashed out at ratings agency Standard & Poor's Corp. for downgrading Italy's sovereign rating.

2011-09-21 03:09:

GOP Leaders Urge Fed Not to Take Action


Top Republican congressional leaders, in a rare effort to directly influence Fed policy, expressed reservations about the central bank taking additional steps to spur the recovery, saying further action could harm the economy.

2011-09-21 01:27:

Shutdown Possible Over Disaster Aid


Congress once again found itself embroiled in a display of brinksmanship and the threat of a government shutdown, with Republicans and Democrats at odds over how to pay for disaster relief.

2011-09-20 17:05:

OPEC Chief Optimistic on Accord at Next Meeting


OPEC will be able to overcome the acrimony of its last meeting to reach agreement at the December meeting, but the extent of discussion on the organization's quota system depends on the state of the Libyan oil recovery, the organization's top official said.

2011-09-20 10:27:

Italian Industrial Orders Wobble


Italian industrial orders rose in July after falling sharply the month before, leaving the summer trend in negative territory, data from national statistics institute Istat showed.

2011-09-20 02:27:

Obama Yokes Benefit Cuts to New Taxes


The president threatened to veto any bill that cuts Medicare benefits without increasing taxes on corporations or the wealthy, setting his sharpest boundaries yet in negotiations over reducing the federal deficit.

2011-09-20 01:55:

Crisis, Wages Get Stuck in a Conundrum


Millions of Europeans who lost their jobs in countries hard-hit by the crisis won't see their prospects improve until companies believe labor is cheap enough to start hiring again.

2011-09-20 01:52:

Obama Ties Benefit Cuts to New Taxes


The president threatened to veto any bill that cuts Medicare benefits without increasing taxes on corporations or the wealthy, setting his sharpest boundaries yet in negotiations over reducing the federal deficit.

2011-09-20 01:50:

White House Sought Buffett's Approval


When White House aides recently suggested naming a new millionaires' tax the "Buffett Rule," President Barack Obama insisted they check with investing legend Warren Buffett first.

2011-09-20 00:55:

Carnival Corp. Faces Middle-Class Malaise


These aren't the most festive times for cruise line Carnival Corp.

2011-09-19 14:34:

Fed Weighs Jobs, Inflation Targets


Fed officials, worried that a wobbly economy and their fractious debates are confusing the public, are examining whether to adopt more explicit economic targets to clarify their strategy for lowering unemployment without fueling inflation.

2011-09-19 03:11:

New Obama Deficit Plan


Obama is expected to offer a new plan to reduce the federal deficit by about $3 trillion over a decade, roughly half of which would come from tax increases, people familiar with the proposal said.

2011-09-19 02:57:

U.S. Struggles for Traction on Europe Crisis


U.S. officials are struggling to navigate increasingly heated political environments on both sides of the Atlantic as they try to address the euro-zone turmoil.

2011-09-19 02:09:

Obama Proposes New Plan to Cut Deficit


Obama is expected to offer a new plan to reduce the federal deficit by about $3 trillion over a decade, roughly half of which would come from tax increases, people familiar with the proposal said.

2011-09-19 01:33:

Fed Ponders Jobs, Inflation Targets


Federal Reserve officials, worried that a wobbly economy and their fractious debates are confusing the public, are examining whether to adopt more explicit economic targets to clarify their strategy for lowering unemployment without fueling inflation.

2011-09-18 23:50:

World Bank Chief Warns Europe


World Bank President Robert Zoellick warned Europe can't count on cash-rich emerging nations to come to the euro zone's aid and said European leaders needed to make fundamental decisions about the direction of the currency union.

2011-09-18 09:08:

Companies Pile Up Cash


Corporations have a higher share of cash on their balance sheets than at any time in nearly half a century, as businesses build up buffers rather than invest in new plants or hiring.

2011-09-17 21:19:

There Will Be Oil


For decades, advocates of "peak oil" have been predicting a crisis in energy supplies. They've been wrong.

2011-09-17 12:11:

Geithner Warns Europeans on Crisis


The U.S. Treasury secretary warned his European counterparts of the "catastrophic risk" of the swirling sovereign-debt crisis. But finance ministers reacted coolly to his sharp exhortations to bolder action.

2011-09-17 01:47:

Roche Keeps Drugs From Greek Hospitals


Roche quit delivering drugs to some state-funded hospitals in Greece that haven't paid back bills and may take similar steps elsewhere in a sign of how the debt crisis is affecting consumers and companies.

2011-09-17 01:45:

Companies Shun Investment, Hoard Cash


Corporations have a higher share of cash on their balance sheets than at any time in nearly half a century, as businesses build up buffers rather than invest in new plants or hiring.

2011-09-16 23:57:

State Unemployment Rose in August


The majority of states saw their unemployment rates climb in August, as the nation's job market remained stuck in neutral.

2011-09-16 23:10:

Companies Hold More Cash


Corporations have a higher share of cash on their balance sheets than at any time in nearly half a century, as businesses build up buffers rather than invest in new plants or hiring.

2011-09-16 20:41:

IMF Support Sought for Greek Plan


The bank industry group negotiating Greece's debt refinancing is asking the IMF and major emerging markets to back a private-sector led plan for Athens to buy back $27.75 billion of its debt.

2011-09-16 20:02:

Bank Group Seeks Support for Greek Debt Proposal


The bank industry group negotiating Greece's debt refinancing is asking the IMF and major emerging markets to back a private-sector led plan for Athens to buy back $27.75 billion of its debt.

2011-09-16 18:42:

Dissent Persists as European Officials Discuss Crisis


Efforts to boost euro-zone rescue measures met more opposition and delays, even as the region's finance ministers met in a bid to ease market tensions caused by escalating sovereign debt problems.

2011-09-16 03:36:

Boehner Pushes Tax Overhaul


House Speaker John Boehner wants Congress's deficit-reduction committee to initiate a broad rewrite of the tax code that closes loopholes without adding new tax revenue.

2011-09-16 02:34:

Economists Say U.S. Recession Looks More Likely


Economists see a one in three chance the U.S. will slip into recession over the next twelve months and doubt any steps the Federal Reserve might take at its meeting next week can change that.

2011-09-16 01:48:

Debt Showdown in Alabama


Jefferson County, Ala., officials are pressing for steeper concessions from holders of $3.14 billion in sewer debt before a scheduled vote that could result in the largest municipal bankruptcy in U.S. history.

2011-09-16 01:13:

Global Standards Sought on Rules


Geithner assured Congress that the Obama administration and regulators are working with their international counterparts to see they adopt similar rules requiring market participants to back their over-the-counter derivatives trades with cash.

2011-09-16 00:36:

Indicators Signal Recovery's Fragility


New claims for unemployment insurance rose to their highest level since June last week, in a worrying sign of a weakening U.S. job market.

2011-09-15 21:08:

Kansas City Fed Names President


Esther George, operating chief at the Fed Bank of Kansas City, will succeed retiring bank president Thomas Hoenig on Oct. 1.

2011-09-15 20:07:

Economists Raise Recession Odds


Economists see a one in three chance the U.S. will slip into recession over the next twelve months and doubt any steps the Federal Reserve might take at its meeting next week can change that.

2011-09-15 19:04:

Kansas City Fed Names George as President


Esther George, first vice president and chief operating officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, will succeed departing bank president Thomas Hoenig on his retirement on Oct. 1.

2011-09-15 18:08:

OECD Seeks Action on Unemployment


The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said it doesn't expect unemployment to quickly fall from its high levels and urged governments to introduce measures to encourage hiring.

2011-09-15 17:00:

Central Banks Boost Dollar Liquidity


Five major central banks will conduct three dollar-liquidity providing tenders before the end of the year in a move to offset shortages of dollars at European businesses.

2011-09-15 16:35:

Spain to Impose New Wealth Tax


Spain said it will temporarily reinstate a tax on its wealthiest citizens, a measure designed to help close one of Europe's largest budget gaps while easing voter discontent with spending cuts.

2011-09-15 15:58:

Talks Aim to Jump-Start Bailout


Euro-area finance ministers will gather in Poland on Friday to seek agreement on several debt-crisis-fighting measures left unresolved despite weeks of talks.

2011-09-15 14:40:

Food, Energy Push Up Prices


Food and energy prices pushed up consumer prices last month as underlying inflation remained tame. Jobless claims last week hit their highest level in more than two months.

2011-09-15 14:27:

Euro-Zone Growth Forecast Cut


The European Commission cut its growth forecast for the euro-zone economy, with the bloc's central bank linking Europe's chronic debt crisis with slowing economic output.

2011-09-15 12:57:

OECD Calls for Action on Unemployment


The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development said it doesn't expect unemployment to quickly fall from its high levels and urged governments to introduce measures to encourage hiring.

2011-09-15 12:18:

Euro-Zone Employment Up


The number of people in work across the 17 countries that share the euro rose at the fastest pace since before the onset of the global financial crisis, while euro-zone inflation held steady.

2011-09-15 11:14:

Euro-Zone Employment Up, Inflation Holds


The number of people in work across the 17 countries that share the euro rose at the fastest pace since before the onset of the global financial crisis, while euro-zone inflation held steady.

2011-09-15 09:56:

Gold a Bright Spot in Tough Economy


For some, gold's climb is a chance to profit from the declining U.S. dollar and fears about the European financial crisis. But others regard gold as less of a safe haven than a last resort.

2011-09-15 02:40:

Congress Urged to Keep Higher U.S.-Backed Mortgage Limits


Housing-market experts warned lawmakers that the size of mortgages backed by the government should not be reduced next month amid a weak housing market.

2011-09-15 02:40:

Retail Sales Reflect Stalling Recovery


U.S. retail sales were flat in August, a potentially worrying sign. Separately, wholesale prices were unchanged last month, pointing to moderating inflation pressures.

2011-09-15 02:04:

Gold's Luster a Bright Spot in Tough Economy


For hedge funds and hordes of individual investors, gold's climb is a chance to profit from the declining U.S. dollar and fears about the European financial crisis. But some people regard gold as less of a safe haven than a last resort, shedding heirlooms and treasured keepsakes in order to pay basic bills.

2011-09-15 01:42:

Economy Clips Factories


The earnings outlook for American manufacturers, whose rebound propelled the U.S. recovery last year, is deteriorating as the global economy sputters.

2011-09-15 01:14:

Congress Urged to Block Cuts in U.S.-Backed Loans


Housing-market experts warned lawmakers that the size of mortgages backed by the government should not be reduced next month amid a weak housing market.

2011-09-14 19:15:

Canada Unhappy About Obama Jobs Plan


Canada is demanding meetings with White House officials and Congressional leaders, alarmed over what it calls "protectionist" provisions in the Obama administration's $447 billion job-creation plan.

2011-09-14 19:13:

Canada Unhappy About 'Protectionist' Jobs Plan


Canada is demanding meetings with White House officials and Congressional leaders, alarmed over what it calls "protectionist" provisions in the Obama administration's $447 billion job-creation plan.

2011-09-14 17:34:

Pressure Builds as U.K. Economy Flags


The U.K. government came under increased pressure to stimulate the country's flagging economy after a record fall in public-sector jobs caused unemployment to rise at its fastest pace in two years.

2011-09-14 16:14:

Canada Exporters Unhappy About Jobs Plan


Canadian exporters said the current version of the White House's $447 billion job-creation plan contains protectionist measures that will disadvantage Canadian industry, and they vowed to fight to remove the language.

2011-09-14 15:54:

Income Slides to 1996 Levels in U.S.


The income of the typical American family?long the envy of much of the world?has dropped for the third year in a row and is now roughly where it was in 1996 when adjusted for inflation.

2011-09-14 15:54:

ECB Hands Out Dollar Funds


The European Central Bank said that it allotted $575 million at its seven-day dollar term auction, marking only the second time in six months that it has handed out dollar funds amid renewed tensions in euro-zone money markets.

2011-09-14 15:44:

Retail Sales Unchanged


U.S. retail sales were flat in August, a potentially worrying sign. Separately, wholesale prices were unchanged last month, pointing to moderating inflation pressures.

2011-09-14 13:37:

Wen Offers No Specifics for Europe Aid


Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao voiced support for Europe but offered no new specific help for the debt-battered continent, and emphasized China's own demands that European leaders take "bold steps" to improve economic ties with the Asian giant.

2011-09-14 12:03:

U.K. Public Sector Sheds Jobs


The effects of the U.K. government's austerity measures were laid bare when official figures showed the biggest fall in public-sector employment since records began.

2011-09-14 06:41:

Data Revisions Take Pressure Off Australian Central Bank


The Australian dollar was sold heavily after the bureau announced core inflation averaged a seasonally adjusted rise of 0.6% in the second quarter from the first.

2011-09-14 05:14:

China Willing to Expand Europe Investment


Wen Jiabao said China was willing to expand its investment in Europe, but European leaders must take certain "bold steps." The premier also said China plans to increase domestic consumption.

2011-09-14 03:23:

IMF Chief Urges Focus On Riskier EU Debt


International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde encouraged emerging-market countries interested in buying European government debt to focus on nations that have trouble borrowing.

2011-09-14 03:05:

IMF Chief Says Risky Debt Must Be Bought


International Monetary Fund chief Christine Lagarde encouraged emerging-market countries interested in buying European government debt to focus on nations that have trouble borrowing.

2011-09-14 02:50:

Casino Wages Under Attack


A sharp drop in wages at Atlantic City, N.J.'s oldest casino could ripple through an industry long known for providing relatively high-paying jobs to thousands of unskilled workers. Already, it has ratcheted up labor tensions in the East Coast gambling hub.

2011-09-14 02:37:

Accurate Poverty Measures Elusive


America's poverty rate clicked up again last year and now stands at its highest level since the early 1990s. But what exactly does it mean to live in poverty in one of the richest countries on earth?

2011-09-14 02:14:

Income Slides to 1996 Levels


The income of the typical American family?long the envy of much of the world?has dropped for the third year in a row and is now roughly where it was in 1996 when adjusted for inflation.

2011-09-14 00:12:

How Retail Sales Mask Services Slowdown


While a steep slowdown in services spending has largely gone unnoticed as solid retail sales have masked the impact on overall consumer spending, the recovery's ultimate strength hinges on a services-spending revival.

2011-09-13 19:53:

Canada's Household Debt Hits Record High


Canadian appetite for debt showed no sign of lessening with a key indicator hitting a new high, as consumers borrowed to purchase houses and cars.

2011-09-13 19:05:

Household Income Falls, Poverty Rate Rises


The typical American household saw its income fall for the third straight year in 2010 and the poverty rate clicked up to its highest level since 1993, the census reported, as the aftermath of the latest recession continued to take a toll.

2011-09-13 18:54:

French Bank Stocks Close Higher on Merkel's Greek Comments


Société Générale leads rise in sector after Merkel indicates Greek default is not an option.

2011-09-13 14:37:

Import Prices Slip on Cheaper Oil


U.S. import prices fell in August, indicating inflation pressures are benign and providing U.S. policymakers with room to give the lackluster economy additional stimulus.

2011-09-13 12:21:

Italian Bond Auction Disappoints


Italy paid sharply higher yields than at previous auctions to sell five- to nine-year government bonds, and garnered rather disappointing demand, selling below the maximum targeted amount.

2011-09-13 10:52:

U.K. Inflation Rises


The U.K.'s inflation rate edged up in August due to a sharp increase in household energy prices and record rises in clothing, furniture and hospitality prices.

2011-09-12 17:40:

Big Japan Companies Are Upbeat


Big Japanese companies turned upbeat on business conditions in the third quarter, with the nation's recovery from the March 11 disasters boosting sentiment despite the strong yen and threat of a global economic slowdown.

2011-09-12 14:56:

OPEC Hints at Output Cuts


The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries hinted that some of its members could reduce production as a slowing economy is expected to dent oil demand.

2011-09-12 14:06:

Turkish Economy Humming


The Turkish economy expanded 8.8% in the second quarter, far exceeding economists' expectations and underscoring its reputation as Eurasia's rising tiger.

2011-09-12 13:36:

Turkey's Economy Keeps Humming


The Turkish economy expanded 8.8% in the second quarter, far exceeding economists' expectations and underscoring its reputation as Eurasia's rising tiger.

2011-09-12 11:51:

Turkey's Economy Accelerates


The Turkish economy expanded 8.8% in the second quarter, far exceeding economists' expectations and underscoring its reputation as Eurasia's rising tiger.

2011-09-12 10:57:

Italian Industrial Output Slumps


Italian industrial output fell much more than expected in July due to the sharpest contraction of consumer-goods production in more than two years.

2011-09-12 09:40:

India Industrial Output Growth Slows Sharply


India's industrial production grew 3.3% in July from a year earlier, much below market expectations, hurt by a sharp fall in capital goods output.

2011-09-12 09:01:

India Industrial Output Growth Slows


India's industrial production grew 3.3% in July from a year earlier, much below market expectations, hurt by a sharp fall in capital goods output.

2011-09-12 07:54:

India Industrial Output Rises 3.3%


India's industrial production grew 3.3% in July from a year earlier, much below market expectations, hurt by a sharp fall in capital goods output.

2011-09-12 04:38:

Chinese Economic Data Signal Policy Is on Hold


The latest economic data from China reinforce a growing consensus among economists that Chinese policy is on hold as global uncertainty deepens.

2011-09-12 02:16:

Support Grows for EU Integration Treaty


U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Osborne acknowledged a new EU treaty giving the euro zone greater fiscal integration was likely in the next two years.

2011-09-12 01:47:

Support Grows for New EU Treaty on Integration


U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Osborne acknowledged a new EU treaty giving the euro zone greater fiscal integration was likely in the next two years.

2011-09-11 23:04:

Osborne: EU Integration Deal Is Likely


U.K. Chancellor of the Exchequer Osborne acknowledged a new EU treaty giving the euro zone greater fiscal integration was likely in the next two years.

2011-09-11 17:40:

China Policy Makers Keep Options Open


The latest economic data from China reinforce a growing consensus among economists that Chinese policy is on hold as global uncertainty deepens.

2011-09-11 10:00:

U.S. Weighs New Tax Plan


The Treasury Department is considering a proposal to eliminate some but not all taxes on the overseas profits of U.S. companies, a central element of the administration's plans to overhaul corporate taxes.

2011-09-10 18:51:

U.S. Weighs Tax Plan


The Treasury Department is considering a proposal to eliminate some but not all taxes on the overseas profits of U.S. multinational companies, a central element of the administration's plans to overhaul corporate taxes.

2011-09-10 18:15:

Treasury Weighs Tax Scheme


The Treasury Department is considering a proposal to eliminate some but not all taxes on the overseas profits of U.S. multinational companies, a central element of the administration's broader plans to overhaul the corporate-tax code.

2011-09-10 04:30:

Treasury Weighs New Tax Scheme


The Treasury Department is considering a proposal to eliminate some but not all taxes on the overseas profits of U.S. multinational companies, a central element of the administration's broader plans to overhaul the corporate-tax code.

2011-09-10 03:57:

Mixed Reviews of Obama's Jobs Proposal


Economists gave a range of reviews to President Barack Obama's jobs plan, from predictions that it would have no impact on the U.S. economy to estimates that the proposal could add as much as two percentage points to annual growth.

2011-09-10 03:49:

Canada Suffers Surprise Job Losses


The Canadian economy shed jobs in August, pushing up the unemployment rate to 7.3% from 7.2%, Statistics Canada said Friday, in a sign Canada's job-creating machine has stalled.

2011-09-10 03:44:

G-7 Torn Between Stimulus, Cuts


Officials from the world's leading advanced economies papered over divisions among themselves as they sought to assure skeptical investors and voters that they had solutions to economic woes on both sides of the Atlantic.

2011-09-09 23:05:

U.S. Seeks More Loan Refinancings


The nation's top housing-finance regulator, with the enthusiastic backing of the White House, is moving towards broadening a federal program aimed at allowing more Americans to refinance their mortgages at today's low rates.

2011-09-09 22:09:

'Operation Twist' Augurs Pain for Banks


The possibility of the Federal Reserve invoking "Operation Twist" to stoke more borrowing and economic activity by lowering long-term rates has many in the retail banking industry uttering expressions of pain.

2011-09-09 20:15:

Obama Takes Jobs Push on Road


Obama headed to the backyard of one of his chief political rivals to tout his new $447 billion jobs plan and to urge Americans to get behind his economic ideas.

2011-09-09 15:24:

Geithner: Jobs Plan Can Work 'Very Quickly'


Geithner said the Obama administration's proposed jobs package would work "very very quickly" to boost the economy, and ultimately generate hundreds of thousands of new jobs.

2011-09-09 14:28:

Kroger in Prime Position


The grocery chain is better positioned than weaker rivals and should continue to outpace them.

2011-09-09 11:52:

Kroger in Prime End-Aisle Position


The grocery chain is better positioned than weaker rivals and should continue to outpace them.

2011-09-09 11:14:

U.K. Producers' Costs Fall


The costs paid by U.K. manufacturers fell in August from July largely because of a drop in oil prices, official data showed.