Economy

Economy

• Oil price rises as US economy seen strengthening

  Oil prices moved up slightly closer to $91 a barrel on Thursday as reports of a moderately improving U.S. economy, which suggests increased fuel ... 

• German industrial orders drop unexpectedly

  A fall in demand for German exports, particularly from other countries in the eurozone, caused an unexpected decline in industrial orders in Europe's ... 

• Bank of England opts against another stimulus

  The Bank of England has opted against injecting more money into the ailing British economy, which has one foot in recession but stubbornly-high ... 

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  Greek unemployment dips to 26.4 percent

  Unemployment in Greece dipped marginally to 26.4 percent in December, but experts warn that more significant improvements are unlikely in coming ... 

• Rates down as Spain sells $6.5 billion in debt

  Spain has sold €5 billion ($6.5 billion) worth of bonds at a lower cost, in another sign that investors are getting more hopeful over the government's ... 

• French jobless rate up again in Q4, hits 10.6 pct

  France has yet to hit bottom. The unemployment rate in Europe's second-largest economy rose again in the last quarter of last year to 10.6 percent, ... 

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  Asia markets suffer slight post-Dow hangover

  Japan's Nikkei 225 index topped 12,000 for the first time in more than four years, but stock markets elsewhere in Asia flagged following Wall Street's ... 

• UK's Cameron to dismiss calls for policy shift

  British Prime Minister David Cameron is expected to reject calls for a shift in economic policy and vow to maintain a course of austerity despite ... 

• 3 former Greek ministers charged under asset laws

  Three Greek ex-Cabinet ministers were charged Wednesday with alleged breaches of wealth declaration laws, amid a crackdown on former public officials ... 

• ECB to urge Italy to stay course on reform

  The European Central Bank likely won't offer more help Thursday for Europe's struggling economy, instead pressing indebted Italy to stick with its ... 

• Poland lowers key interest rate to 3.25 percent

  The National Bank of Poland lowered its key interest rate by half a percentage point to a record low of 3.25 percent on Wednesday, a surprise move ... 

• Spain's royal palace workers call 1st ever strike

  Workers at Spain's royal palaces will stage their first strike ever to protest austerity cutbacks. The CSI-F union said Wednesday the strikes on Mar. 

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  Cyprus bailout talks resume

  Senior officials from Cyprus' prospective international lenders are starting a new round of talks with Cypriot authorities with the aim of finalizing ... 

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  US stock market isn't the only one racing ahead

  U.S. stocks are not alone in racing ahead this year. Many markets in Europe and Asia are trading at multi-year highs, too, in part because of Wall ... 

• Asia stocks rise after Dow hits new all-time high

  The Dow's new all-time high and better economic data from the United States propelled Asian stock markets higher Wednesday. Markets continued to shrug ... 

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  Hugo Chavez, fiery Venezuelan leader, dies at 58

  President Hugo Chavez was a former paratroop commander and self-styled "subversive" who waged continual battle for his socialist ideals. He bedeviled ... 

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  Carmakers don't see European recovery this year

  It is still a tough time to be a European carmaker. Profits are falling as idle factories produce more costs than cars. And fewer consumers are buying ... 

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  French unions protest loosening of labor rules

  France's toughest unions are protesting a potentially landmark plan to loosen the country's famously rigid labor rules, calling it a betrayal by ... 

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  Greek farmers bring black-flag protest to Athens

  Farmers from across Greece travelled to central Athens on Tuesday, waving black flags to protest austerity cuts that the country's rescue lenders say ... 

• China destroys Ikea cake, Nestle chocolate

  Chinese authorities say they have destroyed nearly two tons of chocolate cake imported by Sweden's Ikea for violating food quality standards. 

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  EU pushes ahead with bonus cap despite UK concerns

  Britain stood isolated against a broad majority of European Union countries Tuesday in refusing to back legislation that would strictly limit bankers' ... 

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  Renault CEO: Carmakers must push outside Europe

  The European car market is going to be tough for five more years, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn predicted Tuesday, and the only way for struggling ... 

• Oil above $90 on Chinese growth hopes

  The price of oil rose slightly on Tuesday, a day after dropping below $90 a barrel for the first time this year, as investors welcomed China's ... 

• Eurozone retail sales up more than expected

  Retail sales across the 17 European Union countries that use the euro rose more than expected in January. Eurstat, the European Union's statistics ... 

• Asia stocks rise as China announces budget

  Asian stock markets rose Tuesday as investors registered approval for China's spending priorities announced at its annual congress. Markets in Hong ...