http://www.mail.com/subjects/1370-economy.html Mail.com - the best personalized free web-based Email en en http://sec-s.uicdn.com/mail.com/2.20/img/mailcom_logo_rss.png http://www.mail.com/subjects/1370-economy.html http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763296-obama-boehner-to-meet-fiscal-cliff.html WASHINGTON (AP) — With time growing short and no "fiscal cliff" progress evident, President Barack Obama and Republican House Speaker John Boehner set face-to-face negotiations for late Thursday at the White House. The meeting comes shortly after Boehner publicly accused Obama of dragging out negotiations on a federal tax-and-spending agreement that would... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:55:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763296-obama-boehner-to-meet-fiscal-cliff.html 2012-12-13T20:55:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1764126-stocks-lower-investors-watch-washington.html NEW YORK (AP) — Stocks sank most of the day Thursday after more signs of tension emerged in federal budget talks. They recovered some of the loss after a late report that President Barack Obama and the House speaker would meet. The Dow Jones industrial average finished down 74.73 points, or 0.6 percent, to 13,170.72. House Speaker John Boehner, speaking t... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:48:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1764126-stocks-lower-investors-watch-washington.html 2012-12-13T20:48:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1765160-europe-takes-step-toward-stable-banks.html FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The European Union has taken its big first step toward keeping busted banks from costing taxpayers billions and dragging down government finances. After another marathon meeting, finance ministers from the 27 EU member countries agreed Thursday to give the European Central Bank the power to act as a banking watchdog for the 17 EU... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:27:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1765160-europe-takes-step-toward-stable-banks.html 2012-12-13T20:27:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1765036-us-holiday-sales-slowly-pick-up-sandy.html WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. consumers shook off Superstorm Sandy last month and stepped up holiday shopping, helped by a steady job market and lower gas prices. Retail sales rose 0.3 percent in November from October, reversing the previous month's decline. Sales increased mostly because Americans spent more online, bought more electronics and began to replace ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1765036-us-holiday-sales-slowly-pick-up-sandy.html 2012-12-13T20:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764182-oil-ends-lower-fiscal-cliff-concerns-grow.html NEW YORK (AP) — Oil finished lower Thursday as doubts increased over political leaders' ability to strike a deal in budget negotiations. Enthusiasm over the U.S. Federal Reserve's plan to boost the economy, announced Wednesday, was replaced by concerns that President Barack Obama and Republican leaders were as far apart as ever on reaching a budget deal b... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 20:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764182-oil-ends-lower-fiscal-cliff-concerns-grow.html 2012-12-13T20:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763312-gop-decries-looming-regulatory-cliff-term.html WASHINGTON (AP) — While the "fiscal cliff" of looming tax increases and spending cuts dominates political conversation in Washington, some Republicans and business groups see signs of a "regulatory cliff" that they say could be just as damaging to the economy. For months, federal agencies and the White House have sidetracked dozens of major regulations th... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 19:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763312-gop-decries-looming-regulatory-cliff-term.html 2012-12-13T19:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1764772-sp-puts-uks-aaa-rating-negative-watch.html LONDON (AP) — The Standard & Poor's rating agency has put Britain's AAA long-term credit rating on negative watch because of fears that economic growth over the next two years could be weaker than forecast. S&P said Thursday that it believed that many of the factors that have held back UK economic growth will persist. The agency added, "we continue to bel... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:29:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1764772-sp-puts-uks-aaa-rating-negative-watch.html 2012-12-13T17:29:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763806-german-real-estate-booms-people-seek-security.html BERLIN (AP) — Buying a home in Berlin is widely viewed as one of the safest investments a German, or any European, can make. That is why some real-estate experts are worried the market could get overheated. Home prices in Germany's largest cities are booming. Building permits and home ownership rates are climbing fast. And the percentage of foreigners sna... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:12:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763806-german-real-estate-booms-people-seek-security.html 2012-12-13T17:12:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764588-cuban-lawmakers-meet-to-consider-economy-budget.html HAVANA (AP) — Cuban lawmakers are holding the second of their twice-annual sessions with a year-end report expected on the state of the country's economy. Legislators are also to approve next year's budget. Cuban leaders have sometimes used the parliamentary gatherings to make important announcements or policy statements. Observers will be watching for wo... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 17:07:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764588-cuban-lawmakers-meet-to-consider-economy-budget.html 2012-12-13T17:07:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1763424-market-enthusiasm-fed-stimulus-fades.html LONDON (AP) — Upbeat U.S. economic figures failed to restore strength to stock markets Thursday as investors monitored the progress of budget discussions in the U.S. On Wednesday, stocks had gained ground on hopes of another monetary stimulus from the Federal Reserve, but once it was delivered investors refrained from any further buying. "As we've seen on... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:56:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1763424-market-enthusiasm-fed-stimulus-fades.html 2012-12-13T16:56:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1764648-financial-crisis-explained-to-queen-elizabeth-ii.html LONDON (AP) — In 2008, Queen Elizabeth II asked academics why no one saw the financial crisis coming. On Thursday, she finally got an answer. Sujit Kapadia from the Bank of England's Financial Services Committee gave the queen three reasons as she visited the central bank in London. He told her that financial crises are like earthquakes — rare and difficu... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:32:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1764648-financial-crisis-explained-to-queen-elizabeth-ii.html 2012-12-13T16:32:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763892-top-central-banks-extend-dollar-lending-program.html FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Major central banks acted Thursday to try to shore up confidence in the global financial system by extending a program that makes it easier for banks to borrow U.S. dollars. Thursday's move renews for a year a program that was expanded in November 2011 in response to Europe's debt crisis. It had been set to expire in February. Th... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:26:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763892-top-central-banks-extend-dollar-lending-program.html 2012-12-13T16:26:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1763852-weekly-us-jobless-aid-applications-drop-to-343k.html WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply for a fourth straight week, a sign that the job market may be improving. The Labor Department said Thursday that weekly applications for unemployment benefits fell 29,000 last week to a seasonally adjusted 343,000, the lowest in two months. It is the second-lowest total t... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:16:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1763852-weekly-us-jobless-aid-applications-drop-to-343k.html 2012-12-13T16:16:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764616-glance-eus-key-decisions-2012.html In a whirlwind of decision-making, ministers from the European Union's 27 countries agreed Thursday on the foundation of a fully-fledged banking union and approved billions of euros in bailout loans for Greece that will prevent it from going bankrupt. Both decisions are vital in bringing calm to crisis-hit Europe and strengthening the region against any further financial sho... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:15:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764616-glance-eus-key-decisions-2012.html 2012-12-13T16:15:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760584-eu-backs-banking-supervisor-greece-bailout.html BRUSSELS (AP) — In one whirlwind morning, the European Union nations agreed Thursday to two key measures vital to the financial security of the region. As well as laying the groundwork for a full-fledged banking union, Greece's euro partners approved billions in bailout loans that will prevent the country from going bankrupt. The measures, approved by Eur... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:08:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760584-eu-backs-banking-supervisor-greece-bailout.html 2012-12-13T16:08:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764522-integration-ideas-eu-leaders-mulling.html European Union leaders, seeking to avoid a repeat of the crisis that has dogged the 27-country bloc for the past three years, are debating plans for an unprecedented shift of national financial policy powers to the EU. Here are the main points they are discussing: — The broad terms of a banking union: This will provide a single rulebook for banks and set ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 16:01:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764522-integration-ideas-eu-leaders-mulling.html 2012-12-13T16:01:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764388-boehner-white-house-risks-fiscal-cliff-stalemate.html WASHINGTON (AP) — House Speaker John Boehner says the White House is so resistant to cutting spending that it is risking pushing the country off the "fiscal cliff." In remarks he prepared to deliver to reporters on Thursday, the Ohio Republican says President Barack Obama has not been serious about controlling spending, which Republicans say is the source... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:36:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1764388-boehner-white-house-risks-fiscal-cliff-stalemate.html 2012-12-13T15:36:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763298-dispute-raises-doubt-china-stocks-us-market.html BEIJING (AP) — A mounting dispute between Washington and Beijing over access to records of Chinese companies with U.S.-traded shares might force major corporate names such as oil giant PetroChina and search engine Baidu to withdraw from American stock exchanges. The dispute highlights the clash between heightened U.S. anti-fraud efforts and official Chine... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:31:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763298-dispute-raises-doubt-china-stocks-us-market.html 2012-12-13T15:31:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1764116-us-business-stockpiles-rise-04-percent-october.html WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. businesses added to their stockpiles in October while sales fell, a sign that companies may order fewer goods in the coming months. The Commerce Department says inventories rose 0.4 percent, down from a 0.7 percent increase in September and the smallest gain in four months. Sales, meanwhile, dropped 0.4 percent. Rising inventories a... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:20:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1764116-us-business-stockpiles-rise-04-percent-october.html 2012-12-13T14:20:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763850-cheaper-gas-drives-us-wholesale-price.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Cheaper gas drove down a measure of wholesale prices in November for the second straight month, a sign inflation remains mild. The producer price index fell 0.8 percent last month, the steepest drop since May, the Labor Department said Thursday. That follows a 0.2 percent decline in October. The index measures the cost of goods before th... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 14:12:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763850-cheaper-gas-drives-us-wholesale-price.html 2012-12-13T14:12:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763578-us-airlines-to-lead-industry-recovery-profits.html GENEVA (AP) — U.S. airlines will lead a recovery in the global sector's profits next year, mainly thanks to cost cuts and restructuring measures taken to address weak economic growth, the industry's trade group forecast Thursday. Carriers in Asia, the Middle East and Latin America will also enjoy an improvement in earnings, while those in Europe are expec... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:25:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763578-us-airlines-to-lead-industry-recovery-profits.html 2012-12-13T13:25:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763832-us-futures-rise-jobs-inflation-reports.html NEW YORK (AP) — Stock futures rose Thursday after government data showed that unemployment claims dropped sharply last week and inflation is being held in check. Dow Jones industrial futures rose 10 points to 13,240. The broader S&P futures tacked on 0.20 points to 1,427. Nasdaq futures rose 3.25 points to 2,673.50. Applications for unemployment benefits ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:03:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763832-us-futures-rise-jobs-inflation-reports.html 2012-12-13T13:03:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1763428-oil-slips-us-talks-impasse-weak-demand-outlook.html The price of oil fell to near $86 a barrel on Thursday after critical budget negotiations in Washington reached an apparent impasse. By early afternoon in Europe, benchmark oil for January delivery was down 60 cents to $86.17 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The contract finished 98 cents higher at $86.77 a barrel in New... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 11:44:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/markets/1763428-oil-slips-us-talks-impasse-weak-demand-outlook.html 2012-12-13T11:44:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763594-spain-sees-cost-borrowing-fall-auctions.html MADRID (AP) — Spain has seen the interest rate it has to pay to get investors to buy its benchmark bond fall in an auction that signals rising confidence in the government's management of its finances. The Treasury sold €802 million ($1.05 billion) of its key 10-year bonds Thursday with the rate dropping to 4.2 percent from 4.47 percent in the last such a... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 10:22:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1763594-spain-sees-cost-borrowing-fall-auctions.html 2012-12-13T10:22:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763102-nkorea-policy-seoul-to-soften-despite-rocket.html SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — It is not too early to predict one sure winner of South Korea's presidential election next week: North Korea. President Lee Myung-bak's hardline approach to Pyongyang is going away, no matter who replaces him. The question is: Just how soft will Seoul go? Not even Pyongyang's successful launch of a long-range rocket Wednesday has... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 04:54:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763102-nkorea-policy-seoul-to-soften-despite-rocket.html 2012-12-13T04:54:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763112-bank-repossessions-hit-9-month-high-november.html LOS ANGELES (AP) — U.S. home repossessions rose to a nine-month high in November, even as the number of homes starting on the path to foreclosure declined to the lowest level in six years. Banks completed foreclosure on 59,134 homes last month, an increase of 11 percent from October and up 5 percent from November last year, foreclosure listing firm Realty... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 04:52:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1763112-bank-repossessions-hit-9-month-high-november.html 2012-12-13T04:52:00Z http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760408-budging-fiscal-cliff-talks-appear-stalled.html WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans aren't budging on tax rates, and Democrats are resisting steps like raising the eligibility age for Medicare. Negotiations on averting a year-end fiscal train wreck combining big automatic tax hikes and sweeping spending cuts again appear stalled. There are less than three weeks before the government could careen off this "fi... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:18:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/news/politics/1760408-budging-fiscal-cliff-talks-appear-stalled.html 2012-12-13T00:18:00Z http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760350-hands-heritage-wary-chinas-reach.html GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN, France (AP) — Life in this French village revolves around wine. The backyards of its tidy houses nurture the grapes that have made Burgundy famous the world over. At an auto repair shop, everyone seems to have an opinion about the recent sale of a local vineyard to a Macau casino magnate. "It's a piece of French heritage that's heading ... Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:14:00 GMT http://www.mail.com/business/economy/1760350-hands-heritage-wary-chinas-reach.html 2012-12-13T00:14:00Z