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Economic outlook

Fed links interest rates to 6.5 pct. unemployment
The Federal Reserve said Wednesday that it plans to keep interest rates ultra-low even after unemployment falls close to a normal level — which it ...
Fed projects high unemployment for next 3 years
The Federal Reserve projects the unemployment rate will stay elevated until late 2015, suggesting it will keep short-term interest rates low for the ...
Bernanke says fiscal cliff already hurting economy
The U.S. economy is already being hurt by the "fiscal cliff" standoff in Washington, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday.
Fewer US CEOs expect hiring dip over next 6 months
A survey of U.S. chief executives shows the number of large companies that plan to add jobs or hire more workers is essentially unchanged versus three ...
OPEC keeps output target on hold amid weak economy
OPEC ministers agreed to keep their daily crude production target unchanged at a meeting Wednesday. But in a sign of internal rivalries, they failed ...
Fed expected to revamp bond buying program
The Federal Reserve is wrapping up 2012 the way it began the year, searching for ways to help a U.S. economy that is still struggling with high ...
US economy could withstand brief fall off 'cliff'
It's the scenario that's been spooking employers and investors and slowing the U.S. economy: Congress and the White House fail to strike a budget deal ...
Asia stocks gain, unfazed by NKorea rocket launch
Asian stock markets rose Wednesday as a German business confidence survey alleviated concerns that Europe's largest economy might fall into recession.
Fed is expected to launch new bond buying program
With a nervous eye on the "fiscal cliff," the Federal Reserve is expected this week to announce a new bond-buying plan to support the U.S. economy.
US job gains defy Sandy and fears of fiscal cliff
It takes more than a superstorm to derail the U.S. job market. Employers added 146,000 jobs in November and the unemployment rate dipped to 7.
German central bank cuts 2013 growth forecast
Germany's central bank sharply cut its 2013 economic growth forecast to 0.4 percent on Friday, while poor industrial production figures underlined ...
AP-GfK Poll: Obama approval rises postelection
A month after the bitterly fought election, President Barack Obama has his highest approval ratings since the killing of Osama bin Laden, according ...
Sandy is thought to have slowed US hiring in Nov.
Superstorm Sandy is widely thought to have slowed U.S. job growth last month. The only question is how much — an answer that's expected to emerge ...
Asia stocks rise as US employment claims dip
Asian stock markets rose Friday after the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week, offsetting a somber economic forecast by ...
Oil drops on bleak outlook for Europe economy
The price of oil fell Thursday after the European Central Bank predicted a bleak year ahead for the region's economy but stopped short of offering new ...
ECB cuts growth outlook for eurozone, holds rates
The European Central Bank warned of another gloomy year for the 17 European Union countries that use the euro, cutting its forecast for economic ...
Key quotes from ECB head Draghi's press briefing
At his monthly news conference following the European Central Bank's policy-setting meeting, President Mario Draghi on Thursday answered questions ...
ECB President Mario Draghi's speech
Ladies and gentlemen, the Vice-President and I are very pleased to welcome you to our press conference. We will now report on the outcome of today's ...
US hiring last month was likely held back by Sandy
The combination of U.S. employers that shut down because of Superstorm Sandy and fears over looming tax increases and spending cuts likely slowed ...
UK Treasury chief juggles budget as outlook dims
Britain's Treasury chief George Osborne said Wednesday that the recovery of the U.K. economy is taking longer than he had hoped and warned more ...
Ireland imposes 6th straight austerity budget
Ireland's government unveiled plans for €3.5 billion ($4.5 billion) in new taxes and spending cuts in the debt-burdened country's sixth straight ...
US factory orders up 0.8 percent in October
Orders to U.S. factories rose modestly in October, helped by a big gain in demand for equipment that reflects business investment plans.
Eurozone retail sales slump in October
Retail sales across the 17 European Union countries that use the euro slumped far more than anticipated in October, largely due to a huge drop in ...
Australia lowers key interest rate to 3 percent
Australia's central bank cut its benchmark interest rate by a quarter percentage point Tuesday, taking it to its lowest level since the global ...
US manufacturing shrinks in November to 3-year low
U.S. manufacturing shrank in November to its weakest level since July 2009, one month after the Great Recession ended. Worries about automatic tax ...