Economic outlook news and stories by mail.com

Economic outlook

Expectations low for any major Fed moves this week
Six weeks after rolling out a bold plan to boost the U.S. economy, the central bank is meeting again amid low expectations for further help.
Oil price drops below $87; pump prices down again
The price of oil fell to a three-month low Tuesday as big corporations cut earnings forecasts, raising concerns about economic growth and oil demand.
German investor optimism on the rise
Investor optimism in Germany rose in October, sending an upbeat signal about Europe's largest economy. A recent easing of financial market tensions ...
Confident consumers give US retail sales a lift
Americans spent more money at retailers in September — a buying surge that reflected growing consumer confidence and the launch of the latest iPhone.
Poll: Economists foresee weak but improving growth
Economists foresee only tepid growth for the coming year, with unemployment back above 8 percent for the first half of 2013. The good news: The ...
Small 2013 Social Security benefit increase likely
Social Security recipients won't be getting big benefit increases next year, but the small raises they will receive are playing an important role in ...
Expect small '13 Social Security benefit increase
Social Security recipients shouldn't expect a big increase in monthly benefits come January. Preliminary figures show the annual benefit boost will ...
India industrial output rose 2.7 percent in August
Industrial production in India rose 2.7 percent in August, more than expected on a rebound in mining activity, though investment still appears weak.
US trade deficit rose to $44.2 billion in August
The U.S. trade deficit widened in August from July because exports fell to the lowest level in six months. The wider deficit likely dragged on ...
Europe's outlook darkens as German growth fades
Europe's economic outlook darkened further Thursday when top economists slashed their growth forecasts for Germany and warned that public support for ...
SKorea cuts key rate, lowers growth forecasts
South Korea's central bank cut its key interest rate Thursday for the second time this year and slashed growth forecasts as Asia's fourth-largest ...
Asia stocks fall after Spain gets downgrade
Asian stock markets fell Thursday after Spain, the fourth-largest euro economy, was slapped with a two-notch credit downgrade and the U.S.
FedEx details major cost-cutting plan
FedEx Corp., the world's second-largest package delivery company, on Wednesday detailed its plan to boost profit by $1.7 billion annually by shedding ...
Finance leaders to address global economic threats
When global finance ministers meet this week in Tokyo, they'll confront a triple challenge: Economic troubles in three major regions are threatening ...
Economic uncertainty hurts business travel
U.S. companies are continuing to cut back on employee travel plans amid uncertainty surrounding the health of the economy. Americans are expected to ...
A weak open on Wall Street on gloomy IMF forecast
Stocks hit their all-time highs exactly five years ago. And corporate earnings reports that begin Tuesday will help determine whether they can make ...
IEA optimistic about future of Iraq oil industry
The International Energy Agency predicted Tuesday that Iraq will consolidate its position as a global oil power — allowing it to rebuild the economy ...
IMF offers bleak assessment of stalled recovery
Plagued by uncertainty and fresh setbacks, the world economy has weakened further and will grow more slowly over the next year, the International ...
Asia stocks up despite global growth warnings
Asian stocks markets shrugged off yet another dismal prediction about global economic growth to mostly post solid gains Tuesday. The gains in Asia ...
Eurogroup chief: Lenders, Greece should agree soon
Greece and its international lenders need to agree quickly on a program of reforms so the next tranche of bailout loans can be released, the head of ...
Stocks lower on weak outlook for 3Q, Asian economy
Investors looked warily at forecasts for poor U.S. corporate earnings and weaker growth in Asia and decided there wasn't much reason to buy stocks.
Asia stocks down as global growth woes intensify
Asian stocks fell Monday as Europe's debt crisis continued to roil markets and the World Bank cut its growth forecasts for Asia. Investors were also ...