Canadian Consumers Entering 2014 Confident on Jobs Outlook

Canadian consumers are heading into 2014 with more confidence than a year ago, buoyed by optimism that jobs are more secure and real-estate prices will rise, according to the Bloomberg Nanos Canadian Confidence Index.

Mortgage rise will plunge a million homeowners into 'perilous debt'

More than a million homeowners will be at risk of defaulting on their mortgages and losing their properties in the wake of even a small rise in interest rates, a bombshell analysis reveals.

U.S. bank watchdogs to consider Volcker rule tweak

WASHINGTON: U.S. bank regulators said on Friday they would consider allowing banks to hold on to certain complex securities despite a new rule limiting risky investments.

Japan December manufacturing PMI at highest in more than 7 years

TOKYO: Japanese manufacturing activity expanded in December at the fastest clip in more than seven years as firms added workers at the quickest pace in over six years to help meet growing backlogs of unfilled orders, a survey showed on Friday.

Britain 'will be Europe's top economy by 2030'

A rising population, a low-tax regime and insulation from the worst of the eurozone's problems leave Britain on course to overtake Germany as Europe's biggest economy within the next two decades, according to a study released on Thursday.

EU bans arms exports to Central African Republic

(Reuters) - The European Union on Monday banned the export of arms and the sending of mercenaries to Central African Republic, which is racked by sectarian violence.

Christmas shopper numbers hit by bad weather

Bad weather and more online shopping has seen fewer shoppers hitting the UK High Street in the run up to Christmas this year, according to new figures.

China's $50 billion move to avert cash crunch

China's central bank has been forced to pump nearly $50 billion into the financial system to prevent a second damaging cash crunch this year.

Economic Growth in U.S. to Quicken Next Year, Lagarde Says

The International Monetary Fund is raising its outlook for the U.S. economy, as a budget deal in Washington and the Federal Reserve’s plan to taper its bond buying ease doubts about the future, IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde said.

India Bonds Set for Best Week in Month on RBI Pause; Rupee Drops

India’s 10-year government bonds headed for their best week this month after the central bank unexpectedly refrained from raising interest rates.

France's Hollande flags need to cut labor costs

(Reuters) - President Francois Hollande said on Friday France needed to cut the high cost of labor in France to bring down stubbornly high unemployment in the euro zone's second-biggest economy.

Irish economy grows by 1.5 per cent in Q3

DUBLIN: Ireland's economy grew by 1.5 per cent in the third quarter, showing a tentative recovery may be gathering momentum and handing the government a boost as it emerges from an EU/IMF bailout.

Inflation tame, but Fed may still trim bond buying

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Consumer prices were flat in November, but the lack of inflation pressures in the economy will probably not stop the Federal Reserve from scaling back its bond-buying program soon.

China's interest rates will have upside bias when freed: Central bank chief

BEIJING: China's borrowing costs will have a tendency to rise once controls on interests rates are lifted due to buoyant demand for funds, Central Bank Governor Zhou Xiaochuan said on Monday.

Japan pledges $19 billion in aid to ASEAN region

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan on Saturday pledged 20 trillion yen ($19.2 billion) in aid to Southeast Asian nations over the next five years to help close the region's development gap and improve its disaster preparedness.

Bank of England keeping an eye on UK 'microwave' housing market, says chief economist Spencer Dale

The Bank of England is closely monitoring the UK’s “microwave” housing market, its chief economist, Spencer Dale, said today.

R.B.S. to Pay $100 Million to Settle Inquiries Into Violations of Sanctions

The Royal Bank of Scotland is paying $100 million in fines to New York and federal banking regulators to settle civil investigations into accusations that some of its former employees helped conceal transactions involving customers from Iran, Sudan and other nations subject to international sanctions for about a decade.

Budget deal reached, government shutdown averted

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama and congressional leaders reached a historic, last-minute agreement just before a midnight deadline to slash about $38 billion in federal spending and avert the first federal government shutdown in 15 years.

Italian economy ends two years of contraction: Official data

MILAN: The troubled Italian economy, the third-biggest in the eurozone, stagnated in the third quarter, ending two years of contraction, revised data showed on Thursday.

A Public Works Boom in Japan Has Echoes From the Lost Decade

SAGA, Japan — The bulldozers started up with a rumble this year in this bucolic corner of southern Japan, unleashing a construction frenzy — and a sinking feeling of déjà vu.

Russia-Ukraine 'closer on gas price' after Sochi talks

Russia says differences with Ukraine on reducing the price of Russian gas have been narrowed after talks in the Black Sea resort of Sochi.

Prime Minister hails 'historic' global trade deal which 'will give £613billion boost to world economy'

Prime Minister David Cameron has hailed a 'historic' global trade deal which he said could be worth £1 billion a year to British businesses and be a 'lifeline' for the world's poorest people.

US jobless rate falls to 5-year low in November

The US unemployment rate fell to a five-year low of 7% in November, according to the US Labor Department.

Autumn statement 2013: UK economic growth upgraded

Britain's economy will grow 1.4% this year and 2.4% next year, chancellor George Osborne said on Thursday as he unveiled big upgrades from the government's independent forecasters, the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Draghi Says Europe No Japan as Crisis Spurs Price Cuts

Henar Fuentes held out the white cardigan sweater as if she wanted nothing more in the world. It was on sale for 8.45 euros ($11.44) at a Madrid boutique just a few minutes’ walk from the Puerta del Sol.

Australia Urged to Buy Carbon Credits for Cheaper Emission Curbs

Buying carbon credits near record low prices in global markets would cost-effectively ensure Australia meets its pledge to cut emissions by 5 percent, an industry group told the nation’s new government.

Biggest drop in savings for 40 years, Bank of England figures reveal

Bank figures show £23 billion taken out of long-term savings in past 12 months, equivalent to £900 for every UK household.

East African trade bloc approves monetary union deal

(Reuters) - The leaders of five East African countries signed a protocol on Saturday laying the groundwork for a monetary union within 10 years that they expect will expand regional trade.

Swiss economy to pick up steam in coming months, KOF shows

ZURICH: Switzerland's economy will pick up more steam in coming months, helped by domestic consumption and the euro zone's emergence from recession, the country's leading indicator showed on Friday.