Federal Reserve cuts additional $10bn from economic stimulus programme

The US Federal Reserve instituted a further cut to its massive economic stimulus programme on Wednesday, in a move that rattled stock markets already worried by recent poor jobs figures.

Indonesians still world's most bullish consumers, Americans less upbeat: survey

(Reuters) - Indonesians remained the world's most bullish consumers in the final quarter of 2013 while Americans were slightly less willing to spend than in the previous quarter, a global survey showed.

Greek budget surplus for 2013 seen topping forecast: Ministry official

ATHENS: Greece's primary budget surplus for 2013 may exceed previous forecasts and top 1 billion euros ($1.37 billion), a senior finance ministry official said on Tuesday, citing latest revenue and spending data.

Growth figure likely to bolster recovery hopes

Britain's recovery is expected to have held up over the final months of 2013, helping the economy to clock up its strongest annual growth for six years.

IMF's Lagarde sees eurozone inflation "way below target"

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) - Euro zone inflation is "way below target" and deflation is a potential risk for the bloc, International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde told the World Economic Forum in Davos on Saturday.

Euro zone business gets off to strong start for 2014

(Reuters) - The euro zone's private sector started 2014 in much better shape than expected, with stronger growth across the region marred only by a continued downturn in France, surveys showed on Thursday.

Abe Comparing China Ties to Pre-War Europe Fuels TensionsAbe Comparing China Ties to Pre-War Europe Fuels Tensions

China said Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was evading Japan’s “history of aggression” by comparing Sino-Japanese relations to those of the U.K. and Germany prior to World War I.

Analysis: Hardest yet to come for France's Hollande on reforms

(Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande has won cautious backing from Berlin, Brussels and financial markets for a centrist reform push that could be his last chance to get the euro zone's second largest economy motoring.

China to deepen reforms and keep policy stable: Premier Li

(Reuters) - China will continue to deepen reforms and keep policy consistent to ensure stable economic growth this year, Premier Li Keqiang said on Wednesday.

IMF sees higher global growth, warns of low inflation

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund raised its global growth forecasts for the first time in nearly two years on Tuesday amid rising demand and inventories in advanced economies, which picked up the mantle of growth from emerging markets.

Interest rates 'should stay' at 0.5% says Item Club

Interest rates should be held at 0.5% until squeezed real-term wages begin to grow - to avoid choking the recovery, a leading economic forecaster has said.

Pound Strengthens Versus Euro as Retail Sales Surge; Gilts Rise

The pound strengthened against the euro this week as a government report showed U.K. retail sales grew at a record pace for a December, adding to optimism the recovery is gaining momentum.

China Growth Seen Slowing as Momentum Weakens

China’s factory output and investment growth probably weakened in December, adding to signs the world’s second-largest economy is losing momentum as analysts forecast 2014 expansion at the lowest in 24 years.

Davos Globalization Defenders Fight to Show 2014 Not 1914

Davos, the spiritual home of globalization, is having to defend its vision.

Employers plan to take on more new graduates

A survey of 100 big employers suggests they are planning to increase the number of new graduates they take on this year.

Basel Regulators Ease Leverage-Ratio Rule for Banks

Global regulators diluted a planned debt limit for banks amid warnings that the rule would penalize low-risk financial activities and curtail lending.

On jobs, US President Barack Obama calls 2014 'a year of action'

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama is calling 2014 "a year of action" for creating jobs and economic opportunities for American families.

Mint condition: countries tipped as the next economic powerhouses

First it was the Brics. For a while the Civets were in vogue. Now the Mints are the ones to watch. Confused? Well, once you know your acronyms it all becomes clear.

A new year of worries about the world economy

As the year that saw the world's strongest economy brought to the precipice of a default comes to a close, many wonder if 2014 promises any more stability.

Labor market data suggest economy strengthening

(Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits last week fell and planned layoffs hit a 13-1/2 year low in December, adding to a range of data that have suggested the economy is gaining steam.

Greece plays up progress as it takes on delicate EU presidency

(Reuters) - Greece took over the presidency of the European Union on Wednesday and chose the moment to deliver a staunch defense of its efforts to recover from six years of recession and two bailouts that have cost it more than 200 billion euros.

Senate to vote on restoring jobless benefits to 1.3 million Americans

The Senate was poised for a crucial vote to temporarily restore long-term unemployment insurance on Tuesday, despite arctic conditions preventing some legislators from making it to Capitol Hill.

European Union won't seek law to separate banking activities: Report

LONDON: The European Union is set to drop financial reforms that would force big banks to ringfence their retail departments from riskier investment operations, the newspaper reported on Monday.

George Soros warns that Chinese slowdown is biggest worry in 2014

George Soros is worried about China, and we should take note. The hedge fund boss, who built his fortune betting on the world's money markets, is concerned that 20 years of rapid growth is about to run out of steam.

Lew to Urge Europeans to Spur Growth, Avoid Deflation, Aide Says

U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob J. Lew will urge European officials next week to pursue policies that boost economic growth, avoid deflation and strengthen the banking system, a Treasury official said today.

French borrowing costs rising at 'worrying' rate

France's borrowing costs have continued to rise as latest figures revealed the manufacturing sector underperformed even Greece.

American Consumers in 2013 Most Upbeat Since Before Recession

American consumers in 2013 were more upbeat than at any time in the previous six years as views on the economy, finances and the buying climate improved.

China's factory growth slower but resilient at year end

BEIJING: Growth in China's factories slowed slightly in December as export orders and output weakened, official data showed on Wednesday, adding to views that while the world's second-largest economy remains resilient, it lost some steam in late 2013.

US home price gains slow in October, but yearly gain increases: S&P

NEW YORK: US single-family home prices rose less than expected in October but posted their strongest annualized gain in more than seven years, a closely watched survey said on Tuesday.