Indonesia Unexpectedly Raises Key Rate

Indonesia’s central bank unexpectedly raised its benchmark interest rate, stepping up its campaign to contain inflation (IDCPIY) and shore up the rupiah.

G20 gives U.S. a slap for the shutdown

The world’s top economic powers urged the U.S. to break its stalemate over the nation’s debt ceiling and budget, calling the standoff one of the world’s chief immediate economic risks.

Budget Cuts Seen as Risk to Growth of U.S. Economy

WASHINGTON — The fresh round of federal spending cuts scheduled to begin next week would slow economic growth in the next year, though not nearly as much as going over the so-called fiscal cliff might have, economists said.

Spending Probably Rose in U.S., Home Sales Climbed

Consumer spending probably rose in November as Americans set aside the threat of higher taxes next year while shopping for the holidays, economists said before reports this week.

Bernanke Seeks Gains for Stocks in Push for Jobs: Economy

Chairman Ben S. Bernanke is increasingly aiming for gains in stock prices as the Federal Reserve reaches for new tools to spur the three-year recovery and reduce unemployment stuck above 8 percent.

Bernanke Says Economic Data May Mask Individual Suffering

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke said gauges of the U.S. economy’s strength may fail to measure the suffering of individual citizens.