Australia's budget offers small businesses a boost

Australian Treasurer Joe Hockey has delivered the country's budget, promising to help small businesses and ensure parents can join the workforce.

Consumer confidence falls at fastest rate for four years

Consumer confidence slumped in October as optimism about the general economic backdrop as well as personal finances waned. The YouGov/Cebr confidence index fell by 4.6 points over the month to 109.5.

Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Rose in September to 14-Month High

Consumer confidence climbed in September to a 14-month high as Americans’ outlooks for the economy improved.

Consumer Comfort in U.S. Falls to Lowest Since Early June

Consumer confidence fell last week to an almost four-month low as Americans’ views of the economy and their finances deteriorated.

Many U.S. families feel economic stress, few see wages rising: Fed

(Reuters) - A quarter of U.S. families feel they are under economic stress due to the aftershock of the Great Recession and most do not expect their wages to increase in the next year, according to a new Federal Reserve study released on Thursday.

Jobless Claims in U.S. in Past Month Drop to Eight-Year Low

Fewer Americans filed applications for unemployment insurance benefits over the past month than at any time in more than eight years, signaling employers are hanging on to workers as demand improves.

Consumer Sentiment in U.S. Unexpectedly Falls on Outlook

Consumer confidence in the U.S. unexpectedly dropped in March to a four-month low, indicating household spending may be slow to pick up from a weather-related setback earlier this year.

Euro zone morale climbs as recovery strengthens

(Reuters) - Optimism in the euro zone about its economic prospects continued to improve in January with a jump in morale in the bloc's two largest economies, Germany and France.

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.

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.

Asia stocks up on data showing stronger US economy

BANGKOK (AP) -- Asian stock markets staged a modest recovery Wednesday, boosted by strong data releases that portray a U.S. economy on the upswing.

Geithner Says Budget Deal Is ‘Within Our Grasp’

Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said he’s confident an agreement on averting the fiscal cliff can be concluded within weeks after White House talks between President Barack Obama and congressional leaders.

US economic outlook worsens after jobs report

WASHINGTON: The faltering US job market has prompted economists to take a much dimmer view of the country's growth prospects.

Americans Grew Gloomier About the Economy in May

Americans grew much gloomier about the economy in May, causing a critical measure of consumer confidence to suffer its biggest decline in eight months and ending a period of steady optimism.