CANADA FX DEBT-C$ drops almost 1 pct, nears 2014 low

TORONTO, Oct 3 (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar lost nearly 1 percent against the greenback on Friday, coming within a hair of touching its low for 2014 under pressure from disappointing domestic data and better-than-expected U.S. jobs growth.

Jobs Report Shows Persistent Economic Growth

The economy may have some more underlying strength than earlier believed, according to the final job market report released before Tuesday’s presidential election.

Jobs rut tips scales in favor of Fed stimulus

(Reuters) - The Federal Reserve looks set to launch a third round of bond purchases this week to try to drive borrowing costs lower and breathe more life into an economy that is not growing fast enough to lower unemployment.

Data points to lackluster economic growth

(Reuters) - A trend measure of Americans signing up for new jobless benefits fell close to a four-year low last week, but weakness in a regional factory gauge showed U.S. recovery still faces an uphill climb.

Italy posts trade surplus of $3.09 billion in June

ROME: Italy's trade balance showed a surplus of 2.52 billion euros ($3.09 billion) in June compared to a 1.7 billion euros deficit a year earlier, suggesting the economy is doing better than previously feared.

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.

US economy added 163,000 jobs in July as Obama handed major election boost

The US added 163,000 new jobs in July, ahead of economists' expectations and offering some relief for President Barack Obama as the economy emerges as the key battleground of the 2012 election.

BoE policy on hold for now as UK economy worsens

LONDON (Reuters) - The Bank of England decided it was too soon on Thursday to step up efforts to bolster Britain's recession-hit economy, although future action looks increasingly likely as growth shows little sign of rebounding after a dismal few months.

Growth in U.S. Slows as Consumers Restrain Spending

The world’s largest economy cooled in the second quarter as limited job growth prompted Americans to curb spending while state and local governments cut back.

US unemployment benefit claims surge

New claims for US unemployment benefits surged sharply higher last week, ending three straight weeks of declines in the struggling jobs market, official data showed.

US economy has slowed significantly, says Ben Bernanke

Ben Bernanke, the Federal Reserve chairman, said the economy had slowed significantly in recent months due to the continuing eurozone debt crisis and uncertainty surrounding US fiscal policy.

UK needs extra spending cuts, says OBR

The UK government must make deeper cuts or raise more money in the future to keep public finances in check, the Office for Budget Responsibility says.

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.

Italy's austerity drive can't save it from Spanish fate

Italy is just like Spain, just a bit more Catholic. That may seem like an obvious statement in religious terms after a steep fall in observance across Spain and when the Vatican City remains the home of the Catholic leader.

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.

German Yields Fall to Records on Safety Bid; France Gains

German bunds advanced, sending the nation’s borrowing costs to record lows, on speculation Europe’s economic slump is deepening and exacerbating the region’s financial crisis.

European Central Bank Opposes Higher Taxes

BARCELONA — Ahead of crucial elections in France and Greece, Mario Draghi, the president of the European Central Bank, warned governments on Thursday that opting for the “easier road” of raising taxes to fill public coffers would not solve Europe’s problems.

Federal Reserve sees economy improving

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The Federal Reserve believes the economy is improving, but not enough to warrant a change in its stimulative policies just yet.

Unemployment in Euro Zone Hit New High in February

LONDON — Unemployment in the euro zone reached its highest level in almost 15 years in February, with more than 17 million people out of work, according to figures released Monday.

Portugal's economy shrank 1.6 percent in 2011

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Portugal's economy shrank 1.6 percent last year as austerity measures adopted in return for a euro78 billion ($103 billion) bailout took their toll, the national statistics agency said Friday.