Italy Posts Biggest Consumer Price Decline on Record Amid Slump

Italy’s consumer prices this month dropped the most since records began after the euro-area’s third-largest economy slipped into recession, adding to concerns that the region might be headed toward deflation.

Disappearing euro zone inflation set to heighten ECB concerns

(Reuters) - Euro zone inflation dropped to a fresh five-year low in August, data showed on Friday, something likely to concern the European Central Bank but not force it into immediate policy action.

UK to enjoy fastest growth since 2007: British Chambers of Commerce

(Reuters) - Britain's economy looks set to grow at its fastest rate since 2007 this year, but the rapid pace is unlikely to be sustained, the British Chambers of Commerce said on Wednesday after nudging up its growth forecasts for this year and next.

German consumer morale drops going into September: GfK

BERLIN: German consumer morale fell for the first time in more than 1-1/2 years heading into September as shoppers grew more wary of the impact on Europe's largest economy of sanctions on Russia and other international conflicts.

Survey: US Consumer Confidence Near a 7-Year High

U.S. consumer confidence this month reached its highest point in nearly seven years, boosted by strong job gains.

About-face for ECB's Draghi as he seeks to jolt euro zone into life

(Reuters) - Prodding governments to do more to boost demand and hinting at European Central Bank action to go along with it marks a major shift in ECB chief Mario Draghi's euro zone policy away from a focus on austerity toward reviving growth.

Economy improving, so why layoffs?

The economy appears to be gaining steam, but companies are still laying off hundreds of workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and thousands across the country.

BoE can resolve financial stability coordination issues: Broadbent

(Reuters) - There are potential "coordination issues" between the Bank of England's (BoE) new financial stability committee and other bank functions, a senior BoE official said on Saturday, adding that these issues can be resolved.

Merkel Says Russia-Ukraine Talks Unlikely to End Conflict

German Chancellor Angela Merkel reined in expectations that the leaders of Russia and Ukraine will agree on peace terms this week, saying a breakthrough is unlikely.

Italy asks EU to exclude infrastructure projects from deficits: minister

(Reuters) - Italy is asking the European Union to exclude spending on infrastructure projects from the calculation of national budget deficits, Transport Minister Maurizio Lupi was quoted as saying in Corriere della Sera newspaper.

France's Hollande says to speed up reforms, ease tax on poorest

(Reuters) - French President Francois Hollande said on Wednesday he would accelerate reforms while at the same time giving tax breaks to poorer households as he tries to win back confidence from voters who do not trust he can lift the country out of stagnation.

Euro zone business growth slows in July, prices fall: PMI

(Reuters) - Euro zone private business growth slowed more than expected this month, despite widespread price cutting, as manufacturing and service industry activity both dwindled, a survey showed on Thursday.

China should cut interest rates: government researcher

(Reuters) - China ought to loosen monetary policy further through "modest" cuts in bank lending rates and reserve requirements by next year to spur economic growth, a researcher at a government think-tank said.

Inflation falls more than expected

The annual rate of UK inflation rate fell more than expected in July as the cost of clothing, footwear, food and non-alcoholic drinks eased.

Yen Weakens on Reduced Haven Bid; Euro Near 2014 Nadir

The yen fell versus the euro as demand for havens deteriorated. The euro was about 0.3 percent from this year’s low versus the dollar after Germany’s economy contracted last quarter and France’s stagnated.

Eurozone woes deepen as Spain's industry slumps

Hopes for a recovery in the eurozone suffered another blow on Wednesday with figures showing industrial output fell for a second successive month.

Ruble Strengthens With Bonds on Oil Rebound, U.S.Economic Data

The ruble, the most-volatile currency in emerging markets, strengthened along with global peers as Brent rebounded and disappointing U.S. economic data boosted speculation the Federal Reserve won’t rush to raise interest rates.

Bank of England cuts wage forecast

The Bank of England has halved its forecast for average wage growth, saying it now expects average salaries to rise by 1.25% this year.

Afghan trade to rebound sharply once election deadlock over, officials say

(Reuters) - Uncertainty over Afghanistan's bitterly contested presidential election has helped drive a 20 percent drop in exports this year but Afghan trade officials say they expect revenue to rebound once a deadlock between rivals is resolved.

U.S. Treasury looking at increase in master limited partnerships

(Reuters) - The U.S. Treasury Department is looking into increased use by companies of the master limited partnership (MLP) as a business structure, a department spokesperson said on Monday, hours after a pioneering user turned its back on the MLP.

UK industrial production misses market expectations

Hopes for Britain’s economic rebalancing took another knock today as industrial production in June undershot market expectations.

WTO upholds 'rare earth' ruling against China

BERLIN (AP) — The World Trade Organization has upheld a ruling that China violated trade rules with restrictions on the export of "rare earths," the minerals used in mobile phones, hybrid cars and other high-tech products.

German industrial output fuels slowdown concerns

German industrial output rose 0.3% in June from May as concerns over the Ukraine crisis weighed on the economy.

Euro zone recovery uneven, rates to stay low: ECB's Draghi

(Reuters) - European Central Bank President Mario Draghi said on Thursday that an uneven economic recovery in the euro zone and the bloc's inflation outlook meant interest rates would stay low for an extended period.

UK house prices see 10.2% annual rise, says the Halifax

UK house prices in July were up 10.2% from a year earlier - the biggest annual change since September 2007, according to the Halifax.

Global economy one shock away from another crisis

The world is sliding towards another debt-ridden disaster, with the eurozone and China one shock away from a fresh crisis, according to a leading economics consultancy.

Central bank meetings to set stage for parting of ways

The European Central Bank, Bank of Japan, Bank of England and the central banks of India and Australia all hold meetings.

Ghana to seek an IMF program to stabilize cedi

(Reuters) - Ghanaian President John Mahama has ordered his government to open talks with the International Monetary Fund on a program to help stabilize the economy and halt a slide in the cedi currency, officials said on Saturday.

U.S. factory activity expands in July, pace slows: Markit

(Reuters) - The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded in July, but the pace of growth slipped from the previous month as growth in output, new orders and employment slowed, an industry report showed on Friday.

Europe hits Russia's biggest banks

Europe has cranked up the pressure on Russia by including the country's top two banks on a list of sanctions.

UK pension funds and insurers pose risks to financial stability

Pension funds and life insurers' investment decisions pose a potential threat to UK financial stability, according to research by the Bank of England.