Opinion: Here’s the real reason the Fed wants to raise rates

Federal Reserve policy makers are hoping, even praying, that no unexpected domestic development or international crisis intervenes to prevent them from taking the first baby step to normalize interest rates at the Sept.16-17 meeting.

U.S. job openings hit record high; small businesses upbeat

U.S. job openings surged to a record high in April and small business confidence perked up in May, suggesting the economy was regaining speed after stumbling at the start of the year.

Housing Starts in U.S. Surge to Seven-Year High as Weather Warms

New residential construction in the U.S. surged in April to the highest level in more than seven years, indicating the industry has moved beyond a weather-related soft patch to regain strength.

Jobless Claims Drop to Lowest Level Since January

WASHINGTON — The number of Americans filing new claims for unemployment benefits fell unexpectedly last week, suggesting the labor market is expanding at a solid clip even as economic growth has stalled.

German economy minister: 2014 GDP growth could be less than forecast

(Reuters) - Germany could grow less in 2014 than the 1.8 percent forecast by the government early this year, Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said in an interview published on Sunday, although he added the country was still in good shape compared to euro zone peers.

U.S. small business, jobs data bolster growth picture

(Reuters) - The U.S. economy has decisively turned the corner with small business confidence hitting its highest level in more than 6-1/2 years in May and the number of jobs available rising to pre-recession levels in April.

Consumer Confidence in U.S. Unexpectedly Declined in May

Consumer confidence unexpectedly fell in May from a nine-month high, showing Americans are being shaken by rising grocery bills and elevated fuel costs.

Italy's modest labor reform shows Renzi's momentum faltering

(Reuters) - Italy's chamber of deputies approved modest labor reforms on Thursday after a difficult passage through parliament, underlining the challenges facing Prime Minister Matteo Renzi in his pledge to overhaul the economy.

BOE’s Haldane Offers Few Clues on Monetary Policy

Andrew Haldane, the Bank of England’s big thinker on financial stability, takes up a new role setting interest rates as the central bank’s chief economist in June but his views on monetary policy are largely unknown.

French government predicts rosy future in 2025

PARIS: Full employment, plenty of cheap housing, a new Industrial Revolution and Police 3.0. Those are the French government's predictions for the year 2025.

Factory, labor market data offer bright sign for US economy

WASHINGTON: New claims for U.S. jobless benefits fell last week and factory activity picked up in the Mid-Atlantic region in early July, signs of a stronger economy that could help push the Federal Reserve to ease its monetary stimulus.

Fed's Plosser says jobs report another reason to trim QE3

(Reuters) - The latest U.S. jobs report on Friday showed that government spending cuts have so far not been as damaging as some feared, Philadelphia Fed President Charles Plosser said, adding it only entrenched his opinion that the central bank should reduce its bond buying "now."

Fed History Shows Punch Bowl Goes as Jobs Rise: Cutting Research

An improving labor market rather than accelerating inflation made the Federal Reserve decide to end its last three episodes of easy monetary policy. It may be about to happen again, says Barclays Plc strategist Barry Knapp.

Bank of Canada Governor: Focus of Bank of England Job Will Be Price Stability

TORONTO--Departing Bank of Canada Governor Mark Carney said he will focus on price stability, growth and reforming the European Union financial system as soon as he takes over as the Bank of England's next governor later this year.

S&P cuts, affirms Italian banks in sweeping changes

MILAN/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Ratings agency Standard & Poor's on Friday downgraded a broad swath of Italian banks, citing worries that the recession in the euro zone's third-largest economy could mean mounting losses for the country's lenders.

Jobless claims remain elevated

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- First-time claims for unemployment benefits remained elevated for the third straight week, the government said Thursday, a sign that a job recovery might be stalling.

How low can US jobless rate really fall?

NEW YORK/WASHINGTON: Gary Feeman has been searching for a job for 16 months. He's not ready to give up just yet, but the 60-year-old worries he is running out of options.

U.S. stores hope for "Mega Monday" of brisk sales

(Reuters) - Shoppers found a mixed bag of bargains and so-so deals on Monday, as a day off for many Americans and warm, dry weather lured some out for what was likely to be the third busiest shopping day of the holiday season.