Income, spending both up

Both personal income and spending by consumers grew modestly in March, according to the government's latest reading out Monday.

European Leaders’ Softening on Austerity May Accelerate

Europe may accelerate a shift away from its austerity-first agenda this week as the new Italian government changes course and a German-Spanish investment pact underscores a renewed focus on combating record unemployment.

US economic growth quickens but misses forecasts as cuts kick in

The US economic recovery gathered pace in the first quarter but fell short of expectations as government cuts countered a sharp rise in consumer spending.

Japan's 'wall of money' proves elusive for global markets

Japanese investors are repatriating funds from around the world at an accelerating pace, dashing hopes that stimulus from the Bank of Japan will flood global asset markets with newly-printed money.

China’s Recovery Falters as Manufacturing Growth Cools

China’s manufacturing is expanding at a slower pace this month on weakness in global and domestic demand, fueling concern that the world’s second-biggest economy is faltering.

Russia's Putin calls for stimulus measures to boost growth

MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russian President Vladimir Putin called on Monday for his government to draw up a package of measures to boost economic growth, while warning against changes to the country's recently adopted fiscal rule.

Bank of England's cheap credit scheme to be extended -reports

LONDON (Reuters) - A scheme to get more credit flowing in Britain's stagnant economy will be expanded to include specialist lenders and will run for a year longer than planned, the Sunday Telegraph newspaper reported.

EU Rebuts Austerity-Obsessed Image, Defends Growth Plans

European officials sought to convince policy makers from the rest of the world that they’re not cutting budgets at the expense of stronger growth.

Jobless rate stagnant as state economic recovery slows

PHOENIX -- New unemployment numbers released Thursday suggest the state's economic recovery is weakening.

Germany urges ECB to reduce eurozone liquidity: Report

FRANKFURT: German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said Friday the European Central Bank should try to limit the amount of liquidity in the eurozone, even if some countries were in a precarious situation.

IMF trims global growth forecast, sees bumpy recovery

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The International Monetary Fund on Tuesday trimmed projections for global economic growth for this year and next to take into account sharp government spending cuts in the United States and the latest struggles of recession-stricken Europe.

Deal reached to unlock rescue loan disbursement: Greece

ATHENS: Greece and its troika of international creditors have reached agreement on its economic recovery efforts, opening the way for the disbursement of 8.8 billion euros ($11.5 billion) in bailout loans, officials said Monday.

Analysis: Canadians losing faith in economic "miracle"

OTTAWA/TORONTO (Reuters) - Factory worker Nelson Claros has little time for talk of the Canadian economic miracle.

Swiss President sees no need to change banking secrecy

GENEVA: Swiss President Ueli Maurer on Sunday said he saw "no need to change strategy" after fellow financial centre Luxembourg eased its bank secrecy practices.

The Economic Data Filters, Clogged Again

ROBERT HEILBRONER, the author and economist, was often asked where interest rates, the stock market and the economy were heading.

Italy "wise men" urge reform to help break political deadlock

ROME (Reuters) - A panel of "wise men" named by Italy's president proposed a package of political and economic reforms on Friday, but there was little sign they would bridge the gap between feuding parties caught in deadlock since elections in February.

IMF chief worries about pace of economic recovery

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the International Monetary Fund said Wednesday the greatest threat to a lasting economic recovery in Europe is "the fatigue of both governments and populations" over painful steps taken to boost growth and combat national debt.

US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew calls for demand boost

The US Treasury Secretary has urged countries with the "capacity" to do more to boost economic growth through consumer demand, in an apparent reference to Germany.

Australia PM eyes trilateral naval exercises with China and U.S.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Australia is hoping to see trilateral naval exercises with China and the United States and is pursuing a new strategic partnership with Asia's biggest economy, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said on Tuesday.

'Immense stake' for US in eurozone recovery: Jacob Lew

BRUSSELS: US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew used his opening meetings on Monday in a whistle-stop tour of eurozone leaders to remind EU partners of the "immense stake" the United States has in European recovery and reform efforts.

French finance minister Pierre Moscovici confirms 0.1 per cent growth this year

PARIS: French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said on Sunday that France's economy was expected to grow just 0.1 percent this year, revising downward an official target as the country struggles to get back on its feet.

Dim labor report shows US added just 88K jobs

WASHINGTON (AP) — A streak of robust job growth came to a halt in March, signaling that U.S. employers may have grown cautious in a fragile economy.

ECB "ready to act" to help languishing economy

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - European Central Bank President Mario Draghi opened the door on Thursday to an interest rate cut as soon as next month, saying his bank stands "ready to act" to boost the recession-hit euro zone economy.

Canada dollar stronger as weak U.S. data hits greenback

TORONTO (Reuters) - The Canadian dollar held near six-week highs against its U.S. counterpart in early trade on Wednesday as weaker-than-expected U.S. employment data took some strength from the U.S. dollar and global stock markets sat tight awaiting policy news.

China first-quarter GDP likely nudged higher, recovery on track

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's annual rate of economic growth likely nudged higher in the first three months of 2013 versus the last quarter of 2012, with fixed asset investment and factory output growth in double digits cementing a mild rebound, according to a Reuters poll.

Italy jobless rate eases to 11.6 per cent in February

ROME: Italy's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate eased unexpectedly to 11.6 per cent in February from January's 21-year high of 11.7, national statistics agency ISTAT reported on Tuesday.

Cyprus plans tax breaks, casinos to kickstart economy

NICOSIA: Cyprus plans to lift a ban on casinos and offer firms tax exemptions on profits reinvested on the island under a package of reforms to kickstart its ailing economy, its president said on Monday.

Payrolls Probably Rose, Factories Expanded: U.S. Economy Preview

Payrolls probably grew in March and factories kept assembly lines moving, signaling the U.S. expansion chugged ahead even as federal spending cuts set in, economists said before reports this week.