UK retail sales jump in February, boding well for first-quarter growth

LONDON (Reuters) - British retail sales rose much faster than forecast in February, suggesting that the economy's solid recovery extended into the first quarter of the year, official data showed on Thursday.

Treasuries Post Monthly Loss as Fed Flattens Yield Curve

Treasuries are losing money for the first time since December as investors demand higher yields with the Federal Reserve signaling that a strengthening economy may prompt policy makers to raise rates sooner than forecast.

German Inflation Slows as ECB Prepares for Rate Meeting

German inflation slowed in March, indicating subdued price gains in Europe’s largest economy that could bolster the case for action by the European Central Bank.

IMF agrees bailout for Ukraine

The International Monetary Fund has agreed a $14-18bn bailout for Ukraine, a deal that will unlock further credits to reach a total of $27bn over the next two years.

U.S. services, private sector growth accelerate in March: Markit

(Reuters) - U.S. private sector economic activity growth accelerated in March at a faster clip than in February as the services sector picked up, even as business creation showed warning signs, an industry report showed on Wednesday.

Eurozone recovery 'gathering speed'

LONDON (AP) — Further evidence emerged Monday that the economic recovery across the 18-country eurozone is accelerating and, perhaps more importantly, spreading to the bloc's debt-laden laggards.

French business output grew in March, PMI survey says

France's private sector companies grew at their fastest pace in two and a half years in March, bucking forecasts for a further contraction, a survey says.

Fed guessing game intensifies while West isolates Russia

(Reuters) - The guessing game over U.S. interest rates is likely to intensify this week after new Fed Chair Janet Yellen raised the prospect of a hike early next year, while Russia's annexation of Crimea will keep investors focused on its next move.

Government borrowing edges up in February

A rise in local authority borrowing pushed up the government deficit by £9.3bn last month, but left George Osborne's deficit reduction plan on track, according to official figures.

BoJ will continue its monetary easing program - Kuroda

(Reuters) - Bank of Japan will continue to pursue its massive monetary easing program, with the Japanese economy only halfway to achieving its 2 percent inflation target, the central bank's governor said on Friday.

Yuan hits one-year low against U.S. dollar

China's yuan has tumbled to its lowest level in a year, just days after the country's central bank doubled its trading range against the dollar.

UK budget set to mark election battle lines

London (AFP) - Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne will on Wednesday spell out his government's spending plans for the coming year, with another dose of austerity likely to be offset by some tax perks.

Stocks gain after reports on economy, Ukraine

NEW YORK (AP) — The stock market rose Tuesday after some encouraging news on the economy and on hopes that the conflict between Russia and the West wouldn't escalate further after Russia's President Vladimir Putin said that it won't take over other areas of Ukraine.

Incoming BOK Governor Sees Korea Rate Increase Looming: Economy

Incoming Bank of Korea Governor Lee Ju Yeol said South Korean households need to prepare for higher interest rates, bolstering analysts’ forecasts for an increase as inflation picks up.

U.S. Treasury's Lew welcomes Chinese currency move

(Reuters) - The United States welcomed China's recent decision to allow its currency's value to vary more against the U.S. dollar, a Treasury spokesperson said on Sunday.

Hotels a bright spot in economic recovery

The hotel industry has staged an impressive comeback from the depths of the recession, with California poised to see considerably more investment in real estate acquisitions and new development, a panel of experts agreed on Friday.

'Pent-up' housing market demand dying down, Rics says

The "furore" in the UK housing market is dying down because a recent surge in demand is "gradually exhausting itself", according to surveyors.

BOJ Faces Red Light as Yen Exporting Deflation: Chart of the Day

Bank of Japan Governor Haruhiko Kuroda may face resistance from developed-nation peers to expanding record stimulus because the currency impact may undermine global economic growth, according to BNP Paribas SA.

Job Openings in the U.S. Increased in January as Hiring Fell

Job openings in the U.S. increased less than expected in January, a sign labor-market cooling from late 2013 persisted as severe winter weather hammered the eastern and midwestern U.S.

UK manufacturing starts 2014 on good footing, weather hits oil and gas output

LONDON, March 11 (Reuters) - British manufacturers started 2014 on a solid footing in January but bad weather caused the broader measure of growth in industrial output to slow sharply, official data showed on Tuesday.

Australia business conditions suffer setback in February: survey

(Reuters) - A measure of Australian business conditions pulled back sharply in February from the three-year highs touched the previous month, though firms surveyed remained relatively upbeat on the outlook for the economy.

Bank of England reveals concern about strength of sterling

Bank of England concern about the pound's strength has been revealed in comments from one of Threadneedle Street's top officials, who has said a further rise in sterling would damage hopes of an export boost to the economy.

Spain struggles to pull together multibillion euro highway bail-out

(Reuters) - The Spanish government is working against the clock to reach a deal with builders over a multibillion euro bail-out for nine bankrupt motorways which could directly hit the country's deficit.

Gains in U.S. job growth expected, but weather may weigh

(Reuters) - U.S. hiring likely picked up enough in February to keep the Federal Reserve on track in reducing its monetary stimulus.

UK interest rates kept at record low

UK interest rates have been held at 0.5% for another month, the Bank of England has said.

Scottish independence: Adviser Beveridge backs currency union plan

The head of the Scottish government's fiscal advice group has urged SNP ministers to stick with their planned monetary union under independence.

China February export, import growth seen slowing further

(Reuters) - China's export and import growth likely slowed in February, causing its trade surplus to shrink by more than half, a Reuters poll showed, reinforcing views that its economic momentum is weakening as leaders prepare to unveil key targets for 2014.

Manufacturing in U.S. Expands More Than Projected: Economy

Manufacturing expanded at a faster pace than projected in February, showing the U.S. economy is making headway in emerging from the harsh winter weather that has slowed growth in early 2014.

Euro zone lending contraction compounds ECB headache

(Reuters) - Lending to households and firms in the euro zone fell again in January and money supply growth remained subdued, adding to pressure on the European Central Bank to take action next week to support the economy.

Economy just muddling along

The economy merely muddled along at the end of the year, but economists call it "impressive" given the federal spending cuts and the government shutdown in October.

Britain's housing market shows no sign of cooling down, says Nationwide

Britain's buoyant housing market showed no signs of cooling in February with the average price of a home 9.4% higher than a year earlier according to Nationwide.