Japan consumer spending, factory output skid after sales tax hike

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's household spending in April fell at the fastest rate in three years in a sign that consumption could be slow to recover from an increase in the nationwide sales tax, raising questions over the pace of economic recovery.

Frustrated dollar bulls not giving up yet

This year has been trying for dollar bulls betting on stellar greenback gains, but they're not giving up yet.

Salmond: independent Scotland could be £5bn a year better off in 15 years

The Scottish government and the UK Treasury have set out rival visions of the costs and benefits of Scottish independence.

IMF says Spain has 'turned corner'

Madrid (AFP) - The IMF declared Tuesday that Spain's economic recovery is here to stay, hailing a return to growth and job-creation despite the nation's 26-percent unemployment rate.

World Bank: Floods could disrupt Balkans' power supplies for at least six months

SARAJEVO (Reuters) - Devastating floods in the Balkans this month mean economic growth in the region will be lower than forecast this year and power supplies could be disrupted for at least six months, the World Bank said on Monday.

Interest rate hikes would hit British car industry: UK Hyundai CEO

(Reuters) - A series of even small rises in British interest rates would be a big blow to the country's car industry, the CEO of Hyundai UK (005380.KS) told Reuters on Thursday.

Pound Climbs as Retail-Sales Surge Stokes Rate Bets

The pound strengthened for a fourth week against the euro as a jump in U.K. retail sales stoked speculation the Bank of England will hasten its plans to raise interest rates as the economy expands.

Economy, hostility push more Jews to quit France for Israel

PARIS (Reuters) - When Daniel, a Jewish small business-owner, first raised the idea of leaving France eight years ago, parents and friends talked him out of taking the leap.

Swiss bank pleads guilty to US tax evasion, fined $2.6bn

Swiss bank Credit Suisse pleaded guilty Monday to the charge that it facilitated wealthy Americans who sought to commit tax evasion, becoming the first major bank to admit criminal wrongdoing in over 20 years and agreeing to pay $2.6 billion in fines.

Spain With Greece Win Higher Debt Ratings on Growth Outlook

Spain’s credit rank was raised by Standard & Poor’s, while Fitch Ratings increased Greece’s grade, as the economic outlooks improve for countries that were at the heart of Europe’s sovereign debt crisis.

U.S. factory activity expands in May: Markit

The U.S. manufacturing sector expanded at a stronger-than-expected rate in May, while factory output growth hit its fastest pace since February 2011, an industry report showed on Thursday.

Eurozone businesses maintain steady growth

Business activity in the eurozone kept up a steady pace of growth in May, a survey has indicated, despite the pace of expansion slowing slightly.

Germany's Schaeuble congratulates Portugal on bailout exit

(Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble congratulated Portugal for exiting its bailout program in a letter made available to Reuters on Saturday, acknowledging reforms had not been easy but would eventually pay off.

Chile economy likely grew 2.5 pct in first quarter - cenbanker

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 16 (Reuters) - Chile's economy likely grew by 2.5 percent in the January-to-March period compared with a year earlier, the country's central bank chief said on Friday at a central bankers' seminar in Rio de Janeiro.

U.S. consumer sentiment slips in May, focus on wages

(Reuters) - A monthly gauge of U.S. consumer sentiment fell in May as a gloomy view on income growth clouded an otherwise positive economic outlook, a survey released on Friday showed.

Euro zone first-quarter growth disappoints, puts pressure on ECB to act

(Reuters) - The euro zone economy grew much less than expected at the start of the year and inflation remained locked in the 'danger zone' below 1 percent, increasing pressure on the European Central Bank to ease monetary policy at its next meeting in June.

Economic Recovery In The U.S. And Mexico Can Bolster Wal-Mart's First Quarter Results

Retail giant Wal-Mart struggled through most of fiscal 2014 as U.S. buyersspent cautiously even on their basic needs. As store traffic and consumer spending remained weak throughout the year, the retailer’s U.S. revenue per square feet declined by 0.4%.

Future of historic silver price benchmark in doubt

The future of a 117-year-old global benchmark determining the price of spot silver is in doubt after its administrator said it would cease operations.

Slow recovery holds back TUI Travel as tourists return to Greece

LONDON (Reuters) - TUI Travel, Europe's biggest tour operator by revenues, reported a dip in the number of holidays sold for this summer, as the slow pace of economic recovery in much of the region offset a resurgence in the popularity of travelling to Greece.

Canada sees little employment growth in last year

The Canadian economy shed 29,000 jobs in April while the unemployment rate remained flat at 6.9%, according to Statistics Canada.

Why global recovery could depend on China's taste for luxury

China's looming coronation as the world's largest economy, years ahead of schedule, is probably not particularly surprising in one sleepy corner of Oxfordshire.

Geithner on bailouts, Obama and public anger over bonuses

At the height of the financial crisis, former President Bill Clinton tried to brace then-Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner about the growing populist anger over the government's Wall Street bailouts.

Solis Takes Costa Rica Presidency Vowing Deficit Cuts

Costa Rica President Luis Guillermo Solis, in his first speech to the nation after being sworn in, said the Central American country’s fiscal deficit threatens the economy and should be resolved within two years.

Could take 5-8 years to shrink Fed portfolio: Yellen

(Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Reserve is in no rush to decide the appropriate size of its balance sheet, but if it ultimately shrinks it to a pre-crisis size, the process could take the better part of a decade, Fed Chair Janet Yellen said on Thursday.

Puerto Rico unveils economic recovery plan details

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- Puerto Rico's government on Tuesday unveiled details of an economic recovery plan to pull the U.S. territory out of a nearly eight-year recession as it fights to trim $73 billion in public debt.

Spain gets jobs boost from recovery, Easter break

(Reuters) - The number of people registered as jobless in Spain fell sharply in April, data showed on Tuesday, as the service sector took on tens of thousands to staff restaurants and hotels over the Easter break.

Markets dip on poor China data

Asian stock markets slid on Monday after a survey showed that Chinese manufacturing shrank in April for the fourth month in a row.

Housing Recovery Leaves Millennials Out in the Cold

The housing market is moving toward a recovery – but it won’t take off for good until young Americans have enough money to buy their first home.

'Mission accomplished' as Portugal passes last bailout review

(Reuters) - Portugal's economy has passed a final review by its EU and IMF lenders, paving the way for a smooth exit from its 78 billion euro bailout program this month, the country's deputy prime minister and creditors said on Friday.

Spain economic recovery 'gathering pace'

MADRID (AP) — Spain's economic recovery will gather pace this year but unemployment is set to remain above 20 percent until 2017, according to government predictions Wednesday.

China's property inflation eases further in April: surveys

(Reuters) - Chinese home prices rose at a slower pace in April, two private surveys showed on Thursday, adding to signs of cooling in the country's property market.

Good news on the economy, but statistics don’t tell the whole story

Tuesday’s first-quarter GDP figures, showing output growth of 0.8pc were a tad disappointing for the City, where something a bit higher had been anticipated.