ECB easing pushes European equities to seven-year high, euro sinks

(Reuters) - European stocks hit seven-year highs on Friday, continuing a rally ignited by the European Central Bank's plan for massive regional economic stimuli that also knocked the euro to 11-year lows.

World Bank trims estimate of Ebola economic cost

Washington (AFP) - The World Bank trimmed its estimates of the economic damage of the Ebola epidemic Tuesday, but warned that the three main affected countries would still bear a heavy cost.

Low inflation no bar to rate rise, U.S. Fed officials say

(Reuters) - The Federal Reserve is still on track for a potential mid-year interest-rate increase, a top Fed official said on Friday, citing strong U.S. economic momentum and a falling unemployment rate.

Market's ups-and-downs spell end of low volatility era

(Reuters) - In the last month, the U.S. stock market is down just 0.8 percent, but it's been a bumpy ride: Since Dec. 9, the S&P 500 has had a 4 percent selloff, a 6 percent rally, and a 4 percent drop that ended Thursday with a two-day gain of 3 percent.

World Bank calls for quantitative easing to stop eurozone stagnation

The World Bank has warned of the risk of the eurozone sliding into permanent stagnation and urged the European Central Bank to embark on a money-creation programme to boost growth.

Canada loses jobs for second month in a row, housing cools

(Reuters) - Canada's job market continued to gently cool off in December, shedding 4,300 positions after a loss of 10,700 jobs in November, while the hot housing market showed signs of decline.

ECB's Draghi says ready to take additional measures if needed

(Reuters) - The European Central Bank's Governing Council stands ready to take unconventional measures if needed which could include buying government bonds, its president said on Thursday in a letter to a European Union lawmaker.

U.S. factory sector suffers end-of-year chill

(Reuters) - The U.S. factory sector grew at its slowest pace in six months in December, a sign that weakness in the global economy is weighing on the United States.