Recovery hopes hit by two-way pull

Deepening confusion over the health of the recovery looms this week as the latest snapshots of Britain's major industries point to steady growth, despite official figures plunging the UK into a double-dip recession.

Fed stands pat but says will act if needed

(Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Wednesday said U.S. monetary policy was "more or less in the right place" even though the central bank would not hesitate to launch another round of bond purchases if the economy were to weaken.

U.K. in recession for 2nd time since 2008

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- Britain's economy declined for the second straight quarter, the U.K. government said Wednesday, in a sign that the nation has entered a recession for the second time in four years.

Spain remains under pressure at short-term debt sale

(Reuters) - Spain's short-term borrowing costs nearly doubled compared with a month ago at auctions on Tuesday, even though it opted to sell relatively small amounts of debt given investor doubts about its shrinking economy and a new flare-up in the euro zone crisis.

Greece worse off staying in euro, says Ifo

Greece's ability to recover competitive economic standing will be severely constrained if it continues to use the euro, and other indebted eurozone countries will likely face similar struggles, the head of Germany's prominent.

Germany sees upswing amid eurozone turmoil

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — A key index of business optimism on Friday reinforced what an increasing number of economists are saying: Germany is beginning to see an upswing — even as the rest of the 17-country eurozone struggles with economic and financial turmoil over too much debt.

Economists: Sluggish recovery here to stay

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- The recovery is still chugging along at a sluggish pace, and unfortunately, it looks like it may stay that way for a while.

IMF Gets $320 Billion in New Pledges to Raise Resources

International Monetary Fund Managing Director Christine Lagarde said she expects more contributions after landing pledges of about $320 billion in her campaign for bigger reserves to combat threats to global growth.

Britain faces £50bn more spending cuts and tax rises to cover elderly care, warns IMF

Britain faces another £50bn of spending cuts and tax rises to cover the costs of age-related care and put the national debt under control, the International Monetary Fund has warned.

IMF sees 'optimism return' as faster growth predicted

Washington - The International Monetary Fund is a little more optimistic about global economic growth as European nations have taken action to cope with their debt crisis, and the U.S. economy grew a little faster.

Swiss banks to hand over staff names in US tax row: Report

ZURICH: Switzerland will allow banks to hand over the names of any employees and other third parties who helped wealthy Americans evade taxes to US prosecutors, a Swiss newspaper reported on Saturday.

Analysis: China currency move nails hard landing risk coffin

BEIJING (Reuters) - China's weekend reform of its currency regime nails shut the coffin on the last remains of doubt about whether the world's second biggest economy has successfully steered a course past a hard economic landing.

UK economy needs schoolchildren to learn languages, BCC says

Studying a foreign language should be compulsory until the age of 16 if Britain is to become a nation of exporters, a business group has warned.

China economic growth expected to dip to three-year low

China is expected to report its weakest growth numbers in almost three years later on Friday as global and domestic issues hurt its economy.

Economy picking up, exports better: Japan

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan's government stuck to its assessment that the economy is slowly recovering on Thursday but raised its view on exports, saying overseas shipments are showing signs of stabilizing on a moderate pickup in the United States and some return in Asian demand.

Germany Grows Robust from Sick Man With Demand at Home

Germany’s economic expansion is increasingly home-grown.Unemployment at a two-decade low, wages accelerating out of years of restraint and falling borrowing costs are spurring consumers in Europe’s linchpin economy to spend more.

Manufacturing Is Key to Economic Recovery: Opinion

NEW YORK (TheStreet) -- Barack Obama and his Republican challengers don't agree about much, but they do agree that the U.S. economy can't be turned around -- and middle class prosperity saved -- without a strong contribution from manufacturing.

UK economy grew 0.1% to avoid recession, says NIESR

The UK economy has avoided a double-dip recession by the narrowest of margins, a leading thinktank predicted after a manufacturing slump underscored the fragile nature of Britain's recovery.

Jobs recovery suffers setback in March

(Reuters) - Employers hired far fewer workers in March than in previous months, keeping the door open for the Federal Reserve to provide more monetary support for a still sluggish economy.

IMF: Portugal is on track but big risks remain

LISBON, Portugal (AP) — Bailed-out Portugal's economic recovery program is proceeding as planned but "formidable challenges" stand in the country's path amid a steep recession and market misgivings about Europe's response to its debt crisis, the International Monetary Fund said Thursday.

UK business optimism rises as fears of double-dip recession and a eurozone break-up fade

Business optimism is rising at its fastest rate since 2007, as fears over an imminent eurozone break-up abate, though companies are still opting for the safety-first option of hoarding cash.

U.S. manufacturers pick up pace in March

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — American manufacturers expanded at a somewhat faster pace in March and most industries experienced growth, according to a closely followed survey.

Jean-Claude Trichet: 'We need to go further’

In his first public interview since stepping down as head of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet tells Charles Moore why he believes that Europe needs unity.

U.S. job growth seen tapering off slightly

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Picture this: Job creation is on the upswing, consumers are spending freely and executives are more confident about their business. Things are looking up.