New U.S. home sales hit 2 1/2-year high

WASHINGTON (MarketWatch) — Sales of new homes shot up 4.4% in November to a two-and-a-half-year high in another sign that the ongoing recovery in the nation’s housing market is solidifying.

Asia stocks up on Japan optimism; Europe opens up

BEIJING (AP) — Asian and European stock markets rose Thursday, while and Japan's benchmark index hit its highest level in more than a year optimism a new government in Japan will stimulate the country's sluggish economy.

China warns of rising financial risks

BEIJING: China's financial system is facing increasing risks due to soaring bank loans, with lending to the property sector and local governments a particular concern, the finance ministry warned Wednesday.

With the UK economy stuck in a groove, what prospects for 2013?

On the Saturday before Christmas the shop windows told their own story. Up to 50% off at Hobbs. Discounts of 60% at LK Bennett.

Why 2013 will be a year of low growth, low returns, lower risk

The upshot for investors may be a calmer year, but possibly one that is less lucrative. It could be quite a contrast from 2012, which featured plenty of drama, notably in the euro zone, but also decent returns courtesy of a 12.5 percent gain in the S&P500 stock index and a similar return from global shares.

Signs suggest better economy if 'cliff' is averted

WASHINGTON (AP) — Fresh signs of a strengthening U.S. economy on Friday suggested that if Congress and the White House can avert the "fiscal cliff," the economic recovery might finally accelerate in 2013.

Deficit worsens despite George Osborne's boast

Britain's underlying fiscal deficit is continuing to grow thanks to the chronic weakness of the economy, the latest borrowing figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed yesterday.

2013 augurs better for world economy, if only slightly: Poll

LONDON: Next year promises only a slight pick-up in the world economy and even that will again depend heavily on the United States and emerging markets as Europe stalls, according to the latest Reuters Polls.

German business confidence rises

German business confidence rose for the second month in a row in December, according to a closely-watched survey.

World 2013 growth seen slow, political risks remain-bank group

WASHINGTON: Political risks ranging from turmoil in Italy to potential impediments to euro area reform could hamper the world economy next year, a global banking group warned on Tuesday as it projected another year of sluggish growth.

Japan elections: Shares rise and yen weakens on Abe win

Japanese shares rose and the yen dipped after the Liberal Democratic Party, led by Shinzo Abe, won Japan's general elections.

Zuma Pushes South Africa Growth Plan Amid Investor Concern

South African President Jacob Zuma urged the ruling African National Congress to back a 20-year plan to expand the economy and create jobs, downplaying the need for radical policy changes as concern from investors mount.

UK car market defies predictions of triple-dip recession as Europe slumps

Britain was the only major car market in the European Union to expand this year, adding to signs that the UK economy could be recovering despite the ongoing eurozone crisis.

Fed extends aid to foreign banks

The Federal Reserve, along with four other central banks, announced Thursday that it will extend a program that keeps borrowing costs cheap for foreign banks that want to deal in U.S. dollars.

EU's Rehn says euro zone must pursue structural reforms

(Reuters) - Europe must continue with its "far reaching structural reforms" that have helped to rebalance the euro zone economy and rebuild confidence, EU's top economics official, Olli Rehn, said in an opinion piece in the Financial Times on Tuesday.

Dutch economy to take longer to recover: Central Bank

THE HAGUE: The Dutch economy will take longer than expected to recover and will remain above the European Union's deficit target for at least the next two years, the Dutch Central Bank said Monday.

Fed Is Likely to Sustain Its Stimulus Program

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve is widely expected to announce on Wednesday that it will continue buying Treasury securities to stimulate growth in the new year.

German Finance minister doesn't rule out Eurogroup candidacy: paper

(Reuters) - German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble declined to rule himself out as a candidate to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as chairman of euro zone finance ministers, in an interview published on Sunday.

Canada jobs surge surprise offers hope for fourth quarter

OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canada's economy churned out far more jobs than expected in November in a surprising comeback at a time of sluggish growth, offering hope of stronger fourth quarter economic showing.

US jobless rate falls to near four-year low

The US unemployment rate fell in November to a nearly four-year low and job growth picked up, showing only modest improvement in the economy, government data released Friday showed.

Greece sees no need for new debt 'haircut': Samaras

FRANKFURT: Greece is unlikely to need a new write-down of its debt, the country's prime minister Antonis Samaras said in a German newspaper interview on Thursday.

Australia's economic growth rate slows on spending cuts

Australia's economic growth rate slowed modestly in the last quarter as the government cut spending and earnings from exports declined.

E.U. Financial Ministers Clash Over Banking Supervisor Plan

BRUSSELS — Finance ministers of the European Union locked horns Tuesday over the creation of a single banking supervisor for the euro area, which is supposed to be a key tool for avoiding future financial crises.

Spain requests €39.5bn bank bail-out, but no state rescue

Spain's economy ministry said it had requested the disbursement of €39.5bn (£32bn) of European funds for its banking sector, as agreed under a June rescue deal.

UK manufacturing contraction eases, orders still fall

LONDON (Reuters) - British manufacturing activity shrank less than expected in November though the sector remained fragile as orders edged down, a survey found on Monday.

OECD says chance of quick Spain recovery 'remote'

MADRID: Spain is engulfed in a long recession with little hope of a quick recovery, the OECD club of industrialised nations said Thursday.