Eurozone, EU economic confidence firms: Official data

BRUSSELS: Business leaders and consumers in the eurozone sent signals in January that the clouds of economic gloom are lifting slightly, marking the third-month running of firming optimism, data from the European Commission showed on Wednesday.

Analysis: Economic Outlook Recovery -- a new puzzle

Durable goods orders rose in December, equities look poised for an upbeat day in New York and benchmark treasury bond yields rose above 2 percent early Monday.

World Economic Forum Ends With Stark Warning Over Global Economy

The World Economic Forum's annual meeting broke up on Saturday night amid warnings that attendees were too relaxed and optimistic about the state of the global economy.

France, Germany must support short-term growth: French Finance Minister

PARIS: France and Germany must work closely together to find a balance between mid-term structural reform and the need to support growth in Europe in the short term, French Finance Minister Pierre Moscovici said on Saturday.

IMF: Global economic recovery 'weakening'

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has warned again of a weakening global economic recovery despite government efforts to stimulate growth.

Bank of England's King says time to review inflation targeting

BELFAST (Reuters) - The Bank of England's inflation-targeting remit needs to be fine-tuned but should not undergo fundamental change, central bank governor Mervyn King said in a wide-ranging speech on Tuesday.

Bundesbank Says German Economic Slowdown Short-lived

Germany's economic slowdown is likely to be short-lived as the biggest euro area economy's prospects have improved at the beginning of the year, Bundesbank said in a monthly report on Monday.

How Long Can the Stock Market Defy Economic Gravity?

As the pragmatic conservative economist Herbert Stein once said, “If something cannot go on forever, it won’t.”I’ve been thinking about that saying a lot in relation to today’s bull market and the complacency with which investors seem to view it.

Growth slows, markets feeling good ahead of Davos

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — The world's financial and political elite will head this week to the Alps for 2013's gathering of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with the global economy far less plagued by fear than it was last year.

Geithner says U.S. "in fourth quarter" of crisis recovery: WSJ

(Reuters) - The U.S. economic recovery is entering the home strait, though unemployment is still very high and may only come down gradually, outgoing U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner said.

Global Economy Brightens With Modest Growth Ahead, World Bank Says

WASHINGTON — Some of the darkest clouds threatening the global economy have started to lift, according to the World Bank’s periodic update to its economic forecasts.

Euro zone trade surplus jumps as exports surge

BRUSSELS: The euro zone recorded a higher than expected trade surplus in November thanks to surging exports and flat imports, data showed on Tuesday, indicating rising competitiveness of the bloc as well as subdued domestic demand caused by recession.

Deutsche Bank Said to Consider 20% Bonus Cuts in Europe

Deutsche Bank AG (DBK) is considering reducing bonuses for investment bankers in Europe by as much as 20 percent on average for 2012, while bankers in New York will see smaller declines, said four people briefed on the matter.

Japan’s Abe Says He’ll Seek ‘Bold Leader’ to Head Central Bank

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe seeks a “bold policy leader” as the next Bank of Japan (8301) governor as he aims to end deflation and drive a recovery from recession.

Analysis: Wage rise a relief for U.S. workers, but Fed is watching

(Reuters) - Wages quietly rebounded last month for U.S. workers, a welcome sign for many Americans that is also likely to have caught the eye of Federal Reserve policymakers watching for any sign of inflation.

China's surprisingly strong trade data fans optimism

China has reported better-than-expected trade data, adding to optimism that growth in the world's second-largest economy may be rebounding.

Slower Ghana growth, inflation raise rate cut hopes

ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana's annual consumer price inflation eased in December and its economic growth slowed in the third quarter, the West African nation's statistical office said on Wednesday, raising expectations of an interest rate cut.

Merkel Economy Shows Neglect as Sick Man Concern Returns

German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s economic machine is beginning to show signs of neglect. As the continent’s growth engine and self-appointed fiscal paragon orders budget cuts for its peers, investors, economists and policy makers are starting to warn Germany is turning a blind eye to its own weaknesses.

Analysis: "Fiscal cliff" deal sours tax reform outlook

(Reuters) - Prospects for a 2013 overhaul of the U.S. tax code have faded after last week's "fiscal cliff" fight, with Democrats still pushing to raise more government revenue by closing tax breaks and Republicans arguing that the tax debate is over.

Threat to euro overcome, says Commission President Barroso

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso has said he believes the threat to the survival of the euro has been overcome.

Does Britain's austerity hold lessons for the United States?

The dog's breakfast of a deal that "resolved" the US "fiscal cliff" fell far short of expectations.

Uganda holds key rate with eye on growth, inflation

KAMPALA (Reuters) - Uganda's central bank held interest rates on Thursday, treading a path between managing inflation and supporting an economic upturn it said would likely lead it to cut borrowing costs in the coming year.

Fiscal cliff market relief fades in Europe

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Enthusiasm waned Thursday in Europe over U.S. legislators' deal to stave off the so-called fiscal cliff, a series of automatic tax increases and spending cuts that could have hurt the world's largest economy.

Euro zone factory slump deepens but US, Asia perk up

WASHINGTON/LONDON: Euro zone factories sank deeper into recession in December as new orders tumbled, business surveys showed on Wednesday, a sharp contrast to continuing signs of revival in the United States and China.

In Europe, debate shifts to speed of recovery

FRANKFURT: Say what you will about the Eurozone's quarreling policymakers. They can claim at least one achievement during 2012: Their common currency still has a heartbeat .