CBI: Firms must pay workers more as economy improves

The head of the UK's main business lobby group has said too many people are "stuck" in minimum wage jobs, despite an upturn in the UK economy.

Aso Says Can't Rule Out Extra Spending to Support Japan Economy

Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso refused to rule out the possibility an extra budget will be needed again next year to support the economy, while saying it’s best if the funds aren’t needed.

Italy delays "Google tax" until July, OKs funds for business, welfare

ROME: Italy delayed the start of its planned Internet tax until July 2014, approved billions of euros in business and welfare measures and extended a ban on media cross-ownership in a final package of year-end legislation approved on Friday.

Xi Reply to Abe Shrine Visit Looms as Test for China-Japan Ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping’s reaction to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to a shrine that honors wartime leaders will determine whether Asia’s top two economies come closer to a hostile incident.

House prices to rise by 8% in 2014, says Halifax

House prices will end 2014 between 4% and 8% higher than they start the year, but it is "too early to talk of a housing bubble", the UK's largest lender has said.

Russia's Economy Is Decelerating Sharply, But It's Still Close To Full Employment

Russia’s economy has had a lousy 2013. Estimates of GDP growth have been getting smaller and smaller with each passing week.

Oil rises on improved US economic growth

NEW YORK (AP) -- The price of oil edged closer to $100 a barrel Friday after the U.S. government said the economy grew at a faster rate in the third quarter than originally estimated.

European Commission hits back after S&P downgrades EU debt

BRUSSELS: The Standard and Poor's ratings agency downgraded the European Union's credit-worthiness by one notch on Friday, blaming threats to cohesion including Britain's role in curtailing budgets and holding a membership referendum.

UK economy growing faster than forecast, the ONS says

The UK economy is growing faster than previously estimated, according to the latest official figures. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said gross domestic product was up 0.8% in the July-to-September period compared with the previous quarter, confirming its previous estimate.

Serbia says ready to start talks with IMF early next year

BELGRADE: Serbia reiterated on Thursday that it is ready to start talks with the IMF on a new precautionary loan deal in the first few months of next year.

US sees strong house building recovery as economy grows

US house building activity recovered strongly in November, nearly a third higher than in the same period last year, official figures show.

Japanese business confidence hits six-year high, Tankan survey shows

Japanese business confidence improved over the three months to December to its highest level in six years, a central bank survey showed, suggesting prime minister Shinzo Abe's Abenomics stimulus policies are gaining broader traction across the economy.

World stocks lifted by manufacturing data in U.S., Europe

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Rising U.S. manufacturing output last month and a surge in euro zone business activity in December lifted global equity markets on Monday, while gains in new orders from purchasing managers in Europe boosted the euro against the dollar.

Producer prices fall for third straight month in November

WASHINGTON: US producer prices fell for a third straight month in November, pointing to a lack of inflation that could give the Federal Reserve pause as it weighs the future of its monthly bond purchases.

House building lifts October construction output, ONS says

Output in the UK construction industry rose by 2.2% in October, fuelled by a big increase in house building, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Economic recovery hinges on feds, experts say

Federated Investors' investment gurus say the economy is like a “coiled spring” waiting for Washington to do the right thing to set it free.

Japan plans $53B stimulus as recovery falters

TOKYO (AP) — Japan's Cabinet approved billions of dollars of stimulus spending in a supplementary budget meant to perk up a faltering economic recovery and cushion the impact of a sales tax hike next April.

We are in a housing bubble, claims economics professor

Most regions of the UK are already in a house-price bubble, according to an economics professor from Warwick University.

Job Openings in U.S. Increased in October to Five-Year High

Job openings in the U.S. climbed to a five-year high in October, indicating employers were confident about demand even as Washington’s budget impasse shuttered parts of the federal government.

Export Surge Sets Up Big Surplus for China

HONG KONG — China’s exports rose more than expected last month, government figures released Sunday showed, as resurgent demand from consumers in the United States and the European Union helped put the Asian manufacturing juggernaut on track for its biggest annual trade surplus since 2008.

George Osborne's economic policy: more poverty, worse public services

George Osborne has received little flak for his austerity programme. Opinion pollsters say the public is even more convinced of the need to balance the government's books than it was when the chancellor arrived at the Treasury three and a half years ago.

Economy growth may pave way for tax cuts

TALLAHASSEE — Florida economists are projecting steady growth in the state’s economy over the next few years, giving Gov. Rick Scott more leeway to push for tax cuts next year.

German Factory Orders Decline in Sign of Uneven Recovery

German factory orders fell more than economists (GRIORTMM) forecast in October, signaling an uneven recovery in Europe’s largest economy.

US economy grows faster than thought

The US economy grew at an annual pace of 3.6% in the third quarter of the year, up from an initial estimate of 2.8%, revised figures have shown.

Eurozone recovery 'loses momentum'

The eurozone "lost some momentum" in November, a survey says, with private sector activity slowing slightly.

Examiner Editorial: Americans don't buy Obama's talk of economic 'recovery'

President Obama regularly touts what he calls the “economic recovery” supposedly prompted by his policies, including the creation of 7.5 million jobs, consistent growth for more than three years and revitalization of the domestic auto industry.

Banking Union Needed for Financial Stability, EU Officials Say

More needs to be done to complete the euro-area banking union as fragmentation of financial systems and credit markets hold back growth, a group of European Union officials said.

Global factory growth picks up but Europe diverging

(Reuters) - Increasing demand for manufactured goods drove global factory activity higher last month but the spurt in the euro zone masked a widening disparity among some of the bloc's key members.

Iceland Reveals $1.25 Billion in Mortgage Cuts to Aid Recovery

Iceland has announced plans to write down mortgages linked to inflation by 150 billion kronur ($1.25 billion) to speed the nation’s recovery after economic collapse in 2008.