HK economy forecast to grow up to 4 pct in 2014

HONG KONG (AP) -- Hong Kong's finance chief forecasts that the economy of the Asian financial center could grow up to 4 percent this year after expanding 2.9 percent in 2013.

Italy and France to lag Germany in euro zone recovery

(Reuters) - Germany is set to accelerate away from France and Italy in 2014 as the fragmented euro zone economy gradually recovers from its worst crisis, the European Commission said on Tuesday.

Budget must focus on youth jobless, business chiefs say

Chancellor George Osborne must include measures in the Budget in March to address youth unemployment and training, says the British Chambers of Commerce.

US, IMF 'stand ready' to help Ukraine rebuild ailing economy

Sydney (AFP) - The United States and the International Monetary Fund offered Sunday to assist Ukraine in rebuilding its battered economy following devastating protests that have plunged the country into its worst crisis since independence.

UK's economic recovery fragile, warns Asda boss

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain's economic recovery is fragile, with huge regional variations, the head of Asda supermarkets said on Thursday as the company reported flat sales over the key Christmas quarter.

Emerging markets must do homework, says German minister

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Emerging markets should get their own houses in order before demanding solidarity from other nations, German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble said.

World economic recovery struggling to gain traction

(Reuters) - Another month of slower factory activity in China and a sharp decline in a closely-watched gauge of U.S. manufacturing on Thursday added to concern about the state of the global economy.

Gold demand softens by 15% globally as economic recovery heats up

For much of the financial crisis, investors knew there was nothing quite so good as gold. Speculators flocked to buy into the traditional safe-haven investment, and its value in effect tripled between 2007 and 2012.

Retailers urge new business rate system

There should be a new business rate system for shops based on energy use, the retailing body the British Retail Consortium (BRC) has said.

Foreign banks bracing for tough U.S. Fed capital rules

(Reuters) - Overseas banks look set to win only minor concessions when the Federal Reserve signs off on new capital rules next week, as they become increasingly resigned to the fact that the cost of doing business in the United States will go up.

Mark Carney says UK housing market in widespread recovery

Bank of England governor Mark Carney says the UK housing market is generally recovering.

Summers Backs Yellen’s Debut in Fed Chair Role He Wanted

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen is generally taking the right approach in continuing efforts to boost a tepid U.S. economic recovery, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers said in an interview airing today.

Euro-Area Growth Eases Pressure on Draghi for Stimulus

The euro-area economy expanded more than forecast in the final quarter of 2013, led by Germany and France, easing pressure on the European Central Bank to take action next month to counter low inflation and spur growth.

China Exports Boom Suggests Economic Recovery

Exports and imports in China shot up more than 10% in January compared to the year earlier, calming fears about economic malaise even as it elicited some skepticism about the accuracy of the country’s trade data.

Scottish independence: 'Yes' vote means leaving pound, says Osborne

UK Chancellor George Osborne has said a vote for Scottish independence would mean walking away from the pound.

Yellen: Federal Reserve stimulus cuts to continue

The new chair of the Federal Reserve, Janet Yellen, has said the bank will continue to cut its stimulus measures for the US economy.

Canada Proposes Law to Reduce Consumer Price Gaps With U.S.

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty said his government plans to introduce legislation to try to stop companies from charging higher prices in Canada than they do in the U.S.

Oil hovers near $100 on hopes of US recovery

Oil hovered near $100 a barrel Monday on hopes that the U.S. economic recovery can be sustained despite January's poor payrolls report.

IMF: Pakistan economy improving, reform on track

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The International Monetary Fund said Sunday that Pakistan has met nearly all of its quantitative performance markers, that its economy is showing signs of improvement and that its reform program remains broadly on track.

ECB to gain far-reaching powers as euro zone banks' supervisor

(Reuters) - The European Central Bank will attain significant powers over the euro zone's commercial banks once it becomes their supervisor later this year, including withdrawing bank licences and assessing acquisitions, it said on Friday.

UK economic optimism soars, boosting Cameron's political capital

LONDON (Reuters) - Optimism about Britain's economy has reached its highest level since 1997 thanks to an unexpectedly strong recovery, boosting Prime Minister David Cameron's economic credentials ahead of a 2015 election, a poll showed on Thursday.

German December industrial orders fall but upwards trend intact

(Reuters) - German industrial orders unexpectedly fell in December by 0.5 percent, Economy Ministry data showed on Thursday, but the two-month average was still up 1.1 percent thanks to an upwardly revised surge in November intake.

Help us develop economy, Equatorial Guinea leader asks investors

MALABO (Reuters) - Equatorial Guinea wants international investors and financial institutions to help open up and diversify its energy-dependent economy, its president said on Tuesday, while insisting the nation's oil and gas wealth was a "blessing and not a curse".

Factory, construction spending data hint at slowing economy

(Reuters) - U.S. manufacturing activity slowed sharply in January on the back of the biggest drop in new orders in 33 years while construction spending barely rose in December, pointing to some loss of steam in the economy.

Japan stocks plunge off highs

What goes up must come down: Shares in Tokyo fell almost 2% on Monday, continuing to erase last year's runaway gains.

Emerging markets inflow numbers point to exit by bond investors

The release this week of updated capital inflow data by the Institute of International Finance could not have been better timed.

Obama asks CEOs for help hiring long-term jobless

WASHINGTON (AP) — Confronting the persistent joblessness that has marred the economic recovery, President Barack Obama won commitments Friday from more than 300 companies to reach out in their hiring to the nearly 4 million Americans who have been unemployed for half a year or more.

Japan’s Backward Recovery

Japan’s current economic recovery is different from any other period of expansion in recent years.