U.S. consumer confidence near six-year high, home prices rise

(Reuters) - U.S. consumer confidence dipped in April but remained near a six-year high, while home prices rose in February, suggesting the economy continued to regain momentum after a winter lull.

Deflation, emerging market fears set scene for tough EU bank tests

(Reuters) - Fears of euro zone deflation, emerging markets turmoil and a determination not to repeat past mistakes mean European regulators are likely to come up with the toughest set of tests for the region's banks that they have ever faced.

This is a low-pay 'recovery' built on the back of the working poor

The economic headlines have been rosy for the coalition in recent weeks. Expect more of the same on Tuesday, when growth figures are widely expected to show the recovery accelerated during the first three months of this year.

Many low-wage workers not protected by minimum wage

President Obama's push to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, coupled with recent state-level increases, is welcome news for many people getting by on small paychecks. But not every low-wage worker has to be paid the minimum wage.

Portugal's return to bond market fuels recovery hopes

Wednesday morning in Portugal and a corner was turned on the gruelling road to European economic recovery. One of many corners but a corner nonetheless.

UK government hits borrowing target in 2013-14

The UK government borrowed £107.7bn in the financial year to April 2014, lower than the £115.1bn amount it borrowed the previous year.

Japan can withstand tax hike pain: BOJ Deputy Governor Nakaso

(Reuters) - The Japanese economy is resilient enough to absorb the effects of the sales tax hike that kicked in this month, Bank of Japan Deputy Governor Hiroshi Nakaso said on Wednesday.

U.S. business borrowing for equipment rises 3 pct in March: ELFA

Companies signed up for $7 billion in new loans, leases and lines of credit last month, up 3 percent from a year earlier. Their borrowing rose 30 percent from February.

A tough sell: insurance against a China financial crisis

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Selling insurance against a financial crisis should not be difficult, five years after the last one nearly wrecked the global economy.

The Hows and Why of Economic Optimism

The recovery from the financial crisis is now one of the longest in U.S. history, and economists don’t see it running out of steam anytime soon. But why are they so confident?

Vince Cable to bring in tougher penalties for 'dodgy directors'

Reckless company directors may have to compensate victims of their failed business dealings under new measures being brought forward by Vince Cable, the business secretary.

Japan government cuts economy view after sales tax; no need for fresh stimulus

(Reuters) - Japan's government slightly cut its overall view on the economy, its first downgrade in a year and a half, but officials shrugged off the need for more stimulus to support the economy.

Bank of England unlikely to rush into an early interest rate rise

Employment up by more than 250,000 on the quarter. The unemployment rate below 7% and at its lowest rate in five years. Average earnings are picking up and finally outpacing prices.

Bank of America reports $276m loss after $6bn legal hit

Bank of America has posted a $276m (£165m) loss for January to March.

EU banking union gets final approval from MEPs

MEPs have backed rules for a banking safety net to minimise the risk of further EU taxpayer-funded bailouts.

Britain's economy to enjoy 'decent but unspectacular growth' say forecasters

Britain's economy will enjoy "decent but unspectacular growth" with wages rising in real terms for the first time in six years and low inflation allowing the Bank of England to avoid raising interest rates before next year's general election, according to a group of economic forecasters.

Consumers' view of U.S. job market brightened in March: NY Fed

(Reuters) - U.S. consumers grew more confident in the labor market last month, with younger workers in particular seeing a greater chance of finding work should they lose their current job, a survey from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York said on Monday.

Germany Warns European Markets Not to Celebrate Prematurely

Germany’s top finance officials warned investors against prematurely celebrating an overhaul of Europe’s economies four years after they plunged into crisis.

China auto sales growth slows in March

Shanghai, April 11: Growth in auto sales in China —— the world’s biggest car market —— slowed sharply in March, an industry group said today as the economy weakens.

France, Italy not in same boat by EU budget rules: Eurogroup head

(Reuters) - France and Italy will get different treatment under European Union budget rules, because the situation of their public finances is different, the chairman of euro zone finance ministers, Jeroen Dijsselbloem, said on Friday.

Jobless claims at seven-year low, signal firming economy

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits tumbled last week to the lowest level in nearly seven years, strengthening views of faster job growth.

Economic recovery 'not yet secure'

London (AFP) - Business lobby group the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) on Tuesday warned that sustained economic recovery was "not yet secure" due to potential imbalances in the system.

China sees less policy room to fight growth slowdown

(Reuters) - China has less and less room to rely on policy tools to support the economy, the country's top economic planning agency said on Wednesday, as the government tries to arrest a protracted slowdown this year.

Five signs that the global economic recovery may be an illusion

The global economy seemed to be on the mend when the International Monetary Fund met for its spring meeting in Washington 10 years ago.

The Euro Zone Economy Is Feeling Frost In The Spring

Viewed from one perspective, the euro area is a minor miracle. Instead of collapsing in a heap, as seemed possible two years ago, the currency club is not just intact but has a new member, Latvia, which joined in January.

Payrolls in U.S. Rose 192,000 in March, Unemployment 6.7%

Companies powered the U.S. job market past a milestone in March as private employment exceeded the pre-recession peak for the first time, showing the kind of progress Federal Reserve officials look for to maintain their current policy course.

House prices accelerate again says Halifax

House price inflation has increased once again, according to figures from the UK's biggest mortgage lender.

IMF leader calls for bold policies to aid recovery

WASHINGTON (AP) — The head of the International Monetary Fund warned Wednesday that leading nations need to embrace bold policy steps to accelerate a still-modest and fragile global economic recovery.

Cyprus banks seeing signs of stabilisation, says IMF

Cyprus's economy is adjusting following the 2013 recession, which was "not as severe as anticipated", the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has said.

US manufacturing and construction growth quickens

Growth in US manufacturing accelerated in March from the previous month. The Institute for Supply Management's growth index rose to 53.7 from 53.2 in February.

Western banking regulations could be 'mutually destructive' – IMF report

Western governments have put in place banking regulations that could be "mutually destructive" and undermine efforts to prevent bust banks from costing taxpayers billions of pounds, according to a report by the International Monetary Fund.